Experience the ultimate fusion of fire and water in this exciting excursion to the active volcanoes of the Big Island! This Hawaiian guided tour allows you a unique opportunity to see extensive lava flows and the Big Island's world famous black sand beaches as you explore Hawaii's exhilarating active volcanoes.
The Big Island's Kilauea Crater and Mauna Loa Crater are remarkable volcanoes that boast some of the most active volcanic activity in the world. As you explore the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, you will walk beside the gaping crater and witness, firsthand, the eerie steam vents and active lava flowing just meters away.
Complete your Hawaiian adventure as you admire the Big Island's awe-inspiring Rainbow Falls. Stroll through the lush tropical rainforest of the Big Island and relax near cascading waterfalls. Experience the mighty volcano craters and enjoy the sparkling waterfalls and vibrant rainforest during your perfect day in Hawaii.
The geologic creation of the Hawaiian island chain, a timeless battle between the elemental forces of fire and water, is one of the world’s greatest natural history stories. There’s not a better place on earth to witness and understand the awesome nature of volcanoes than at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. There is no better way to explore the park than in the company of one of Hawaii Forest and Trail’s Interpretive Naturalists. They will show you the "must see" places within the park while you learn about their geological and historic significance.
You’ll really get an idea of how big the Big Island is during the course of this 12 hour full-day tour with Discover Hawaii Tours. You’ll appreciate that someone else is doing the driving. Starting from Kona, you will travel up the coast over desolate lava flows for about a half hour before proceeding up the rolling pasturelands on the flanks of Mauna Kea. Turning onto the Saddle Road that traverses the island between Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea, you’ll see a dramatic and diverse landscape of ranchland, sub alpine dryforest and rainforest, with striking features such as cinder cones, lava flows, lava tubes and kipukas. You’ll stop for a short break and continental-style breakfast. Continuing on, you will drop down to near sea-level on the way through Hilo where you begin the final climb to the summit of Kilauea and the lush entrance to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
Once at the park you’ll see splendid native rain forests, visit a lava tube, discover remarkable volcanic formations and a splendid diversity of geography and climate. Through detailed geologic and natural history interpretation, small walks, and driving, you will explore and learn about the world’s most active volcano. A picnic lunch is served en route during your adventure through the park. Depending on what’s happening with the active flow, you’ll walk out to view red hot lava and you’ll be close enough to feel the heat!
On the way back, you’ll travel along the Hamakua Coast and pass through Waimea before returning to Kona. By the end of the day, you’ll have traveled over 300 miles and experienced an elevation change (we go up and down a few times!) of over 30,000 feet.
This tour includes a mid-morning snack with Kona coffee, Tazo teas, fresh fruit and pastries, deli lunch with beverages, daypacks, bottled water, walking sticks, warm wear, and raingear. Tours are limited to a maximum of 10 guests.
Guests should be in reasonably good physical condition and able to hike on uneven or rocky terrain. There can sometimes be cool, wet, or muddy conditions.
Driving to the park on your own is much more easy going. You pay a modest price and get a pass that lasts a week. You can go directly to the visitor’s center and watch an educational movie. You will be provided a map when you enter the park. Navigating is easy and really quite fun. This is one of the best national parks in the United States. The volcano is the main attraction that brings visitors to the Big Island and really shouldn’t be missed.