Mauna Kea Summit

The best stargazzing on earth!

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Mauna Kea Summit

 

 

 

 

The best stargazing on earth!

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Mauna Kea Summit Tours

Mauna Kea Hike, Sunset & Stars!
Home to the world's largest telescopes!
Breathtaking views from Hawaii's tallest volcano!

Description:
Mauna Kea is home to the world's largest telescopes and has atmospheric clarity better than anywhere else on earth. Breathtaking views from Hawaii's tallest volcano! Mauna Kea is also well known for its spectacular sun sets and night time star gazing.

Includes:
Kona – Heavy warm jackets, Hot Soup your choice of Chicken Soup (Meat) , Minestrone ( Veggie) or Fully organic Lintel (Veggie). Hot soups are complimented with crackers and cookies. Drinks include bottled water and hot coco

Hilo -  Heavy warm jackets & hot coco. There will be a stop made by a convenient store for any meals you would like to bring along.

What to Wear / What to Bring:
Dress Warm. Closed toe shoes, long pants and a sweatshirt or sweater. Bring extra money for any light snacks you may want to purchase later on from the Visitors Center.

 

Tour Departures:
Departures times change throughout the year.

Kailu  Kona: 1:30 – 2:00 PM
Waikoloa – South Kohala: 2:30 – 2:45 PM
Hilo – 2:15 PM

Tour Duration:
Approximately 6-7 from Hilo and 8-9 hrs from Kona

Pick up Location:
We pick up from your location of stay within city limits. Other meeting places include:

Kailua Kona
Bongo Bens Restaurant located at 75-5819 Alii Dr Kailua Kona, HI 96740-1311

Waikoloa  & South Kohala
Roys Restaurant located at 69-250 Waikoloa Beach Dr # E1  Waikoloa, HI 96738-5720

Hilo 
Hilo Hawaiian Hotel located at 71 Banyan Dr. Hilo HI 96720

Operation:
This tour is done by 4x4 SUV or 4x4 14 passenger van.

Restrictions:
Guests should be able to walk on uneven or rocky terrain. We sometimes encounter cool, wet or muddy conditions. Because of high altitude this tour is not advised for those with respiratory, circulatory or heart conditions, pregnancy or poor health. Scuba divers should be aware of altitude dangers. No diving with in 24hrs of going to Mauna Kea summit. Children must be over 12 years old to go to the summit of Mauna kea.

Children 12 years old and younger are welcome to join this tour, however they must stay with a guardian at the visitor center. The visitor center has great trails nearby and also a small cinder cone that you may walk up to see the spectacular sunset. The visitor center is located at 9,200 ft. Children will be able to participate in the laser star show done by the tour guide and look through the telescopes.

Kona Departure   $199 + tax (4.16%)
Hilo Departure    $175 + tax (4.16%)

 

(Note: This "Buy Now" link will take you to the main Lobo Del Mar Secure Online Shopping Cart. Or you may call our toll free number to book over the phone 1-800-901-0468.)  

 

FaQs

1.  Are guests allowed to go into the observatories on this tour? Most of the observatories contain high tech computer operating systems and are for astronomers only. At the time of day we visit the astronomers are quite busy and can't be interrupted. We do however see the observatories as they open their domes and swing into position. Some of the observatories are constructed so as to show a lot of the telescope from the exterior when the dome is open. The observatories telescopes are not equipped for visual (eye) observing.  Scientists are making digital images that can be frequently found on the internet.

2. How cold is it at the summit of Mauna Kea? The average temperature is 30oF and wind is common.  Please wear pants and closed shoes and bring any layering garments you may have. We will supply warm heavy jackets.  Mauna Kea gets snow fall usually during winter months.

3. What about the weather? Mauna Kea has an average of 325 - 335 clear nights per year. Most of the weather is predictable. Like any high mountain there can be unpredictable and fast changing weather. If the weather should be poor for sunset and stargazing we may have to change the plan a bit to make the most of the trip. Above all, this is a trip to one of the world’s greatest mountains and we take it as the mountain and nature allow. We do not guarantee the weather in any way. If we do not make it to the summit you are fully refunded.

4. Is the vehicle ride bumpy and windy? The access road to the summit of Mauna Kea is four-wheel drive only, so it can be a little bumpy.

5. What kind of wild life will we see?  Common Animals we see include: pigs, goats, sheep, donkey and mongoose. Less common animals we see include: Hawaiian Owl Nene goose, and Yellow Honey creeper. We also see many plants and trees including: Koa, Ohia trees and possibly the endangered silverswords.

6. What affect will altitude have on me? There is 40% less oxygen at 13,796 ft  summit of Mauna Kea and the affect may not be the same for everyone but if you are reasonably healthy you will probably feel a bit lightheaded and giddy or sleepy.  A few people will feel nothing and a few people will have a bit of minor headache requiring oxygen that our vehicles are fully equipped with.  There are no after effects and because our stay at high level is fairly brief there is not much likelihood of more serious problems developing.

Details:
Mauna Kea Summit tours depart Kona or Hilo late afternoon at seasonally adjusted times.

Departing Kona you will travel HWY 19 going through black lava rock deserts tagged with corral graffiti or the high road of HWY 190 often looking over to the large dormant volcano on Maui. (Route depends on pick up location) Next we will turn onto the old WWII road, known as the saddle road which passes between the two largest volcanoes in the world, Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa. You’ll see a dramatic and diverse landscape of rolling green hills, sub-alpine dry forest and rainforest with spectacular sights such as cinder cones and 1984 lava flows from Mauna Loa volcano. We then ascend to the 9,200 ft level were the Onizuka Visitor center is located. We will be there for approximately 45 min to eat your picnic style dinner of hot soup complimented with crackers and cookies. Bottled water will also be provided. There are short walks available near by the visitor center to see the silversword trees that are endangered and exist only in Hawaii. You will also be fitted for heavy jackets at this time. We begin our 4X4 journey passing the cloud level and looking at staggering views of the landscape below. Once we reach the summit you are awarded beautiful sights of the massive 13 astronomical telescopes, some being the biggest in the world. Your guide will point out the observatories as they begin to open and rotate into position. There is another trail at the summit for any guests who would like to do a short hike to the very tip top summit of Mauna Kea. Please keep in mind air is very thin at the summit, so think Mt. Everest. You are welcome to walk around and take pictures next to the telescopes as we wait to watch the spectacular sun set. While this is one of the best places on earth to watch a sunset, we also get another event called the shadow effect. The shadow effect is a huge shadow that casts itself over Hilo and other places nearby. We will enjoy the summit for approximately 30-45 min. We then begin our laser star gazing show at the 10,000 ft level accompanied with hot coco and tea. There will be one last stop by the visitor center for bathrooms and or any other snacks you may like at that time.