VNP - DIY or Tour?

[txn_crzn]

Originally I was thinking we'd just do VNP on our own but after reading some reviews about how knowledgeable the tour guides, I'm wondering if we should book a tour. I mean on the one hand we're on our time schedule and save a little money but on the other we get to find out about stuff we probably wouldn't know about if we were on our own. What would you reccommend?

[CC Help Michell]

Originally I was thinking we'd just do VNP on our own but after reading some reviews about how knowledgeable the tour guides, I'm wondering if we should book a tour. I mean on the one hand we're on our time schedule and save a little money but on the other we get to find out about stuff we probably wouldn't know about if we were on our own. What would you reccommend?

 

We, as taxpayers, have funded an amazing website about Volcanoes National Park. :) Check out http://www.nps.gov/havo/. Read it all, and print the maps. Then rent a car and take your party to the places YOU are most interested in visiting. Some places in Hawaii I was SO glad we had our local tour guide -- the Road to Hana, for example -- for background and local culture, our guide was great!

 

For VNP, however, doing it on our own was just... well, it was the experience of the trip for us, and we saw sunrise from Haleakala and then bicycled down from it! I think that says a lot. We did start our trip at the Visitor's Center, viewed the movie, studied all the exhibits, and talked to the rangers -- that helped a lot. The rangers also conduct guided tours/hikes during the day (for free) which we absolutely will do when we return to VNP on our next land-based Hawaii vacation. If my first visit to this amazing place had been on a giant tour bus, moving at the speed of the slowest passenger on board, feeling the pressure to leave in time to visit an orchid farm or some shopping stop -- I think my SO would have had to restrain me! We were surprised at how quickly, and deeply, this place "spoke" to us -- if that should happen to you, I'd hate for you to be stuck on a bus waiting for "Aunt Sophie" and "Grandma Louise" to get back on board for the next scheduled 15 minute photo op. :/

 

Hope that helps a bit. I imagine Beachchick will have a good bit to offer here as well -- she and her DH spend a few nights staying at Volcano House and her tips are invaluable.

[beachchick]

Aloha. Here are some links to terrific discussions about VNP and various experiences people (including DH and me) have had.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=590911&highlight=vnp

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=558970&highlight=vnp

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=551179&highlight=vnp

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=542867&highlight=vnp

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=527632&highlight=vnp

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=524081&highlight=vnp

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=485954&highlight=vnp

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=457143&highlight=vnp

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=447364&highlight=vnp

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=508398&highlight=vnp

 

These should help give you more insight into why VNP is so wonderful and why we prefer to visit on our own. Although tour guides can be a wonderful resource, it's not at all difficult to do VNP on your own and use the national park information (online and booklets/maps/info at the VNP visitors center, as well as Hawaii guidebooks).

 

Enjoy!

 

beachchick

[txn_crzn]

thank you both for your opinions. sounds like we'll be DIY-ing this! you two have been so helpful and i really appreciate all the posts you've had! hope we enjoy our trip as much as yall did! thanks again!!!