Women’s Expedition | Big Island, Hawaii

January 8 - 13, 2023 (arriving home on the 14th)

Hosted By

 The Big Island of Hawaii

137 islands and atolls stretching across 1,500 miles together form the Hawaiian archipelago, yet only 7 are inhabited by today’s Hawaiian population. Hawai’i -- also called The Big Island -- is the largest geographically and home to some of the most diverse ecosystems of the region. From Kiluaea, one of the world’s most active volcanoes, to Mauna Kea with a summit just under 14,000 feet, it’s obvious why so many people hope to experience the natural beauty and energy found on the island.

The Big Island of Hawaii presents an incredibly unique opportunity to explore the biodiversity, geographical variety and cultural beauty of the Hawaiian people and their island home. This expedition will focus on diving into the very best Hawaii has to offer. Each day will take the group to a different region of the island to taste delicious foods, explore local culture and history, hike through rainforests and across lava fields, snorkel colorful reefs and feel the healing energy of the tropical paradise only the Big Island can provide.

What you can expect

We keep our trips small on purpose. As a family-owned company, we set the intention from day 1 to create a space that welcomes everyone right where they are — no need for concerns of judgement or expectations. This trip is designed as a challenge by choice, meaning participants individually choose their level of activity each day. Most hikes are easy to moderate level with a balance between group exploration and individual time. Each evening includes opportunities for delicious meals, sunsets, evening outings or wine by the ocean. A briefing is held each night at dinner providing details on the next day’s upcoming events allowing participants time to provide feedback and plenty of time to prep for the next adventure to come. We will be navigating the country by private van, enjoying our own pace as we cruise from one breathtaking location to the next. Some sites require only a short walk while others provide the opportunity for longer adventures. Those preferring time in Kona or the waterfront rather than hiking on longer treks always have the option to do so. Breakfast is enjoyed at home each day with lunches prepared at the house between outings to be enjoyed while out exploring or substitute in a local eatery along the way. Dinners will be a mix between group meals at the resort or enjoyed in the many restaurants Kona has to share. Fall asleep each evening after a warm cup of tea and plenty of relaxing conversations amongst your new adventuring friends.

Experience the 4 elements:

BODY:

• Yoga 

• Nourishment

• Relaxation

• Exploration

• Adventure 

MIND: 

• Optional Workshops

• Cultural Immersion

• Reflection 

• Dialogue

• Growth

SPIRIT:

• Community

• Joy

• Connections

• Rejuvenation

• Laughter

OUTDOOR ADVENTURE

• Hiking

• Volcanoes / Waterfalls

• Hawaiian Beaches

• Snorkeling

• Wildlife on land and sea

This expedition is for you if:

• You are in need of a self care infusion.

• You are a woman seeking adventure and fun.

• Exploring new cultures and cuisine is your jam.

• Waking up to a beautiful ocean view every morning sounds refreshing.

• You are ready to meet other like-minded and fun women.

Hawaii Activities and Places We Will Visit

Arrival Day: Fly to Kona, Hawaii (Orientation, settle into the resort and watch the sunset)

Welcome to Hawaii! With your guides you travel from the airport to your accommodation and receive an orientation on what to expect while living on the Big Island of Hawaii for the week. Your lodging is located in Kona (on the western side of the Big Island) where you will be able to watch the sunsets over the Pacific Ocean every night. Lodging is also located near beaches, restaurants, and shops for ease of exploration.

King’s Trail Day: Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park (Ancient fish ponds, petroglyphs and sea turtles) and Makalawena Beach

One of King Kamehamehaʻs favorite fishponds became the beginning of a National Park. "Wahi pana" (a special, celebrated legendary place) was saved and protected due to the numerous natural and cultural resources by the dedicated cultural practitioners and local community members. This park tells the story of how the Hawaiian people "touched the spirit and felt its mana." The park is a cultural "kipuka" for Hawaiians, a place of cultural and spiritual significance. Exploring this park you will walk through lava fields with ancient petroglyphs, visit the natural fish ponds and learn about their historic use and enjoy watching green sea turtles eating and resting in the lava pools along the shoreline.

Spend the afternoon hiking on the King’s Trail through black lava fields to gain access to the oasis of Makalawena beach where remote palm tree lined shores and the most extensive sand dunes give way to the beautiful waters of the Pacific. Swimming at Makalawena Beach is great with typically calm waters with excellent snorkeling along the lava rock outcroppings running along the multiple coves. Makalawena Beach is part of Pu’u Ali’i Bay. This entire area is famous for its rich marine life. Here you will participate in beach and ocean safety workshops as well as learn how to snorkel.

Place of Refuge and Snorkeling Adventure Day: Pu'uhonua O Hōnaunau National Historical Park and snorkeling Two-Step in Honaunau Bay

Imagine you had just broken the sacred laws, the kapu, and the only punishment was death. Your only chance of survival is to elude your pursuers and reach the Puʻuhonua, a place of refuge. The Puʻuhonua protected the kapu breaker, defeated warriors, as well as civilians during the time of battle. No physical harm could come to those who reached the boundaries of the Puʻuhonua.

Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau is an important Hawaiian ceremonial site bound on its southern and eastern sides by a massive L-shaped wall, known as the Pā Puʻuhonua (Great Wall), and on its northern and western sides by the ocean. In addition to the Great Wall, within the Puʻuhonua are several important ceremonial structures including the Hale o Keawe, ʻĀleʻaleʻa Heiau, and the Ancient Heiau.

After exploring the Place of Refuge, you will enjoy the chance to snorkel at one of the Big Island’s best snorkeling bays. Two Step Beach is a snorkeler’s paradise with clear waters, green sea turtles, colorful fish and some of the island’s healthiest live coral. Two Step Beach is a Big Island snorkeling paradise.

Volcanoes National Park Adventure Day: Volcanoes National Park exploration, Punalu’u Bake Shop and coffee farm

Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park protects some of the most unique geological, biological and cherished cultural landscapes in the world. Extending from sea level to 13,677 feet, the park encompasses the summits of two of the world's most active volcanoes - Kīlauea and Mauna Loa - and is a designated International Biosphere Reserve and UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Today you will start by visiting the infamous Punalu’u Bake shop where you’ll have an opportunity to purchase their delicious sweetbread and other Hawaiian flavor-infused bakery items. Next you will explore Volcanoes National Park hiking across a dormant volcanic crater and through a lava tube. You can fill your water bottle with rain water filtered through volcanic rock before learning about some of Hawaii’s cultural plants and legends. The day will be wrapped up with a stop at a coffee farm where you can sample Hawaiian coffee and choose to purchase locally grown macadamia nuts and flavored chocolates.

Hilo Exploration Day: Hilo, Waterfalls, Farmer’s Market, and Japanese gardens

Today you will venture over to the east (wet) side of the island and explore the village of Hilo. You will have the opportunity to walk though the largest farmer’s market on the island to shop for souvenirs and talk to the locals. Treat yourself to some local Hawaiian fruits and vegetables as well as their acai smoothie bowls. We will also stop at several gorgeous waterfalls in the area before wrapping up the day with a pizza party picnic in the Japanese gardens along the beaches of this east coast of the island.

Mauna Kea Myths and Legends Day: Petroglyph hike and Mauna Kea

The morning will be spent hiking through a lava field to access Hawaii’s largest site of ancient petroglyphs containing hundreds of carvings in one spot. The afternoon will be spent walking the streets of downtown Kona to buy any last minute souvenirs and then choose to participate in a Hu’uponopono meditation ceremony along the shores or watch a local school put on a hula dance. The evening will be spent star gazing into the milky way at 9,000 feet of elevation on Mauna Kea, Hawaii’s tallest volcano, while learning about the many myths and legends of Hawaiian culture.

Departure Day: Fly back home

After packing up you will spend your last day exploring Kona and relaxing at one of the many local gorgeous beaches before hopping on a plane back home. The flight is an overnight flight so while you take off on 13th you will arrive back home on the 14th.

Flights and Arrival Information

Everyone flies into the Kona International Airport (airport code KOA). There are many great flight options from the U.S. starting around $400. Once you land in Kona, we will meet you with a Global Treks sign and excited smile! From there we hop into our private van for the short 20 minute scenic drive into Kona where you get your first taste of Hawaii’s gorgeous countryside.

**Want to arrive a few days early or extend your trip? No problem! We can help coordinate your stay and transport to/from the expedition base.

Our Housing in Hawaii

Our team will be quite spoiled this year as we embrace the world Covid has created. The Global Treks Team will be based in two separate housing condos both located at the Keauhou Kona Surf and Racquet Club just outside Kona, Hawaii. The expedition base is located on 17 acres of land, shares grounds with an ancient Hawaiian archaeological site and is right on the western coast of the Big Island providing the perfect location to enjoy the evening sunset. Each unit includes a kitchen, living room, several shared bedrooms (consisting of 2 - 3 beds with plenty of space to unpack and relax) and bathrooms. The separate units provides plenty of space for everyone to spread out and enjoy the fresh ocean air! Amenities on site includes 3 tennis courts, a large swimming pool and close access to epic snorkeling, restaurants and shops.Two vehicles will be utilized for group transport for hikes, meetings and cultural gatherings.

travel Costs: $2,850 - 3050 SLIDING SCALE

*DEPENDING ON HOUSING PREFERENCE (TWIN BED —> KING OPTIONS AVAILABLE)

What is included:

This fee covers all lodging, in-country transportation, daily breakfasts/lunches and most dinners, all activities and park fees, experienced and energetic Global Treks guides, and 24/hr support before/during and after your expedition.

What is not included:

Airfare from the U.S. to Hawaii, 3 evening meals out to enjoy local cuisine of your choice, souvenirs and gratuities.

Airfare:

We are more than happy to help you book your flight. Flights typically start around $400 depending on your departure location. We will meet you at the Kona International Airport (airport code KOA) with our company shirt on and a sign that says Global Treks to whisk you to your new Hawaiian home away from home.

Covid-19 Announcements:

Global Treks is passionate about safety! We continue to monitor and navigate the Covid-19 pandemic to ensure all participants remain healthy and happy. We check global updates daily and work to keep everyone informed about the latest Covid-19 requirements for travel or new mitigation strategies published.

Global Treks is happy to assist everyone navigate the Covid-19 process for travel to Hawaii and abroad!

check out some of our past global treks magic:

Meet your Expedition Guides

JEN HERDINA

Jen believes the best way to learn anything is to get outside of your comfort zone and let the world teach you everything it has to offer. The desire to deeply understand people from all walks of life has led her on a path guiding both student and adult expeditions around the world including Europe, the Mediterranean, Southeast Africa, Australia, Central America, and the Caribbean Islands. As a leadership development facilitator and experiential educator with 18 years experience, Jen embraces every opportunity to work with participants where they are to support growth, understanding and compassion for the self and the world around. As a sailboat captain and paramedic as well, Jen further combines her skill sets to create inclusive intentional environments on both land and sea incorporating all resources for learning. Jen’s passion for connecting with people and cultivating relationships has created countless opportunities for growth, adventure, compassion and understanding. Each expedition simply reveals again and again how truly amazing the world is and how there is so much of the world yet to be experienced and learned.

NIKKI SCHUMAKER

Nikki is a holistic health educator with a passion for empowering women to fully embrace their purpose and gifts. Nikki used this passion as a childbirth educator for many years and then to create Arrow+Sage in 2013, a community of 3,000 families who collectively lead a movement of holistic health and wellness around the world. Her focuses include: functional health, hormones and natural living. Guided by a desire to immerse herself in the richness of cultures outside her own, after college she lived and volunteered for 3 years on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation in northern Montana. Those years of living and working within the tribal community were pivotal as she found great value in learning the beauty and uniqueness of other cultures, while also discovering her heart’s mission — having a purpose greater than her own. Nikki now lives in Kansas City with her 2 beautiful daughters, husband Phil and their dog, Tuck. Follow their adventures on Insta @theschumakers.