Mauna Kea Summit Tour
Hotel Pickup via Aloha VIP Tours

The original Sunset and Stargazing Tour

Seasons: 1/1 - 12/31

Adult & Child

Mauna Kea Summit Tour from Waikoloa

$176.00

The Mauna Kea Summit Tour departs daily between 2:15 pm - 3:30 pm. Tour is approximately 7 hours long. This tour will take you to the world-famous astronomical site - Mauna Kea. Over 90% of the northern and southern hemisphere skies are visible from this summit, 13,796 feet above sea level. Tour includes dinner at Parker Ranch, hot drinks, snacks and use of jackets.

The trip begins mid-afternoon with a pick-up. As we drive up the mountain, we learn about island geography, geology and natural history.

While acclimatizing at the Onizuka visitors center (9,000 ft.), find out why the world's largest telescopes are located here and a bit about the lives of astronomers. We also serve our hearty supper at the visitors center. Before leaving the visitors center we issue parkas and gloves (the warmest available) and shift into four wheel drive for the steep 1/2 hour drive to the top.

On the summit, your guide will point out the observatories as they begin to open and rotate into position. You'll learn about famous observatories such as Keck, Subaru and Gemini. There is plenty of time for photos while the sunset transforms the area into a beautiful and quite unearthly spectacle. When the best of the color has past, we descend to mid-mountain, where the sky is equally clear but the climate is always much more comfortable for stargazing.

Whenever possible, we explore the night sky using a large portable telescope, taking time to diagram the constellations and to learn some basic astronomy*. Our guides are famous for their ability to locate the treasures of the night sky and interpret them in a way that everyone can understand. Our clientele is very international so don't be surprised to hear us narrating in several different languages. To warm you up a bit we serve hot drinks during the star party. The tour is 7-8 hours in duration and the times are adjusted seasonally for the sunset.

WARNING: High altitude (above 9,200 feet) can be dangerous to persons with heart and respiratory problems, children under 16 years old, obese individuals, person who SCUBA dived within 24 hours and pregnant women.
** Minimum of 4 passengers required for this tour, no children under 16 years-old. **

Rates are per person including 4.166% state tax.

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Operated by the Richardson Travel Company

Richardson Travel Company

325 Washington Ave. S., # 405

Kent, WA 98032