Difficulty Rating
Moderate
Minimum Age
None
Minimum Age
None
4.8
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Overview
Explore Hawaii Volcanoes National Park with a park-certified guide and take your volcano adventure to the next level. All fees, meals, and round-trip transportation from Kona included.
Highlights
Hike to the bottom of Kilauea’s caldera
See Hawaii Volcanoes National Park’s top attractions
Explore Kaumana Caves, a massive lava tube system
Picnic lunch in the park & a sit-down dinner before heading back to Kona
Lava glow viewing if weather and lava conditions permit
Start Time
7:00 AM
Tour Duration
13 Hours
What's Included
13-hour, fully narrated tour with a park-certified naturalist guide
Ground transportation with hotel pick-up and drop-off
Entrance fees to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Picnic Lunch and casual sit-down dinner at a Volcano Village cafe
Description
The Elite Volcano Hike from Kona is an exciting, all-day guided tour to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park that includes a 3-mile hike to Kilauea's caldera floor, a stop at Kaumana Caves, and a drive through historic Hilo.
The volcano hike from Kona also includes hotel pickups/dropoffs, a picnic lunch, a sit-down dinner, and all admission fees are included.
A trip to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is a must for nearly all Big Island visitors, and the Elite Volcano Hike from Kona is the perfect way for outdoor enthusiasts to see the park.
You could certainly try to create a do-it-yourself itinerary for a day trip to the park, but if you want to get the most out of your experience, traveling with a knowledgeable guide is the way to go.
The Elite Volcano Hike from Kona is a small group tour that features naturalist guides and one of the best itineraries around, so you can see the park's main attractions and also get to have a unique experience hiking to the caldera floor.
You could research the park’s attractions, natural history, volcanology, geology, flora, and fauna on your own, but who has time for that?
Let a National Park Service-certified guide take you on the Elite Volcano Hike from Kona, and you'll see all the best spots and be provided with all the essential background information - the stories, in-depth information, and cultural context that will enhance your experience and your appreciation for the natural wonders all around you.
On the Elite Volcano Hike from Kona, they’ll even pick you up and drop you off right at your hotel, so you can leave the driving to a pro, too!
Elite Volcano Hike from Kona Itinerary
The Elite Volcano Hike from Kona starts right from your Kona area hotel. Afterward, you’ll travel from Kona to Hilo via the iconic and picturesque Saddle Road, stretching between Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa volcanoes.
Outside Hilo, the Elite Volcano Hike from Kona stops to explore Kaumana Caves. Kaumana is a massive lava tube created by Mauna Loa’s destructive 1881 eruption. After Kaumana, your driver will take you on a short drive along Hilo’s historic waterfront.
After a quick stop in Hilo to pick up the day’s provisions, you’ll head to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park to continue the adventure. The Elite Volcano Hike from Kona includes stops at the park’s must-see attractions and a three-mile hike into Kilauea’s Caldera.
Halema’uma’u Trail Hike: The hike to the caldera floor is the highlight of the Elite Volcano Hike from Kona. At just under three miles, this will be your longest hike of the day.
Starting from just behind the historic Volcano House hotel, the Crater Rim Trail has long been used by adventurers to hike into Kilauea’s caldera since it was first established in 1846. The trail slowly descends about 425 feet to the caldera floor, which recently doubled in size during the 2018 eruption.
The trail begins with a walk through ancient tree ferns, which is a great place to spot native birds such as the yellow ‘amakihi and the red ‘apapane.
The landscape gradually becomes more barren as you approach the caldera, and you’ll encounter boulders that came to rest along the trail during past rock slides and eruptions. You’ll also spot some of the marks left behind by the earliest tourists and historical figures dating back to the early 1850s.
Once you reach the caldera floor, you’ll have an opportunity to take in the massive, steaming, 1,000-foot-deep pit. You’ll then hike up out of the caldera, skirting around the edge via the Byron Ledge Trail. This is a fairly steep ascent, about 400 feet in under half a mile, but it offers sweeping views and plenty of places where you’ll want to stop for photos and catch your breath.
Once you reach the top, you’ll enjoy a rewarding view of the caldera below. (If the Elite Volcano Hike from Kona sounds too strenuous, you may want to check out the Evening Volcano Explorer Tour from Kona.)
Next, you’ll hike to Waldron Overlook and enjoy views of Pu’u Pua’i and Iki Crater. Then, you’ll return to the Volcano House via the Old Crater Rim Drive, a closed park road that is slowly being consumed by vegetation and lava flows. You’ll enjoy a short break and great views once back at the Volcano House.
The Elite Volcano Hike from Kona also includes the following park attractions :
- Kilauea Visitor Center
- Nahuku Lava Tube
- Look for Pele’s tears and lava trees in the lava flow of Mauna Ulu
- Option to return to the park after dinner for lava viewing (if it is present and conditions permit)
The Elite Volcano Hike from Kona wraps up with a sit-down dinner at a cafe in Volcano Village before heading back to Kona. However, if lava is present on the day of your Elite Volcano Hike from Kona, your guide may take you back into the park after dinner to see it glow in the dark.
Meals: A picnic lunch in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and a dinner at a restaurant in Volcano Village, just outside of the park, are included in the Elite Volcano Hike from Kona. There are several meal options available for both lunch and dinner. (You’ll be asked to pre-order during the checkout process when making your reservation.)
Schedule: The Elite Hike from Kona runs Tuesday through Saturday, year-round. Kona area hotel pick-ups begin at 7:00 a.m., and guests can expect to return between 7:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.
Book your Elite Volcano Hike from Kona today!
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Know Before You Book
Minimum age: Open to all ages if physical requirements are met. All guests under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Hiking rating: Moderate
Physical requirements: Guests must be able to walk at least two (2) miles, including on uneven or rocky terrain and possibly in cool, wet, or muddy conditions. Other restrictions may apply.
Itineraries are subject to change without notice due to volcanic activity, weather conditions, park advisories, or other unforeseen circumstances.
The tour cannot wait for delayed flights, nor does it guarantee a return time for flight departures. If flying to the Big Island for the day, we recommend purchasing a tour that includes flights, so you do not risk missing your tour or flights.
Payment is required when making your reservation. A confirmation email will be sent to you and will include a voucher, itinerary, and detailed instructions.
Volcanic gasses are hazardous, especially to people with heart or respiratory problems, infants, young children, and pregnant women. If you are sensitive to poor air quality, please check the air quality alert before visiting.
Closed-Toe Shoes Required: (sandals and flip-flops or “slippahs” will not be accepted).
Getting There
Round-trip transportation from your hotel in Kailua-Kona
Tour FAQs
What’s Included?
- Ground transportation to and from Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, including hotel pick-up and drop-off
- 12-hour, fully narrated tour with a national park certified guide
- Entrance fees to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
- Picnic lunch
- Dinner at a Volcano Village restaurant
Where does the tour go?
The tour begins in Kona, travels to Kaumana Caves, then Hilo, then spends most of the day exploring Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. After a short dinner just outside the park boundary, the tour returns to Kona. The tour may add on a lava viewing stop after dinner if lava is present and conditions permit.
How large is the tour?
The tour has a twelve (12) person limit.
Will we get to see active lava?
Lava sightings are not guaranteed. Eruptions are unpredictable and volcanic conditions are always changing. Weather conditions such as fog or rain may also obscure lava sightings even when present. Please check the USGS’s Volcano Updates site for the most current information.
What if it rains?
Tours may be canceled due to inclement weather. If a tour cannot be rescheduled, you will be given a full refund.
What is your Cancellation Policy?
48 hour notice (before scheduled tour departure) required in order to receive a full refund.
What should I wear?
Lava fields are shadeless and can be hot, but it can also be windy and chilly at Kilauea’s summit. Dress comfortably in light, removable layers and bring along a light jacket or rain jacket.
Lava rock is uneven, sharp, and slippery when wet. Sturdy, closed-toe walking shoes and long pants are highly recommended. Sandals, flip-flops, or any other type of slip-on shoes will not be accepted.
What should I bring?
Sun and rain protection, a reusable water bottle, and a daypack to carry them in are recommended.
Are young children allowed on the tour?
Yes, this tour is open to all ages.
Lava flowing is an act of nature, therefore we do not guarantee sighting of lava. Surface lava flows may be present but may not be visible due to environmental conditions or time constraints.
Guests must cancel tour no less than 48 hours before tour departure for a full refund.
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