You don't need service because you can download the tours & use them offline Best Value Tour: Sunset Stargazing Adventure w/ Free Photo at Mauna Kea Summit Tour Highlights: Duration: 7.5 to 8 hours Departure: Hotel pickup and drop-off available Departure Time: 3:00 PM Includes: Pickup and drop-off (select locations), snacks and hot chocolate, free DSLR night photos (sent via email), parkas, gloves We were able to see the moon from their telescope, however, a stronger telescope would have helped. Quickly access bookings. Here, youll see the beautiful observatory where you can explore, and see the sunset from one of the highest peaks in the world. Guest under 16 years old or older than 70 cannot participate, Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability, Not recommended for travelers with back problems, No heart problems or other serious medical conditions. . The twin waterfall system stands at a whopping 80 feet tall, and if the time is right youll get to see the rainbow around them! Wes was very willing and gracious with assisting with camera settings. Not to mention the terrain is rocky so you need to have a four-wheel drive vehicle and be prepared for challenging driving conditions. This experience requires good weather. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 88002P3. The maximum group size per reservation is 2 people. hi it says message us for other meal option other than veggie sandwich,, whatcha got other than veggie? While Hawaii has a ton of fascinating places to offer on land, it also has prime stargazing to admire! Pickup and drop-off (select locations), s, ree DSLR night photos (sent via email), p. This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. Understandably so. Mauna Kea is a massive dormant volcano with a peak sitting at over 4,000 meters above sea level which makes it the highest point in all of Hawaii and the second-highest peak of an island on the entire planet. 10/10 recommend, you wont be disappointed. So by the time we had left the next day, he had gotten sick from the guide and had a cold for the next week. This flight is longer than typical heli tours and provides the opportunity to be wowed by Hawaiis amazing natural features, from waterfalls to volcanoes to rainforests. We were supplied with all the winter gear that we needed at that high altitude. The weather was bad but we were told we would drive above the clouds and be able to see the sunset but we didnt. Visiting the Mauna Kea Summit and Observatories gives you the feeling of being on top of the world for good reason: You're actually pretty close. This exclusive giveback opportunity is only available on Wednesdays and features all the highlights of our Mauna Kea Summit and Stars Adventure with a unique opportunity to stop at a critically endangered Native Dry Forest Habitat and support the organization that is revitalizing these long-neglected lands. Please get in touch with us so we can answer it for you. Mauna Kea is a dormant volcano on the Big Island of Hawaii that last erupted approximately 4000 years ago. Mauna Kea Stellar Explorer Stargazing Tour | Volcano Tours Please note that we do not take any responsibility or liability for any damage or loss caused through the parking, Not recommended for person weight more than 300lb, Not recommended for person having respiratory problem such as asthma, Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level, This tour/activity will have a maximum of 12 travelers. Freedom to stop and go as you please, unlike a tour bus where you are confined to the pre-determined route (no fun!) Free DSLR camera photo of sunset and stars with you in it! The sunset was absolutely breathtaking, and was very thankful for the puffer coats and mittens provided. Mauna Kea's summit is home to the world's largest observatory for optical, infrared and . Best Travel Deals on Twitter: "How 'bout a healthy dose of tropical Search experiences with increased health and safety practices. Also known as Peepee Falls, youll eventually come across the Boiling Pots river feature. Those are the photos I cherish most from our trip! No, the Mauna Kea Observatories (MKO) are private research facilities and not open to the public. Next up, we bring you yet another highly-rated, 8-hour tour to the top of Mauna Kea. Credit: Madereugeneandrew Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0. The sunsets from MaunaKea are out of this world, making a trip to the summit even more attractive. Subscribe to receive 5 emails in 5 days: Call us for advice! Make sure you bring comfortable clothes, and long pants that are flexible enough to move in easily. In 2009, his childrens novel Sally Hemings & the Good Associates won the Childrens Fiction section of the You Write On Book of the Year Award. We got to learn the history and culture, gave us great tips on beaches, educated us on past and present struggles the native Hawaiian population is facing which I think if extremely important as they are just trying to protect their way of life and history. The Mauna Kea Observatories (MKO) feature some of the world's largest telescopes, including equipment from Canada, France, and the University of Hawaii, due to its designation as an unparalleled destination for stargazing. If you want an action-packed Hawaiian adventure that encompasses a ton of different fascinating places this is it! 3.5 hours from Waikoloa resorts Robert is a content writer and editor at World Guides to Travel where he shares his love for the great outdoors. Sunset Stargazing Adventure w/ Free Photo at Mauna Kea Summit, Best Mauna Kea Summit Tour (Free sunset and star photo! A hot dinner al fresco and cultural storytelling and lore is included. We then headed up the mountain and our guide was very knowledgeable of the area and history of Hawaii which was so appreciated. Telescopes of the MaunaKea Observatory, Hawaii. We loved that this tour includes a complimentary hotel pickup so you dont have to plan extra time and budget to get to your meetup spot. If you dont see your dates available, check out our Maunakea Give Back Experience with a volunteer opportunity to help restore an endangered native Hawaiian dry forest. The stars are breathtaking, we got to see the Milkyway and Mauis hook. The crew was super knowledgeable. Telescopes are obviously not bothered by a lack of oxygen so the summit *is* the best place for them. Afternoon trips depart Monday through Saturday from King Kamehameha Courtyard Marriott Hotel in Kailua-Kona, Queens Marketplace in Waikoloa Beach Resort, and Paniolo Greens and the Waikoloa Plaza in the Waikoloa Village. What's the best way to experience Mauna Kea Summit & Observatory? Be sure you know the restrictions and guidelines when driving to the Mauna Kea summit. 1: Kauai Overview 2: Things to Do 3: Where to Stay 4: Popular Sights and Destinations 5: The Npali Coast 6: Kauai Itinerary 7: Kauai blog posts. There were two things that were off-putting, as our sandwiches were not correctly marked for vegan for my partner and I although that information was registered when booking. Search experiences that may have limited interaction with crowds. The Sunset Stargazing Adventure at Mauna Kea Summit is our Editors Choice for the best stargazing summit tour at Mauna Kea. What an amazing experience, the sunset from the summit is amazing, youre above the clouds and have a beautiful view of the surroundings mountains and the sky. Our maximum guide to guest ratio is 1:12. How to Summit Mauna Kea: Spaced out on the Big Island There are cinder cones that block the view of the sunset from the visitor center itself, but you can get to a good sunset viewing spot close-by with an easy hike. Mauna Kea Beach Hotel is a Nature-Lover's Paradise | Well+Good He also writes in-depth travel blogs for other websites around the world. Spend an evening on Big Island's Mauna Kea summit watching the sunset and taking in the stars of the night sky. To create a new list, please delete some old ones. We make daily trips to the summit for the scenic sunset and then we stargaze with large telescopes from mid-mountain. 7-8 hours. Mauna Kea is great for astro photography. Enjoy snacks, drinks, and free photos. This is also crucial, to help everyone get acclimated to the altitude. Very informative about what we were seeing and about the history of the island and sites we'd see. After a beautiful sunset descend to a lower elevation more suitable for a narrated stargazing tour and prepare to be amazed as the night sky lights up with glittering stars. going to the summit yourself requires a 4WD car, good driving skills, and planning, so many people prefer joining a tour to the summit. Theyll set up a top-notch telescope so you can watch vibrant solar flares, sunspots, and more! He was an excellent driver that never lost focus and provided a superior transportation experience. Book early in your trip as unsafe weather conditions can close access to the summit. Considered a shrine for worship and as a home to the gods, it is very important to Hawaiians, and its preservation is taken very seriously. The only downside was that there were several other individual tourists with their vehicles and they kept driving around and flashing their lights. Parking at the visitor center is limited and it gets busy here around sunset, so make sure to arrive early. Rated the #1 best GPS tour app for Hawaii with over 6,000+ raving reviews and 200,000+ downloads. The second was that our tour guide was down with a cold while he hosted the tour, and sat directly across from my partner. One option is to visit the Onizuka Center for International Astronomy Visitor Information Station, which is located at an elevation of approximately 9,200 feet. The BEST Mauna Kea Tours 2023 - FREE Cancellation | GetYourGuide Mauna Kea Summit Adventures (Kailua-Kona) - Tripadvisor Being an amateur astrophotographer, this was a treat for me. Wes the tour guide is the best! Make a wishlist on Viator and win up to $7,000 towards your dream getaway. All with a laid back ease that allowed us to take in the beauty around us and connect with fellow travelers. Afterward, theyll send you the photos via email later on so you can have them framed or share on social media. We will send a message about pick up time and location after the confirmation of your booking. Sustainable Travel guide and itineraries for the Big Island of Hawaii. Some car rental agencies on the Big Island of Hawaii allow their vehicles to be driven up to the Mauna Kea Visitor Information Station. Harpers, however, is now closed, and Big Island Jeep Rental requires a 4 day minimum rental duration. Youll surely want to commemorate this moment, and what a better way than to have photos taken of you by a professional DSLR camera? Such a special team and experience. The pickup process was seamless and our tour guides were great. If its canceled because the minimum isnt met, youll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund. But part of that is my fault for not bringing any other snacks with me on an 8 hour adventure. http://best-online-travel-deals.com/hawaiian-marriott-resorts Tours going up Mauna Kea have several advantages over planning a visit yourself. Our tour guide Shoyo was very helpful, knowledgeable, and made the whole tour extra fun! The observatories can take advantage of the mountains location and conditions to study the universe in detail that is not available in many other locations.