Serving Veterans, Educators, Historians and their families for over 20 years!!!

Approximate Tour Price: $3,595 (based on double occupancy)
Tour Director: Colonel Joe Mueller, USMC - Author / Historian

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 and D provided)

((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 Vandegrift'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, and D provided)

((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. This evening, we join together for a commemoration of the 231st Birthday of the United States Marine Corps. (B, L, and D provided)

((Day 6) GUADALCANAL
We begin this morning with participation in the annual Veterans Day commemoration at the American War Memorial overlooking the Matanikau River and Honiara. Following the ceremony, we will drive 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, and D provided)

((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, and D provided)

((Day 8) 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. Tonight we gather for our farewell dinner at the Point Cruz Yacht Club adjoining our hotel. (B, L, and D provided)

((Day 9) GUADALCANAL
Departure by air from Guadalcanal to Fiji. We clear customs and transfer to our hotel for balance of day and evening at leisure.

((Day 10) DEPART FOR CONUS
Depart this morning for flight back to the US. Cross the International Dateline and arrive back in Los Angeles (LAX) on the same day at 1:05PM. (B provided)

NOTE: OPTIONAL EXTENSION in Fiji available at extra cost on your return home. Accommodations at the luxurious Hilton Fiji Resort and Spa. Contact our office for details.

Guadalcanal Tour Costing:
Approximate Tour Price $3,595 (Based on double Occupancy)

Single Supplement $ 695
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Tour Price Includes:
* Round-trip economy class airfare between Los Angeles and Guadalcanal
* First Class Hotel Accommodations
* Air-conditioned motorcoach
* Meals as indicated in itinerary
* Emergency Medical, Evacuation, Repatriation, and
baggage insurance included in each tour
* Trip Kit containing tour ball cap,
bag tags, name badge and travel info
* MHT “FieldBook” information packet,
containing maps and other information
* Admission fees to all sites, museums, and special attractions listed
* Services of experienced MHT Directors & English--speaking local guides.