Mauna Kea Summit Sunset & Stargazing Tour with Dinner - Hawaii Forest & Trail
Overall Rating
4.74
Mauna Kea
Reviewed by: Andy P., 2019/11/09Although the road to the summit was blocked by protesters Jeff made the trip most of the way up awesome! Very informative and personable! I’ve never seen so many stars in my life! I’ll remember this trip for the rest of my life.
Andy P.
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| Attended as: | Solo Travelers |
| Activity Date: | 2019/10/16 |
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Very few places could match this experience
Reviewed by: Darra, 2018/07/29Very few places could match this experience. The location; the slow climb up the giant sloping mountain. We went through rain, sun, even through a cloud; through the lava landscape, ranch lands and very bumpy rocky last stretch of road to reach the top! And wow it was a view from the top.
Be warned; it is very very cold; not what you expect from your Hawaiian break! You get nice warm coats from the tour group though (and later a little hot cocoa and brownie to keep you going!)
As the sun sets; you can see the mountains shadow on the other side; a glimpse of Maui and the glint of the sun off the telescopes preparing for their nights work. You can see the odd bit of movement as they open up. As soon as the suns down; its all go though. We have to leave the area quickly as the lights from the cars interfere with the telescopes (so no, there is no looking around inside them; if that is what you're hoping for in this trip!).
We move down slope a little to a good spot to see the huge expanse of clear, cloudless sky and the abundance of stars.
It is slightly interrupted with the brightness of the moon (so depending how long your stay is in Hawaii, plan for a darker night, unless you love the moon!); but not enough to stop us seeing nebula, planets and stars - its a really interesting spot to see both the northern and southern skies.
We did also spot a bit of the glow from the erupting volcano
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| Attended as: | Couples |
| Activity Date: | 2018/06/20 |
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Cool Views from the Top of the World!
Reviewed by: Ned from New Jersey, 2018/07/28Our guide Jeff picked us up from the Pu'u Huluhulu Cinder Cone parking lot, at the base of the road up to the summit. We had a very nice pre-packaged dinner at the base camp, then rode up to the visitor center and onward to the observatories. A bumpy and steep ride, I was very happy to have an experienced driver at the wheel!
At the top the weather was cool and clear and good for viewing a sunset, then we went down to a slightly lower lot to view stars and planets through a good quality Celestron scope.... the clear air and high altitude really added detail! First time I have been able to make out the rings of Saturn, and four of Jupiter's moons were posing really well for us! Some really excellent deep space views too! Check out a cool image of the moon from the Celestron scope....
Highly recommended, especially if you live somewhere with so much haze and light pollution you don't get to see that stars that well!
Mahalo!!
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| Attended as: | Couples |
| Activity Date: | 2018/07/25 |
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Mauna kea summit trip
Reviewed by: Linda & Scott Cherry, 2017/01/11Great trip. Unfortunately the summit was closed due to high winds when we reached visitor center. Our guide, Joe was great. He took us on a hike to see the sunset which was amazing and then to an area where he set up a huge telescope for star gazing. He was very knowledgeable and made what could have been a disappointing trip into a great one. We had an amazing experience. I would highly recommend it. Good good too!
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| Attended as: | Couples |
| Activity Date: | 2017/01/06 |
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This tour was PERFECT !!! I'm gonna give it 10 stars :)
Reviewed by: Elaine, 2017/01/04This tour was perfect, reply promptly when I had question.
The sunset and the starry night are stunning, wanna go again.
The guide is super nice, I joined 12/22, but forget the guide's name (sorry)
He was really professional and full of knowledge with the stars and thanks him gave us a ride to hotel, we are really appreciated !! Wanna say thanks again :)
If I have the chance, I'll go again !
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| Attended as: | Friends |
| Activity Date: | 2016/12/22 |
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Beautiful Views
Reviewed by: NLKTravel, 2016/11/19Pros: Our guide was very knowledgeable and I learned a lot. You go from sea level to about 13,800 feet, so remember to drink water. The views at 13,803 feet were beautiful. The observatories are interesting to see (from the outside). You observe stars with an 11" telescope at the visiter center parking lot. The guide points out stars/planets that everyone gets a chance to see. They give you jackets with gloves available.
Cons: It is a bumpy ride and some of the road is dirt. The "hot" meal was more of a box lunch. Bathroom breaks are limited. You do climb to 14,000', be prepared for the climate and altitude change. I was under the impression we could see more of the observatories, you only see them from the outside and are not allowed in.
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| Attended as: | Couples |
| Activity Date: | 2016/10/25 |
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Srargazing 2016
Reviewed by: CGTUR, 2016/06/20Great tour, the guide was very knowlegable answering all questions put. The trip was worth every penny. The sunset seen from the summit was truly spiritual.
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| Attended as: | Solo Travelers |
| Activity Date: | 2016/06/17 |
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Great Experience
Reviewed by: Annette & Mike, 2015/06/19Nate our tour guide was great! And extremely knowledgeable! Would recommend to all to experience not only the beautiful sunset but also the amazing stargazing!
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| Attended as: | Couples |
| Activity Date: | 2015/06/16 |
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Overjoyed!
Reviewed by: Marzia (Roma-Italy), 2015/04/15Hawaii Forest and Trail stands for competence, professionalism, passion and respect for the environment they allow to see and for travelers. They really think and manage everything with great knowledge and kindness. I felt cared for in every way, even the chocolate cake! The lesson on the stars was fantastic and we all got to use the telescope. Every wish was realized. The only thing we had to do was to be overwhelmed by the mystical magic Mauna Kea!
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| Attended as: | Solo Travelers |
| Activity Date: | 2015/03/25 |
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Mauna Kea Summit - Excellent
Reviewed by: KSD2014, 2014/10/12Jason was our guide, very knowledgeable and friendly. Amazing views from the peak, wonderful sunset and star gazing, even got to see the rings of Saturn. Dinner at deserted sheep farm was OK. Hotel pickup would have been nice.
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| Attended as: | Couples |
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Travel Agent
Reviewed by: Mr. Anonymous, 2012/11/18We had Nate as our tour guide, he did a wonderful job. We learned
about about the Hawaii, Observatories, and stars. He enjoys his job and it shows. Would recommend this tour to those in good health with no lung issues. It was amazing to be at 13,700+ feet.
Star gazing was fun with all the information presented.
Dinner was good. Would recommend this tour.
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| Attended as: | Couples |
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| Attended as: | Couples |
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