Evening Volcano Explorer (From Kona)

Enjoy all the best that the Big Island has to offer in just one action packed day. With the Evening Volcano Hike tour you’ll travel in comfort from your Kona area hotel, down the coast, and on to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park - stopping along the way to enjoy some stunning views and a bit of local flavor. 

You’ll stop to taste some Kona coffee, Hawaiian sweet breads, and enjoy a picnic lunch at a black sand beach. Then, you’ll spend the afternoon exploring the island’s main attraction - Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Your park certified guide will take you on a hike to the edge of the world’s most active volcano, as well as take you on a guided tour of the many other attractions that this UNESCO World Heritage site has to offer. You’ll even get to stay in the park to enjoy the spectacular sunset.  

Itinerary

 Kona area hotel pick-ups begin at 10 am. From Kona, the tour travels south along the coast into coffee country. The coffee-friendly climate and mineral-rich volcanic soil of the Kona region produces some of the best coffee in the world, so naturally the first stop of the day involves stopping by a local coffee farm for a tasting.  

Bay View Farm: Located on the slopes of Mauna Loa, Bay View Farm has been growing and roasting world class coffee since 1984. This picturesque twenty-four acre farm overlooks Kealakekua Bay, and the view alone is worth the stop. A quick tour will take you through the coffee production process - Bay View does everything onsite, so you’ll get a chance to see the coffee cherries growing, take a peek at the drying and roasting facilities, and get to sample the coffee for yourself in their tasting room/gift shop.      

Punalu’u Bake Shop: The next stop along the coastline is the Punalu’u Bake Shop, which is the Southernmost bakery in the United States and the most visited bakery in the state of Hawaii. Since opening in 1991, Punalu’u has become famous for their Hawaiian sweet breads and malasadas. In addition to picking up some sweet treats for later, you can also stroll through their four-acre garden, learn more about their baking facility in their visitor center, or browse through their gift shop.  

Punalu’u Black Sand Beach: Next, the tour makes a stop at the picturesque Punalu’u Black Sand Beach park for lunch. Lined with palm trees and offering a panoramic view of the Pacific Ocean, Punalu’u Beach is the perfect spot for a picnic lunch when the weather permits. After lunch you can go for a stroll along the black sand beach and you may even spot the rare Green Hawaiian Sea turtles feeding or sunbathing in the area. 

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park:  A tour of the Big Island just wouldn’t be complete with a visit to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. The park is home to two of the world’s most active volcanoes, Mauna Loa and Kilauea. Your guide will take you to some of the park’s top attractions, including:

• Kilauea Visitor’s Center - The park’s main visitor center featuring exhibits about the park’s environment, history and culture. 
• Volcano House - A historic collection of buildings located near Kilauea’s caldera which have been serving visitors since 1877.
• Volcano Art Center - Gallery which features an eclectic assortment of visual art created by local artists. 
• Sulphur Banks - Hiking area famous for the volcanic gasses and steam escaping through cracks in the ground.
• Keanakako’i Crater Overlook via Old Crater Rim Drive: This portion of Crater Rim Drive has been closed to automobiles due to damage sustained during previous eruptions. Today it provides a fascinating backdrop for visitors hiking to the Keanakakoi Crater Overlook. The hike is two-miles in length (roundtrip), relatively flat, and is rated easy - although a lot of walking on uneven surfaces is required. 
• Mauna Ulu - This now dormant volcanic cone and its surrounding lava field full of oddly shaped lava flows and vibrant colors are a must see.  
• Picnic Dinner - Located in Volcano Village just outside of the park. 

Meals:  A deli-style picnic lunch and a picnic dinner are included in the tour. Several entree options are available, you will be asked to select your entrees when making your reservation.  

Schedule:  The Evening Volcano Hike tour runs Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, year-round. Kona area pick-ups begin at 10 am and guests can expect to return to Kona around 10 pm.