Reviewed by: Mr. Anonymous
Wonderful experience! Felt a bit rushed with having our dinner. Not enough bath room breaks, especially after having a cup of coffee after star gazing and then having a two hour drive back to our hotels, made for a very uncomfortable ride home.
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Packages: | Test Package |
Attended as: | Couples |
Posted on: | 2013/01/03 |
Reviewed by: Tanya W
Overall, this was fun.The main guide was knowledgeable and really knew his constellations. One negative was they should have had the single guy sit by the guide and let my husband & I sit together.They both ended up yelling to each other across the aisle over me on the drive back.
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Packages: | Test Package |
Attended as: | Couples |
Posted on: | 2013/01/03 |
Reviewed by: Mr. Anonymous
My wife, who is an avid bird watcher, convinced me to come on this tour. Okay, she basically dragged me here...and I seriously thought I was going to be miserable and bored the whole time....but I was honestly amazed at how much fun I had!
It was an entire day, but it didn't feel too long at all...in fact, there were so many new birds that I had never seen before that we were learning the names of and all, that I felt like by day's end we were just skimming the surface of all these rare species!
My wife teases me now when we talk about it, that I might have had even more fun than her! Great tour.
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Packages: | Test Package |
Attended as: | Couples |
Posted on: | 2013/01/03 |
Reviewed by: William
I would not recommend this activity unless you've already done most everything else on this island. Everyone we talked to after getting back was dis-appointed. It sure isn't what I thought. First the transportation isn't very convenient. Getting to and from the pick up points should be improved. Next on the way up the mountain we stopped at a gift/visitor shop. Thats where we had a cardboard box dinner in the van. Someone else said bring a sandwich. I also recomend that. Going on up the hill. The observatories we only got to see from the outside, and was just told about them. We did watch a nice sunset at 13,780 feet of elevation. It was a nice view although I like the sunsets over the beach better. After the sun went down we left and went down to about 7000 feet elevation and they set up 11inch Celestron telescopes. Nice telescopes, i have a friend who has one. We saw several stars and clusters ect. Beautiful clear sky. Chitchen-Itza ruins in Mexico was just a clear a
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Packages: | Test Package |
Attended as: | Couples |
Posted on: | 2013/01/03 |
Reviewed by: Mr. Anonymous
The trip was just amazing! Our guide was very entertaining and knowledgeable. Would go back and do this again! Can't believe the view! This is one of the few trips we will never forget!
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Packages: | Test Package |
Attended as: | Couples |
Posted on: | 2013/01/03 |
Reviewed by: Paul Kissell
this was my second time and it was better than the first time, and I brought my family this time.
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Packages: | Test Package |
Attended as: | Families with Young Children |
Posted on: | 2013/01/03 |
Reviewed by: Donna
I took my 74 year old mother. We had a great time. The guides were extremely knowledgable and helpful. The food wasn't the best but that wasn't the focus of the trip. It was nice to have real metal silver ware to use while eating our of our box. I highly recommend this trip. My husband and his son will take it in two weeks.
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Packages: | Test Package |
Attended as: | Families with Young Children |
Posted on: | 2013/01/03 |
Reviewed by: SAR
Great transportation, very knowledgeable guides/drivers, wonderful "star gazing," well prepared food (too much for one person to eat at one meal!) with stainless steel table service, warm parkas and gloves provided. Recommend wearing jeans, sneakers and socks, and perhaps a light jacket to wear under the parka. Understand that it will be cold at these altitudes and be wary of altitude sickness if you are normally near sea level. Be well rested when you go and altitude shouldn't be a problem since a couple of rests (and restroom stops) as you ascend are provided. On the ride back after excellent stargazing and a hot drink and cookie, really nice and varied selections of music were played! I've never seen such wonderful sky views! Hope to come again and bring grandchildren!
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Packages: | Test Package |
Attended as: | Families |
Posted on: | 2013/01/03 |
Reviewed by: Sylvia
The tour was excellent and the guide had a lot of passion for what he does, so it was kind of contagious. He told us a lot of interesting stories making the trip very entertain. Dinner was very good and they provide us with coats and globes which we really needed. Then we had a second stop to explain to us about the telescopes and what is being measured. Finally we arrived at the top. I must admit I got very sick, but the guide had warned us that it could happen and recommended to sit on the floor. That is exactly what I did. I didn’t like the feeling at all, but I saw the most beautiful sunset that I have ever seen so it was worth the bad 5 minutes feeling LOL but I wouldn’t recommend it to people with heart problems. After the breath taking view we went down and watch the starts through a telescope. The guide explained a lot of things I didn’t know. I am not very knowledgeable about astronomy but I really learned a lot and enjoy the time. I will definitely recommend it as a must see
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Packages: | Test Package |
Attended as: | Families with Young Children |
Posted on: | 2013/01/03 |
Reviewed by: Mr. Anonymous
Overall, this trip was fantastic, and you'll never see another sunset and night sky like it anywhere else. However, be wary of poor food (bring a sandwich) that is offered, and make sure your bus has air conditioning that works since it can be a long ride up the side of the mountain in 90+ heat.
Pros:
Great trip
Romantic
Educational
Cons:
No air conditioning in the van
Poor food
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Packages: | Test Package |
Attended as: | Couples |
Posted on: | 2013/01/03 |
Reviewed by: Gina
Awesome experience, you really feel like you are at the top of the world. Beautiful view and spectacular sunset.
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Packages: | Test Package |
Attended as: | Couples |
Posted on: | 2013/01/03 |
Reviewed by: Merla Salongcong
Alltogether it was a great experience. Everything was so well organized. Our guide, Anne, is AWESOME! She's very knowledgeable about everything we saw that evening and her enthusiasm is very much appreciated and infectious. She made the whole experience even better! Thanks guys!
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Packages: | Test Package |
Attended as: | Friends |
Posted on: | 2013/01/03 |
Reviewed by: Mr. Anonymous
Breath Taking Experience. Great Guide.
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Packages: | Test Package |
Attended as: | Couples |
Posted on: | 2013/01/03 |
Reviewed by: Angela and Dan
We booked this trip because Dan is very interested in astronomy. As we drove up to the summit we began to understand the magnificence of the view. The sunset was unbelievable and the experience unforgettable. When we came down the mountain to do our stargazing I saw the moon through the telescope as I have never seen it before. The detail of the craters was amazing. It was a beautiful evening and night. Thank you.
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Packages: | Test Package |
Attended as: | Couples |
Posted on: | 2013/01/03 |
Reviewed by: Karen
the stargazing afterwards was fantastic
the guides were both fantastic
absolutely perfect!
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Packages: | Test Package |
Attended as: | Couples |
Posted on: | 2013/01/03 |
Reviewed by: SnowMan
This is the most amazing / moving / breathtaking / spectacular tour I've ever taken in my life... Growing up in a city, I've never seen a night sky like that before... i thought i was seeing a cloud, but turned out to be the Milky Way... there were literally millions of stars in the sky... made me feel that we are a part of this vast galaxy...
the drive to Mauna Kea was fun... Pat, the guide, even stopped our vehicle to see the owl by the road... I even got to see the state bird, Nene, at the Onizuka Space Center...
Mauna Kea is such a spritual place, and I will never forget the sunset.. Oh, you have to take a tour to go up to the summit since you need a permit... it's not like Haleakala on Maui where everyone can go..
Do this tour if you are going to be in the Big Island... I recommend everyone to do this tour... Just amazing!!!
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Packages: | Test Package |
Attended as: | Friends |
Posted on: | 2013/01/03 |
Reviewed by: Cain
WOW! What a fun evening! We were reluctant to do this activity but it turned out be the most enjoyable of all of our adventures in Hawaii. You would never know you were in Hawaii atop this beautiful snow capped mountain. The sights are unbelievable and the sunset probably the best you will ever see. The staff was very knowledgeable and accommodating. This is a must do activity in Hawaii. You won稚 be disappointed.
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Packages: | Test Package |
Attended as: | Couples |
Posted on: | 2013/01/03 |
Reviewed by: Mary
WE had a great time. Learned alot. Our guide Gordon was wonderful.Full of information, my husband thought he had studied this in college and he had not.
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Packages: | Test Package |
Attended as: | Couples |
Posted on: | 2013/01/03 |
Reviewed by: Dusty
For you avid birdwatchers, this trip is a must do for the Big Island. You can't catch all the birds on the island without this tour. We only missed one native to Hawai'i! For this tour, we saw them all.
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Packages: | Test Package |
Attended as: | Couples |
Posted on: | 2013/01/03 |
Reviewed by: Mr. Anonymous
Having grown up in Hawaii, I have grown very fond of Mauna Kea and it is definitely my favorite place to be. This trip, though pricey, is well worth the expense. When will you ever see both the North Star and Southern Cross in one place? And when will you ever feel like you can just reach out and touch the stars. The staff is very knowledgeable and willing to answer any questions and concerns. This is by far the best tour I have ever taken on the Hawaiian islands. I highly recommend this to anyone looking for a unique adventure or anyone interested in the stars!
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Packages: | Test Package |
Attended as: | Friends |
Posted on: | 2013/01/03 |
Reviewed by: Carolyn S. Nelson
Over many years of taking tours, I have seen many tour guides. However Buck Pelley ranks at the top of the stack. He is incredibly knowledgeable on such topics as geology, astronomy, plant life, and the history of the area. I hope that Buck remains as a tour guide. I would take another tour with him anytime anywhere.
The only thing that I would improve on the tour is the dinner. Although I understand the challenge of bringing food to the top of Mona Kea, the fish could have been hotter with a lot less salt. While the soup was good it was barely warm. Cookies were excellent
Best wishes,
Carolyn Nelson
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Packages: | Test Package |
Attended as: | Friends |
Posted on: | 2013/01/03 |
Reviewed by: Kyla Sawyer
Absolutely amazing chance to view a sunset from the top of the world!
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Packages: | Test Package |
Attended as: | Friends |
Posted on: | 2013/01/03 |
Reviewed by: Dale Spady
The drive up the volcano is "trip" in itself. The steep, winding, narrow road with a shear dropoff on the side is a pulse pounder. Be ready for the thin atmosphere at the top. Overall, it was an exciting and very unique experience that I would recommend to all adults.
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Packages: | Test Package |
Attended as: | Friends |
Posted on: | 2013/01/03 |
Reviewed by: Brad
What a wonderful tour and an incredible and knowledgeable tour guide. We will never look at the stars in the same way. Don't miss this while on the Big Island, it's an awesome trip!
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Packages: | Test Package |
Attended as: | Families with Young Children |
Posted on: | 2013/01/03 |
Reviewed by: SFBayArea
This was a wonderful, amazing tour! The sunset view from the summit of Mauna Kea is incomparable. I felt like I was standing on top of the world. The stargazing was also wonderful. I never saw the stars so clearly before. My tour guide was Buck, who gave us a great astronomy beginner's lesson. He also was very professional, and knowledgeable about other aspects such as the culture, history, and environmental ecology of the island. I highly recommend this trip to everyone. Bring gloves and a knitted cap--you will use them. The tour company will provide parkas. Cookies and hot chocolate before stargazing was a nice touch!
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Packages: | Test Package |
Attended as: | Friends |
Posted on: | 2013/01/03 |
Reviewed by: D.ALDRIDGE
BEST NIGHTTIME ACTIVITY WE'VE EVER TAKEN PART IN !!!
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Packages: | Test Package |
Attended as: | Families with Young Children |
Posted on: | 2013/01/03 |
Reviewed by: 匿名希望
最高でした!たまたま操縦士の方が日本人だったことも,ありがたかったです。上空を飛んでいるときには丁寧なガイドをしてくださいました。カナダ人の家族と同乗することになりましたが,英語のガイドも楽しみつつ,みんなで感動を分かち合いました。
困った点としては,現地でホテルに着いたときに連絡をするのですが,その電話先の方が英語しかわからなかったことです。私も英語はほとんどわからないので,結局ホテルにある日本語デスクの方に協力をお願いして事なきを得ました。
値段は高いですが,この感動には十分見合った金額です。カップルでもファミリーでもおすすめのツアーです。
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Packages: | Test Package |
Attended as: | Couples |
Posted on: | 2013/01/03 |
Reviewed by: 匿名希望
2011.12月初旬に参加しました。
あいにく2009に溶岩を見に行くツアーに参加しましたが、溶岩のオーシャンエンターがガスの風向きで見れず、リベンジをと思いましたが、火山活動があまりなくオーシャンエンターは見れないとのことで、ヘリで上から見てみたいと参加しました。今回も小雨混じりで動いている溶岩は肉眼で少し確認できた程度でした。生えている木が溶岩に呑まれて炎が上がっている様子や、細い滝のようにがけを流れている溶岩が見れました。 また活発な活動の際にリベンジです。 しかし上空から昔溶岩に飲み込まれた町カラパナにまた家がぽつぽつ建ちだしている様子や、壮大にきれいに植えられているマカダミアナッツ農場を見れたりと楽しかったです。受付時の体重で席は決められるようで、ラッキーなことにパイロットの並び席でした。空港に戻る際にはみんなで会話を楽しむかんじでしたが、もっと英会話べんきょうしとくべきだったといつもの後悔でした。いろんな国の方が参加されていました。
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Packages: | Test Package |
Attended as: | Couples |
Posted on: | 2013/01/03 |
Reviewed by: 匿名希望
日本であんなに星がいっぱいみれることはないと思います。
すごく寒かったけど、サンセットも星空もすごくきれいでした。
星に詳しくないのもあり、英語での説明は半分ぐらいしか理解できてないと思います。
日本語のツアーが取れなかったので、こちらにしたのですが、行く前に少しは勉強していけばよかったと思うぐらいです。
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Packages: | Test Package |
Attended as: | Families |
Posted on: | 2013/01/03 |
Reviewed by: 匿名希望
搭乗したヘリコプターからの景色を写したDVDを購入できるのですが、画質(発色)が悪く、記録年月日も全く違うという非常に困ったものでした。
実際の景色がきれいであっただけに残念です。
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Packages: | Test Package |
Attended as: | Families with Young Children |
Posted on: | 2013/01/03 |
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