Volcano Tour: Kilauea Volcano Adventure
General Information
Schedule: Morning trips departing daily. 11 - 12 hours round trip, departs from Hawaii Forest & Trail Headquarters, and Waikoloa Kings’ Shops.
Rated: Easy to Moderate; All ages welcome.
Included in the Tour: Continental Breakfast including fresh local fruit, baked goods, 100% Kona coffee, tea and hot chocolate. Deli style lunch with assorted soft drinks, juices and bottled water.
Gear Provided: Walking sticks, day packs, warm wear and rain ponchos.
Prices: Adult: $179.00, plus tax. Child (12 and under): $159.00, plus tax.
Group Size: Tour limited to a maximum of 12 guests.
Restrictions: Guests should be able to hike on uneven or rocky terrain. We sometimes encounter cool, wet or muddy conditions. Other tour restrictions may apply.
What to Bring & Wear: Comfortable walking shoes, long pants, and a light jacket.
Full Description
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is an inspiring and precious place. It is listed as both a World Heritage Site and an International Biosphere preserve. Once at the park we will see splendid native rainforest, visit a lava tube, discover remarkable volcanic formations and experience an incredible diversity of geography and climates. Through detailed geologic and natural history interpretation, short walks and driving, we explore and learn about the world’s most active volcano. A picnic lunch is served en route during our adventure through the park.
You’ll really get an idea of how big the Big Island is during the course of this tour. And you’ll appreciate that someone else is doing the driving. Starting out from our headquarters in Kona, we 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 kipuka). We’ll stop for a short break and continental-style breakfast.
Continuing on, we drop down to near sea-level on our way through Hilo where we begin the final climb to the summit of Kilauea and the lush entrance to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. On the way back, we’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.
FAQs
- How much hiking do we do? We’ll stop a couple times throughout the adventure for short hikes of less than one mile.
- Is there elevation gain? Except for the lava tube exploration, the trails are relatively level. While exploring the lava tube, expect to descend approximately 30 feet.
- Will we get to see active lava? Due to the dynamic nature of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and Kilauea Volcano, active lava viewing conditions can change daily or even hourly. The best chance to see the active lava flow is on our Twlight Volcano Adventure. Please contact our office staff for the most current volcano conditions, or visit the Eruption update page via the hyperlink in the Links section.
Comments
We appreciate your comments! If you've taken a tour and would like to share your feedback, please leave a comment. If you have questions regarding tour specifics, like times, reservations or other details prior to your tour, please use the contact form.
By Ann VanDePol on 2011/09/18
Before I book a tour with you, could you pls explain how I would arrive at the ‘Waikoloa Kings Shops’ so I can pick up your tour to the volcanoes when I am staying at the Hilton Waikoloa Village? Is this ‘Kings Shop’ in the Hilton complex??? If not, how do I get there without renting a car??
Hawaii Forest & Trail: Hi, Ann. We actually have a pickup available at the Hilton! For folks not staying at the Hilton but in the Waikoloa area, they can meet most tours at either the Kings’ Shops or Queen’s Marketplace.
By Diana on 2011/07/06
Since we want to see the lava flow and walk through the lava tube, do you recommend the twilight tour? What time does the twilight tour begin?
REPLY FROM HAWAII FORET & TRAIL:
Yes, your best chances to see molten lava are on our Twilight Volcano Adventure, although if conditions permit, we will access the flow on our daytime Kilauea Volcano Adventure, too. The Twilight departure times vary through the year, but leave between 10:30 am and 11:00 am.
By Pat Kramer on 2011/04/22
I did a tour by myself driving to the volcano and back from Kilua-Kona last week. It was exhausting! Also, when I was on the volcano, I asked a Park Ranger where the Kilua Iki trail began. He gave me completely wrong info which led to my getting lost and walking about a mile out of my way. I ended up not having enough time to do the hike so I do recommend going with this group. It sounds like it would have been a lot more pleasant an experience for me. All told, it was not a great day at the volcano due to what I just described!
By Amy Kirkwood on 2011/04/06
My travel agent has booked me on this tour for 11th August 2011. I am staying at Royal Kona Resort. Will you be picking me up from my hotel as I will not have a vehicle. If not what are pick up arrangements and at what time?
HAWAII FOREST & TRAIL: Hi, Amy. Great to hear you’ll be joining us this summer. You’ll want to check in at our headquarters about 15 minutes prior to departure. We’re approximately 10 minutes north of the Royal Kona Resort, on Queen Kaahumanu Highway, acorss from Honokohau Harbor behind the Tesoro Gas Station.
By ivy oxendine on 2011/03/15
we will be staying in Hilo in May… is there a logical way for us to take part in any of the volcano tours without having to drive all the way to Kona for group meeting spot?
ANSWER FROM HAWAII FOREST & TRAIL: Yes, we can pick you up in Hilo at the Hilo Hawaiian hotel. Hope to see you on tour soon!
By Carol Reisman on 2011/03/03
How high is the highest elevation that you reach. One of the members of my family gets altitude sickness.
ANSWER FROM HAWAII FOREST & TRAIL: We’ll reach an altitude of approximately 6,500 feet as we cross over the saddle between Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa. The summit of Kilauea Volcano is around 4,000 feet.
By glenda reder on 2011/02/25
this is great!!!!!!!!<3
By Michelle Morton on 2011/02/24
We did this tour with Matt on a recent holiday to Hawaii. It was an excellent adventure and he was an outstanding guide! Realy enjoyable and interesting day, he made it very special by including everyone, and his knowledge of the geology of the Island was only matched by his knowledge of it’s history and the ancient Hawaiian legends. I would highly recommend to anyone to take this tour with Matt. Thank you for a fabulous day.
By Betsy Connell on 2011/02/04
We will be cruising in Hawaii on the Pride of America. Is this an appropriate tour for us? How would we get from the ship to the tour and back again? Thanks
ANSWER FROM HAWAII FOREST & TRAIL: It is! Due to security restrictions, you’ll need to meet us outside of the pier area which is approximately 300 yards from where the ship docks. We’ll pick you up around 9:45 AM and return you to the same location around 4:00 PM.
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