Embrace the challenge of climbing to the summit of Diamond Head's crater alongside a professional nature guide and small group of explorers, while relishing historical commentary along the way and panoramic island views of Oahu at the top. A 30-minute van ride lands you at the base of Diamond Head, a volcanic tuff cone and one of Hawaii's most recognized natural landmarks. Your naturalist guide will then lead you on a 45-minute narrated hike that expounds on the island's geological background and military history. As you ascend the 300,000-year-old crater, you'll not only learn about the single eruption that created the broad, saucer-shapes crater but also how the trail was built in 1908 by the U.S. military as part of Oahu's coastal defense system. Climb a total of 560 feet in elevation along steep stairways and dirt trails to the summit, where you'll be rewarded with sweeping views of Oahu's south shore. Glimpse the glistening cityscape of Honolulu, Hawaii's state capital city, as well as green forest landscapes and the Pacific Ocean in the distance. The iconic shoreline of Waikiki Beach, once a playground for Hawaiian royalty, can also be seen while standing atop Diamond Head.