Tours, sightseeing tours, activities & things to do | Viator.comHawaii Birdwatching Small Group Adventure Tour
Duration: 11 - 12 hours (approx.)
Location: Hawaii, Hawaii
Product code: 2804RDBA
Get your binoculars ready for a small group adventure tour to Mauna Kea Forest Preserve for fantastic bird-watching opportunities. Visit both rainforest and dryforest habitats for an great introduction to Hawaii's wide variety of bird species, with guidance from an expert local guide and bird enthusiast.
Puu Oo Trail is a historic cattle drive route, located at the 6,000 foot level of Saddle Road on Mauna Loa's northeastern flank. This is the windward side of the island, and is often cloaked in misty clouds. It is enchanting to be serenaded by the forest birds as you cross three to four miles of lava trail. At the Humuula hunter check-in station just off Saddle Road, you will go into the Kaohe Game Management Area and four-wheel it to nearly 7,000 feet on the western side of Mauna Kea.
Some of the avifauna you may spot along the way are iiwi, apapane, amakihi, omao, elepaio, and the elusive akiapolaau, with its unique multipurpose beak. In the dryforest the track leads to a locked gate that is the entrance to the Mauna Kea Forest Preserve. Here you disembark from the van and take in the spectacular views. Then get down to some serious bird watching, on foot in the mamane-naio forest.
You will particularly focus on sighting the critically threatened palila, which feeds almost entirely on the green pods of the mamane tree. There are two other endemics of note to be found here: the Hawaii amakihi, and the local species of the Hawaii elepaio (noted for the white feathering on its head).
Hawaii Birdwatching Small Group Adventure Tour
- 6:30am - Queen Kaahumanu Highway
- 7:10am - Waikoloa Kings Shops
- Prices are listed as a guide only. For an exact price quote, select a date
- This tour is not suitable for children aged 7 and under.
- Child prices are not applicable, adult prices apply for all travelers.
- Prices are per person.
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- Our pricing is updated constantly to ensure you always receive the lowest price possible.
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- Guide
- Binoculars
- Bottled water
- Raingear, day packs and walking sticks
- Continental breakfast, lunch and beverages
- Hawaii taxes and fees
- Gratuity (optional)
- Hotel pickup and drop off
- This tour must be booked at least 48 hours in advance of your travel date
- Confirmation for this tour will be received at time of booking, unless you are booking within 5 days of tour date. In this case, confirmation will be received within 48 hours, subject to availability
- Guests should wear sturdy closed-toe walking shoes, long pants, and bring a light jacket
- This tour has a maximum of 10 passengers per van
- This tour requires a minimum number of passengers to operate. There is a possibility that the tour may be canceled after confirmation if there is not enough passengers to meet requirements. In the event of this occurring, you will be provided the option to take the tour on an alternative date or be refunded in full. It will be necessary for you to call 48 hours prior to your departure date to reconfirm (contact details provided on your confirmation voucher).
Complete Operator information, including local telephone numbers at your destination, are included on your Confirmation Voucher. Our Product Managers select only the most experienced and reliable operators in each destination, removing the guesswork for you, and ensuring your peace of mind.
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