Big Island Volcanoes and Wildlife Adventure

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.

What's included:

• Fully guided naturalist tour with educational materials and commentary
• Gear - Patagonia Rain Jacket and Nano Puff, Nikon ProStaff binoculars, Headlamps
• Complementary Photo package: 20-25 professional, edited photos shared via Adobe Cloud
• Admission into all venues and parks

What to expect:

Duration: between 8 hours and 9 hours

Mauna Loa

Volcano, Hawaii

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.

3 hours

Mauna Loa Observatory

1437 Kilauea Ave, Suite 102, Hilo, 96720-4200, Hawaii

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.

30 minutes

Mauna Kea

Mauna Kea Access Rd, University Of Hawaii 2.2 Meter Telescope, 96720, Hawaii

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.

4 hours