Reviewed by: Ned from New Jersey
Our 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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Packages: | Summit Sunset & Stargazing Adventure |
Attended as: | Couples |
Posted on: | 2018/07/28 |
Activity Date: | 2018/07/25 |
Reviewed by: Hawaiian First Timer
Husband and I throughly enjoyed the excursion! Our guide blew us away with his well rounded knowledge of the island, its geography and history. The coffee farm and meal were a special treat before an evening of stargazing.
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Packages: | From Kona & Waikoloa - Solar Viewing & Stargazing with Dinner |
Attended as: | Couples |
Posted on: | 2018/07/24 |
Activity Date: | 2018/07/20 |
Reviewed by: とこな
この絶景を見ずにしてビッグアイランドに来たと言えるだろうか。。。というくらいの壮大な景色。2時間かけてゆっくりとみることができました。
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Packages: | 基本プラン |
Attended as: | Couples |
Posted on: | 2018/07/23 |
Activity Date: | 2018/07/20 |
Reviewed by: YOPPI
The tour guide Herald was very nice, friendly and knowledgeble on native hawaiian's culture, ecology and astronomy. We got to see a "natural planetarium" in the mountain including Mars, Jupiter, Saturn and Venus. Coming from a big city we don't see stars in the sky, so the view was just breath taking and we were soooo glad we participated in the tour. I guess you can go to the summit and see stars on your own but I'd strongly recommend this tour. Because I think it will give you a whole new experience and view on the island and their culture.
Dinner was tasty too. I was expecting a lot less.
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Packages: | Summit Sunset & Stargazing Adventure |
Attended as: | Couples |
Posted on: | 2018/07/21 |
Activity Date: | 2018/07/13 |
Reviewed by: HIROSHI
今回夫婦で参加しました。本当は溶岩の上を歩く予定でしたが、噴火の勢いがすごく今中止になってるため、いいお値段しますが、何百年に1回のこの惨状をハワイの住人には申し訳ないけどこの目でしっかり見ておきたかったです。
実際参加させてもらい大満足でした。日本人は私どもだけでしたが、英語できないと言っておいたので話を振られることもなく、2人で楽しめました。
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Packages: | 基本プラン |
Attended as: | Couples |
Posted on: | 2018/07/18 |
Activity Date: | 2018/07/15 |
Reviewed by: Jon Milesky
This company was professional and went out of their way to make sure that everything was in place to make our trip first class. From calling the day before to confirm with us on meeting location and time to hot brownies at the end of the tour. Everything was great and the guide took the time to get to know us so she could make our experience the best it could be.
I would highly recommend this company.
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Packages: | Summit Sunset & Stargazing Adventure |
Attended as: | Families |
Posted on: | 2018/07/16 |
Activity Date: | 2018/07/11 |
Reviewed by: あかさい
6歳男児を含めた家族3人で、ヒロ発で参加しました。※宿泊先のワイコロアからヒロにレンタカーで移動しました。道もよく、道中も楽しめました♪
滅多にない機会なので、火山活動が見られるコースを予約しましたが、想像以上に間近で噴火口がみることができました。
英語での案内でしたが、操縦士の方が現地の方の様子など丁寧に説明して下さいました。また、その操縦も見事で、安心感のあるものでした。
機体故障で1時間の遅延となりましたが、とても良い体験となりました。ありがとうございました。
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Packages: | キラウエア火山遊覧(ヒロ地区発、送迎なし) |
Attended as: | Families |
Posted on: | 2018/07/16 |
Activity Date: | 2018/07/13 |
Reviewed by: Arigato
一番見たかった渓谷に差し掛かった時に、ガイドの声を落として静かに景色に浸らせてくれる心配りに、景色と共に感動でした。操縦席を後ろから見ていてパイロットて素敵だなぁと思いましたw溶岩のドロドロさも目視出来てとても貴重な体験でした。ヘリコプターを怖がっていた母も安心して乗っていられたようで良かったです。何よりbig Island へのtoshiさんの愛がとてもよく伝わりました。又東京で頑張って働いてbig islandに帰りたいです!この度はありがとうございました。
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Packages: | 基本プラン |
Attended as: | Families |
Posted on: | 2018/06/17 |
Activity Date: | 2018/06/14 |
Reviewed by: Ca fun
Chris was wonderful! He knows Hawaii very well and we learned so much within a day! Loved ziplining, Gabe and Kelton were so patient and humorous that we didn’t feel it took almost 3 hours to finish the whole activity. It’s the best Hawaii tour ever!!
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Packages: | Kohala Coast Adventure |
Attended as: | Families with Young Children |
Posted on: | 2018/06/14 |
Activity Date: | 2018/06/11 |
Reviewed by: Athan
the views from the top of Mauna Kea are breathtaking, despite the cold. Jeff, our host was the best tour guide, funny, friendly and veru knowledgeable of the the tour and the history of the sites. All along the tour he would explain the site you are crossing and the topography.
The star gazing experience is somehting cool for someone neer seen into space before.
Brownies and hot chocolate at the end of the tour is the epitpomy of a great evening.
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Packages: | Summit Sunset & Stargazing Adventure |
Attended as: | Couples |
Posted on: | 2018/06/05 |
Activity Date: | 2018/05/28 |
Reviewed by: Steven
Tour actually worked out better than expected. The tour vans are nice and new, the guides are nice and knowledgeable. You go right to the telescope summit and watch the sunrise followed by a great star gazing experience.
The lasagna ain't great but bring snacks and you'll have a great time
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Packages: | Mauna Kea Sunset & Stargazing Tour with Dinner |
Attended as: | Couples |
Posted on: | 2018/05/20 |
Activity Date: | 2018/05/17 |
Reviewed by: mpb
とにかくガイドのヘラルドがフレンドリーで、車の長い道のりもグループを盛り上げてくれました。ハワイのローカル情報もたくさん教えてくれました。英語が分かる方なら日本語ツアーより参加しやすいと思います。
当日はコナの天気は良かったもののマウナケアに近づくほど雨で、山頂の天気を心配しましたが、山頂に着くとそこは雲の上で心配無用でした。
マウナケアの山頂は本当に寒かったです。ライトダウンを着て4枚も着込んだ上に貸してくれる大きなダウンを着ても寒かったです。
あれだけ注意事項に上着必須、長ズボンと書いてあっても用意していない人もいて、かなり寒かったらしくバスの中でほとんどを過ごすこととなり、見ていて残念でした。(そのため、防寒具必須です)
ほかの団体ツアーと一緒になる部分もあり、説明が聞き取れなかったり、星を見るには厳禁の車のライトやホワイトライトが行き交うことも多かったですが、流れ星を何度も見ることができ、感動的でした!お勧めです。
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Packages: | 無料特典付き!通常プラン |
Attended as: | Couples |
Posted on: | 2018/05/19 |
Activity Date: | 2018/05/15 |
Reviewed by: Marco and Nancy
The tour was very interesting and Arthur our tour guide was very knowledgeable of the region. He answered all of our questions about the local environment as well as the history of the Hawaiian people.
It was cold at the summit and a sweatshirt should be worn if you cannot handle the cold even with the atlantic parka and gloves that is supplied.
The stargazing spot was incredibly clear and we could see hundreds of stars. We were also able to spot Venus, Jupiter, and several star systems through the telescopes provided.
Rating: | |
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Packages: | Mauna Kea Sunset & Stargazing Tour with Dinner |
Attended as: | Couples |
Posted on: | 2018/05/11 |
Activity Date: | 2018/05/07 |
Reviewed by: kmy
コナ発で参加日の一週間前の予約、第2希望の時間帯でした。やはり9時からは人気で私達は7時からの参加でした。ですが、夜明けの薄暗い時間帯に出発することで時間によるハワイ島の景色の変化に感動させられました!
ワイコロアリゾートに宿泊していてレンタカーを借りている方はホテルのピックアップを待つより直接行ったほうがいいかなと思います。時間かからないのでスムーズです。
スタッフは運良く日本人スタッフのToshiさんで、非常に気さくで早朝にもかかわらずハイテンションでガイドしてしていただきました。(別のハワイのガイドさん曰くこの人のヘリコプターツアーがハワイ島で一番贅沢な日本語ツアーだとか…)一緒に乗ったアメリカ人夫婦には英語、私達には日本語でガイドしてくださり、酔ってしまった私にも冷風を当ててくれたりと気遣いがとてもよかったです。外国人参加者と同席になると当たり前ですか、英語がメインのガイドになりますので多少の英語が理解できるとより楽しいツアーになるかと思います。
火山はもちろんのことおすすめは渓谷です。渓谷は地上のツアーでは入ることが入ることが難しいので空から見られるこのツアーで、ハワイ島のイメージがかなり変わります。
私は船酔いが激しくそのことを忘れてツアーに参加してしまったためかなりヘリコプター酔いに楽しい時間が邪魔されてしまいました…火山と渓谷は旋回が何回も揺れも大きいので船酔いが激しい方は酔い止めを飲んで参加することをおすすめします。受付で酔い止めも販売されていますが体に合うかわからないので持参した酔い止めがおすすめです。一応エチケット袋とウエットティシュはヘリコプター内に常備されています。ヒロ空港で休憩がありますので2時間乗りっぱなしということではないです。
乗り物酔いでかなりグロッキーになってしまいましたが、そんな私でも今回のツアーはかなり満足できるものになりました!
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Packages: | 基本プラン |
Attended as: | Families |
Posted on: | 2018/03/08 |
Activity Date: | 2018/03/05 |
Reviewed by: MTTravelers
This was one tour we will never forget! The views from the top of Mauna Kea are indescribable. You truly feel that you are on top of the world! The other positive parts of the adventure - the tour was well organize with attention to safety, tour guide Geraldo was very knowledgeable, the food was delicious and the others on the tour were a hoot to spend an evening with. If you go, be sure to dress warmly! The coats provided were great, but it was chilly prior to going up. We highly recommend this tour!
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Packages: | Summit Sunset & Stargazing Adventure |
Attended as: | Couples |
Posted on: | 2018/03/07 |
Activity Date: | 2018/03/01 |
Reviewed by: マサカズ
今回二回目のハワイ島でしたが、やっとヘリに乗ることが出来ました(^。^)
パイロットも日本人の方で親切丁寧にナビしていただき大変感動しました(^。^)
あとヘリからしか見れない滝や風景
そしてクジラとも三頭も見ることが出来ました!
皆様にもオススメですよ!
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Packages: | 基本プラン |
Attended as: | Friends |
Posted on: | 2018/03/04 |
Activity Date: | 2018/02/05 |
Reviewed by: miteyo
幸い天候にも恵まれてハワイ島へ行った目的が叶いました。
又、希望どうり日本人パイロットでしたので要所要所日本で説明いただき
良かったです。キラウエア火山噴火口のマグマはヘリでなければ見れません!
Rating: | |
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Packages: | 基本プラン |
Attended as: | Couples |
Posted on: | 2018/02/14 |
Activity Date: | 2018/02/06 |
Reviewed by: Greg
This trip was a really fun experience as a contrast to the normal beach and ocean explorations that a visit to Hawaii normally includes.
The guide was very informative and the trip was planned well. The van was very comfortable (big Mercedes).
Climbing above the clouds made it feel like we were going to another world. The sunset from the top amongst all the observatory domes was incredibly colorful and the photography was cool with the domes.
The second part when we went down the mountain and set up the telescopes was fun too. The guide had an excellent presentation and mastery of the topics.
I highly recommend-it was out of the ordinary and visually spectacular.
Rating: | |
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Packages: | Mauna Kea Sunset & Stargazing Tour with Dinner |
Attended as: | Couples |
Posted on: | 2018/01/15 |
Activity Date: | 2018/01/12 |
Reviewed by: Sop
Our guides were Arthur and Justin. Both are funny and knowledgeable. This tour surprised us in so many ways. It is crazy that you can go from beach weather to freezing winds in a matter of hours. The parkas definitely help. I would recommend some layers of clothes, jeans, and good shoes. Bring a scarf or beanie. For those who live in the country, you do not realize how fortunate you are to not have light pollution. The stars that we saw were amazing. Your eyes adjust and focus so well on all the bright twinkles because there's no surrounding light. It's hard to explain but you feel like a child who's just seen something new and cool. Light pollution is real. On a good night in the city, I can probably see maybe 10 stars. Here, the volume is overwhelming. The location of Hawaii lets you see a lot more. Not only do you see the stars, but you can see distant galaxies as well our own milky way. Primitive, primal, natural are some other ways to describe experience.
The sunset on Mauna Kea was also a fantastic experience. Arthur and Justin are safe and excellent drivers. You see rental cars driving up the volcano on unpaved roads when they shouldn't. It's better to have the experts take you to the summit.
We attended this tour January 3, 2018. This gave us the rare opportunity to see the wolf moon and all the stars. I never knew how much light the moon provided at night.
I would do this again and recommend it to anybody who visits the Big Island.
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Packages: | Mauna Kea Sunset & Stargazing Tour with Dinner |
Attended as: | Couples |
Posted on: | 2018/01/09 |
Activity Date: | 2018/01/03 |
Reviewed by: Kiyu
日本語パイロットでなかったのが残念でした。
あと、前に座った2人が、ベージュ、赤色のトップスにショートパンツの洋服を着ていたせいで、ガラスにその色が反射して、スマホで写真撮ろうとしても映り込んで、最悪でした。
参加される方は長めの、せめて膝下丈のパンツで色は黒色、そしてトップスも黒色を必ず着ていくほうがベストですよ。
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Packages: | 基本プラン |
Attended as: | Couples |
Posted on: | 2018/01/03 |
Activity Date: | 2017/12/16 |
Reviewed by: Christine S.
Our original trip was postponed due to snow on the summit of Mauna Kea but we rescheduled and had an unforgettable experience. Our guide Hank was great. As well as his astronomy expertise, he provided lots of information on Hawaiian culture. The views on the way up to the summit were spectacular. Great photographic opportunities of the sunset, views and night sky.
I would thoroughly recommend this trip.
Rating: | |
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Packages: | Summit Sunset & Stargazing Adventure |
Attended as: | Families |
Posted on: | 2017/12/30 |
Activity Date: | 2017/12/04 |
Reviewed by: shannon
It was super and Tom was very professional and once whales were spotted, he circled back for an amazing look at breaching humpbacks. it was fantastic.... another lady was airsick on our trip, but tom handled it with amazing professionalism. I highly recommend this trip. highlight of our stay!
Rating: | |
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Packages: | Big Island Spectacular (1 hr 45 mins) |
Attended as: | Families |
Posted on: | 2017/12/22 |
Activity Date: | 2017/12/19 |
Reviewed by: たあちゃん
森でハワイミツスイを見たくて夫婦二人で参加しました。朝7時にホテルを出発、ガイドはゲイリー。他の参加者はアメリカ人老婦人3人グループと年配のアメリカ人男性1名で、皆熱心なバードウォッチャーでした。
初めの自己紹介とゲイリーの専門知識とユーモアを交えたトークで楽しくツアーは進んでいきました。参加者に配布された資料では、ハワイのミツスイ類が環境に応じて進化してきた様子がよく説明されてました。
晴れて澄んだ空気の中、ホテルを出てすぐのゴルフ場でネネ(ハワイガン)、草原を走ってプエオ(コミミズク)が順調に出ました。ゲイリーの鋭い目は、遠くの草の中のムナグロシャコやクロガオシャコも見つけます。
マウナケアのパリラ保護区の入り口で9時半頃にやっと朝食でしたが、パンそのものもおいしく、予想以上の内容でした。ここの乾燥林で黄色のパリラとアマキヒをしっかり見られました。
午後はサドルロードをマウナロアの雲霧林へ移動。森の中、溶岩の歩道を登っていき、森の中でのサンドイッチのランチもおいしかった。
この森では、赤いアパパネ多数と、最も見たかった真っ赤なイイウィも見られました。エレパイオも可愛い姿を見せました。イイウィが出た後、それまで小降りだった雨が激しくなってきたので、雨具を着込んで下山しました。その後もベニスズメやキマユカナリアなどきれいな移入種も楽しみ、午後5時にホテルに戻りました。
ガイドのゲイリーが、鳥はもちろん、ハワイの歴史や環境など詳しく説明してくれ、目的だった固有の鳥をかなり見ることができ、たいへん楽しい一日でした。
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Packages: | Test Package |
Attended as: | Couples |
Posted on: | 2017/12/03 |
Reviewed by: Jim M
Great ride and narrative. Only down side was some local light rain. Windy condition was handled well by the pilot. Flight video was a good option. All well done.
Rating: | |
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Packages: | Big Island Spectacular (1 hr 45 mins) |
Attended as: | Solo Travelers |
Posted on: | 2017/11/20 |
Activity Date: | 2017/11/15 |
Reviewed by: Richard V.
This was my second trip up to the summit of Mauna Kea for the Sunset & Stargazing Adventure. The drive up this time was smoother than the first, thankfully, and our guide was excellent. You could tell he was well-informed on all the topics he discussed. The catered Hawaiian dinner was very tasty, and in sufficient quantity to satisfy a good appetite. The only drawback this time was that the clock-drive on the telescope was not working, which took away from our ability to look at celestial objects at high magnification. I recommend this trip, and also that the tour company repair their clock drives!
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Packages: | Summit Sunset & Stargazing Adventure |
Attended as: | Friends |
Posted on: | 2017/11/18 |
Activity Date: | 2017/11/04 |
Reviewed by: Curt
This was one of the best tours ever! The high lite was the star gazing, holy cow was it fantastic!
Rating: | |
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Packages: | Summit Sunset & Stargazing Adventure |
Attended as: | Couples |
Posted on: | 2017/11/17 |
Activity Date: | 2017/11/14 |
Reviewed by: Brad
We had a great time in our trip. Our guide jeff was fantastic and took the time to make sure everyone had a great night. Highly recommend this trip.
Rating: | |
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Packages: | Summit Sunset & Stargazing Adventure |
Attended as: | Couples |
Posted on: | 2017/11/15 |
Activity Date: | 2017/11/12 |
Reviewed by: Ralphg
If you have the opportunity to visit Hawaii and the big island is on your agenda, the tour to the top of Mauna Kea is a must do !! The journey up and down the mountain is exhilarating, the views on the way up, stunning and the views from the top at sunset - unforgettable!!!!
Of course the weather gods can have their say and you could be unlucky.
Very impressed by the capability of our driver Joe who also made our star gazing even more memorable with his explanations and knowledge. You will leave with an impression of how “special” it is to visit the top of Mauna Kea and with an understanding of why the Hawaiian people see it as a place to be treated with respect
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Packages: | Summit Sunset & Stargazing Adventure |
Attended as: | Solo Travelers |
Posted on: | 2017/11/12 |
Activity Date: | 2017/11/09 |
Reviewed by: Yang
Its was a great tour as advertised, Pick up was on time. and Gordon is a good driver, friendly, take good cares of everyone. He and his buddy provided a great service for the entire tour. This is a great tour to take if you are just visiting big island for vacation. We were traveling light, dont want to prepare winter cloth. the tour provides what we need on the mountain. It was one of the best tour we took in big island. definitely will do again~~
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Packages: | Mauna Kea Sunset & Stargazing Tour with Dinner |
Attended as: | Couples |
Posted on: | 2017/11/06 |
Activity Date: | 2017/10/15 |
Reviewed by: CHENTING KO
Amazing flight, nice helicopter, all passengers with BOSE A20 headset, and our pilot (Chase) is very knowledgeable and gave us a very comfortable ride with amazing views of big island.
Rating: | |
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Packages: | Big Island Spectacular (1 hr 45 mins) |
Attended as: | Families |
Posted on: | 2017/11/03 |
Activity Date: | 2017/10/31 |
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この度はツアーにご参加いただき誠にありがとうございます。
しかしながら、ツアーにご満足いただくことができなかったとのこと、弊社としても大変残念に思っております。
日本語パイロットのリクエストに関しましては、ツアーページでもご案内申し上げておりますように確約ではございませんが、
せっかくご参加いただくのであれば、日本語での説明を期待されていたことと存じます。
また、他のお客様のお召し物が窓ガラスに映り込み、景色が見えづらかったという点についても残念でなりません。
いただきましたご意見は催行会社に共有をさせていただき、ともに改善を検討してまいります。
次回またハワイ島にお越しになることがありましたら、その際にはご満足いただけるツアーとなりますこと、心より願っております。
お忙しい中、貴重なご投稿を賜りまして、誠にありがとうございました。
またのご利用をお待ちしております。
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