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Experience the Big Island's diversity on a tour that combines sightseeing in Hilo, the wettest city in the U.S. and the flower capital of the world, with a visit to Hawaii's best-known attraction, Kilauea Volcano. Begin with a drive through Hilo. Continue through the tropical forest to Volcanoes National Park, 4,300 feet above sea level, where you'll visit the Jagger Museum and ride along the 11- mile Crater Rim Drive. Experience firsthand Hawaii's volcanoes from many viewpoints. View two kinds of lava, smooth and jagged, lava tubes, sulphur banks, and bleak desert areas. Lunch will be served at a restaurant located within the National Park. Heading back towards Hilo, stop at Kalapana and witness firsthand the devastating power of Hawaii's volcanoes. See the remains of houses destroyed by lava flow. Before returning to the ship, a stop will be made at the Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Factory for shopping.
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Experience the most famous attraction on the Big Island of Hawaii, Volcanoes National Park. Arriving at the park, located at 4,300 feet above sea level, visit Jagger Museum for an overview of the area's volcanoes. View ongoing videos of volcanic eruptions, geologic displays and working seismic equipment. There are overlooks into Kilauea Caldera and Halema'uma'u Crater. Afterwards, depart on the 11-mile Crater Rim drive that circles Kilauea's summit caldera and craters. There will be stops to let you experience firsthand Hawaii's volcanoes. See smooth and jagged lava, lava tubes, sulphur banks and bleak desert areas. Finally, take a short walk through a rain forest path leading to the famed Thurston Lava Tube, a natural wonder unique to Hawaii. Stop at the Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Factory before returning to the ship. Visit the gift shop and snack bar to sample firsthand one of Hawaii's main agricultural exports.
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Departing from the Hilo Heliport, fly to the most geologically active environment on earth: The East Rift Zone. Once in the active region, look for steam vents, sky lights (openings in the lava tubes) and surface activity. Your pilot/guide will point out the black sand beaches and the town of Kalapana and other residential areas that were lost due to lava flows. Leaving the volcanic region, view the small coastal waterfalls or the cascading Wailuku River area. Volcanic activity and weather conditions vary hour to hour, offering a different view on every flight. Tour price includes round-trip transportation from the ship.
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World renown and acclaimed by visitors as "the most beautiful area in Hawaii," this Garden in the Valley on the Ocean is a "must see." Within this tropical rain forest with its waterfalls, meandering streams and rugged ocean coastline, there is a vast array of tropical flowers, fruit and plants. To enhance the natural beauty, a wide selection of tropical plant life has been collected from many parts of the world. These include many species of orchids, palms, bromeliads, gingers, heleconias, exotic ornamentals, plants of medicinal value and endangered species. Plants are labeled for identification, naming each by family, species and country of origin. There over 2,500 different species in the Garden's collection. On the way to the Garden your driver will provide narrated sightseeing of the Liliuokalani Garden, Hilo Bayfront and the Four-Mile Scenic Route on the way to Onomea Bay. Arriving at the Garden you will be given a trail map so you may explore the trails that wind through different environments, from the groves of coconut and monkeypod trees, through palm jungles and giant tree ferns. Your tour of the Garden is self-guided so you may view the Garden at your leisure, take photographs or absorb the atmosphere of peace, quiet and serenity.
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Mauna Kea is a sacred place with the ancient history, cultural sites, and a unique beauty created by fire and ice. The ancient Hawaiians considered Mauna Kea home of Poli'ahu, the snow goddess. Today it is the world's premier spot for astronomy. This journey will take you to the highest peak of the Pacific, the 13,796-foot summit. The view from atop Mauna Kea is best described as a majestic moonscape. This tour includes a drive through historic Downtown Hilo, Rainbow Falls, Kipuka Pu'u Huluhulu Native Tree Sanctuary, Onizuka Center for International Astronomy, and the world's largest telescope at Keck Observatory (closed on weekends and certain holidays). A light picnic-style lunch is included.
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