Take an adventure to otherworldly landscapes, unique ecosystems, and endangered wildlife found only on the Big Island! Explore the unique high elevations lava fields of the world’s largest active volcano, Mauna Loa. Take a guided walk through Mauna Kea’s unique montane dry forests and search for endemic birdlife only found here on the Big Island. This is an off-the-beaten-path adventure most visitors never get to see! Your exceptional naturalist will provide guided interpretation during your entire tour experience.
Experience the magic of the unique sub-alpine dry forest and two of the largest volcanoes on planet Earth:
Explore the northern flank of Mauna Loa, the largest active volcano on earth. Travel back in time as you learn all about the lava flows that make up this other worldly landscape. View Mauna Loa Observatory and learn all about the history of the area. Explore Mauna Kea forest reserve with a 4X4 adventure and a guided walk in search of Hawaiian honeycreepers.
Inclusions & Exclusions
✔ Carbonated beverages
✔ Fully guided naturalist tour with educational materials and commentary
✔ Gear - Patagonia Rain Jacket and Nano Puff, Nikon ProStaff binoculars, Headlamps
✔ Lunch
✔ Snacks
✔ Complementary Photo package: 20-25 professional, edited photos shared via Adobe Cloud
✔ Tea and coffee
✔ Admission into all venues and parks
✔ Bottled water
Pickup Locations
1. Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, Autograph Collection
2. Mauna Lani Point
3. Kamuela Inn
4. Courtyard by Marriott King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel
5. Kohala Coast Collection
6. Champion Ridge At Mauna Lani
7. Hilton Grand Vacations Club Kings' Land Waikoloa
8. Hapuna Beach Residences
9. Outrigger Kona Resort & Spa
10. Hilton Grand Vacations Club Ocean Tower Waikoloa Village
11. Hilton Grand Vacations Club Kohala Suites Waikoloa
12. Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa
13. Kailua Village Resort
14. Uncle Billy's Kona Bay Hotel
15. Kona Oceanfront Home
16. Royal Kona Resort
17. The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort
18. Waikoloa Honu and Gecko Condominiums
19. Pacific 19 Kona
20. Club Wyndham Mauna Loa Village
Additional Info: Our team will be in touch to confirm your pick-up location. Pick-up will be at 9:00 am. You will be picked up at your place of lodging. There is no age limit on this tour, but those who will be traveling with children in car seats must provide their own.
Itinerary
1
Mauna Loa
Travel on a road built through lava flows as you explore the northern flank of the largest volcano on earth, Mauna Loa. This incredible and other worldly landscape gives you a sense of being on Mars rather than on Earth.
Duration: 3 hours
2
Mauna Loa Observatory
Take in the sights of Mauna Loa Observatory which has been recording atmospheric changes since the 1950’s and boasts the longest record of direct measurements of CO2 in the atmosphere.
Duration: 30 minutes
3
Mauna Kea
Explore the rare and lesser known high elevation dry forest around the slopes of Mauna Kea volcano.
Take a 4×4 adventure to the last place on the planet where you can find the endangered and endemic Hawaiian Honey creeper the Palila (Loxioides bailleui). This is the last finch-billed honey creeper in the main Hawaiian Islands.
Witness other rare and endemic birds such as the Hawai‘i ‘Amakihi, ‘Apapane, Hawaiian Hawk and Hawaiian Short-eared Owl. Hawaii has some of the best birding opportunities in the world due to the evolution of the islands and the presence of the rare bird species still found here.
Enjoy a guided walk through this special forest reserve as you learn all about the unique plants and animals found in the area.
Search for endemic birds with your provided Nikon Prostaff binoculars.
Marvel at two of the largest volcanoes on planet earth as you enjoy a picnic lunch or dinner surrounded by the beauty of the sub-alpine dry forest.
Duration: 4 hours
Additional info
• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
• Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
