Mauna Kea Summit and Stars Small-Group Adventure Tour
Overview
Head to the Mauna Kea Observatory, nestled high in the mountains of the Big Island, and experience an intriguing and provocative journey through space and time. Discover Hawaii from the top of the island's tallest peak, Mauna Kea, also known as 'White Mountain, ' located 13, 796 feet (4, 200 meters) above sea level. This small-group star-watching tour ensures a personalized and unique experience at the enchanting Mauna Kea summit.
Inclusions
- Guide
- Hooded parkas and gloves
- Hot picnic dinner
- Hot cocoa and cookies
- Private star show with telescope
- Local taxes
- Central Meeting Locations for Pick-up & Drop off
- Entry/Admission - Mauna Kea Summit
- Entry/Admission - Maunakea Visitor Information Station
What to expect
Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Maunakea Visitor Information Station, 177 Makaala St, Hilo, Island of Hawaii, HI 96720
Enjoy a hot picnic style dinner before making your way to the summit
Duration: 45 minutes
Stop At: Mauna Kea Summit, Kailua-Kona, Island of Hawaii, HI
Enjoy a sunset from above the clouds while overlooking the Pacific Ocean atop Maunakea. After the sunset, travel to a more comfortable elevation and let our guides reveal the night sky with our 11" Celestron telescopes.
Duration: 30 minutes
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Maunakea Visitor Information Station, 177 Makaala St, Hilo, Island of Hawaii, HI 96720
Enjoy a hot picnic style dinner before making your way to the summit
Duration: 45 minutes
Stop At: Mauna Kea Summit, Kailua-Kona, Island of Hawaii, HI
Enjoy a sunset from above the clouds while overlooking the Pacific Ocean atop Maunakea. After the sunset, travel to a more comfortable elevation and let our guides reveal the night sky with our 11" Celestron telescopes.
Duration: 30 minutes
Additional information
- Minimum age is 13 years
- Due to the high altitude; this tour is not suitable for those with respiratory, heart or circulatory conditions, poor health, or pregnancy
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Scuba divers should be aware of altitude dangers
- **IMPORTANT - Please note, guests meeting at the Courtyard by Marriott King Kamehameha Kona Beach Hotel must meet at least 15 MINUTES PRIOR to the tour's departure time.**
- Guests are required to wear closed-toe walking shoes or hiking boots, long pants. We recommend bringing a light sweatshirt or jacket
- Guests must bring their own water bottles. Tour operator will provide filtered water refills.
- Please advise your parka size (small, medium, large, x-large or xx-large) and choice of meal at time of booking. If you do not indicate this at the time of booking, you will be required to call and advise them of this information directly.
- There is minimal walking on this tour, the maximum being about 150 yards
- Not recommended for travelers with back problems
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Most travelers can participate
- The access road to Mauna Kea is four-wheel drive only, so it can be bumpy. The custom off-road transit vans will get you to the top and back in safety and comfort. The transit vans can carry a maximum of 12 passengers
- Snow is seasonal at Mauna Kea, with the heaviest snowfall occurring during the winter months
- We have developed an approach that introduces a new standard of cleanliness and disinfection to ensure our guests enjoy an even cleaner and safer experience. Implementing strict protocols and using the latest disinfection technology, updated continuously to current State and Federal Guidelines.
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
- This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 12 travelers
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Ticket delivery
You can present either a paper or an electronic voucher for this activity.
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start time of the experience.
Megathrashman
May 2022
I had a great experience while on the summit of Mauna Kea. This was one of the best parts of my trip as the scenery is breathtaking. I'm brought a light jacket in case of rain or cold and didn't expect I should bring my down jacket. Now I know why they provide parkas to everyone; it is very cold ...
I had a great experience while on the summit of Mauna Kea. This was one of the best parts of my trip as the scenery is breathtaking. I'm brought a light jacket in case of rain or cold and didn't expect I should bring my down jacket. Now I know why they provide parkas to everyone; it is very cold up top. Nonetheless, it was amazing to see some of the most powerful telescopes on the planet as well as being on top of the clouds. Justin, our tour guide, providing some excellent information about the culture of Hawaii and Mauna Kea. I also don't normally eat pot roast but the beef pot roast that was provided was very good. I definitely recommend this adventure. - Daniel from TxdannA7967YI
April 2022
Wonderfully organized and Jason (our guide) was amazing. Knowledgable, friendly, and fun. He got us from the shore to the summit safely, engaged the group in conversation that never felt forced, and knew his stuff about the stars, modern research, and the knowledge of the ancient people's use of ...
Wonderfully organized and Jason (our guide) was amazing. Knowledgable, friendly, and fun. He got us from the shore to the summit safely, engaged the group in conversation that never felt forced, and knew his stuff about the stars, modern research, and the knowledge of the ancient people's use of the stars for navigation. Absolutely fantastic experience!528aleksg
April 2022
Jason was the best tour guide we could have asked for. From start to finish this was a thoughtful, interesting, and informative trip. Food was good, too! Great company with incredible values.
Jason was the best tour guide we could have asked for. From start to finish this was a thoughtful, interesting, and informative trip. Food was good, too! Great company with incredible values.T7276NWtoddt
April 2022
Great trip with Jeff. Gave tons of information during every part of the trip and made sure we had great spots to view the sun set and start. Worth the time to do this.
Great trip with Jeff. Gave tons of information during every part of the trip and made sure we had great spots to view the sun set and start. Worth the time to do this.Andy_S
March 2022
Really appreciated their discount on cloudy weather. And communicated to us way in advance!! Tour guide/driver is very informative and careful on driving. Learned so much Hawaiian history from guide!!! Good food and nice comfy and warm amenities for the summit, including hot beverages and parka...
Really appreciated their discount on cloudy weather. And communicated to us way in advance!! Tour guide/driver is very informative and careful on driving. Learned so much Hawaiian history from guide!!! Good food and nice comfy and warm amenities for the summit, including hot beverages and parka, etc. Excellent service. Highly recommended!!!kellyk535
April 2022
Mauna Kea is the tallest mountain in the world as measured from the ocean floor, rising over 33,000 feet. The sunset from this vantage point is breath-taking! After sunset, this is one of the darkest sky places on earth and both northern and southern hemisphere are visible making the star gazing ...
Mauna Kea is the tallest mountain in the world as measured from the ocean floor, rising over 33,000 feet. The sunset from this vantage point is breath-taking! After sunset, this is one of the darkest sky places on earth and both northern and southern hemisphere are visible making the star gazing experience unparalleled! Our guide was quite knowledgeable about the constellations and helped everyone get a good view from the high powered telescope. Guides were also quite knowledgeable and chatty about Hawaiian history and geography. Make sure to bring some warm clothes. Even tennis shoes will be a bit chilly up on the mountain. Coats and gloves were provided which is a big help. The vans are pretty comfortable and some warm snacks - Cup of Noodle and hot chocolate were a welcome treat during the star gazing. Keep in mind that this is a long event involving a considerable drive from either Hilo or Kona/Waikoloa. You'll want to have a good lunch and bring some light snacks along. You will also want to plan for lighter activities or down time in the morning both the day of and day after this activity. It was a bit more tiring than I expected!