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Big
Island Volcano Tours
This page describes a van tour oriented toward guests who are staying in the resort areas of Kona, Waikoloa, etc. For guests in Hilo or for those who don't mind the drive to Kilauea from the Kona area, we also offer an active volcano bike tour.
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Kilauea
Volcano Adventure
Adults
$169
Children
12 & under
$129
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Departure is from the Hawaii Forest and
Trail store in Kona OR a meeting point in the Waikoloa Beach area.
Select your departure point when selecting the tour using the form
at right.
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. And 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!
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Tour highlights include the
summit crater of Kilauea, lava tubes, and when viewing
conditions permit, close up encounters with lava.
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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. We sometimes encounter
cool, wet, or muddy conditions.
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CRUISE SHIP
PASSENGERS |
This Kilauea Tour is oriented toward
people who are staying in resorts on the Kona side of the Big Island and does
not work for cruise ship passenger either in Hilo or in Kona. We are working on
a cruise ship volcano tour from the port of Hilo ... call us for details.
Activity Tips
I can't imagine going
to the Big Island and not making the trip down to see the active
volcano. Even on days when lava viewing is not possible the evidence
of recent volcanic activity is everywhere. You'll see steam vents
and smell sulfur in the air. This park is rich in history too.
The drive to Kilauea
from the Kona side of the island takes about three hours each way.
Having someone else do the driving for you while you are free to
look out the window and take in the view is something that you will
very much appreciate. Your guide will not only drive for you ...
you'll also LEARN about what you are looking at out the window.
You'll come away with an understanding of how the Hawaiian islands
were formed and gain a great appreciation for our unique climates
and eco-system.
One of the advantages of doing this tour is the benefit of having an
experienced guide with you to lead you out to the active lava flow
if there is red hot lava accessible. You'll
have the confidence to experience the lava firsthand knowing that
the guide knows where it is safe and where it is not safe to go.
Lava viewing
conditions change ... it is often possible to get close to the
active flow, but not always. There is no guarantee that you will
see red hot lava on this tour. Sometimes the closest lava is
miles from the nearest road and the hike just isn't possible in the
time constraints of this tour. Other times lava can be viewed with a
short 10 minute walk.
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Big Island Volcano Reservations
Upon submitting your activity
reservation for processing, one copy is sent to your e-mail address so that you
have a record of your order. We will make reservations for you and send an
e-mail confirming all of the details. These confirmations are often sent a few
minutes after your reservation, but some activities take longer to confirm than
others. You will receive an e-mail confirmation by the end of the next business
day at the latest. There are no tickets that you need to pick up prior to your
event. Your e-mail confirmation will have all the details you need to check in
and enjoy your selected activity. This saves you precious time when you arrive
in Hawaii.
A credit card is required to
guarantee payment for your reservations, but in most cases WE DO NOT charge your credit card
when your order is placed. Your credit card is typically charged five days
before you leave for Hawaii, and a voucher is faxed to the vendor. Some
activities are charged at the time of check-in and your e-mail confirmation will
inform you if this is the case. If you cancel your activity after your credit
card has been charged you will receive a refund less 10% to cover our credit
card processing costs.
We do have one vendor that
requires payment at the time that your reservation is made. These activities are
clearly marked on our website with the words, "Payment required at the time
of reservation."
After making reservations, you
may reschedule or cancel your activity up until 48 hours prior to its start (a few activities have 72 hour cancellation policies ... see
your confirmation e-mail for details). Within 48 hours of the start of your
activity all reservations are final and non-refundable (unless the event is
cancelled by the vendor due to weather or other factors). Due to our incredible
climate here, weather cancellations are rare. No-shows and cancellations
without adequate notice are charged in full on the credit card used to secure
the reservation and are non-refundable.
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Most
rates quoted on this website do not include the Hawaiian state sales tax which
adds 4.1667%,
or the state harbor fee of
3% on boat excursions.
Adventureinhawaii.com
is a FREE reservations service;
we have no hidden service charges or fees that
we charge for servicing your reservation
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2000-2007 by ADVENTUREMAUI.COM and ADVENTUREINHAWAII.COM which are wholly-owned
subsidiaries of Hawaii Travel and Tours.com LLC
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852 Hawaii Travel Agency License # 6395
BIG ISLAND
ACTIVITIES
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Snorkeling Tours Fair
Wind Snorkel Tour Hula
Kai Snorkel Tour Big
Island Whale Watching
Luaus
on the Big Island Big
Island Waterfall Hiking Atlantis
Submarines Kona Kona
Sunset Cruises
Big
Island Helicopter Tours Kona
Parasailing Mauna
Kea Summit Tour Kilauea
Volcano Tour
Pearl
Harbor from the Big Island Big
Island Rental Cars
OTHER ISLANDS
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Activities Oahu
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