Compare Hawaii: Ocean and Islands Adventure by Discover Corps vs Road Trip: Burlington & Stowe, Vermont by Great Value Vacations

Day 1: Arrive in Honolulu and Meet the Group

Meals: Dinner

Upon arrival in Hawaii’s capital, Honolulu, you’ll be be met at the airport and taken to your hotel just steps from the world famous Waikiki beaches. After a relaxing welcome dinner together, we’ll get to know one another and discuss the schedule for the week ahead.

Day 2: Journey to Oahu’s North Shore & Experience the Aloha Spirit

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

After breakfast, we’ll set out for Hawaii’s iconic North Shore, famous for its big waves and stunning landscapes. Spend the morning in the historic Waimea Valley with a local organization helping to preserve the valley’s cultural heritage and rainforests. Assist with a reforestation initiative, swim in waterfalls, and see why the ancient Hawaiians deemed the valley sacred centuries ago. In the afternoon, we’ll continue to Na Mea Kupono, an eco-farm that is home to Hawaii’s staple crop, taro. We’ll be hosted by this local family for a Hawaiin-style paina, or gathering, for our dinner as we learn more about their role in farming on the island.

Day 3: Climb Diamond Head & Sail out to Sea on a Catamaran

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Hawaii’s South Shore is crowned by the now extinct Diamond Head volcano. We’ll take a hike this morning to the top of the rim to get a panoramic view of Waikiki from above. For those who opt not to hike, we’ll have the option to visit the Bishop Museum, home of the royal Kamehameha family and now housing an array of artifacts covering Hawaii’s vast Polynesian heritage. After lunch in Waikiki, we’ll hit the sea on a catamaran ride over the turquoise Pacific waters.

Day 4: Fly to Maui & Explore the Tropical‘Iao Valley State Park

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Enjoy a free morning to explore Waikiki. Head to the beach for a surf lesson with the Waikiki beach boys, check out the area’s cafes and shops or simply relax on white sand beaches only steps from your hotel. We’ll take a short mid-day flight across the Hawaiian archipelago to the Valley Isle of Maui. After landing, we’ll head over to the towering emerald peaks of the ‘Iao Valley on Central Maui for a guided hike of the state park. A location revered by the ancient Hawaiians, the valley also served as the site of one of Hawaii’s most important battles as King Kamehameha I tried to unite the islands in the 1700’s. Later in the evening, unwind at our Kaanapali beachfront hotel.

Day 5: Snorkel off Lana’i & Lend a Hand Protecting Sea Turtles

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

We’ll have an early breakfast before cruising to the scenic coastline of Lana'i island with the Pacific Whale Foundation. Spend the morning with breakfast on the boat (expect large boat with other travelers) and then 1.5 hours of snorkeling. Scout for wild dolphins, including acrobatic spinner dolphins, friendly bottlenose dolphins, and curious spotted dolphins. Conservationists from the Foundation will narrate your journey and take about everything from whale migration to plastics in the ocean to reef health.

We’ll return to Maui and, after lunch, spend our first afternoon volunteering alongside the Maui Ocean Center Marine Institute. Home to one of Hawaii’s largest sea turtle rescues and land based coral nurseries, we’ll join their staff on beach and marine debris cleanu , specifically collecting coral fragments. Take these pieces of coral back to the research center and aid in cutting them into smaller pieces to be grown at the center for a period of 8 months - something that would take the reef 20 years to regenerate! This coral is eventually placed back into the reef to bring back areas that are dead or dying.

Day 6: Maui Ocean Center Volunteering & Farewell Luau

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

After breakfast, we’ll spend another morning helping the conservation team at the Maui Ocean Center Marine Institute. On Maui and other Hawaiian islands, sea turtles are being threatened as their habitat is increasingly depleted. Green turtle populations are being impacted by events such as the 2018 hurricane that washed out the most important nesting beach for this species in the entire archipelago. We’ll continue to lend a hand on our projects while learning about some of the initiatives in place to preserve the fragile ecosystem both on land and underwater, including going out with the team to find turtles and tag them for research purposes.

Later in the afternoon, we’ll head back to the hotel where you’ll have some free time to enjoy the beach, swim in the ocean or venture into the coastal town of Lahaina. Tonight, we’ll enjoy a special farewell dinner together along with a traditional island luau.

Day 7: Depart Maui or Continue on for the Post-Trip Extension

Meals: Breakfast

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and check-out of your rooms. The rest of the day is free to relax at the beach or explore nearby Lahaina until your flight home, or continue on to our optional post-trip extension along the gorgeous road to Hana.

Day 1 Welcome to Burlington!

The city of Burlington is nestled between the sparkling Lake Champlain and the magnificent Adirondack Mountains. This part of Vermont is known for its natural beauty and down-to-earth residents. After you've checked into your hotel, consider a jaunt into town to sample the thriving food scene and try out a local brew.

Day 2 Burlington

Take advantage of your proximity to Lake Champlain and spend a beautiful day on the water. Treat yourself to a boat tour, go fishing, take a bike ride along the shoreline, or enjoy an afternoon at the nearby Burlington Waterfront Park.

While you're here, don't miss a visit to Ben & Jerry's ice cream shop and the other specialty shops at the Church Street Marketplace. 

Day 3 Burlington - Stowe

Today, you'll transition from Burlington to Stowe. The drive should only take about an hour, so you'll have plenty of time to enjoy in both towns. 

For a taste of quintessential Vermont, plan a visit to Smugglers' Notch State Park before checking into your accommodation in Stowe. "The Notch" is lined with 1,000-foot cliffs full of caverns and caves. Its long history is filled with stories of danger, adventure, and freedom.

Day 4 Stowe

Though Stowe is most famous as a world-class ski destination in the winter, there is a nearly endless list of attractions and activities to enjoy year-round. 

Start your day in the 200-year-old Stowe Village Historic District. Then, set off on the Stowe Recreation Path for scenic views along a paved trail. As you go, stop off at any of the restaurants, shops, swimming holes, or picnic areas located along the way. 

Day 5 Stowe

Take on Vermont's highest peak with a trip to Mount Mansfield. A distinct landmark for both hiking and skiing fanatics, this ridge line is a draw for visitors in any weather. To summit the mountain you can take the Auto Toll Road, which was originally completed in 1870 for horse-drawn carriages, or you can take the breathtaking Gondola SkyRide to the top. 

Day 6 Depart Stowe

It's time to pack up your bags and head for home.