Your private adventure begins with a scenic journey along Highway 19, passing through the historic town of Waimea where vast cattle ranches stretch across the landscape. From there, you’ll travel the legendary Hamakua Coast along the eastern flank of Mauna Kea volcano, where thousands of years of erosion have sculpted deep valleys and dramatic cliffs into the mountainside. A stop at Laupahoehoe reveals the raw power of the Pacific Ocean, showcasing rugged pinnacles carved into the coastline. The journey continues along jungle roads to Akaka Falls, where you’ll witness a breathtaking 442-foot cascade plunging into the Kolekole gulch below, before enjoying fresh local wraps at Hilo Sharks in Honomu.
The tour culminates with an exploration of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and the summit of Kilauea volcano, where you’ll gaze into the vast summit caldera that formed just 500 years ago. Traveling along Chain of Craters Road through Kilauea’s east rift zone, you’ll pass pit craters, scorched earth, steaming ground, and lava flows both ancient and recent. The return journey takes you along the famous Saddle Road, climbing to nearly 6,800 feet in elevation through an extraordinary procession of microclimates—from lush rainforests and misty cloud forests to high desert and sweeping prairies—all while enjoying stunning views of the towering Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa volcanoes.