View a spectacular sunset from the top of Mauna Kea and enjoy a unique stargazing experience on this Big Island Mauna Kea Summit and Stars Adventure Tour. Travel from Kona through Hawaii's historic Parker Ranch in a specially equipped 4x4 luxury van to the summit of Mauna Kea on the Big Island of Hawaii. Learn about the Big Island of Hawaii's cultural, natural and ecological history from your naturalist tour guide as you journey to the top of Mauna Kea for this once-in-a-lifetime sunset and stargazing tour.

Travel with a professional driver and tour guide from Kona along the famously rough (and rental car prohibited!) Saddle Road to the top of Mauna Kea. Ride to the summit of Mauna Kea in comfort and safety with specially equipped 4x4 tour vans and gain access to parts of the Big Island of Hawaii that most travelers will never see! Enjoy a special hot, picnic style lunch at an historic Hawaiian ranch where you will be provided with a warm, hooded parka (you must specify size when booking) and prepare to make the climb to the top of Mauna Kea, an elevation of 13,500 feet above sea level!

Once on Mauna Kea's summit, enjoy views of Mauna Loa and see Maui's volcano, Haleakala, along with other special points of interest. Stand among some of the earth's most powerful telescopes and advanced observatories as you enjoy the once-in-a-lifetime sunset view. After sunset, you will travel to the Mauna Kea Visitor's Center at 9,000 feet where your tour guide will set up a telescope for a personal, entertaining, and educational star party. Learn about Mauna Kea's unique geography that draws scientists from all over the world to study the heavens also allows for incredible nighttime views of the stars. Enjoy hot beverages and chocolate macadamia nut cookies as your guide gives a personal astronomy lesson and unveils galaxies, planets, and star constellations above you in the night sky.

Schedule Details

Departure Dates:

Daily

Departure Point:

Tour departs from Queen Kaahumanu Highway, or Waikoloa Kings Shops. You will be required to call and confirm your preferred departure point at least 48 hours prior to departure (contact details advised on confirmation voucher).

Departure Time:

Departure time varies between 1:40pm and 4:00pm, depending on the time of year and accommodations. Please contact us to confirm your pickup location and time.

Return details:

Tour returns to original point of departure

Hotel Pickup:

Hotel pick ups are not available, please specify the name of your hotel and contact telephone number during your stay in Hawaii. The tour operator may require these details in case there are changes to tour departure times.

Additional Information

Inclusions:

• Guide
• Hooded parkas
• Hot picnic dinner
• Hot cocoa and cookies
• Private star show with telescope
• Hawaii Taxes and fees

Exclusions:

• Gratuity (optional)
• Hotel pick up and drop off

Additional Info:

• This tour must be booked at least 48 hours in advance of your travel date
• Confirmation for this product will be received at time of booking, unless you are booking within 14 days of tour date. In this case, confirmation will be received within 48 hours, subject to availability
• Due to the high altitude; this tour is not suitable for those with respiratory, heart or circulatory conditions, poor health, or pregnancy
• Scuba divers should be aware of altitude dangers
• There is minimal walking on this tour, the maximum being about 150 yards
• We recommend that guests wear closed-toe walking shoes or hiking boots, shorts, short sleeved shirt, and bring a light sweatshirt or jacket
• Please advise your parka size (small, medium, large, x-large or xx-large) and choice of meal (chicken, fish and tofu) 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. The contact details for the tour operator will be on your voucher once you have a confirmed booking.
• The access road to the summit of Mauna Kea is four-wheel drive only, so it can be bumpy. The custom off-road motor coaches will get you to the top and back in safety and comfort. Motor coaches can carry a maximum of 12 passengers
• Snow is seasonal at Mauna Kea, with the heaviest snowfall occurring during the winter months

 

Local Operator Information:

Complete Operator information, including local telephone numbers at your destination, are included on your Confirmation Voucher. Our Product Managers select only the most experienced and reliable operators in each destination, removing the guesswork for you, and ensuring your peace of mind.

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