Cloud Forest Tour - Montane Jungle Trail (2.5 hrs)

Our mission is to inspire connection, awareness, preservation and restoration of forest ecosystems!

Duration

• 2 - 3 hours

About the Experience

• The Kona Cloud Forest Sanctuary is our ohana's passion project! This Sanctuary has been family forested and stewarded since 1982!
• Connect with the forest and understand the benefits of living forest friendly!
• Immerse yourselves in this vibrant and unique Hawaiian tropical montane cloud forest!
• Explore the extended montane jungle trail with additional plant diversity and beauty!
• Discover trees, ferns, bamboo, flowers, and wildlife that you have never seen before!
• Learn about the geology, meteorology, biology, and human impact of this unique ecosystem, and the history of the Kona Cloud Forest Sanctuary!
• Admire the chorus of the native Hawaiian honeycreepers!
• Bathe in the essence of the forest, breathe the fresh air, clear your mind, and calm your body, as you experience this special forest!
• Our trails are all natural terrain of lava rock and roots. Walking distance covered is 1-2 miles, with approximately 100 feet of elevation change.

This tour is for you if:

• You love plants and forests and are ready to become an expert naturalist!
• You are eager to explore and learn about the only cloud forest in the United States!
• You want the full immersive Kona Cloud Forest Sanctuary experience, including the Pan-Tropical Forest and the Montane-Tropical Forest trails.
• You are ready to ascend to the higher elevation parts of the Sanctuary that no other tour visits!
• You love birds and want to see and hear the native Hawaiian honeycreepers!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I explore the Sanctuary on my own or do I need a guide?

• It is required to be with a guide to explore the Kona Cloud Forest Sanctuary for safety purposes as well as it creates a much better experience when you learn the story of this privately stewarded land from your tour guide!

When are your tours?

• We offer guided tours everyday of the week! Check our tour schedule for the most up to date availability.

What do I need to bring for the tour?

• Please wear closed toed shoes you will be comfortable hiking in, water, a camera to take photos and a rain jacket. Always be prepared for rain; in a cloud forest it can rain at any time! And of course, remember your adventure hat!

When should I arrive for the tour?

• We ask that you arrive 10 minutes before the tour begins. The tour will begin on time, so it’s important that you arrive early so that you are ready to begin at the start time.

Do you have a bathroom?

• Yes, we have a bathroom for use at the trailhead.

Do you have drinking water and food available?

• We do not have water or food available at this time, please come prepared with what you need.

Do you have a trash can?

• We do not have a trash can. Please follow pack in and pack out guidelines. Any trash / wrappers that is brought in by you needs to be brought out by you. When we all do our part we keep the Sanctuary, the forest and the trails clean.

What is your cancellation policy?

• Customers will receive a full refund, credit, or rebooking with up to 48 hours notice of cancellation. There are no refunds or rebooking within 48 hours of your reservation.
• No refunds will be issued due to weather unless operations are canceled by the operator.
• Customers will receive a full refund, credit, or rebooking in case of operator cancellation due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances.
• Contact us by phone to cancel, rebook, or inquire about a cancellation.
• No refunds will be issued to no-show’s.

Do you sell gift cards?

• Yes! You can purchase a gift card on our website. When you click the “Book Now” button at the top of the page, at the bottom of the experiences listed, you will see the option to purchase a gift card.

Where are you located?

• We are located 15 minutes up the mountain from the Kailua-Kona Airport and 20 minutes from Kailua-Kona town.

Do you offer private tours or school group experiences?

• Yes we do! Call or email us to inquire about what we offer and/or to book a private experience for your school group, organization or private group.

Thank you for reserving a guided walking tour of the Kona Cloud Forest Sanctuary!

Next Step --> Please e-sign your waivers before arriving at the Sanctuary.

What to expect:

• Your tour guide will meet you at the Kona Cloud Forest Sanctuary sign on the left side of Hao Street.
• **Our Trails:** The trails of the Kona Cloud Forest Sanctuary are natural terrain, which is lava rock, loose rubble, and large tree roots growing across the rocky ground over the trails.
• We will walk approximately 1 mile and ascend ~200 feet in elevation. This is not a strenuous hike, but may challenge those with limited mobility.
• We provide bamboo walking sticks for all guests.
• Plan for cooler temperatures, about 10-15 degrees cooler than Kailua-Kona.
• We do have a restroom available to use before and after the tour.

Arrival Time:

Our tour experience begins promptly at the scheduled time. Please arrive 15 minutes early to check in and prepare for your journey. To honor the experience for all guests, if you arrive late we cannot guarantee that you will be able to join the tour.

Please note: we do not offer refunds for late arrivals and missed tours.

What to bring:

• Close toed shoes are required since the trails have large roots and loose rubble.
• Bring your own water in a reusable water bottle for hydration. We do not have a fill station.
• It might shower (this is a "cloud forest"), so consider bringing a rain jacket.
• If you are prone to mosquitos, we recommend wearing long sleeves and your own repellent.
• Bring a camera to take lots of photos!
• And don’t forget your adventure hat (if you have one)!

Parking

Please parallel park on the same side of the road as the Kona Cloud Forest Sanctuary sign, off the road as much as possible to not disrupt Hao street traffic. Additionally, please keep a minimum of 5 foot distance from any residential driveways or trailheads.

#Please note: Smoking is strictly prohibited on the Sanctuary premises, including the road side parking area. Thank you for respecting our smoke-free environment.

Gratuity

Your guides greatly appreciate and accept tips.

A Discount For You To Our Online Store!

To show our appreciation to you for booking an experience with us, we'd love to offer you an exclusive discount code for **10% off your first purchase on our online store** to bring the magic of the forest home with you!

Please use code **KCFS10** at checkout.

https://shop.konacloudforest.com

Explore our 30+ eco-conscious designs curated specifically to represent the beautiful elements of the Kona Cloud Forest Sanctuary and Hawai'i! All products are 100% organic cotton where possible.

You'll receive free shipping on all orders over $125 !

Please reach out to us if you have any further questions. We look forward to your visit!

Mahalo Nui Loa!