Plan your trip from morning to night with our itinerary guide
Explore the Big Island with ease through our thoughtfully crafted tours, each designed to help you experience Hawaii’s most unforgettable adventures without the stress of planning or transportation. From stargazing atop Maunakea to hiking hidden craters, chasing waterfalls, ziplining through lush canopies, and discovering rare wildlife, our tours blend convenience, expert guidance, and curated experiences.
Our Big Island tours are thoughtfully timed to cover the island’s most iconic experiences, while also taking the stress out of arranging transportation from your stay to the tour meeting points. Enjoy optional meal add-ons and included trekking gear for a seamless adventure.
Itineraries for each tour
Mauna Kea Summit & Stars Tour
Afternoon: Your journey begins with a pickup from Kona or Waikoloa before heading up the slopes of Maunakea. Along the drive, your guide shares stories of Hawaiian culture, geology, and the significance of the mountain.
You’ll stop for a warm, picnic-style dinner and a chance to acclimate before continuing toward a higher elevation.
Sunset at the summit: Arrive at nearly 14,000 feet to witness a breathtaking sunset above the clouds, the highest point in the Pacific. You’ll explore the summit area, see world-famous observatories, and enjoy panoramic views in every direction.
Evening stargazing: Descending to a more comfortable elevation, your guide sets up professional telescopes for a private star show. Sip hot chocolate, learn how Polynesians navigated by the night sky, and view deep-space objects before heading back.
Hakalau Forest Birdwatching Tour
Early morning: Depart from Kona/Waikoloa and travel across the island to the remote Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge. Enjoy breakfast snacks along the way as your guide introduces Hawaii’s unique birdlife.
Late morning – afternoon: Arrive at the restricted-access refuge and set out on foot through pristine native forest. Spot rare and endangered honeycreepers like the ‘i‘iwi, ‘akepa, and ‘akiapōlā‘au while your expert naturalist helps identify calls and behaviours.
Afternoon return: Relax on the scenic drive back as your guide shares conservation efforts and last wildlife sightings. You’ll return with a deeper appreciation for Hawaii’s ecological treasures.
Volcano, Chocolate & Waterfall Tour
Morning: Your day kicks off with a drive through Kona’s coffee country before heading toward Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Stop at scenic viewpoints and learn about the island’s volcanic past.
Midday: Explore park highlights such as steam vents, lava fields, pit craters, and the dramatic landscapes shaped by past eruptions. Afterwards, visit a local chocolate farm where you’ll tour the orchards and sample fresh, Hawaiian-grown chocolate.
Afternoon: Continue to Hilo for a stop at a stunning waterfall lookout, then enjoy light snacks before the drive back along the saddle between Maunakea and Maunaloa.
Hidden Craters Hike
Morning: Depart from Kona and head up the slopes of Hualālai Volcano. Once you arrive at the private reserve, your guide equips you with trekking poles and gear before starting your hike.
Late morning – early afternoon: Trek 3–4 miles through native cloud forest, walk along volcanic fissures, peer into deep craters, and explore an accessible lava tube. Along the way, enjoy sweeping views of the Kona Coast from 5,000+ feet.
Afternoon: Return to the trailhead for refreshments before heading back to town with plenty of photos and volcanic insights.
Kohala Waterfalls Tour
Morning: Set off from Kailua-Kona or Waikoloa and enjoy a scenic drive through the Kohala region. Learn about ancient Hawaiian agriculture and the history of the island’s oldest volcano.
Late morning: Arrive at a private nature reserve and take an easy-to-moderate hike through shaded valleys, streams, and lush rainforest. You’ll see several beautiful waterfalls and learn about native plants.
Afternoon: Stop at a private waterfall for photos, snacks, and relaxation before making your way back.
Kohala Canopy Zipline
Morning or afternoon session: Check in at Kohala Zipline before heading into the forest in a rugged 4x4 vehicle. Your guides outfit you with safety gear and provide a quick training session.
On the course: Fly across 8 ziplines, cross 6 sky bridges, and finish with a fun rappel. Enjoy treetop views, forest scenery, and the ocean in the distance. No long stair climbing, this is true tree-to-tree ziplining.
Wrap-up: Your guides help you out of your gear and share photos and GoPro footage before you head back.
Kohala Waterfalls & Canopy Zip & Dip Tour
Morning: Start with a scenic drive through North Kohala, stopping at historic sites and viewpoints. Continue to a private nature reserve where your guide leads a refreshing hike and waterfall exploration.
Midday: Enjoy a picnic-style lunch before taking a dip beneath a private waterfall fed by a mountain stream. Towels and daypacks are provided.
Afternoon: Head to the zipline course and experience all 8 ziplines, 6 sky bridges, and the rappel. The day blends hiking, swimming, off-roading, and ziplining for a full adventure.
Visitor tips
Make space for weather changes by keeping one flexible day in your schedule, especially if you're planning summit visits, stargazing, or waterfall hikes.
Book popular experiences like Mauna Kea stargazing, volcano tours, and ziplining well in advance, as small-group tours fill up quickly year-round.
Start your days early to avoid mid-day heat, get clearer summit views, and enjoy quieter trails, especially on hikes like Hidden Craters.
Always carry water, sun protection, and light layers; you may go from humid coastlines to cool upland forests or chilly summit viewpoints in a single day.
If you're doing multiple outdoor adventures, allow buffer time between high-altitude, strenuous, or water-based activities so you don’t overpack your day.
For waterfall or hike days, wear closed-toe shoes and bring a backup outfit, as trails can be muddy and swims at private waterfalls are available on some tours.
If your itinerary includes the Mauna Kea stargazing tour, avoid scuba diving 24 hours before your summit tour due to altitude-related safety guidelines.
Pack reef-safe sunscreen only; it’s required in Hawai‘i and helps protect local marine ecosystems during beach or waterfall activities.
Frequently asked questions about the itinerary of the Big Island
Most itineraries run between 5 to 9 hours, depending on the tour. Maunakea Summit & Stars is one of the longest (8–9 hours), while waterfall, volcano, and hiking tours generally last 5–8 hours.
Some tours include meals such as picnic lunches, snacks, or refreshments (e.g., the Zip & Dip or Volcano, Chocolate & Waterfall tours). Check each tour's inclusions for specifics.
It depends on the experience. Hidden Craters and Hakalau birdwatching include moderate walking over uneven terrain, while Mauna Kea and waterfall tours involve minimal hiking with scenic stops.
Yes, but restroom availability varies, especially in remote areas like Mauna Kea or deep forest reserves. Guides will schedule breaks accordingly.
Some tours, like Volcano & Waterfall or Kohala Zipline, offer brief self-exploration time at scenic stops. Others, such as the Mauna Kea Summit tour, require staying with the group the entire time due to safety and permits.
The tours include pickup from designated meeting points and transportation in comfortable, air-conditioned 4x4 or off-road-capable vehicles.
Tours typically proceed if conditions are safe. For stargazing tour, guides may move to lower elevations for clearer skies.
Plan to arrive 30-min early at the meeting point to allow time for check-in and briefings, as itineraries run on a strict schedule.
