Excellent experience! 10/10. Highly recommended! Bring layers! It gets pretty cold. Jackets are supplied but that may not be enough with the wind. read more

Read great reviews about this tour company and decided to try it for myself. I did have a great experience with them. You would receive email reminders about the tour. I also received a call the day before the tour and the lady answered all my questions. Addison was our guide. Our pick up point was Kona Crossroads Shopping Center. After this, we picked up the rest of the group at Queens' Marketplace. All in all, there were 14 people in the Mercedes Sprinter van (excluding Addison). The van was clean and customized with an area at one side that served as a mini overhead bin. We went to Mauna Kea Visitor Information Station. At its grounds, there was an opportunity to hike a little and see silversword plants (I did not see them though or maybe just did not know how to identify them). We had our early dinner there at about 4-4:30pm which was included in the tour. The veggie lasagna and brownie were good. Since this was about 9200 feet above sea level, I noticed that I easily got short of breath and lightheaded (which is not unexpected). The company provided warm Arctic style hooded parkas and one-time use gloves that kept us warm. We then proceeded to the observatories. A segment of the road up the observatories was not paved and it can be a little bumpy. By the time we got up the summit, the sun was indeed about to set. My lightheadedness and headache improved a little and I was able to enjoy the majestic view of the colorful sky and the clouds. A couple in our tour got engaged at the summit! After the sunset, we went to a lower elevation where we had the stargazing. We had warm beverage (choice of coffee, cocoa, apple cider) that was perfect for the very cold temperature. Learned about stars, planets, and had some astronomy review! Addison oriented us and showed us the stars. Using a Celestron telescope, we saw a few celestial bodies including binary stars, ring nebula (though it was very small to me), Saturn, and our moon. My acute mountain sickness was not too bad (and it got better with the descent) and I still enjoyed the experience. Bring your water bottle and don't forget to hydrate up there. read more

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Wow! I was on the fence about doing this experience given the price point and time commitment bit this completely blew my expectations away and was a highlight of our trip to the Big Island. Fernando our guide was incredible! He was so knowledgeable, helpful and genuine. I learned so much about the island from him on the way up to Mauna Kea and then continued to learn not only about the island and the native Hawaiians, but he also covered so many facts about space and our galaxy. The views from the top of Mauna Kea are unreal, and it was hard to believe while we stood at over 13,000ft in parkas, that a few hours prior we have been snorkeling in the ocean. Big Island really has a bit of everything! For the tour, pants are required and for good reason. I dressed in layers to be able to adjust as we went and that worked really well. We got picked up around 2:30pm and headed off. It is quite a long drive to the mountain but Fernando taught us all about the volcanoes and island on the way up which made it go by fast. Bring a good size water bottle! They tell this too but this is a must to try and avoid getting altitude sickness. The 45min stop at the visitor center was nice to eat dinner (lasagna and brownie were quite delicious) and continue to get acclimated. I recommend seeing the cool plants that are around the visitor center. Afterwards you drive up to the summit with a few stops along the way. Don't forget to keep drinking water! We had a few folks who did not feel 100% due to the altitude but Fernando took care of them and they were overall fine, but it is something to take very seriously so listen to your guide. At the summit was when most of our group opted for our parkas and gloves which is amazing that the tour brings those for you. You spend quite a bit of time at the summit and the views are breathtaking. Afterwards you head back down the mountain just a little ways to a quiet spot for stargazing and wow! The night we were there was no moon, so we could see the milky way! Fernando had a telescope and seeing Jupiter was amazing. It was really cold though so the layers are a must unless you want to spend the evening sitting in the van. Fernando provided hot drinks (choice of cocoa, tea or coffee) which was a lovely touch. If you are on the fence about this tour I think it is highly worth it! While you can drive to the summit (if you have 4-wheel drive) the drive up is not for the faint of heart in my opinion. The star gazing is also something unique so it really is worth the price tag to do this experience! And hopefully you also get Fernando as your guide! read more

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This is a great experience! This is a turn key operation to an extraordinary experience. Four people in our party among a group of 14 guest. Arthur was our guide and filled the 2 hour ride on the way to the mountain with amazing information and history of Hawaii and its ancient history. Once on the mountain and star gazing , Arthur shared tons of astrological information. Bring warm clothes and wool socks it's cold up there!! read more

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Our guide Fernando was EXCEPTIONAL. He literally knows everything about Hawaiian history, culture and native lands. His astronomy knowledge is even more acute. His passion for astronomy is infectious. This tour company uses high-end Mercedes all wheel drive, custom-outfitted vans and provides leeeegit all weather parkas for the freezing temperatures at altitude. Fernando served us dinner and desert, and guarded the van while we explored different areas of the visitor center and summit. After sunset, he parked in a private area and set up the most leeeegit telescope I've ever seen so we could study the planets in depth. This telescope was fully motorized and was capable of auto-seeking any objects we desired to view. It even auto-tracked to keep up with the Earth's rotation! Everything about this tour was top notch and an experience I'll never forget. Thx for sharing your passion with us Fernando! read more

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If you're even thinking about visiting Mauna Kea, book with Mauna Kea Summit Adventures and thank yourself later. From start to finish, my Dad and I felt safe, inspired, and genuinely cared for. Reservations were straightforward online, and the confirmation email laid out everything--pickup time, what to wear, etc...They provided cozy parkas, gloves, and a hearty lasagna dinner so we could focus on the experience, not the packing list and adjust to the altitude. Our guide, Fernando, blended geology, astronomy, and Native Hawaiian history into a seamless narrative. Throughout the drive he monitored everyone for altitude effects, offered bathroom breaks, and answered all questions with ease. Watching the sun melt into a sea of clouds at 13,796 ft felt like standing at the doorway of heaven. The thin air was no joke, but the guides' attentiveness kept everyone comfortable. After sunset we descended to a lower altitude for stargazing. Their high-powered telescope revealed stars and the Full Moon in stunning detail, while green lasers traced out constellations. Fernando was just awesome and the whole experience is something we will never forget. I would do it again and highly recommend to anyone. read more

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My husband and I came to Big Island for our anniversary and this was definitely the highlight of our trip! Shout out to Addison, a very knowledgeable tour guide who kept us engaged in stargazing and also made us feel welcomed and safe. Also love that he is a fellow Zelda fan and played some Zelda music in the van! You're awesome-this tour was amazing and you won't be disappointed. Oh and we also loved the lasagna-worth the add on. Thanks again! read more

Mauna Kea Summit Adventures - Tours Near Me

Such a great tour company. Travis was an amazing guide, he was super knowledgeable and nice. Everything went smooth and we had an amazing time. We saw a ton of stars and learned a ton about the history of the mountain and Hawaii in general. read more

Mauna Kea Summit Adventures - View from the telescope. So cool - Tours Near Me

I don't know what to say other than, this might've been my favorite experience in all my ten years living in Hawaii. There were moments while on Mauna Kea that I couldn't help but ponder and meditate about my place on this planet -- it sounds kind of out there, I know, but it's true. It is a magical place. I felt so alive and happy and I'm so thankful to be living on a world that offers such splendors. read more

Mauna Kea Summit Adventures - I was literally in heaven - Tours Near Me

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What an amazing experience! Addison was our tour guide and did amazing with our 9 person group. He was extremely knowledgeable about every single aspect of this tour, we absolutely loved that he spoke about the Hawaiian history and explained everything very thoroughly. During the summit trip I personally did not adjust well to the high elevation but Addison reassured me and was great at helping me to stay calm. Regardless of my elevation problems I still had an amazing time and still got to experience a lot! Well done Addison, we appreciate you! read more

Incredibly amazing experience being taken to the Mauna Kea summit with our knowledgable guide Fernando. He taught us a lot about the history of the Big Island volcanoes, knew a great deal about the science behind the geological/volcanic formations, and most impressively taught us how to identify many constellations while teaching us their history and how ancient civilizations named them. We were then able to view the andromeda galaxy, Saturn and several other stars with a telescope. Fernando was very receptive to all our questions and encouraged curiosity. 10/10 recommend this tour company and Fernando especially. read more

This was truly one of the best experiences of my life and a bucket list moment. I gotta hand it to MKSA and our tour guide, Gage, who put on an amazing tour. The coordination is top notch: we hit every stop right on time, had a delicious dinner and beverage service, felt super safe in the van, and kept warm in the heavy duty parkas. Gage was super friendly and extremely knowledgeable about the history of the mountain, astronomy, and Hawaiian culture in general. I can't recommend this experience enough. If you're on the fence about booking this, don't wait another minute. Just book it. You'll remember it for the rest of your life! read more

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Maka made this experience 50 bazillion times better than I expected. I snagged one of the last spots on the tour because I was/am a solo traveler and lucked out with such a knowledgable guide. A Native Hawaiian from the continental United States who relocated to Big Island, Maka knows his stuff and helped our group get situated around plate tectonics to figuring out the constellations in the night sky. We had plenty of time for pictures and breathing in the air on the sacred Maunakea. I highly recommend Mauna Kea Summit Adventures to all those wondering. Also, I mean, the trip will take the rest of your day but totally worth it! From the drive to the visitor center, veggie lasagna early din din (if you get that option, though I suspect you might as well because it's only a few dollars more), and then up to the top of the mountain and back down for star gazing. Again, just do it! read more

Our trip was led by Maka. He included informative commentary on the way up and hustled to get the best stargazing spot on the way down. The drive is about one hour to/from the visitor center. You stop for about 30 minutes on the way up. About 30-45 minutes at the top and then about 90 minutes of star gazing guided by Maka through the telescope. One advantage of doing a tour is you don't have to wait for the gear check they do on vehicles going up the mountain solo. We came on our own in 2016 and practically had the place to ourselves but wow have things changed. Would highly recommend Maka & crew though! read more

This was one of the best experiences I've ever had. The tour guide Gage is a genius and makes the experience so much better. He knows everything there is to know about the summit, the stars, and Hawaii as a whole. It really felt like I was on another planet. If you go to Hawaii this is must do! I highly recommend doing this and I highly recommend booking it with Gage! read more

Mauna Kea Summit Adventures - The sunset from the top of the volcano. - Tours Near Me

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Amazing experience!! It was my husband's birthday and this had him all over it. We got picked up near our resort. Kea was our guide, he was fantastic. Our Day started at 3pm. Took about an hour or so to get to the base of Mauna Kea, where we stayed for 40 minutes to acclimatize and we were given our vegetarian lasagna and brownie. Plenty of time to see the gift shop and do a mini trail. We headed to the summit which was a little bumpy. Soon we were above the clouds and clear blue filled the skies. We got info and tour of all the billion dollar telescopes. Stops for photo ops. Soon the beautiful sunset. It was cold, a lot colder than I had expected. When we booked our reservation, I was like " Im not going to need a parka" oh did we need it, with the wind chill it was like -10 celsius / 10F brrrrr!! The star gazing was amazing Kea was very knowledgeable and had lots of experience. We saw light years away. Mind blown!! Overall it was awesome, yes I felt the attitude a little nausea and dizziness. Still had an amazing time. read more

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Fernando was a great guide! He was very knowledgeable, respectful of everyone on the trip, and really showed the group a great time. I appreciate that he took the extra time to explain stargazing tips and facts and to make the whole experience memorable. All of that and an INCREDIBLE sunset!! This was worth every penny! read more

Amazing experience doing the sunset and star gazing tour. Gage (sp?) was a terrific tour guide and so knowledgeable. The van was clean and comfortable. Lasagna was also very tasty. Thank you for this incredible experience. read more

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Very nice tour, exceptional guide. Our guide, Arthur, is a remarkably knowledgeable and interesting person, always ready to help. This is not a given with all tours.... The organization of the trip is excellent, the food simple and very good. Great Learning Experience read more

Mauna Kea Summit Adventures - Tours Near Me

Booked a last minute tour primarily just to make it to the summit, as our rental vehicle didn't have the requisite 4x4 capabilities. Ultimately, though, I was blown away by the knowledge of our guide Kea - he is an absolute rockstar and worth the price of admission in and of himself. His tour really contextualized the role of Maunakea in the history and mythology of the Hawaiian islands and its importance to the Hawaiian people. That perspective is something I would have missed out on if I had driven to the summit myself. In retrospect, it added tremendous value to my experience and is a huge part of the reason I will remember my trip up the mountain for years to come. read more

Mauna Kea Summit Adventures - The two Keck telescopes - Tours Near Me

We just completed a tour with Mauna Kea Summit Adventures this evening. I can tell you this is our 5th time to the Big Island and NOT taking this tour is one of our biggest regrets. Our tour guide's name was Maka (Makalini) and this was one of the absolute best experiences we've ever had! It started out with him picking us up at our resort at EXACTLY the time they said he would be there (3pm sharp). An extremely informative and entertaining facts and information about the island as well as the mountain on our hour long trip to the visitors center. After a quick dinner and opportunity to stop at the gift shop, we were back in the vans and on our way up the mountain. He navigated the mountainous terrain with ease and was able to continue to hold a conversation and answer questions along the way, not missing a beat. After a few stops with information along the way we were given ample time to experience the sunset we assembled back in the vans and made our way back down the mountain to the employee parking lot where he pulled out and setup a telescope and began walking us through some amazing sights in the night sky. It was wrapped up with a nice snack from a selection of various warm drinks and a snack and the transported us back to our resort. It was a fantastic experience ... please don't be like us and NOT book this tour. If you do book it you should ask for Maka personally, this guide is amazing! read more

Mauna Kea Summit Adventures - Tours Near Me

TLDR: this tour was phenomenal and worth it. If you are considering it, do it! I decided to do this tour last minute. It was the the day before (Monday) when I was sitting at the visitors center of Mauna Kea. I was lucky, they had one spot open for Tuesday. I was hesitant at first, because I wasnt sure it was going to be worth the price. I decided to do it solely because I wanted to go to the top of the tallest mountain (base to summit) in the world. I figured I would probably regret it if I didnt. I joined the tour still hesitant but excited. Our tour guide, Gage, was VERY engaging. He personally talked and got to know everyone. Throughout the tour he spouted a lot of facts: scientifically, historically and topically. I mentioned I worked in space, so he made sure to include things of interest to me. I really appreciated that. You can tell he is well read, and likes to know things, which made for a great guide. He also played music deliberate to the feeling and mood of the tour bus and gave a great recommendation on how to drive back down at the end of the tour to minimize brake damage. At the top, I got to see the sunset, but the best thing was the shadow of Mauna Kea. It was awe inspiring. It was beautiful up there. Then when it was possible, we viewed Jupiter and some of its moons :) Next was the stargazing part, which in the end was my favorite part of the tour/stood out. Working in space, I have been to a ton of observatory/star gazing tours. I generally hit one every where I go. This was by far the best one I have ever been to. Gage knew a lot about the stars and showed a lot of enthusiasm when talking about them. We saw amazing clusters, galaxies, and so so so many stars. Ive been lucky to see the milky way many times growing up, but I have never seen that many stars in it. It honestly was breathtaking. I didnt realize Hawaii was the only place on land you can see both Polaris and the Southern Cross. Personally, I did not expect to gain so much from this tour. It reminded me of why I chose to work in the space industry in the first place, and got me excited about it all over again. I needed that more than I can state. I didnt realize this tour would have such a profound impact on me, but I can solidly say that I am thankful I chose this last minute. It definitely was the highlight of my trip. (Even above the glow of Kiliuea which is cool too) read more

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I wish we could give ten stars! this was a remarkable experience and Arthur made this perfect in every way. I would recommend this 200%

Your is amazing and Travis was amazing.. we went when the Milky Way and Galactic Center were visible. Saw the most recent comet. read more

Mauna Kea Summit Adventures - UK infrared observatory - Tours Near Me

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Absolutely incredible experience. Our tour guide Addyson was cool as hell and gave us a ton of great education/information on the local legends and culture. Beautiful views and great way to spend the day! Only thing that wasn't as good was the lasagna... too salty for our taste! read more

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This was probably THE highlight, definitely one of the top 5 highlights, of our 2 weeks in Hawaii! This tour was fantastic. Our driver/guide Addison was incredible (we've done quite a few similar tours, I know what I'm talking about). He knows Hawaii, its history & culture, topography/geology/astronomy, etc. On the long ride from Kona to Mauna Kea, he ran practically an hour or longer monologue about Hawaii and about what we were driving past and what we could expect once we got to this volcano. We drove first to the Visitor Center (restrooms here) and had the promised vegetarian lasagna supper. It's kept hot in the back of the van, served in individual reusable stainless steel containers, has real veggies (!) in it and tastes like real lasagna, very good. We got the most delicious fudgy brownie too! With supper, if we wanted to at that time, we got our parkas; at the next stop up we got gloves, saw the antennas and telescope set-up, learned more about how they work. And finally at the peak, timed to get us there before sunset, we could set up our cameras, walk around, and we were very very lucky to get a clear night. The original plan was to go down from the peak to a particular point, meeting another van, looking through the telescope they'd brought, but it was too cloudy. Addison drove back to the visitor center and used his laser light to show us the constellations. Oh, there was hot chocolate &/or decaf coffee and snacks along the way. DO bring water, helps with altitude reactions. DO wear layers, it really does get wintery cold up there. All in all, an unbelievably wonderful experience! read more

I'm embarrassed to say that I balked a little at first at the cost of this tour. Let me tell you, 15 minutes into the tour it felt like a total bargain. The van was super comfortable and clean. We were running a little late and the tour guide called us to make sure we were going to make it. He was kind and understanding and rest for us when we arrived. Our guide's make was Kea. He was the best guide of any tour I've taken in thirty years. So much local knowledge, and very generous with his experience and expertise. He made everyone on the trip feel like an individual. Also, he's hilarious. The stargazing was simply mind blowing. It was like looking into deep space for nearly two hours. We lost count is the shooting stars after 15. Kea was also very knowledgeable about the state and the telescope we used was amazing. We saw nebula's, globular clusters, binary stars, and more. I'll wrap things up by thanking our guide one more time. The quality of this tour really felt like it came from the quality of the person who shared his knowledge with us. read more

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Our children purchased this incursion for our 31st wedding anniversary, which made it even more memorable!! Our tour guide, Richard picked us up at a designated location in a Mercedes Van. I was a bit apprehensive but he reassured us that the van was built for the Swiss Alps. Van was comfortable. Know that it does have double and individual seating, so you may not be sittting next to your significant other. The ascent up Mauna Kea was scary but Richard is an excellent driver, maneuvering the van up the narrow roads with ease. He was very informative and kept us engaged the entire time. Well-versed with on Mauna Kea and Hawaiian history. We stopped at point of interests. We had plenty of time to walk around the summit before the sunset. The sunset view of Mauna Kea was surreal!! We've seen sunsets from the beaches of Hawaii during our trip but, what a spectacular view above the clouds!!!! It was cold on the summit (40 degrees) but the company provided parkas for us, even gloves. The summit only has port-o-potties and some without toilet paper, but Richard does provide when needed. After the sunset, we went stargazing and saw many constellations with our eyes and through the telescope the company provided. It was an ideal night for it was clear and no moonlight to obstruct our view. So many stars comparable to the view from Moab, Utah's Arches National Park; however, unlike Arches, we saw the ember from Kilauea Volcano's Halemaumau Crater and some shooting stars. Hot cocoa was offered to keep us warm. The reason I did not give this a 5 star is (and totally my perspective and recommendation), the company did not offer pictures of us with the stars, which I've seen with other companies. A spectacular view of the stars with us, and other tourists, should be captured in photograph. This would have been amazing!!!! read more

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Posting for my MIL, she LOVED it! She says: "This was the most amazing hike! They provided everything we didn't know we needed. Transportation was seamless, we ate & then headed out to the trail. It was summer at the base of the mountain, but sooo cold at the top. They provided parkas & made sure we had everything. Our tour guide was Jason, he provided the most interesting commentary &kept our attention. It was amazing to be above the clouds - we could see Maui from the top! Absolutely incredible. read more

Mauna Kea Summit Adventures - Some of the gorgeous view from the top! - Tours Near Me

I wish there was a ten star rating the views were amazing I Would go back in a heartbeat read more

Fernando was a fantastic guide, really nice and interesting, very good at explaining astronomical observations. read more

Mauna Kea Summit Adventures - Tours Near Me

This was an incredible adventure! MK Summit Adventures made the process so easy! Their communication and organization were spot on. They knew, based on our location, where to instruct us to meet them. Finding that location was easy due to their efforts! Our guide, Maka, was fantastic! Knowledgeable, professional, friendly, entertaining, and patient are just a few words to describe this kind man. He loves the land and astronomy, which made our adventure exceptional! To see and experience the summit in such capable hands was reassuring. Our time was worth every penny we paid! I highly recommend this company and this adventure! read more

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12/10 recommend, especially if you get Arthur as your tour guide! We stayed at a resort in Kona, HI so we selected to be picked up at the Kona Crossroads Shopping Center. It was a convenient location to where we were staying and a relatively empty parking lot. Their signs were pretty easy to spot but I would make sure not to leave anything in the car in the event it gets broken into. The Mercedes Sprinter van picked us up and off we went! The seats are pretty small and it's fairly narrow inside, so it's a little tough to move around in your seat if you're wearing big jackets. There are overhead compartments where you can store your backpack and jackets. There are also charging ports on the side of the van in case you need to charge anything. As we made our way to Queens Marketplace (the second stop to pick up other adventurers), Arthur gave us a tour about Kona, Hawaii, and a little about his background. This man was born and raised on the Big Island and has great stories! He's full of knowledge and encouraged us to ask him questions about things to do and eat on the island. After the second pick up, we headed to the Mauna Kea Observatory (visitor center) to eat our dinner. As a party of 4, we decided to order 2 lasagna dinners and bring some musubis and sandwiches as well. The veggie lasagna wasn't bad, but because it's so cold up there the food gets cold quick. After about 35 minutes, we were headed back on the bus up the mountain! It was a breathtaking view as we climbed up the mountain to the summit. We stopped by the telescopes and Arthur gave us some background on them. It's amazing to think that these huge buildings are essentially telescopes that are being controlled elsewhere. We got to the top of the mountain and spent some time wandering around and watching the sunset. Many others (that were not on the tour) were up there as well. It was cold, cold, cold but so worth it! After the sunset, we headed down back to the visitor center to do some stargazing. Arthur and Addison (his trainee) showed us Mars, Jupiter, Saturn AND THE LAVA GLOW. The eruption happened about a week before we arrived so there was a slight glow left, but being able to see it through the telescope, even though it was small, was incredible. I would highly recommend Mauna Kea Summit Adventures for your stargazing needs! Yes, you can drive a 4x4 up to the summit to watch the sunset, but you won't have the $8,000 telescope to help you see the stars. We're hoping to come back in August in the future to see different sets of stars. Amazing, amazing, amazing. read more

From pickup to drop off, this was a fabulous experience. As mentioned by others, the van was clean and very comfortable. Our guide Travis was spectacular! (And an excellent driver) His knowledge of the island, Hawaiian history, and astronomy was top notch. He kept us entertained and informed the entire time, including a fun playlist for the quieter ride back home. The view from the summit was breathtaking. We were incredibly grateful for the warm parkas provided. At altitude, the temperature with windchill was in the 20s. So pay attention when they tell you to wear long pants and warm layers! When it came time to stargaze down at 9,000 feet, we were treated to expert science and excellent views through a very nice telescope - including the A3 comet. We opted for the lasagna meal, which I enjoyed, although the altitude did give me a headache and some nausea. Plan ahead and take anti-nausea and headache meds with you. read more

Mauna Kea Summit Adventures - Tours Near Me

We had a fantastic time on our Mauna Kea Summit Adventure. Travis was a knowledgeable, funny, and friendly guide, and the trip and views of the summer were spectacular. It was a great way to spend the afternoon and evening, and on top of everything else, the food was delicious! We would highly recommend booking one of these tours while visiting the Big Island; it's well worth the money. read more

We considered getting a vehicle we could go to the summit on our own with but are SO glad we did the tour! The van was very comfortable and Gage was the best guide we've had on any tour and a very experienced driver; which is important on the road after the visitor center. The entire experience was unforgettable and one of the best tours we've ever done on any trip we've ever gone on. Don't miss out on doing this while on the big island and definitely do the tour, it's worth every penny! read more

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Worth every penny! I'm glad I booked this tour, it is a whole package that serves dinner, hot drinks and snack for the tour. They loan us a jacket and gloves as it gets colder at night. There was a bathroom stops a little in between. I called directly the reservation office and everything was explained into details. Our tour guide Arthur was really friendly, knowledgeable and shares the aloha spirit. I can see the passion to his work which reflects on how the guests satisfied and happy at the end of the tour. The view and experience was very memorable. During stargazing my teenager kids can't stop to brag about the stars and planets they saw, they used the high technology telescope. Weather and climate was perfect during the tour. Highly recommend it! read more

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This was a very special experience. Two things made this special, the first is the Mauna Kea Volcano itself. The second was our guide, Travis, who was superb. So, the volcano has a special scientific role in hosting 14 telescopes. The significance and history of the telescopes was new to us and told in a very understandable and informative way. The spiritual significance of the volcano was another special part of the volcano and again, we were able to grasp its significance. The second special part of the 'adventure' was Travis. Travis grew up in Kona and was well versed in the culture, the history, the significance of Mauna Kea. He was a great communicator and spoke loudly, clearly and somehow managed to pay attention to everyone. He helped the couple of people that suffered from altitude sickness and still kept a good pace for the sights. The night sky viewing was also special. Travis, again very attentive and well versed, made the viewing special. It isn't easy to view the various nebula and stars through the telescope and Travis helped make it real! I definitely suggest booking this tour and asking for Travis! read more

Mauna Kea Summit Adventures - Spectacular sunset at summit! - Tours Near Me

Wonderful adventure. Addison was spectacular with a plethora of information. We enjoyed his personality and kindness. I had an oxygen deficiency at the top and he monitored me carefully. We missed the visitor center which I regret. The day was clear and we were introduced to many new things in the sky. We got to see stars we don't usually see where we live. The telescope had a 100% magnification. We thought we would be able to see the stars clearer but we were able to look at the moon and Addison took pictures with our phones so that we could take it home with us. All in all we would recommend this trip. It was peaceful and informative. read more

My family and I were greeted at the Starbucks in Queens Marketplace by our tour guide, Maka. He was a wonderful driver and guide with an interesting history of the formation of the Hawaiian Islands, volcanic rock formations, and the many plants and animals on the Big Island. Maka made our journey to Mauna Kea an adventure with his knowledge of the various telescopes, their capabilities and the Hawaiian significance of each of the volcanoes on the island. The lasagna dinner was delicious as was the chocolate brownie but the star of the tour was the snow covered volcano with the amazing sunset! Wow!!! Another awesome sight was the shadow of Mauna Kea. Maka did his homework and prepared for us a spectacular star gazing adventure with images of Saturn, Jupiter, Uranus, stars at infancy to aged, and the most amazing view of the Moon. Awesome!!! read more

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