Hawaiʻi Volcanoes Nationwide Park. Courtesy of Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority. Photograph by Kirk Aeder.
Hawaiʻi Island isn’t nicknamed “The Massive Island” for nothing. It’s about 100 miles from Kona (west facet) to Hilo (east facet). Though many guests make the drive every day, the two- to three-hour journey generally is a lot to deal with in sooner or later—particularly with actions and sightseeing packed in.
The Big Island Highlights Volcano Day Tour is an all-inclusive, award-winning tour by luxurious operator Kailani Excursions. Two excursions run every day, seven days every week, with a most of 12 friends per group. Departing from Kona in a Mercedes-Benz shuttle, the tour guarantees consolation and personalised service all through the full-day expertise.
“It’s all taken care of,” mentioned Chris Paterson, founding father of Kailani Excursions. “You might be actually placing your toes up, listening to your information let you know issues that you simply usually would by no means have identified about.”
Based in 2012, Kailani Excursions operates on three pillars: skilled guides, luxurious autos and high-end service. Paterson, a former tour information and Ritz-Carlton concierge, used the identical “unwavering dedication to service” philosophy he discovered on the Ritz-Carlton to construct his firm. Excursions by no means exceed 12 friends, with every group led by an knowledgeable information who not solely drives but additionally gives instructional commentary and meals and beverage service all through the day.
“[Ritz-Carlton] has a guest-to-employee ratio that’s just about unmatched,” Paterson mentioned. “In order that’s what I needed to do.”
Espresso cherries. Courtesy of Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority. Photograph by Kenji Abe.
The Big Island Highlights Volcano Day Tour begins with a central pickup location, the place friends are greeted with chilly drinks and breakfast bars. The primary cease is Greenwell Coffee Farm in Kona, the place friends stroll by way of fields of tropical fruit and pattern bean-to-cup espresso.
Subsequent is Punaluʻu Bake Shop for recent malasadas, adopted by a go to to Punaluʻu Black Sand Seaside, the place guides educate friends tips on how to responsibly observe endangered sea turtles from a distance.
Malasadas. Courtesy of Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority. Photograph by Tor Johnson.
From there, the tour heads to Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. Company spend 90 minutes to 2 hours immersed in nature, studying in regards to the island’s biodiversity and climatic zones—and witnessing an energetic volcano.
The subsequent cease is Hilo. On the Hilo Farmers Market, friends can pattern all kinds of tropical fruit, get pleasure from Kula Shave Ice and discover downtown. Retailers embrace Puna Chocolate Company and Big Island Candies, with time to study the historical past of Banyan Drive and Liliʻuokalani Gardens.
The ultimate cease is Rainbow Falls, that includes an enormous lava tube and a 90-foot waterfall cascading off two peaks. Because the shuttle returns west through Saddle Highway, friends watch the sundown after a full day of journey. The tour contains all meals, park entry charges, cold and warm beverage service, and cold and warm towel service.
Keawe Wailuku Bridge, Hilo. Courtesy of Hawaiʻi Guests Authority. Photograph by AJ Feducia.
Kailani Excursions additionally provides late-day excursions with dinner and wine tasting, in addition to personal and customizable choices.
“That’s once we actually get to shine manner above our opponents,” Paterson mentioned. “We create these bespoke experiences which are so uncommon and so totally different that friends really feel like they’ve received a custom-made expertise only for them and their household.”
Luxurious and five-star service apart, Paterson—who additionally serves on the advisory board of the Island of Hawaiʻi Guests Bureau—mentioned his mission has all the time been rooted in doing proper by Hawaiʻi.
“We’re bringing folks with us to do accountable, respectful, regenerative tourism that advantages the area people, gives jobs, takes extra autos off the street and creates this distinctive expertise the place folks really feel like they’re touring responsibly,” he mentioned.
E-book the Big Island Highlights Volcano Day Tour
