Ride the perimeter of Hawaii's gorgeous Big Island on this bicycle tour - and spend 2 nights on the volcano while you're at it.

The trip starts on Sunday morning when we meet at the Waikoloa Beach Marriott on the Kohala Coast just north of Kona (public shuttle is available from/to the Kona airport). We shuttle to Waimea in the heart of Hawaii’s cowboy country and cycle down the old highway — now a scenic byway — through the lush, rolling countryside to a viewpoint overlooking the dramatic Waipio Valley, where thousand-foot cliffs blanketed in tropical green hurl themselves from a sapphire sea. We then head to a tropical park for a short hike to storied Akaka Falls. In the afternoon, we cycle farm roads through former sugar cane fields reborn as banana and papaya plantations, then follow sideroads along the rugged coast to Hilo and the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel. You’ll enjoy the oceanfront views overlooking Hilo Bay.

On Monday we ride on a wonderful network of quiet roads through a portion of this island the locals love, but of which tourists are generally unaware. We visit recent lava flows, soak in natural thermal pools, and bicycle through forest and farmland right beside a spectacular rocky coastline. We spend the next two nights at historic and lovely Kilauea Lodge, a charming inn with award-winning dining located next to Volcanoes National Park.

Tuesday morning we hike into the dramatic Kilauea Crater, whose breadth and depth seem to swallow us as we explore its steaming crevasses. In the afternoon you may choose to go on another hike, cycle the 11 miles around Kilauea’s rim — visiting a museum and volcano observatory along the way — or relax at the lodge. Nature permitting, we’ll drive through the park after dinner to the ocean, where you’ll witness a red river of lava emerging from deep inside the earth and flowing into the steaming surf.

Wednesday’s bicycling route includes a 25-mile downhill from Kilauea Crater to lunch at Waiohinu, a black sand beach where sea turtles frequently rest. We’ll explore the remote South Point area, whose rocky cliffs are the most southerly place in the United States. Up for a challenge? You may wish to ride all the way to our oceanfront lodging at the Sheraton Kona at Keauhou Bay, famous for evening views of the manta rays who feed near its shores.

On Thursday we cycle south through the famous Kona coffee plantations, stopping at one for a tasting and tour. We continue past mango, banana, and avocado trees, then down to the ocean and the City of Refuge, a national historic park. Long-ago Hawaiians who had displeased their king fled to this sacred place. We have lunch at a nearby picnic area’s white sand beach, then stroll through the ancient ruins. In the afternoon we cycle past a famous painted church and head to the Waikoloa Beach Marriott, an upscale hotel on the Kohala Coast and our home for two nights. This full service, destination resort has its own white sand beach from which you can snorkel or join a scuba dive boat. Tennis courts, an infinity pool and a full service spa are also on-site. Two championship golf courses, shopping, and restaurants are next door.

Friday morning we board a 58-foot luxury sailing catamaran, sail from our hotel to a great dive and snorkel spot along the coast, and snorkel from the boat. All equipment, instruction, food, and drinks are included in your trip fee. This area is also a prime spot for viewing humpback whales during their January through March migration. Some of our prior trips have witnessed up close as many as 40 whales and a dozen breechings — an awesome experience!

After lunch, the boat returns to our hotel, and the afternoon is free. You can swim, play golf (two courses are adjacent to hotel, with equipment available), play tennis on the hotel’s outdoor courts, go whale watching or scuba diving from the hotel’s beach, get a massage at the full service spa on-site, or enjoy many other features of our 15-acre destination resort. For those who wish to ride, we’re happy to offer a supported route along part of the Ironman course, which goes straight past the Waikoloa property.

On Saturday we head to Hawi on the north end of the island and cycle to Pololu Valley, where you’ll hike into a remote, roadless valley filled with lush vegetation, high waterfalls, exotic flowers, swaying palm trees and a black sand beach. Then we bicycle south beside the coast to finish at the white sands of Hapuna, the best swimming beach on this island. Cool off with some body surfing! After a festive picnic lunch finale, we’ll head south to drop you off at either the Waikoloa Beach Marriott or the Kona airport.