Private Tour: Experience Active Kilauea Volcano & Hilo Rainbow Falls
Overview
Available languages
5 hours 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
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.
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
Youth ages 10 years and older only are allowed on this tour. All participants must have a paid seat. We do not allow children under the age of 10 years old.
Covered walking shoes are required and a jacket is highly recommended.
Operates in all weather conditions (be prepared for sun, wind and rain).
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.
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
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.
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.
Options
Private Volcano & Hilo Tour
Pickup included
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
We are sorry there are no options for meal purchases along the way. You are welcome to bring your own snacks for the trail, however we do not allow eating in our vans.
Gratuities
We DO NOT provide transportation from Kona or Waikoloa. Please meet us in Hilo or Volcano.
Pickup points
Hilo Intl Airport
2450 Kekuanaoa St Hilo United States
SCP Hilo Hotel
126 Banyan Way Hilo United States
Grand Naniloa Hotel Hilo - A Doubletree By Hilton
93 Banyan Drive, Hilo United States
Hilo Hawaiian Hotel
71 Banyan Drive Hilo United States
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
13 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Hilo experience
K8647EFmichaelr,May 31, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Jill was great. She had us laughing from the start. We stopped at Rainbow Falls to start and it was great to learn about the significance of the falls to the community. We then headed up to the Volcano National Park, it was eye opening, we hoped to see the eruption, but only steam. Jill shared a lot of info on the history of eruptions and what it meant/means for the community, great opportunity to learn. We really enjoyed walking in the lava tube. We stopped at a local chocolate store at the end and bought some home. Overall a great way to spend a day in Hilo. Thank you, Michael
Great excursion!
kdd28970,Mar 4, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Fantastic experience with Jill. Learned a great deal about the volcanoes and Hawaii history. Saw Rainbow Falls and went to the chocolate factory. Got picked up right at the port. Would highly recommend!
Perfect for large geoup- 14
Kateyng1,Sep 27, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Josh was the perfect host and driver for our group. Multigeneration and move at various speeds. Everyone needs to use Josh and his wife. You will not regret it.
Amazing tour!
489shannons,Mar 28, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Amazing tour of Volcano National Park!! Jill was our guide and grew up on the island. She was a wealth of knowledge. Being a small group we were able to see a ton of the park as well as explore some areas in Hilo. Definitely recommend this tour company!!
Highly recommended Volcano Tour
Kevin P,Sep 7, 2023
- Review from Viator
5.00First, Jill was an incredible guide!!! She has genuine and meaningful stories about the area. She was super attentive and catered to our specific requirements. We thought we had scheduled a different, longer tour, but I am so glad we ended up with Jill!! I would (and may) book this tour again in the future. Highly recommended!!
Personalized and educational
Nomad782809,Aug 6, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00They 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!
Amazing tour of Volcanoes with true Hawaiian energy and vibe…
LovedStJohns112022,Jul 8, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our 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.
Take this tour.
Brian C,Apr 6, 2023
- Review from Viator
5.00Great 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.
Great tour!
Daydream107861,Aug 3, 2022
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our family really enjoyed this tour. Jill was very friendly and knowledgeable. It was a great experience for all of us to visit the volcano viewing locations. Also enjoyed the stops at the waterfalls and chocolate factory. Highly recommend this tour.
Awesome!
Rey del Castillo,Jul 30, 2022
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Josh was great and told us a lot about the island and the volcanoes. Punctual, friendly and pending from your group. It was a great day. Thank you so much, Josh.
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Operated by Mauka Makai Adventures