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The Big Island’s guided hikes are volcano hikes. The Private Kilauea Iki & Lava Tube Hike crosses the floor of Kilauea Iki crater and goes underground through a lava tube in four and a half hours, at $1,000 for a private group of up to eight, ages 7 and up.
From the Kona side, the Elite Volcano Hike from Kona is a 14-hour small-group day that descends the Halema’uma’u Trail to the caldera floor, with transport from Kona hotels, at $249 per adult and $239 per child. For how the two compare, read our guide to hiking Kilauea.
Private or small group. The Kilauea Iki hike is private: one flat price of $1,000 covers up to eight people, so a full group of eight pays $125 each. The Elite Volcano Hike is a shared small-group day capped at six to eight hikers, priced per person at $249 for adults and $239 for children.
How hard they are. Kilauea Iki is about 4.5 miles over four and a half hours, across the hardened lava lake left by the 1959 eruption and then through Nahuku lava tube, with headlamps provided. It needs moderate fitness for the elevation change and uneven volcanic ground, and the minimum age is 7. The Elite hike is a 14-hour day from Kona that goes down the Halema’uma’u Trail to the caldera floor, through the 1881 Kaumana lava tube and up Byron Ledge.
What is included. The Elite hike includes lunch, dinner and park fees, with transport from Kona hotels. Whether you see lava glow in the evening depends on current eruption activity. If you are still deciding where to stay, read volcano tours from Kona or Hilo.
A private 4.5-mile, 4.5-hour hike for up to eight guests: across the hardened lava lake of Kilauea Iki crater,...
A 14-hour, 6–8 person expedition from Kona — down the historic Halema'uma'u Trail to the caldera floor, throug...
The Kilauea summit area is around 4,000 feet above sea level, so it can be cool, misty and wet even when the coast is hot. Bring a warm layer and a rain jacket.
Lava rock is sharp and uneven. Closed-toe shoes with firm soles make crater floor trails far more comfortable than sneakers or sandals.
Volcanic smog, or vog, can affect air quality near active vents. If you have breathing conditions, ask the operator about conditions before you go.
The Elite hike includes transport from Kona hotels; the private lava tube hike meets at the Kilauea Visitor Center in the park, which suits Hilo and Volcano Village stays.
Two volcano hikes: a private Kilauea Iki crater floor and lava tube hike (4.5 hours, $1,000 for up to eight) and the Elite Volcano Hike from Kona down the Halema’uma’u Trail (14 hours with transport, $249 per adult).
Moderately fit. Both hikes cover uneven lava terrain and involve descending into and climbing back out of a crater, so you should be comfortable walking for several hours.
The private Kilauea Iki and lava tube hike takes hikers aged 7 and up. The Elite Volcano Hike has a child rate of $239; check the tour page for its age guidance.
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park charges an entrance fee. Check the tour page to see whether it is included in your booking.
Water, layers and a rain jacket, sunscreen and closed-toe shoes with good grip. The park’s summit area sits around 4,000 feet, so it is cooler and often wetter than the coast.
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