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Heartbeat of the Earth
- 13-days walking and study tour to the Big Island of Hawai'i -
"An absolutely unforgettable tour. If you can only have one “holiday of a lifetime” make sure this is it!" (Mik and Hazel, Scotland)
 
- Active lava and volcanic activity at Kilauea volcano
- In-depth exploration of Big Island including many hidden corners
- Visit the largest lava tube on Hawaii and see unique geologic features
- Beautiful beaches and snorkeling spots
- Small group guided by an insider and trained geologist on Hawai'i
   
Tour code: HAW_HBE
Tour type: Walking & study tour
Difficulty: Moderate-Challenging
Duration: 13 days (12 nights)
Dates:
Custom and scheduled dates no scheduled dates at present
Price (p.p.): open
Included:- Accommodation in double (shared) room
- Half board excluding drinks (generally dinner in local restaurants)
- All transportation on the Big Island
- Park entry fees and local txes
- Guided tour and entry to the lava cave
- Accompanying material
- VolcanoDiscovery Hawaii volcanologist guide
The Big Island of Hawaii has a lot to offer! During almost 2 weeks, we will visit its volcanoes in depth and hopefully see a lot of lava. We will also circle most of the island and find plenty of time to enjoy some of its most wonderful beaches and other natural highlights. The overall mix of moderate hikes, relaxation, good food and being with a small group, guided by an insider of the Big Island and its volcanoes will make this trip a rewarding experience.
13 days itinerary
Note:
It is possible to take part in only the first 6 days (Kilauea volcano area) or 10 days (Kilauea + Hilo area) of this itinerary if your time is limited.
Day 1: |
Arrival in Hilo - transfer to Volcano - Kilauea's caldera
Arrival in Hilo & transfer to Volcano village. Introduction and optional warm-up hike at the caldera of Kilauea.
Acc.: B&B in Volcano village (D)
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Day 2: |
Kilauea volcano’s summit and active eruption
Today, we explore the summit of Kilauea volcano and its some of its numerous geologic highlights: the huge caldera with the inner pit crater Halema'uma'u - home of Pele, sacred to Hawaiians -, fumaroles, steam vents, faults, lava tubes, historic lava flows.
If conditions permitting, we will go and visit the active lava flows at the sea entry in the evening.
Acc.: as before (Volcano or Hilo) (B, D)
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Day 3: |
The world's largest lava tube - active lava flows hike
In the morning, we visit what is largest known continuous lava tube in the world. Once, a mighty river of lava was flowing here for over 20 miles down from the summit of Kilauea to the sea. Today, it is a pristine lava tube with accessible sections full of volcanic wonders, such as streamlined current eddies once formed by the flowing lava inside. We'll spend about 3-4 hours inside the lava tube to explore some of them.
If conditions permit, we hike out to areas in the coastal lava flow field where there is interesting volcanic activity, e.g. active pahoehoe flows, lava pouring into the sea etc.
Acc.: as before (Vulcano or Hilo) (B, D)
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Day 4: |
Kilauea's eastern Rift zone
We spend the day to hike along the axis of the Eastern Rift zone through a strikingly beautiful landscape torn between volcanic destruction and re-emerging life. We pass deep pit craters, barren lava fields, kipukas with lush rainforest (small islands of vegetation), gaping, smoking fissures, lava trees standing out from recent lava flows and other bizarre formations.
Again, in the evening, if there is interesting and accessible activity, we could opt for the observation of active lava in the evening / night.
Acc.: as before (Volcano or Hilo) (B, D)
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Day 5: |
Ka'u lava desert, Hawaiian footprints, giant turtles, South Point and Green Sand beach
Hike into the Kau desert on the dry side of the caldera, and find footprints of Hawaiian warriors in ash from the 1779 eruption. Continue to Punalu'u black sand beach with its giant turtles, and on to South Point and Green Sand Beach.
Acc.: as before (Volcano) (B, D)
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Day 6: |
Hilo (or end of 6 days version)
Free day in Hilo / end of 6-day version
Acc.: hotel in downtown Hilo (B, D)
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Day 7: |
Hilo and the Puna coast
Relaxed day with short hikes to the Hilo waterfalls. Afternoon excursion to the Puna district to visit hot ponds and natural saunas inside old hornitos on the rift zone, a black lava sand beach, very scenic coastal formations in a lush rainforest setting.
In the afternoon / evening, lava viewing if activity is present.
Acc.: as before (Hilo) (B, D)
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Day 8: |
Akaka waterfalls and Mauna Kea
Visit the Akaka water falls and drive up to Mauna Kea's summit - the highest point in the Pacific - for an unsurpassed sunset.
Acc.: as before (Hilo) (B, D)
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Day 9: |
Waipio Valley and Hapuna beach
We get up early to ride northwards to Waimea, from where we hike to a spectacular lookout deep within the Kohala mountains (~1-2 hr easy hiking), facing a 1,000 ft high waterfall dropping into Waipio Valley. We return for lunch in a small restaurant on the way and continue to another, lower lookout onto the shoreside of the same valley. If weather conditions are good we can hike down to the wild black-sand beach at the valleys entrance and another, smaller waterfall nearby. Otherwise, we return to the usually dry Kona side of the island and spend the rest of the afternoon on Hawai'i's best surfing beach, Hapuna Beach. In the evening, we'll return to Kailua-Kona, where we will celebrate the tour in a restaurant on the seashore.
Acc.: as before (Kailua-Kona) (B, D)
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Day 10: |
Kailua town (end of 10 days version)
Free day in Kailua-Kona or end of 10-day version. Day for own activities, beach, diving, snorkeling, shopping etc.
Acc.: as before (Kailua-Kona) (B, D)
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Day 11: |
Kona-side beaches and Hawaiian petroglyphs
After a leisurely breakfast, we'll drive north along the Kona coast to our choice of beaches in the morning. Two of our options are beautiful Kua Bay, a remote, beautiful white sand beach with a gentle ocean, and Kiholo Bay, hosting some of the largest Hawaiian fishponds on the island, with good swimming and panoramas and often lots of turtles.
We'll picnic for lunch at scenic `Anaeho`omalu Bay before a short walk to one of the best petroglyph fields on the island, a record of Hawaiian life before European contact. We'll continue to the far-northern city of Hawi on the now-extinct Kohala volcano, and look out over deep valleys, Pololu and/or Honokane Nui (optional hike, depending on time) valleys eroded into the volcano's ancient core. We'll return to Kailua-Kona in the evening.
Acc.: as before (Kailua-Kona) (B, D)
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Day 12: |
Kealakekua Bay and Captain Cook monument
Relaxed day at the magnificient Kealakekua Bay: opportunity for swimming, snorkeling or SCUBA dives. Original kona coffee tasting opportunity on the way back to Kona.
Acc.: as before (Kailua-Kona) (B, D)
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Day 13: |
End of tour - transfer to / departure from Kailua-Kona airport
Departure (transfer to airport) from Kailua-Kona airport or own extension program (a short excursion in the area can be offered if time permits).
Acc.: none (B)
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Note:
As shorter alternatives, you could opt for one of the following (6 and 10 days) versions.
6-days version (Kilauea volcano and sourroundings)
Note:
This shorter tour is recommended if you want to get a good insight into Kilauea volcano with its many facets.
Day 1: |
Arrival in Hilo - transfer to Volcano - Kilauea's caldera
Arrival in Hilo & transfer to Volcano village. Introduction and optional warm-up hike at the caldera of Kilauea.
Acc.: B&B in Volcano village (D)
|
Day 2: |
Kilauea volcano’s summit and active eruption
Today, we explore the summit of Kilauea volcano and its some of its numerous geologic highlights: the huge caldera with the inner pit crater Halema'uma'u - home of Pele, sacred to Hawaiians -, fumaroles, steam vents, faults, lava tubes, historic lava flows.
If conditions permitting, we will go and visit the active lava flows at the sea entry in the evening.
Acc.: as before (Volcano or Hilo) (B, D)
|
Day 3: |
The world's largest lava tube - active lava flows hike
In the morning, we visit what is largest known continuous lava tube in the world. Once, a mighty river of lava was flowing here for over 20 miles down from the summit of Kilauea to the sea. Today, it is a pristine lava tube with accessible sections full of volcanic wonders, such as streamlined current eddies once formed by the flowing lava inside. We'll spend about 3-4 hours inside the lava tube to explore some of them.
If conditions permit, we hike out to areas in the coastal lava flow field where there is interesting volcanic activity, e.g. active pahoehoe flows, lava pouring into the sea etc.
Acc.: as before (Vulcano or Hilo) (B, D)
|
Day 4: |
Kilauea's eastern Rift zone
We spend the day to hike along the axis of the Eastern Rift zone through a strikingly beautiful landscape torn between volcanic destruction and re-emerging life. We pass deep pit craters, barren lava fields, kipukas with lush rainforest (small islands of vegetation), gaping, smoking fissures, lava trees standing out from recent lava flows and other bizarre formations.
Again, in the evening, if there is interesting and accessible activity, we could opt for the observation of active lava in the evening / night.
Acc.: as before (Volcano or Hilo) (B, D)
|
Day 5: |
Ka'u lava desert, Hawaiian footprints, giant turtles, South Point and Green Sand beach
Hike into the Kau desert on the dry side of the caldera, and find footprints of Hawaiian warriors in ash from the 1779 eruption. Continue to Punalu'u black sand beach with its giant turtles, and on to South Point and Green Sand Beach.
Acc.: as before (Volcano) (B, D)
|
Day 6: |
End of 6-days version in Hilo
If you choose the 6-day version only, our service ends today with ransfer to airport or nearby destination arranged.
Acc.: none (B)
|
10-days version (from Hilo & Kilauea to Kona)
Note:
If you choose the 10 days version, your tour starts in Hilo and ends in Kona.
Day 1-10: |
same as in 13-days itinerary
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Day 11: |
End of tour - transfer to / departure from Kailua-Kona airport
Departure (transfer to airport) from Kailua-Kona airport or own extension program (a short excursion in the area can be offered if time permits).
Acc.: none (B)
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Arrival info:The tour always starts in Hilo and ends in Hilo or Kona, depending on which version you prefer (5, 10 or 13 days).
It is perfect if you are planning an extended stay on the island or plan to visit other Hawaiian islands before or after the tour. Inter-island flights are relatively cheap and there are many connections to all other islands, but most frequently to Honolulu and Maui.
On request, we can provide you with connecting flight tickets and assist you with your travel plans to arrive in Hilo.
Accommodation:Comfortable, island-style B&B and small hotels (**-*** category) in good locations and with friendly ambience
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