Hawaii Forest & Trail

We did the Maunakea Summit & Stars Adventure on January 9 and it was terrific. Jon was our guide and he is not just knowledgable on an abundance of topics but extremely personable. Our dinner was both fun and delicious. Experiencing the summit at sunset is just outstanding and, after returning to the Visitor's Center, we were able to see the universe in all its many forms. I read about this guide company in The Big Island Revealed where they were recommended. I now understand why and do so enthusiastically as well.

We did two tours with Hawaii Forest & Trail — Mauna Kea Summit & Stars and the Kohala Waterfalls Tour — and both were very well run, professional, and thoughtfully guided. The standout across both experiences was the guides. They were calm, knowledgeable, safety-focused, and genuinely respectful of the land. Pacing was good, group management was smooth, and nothing felt rushed or chaotic. If you’re looking for a responsible operator that takes logistics and environmental care seriously, this company does that extremely well. The Mauna Kea Summit & Stars tour delivered exactly what it promised in terms of access, altitude, and education. The sunset views above the clouds were beautiful, and the guide did a solid job explaining the science, history, and cultural context. That said, for us the experience leaned more toward structured and instructional than awe-inducing — which isn’t a flaw, but something to be aware of depending on what you’re hoping for. The Kohala Waterfalls Tour was the more relaxed and enjoyable of the two. The landscape changes, rural scenery, and time at the waterfall felt unhurried and grounding. It’s not a dramatic, multi-tier waterfall hike, but rather a gentle, scenic experience that emphasizes place and context over spectacle. Overall, these are high-quality tours with excellent guides, and we’re glad we went. We rated 4 stars rather than 5 because the pricing sets very high expectations, and the experiences — while solid and well executed — felt more “very good” than exceptional for us personally. Still, this is a trustworthy operator we’d recommend to travelers who value safety, education, and respectful access over flash.

This observatory tour was the best tour we have taken on the islands! Jason our guide was soooo knowledgeable and fun. Being the only 2 vehicles left on the hill to stargaze after all the self-driving tourists were kicked off was amazing. Good chili! Great views! And amazing shared digital pictures. Thanks for the memory!!

I cannot say enough wonderful things about Wilson and the Mauna Kea Summit & Stars excursion. Wilson was incredibly well spoken and knowledgeable and I learned so much! He did all of this while navigating steep roads (not all paved) and feeding us amazing chicken stew, cookies, and hot cocoa. This was a truly memorable and magical trip and the weather was just perfect! Everything was well organized and I cannot recommend them enough

Dave was detailed and an amazing tour guide. The supplies offered liile small backpack, walking stick, towel, and sunscreen & bug spray helped by making those logistics taken care of. Small tours are wonderful so you can move quickly and get to know everyone. Swimming hole tips were incredibly helpful so I felt safe swiming at the waterfalls. Highly recommend!

Wow, wow, wow! My family of four took a private tour to the waterfalls, and we couldn’t be more pleased. Our guide was incredibly knowledgeable about the Hawaiian culture, plants, and geology of the area. He had an obvious love of the land. We took a lovely hike, visited multiple waterfalls, had an excellent lunch, and enjoyed an overall wonderful day. Highly recommend.

Great combo of things to see. Guide was fun and knowledgeable. Suggestions: 1. Make two options for the younger hiker folks and those of us who walk less these days. I was happy to see the lava tunnel and the volcano crest and would have spent more time at the lodge instead of the walking. I felt bad for the young ones on the tour who probably would have liked the longer hike. 2. Did not need a requirement of closed shoes. Paths would have been fine in a sturdy sandal. 3. Turkey sandwich lunch was boring... something more authentic maybe?

I booked this tour for my parents, my partner, and myself on the last day of our trip (which also happened to be a moonless night) and it turned out to be an excellent way to end our vacation. Our tour guide Jason was the best! He is super knowledgeable and kind, and I felt like we were in good hands the entire way. The sunset was awesome but for me, the highlight was the stargazing afterwards. We went to a spot just above the visitor station so it wasn't as cold and we weren't as affected by the altitude, plus only tour groups were allowed there so it wasn't crowded at all. The night sky was simply incredible to look at. I've never seen that many stars before! Getting to look at deep space objects through the telescope was very cool and Jason's own passion for astronomy made the whole night even more enjoyable. (The attached image was taken with an iPhone and a mini tripod, which we brought with us.) The provided parkas were very warm, though I'd recommend bringing as many layers as you can, plus a warm hat and gloves. Dinner was simple but satisfying, though I did feel a bit rushed since we only had 30 minutes to eat, use the restroom (there's always a long line for the ladies' room so go early), and visit the information center.

My family and I experienced a very educational and well informed Star glancing tour on Sunday presented by Mr. Eugene. The road to the summit was very confortable, this company provides a very delicious meal, hot chocolate and a nice thick parka because it gets pretty cold once on the summit If you visit this beautiful Hawaiian island, this company it's 100% recommended Thanks again to Mr. Eugene for his time and knowledge

This is the 2nd time I have done the Kohala Falls tour with this organization. They are highly organized, the tour guides are friendly and knowledgeable, the vehicles are new and immaculately clean. There are thoughtful details like extra sunscreen, bug spray, jackets, walking sticks, and warms hand towels provided prior to lunch. Our tour guide noticed my husband fully relishing his time swimming in the waterfall pool and took a picture on her own phone to share with me since I did not have my phone in the water with me. She did not have to do this. I was very impressed with this thoughtful gesture. When you book with Hawai'i Forest and Trail, this is the level of attention and care you will experience. @sturdygirlstyle #sturdygirlstyle

Wonderful day trip! Our guide Maka was terrific. As we rode up the coast with him from Kona to Kohala in the comfortable MBZ Sprinter van, he entertained and educated us with his wealth of knowledge and stories about Hawaii's history, flora, fauna, geography, points of interest, and culture. Brief stops at Queen's Marketplace and Kohala Zipline in charming Hawi to pick up passengers allowed us to stretch legs and look around. Then a bumpy short drive along a rugged picturesque dirt road to where we started our easy hike through the jungle and grazing land to the lovely Kohala Waterfalls, where we swam in the cool water, and sat on a rock under the falls to let the falling water massage our backs. Just as I was getting a chill, it was time to hike back to the van for another short, bumpy ride to a clifftop spot with an amazing view of the coast and beautiful Pololu Valley for a nice box lunch of sandwiches, chips, a drink, and a yummy cookie. On the way back we stopped to see the brightly painted statue of King Hamehameha in Kapaau and Maka told us the story of the King and the statue. All of us pretty tired on the way back, we were much quieter as we enjoyed the view of the ocean and occasional whale spouts in the distance. A wonderful excursion!

Some of the best holiday dollars you will spend on the big island. Interesting tour with great storytelling yummy food and amazing stargazing. Nothing but good vibes for this tour. Let them drive you up the mountain and look after you at altitude.

Both of the tours I took were well-organized and featured knowledgeable and helpful leaders. I took the birding tour one day and the Mauna Kea summit and stargazing tour two days later. Both were excellent experiences.

My wife and I booked the waterfall hike and it was totally worth it. We hiked about a mile into the forest and saw 3 waterfalls . The views are amazing, pictures don't do it justice. Our guide Brett was a wealth of historical information that we loved . He knew the history of the islands and we enjoyed every single minute of his stories. If you get Brett as your guide you'll be glad you did, trust me ! Thanks again Brett

Our family really enjoyed the Mauna Kea summit and stargazing tour. Jeff was super knowledgeable and kind. The sunset was amazing and the stargazing off the charts. Having the parkas and hot chocolate was perfect. Definitely recommend as it is a once in a lifetime view/experience!

My wife and I took the Maunakea starlight tour. What a great experience! Bret was a wonderful tour guide. He was very informative and a tremendous story teller. And the soup was terrific!

My sister and I did the Kohala Zipline. It was awesome. My sister said it was the best day she ever had on any vacation. The course was exciting and our guides (Cody and Curtis) made us very comfortable and ensured our safety every step of the way. I highly recommend this adventure

We went on Crater Tour and it was incredible. Our guide Eugene was knowledgeable and personable and we learned a lot about this beautiful island and the history of the land. Loved it and would recommend 100%!

Matteo was an amazing guide. The waterfall hike and swim did not disappoint! Lunch at an amazing park with a view. This is a must see on the Big Island. Great trip, our guide answered all kinds of questions and was very entertaining and helpful! I would recommend for anyone wanting an off road, waterfall adventure....

We did two tours with Hawaii Forest & Trail - Volcano & Stargazing. Volcano was underwhelming due to no lava and honestly not much to do otherwise. Our tour guide was fine but always blazed ahead to the point where none of us (also mind you, no one was old in our group) could keep up. The lava tube was very cool, though! Stargazing was also great. Note that it will be very very cold - I wore two layers of pants and had three layers under the provided parka and still felt cold, so dress accordingly. I had pretty awful high altitude sickness and do want to flag that the only "help" offered was advice to take deep breaths. If you're not confident about being ok in high altitudes, I would skip this or go with a company that provides oxygen/more resources to help.

Great excursion! Jason was an excellent guide who was knowledgeable in Hawaiian history and customs, and passionate about sharing the night sky and the mythology associated with it. The meal was delicious and the sunset was spectacular. A great trip!

We went on the Kohala Waterfalls tour. It was a great experience getting to explore areas we wouldn't otherwise have access to on our own. Our guide, Maka, was knowledgeable and friendly and did an excellent job of checking in with and assessing the group's interest level. The waterfalls were beautiful. We saw amazing views at lunch. They pack everything you need, such as walking sticks for use up and down the variable terrain. Only suggestion would be to the caterer they use, which would be to improve on the sandwich bread, both regular and gluten-free, were both pretty dry. 5 stars overall!!

Aloha! This past weekend I took the Kohala Waterfalls Adventure tour as a solo guest. From start to finish, I felt cared for and our guide Nick was very knowledgeable and engaging! There were 9 of us total and we saw some very special places that you can only see with this tour company! The work their team has put into making the waterfalls safely accessible is amazing! The view from lunch was something you can only see with HF&T! WOW, STUNNING, INFORMATIVE, FUN and PROFESSIONAL. I highly recommend this company! Mahalo to HF&T and Nick for a life-changing day!!

My husband and I had such an amazing time doing the Maunakea Summit & Stars Adventure. Our guide Brett was very kind, friendly & knowledgable and we all enjoyed some great laughs. It was an unforgettable experience specially the Stargazing and the chicken stew was delicious. Highly recommend this tour!

Must stop by and visit Hot lava beds cooled and look like you are visiting another planet Short hike Bathroom are clean Great photo oops

Mauna Kea Summit and Stars. May 9, 2024 (Scroll Down for Volcano Unveiled Review -- Separate tour, but Yelp won't let me write two separate reviews for same company) Tour Guide: Jeff Our tour started almost immediately, as Jeff described lava flows we were passing. Yes, the whole island formed by lava, but continuing flows keep the island growing. Amazing. As we climbed Mauna Kea, Jeff repeatedly checked on our adaptation to the elevation gain encouraging us to stay hydrated. My wife and I are old enough, we watched the Apollo moon landings live on our little black and white TV. We were ecstatic to see the barren area where those astronauts trained! We've been taking geology and astronomy courses via Great Courses, so now we could see all of this in person. At the summit, we saw some of the telescopes we had studied. YAY! Took our picture in front of the NASA IR telescope!! We absorbed a stunning sunset. By the way, the parkas supplied were perfect with the 32F temps. Then we dropped down a 1,000 ft to a little pull off and started the Star Party. Absolutely out of this world! Jeff had two telescopes set up. One, connected to a computer, was tracking celestial objects and doing timed photos which The other reflector telescope Jeff tuned to different objects and we got to see them! We started with the Moon which was crescent phase. Craters, craters everywhere, and sharply in focus. Then we moved on to star clusters, galaxies, and nebulae. This was the cherry on top of all our astronomical courses. My favorite constellation is the Southern Cross -- not visible from the CONUS -- it was great to see it again. Jeff was an outstanding guide the whole way. He answered all of our astronomical and geological questions, and also taught us so much we didn't know enough to ask. He cared for us along the way, fed us great meals, and bundled us up against the cold. He is a kind teacher, driver, guide! There aren't enough stars in the sky to give a rating for this tour and Jeff! Hawaii forest and trail: Volcano Unveiled Volcano Unveiled May 13,2024 A long ride from Kona to Hilo to the Volcano National Park. Then I did a Google map search and found that whether you go Kona--Hilo--Volcano or directly from Kona to Volcano, it's the same distance! Andrew was our tour guide and he kept things interesting explaining geological features as we crossed up and over the saddle. Our first point of interest was the lava tube. I have explored five lava tubes in New Mexico's El Malpais (Bad Lands). For those you have to check in at a ranger station where you buy a pass and he checks to see if you have all the proper gear (helmet, headlamp, gloves, hiking boots, & knee pads). Those lava tubes require scrambling over rocks to enter and sometimes within. So my wife never joined me on those adventures. HOWEVER, This experience had EASY ACCESS! This lava tube had a predominantly smooth floor and uniform tube unlike those in NM. Andrew pointed out the different features. After that we had lunch. The lunches provided are always good. We had pastrami sandwiches and later stew and chilli (Wife, chilli, me, stew). Then we drove to the big, most recently active volcano, Kalua Pele. We took a short hike/walk there. Beautiful flowers, ominous steam vents, and the occasional whiff of sulfur. Andrew explained the different area of the immense caldera, and what happened just a couple years prior with the last eruption. Then we were off for a second volcano which sits right next to the first! The second volcano, Keanakako, required a 1.4 mile hike round trip, the last part of which was over hardened lava. This, too, was different from NM. In NM the trails lead over what I call lava plates. Flat pieces of hardened lava that can flip over as you walk. This has none of that. So a very safe trail. Andrew told us about the Ohia plant. It has a beautiful red flower and is the first plant to grow on the freshly hardened lava. Over time it provides the soil for other vegetation. Cool. This last hike was in the rain which by the time we reached the crater's edge was a downpour. We were thoroughly drenched by the time we got back to the van. Andrew took us to Natinonal park welcome site, so we could dry off by a roaring wood fire and eat our delicious hot stew. Good plan, but they threw us out for eating. Nice. Recommendations: It always seems to be raining, so: waterproof hiking boots and waterproof pants. They provide a raincoat, but if you take your own make sure it has a hood and is waterproof, not just water resistant. Waterproof gloves would complete the ensemble. A must tour! Super guide! Great itinerary. Oh, yes, you can go to a lava tube at the park, but there is limited parking and a long line. Plus our guide told us that the tube has suffered from all the tourists. The lava to tube the tour takes you to is in pristine condition. JUST GO!

My wife and I participated December 29 on the Mauna Kea tour led by Jon Knight, who was superb: deeply knowledgeable of the culture, history and the complex volcanic geology of the mountain, its indigenous population, and its environs; a skilled astronomer; highly personable and considerate; and highly attentive to safety and related protocols. The trip to the peak at nearly 14k feet for sunset was truly exceptional, and a bit mind-bending. The star-gazing exercise that followed in deep darkness was also a joy. Kudos to Jon and Hawaii Forest and Trail. A wonderful day spent together.

Absolutely outstanding tour to the summit of Mauna Kea. Our guide, Jon, was knowledgeable and engaging, and I learned way more than I expected just on the drive to the summit. The company is safety-conscious, which was notable and appreciated. I also appreciated that the company provided information about Hawaiian culture and history in a way that was sensitive to the fact that the location we were visiting is sacred to native Hawaiians. Mauna Kea itself is otherworldly and breathtaking. Also, a shout out to this company for being honest and exceptionally helpful. I had originally scheduled this tour for a Wednesday, and on Tuesday, I got an email saying the tour was canceled due to weather. I almost cried. But I also appreciated they weren't going to take my money and send me to the summit when the weather would obscure the views the trip is all about. I looked online, and no spots were left for any more tours during my visit to the Big Island! But I called and spoke to Chelsea, who is absolutely wonderful, and she went above and beyond to see if they could fit one person in on another trip that week, and she found me a spot! Anyway, go with this company for Mauna Kea or other tours. They are awesome.

Jeff, our tour guide for the Mauna Kea Stargazing adventure, was INCREDIBLE!! From start to finish he made us feel welcome and cared for (I had altitude sickness and he checked in on me regularly). He was extremely passionate and knowledgeable about Hawaiian history and the sights we were seeing. The van was comfortable and the experience was unforgettable.

We had an absolutely incredible experience on this hike! It would have been nearly impossible to navigate the intricate terrain without a guide. Mark, our tour guide, was extremely knowledgeable and familiar with every aspect of the area. It was truly remarkable. Mark was engaging and approachable, readily answering all the questions our group had about the terrain, native plants, volcanic history, wildlife, birds, and even providing a fascinating geology lesson. In summary, I highly recommend this tour. We truly enjoyed every single minute of it, and it was definitely worth every penny.

Great tour, with a gifted guide who provided answers and pointed out different sights for us. Mateo's knowledge of Hawaiian culture and history provided me with a deeper understanding and appreciation for the Islands and the people. After a moderate, and sometimes a tad challenging hike, we bathed in the pool beneath the waterfall and then ate a great lunch, with a spectacular view of the coast. I can't thank this tour service enough, it was the highlight of my trip to Hawaii.

Our guides Mateo and Justin were great! Experiencing and swimming in water falls on the Big Island has been on the bucket list. Everything from the drive, talking about Hawaiian History to different landmarks made the trip informative. Sampling the different kinds of guava, and a variety of edible flowers allowed us to immerse ourselves in the experience. Mateo's assistance with avoiding sharp lava rocks, really made swimming in the waterfalls a experience of a lifetime. Any negative reviews should be disregarded or those people should've stayed home. This is a must do Trip for what just about anyone. I highly recommend this company, and both Mattea and Justin, as highly professional and reliable guides for this tour. The sandwiches were pretty good as well!

We did the volcano tour. Great tour with lots of varied and interesting activities. Amazing Guide Tracy and Excellent customer care. Really took care of us and catered to out interests. Great cultural history, natural history, and environmental awareness.

Our tour was for Maunakea Stargazing, and it is absolutely worth the money. Our tour guide, Jason was personable, kind, and an incredible wealth of knowledge! I could not believe how much he knew about the history, culture, & geology of Hawaii, as well as astronomy, and he did an amazing job presenting both sides of political issues on the island as well. All the information was fascinating and he was *the best* out of all the many good tour guides we've had on the island. Going to the top of the mountain felt like stepping onto another planet, and seeing the observatories was very very cool. The bus was comfortable, and the vegetation chili was surprisingly delicious! Everyone loved the hot chocolate as well. At the last stop, Jason set up an impressively powerful telescope that allowed us to see the rings of Saturn (among other cool things). The sky was stunning from up there- the best I've ever seen anywhere. We happen to live very close to the best stargazing area on the east side of the US, and it is nothing compared to this experience. A warning to my fellow migraineurs: don't let this disclaimer prevent you from experiencing this magic, but do bring ALL your meds as the elevation can definitely be a trigger.

This tour was fantastic. Our guide, Eugene, was awesome. He shared a ton of information regarding the island as well as all the volcanic activity. This was a highlight of our trip! Food was great too!

The Mauna Kea Summit & Stars Adventure was great! Very well organized, fun, and extremely interesting. Our guide Jeff was excellent - very knowledgeable about the human and geographic history of the island, the flora and fauna, and the objects visible in the amazing dark sky. He was kind, funny, focused on safety, and showed a great respect for the island. Highly recommend this tour.

Our Maunakea Summit & Stars Adventure was absolutely worth the money. Jeff was knowledgeable and personable. An amazing experience, book early as the tours are limited and fill up quickly. Take water!

Incredible adventure! Like a trip to outer space! Jason is one of the greatest guides ever. Thoughtful, amazingly well-informed, and a great shepherd for us all.

Tracy with Hawaii Forest & Trail is an expert in the knowledge of the volcanos, trees, birds, and all wildlife on the Big Island. Her stories will amaze you! She will keep you entertained throughout the entire tour. The lava tunnel was the best that I have ever seen. I highly recommend the Volcano Unveiled Tour and Hawaii Forest & Trail for all your outdoor activities! They are a 5-star company!

We did the Mauna Kea Summit tour. Our guide, Jeff, was very knowledgeable. He gave great history and facts. There were a total of 12 in the van. We met Jeff at Queens Market in Waikoloa. Stopped at the campsite to use plumbed toilets on the way to the visitor center. Once we're at the visitor center we had our light dinner - beef stew and dinner roll. Last stop for plumbed toilet - make sure to take advantage of it since it's only porta potties after this for the rest of the night. The sunset at the summit is breathtaking. Wow!!! Glad that the tour provides parkas and gloves. We took a ton of pictures. Once we're done and Jeff made sure everyone is doing ok with the altitude, he took us 1K below the summit - so still pretty high up. This is where we spent the rest of the night star gazing. Jeff had 2 portable telescopes and we saw multiple stars, nebula, spiral galaxy, and Saturn!!! He was very knowledgeable and provided interesting facts. We had cookies and hot cocoa while star gazing. We even saw the glow of the lava from Kilauea. The trip was unforgettable. To be above the clouds with clear skies - we're fortunate to experience this. Could you have done this on your own and spend less? Yes, but be aware that you will be driving yourselves up and down this magnificent and desolate volcano at night pitch black on an unpaved rocky terrain. You will also lose the experience of an astronomy lecture. TIP: at every opportunity use the plumbed toilets. Proper breathing once you're at higher elevation will help with combating altitude sickness.

We joined the Volcano Unveiled tour on Feb 5, 2024 led by Adam. In a nutshell it was excellent. Adam is quite knowledge and we learned a lot about volcanos and The Big Island in general. The lava tube hike on their private property meant we had the place to ourselves which was nice. The vans they use have spacious comfortable seats and are kept clean. Lunch and dinner box meals were simple but good. If I may suggest perhaps dinner at the Volcano House in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park would have been a cooler way to end the tour before the drive home. The view from the restaurant of the Kīlauea Caldera was amazing.

We went on a tour of Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park with Adam. To say he was fantastic is an understatement. He was professional, knowledgeable, and open to answering any and all questions we had. I cannot recommend this company enough, and I hope we will get a chance to experience some of their other tours when we come back to the Big Island! Just a 10/10 experience. (Not to mention the food was delicious!) :)

Brett did a great job! Very engaging and knowledgeable. We did the Volcano Unveiled tour which was a great way to see the island, but also spelunking in the lava tube and the off to see the source - the caldera! I was as giddy as a school boy.

Gary was our tour guide & he was so fun, informative & knowledgeable. The tour was enjoyable & Hawaii Forest & Trail think of a lot of amenities other tours do not & I was impressed by the cleanliness of the vehicle and the gear. I would recommend trying Hawaii Forest & Trail before any other company.

This was an amazing trip! Our tour guide, Jason, is extremely knowledgeable about Hawaiian culture and the Hawaiian Islands. We appreciated his enthusiasm about astronomy, and geology, and his engaging stories! He gave us thorough information all throughout trip. Stops along the way to the summit allowed us all to acclimate to the altitude while also giving us a chance to stretch our legs, chat with each other and enjoy a delicious light dinner. Viewing the setting sun from above the clouds was just an amazing experience! Our tour was one day before the full moon, so not a particularly dark night for stargazing, but still very worthwhile. Viewing the full moon through the telescope was just incredible! I highly recommend this tour, but do suggest booking months ahead if possible. We booked a month in advance, and found there were only two spots left during the entire two weeks we would be on the Big Island.

We did 2 experiences with Hawaii Forest and Trail on our latest trip. the first was the mauna kea summit tour. Outstanding! our guide was John. He was so knowledgeable. Amazing locations and the food was great too! the next excursion was the kohala falls tour. our guide was Nick. again, outstanding services and very private locations no one else has access too. Next time i'm in hawaii, i'm setting up another trip through Hawaii Forest and Trail! Russ

We did the Kohala Waterfalls Adventure on the Big Island and LOVED it! Took a comfortable van from close to our hotel in Waikoloa up to Kohala. Beautiful drive then short hike to see 3 beautiful waterfalls on private property. Swam in one of them and our group was the only one there. Mark was our guide and I highly recommend him. There was some off the road terrain and he was a great driver and really shared his love of the island and its history with us. Really nice guy. Beautiful panoramic views on the north coast where we had a picnic lunch. We highly recommend this experience and would book with this company again.

There aren't words for how amazing this experience was. It was beyond what we were hoping it would be. Jeff was an amazing guide and was almost as excited as we were. He was knowledgeable and funny and seemed to genuinely want to be there with us. He was definitely not punching the clock and waiting for quitting time. We had high hopes for the tour and it exceeded them beyond what we thought possible. It literally made our entire vacation. Huge thank you to Hawaii Forest & Trail and Jeff.

Fantastic, fairly easy hike with amazing views and very informative ranger station. We went on an overcast day in December so the temperature was quite comfortable

So, this has got to have been one of the most spectacular and extraordinary experiences I have ever had. Not really knowing what I was doing, we decided to go through a tour agency. Our guide, John, was very knowledgeable and obviously passionate about volcanoes. This excursion was all day; we were picked up at 11am and got dropped off around 11pm. There was a fair amount of walking, went into a lava tube and clambered over many lava rocks. Boxed lunches and dinner out of a thermos! Our guide had a great sense of humor. All in all it was a good day but ended with the best fireworks show I have ever had the pleasure of seeing! I highly recommend this tour!!

Great tour. Excellent customer service. Very knowledgeable tour guide/Taro/. Definitely recommend this tour. Tour itself very well organized. No regrets at all.

How amazing! My husband booked the summit tour for us in September. The tour was about 7 hours long and was totally worth it! Our tour guide was Adam who was super friendly and knowledgeable. He was born and raised in Kona and shared great info with us along the way. I was nervous about the ride there because I get carsick easily. I felt totally at ease. Someone in our shuttle also got back surgery before, and she was fine with the ride over the short unpaved part to the summit. The southwest chicken stew also tasted DELICIOUS when we arrived at the Visitor Center to acclimate to the high altitude for 45 minutes. We met amazing people on our tour and had the best time with Adam. Mahalo!

A trip worth taking. I booked the Hidden Waterfall hike and our tour guy Eugene was knowledgable and awesome. Between swimming in a waterfall, great scenery and an amazing lunch spot overlooking the cliffs you won't be disappointed. I recommend booking this if you have the time and even if your not a hiker the hike isn't that bad either.

Excellent tour guide (Jon), very knowledgeable about Hawaii, the tour, history, geology etc. Also very entertaining and answering many questions our group asked. Nice clean van took us to the top where we watched an incredible sunset. Afterward we watched stars with a great telescope our guide provided. Interesting stories about the constellations etc. They provided a very nice picnic dinner before we went to the top, and cookies and hot cocoa afterward. Also Parkas and gloves on the top (it is a lot colder at 14,000 feet than sea level. Absolutely recommend this tour, like any tour we have taken with Hawaii Forest and Trail, first class operation!

Went on the Mauna Kea Stargazing tour with Jeff as a guide. We first did some giving back by gathering seeds to help in reforestation of native trees and bushes. Jeff was very knowledgeable about the local foliage and educated us about the need to nurture the native plants. Next we proceeded to the level of the visitor's center on Mauna Kea where we had a very tasty chicken stew dinner. We then proceeded to the summit where we looked down on a stunning sunset. We then went down to the visitor's center where we stargazed. Jeff filled our heads with lots of cool info about the cosmos. Amazing telescopes Jeff owned gave us incredible views of the already incredible starscape. Have been Mauna Kea Stargazing 4 times. (One time I made a mistake and went with another company. Big mistake.) Only one other guide could compete with Jeff! Would wholeheartedly recommend Hawaii Forest and Trail and Jeff!

If I could give 100 stars, I would! Jason was such a phenomenal guide, and this was a awe-inspiring experience that I will always treasure. Jason connected so beautifully with each member of our group, and shared such a wealth of knowledge about astronomy, and most importantly about the connection to Hawaiian history, traditions and culture. Thank you for a life-changing experience!

We took two tours with this company, the volcano and Mauna Kea summit tours. Our guides Adam and Jeff were incredible. They really made the tours enjoyable and I learned so much about the island, Hawaiian culture, astronomy, and volcanoes! I highly recommend this!! Book early, things sell out. And definitely read the tips on what to bring to stay safe and comfy on the tours. There is some tricky terrain and the summit is COLD when the sun goes down.