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Hilo, Hawaii. The Big Island, The Orchid Isle, The Volcano Island... you'd expect a place with so many nicknames to be a land of rare beauty and wonder. Such is the island of Hawaii. Its 4,050 square miles are home to the snow-capped, 14,000-ft. peaks of Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea, the fiery landscape of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, vast macadamia nut plantations, black-sand beaches, orchid-filled forests, and posh resorts. Hilo is the island's capital.
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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.
You will not view molten lava on this tour. The Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Factory is closed on Sundays; the gift shop will be open. This tour will be offered without lunch when the ship is in port less than 8 hours.
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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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Experience the natural beauty and rare sights unique to the Hawaiian Islands. Drive through a tunnel of rain forest trees on your way to Lava Tree State Park, viewing unique structures created when a lava flow overtook the Ohia forest. Discover East Hawaii's hidden treasure, the Kapoho Coral Gardens, formed when a lava shelf collapsed creating a series of interconnecting tidal pools from 4 to 10 feet deep. These ponds are home to numerous varieties of colorful reef fish, allowing snorkelers to experience Hawaii's underwater world. Experienced snorkelers may explore the large freestanding coral heads in the outer part of the gardens.
Later, relax in the hot pond of Ahalanui Park. Heated by geothermal forces, this pond can reach temperatures up to 90 degrees. Finally, explore a working orchid farm specializing in Phalaenopsis and the fragrant Cattleya orchids. A deli-style lunch is included.
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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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