Summit to Sea in Half a Day: Kilauea, Punalu'u and Downtown Hilo

Half a day that runs from the top of the volcano to the water, with the town in between. Inside Hawaii Volcanoes National Park the route starts at the visitor center and exhibit hall, then goes out to the Kilauea caldera, smoking, with views over Kilauea Iki, the steam vents and the sulfur banks. Nahuku, the Thurston Lava Tube, gets walked through. Lunch is at the Kilauea Lodge, included, island-inspired. Punalu'u follows, the best known black sand beach on the island, made by volcanic activity and fed by a freshwater spring underneath. Green sea turtles are regular visitors. Downtown Hilo gets driven through, with its historic buildings, local shops and greenery and the bay behind, along with Lili'uokalani Gardens, the largest Edo-style ornamental garden outside Japan. Rainbow Falls closes it. The guide brings artifacts you can hold and fresh fruit, and explains what each place means rather than reciting names. Before booking: pick-up and drop-off are in the Hilo area only, and the tour is not wheelchair accessible. The walking is moderate, with about 15 steps in the lava tube.