Kilauea & Rainbow Falls Private Tour: Volcano Summit, Waterfalls

Kilauea's caldera steams year-round, whether or not an eruption is happening when you visit.

A private tour from Hilo to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park with a certified guide, covering Kilauea caldera, the 500-year-old Thurston Lava Tube, Chain of Craters Road, and optional stops at Rainbow Falls and Liliuokalani Gardens. The tour runs five and a half hours and includes national park entry and private transportation. You can choose to stay in the park for hiking or head back to Hilo for the waterfall and gardens. Hotel pickup is available for select Hilo properties, or you meet at Hilo Mo'oheau Bus Terminal. Cruise passengers are picked up at the Port of Hilo with adjusted timing to match ship departure.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park2h · entry included
2. Thurston Lava Tube30m · entry included
3. Chain of Craters Road1h · entry included
4. Rainbow Falls20m
5. Liliʻuokalani Gardenspassing by

Explore Volcano and Hilo Highlights

• Visit Kilauea caldera
• Walk through Thurston Lava Tube
• Explore Chain of Craters Road
• View Rainbow Falls waterfall
• Tour local chocolate factory
• Drive through Liliuokalani Gardens

The experience

Five and a half hours gets you to the summit of Kilauea, Hawaii's youngest and most active volcano, with a certified national park guide who interprets the geology, Hawaiian culture and volcanic history as you go. The tour centers on the Kilauea caldera and Halema'uma'u crater, where you'll feel heat rising from steaming bluffs and walk through the cool mist of the Hawaiian rainforest. A short hike takes you through Nahuku, the 500-year-old Thurston Lava Tube, where molten lava once rushed underground. Chain of Craters Road lets you see frozen lava fields and peer into craters that shaped the island's landscape.

As a private tour, you control the itinerary after the volcano portion. You can spend the full time in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park with optional hiking, or head down to Hilo for stops at Rainbow Falls (an 80-foot waterfall), Liliuokalani Gardens with its banyan trees and fishponds along Hilo Bay, and a local chocolate factory where you'll taste hand-made chocolates, macadamia nuts and island coffee. National park entry and private transportation are included. Bring covered walking shoes and a jacket, as the weather shifts fast and the tour runs in sun, wind and rain.

Hotel pickup covers select Hilo properties. If you're staying elsewhere, you'll meet at Hilo Mo'oheau Bus Terminal. Cruise passengers are collected at the Port of Hilo with the tour adjusted to your ship's schedule. Kilauea is an active volcano, so you may be exposed to volcanic gas, and the operator does not guarantee you'll see molten lava on the day you visit.

What’s included

• National park entry fee.
• private transportation from Hilo or the Port of Hilo.
• professional guide in English.
• island chips and access to hand-made chocolates, macadamia nuts and local coffee at the chocolate factory stop.

Before you book

Days and timesMonday to FridayDepartures at 08:30, 09:00 and 09:30

Book up toStart time

AgesFrom age 10

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 8 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Moderate physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Mauka Makai Adventures

Is this one for you?Your guide speaks English throughout, so you'll follow the volcanic and cultural history without translation. Choose this tour if you want the volcano summit and the flexibility to add Hilo's waterfalls and gardens, or to spend extra time hiking in the park itself.

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Top questions

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

Can I see lava or an eruption on this tour?

Kilauea is an active volcano, so you'll see the steaming caldera and the dramatic changes from recent or current volcanic activity in Halema'uma'u crater, but the operator does not guarantee molten lava or an eruption will be visible on your specific date.

What is the Thurston Lava Tube?

Nahuku, or Thurston Lava Tube, is a 500-year-old underground tunnel carved by hot molten lava. You walk through the Hawaiian rainforest to reach it and explore the tube itself as part of the park portion of the tour.

Do I have to choose between the volcano and Hilo stops, or can I do both?

The volcano portion is fixed. After that, you choose to stay in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park for optional hiking or return to Hilo for Rainbow Falls, Liliuokalani Gardens and the chocolate factory. Both options fit within the five-and-a-half-hour tour.

Where does the tour pick me up?

Hotel pickup is available for select Hilo hotels. If you're staying outside Hilo, you'll meet at Hilo Mo'oheau Bus Terminal. Cruise passengers are picked up directly at the Port of Hilo, and the tour time adjusts to match your ship's departure.

What should I bring or wear?

Covered walking shoes are required and a jacket is highly recommended, since the weather shifts between sun, wind and rain. Bring your own refillable water bottle to help protect the island environment.

Is this tour suitable for children?

Youth ages 10 and older are welcome. Children under 10 are not allowed. All participants must have a paid seat. The tour is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, pregnancy, or poor cardiovascular health, and requires at least a moderate level of physical fitness.