Elite Volcano Hike From Hilo
Overview
Elite Volcano Hike
Hike down into Kilauea Caldera on the 2 mile Halema’uma’u Trail, and visit aftermath of the historic 2018 eruption along Kilauea’s coastline. Visit Hawaii Volcanoes National Park including Kilauea Visitor Center, Sulphur Banks, the Kilauea Iki Overlook, Volcano House and more. Small-group tour deli-style lunch and dinner included.
Hike down into Kilauea Caldera on the 2 mile Halema’uma’u Trail, and visit aftermath of the historic 2018 eruption along Kilauea’s coastline. Visit Hawaii Volcanoes National Park including Kilauea Visitor Center, Sulphur Banks, the Kilauea Iki Overlook, Volcano House and more. Small-group tour deli-style lunch and dinner included.
Inclusions
- Lunch
- Bottled water
- Dinner
- Entry/Admission - Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
- Entry/Admission - Kaumana Caves Park
- Entry/Admission - Volcano House
What to expect
Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Kaumana Caves Park, Kaumana Drive Mile Marker 4, Hilo, Island of Hawaii, HI
Our first stop is Kaumana Caves, part of the lava tube system that brought lava as close as 1.5 miles from downtown Hilo in 1881. Take a peek inside the dramatic cathedral-like space.
Duration: 20 minutes
Stop At: Volcano National Park, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Island of Hawaii, HI
Next travel to the crown jewel of the Big Island, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Briefly visit the Kilauea Iki Overlook before heading off on foot down the paved road to Keanakakoi. Check out the activity here from the historic 2018 eruption which buckled the road and caused racks and sinkholes. You’ll get a birds-eye view of the Kilauea Caldera and the enormous Halema’uma’u Crater, along with views of the trail you will take into the Caldera. This trail has been used to hike into the caldera since being established in 1846. Mark Twain was once rescued by native guide Alex Lancaster using this trail. It’s about 2 miles roundtrip taking you past the famous Sulphur Banks, through ancient forests of tree ferns, some as old as 1, 000 years. Look for native birds, such as the yellow ‘amakihi and the red ‘apapane. Huge boulders came to rest here during ancient rock slides and eruptions. Look for marks left by previous visitors such as Benjamin Boyd, a Scot, and John Webster, a California artist, from back in 1851. Reaching the floor of Kilauea Calder there is an incredible rock slide to your left, evidence of the 2018 eruption, and Halema’uma’u Crater before you. The Crater increased in size during the eruption with the lava lake draining out of it leaving behind an enormous 1, 000 foot deep pit.
Duration: 3 hours
Stop At: Volcano House, Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, 1 Crater Rim Drive, Pāhoa, HI 96718, USA
Return to civilization at Volcano House for some beautiful views.
Duration: 30 minutes
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Kaumana Caves Park, Kaumana Drive Mile Marker 4, Hilo, Island of Hawaii, HI
Our first stop is Kaumana Caves, part of the lava tube system that brought lava as close as 1.5 miles from downtown Hilo in 1881. Take a peek inside the dramatic cathedral-like space.
Duration: 20 minutes
Stop At: Volcano National Park, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Island of Hawaii, HI
Next travel to the crown jewel of the Big Island, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Briefly visit the Kilauea Iki Overlook before heading off on foot down the paved road to Keanakakoi. Check out the activity here from the historic 2018 eruption which buckled the road and caused racks and sinkholes. You’ll get a birds-eye view of the Kilauea Caldera and the enormous Halema’uma’u Crater, along with views of the trail you will take into the Caldera. This trail has been used to hike into the caldera since being established in 1846. Mark Twain was once rescued by native guide Alex Lancaster using this trail. It’s about 2 miles roundtrip taking you past the famous Sulphur Banks, through ancient forests of tree ferns, some as old as 1, 000 years. Look for native birds, such as the yellow ‘amakihi and the red ‘apapane. Huge boulders came to rest here during ancient rock slides and eruptions. Look for marks left by previous visitors such as Benjamin Boyd, a Scot, and John Webster, a California artist, from back in 1851. Reaching the floor of Kilauea Calder there is an incredible rock slide to your left, evidence of the 2018 eruption, and Halema’uma’u Crater before you. The Crater increased in size during the eruption with the lava lake draining out of it leaving behind an enormous 1, 000 foot deep pit.
Duration: 3 hours
Stop At: Volcano House, Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, 1 Crater Rim Drive, Pāhoa, HI 96718, USA
Return to civilization at Volcano House for some beautiful views.
Duration: 30 minutes
Additional information
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
- Infant seats available
- Not recommended for travelers with back problems
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Travelers should have a strong physical fitness level
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
- This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 72 travelers
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Ticket delivery
You can present either a paper or an electronic voucher for this activity.
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start time of the experience.
WMCMAHON1345
September 2023
We did the hike during the recent eruption of Kīlauea. The hike down to the crater was as described and required a reasonable level of physical fitness, due to the 500 ft of descent and then, after a walk across the crater, climb back to the start point. One of the people on the tour was having s...
We did the hike during the recent eruption of Kīlauea. The hike down to the crater was as described and required a reasonable level of physical fitness, due to the 500 ft of descent and then, after a walk across the crater, climb back to the start point. One of the people on the tour was having some difficulty on the climb, but our guides Andre and Victor were fantastic. They were extremely knowledgeable and kept everyone entertained, while making sure that noone was left behind. Following the hike and lunch, we went to the view point, from which we could see the eruption. We were about a mile away, but could feel the heat from the volcano on the front of our legs, while our backs were warmed by the sun. Victor lent us binoculars for a better view and we were told why a closer encounter would not have been a good idea. We were also taken to the steam vents, where we could safely feel some of the heat from underground.Becca S
July 2023
Marcus was our guide and we enjoyed the tour with him. **It is 4000ft up, so take a light sweater/jacket - even in the summer. It was around 85 when we left the cruise port for this adventure and was down to 64 when we entered the park to start the hike. The wind made it feel cooler. I ended...
Marcus was our guide and we enjoyed the tour with him. **It is 4000ft up, so take a light sweater/jacket - even in the summer. It was around 85 when we left the cruise port for this adventure and was down to 64 when we entered the park to start the hike. The wind made it feel cooler. I ended up spending $50 on a sweatshirt at the visitor center that I prob didn't need after all but was initially freezing when we got out of the van. I did warm up on the hike and took it off but just note to take a light jacket. The volcano park is nice, lots of cool things to see. The volcano hiking was fun and interesting, the area is really neat. Loved walking down on the lava beds and lower floor areas of the volcano. It was steaming but no red flowing lava when we were there but was some the week prior.love671gq
March 2020
Our tour with Brett was great even though it rained during our entire hike. He was very informative and we enjoyed the entire experience. He even had jackets, snacks, and water for the trip. The wines at the Volcano Winery were different and delicious to try. The lunch and dinner were delicious too!
Our tour with Brett was great even though it rained during our entire hike. He was very informative and we enjoyed the entire experience. He even had jackets, snacks, and water for the trip. The wines at the Volcano Winery were different and delicious to try. The lunch and dinner were delicious too!J6491RZnicolep
May 2022
Sorry to say that we were disappointed. Before the constructive feedback, the destinations/sites along the tour were excellent and the hosts were friendly (Mike and Krystal); it's obvious that Krystal knows a lot and when she had the opportunity to inform the group she was excellent. However, w...
Sorry to say that we were disappointed. Before the constructive feedback, the destinations/sites along the tour were excellent and the hosts were friendly (Mike and Krystal); it's obvious that Krystal knows a lot and when she had the opportunity to inform the group she was excellent. However, we booked for a small group but there were 9-10 in the group. We were not at the same physical fitness levels therefore the elite hike was like a slow, painful walk. This tour could be described as a walk versus hike anyway ... aside from the cave tour, you could wear sandals and be fine. The tour is listed for 9 hours, yet each activity is 20 mins + 3 hrs + 30 mins; I guess this should have been a red flag. Getting to and from the sites took some driving time but most of the day was spent "killing time" which was really like a waste of time and money. I get that you need to span a good timeframe to be able to walk down to the volcano by day and then see the red glow by night ... but this was a painfully slow day. There are so many wonderful things to see and learn and we feel the time could be much better spent if organized differently. Despite the exceptional knowledge from Krystal and friendliness of Mike, we would have done this privately and gain so much more.kather1990
December 2021
Scott was such a great guide, very informative, patient and knowledgeable. He even helped us outline our itinerary in later trip in Hilo. I would recommend to everyone around me.
Scott was such a great guide, very informative, patient and knowledgeable. He even helped us outline our itinerary in later trip in Hilo. I would recommend to everyone around me.kathleendurkin314
September 2021
Tour guides Scott and Krystal were amazing. They were knowledgeable about EVERYTHING and made the trip really fascinating. We learned so much more than we would have if we tried to do it ourselves. The hike was just strenuous enough (and I'm not in great shape). The tubes were way cooler than I ...
Tour guides Scott and Krystal were amazing. They were knowledgeable about EVERYTHING and made the trip really fascinating. We learned so much more than we would have if we tried to do it ourselves. The hike was just strenuous enough (and I'm not in great shape). The tubes were way cooler than I expected and the steaming craters were astonishing-- otherworldly. Great tour all around.