Courtesy of Kailani Tours.
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How luxury tours surpass sightseeing excursions in favor of offering unique experiences.
If you’re used to staying in luxury accommodations when you travel to Hawaiʻi, you know how difficult it is to find tours that match those standards. It’s not about extravagance –– it’s about having an authentically curated experience that helps you understand and engage with a place, instead of purchasing a cookie-cutter tourist package that hundreds of people do every day.
“We’re not looking for chandeliers and champagne,” said Chris Paterson, founder of Kailani Tours. “We’re searching for connection, authenticity and meaning.”
Choosing a luxury tour to guide your expedition is not only a more comfortable way to travel, it’s the only way to ensure you’re getting an intimate, unique experience.
Five ways luxury tours top tour bus sightseeing
Hop in the Benz and let’s go
When it comes to luxury travel, how you get there makes all the difference. The island of Hawaiʻi – where Kailani Tours operates – stretches over 80 miles east to west. Traversing the “Big Island” is a two- to three-hour journey through high and low descents, from lush rainforests to otherworldly lava fields, and through diverse microclimates that can be wet and foggy one moment and desert-dry the next. The question isn’t should I? – it’s definitely a voyage worth any traveler’s time – but how?
Paterson said he prefers Mercedes Sprinters, which seat up to 15 people. These high-end vehicles offer a smooth ride, plush leather seats and plenty of storage for everyone’s belongings. Smaller vehicles also allow guests to travel on roads that many tour buses cannot.
Courtesy of Kailani Tours.
No need to bring anything – we got you
You may be wondering what to wear or pack on an all-day tour. Since weather and activities vary, it’s always advisable to wear comfortable clothes and shoes. In Hawaiʻi, the weather is usually warm, but bringing along a light jacket is recommended. For a luxury tour, that should be all you need.
Paterson said that on his tours he provides guests with raincoats, binoculars, walking sticks and even backpacks if they need them. He also covers all entrance fees ahead of time for any parks or attractions the tour may visit – and keeps an eye on the clock so guests can simmer in the moment.
“Luxury is presence,” he said. “The freedom to fully experience a moment without worry, hurry or pretense.”
Courtesy of Kailani Tours.
This tour is just for you
Have you ever noticed how everyone’s travel photos start to look the same? They’re all going to the same places. While there’s nothing wrong with visiting popular tourist destinations, arriving with 75 of your closest “friends” is not going to give you the same experience as going with a group of 14 led by an expert guide.
Luxury tours are not easy to find. They will not be the top sponsored links in a Google search or have their logo sprawled across a bus. This keeps operations small and personalized.
Paterson said he curates the kinds of tours he would give his family and friends when they come to visit – something no other tour company is offering. “Really what differentiates us from others is that we create these bespoke experiences, utilizing our partners and friends in the industry to create experiences that no one else is willing to create,” he said.
Courtesy of Kailani Tours.
And you’re going to get spoiled
What’s the first thing your friend offers when you visit their home? How about a server in a nice restaurant? Luxury tours are more than services that get you from A to B. They’re designed to take care of you and make sure you have a great time.
They won’t just take you to the volcano – they’ll hire a geologist to teach you about lava when you get there. They won’t just bring you to their favorite restaurant – they’ll introduce you to the owner. They’ll find out what you like, so they can delight you at every turn.
Paterson likes to start each tour by offering guests a hot or cold beverage (depending on the weather), a light snack and a fresh oshibori to refresh their face and hands.
“This is our version of a lei,” he said. “ It is essentially a warm aloha.”
He also finds ways to connect people more deeply to the land and to give guests special access to properties they would never be able to see otherwise. His goal is to explore volcanoes, rainforests, coastlines, farms, markets, restaurants and more – not as tourists, but as participants.
“We want to taste malasadas, smell eucalyptus and bamboo orchids, touch the fibers of the ferns and feel the cool lava beneath our feet,” he said. “That’s what I enjoy most about this job, exceeding expectations and blowing people away who want a unique experience. We love to spoil the heck out of them.”
Courtesy of Kailani Tours.
Just remember to book in advance
Because luxury tours serve small groups, it’s important to book far in advance, as spaces can fill up quickly during busy travel months.
“We’ll create anything, anywhere, anytime,” Paterson said. “As long as we get enough lead time to create something special. There are times of the year, of course, when we are in super high demand, but we’re more than happy to accommodate any time of travel.”
Interested in booking a luxury tour for your Hawai’i vacation?
Try a tour of Hawai’i Island by Kailani Tours 
