Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and Hilo Highlights Small Group Tour
Description
See two of the world’s most active volcanoes, Kilauea and Mauna Loa, on a small group tour that features the natural wonders of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Learn the history, culture and geology of the Hawaiian islands with your personal guide. Take a walk along the crater rim as you feel the heat of the volcano from steam vents. Explore an ancient lava tube in the midst of the lush Hawaiian rainforest. Enjoy the sights around Hilo including Liliuokalani Gardens and Rainbow Falls with a stop for local chocolates and coffee along the way.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Explore Hawaii Volcanoes National Park including a visit to Kilauea caldera where you will witness the dramatic changes from our recent eruption, experience the steam vents and other volcanic formations from past lava flows.
Enjoy a hike through the Hawaiian rainforest robust with native birds and tree ferns to Nahuku (Thurston lava tube). Traverse the 500 year old lava tube where molten lava once rushed through.
Explore frozen fields of lava from past volcanic eruptions and peer down into once active volcanic craters. Learn about the history, culture and geology of Kilauea volcano.
View the majestic 80 foot waterfall of Waianuenue or Rainbow Falls. Enjoy the tropical landscape as you learn the legends of Hawaii.
Get your pep in your step with tasty hand-made chocolates, locally grown macadamia nuts and island fresh coffee!
Immerse yourself in tranquility with a short stroll around Liliuokalani Gardens as you enjoy the fishponds, pagodas and picture perfect landscaping along Hilo bay.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
CRUISE SHIP PICKUP INSTRUCTIONS: Upon disembarking the cruise ship in Hilo, head through the passenger terminal and look for your guide standing to the left near the pre-arranged tour operators with a sign that reads "Mauka Makai Adventures". Please check in with your guide 15 minutes prior to tour start time. We have scheduled the tour to coincide with the cruise ship’s arrival and will be waiting for you onshore. HILO AIRPORT PICKUP INSTRUCTIONS: Please schedule your flight to arrive at the Hilo Airport a MINIMUM OF 30 MINUTES PRIOR TO THE TOUR START TIME. We require your airline flight number and arrival time to schedule pickup at the airport. As you disembark the airplane head towards Baggage Claim “D”. Look for the tour operator parking area near the restrooms. Our vans are marked with the logo "Mauka Makai Adventures". HILO HOTEL PICKUP INSTRUCTIONS: We provide pick up service at Hilo Hotels along Banyan Drive only. Please meet your tour guide near the front entrance to the lobby, our vans are marked with the logo "Mauka Makai Adventures." We may also contact you prior to the tour to make arrangements for a meeting time and location. ALL OTHERS MEET AT HILO MOʻOHEAU BUS TERMINAL: If you are driving from Kona, Waikoloa, or another part of the island, please meet us at the Hilo Mo'oheau Bus Terminal (329 Kamehameha Avenue, Hilo, HI 96720). There is free parking adjacent to the bus terminal. Look for our van parked in the parking lot with the "Mauka Makai Adventures" logo on it.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Youth ages 10 years and older only are allowed on this tour. All participants must have a paid seat. We do not allow children under the age of 10 years old.
- Covered walking shoes are required and a jacket is highly recommended.
- Participants must be able to walk a minimum of 1 mile on uneven terrain.
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately (be prepared for sun, wind and rain).
- We do not guarantee you will see molten lava on this tour.
- HOTEL pick-up is offered for select HILO HOTELS ONLY. If you are staying outside of Hilo, please plan to meet at the Hilo Mo'oheau Bus Terminal (please confirm at time of booking).
- CRUISE SHIP passengers, we pick-up directly at the PORT OF HILO and will adjust the tour time as needed to accommodate your ships time in port.
- For a one DAY TRIP to the Big Island, please make your travel arrangements to and from the HILO AIRPORT. Schedule your flight arrival a minimum of 30 minutes prior to the tour start time AND provide your flight details at time of booking.
- Kilauea volcano is an active volcano, you may be exposed to volcanic gas on this tour.
- This tour cannot accommodate guests with wheelchairs, scooters or oxygen tanks.
Reviews(280)
We had the best day on our tour to see the volcano. It was run by a small family business and highly well organised, fun and informative. The other stops of the rainbow falls, candy shop and botanical gardens were also great stops. The guide was also kind enough to go out of her way to drop us at a different end spot. Highly recommend.
Jill was a great guide for Rainbow Galls, National Volcano Park, a walk through a lava tube and much more!
Jill was the most informative, pleasant and knowledgeable tour guide I could have asked for! What an amazing experience. As someone who has been to Big Island many many times and seen these places all at least once already, having Jill's insights and stories made everything feel brand new and exciting again. 10/10 stars, Jill you were amazing. Thank you for your time and dedication.
Was such an informative tour as we got to see some of the highlights of the local area. Of course, nothing beats seeing the active volcano that day and its fountaining - so that was brilliant timing! Knowledge on local customs and the history of the island and towns was amazing. Would recommend to everyone.
A breathtaking tour. Thanks to our tour guide Jill, we learned a lot about the various volcanoes and their history. Also something about Hawaiian legends. Mahalo, Jill
We had an excellent and very informative day going to Rainbow Fall, Volcano National Park, walking through a lava tube, visiting the Queen’s garden , trying local chips, and enjoying local sweet cookies and chocolate. Fun 5 hour trip in AC van with small group. Couldn’t have been any better. Thank you Jill!
Unique experience to see the big island and the most incredible active volcano. Jill, a Hilo native, loves it and knows all!
We started our tour with Josh, our driver, from the port of Hilo. We were very lucky to have a view to an eruption on our tour. Our driver, Josh, knew the volcano was erupting that morning and changed our route to get there as early as possible before the heavy traffic caused long delays. We arrived quickly with no delays and were amazed to see nature at work, an experienced we will never forget. Josh was a great tour guide with a depth of knowledge that was above and beyond our tour, friendly and professional. We really enjoyed our trip and would highly recommend this trip and Mauka Makai Adventures Declan & Bernie Walsh Ireland
Extremely nice guide Jill! Very patient and knowledgeable and helpful. Volcanoes are beautiful. Strongly Recommend to everyone
Josh was a great host. We were so privileged to see the volcano fountain. The rest of the tour was great, but nothing can top the eruption.
