Big Island Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Private Guided 3-Hour Tour Meet at Kilauea Visitor Center
by Big Island VIP
Choose from 1 available option
How do you want to book?
✓Confirmation before Wed, 9 Sept - card's only charged if it's a yes. If it's a no, still time to book on Viator.
Book on Viator Confirmed right away, but you pay full price.$593.75Overview
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island of Hawaii features active volcanic landscapes and native ecosystems. This private guide tour lasts about three hours and includes several stops to explain volcano activity, native plants, wildlife, and Hawaiian culture. The tour uses a Mercedes van for transport and shows video footage of past eruptions. The tour begins at the Kilauea Visitor Center in the park's temperate rainforest, where the guide meets the group despite ongoing renovations. After a short introduction, the group visits Nahuku Lava Tube, a 600-year-old lava tube with a half-mile walk through rainforest featuring endemic plants and birds. The guide explains how lava tubes form and the traditional uses of local plants. Next, the tour stops at the steam vents near the summit of Kilauea to observe the geothermal activity and learn how the vents formed and their significance, including how locals access water nearby. The final stop is Chain of Craters Road, which passes through multiple eruption sites and showcases various lava formations. The guide adjusts the walking and hiking portions based on the group's fitness and interests. Bottled water, private transportation, adult ponchos, and a National Park Certified Interpretive Guide are included. Entrance fees are not included. Guests should dress in layers and bring raincoats due to variable mountain weather.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
Kilauea Visitor Center
The tour starts at the Kilauea Visitor Center, located in the park’s temperate rainforest. Although the Visitor Center is under renovation, it remains the meeting point. It is the first large building on the right after the Ranger booths. The guide explains the recent eruptions since December 23, 2024, and provides background on the volcanic formations within the park. Driving time is about an hour or less during the three-hour tour, with the remainder spent exploring and learning.
10 min
Nahuku - Lava Tube
This stop features a walk through a 600-plus year-old lava tube along a half-mile trail. The surrounding rainforest contains rare ferns and endemic birds. The guide explains how lava tubes form and discusses the traditional uses of native plants that have adapted to volcanic conditions.
30 min
Steam Vents
At the summit of Kilauea, the group visits the steam vents to observe this geological feature. The guide discusses the creation of the vents, the composition of the steam, and how early travelers used the steam vents. Information is also provided about local water sources and the wild orchids growing nearby.
15 min
Chain of Craters Road
Chain of Craters Road passes through sites of several past Kilauea eruptions and various lava formations. In only 3 hours, not all locations along this active road can be visited. The guide will show as many different eruption sites as possible. Stops depend on weather, group speed, and sure-footedness. Hiking and terrain difficulty are adjusted to the group's fitness and ability to load and unload quickly.
120 min
Meeting point
The Visitor Center is currently closed for remodel, but it is still the VERY best place to meet. The Temporary Welcome Center is located down the road and only has porta-potties, and they are significantly more used than most people would ever wish to see. Look for a van that says Big Island VIP.
End point
The Visitor Center is currently closed for remodel, but it is still the VERY best place to meet. The Temporary Welcome Center is located down the road and only has porta-potties, and they are significantly more used than most people would ever wish to see. Look for a van that says Big Island VIP.
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.
Additional info
Big Island Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Private Guided 3-Hour Tour Meet at Kilauea Visitor Center
by Big Island VIP
Choose from 1 available option
How do you want to book?
✓Confirmation before Wed, 9 Sept - card's only charged if it's a yes. If it's a no, still time to book on Viator.
Book on Viator Confirmed right away, but you pay full price.$593.75Overview
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island of Hawaii features active volcanic landscapes and native ecosystems. This private guide tour lasts about three hours and includes several stops to explain volcano activity, native plants, wildlife, and Hawaiian culture. The tour uses a Mercedes van for transport and shows video footage of past eruptions. The tour begins at the Kilauea Visitor Center in the park's temperate rainforest, where the guide meets the group despite ongoing renovations. After a short introduction, the group visits Nahuku Lava Tube, a 600-year-old lava tube with a half-mile walk through rainforest featuring endemic plants and birds. The guide explains how lava tubes form and the traditional uses of local plants. Next, the tour stops at the steam vents near the summit of Kilauea to observe the geothermal activity and learn how the vents formed and their significance, including how locals access water nearby. The final stop is Chain of Craters Road, which passes through multiple eruption sites and showcases various lava formations. The guide adjusts the walking and hiking portions based on the group's fitness and interests. Bottled water, private transportation, adult ponchos, and a National Park Certified Interpretive Guide are included. Entrance fees are not included. Guests should dress in layers and bring raincoats due to variable mountain weather.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
Kilauea Visitor Center
The tour starts at the Kilauea Visitor Center, located in the park’s temperate rainforest. Although the Visitor Center is under renovation, it remains the meeting point. It is the first large building on the right after the Ranger booths. The guide explains the recent eruptions since December 23, 2024, and provides background on the volcanic formations within the park. Driving time is about an hour or less during the three-hour tour, with the remainder spent exploring and learning.
10 min
Nahuku - Lava Tube
This stop features a walk through a 600-plus year-old lava tube along a half-mile trail. The surrounding rainforest contains rare ferns and endemic birds. The guide explains how lava tubes form and discusses the traditional uses of native plants that have adapted to volcanic conditions.
30 min
Steam Vents
At the summit of Kilauea, the group visits the steam vents to observe this geological feature. The guide discusses the creation of the vents, the composition of the steam, and how early travelers used the steam vents. Information is also provided about local water sources and the wild orchids growing nearby.
15 min
Chain of Craters Road
Chain of Craters Road passes through sites of several past Kilauea eruptions and various lava formations. In only 3 hours, not all locations along this active road can be visited. The guide will show as many different eruption sites as possible. Stops depend on weather, group speed, and sure-footedness. Hiking and terrain difficulty are adjusted to the group's fitness and ability to load and unload quickly.
120 min
Meeting point
The Visitor Center is currently closed for remodel, but it is still the VERY best place to meet. The Temporary Welcome Center is located down the road and only has porta-potties, and they are significantly more used than most people would ever wish to see. Look for a van that says Big Island VIP.
End point
The Visitor Center is currently closed for remodel, but it is still the VERY best place to meet. The Temporary Welcome Center is located down the road and only has porta-potties, and they are significantly more used than most people would ever wish to see. Look for a van that says Big Island VIP.
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.