Winter Parkas
From $299
Taxes + fees not applied
Free Cancellations up to 24 hours before tour time
Details
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8-9 hrs
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Ages 13+
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Dinner
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Easy to Moderate
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Max 12
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Refreshments
Overview
Choose from two unforgettable Mauna Kea experiences! Both adventures travel to the highest peak in the Pacific Ocean to delight in a sensational sunset above the clouds and then descend to a lower elevation to explore the Hawaiian night sky with our two telescopes. Your evening includes a warm, tasty picnic dinner prior to your summit ascent; and hot chocolate with a sweet dessert during stargazing.
Mauna Kea Summit & Stars Adventure – Join us for a journey from sea level to the nearly 14,000-foot summit of Mauna Kea reveals the wonders and world-class clarity of the Hawaiian night sky. After Sunset at the highest point in the Pacific, we’ll come down to a little more comfortable elevation to set up our Celstron optical telescope and our digital deep space telescope to provide you with the most comprehensive star show available on the mountain. We’ll even send you home with pictures of some of the objects in the sky that evening!
Mauna Kea Summit & Stars Giveback Experience – Join us on Wednesdays for an inspiring journey to help give back! The Giveback Experience combines our popular Summit & Stars Adventure with a volunteer opportunity. In addition to participating in the same itinerary as the Mauna Kea Summit and Stars Adventure, spend an extra hour participating in conservation efforts at a rare native dry forest habitat on the lower slopes of Mauna Kea. Help revitalize this critical Hawaiian habitat for future generations by collecting seeds from threatened native species, while also encountering some of the rarest plants on earth. Additionally, each ticket includes a $20.00 donation that goes directly to the local non-profit organization, the Waikoloa Dry Forest Initiative to continue conservation of the dry forest and provide educational opportunities for our local youth.
Gear Provided
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Warm Wear
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Gloves
What to Bring & Wear
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Closed-toe shoes
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Reusable water bottle
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Warm Socks and/or Leggings
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Sweatshirt or Sweater
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Long Pants
Mauna kea Summit & Stars Highlights
Summit Sunset
After enjoying a warm picnic dinner, Delight in the awe-inspiring Hawaiian sunset at the top of Mauna kea, the highest point in the Pacific.
Private Star Show
Descend to a lower elevation after the sun sets and sip hot chocolate during a private star show with our 11” Celestron telescope while learning about Hawaiian star navigation. View deep space objects with our Stellina digital telescope and share captured images of the Hawaiian night sky with your friends & family
Giveback With Us!
In addition to your conservation efforts, learn about our local non-profit partner, The Waikoloa Dry Forest Initiative, and how they are revitalizing this critical Hawaiian dry forest habitat. Each Giveback Experience ticket includes a $20.00 donation that goes directly to the Waikoloa Dry Forest Initiative to perpetuate their conservation work.
Conserve With Us!
On our Wednesday Giveback Experience, depart earlier than our standard Mauna Kea Summit and Stars to make a stop at a rare and endangered native dry forest habitat. Participate in conservation work such as native seed collection which will be used for future plantings to help create a self-sustaining native-dominant dry forest.
Why Choose Us
Fully Outfitted
We’ll keep you warm and cozy so you can be immersed in the surreal surroundings up on the mountain. We provide everything you’ll need for your experience including warm winter jackets with hoods and wool gloves for your comfort.
Expert Guide
Our experienced interpretive guides will share the rich cultural and historical stories of this majestic place as well as revealing the Hawaiian night skies. They are also trained to help keep you safe at the higher altitudes.
Small Group
Enjoy a small group size with a maximum of 12 guests – more time to connect, ask questions, and soak in the beauty of Hawaii Nei.
Exclusive Access
For over 25 years, we have had the privilege guests joining us to experience Mauna kea. We are one of the few select commercially permitted operators on Hawaii Island who are certified to legally and safely access and operate tours on Mauna kea each night.
Ecofriendly
Committed to preserving the beauty of Hawaii Nei, we incorporate reusable or recyclable materials, and leave no trace behind so you can enjoy nature while helping to protect it.
Restrictions
- Guests should be able to do short walks on uneven or rocky terrain.
- Weather changes can occur quickly, and the access road to the summit can close without warning; therefore we cannot guarantee access to the summit or favorable conditions.
- The temperature can dip below freezing when at high elevations on the mountain.
- We sometimes encounter cold, wet, or muddy conditions. Due to the high altitude, this tour is not advised for those with respiratory, circulatory or heart conditions, pregnancy, or poor health.
- If you plan to scuba dive, do not plan to go to the summit within 24 hours after you dive due to the altitude.
- No children under 13. Other tour restrictions may apply – please contact us at 808.331.8505 for more information.
Schedule
Our Mauna kea trips depart daily and the Giveback Experience departs only on Wednesday’s. Both tours offer central meeting locations including the King Kamehameha Courtyard Marriott in Kailua-Kona, the Queen’s MarketPlace in the Waikoloa Beach Resort area, the Waikoloa Plaza in the Waikoloa Village area, and the Onizuka Center for International Astronomy Visitor Information Station (not available for Giveback). 8-9 hours round trip.
Reviews
Custom Experiences
Upgrade to a fully customizable adventure. Enjoy personalized timing and itinerary, door-to-door transportation in our newest vehicles, the option to upgrade to a premium menu, and expert guidance from a senior Interpretive Guide.
FAQs
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Are guests allowed to go into the observatories?
There are currently no observatories open to the public.
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How cold is it at the summit of Mauna kea?
Average mean temperature is 32 degrees Fahrenheit or 0 Celsius.
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Is the vehicle ride bumpy and windy?
For safety reasons the access road to the summit of Mauna kea requires a four-wheel drive, so it can be bumpy. Our custom off-road motor coaches will get you to the top and back as comfortably as possible.
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What kind of telescope is used for stargazing?
We utilize an 11” Celestron Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope. We also use a Stellina digital telescope to view & take photographs of deep space objects that will be emailed to you to keep & share.
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What is the guide to guest ratio?
Our maximum guide to guest ratio is 1:12.
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How many guests do you take up per night?
Our permit allows for a maximum of 2 vehicles per night, and our vehicles carry a maximum of 12 passengers each.
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Do you go up to Mauna kea summit every night?
We operate everyday night of the week. The Giveback Experience operates on Wednesday’s. Summit access is regulated by the Mauna kea Rangers and is dependent upon the weather conditions and any safety concerns.
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Are children allowed on this tour?
Children under 13 are not permitted on this tour due to altitude.
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Is there much walking/hiking on this tour?
There is minimal walking on this tour. The maximum being up to half a mile on Wednesday’s on our Giveback Experience at the dry forest.
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Will I able to hike & explore the summit on my own?
Unfortunately, due to safety & permitting restrictions, guests are unable to explore the summit before sunset on their own. Our guests will need to stay near our guides & vehicles while on the tour
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I would like to see a specific astronomical event from the summit. How can I arrange this?
Check out Bishop Museum – Astronomy for upcoming celestial events, and whether they will be observable in the Hawaiian sky.
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Will there be snow on our trip?
Snow is seasonal at Mauna Kea, with the heaviest snowfall occurring during the winter months.
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What if it’s cloudy on Mauna kea?
The summit and visitor center areas of Mauna kea are generally above the clouds. Due to our high demand for this experience and the constraints of our permit, we are often unable to reschedule guests when cancellations occur. Therefore we try to avoid canceling tours if we can safely reach the visitor’s center and/or summit. Conditions constantly change on the mountain, and the weather is part of the adventure.
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Can I join the tour from Hilo?
This tour only departs from Kona and there is no safe and legal place for you to leave your vehicle along the Saddle road late at night. The nearest meeting location for Hilo based guests is the Onizuka Center for International Astronomy (also referred to as the Mauna kea Visitors Center) which is located on Mauankea itself.
