We are so excited to be bringing a team to explore the magnificent volcanoes of Hawaii. This adventure really does have it all. We will camp on the beach in Maui, backpack through Haleakala’s volcanic crater (one of the single best places to view the night sky in the entire world), and summit the highest mountain in Hawaii, Mauna Kea.
Dates: Oct 18-25, 2025
Flights from major USA airports (San Francisco/Los Angeles/Dallas/Chicago/New York) are included in both the dates and cost of this adventure. We are happy to accommodate other departure airports, but this may result in a fee to cover the flight difference.
We are offering two itineraries for this adventure. The full Hawaii adventure is 8 days (including travel) and will visit both Maui and the Big Island. The Maui only option is 6 days and does not include the climb of Mauna Kea. Those choosing this option will arrive back at their departure airports on Oct. 23rd.
Cost: $2,950 (Full Hawaii Option) // $2,450 (Maui Only Option)
- A non-refundable $590 deposit is required at the time of registration to secure your spot on the team. This team is extremely limited in size so please get your deposit in as soon as possible. Please read our Trip Cancellation and Refund policy before registering for your adventure.
- $1,180 is due before May 1, 2025.
- $1,770 is due before July 1st, 2025.
- $2,360 is due before September 1st, 2025.
- $2,950 is due before October 1st, 2025.
What is included:
- Flights from major USA airport to Maui, flight from Maui to Big Island, & flights from Big Island back to departure airport
- 4 nights tent camping (1 on the beach in Maui, 2 while trekking through Haleakala crater, and 1 on the Big Island)
- 2 nights hotel accommodation (1 in Maui and 1 on the Big Island)
- All food throughout the trip.
- Trekking permits and fees.
- Entry to both Haleakala and Hawaii Volcanoes national parks.
- Tents are provided.
What is NOT included:
- You are required to bring your own backpack and trekking gear (sleeping bag and pad, rain shell, headlamp, clothing layers for cold weather, etc.). We will provide an extensive packing list.
- You are responsible for your own snacks.
Trek Difficulty: Difficult
This is a challenging, but beginner friendly trekking adventure. We will be trekking with full backpacks for 3 consecutive days in Haleakala Crater. The trail is not technical and the daily mileage is manageable (9 miles, 6 miles, and 4 miles), but there is significant elevation gain and loss on two of the three days in Haleakala. Additionally, the day hike of Mauna Kea will be a very long and challenging day topping out over 13,800ft.
We suggest that all members of our team devote themselves to a season of physical training that should include a mix of smaller training hikes, strength work, and significant cardiovascular exercise.
Itinerary:
Day 1 (Oct 18th)
Team members will depart from the mainland and arrive in Maui sometime in the afternoon. After picking up the team we will make our way to our campground on the beach and setup camp. Depending upon what time everyone arrives, there will likely be several hours to spend at the beach. We will take a short drive into Lahaina for dinner and settle in for the night.
Day 2 (Oct 19th)
We will take our time breaking camp before eating a nice restaurant breakfast. After breakfast we will make our way into Haleakala National Park. We will drive to the summit of the crater which will mark the beginning of our 3 day crater trek. This day’s trail begins with a very steep descent into the crater followed by a much more gradual traverse to Paliku on the far side of the crater. We will set up camp and if we are lucky enough to get clear skies for our two nights camping the crater, we will experience an absolutely spectacular display of stars. This adventure is purposefully scheduled over new moon for the best possible star gazing.
Day 3 (Oct 20th)
This is a relatively easy day of trekking from Paliku through the northern portions of the crater over to Holua. The route is reasonably flat and only 6 miles. We will be grateful for an easy day on trail after the steep descent the prior day and before the very tough climb back out of the crater that awaits the next morning. We will be in bed early on this day, since we will be doing all of our next day’s hike before the sunrise.
Day 4 (Oct 21st)
We will be up very early to begin the climb out of the crater. The trail is only 4 miles, but it is very steep. We will likely begin around 3:30AM since the goal will be to reach our cars and the summit of Haleakala before sunrise. Sunrise from Haleakala summit is a truly majestic experience. It is so popular that reservations are required to even drive up to the summit in the pre-sunrise hours and they fill up almost 6 months in advance. After taking in the sunrise from the summit, we will descend the volcano and make our way to our team hotel. We will be very grateful for a hot shower and a couple of nice meals.
Day 5 (Oct 22nd)
This is a travel day for our team. Those doing the Maui only option will be flying back to the mainland on this day (flights from Hawaii to the mainland are overnight, so they will arrive back at their departure airports on the 23rd). Those doing the Full Hawaii option will enjoy some beach time before taking a short flight over to the Big Island where we will be setting up camp in preparation for our climb of Mauna Kea that awaits the next morning.
Day 6 (Oct 23rd)
We will be up early to break camp and begin the climb of Mauna Kea. The climb is a little more than 13 miles with more than 5,000ft of elevation gain topping out over 13,800ft. Fun fact…Mauna Kea means “White Mountain,” and is very often snow capped. We will be prepared for very cold weather at the summit. This will definitely be a tough, but rewarding day, as we make our way to the highest point in the Hawaiian islands. We expect the climb to take somewhere between 9 and 11 hours. When we finish the climb we will check in to our team hotel and enjoy a celebratory dinner together.
Day 7 (Oct 24th)
We will enjoy a relaxing morning at the beach before making our way to the airport to begin our journey home. Flights from Hawaii to the mainland are overnight, so we will arrive back at our departure airports on the morning of the 25th.
Day 8 (Oct 25th)
Arrive at departure airports.