Mauna Kea Summit Sunset and Stars - Hilo Kona Waikoloa Pick Up

Posted By : janekS3347QG
Wonderful trip! Well organized with on-time local pick-up in Waikoloa, then transfer to comfortable Mercedes vans for the ride to the top of Mauna Kea. Beautiful sunset and then stargazing with very knowledgeable guides. The warm coats provided for the summit are the best!
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Posted On : 2024-05-16

Posted By : Tenof10
My husband and I booked a cruise in Hawaii and the cruise started in Honolulu for two days and then moved onto Hilo for two days and then Kona for two days. By staying overnight this gave us the opportunity to book this nighttime tour of the Mauna Kea Summit so that we could see the sunset. We were picked up a short distance from the pier in a van by a really pleasant young man named Jamie. He pick up several couples at this location and then drove about a half hour to a second site where he picked up two more couples. We then drove another hour to a meeting point where we were transferred to two 4x4 vehicles driven by Robert and Jessica who also happen to be husband and wife. During the first drive Jamie was very informative about the landscape and many different names for Hawaiian sites and landmarks. I asked about the large groups of goats that were clustered on both sides of the road. He said that they came here with adventurers. Since they have no natural predators they have just continued to multiply. Once we transferred to the 4x4 vans my husband and I were in Robert's van and we proceeded to the Visitor's Center where we stayed for about a half house so we could use the bathrooms and acclimate ourselves to the altitude. There is a small gift shop and the rangers speak to anyone who is planning to drive to the summit independent of a tour. Robert confessed that he is a bit of "geek" when it comes to the entire area and the need to respect Hawaiian heritages and traditions. He and Jesse met in college and they both love the study of stars. As we passed the building that the rangers stay in during their three-day shifts. They have identified a plant that produces a pod that is poisoness to everyone but a small bird who's population has seriously decreased. He and his wife spend time on their days off at the ranger's station cultivating these plants so that they can be planted to try and encourage these birds come and feed there so that their population will hopefully incease. As we traveled up the side of the summit, driving on one switchback to another the views were spectacular. We pulled into a small road that led to a radio dish that Robert told us is connected to several other similar dishes that collect and share data. While we were there Robert took pictures of each couple with our own cameras and he shared information about the radio dish and gave us some time to get used to the change in temperature and admire the view. He also showed us several rocks and explained how each rock was developed. We saw so many amazing views of the sun and slowly climbed above the clouds to the point where we were well above them and then finally on the summit surrounded by huge telescopes places there by large companies. When we exited the van I noticed immediately that when I would take a step it felt like my legs from the ankle up felt like they were wobbling. The temperature was also so much colder, especially as the sun set. Robert pointed out porta-johns for us to use and they were every bit as bad as I have often imagined, but we used them out of necessity. Robert offered us parkas and gloves, which we gladly accepted. The only disappointment was that the view was not as clear as the picture on the Viator site due to all of the vans and cars parked everywhere that blocked our views when taking photographs. We watched the sunset for about 25 minutes and then we boarded the van again and traveled partway down the mountain to a road where we parked and Robert and Jesse set up a table with hot chocolate and several snacks. Robert talked about the various star formations while is wife, Jesse, set up a camera so that she could take night time pictures taken for each couple which they later emailed to each of us showing us with the beautiful nighttime sky behind and above us. Robert and Jessie then drove us back down the mountain and we met up with Jamie and transferred to his van. Jamie then drove us the rest of the way down to our pick-up spot. There was one couple on the van with us who was also on the same cruise ship as us, so he took back to the pier so we did not have to walk in the dark or pay for an Uber to get back to the ship.
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Posted On : 2024-05-16

Posted By : Rose_E
Our tour guide Tey was very knowledgeable and friendly, we learned a lot from him! The whole experience was amazing 👌🏻
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Posted On : 2024-05-16

Posted By : Cathleen_C
Tay was our guide and he was awesome. Extremely knowledgeable and interesting. They use headset / mic system in the van so everyone be can hear. Prompt pick up easy to find. Communication before hand was excellent about what to expect, how to prepare, pick up confirmation. We were offered parkas to use at the ranger station as it was already cold. They are fun and super warm! We went to the ranger station for acclamation and bummer…. They closed the road just as we were getting ready to head up due to icy conditions forming so we didn’t actually get to complete the tour. However, that was also handled very professionally. Immediate refunds and offer to reschedule for next available tour. Unfortunately we were leaving the day that the next tour was available. I would definitely book this tour again. Others we looked at didn’t seem as all inclusive as this one. On the way back Tay drove us by Rainbow Falls and Boiling Pots. Yes, we were disappointed of the cancellation out of their control.. but considering that happened it could have been handled poorly…. But they made it the best possible experience.. next time at the Big Island, we will definitely book this same tour!
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Posted On : 2024-05-15

Posted By : Willie_W
Just being out to experience something totally different. Our tour guide was so knowledgeable- it was worth being in the cold!
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Posted On : 2024-05-14

Posted By : Shriver101
Would recommend, great tour! Photo's were a plus as well as the lovely snacks on the top! Very informative. Stunning! Also great communication thoughout before the tour.
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Posted On : 2024-05-13

Posted By : JMburu
You need a 4x4 vehicle. The drive up there is long and slow and it looks like nothing interesting then Boom! The telescopes! We went mid-morning and though the sun was up it was cold! Take a jacket/hoodie and long pants. It is also pretty windy! Please pay attention to the ranger’s instructions about driving (speed and brakes) and hypoxia symptoms. It’s for your safety. If I ever get a chance to go back, I’ll try for an evening visit to catch the sunset!
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Posted On : 2024-05-11

Posted By : Karin_G
Our guide was great!!! Very knowledgeable gave me a hole new perspective on the night sky, I will never look at it the same way!!! Recommend to all!
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Posted On : 2024-05-11

Posted By : O454QYjims
Inspiring experience, unfortunately high winds and drizzle blew in suddenly shortening our stay at the top. Expensive also. We felt a little like we were intruding on the scientific community but understand the interest.
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Posted On : 2024-05-08

Posted By : 425gloriaw
Maile and Blaze were delightful and very knowledgeable! I took my friend visiting from Annapolis and we both loved the tour. The special photos with the galaxy behind were a delightful Surprise. Plus the whole local team instilled Hawaiian culture and Aloha. The tour will be TOP Tour for my visitors. A HUI HOU Gloria
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Posted On : 2024-05-07