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Guadalcanal and Tarawa. For the Marines of the 1st and 2nd Marine Divisions, these two battles, separated by over a year, remain as landmarks of their history...the first combatant actions for both on Guadalcanal, and for the Marines of the Second Marine Division, the “Canal” was followed by the pyrrhic victory over the Japanese garrison on Betio Island. This year we combine these two epic battlefields as part of our annual fall Pacific battlefields return to Guadalcanal. Originating in Los Angeles, we fly to Fiji and connect to Guadalcanal where we spend the next six days, before flying to Tarawa for tours and participation in the Official 65th Anniversary Commemorations on Betio.

Tour Itinerary:

(Day 1- 2) Depart CONUS Depart Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) aboard an Air Pacific flight at 11:30PM for Fiji. Cross International Dateline and lose a day.

(Day 3) GUADALCANAL Arrive in Nadi, Fiji, at 5:15AM. After a short layover, depart for Guadalcanal and arrive at historic "Henderson Field" at noon. We transfer to our hotel for the next week, with time to settle in and refresh before departing for our battlefield briefing and orientation of the eastern battle sites from a vantage point atop Mount Austen. Sites pointed out will be "Red Beach," the site of the landing; Henderson Field, the amphibious force objective; Edson's Ridge, the Tenaru River (Alligator Creek); Lunga Point, and other pertinent sites. Later we will tour the U.S. Memorial on Skyline Ridge for another panoramic view of the island and the western battle sites from this vantage point. Sites pointed out will be Tulagi, Gavutu -Tanambogo, and the Florida Islands. Also, we will orient on Savo Island, "Iron Bottom Sound": as well as key terrain features ashore. We will see Point Cruz, the Matanikau River, Cape Esperance, and other key sites that played significant roles in the landmark battle for Guadalcanal. Hotel: Solomon Kitano Mendana (B/L/D)

(Day 4) GUADALCANAL This morning we will travel east to Tetere, site of a Japanese bivouac and current home to a massive Amtrac “Boneyard” left behind at the end of the war. We will view the site of Carney Airfield and the US Army logistics base as we return west. Our group will visit Red Beach, site of the initial landing of the 1st Marine Division and explore the area around Henderson Field, where we will see Pagoda Hill, plane revetments, the control tower, and General Vandergrift's command post. Crossing the Lunga River we will see “Fighter Two”, the strip where the planes for the "Yamamoto Mission" took off. (B/L/D)

(Day 5) GUADALCANAL We depart today for a tour of the "Gifu" area of Mount Austen, one of the best preserved battlefields on the island. We walk the battlefield, seeing the foxholes and remnants of the battle, visit the Japanese War Memorial, as well as a Solomon Island village. We continue our tour with a visit to the east and west banks of the Matanikau River, scene of some of the bloodiest fighting of the battle. (B/L/D)

(Day 6) GUADALCANAL Today is a day at leisure on Guadalcanal. You can choose individual sightseeing and more in-depth touring of the battlefields or for those who are qualified, enjoy diving on the numerous wrecks off shore – some of the best diving in the Pacific. OPTIONAL: For those who are interested, you can join an optional day cruise to the Florida Islands, including Tulagi, Gavutu and Tanambogo. These islands were scenes of fierce fighting early in the campaign, and Marines who fought here were used to reinforce Guadalcanal after these islands were secured. We will have the opportunity to photograph the bow of an LST and a Japanese Destroyer, both sunk in the battle, now lying in shallow water. *Note: This portion of the trip is dependent on weather conditions, available small craft, and current sea state. (B/L/D)

(Day 7) GUADALCANAL Following breakfast we will explore battle sites around the Ilu, Tenaru and Lunga Rivers. Stops will include Pvt Al Schmid’s machine gun position along “Alligator Creek”, which he continued to defend even after being blinded by a Japanese grenade. We will also spend time on Bloody Ridge, known also as Edson’s Ridge, where the Japanese were halted in their attempts to reach Henderson Field, in one of the pivotal battles of the Pacific War. From here we view “Fighter One”, the field from which the Cactus Air Force and famous aviators like Joe Foss, Bob Galer, Jeff DeBlanc, John Smith, Marion Carl, and others flew. We also visit the Betikama Museum and Cultural Center, an excellent place to purchase local souvenirs, followed by a visit to Mt. Austen. (B/L/D)

(Day 8) GUADALCANAL We begin this morning driving west to Cape Esperance to visit the site of the Japanese evacuation of the island. From Honiara west, the battle was prosecuted by the 2nd Marine Division and the 25th Infantry Division of the US Army. We will view these battlefields, as well as the opportunity to visit the Vila War Museum to view relics from the battles, including an F4F Wildcat and an SBD Dauntless dive-bomber. Along the coast are the remains of Japanese freighters, which were beached after coming under attack by U.S. aircraft. (B/L/D)

(Day 9) GUADALCANAL to TARAWA We depart this AM for our five hour flight from Honiara to the island of Tarawa. Upon arrival, we transfer to our hotel and then proceed, a lunch and a short break, south along the causeway road to Betio, for our first view and orientation of the island. Following this first visit, we return to our hotel on Tarawa for dinner and briefing on the battle. Hotel: Otintaai Tarawa (Meals: B/L/D)

(Day 10) BETIO ISLAND Following breakfast, we depart for a full day walking tour of the battlefield at Betio. We begin our exploration with a walk out to the site of the main pier - the target for the initial landing by Lieutenants Hawkins and Leslie and their combined assault platoon. We continue our walking tour with visits starting on the left flank and Red Beach 3 and the Burns-Philp Wharf, continuing west to Red Beach 1 & 2, and Green Beach. We break for lunch along the way and continue with our walking tour. We explore each phase of the battlefield, visiting sites such as Admiral Shibasaki’s headquarters, the well-known 8-inch Vickers Guns on the “Bird’s Beak”, and the remains from the battle all over the island. This will be the most comprehensive exploration of the island you could experience. We return to Tarawa, with dinner and group discussion. (Meals: B/L/D)

(Day 11) 65th ANNIVERSARY COMMEMORATION Today we depart early this morning for our movement to Betio, where we take part in the Official 65th Anniversary Commemorative Ceremonies. (Exact details of the ceremonies are being finalized by the local government and will be advised as received.) Following the ceremonies, we spend the rest of the day on the island before returning to Tarawa and our hotel for our Farewell Dinner. (Meals: B/L/D)

(Day 12) DEPART FOR CONUS Depart this morning from Tarawa by air to Majuro in the Marshall Islands, where we transfer to our flight back to the US. We connect to our Continental Airlines flight and cross the International Dateline, arriving in Honolulu at 1935 on 20 November. After a short layover, we continue on Continental Airlines and arrive back in Los Angeles (LAX) on the same day (21 November) at approximately 0530. (B provided)

Tour Pricing
Approximate Main Tour Cost $ 4295
(based on two persons sharing double room)
Single Room Supplement $ 695

Main Tour Price Includes:
* Roundtrip air from Los Angeles
* Hotel accommodations on Guadalcanal and Tarawa
* Motor coach transportation
* Roundtrip airport transfers
* Tours featuring historical sites in Guadalcanal and Tarawa (Betio)
* Entrance fees for indicated sites
* Meals as indicated in itinerary
* Expert MHT Battlefield Guides
* MHT "History on Tour" book containing historical info and maps