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Private Tour: Experience Active Kilauea Volcano & Hilo Rainbow Falls

Overview
Treat yourself to an exclusive private tour of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and Hilo's tropical beauty.

Travel to the summit of Hawaii Island's youngest and most active volcano, Kilauea. If the timing is right you may witness the incredible show of an eruption! Experience the steaming Kilauea caldera, misty rainforest of Nahuku (Thurston lava tube), and the Chain of Craters Road. Enjoy short hikes along the way as you learn about past and present volcanic eruptions, different lava formations, and the history and Hawaiian culture of the area.

As a private tour, you will have the option of spending the duration of your tour in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park with optional hiking or heading down to Hilo with stops at the majestic Rainbow Falls, Liliuokalani Gardens and a local chocolate factory.

The Hilo & Volcano private tour begins in Hilo. If you choose the Volcano Only private tour, you may opt to meet in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
City: Hilo
Tue 13 May
i
You can choose the date already on the booking website
Starting at $1745.20
Tue 13 May
Starting at $1745.20
Make a reservation
What's Included
National park entry fee
Private transportation
Island chips
Help protect our island environment and bring your own refillable water bottle!
Professional guide
Additional Info
  • 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
  • Operates in all weather conditions (be prepared for sun, wind and rain).
  • Covered walking shoes are required and a jacket is highly recommended.
  • 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.
  • Children ages 8 years and up may participate in tour. All participants must have a paid seat. We do not allow any "lap" children.
  • 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.
What To Expect
1
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Explore Hawaii Volcanoes National Park including a visit to Kilauea caldera where you will witness the dramatic changes from recent or perhaps current volcanic eruptions within Halema'uma'u crater. Feel the heat of steaming bluffs and enjoy the cool mist of the Hawaiian rainforest. Enjoy short hikes and Hawaiian cultural interpretation throughout Hawaii Volcanoes National Park with your certified national park guide.
2
Nahuku - Thurston Lava Tube
Enjoy a walk through the Hawaiian rainforest to Nahuku (Thurston Lava Tube). Explore the 500 year old underground tube where hot molten lava once rushed through.
3
Chain of Craters Road
Explore volcanic formations amongst frozen fields of lava and peer down into once active volcanic craters. Learn the history, culture and geology of Kilauea volcano on this small group guided tour.
4
Rainbow Falls
View the majestic 80 foot waterfall of Waianuenue or Rainbow Falls. Enjoy the tropical landscape as you learn the legends of Hawaii.
5
Big Island Candies
Get your pep in your step with tasty hand-made chocolates, locally grown macadamia nuts and island fresh coffee!
6
Lili'uokalani Gardens
Enjoy the scenic drive through Liliuokalani Gardens with large banyan trees, fishponds, pagodas and picture perfect landscaping along Hilo bay.
Show 3 more stops
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Traveler Photos
Reviews (9)
Nomad782809
Aug 2023
They customized a tour to fit our flight schedule! Jill was not only kind and professional, but was a wealth of knowledge! We learned so much from her and she knew exactly where to take us to ensure we hit all the highlights! Without her guidance there is not way we would have known all these places existed!
LovedStJohns112022
Jul 2023
Our Volcanoes tour with Mauka Makai was the highlight of our two week Hawaiian adventure! We are in Big Island for the second half of our trip, and did a private tour for our family of four with Jill and Mauka Makai. What a wonderful experience to get a true Hawaiian perspective on this beautiful island and all it has to offer! The tour started promptly and Jill was so warm and such a great energy to be with. She shared so much of the history and culture of Hilo and Hawaii, with a very personal touch weaving in stories of her family, her upbringing on the island, and her insights into the local culture and traditions. She truly was wonderful - we especially enjoyed her storytelling of some of the Hawaiian legends of Pele, Maui, and other stories that had our young pre-teen kids mesmerized. Quite a feat! We also got lucky with the weather , having amazing weather to explore the caldera. Jill worked the sequence of the trip so that we felt like we had the park to ourselves - we were literally the only ones on our hike and at the viewing outlook of the caldera. It was truly special. If you are considering a tour of the volcanoes, and especially a private tour for a small group, look no further and just book this trip, you won’t regret it.
Response from Host
Jul 2023
Mahalo nui loa! It was a pleasure having your ʻohana on tour. With much aloha, Jill & Josh
Brian_C
Apr 2023
Great day, excellent tour with a fun and knowledgeable host. Josh kept us entertained and on time but never rushed. He was prepared with umbrellas in the rain and took us places and told us history, facts and stories we would never have gotten in a larger or self guided tour. Worth the money. You'll have a great time.

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