Mauna Kea & Stars Adventure
Schedule: Afternoon trips depart daily from Hawaii Forest and Trail Headquarters,
Waikoloa Queen’s Marketplace, and the Junction of Waikoloa Road and Highway 190.
7 - 8 hours round trip.
Rated: Easy to Moderate; ages 16 and over.
Included in the Tour: Picnic style dinner, assorted teas, hot chocolate, and dessert.
Dinner selections are either Barbecue Chicken (served hot) with Lemon-Mint Quinoa
and a Dinner Roll; or a Vegetarian Tofu Wrap (served cold) with Peanut Dipping
Sauce, Lemon-Mint Quinoa and a Dinner Roll. Hot Chocolate and Brownies served
for dessert.
Gear Provided: Hooded parkas and warm gloves.
Prices: Adult: $199.00, plus tax.
Group Size: Tour limited to a maximum of 14 guests.
Restrictions: Guests should be able to hike 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 children under 16.
Other tour restrictions may apply.
What to Bring & Wear: Closed toe shoes, long pants and a sweatshirt or sweater.
Full Description
The drive to the summit of Mauna Kea is one you’ll never forget. It’s hard to believe
you’re in Hawaii as you climb to 13,796 feet above sea level. Once at the summit we
are afforded spectacular views of the horizon, Haleakala on Maui, Mauna Loa and
Hualalai, and Mauna Kea’s world-class array of telescopes. Mauna Kea is the world’s
tallest mountain, rising over 32,000 feet from the ocean floor to its summit, which is
considered by many Hawaiians to be the most sacred place in all the islands. In your
hooded parka you’ll stand in awe at both nature’s sublime creation and man’s
astonishing technological achievements.
Starting out from our headquarters in Kona, we travel up the coast over desolate lava
flows for about a half hour before proceeding up the rolling pasturelands on the flanks
of Mauna Kea. Turning onto the Saddle Road that traverses the island between
Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea, you’ll see a dramatic and diverse landscape of
ranchland, sub-alpine dry forest and rainforest (with striking features such as cinder
cones, lava flows, lava tubes and kipuka). We arrive at our private dinner location at
Humuula approximately 2 hours before sunset for a hot, picnic dinner served family
style. After dinner and with a winter-style parka in hand, we’ll make the 45 minute
journey to the summit. As your make your way up, you’ll be fascinated by your
Interpretive Guide’s interpretation of Hawaii’s remarkable natural, cultural, and
geologic history.
After sunset we descend to the Visitor’s Information Station at 9,000 foot elevation.
Here we set up our own telescope and have a star gazing party. Wrapped warm in
Arctic parkas, enjoying hot beverages and cookies, you will marvel at the brilliance of
the Hawaiian night sky. Your Interpretive Guide will share with you stories of the
observable universe, and offer you a personal and educational look at the heavens.
FAQs
Are guests allowed to go into the observatories? Some observatories are open
to the public daily until 4 PM. As our tour arrives after this time, the observatories are
closed to visitors.
How cold is it at the summit of Mauna Kea? Average mean temperature is freezing.
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 bumpy. Our custom off-road motor coaches will
get you to the top and back in safety and comfort.
What kind of telescope is used for star gazing? We utilize an 11” Celestron
Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope.
What is the guide to guest ratio? Our maximum guide to guest ratio is 1:14.
How many guests do we take up per night? Our permit allows for a maximum of 2
vehicles per night and our vans carry a maximum of 14 passengers.
Do we go up to Mauna Kea summit every night? We go every night, weather
permitting.
Are children allowed on this tour? Children under 16 are not permitted on this tour
due to altitude.
Is there much walking / hiking on this tour? There is minimal walking on this
tour, the maximum being about 150 yards.
I would like to see a specific astronomical event from the summit. How can I
arrange this?
Check out www.space.com/nightsky for upcoming astronomical events, and whether
they will be observable in the Hawaiian sky.
Will there be snow on our trip? Snow is seasonal at Mauna Kea, with the heaviest
snowfall occurring during the winter months.
What if it’s cloudy on Mauna Kea? The summit of Mauna Kea is normally above
the clouds. If the weather (clouds, snow, ice or high winds) cause us to cancel the tour,
there is no charge, of course.
SUNSETS WAY ABOVE THE CLOUDS