We went on Vavoom Volcano tours on our trip this July and had a great time.Our tour owner Lori picked us up from Hilo airport and dropped us off to catch our return flight without a hitch.She was wonderful and gave us not only a look into a live volcano but Hawaiian culture as well -a very knowlwdgeable guide to say the least.We also took a waterfall tour of Ahilli falls which was breathtaking.I've been on many a tour in my world travels -Lori was the best.

Vavoom Volcano Tours was our highlight on our cruise through Hawaii. Lori Alana was a great host and great tour guide. She will tailor your tour to what you want to see and make sure everyone has a memorable time. We were traveling as two families with two kids each, ages 6 to 10. She made them feel very envolved and they all learned so much about Madam Pele. She even performed a sacrificial ceremony from the edge of Kilaeau as we offered a eaten apple core to the gods..My kids still talk about that. If you want to visit Volcano National Park, you wont do better than Vavoom. Thanks Lori..

My family (includes 2 teenage girls) went on a tour of the active volcano on the Big Island with Vavoom tours. Lori was very knowledgeable about the volcanoes, flora and community. She was also very fun! Walked across the volcano, saw lots of great sites, including a lava tube. Really fun!

Sometimes thinking out of the box makes you realize how much we miss in life. My wife and I have planned this trip for six months. We saw this company on trip advisor and it had rave reviews, and we decided to take the plunge. What a fantastic experience. Lori is the owner/operator, and she personalizes the experience. We elected to go with the summit to sea adventure. When booking, I mentioned that it was our 15th anniversary, and my wifes 40th birthday. We drove from waikoloa to hilo..about a 90 minute drive. We left at 6am and Lori called us at 6:30 just to make sure that all was okay, and we were not having difficulty. We had time to stop at Ken's pancake house in Hilo (never had coconut syrup before). We met the van at the bus station, free parking!!, and Lori was there with a Lei for my wife, to celebrate her birthday (a very unexpected surprise). Driving up to the volcano national park, Lori pointed out various landmarks, as well as the roadside flora. We viewed the steam vents, as well as the plume. The museum where there are depictions of Pele. Lunch was at the volcano house, great views of the plume, and we even played the piano together. Then it was off the the thurston lava tube, and more flora. All the while we were able to stop for photo ops, and Lori was right there to take pics of both of us..I think she liked the camera cause she kept taking multiple shots till she got the perfect one. On the way down to the sea..we encountered some rain, so we stopped at an orchid farm..amazing. Lori came in with us, and while talking with the owner, Lori mentioned it was the wifes birthday. Next thing we knew, 2 sprigs of orchids were in a water tube and the owner was giving my wife her "birthday gift". Back in the van again, we mentioned that since we were staying on the kona side we were going to try and see a coffeee mill. Lori offered to stop at the Hilo coffee mill, so we pulled in and had some sampling of hilo coffee.
(mild, but tasty). Arriving l at the viewing area to see the lava roll into the sea, we had to walk about 3/4 of a mile over the lava field. Wear good shoes/sneakers, as it is VERY uneven surface. At the sea we could not see red lava, but we could view the steam coming off the sea, as well as lava bombs. Then it was back to the van, and our car. I realize this is a long post, but I am still amazed as to how enjoyable this "tour" was. It didn't feel like a packaged tour, where the bus driver is grumpy, and the guide is a college kid just there for the summer. Lori is an island girl, who knows here history. The 8 plus hours we spent with her, it felt like being with an old friend and you were just out for the day. Being able to change the itinerary at a moments notice just to accommodate the guest is special. Well enough said. I just hope the rest of our booked adventures measure up. The bar has been set very high.