Mauna Kea Summit Adventures
Mauna Kea Summit Adventures was the original sightseeing company to begin tours up to the summit of Mauna Kea to view the dramatic landscape, get a glimpse of the variety of observatories there and to view the heavens from that altitude through telescopes that were carried up in the vans with them. On the summit, your guide will point out the observatories as they begin to open their domes and rotate into position. There are great photo opportunities as sunset transforms the area into a beautiful spectacle. Then the tour descends to mid-mountain where using a large portable telescope you'll observe the treasures of the night sky and sip on hot chocolate and eat a warm meal. …
| Description: Learn about the geography, geology and natural history of the island on the drive up the mountain. First stop to acclimate to the altitude is at the Onizuka Visitors Center at 9,000 ft. Guests will be served a soup and sandwich supper, and be fitted with parkas and gloves before continuing on the steep .5 hour drive to the top of Mauna Kea (13,796 ft). On the summit, your guide will point out the observatories as they begin to open their domes and rotate into position. There are great photo opportunities as sunset transforms the area into a beautiful spectacle. Then the tour descends to mid-mountain where using a large portable telescope you"ll observe the treasures of the night sky and sip on hot chocolate. Mountain Environment: Mauna Kea averages 325 clear nights a year. Most of the unfavorable nights are predictable and about 8% of the trips are cancelled for that reason. Occasionally unexpected clouds or inclement weather may affect a trip in progress. About 5% of the trips are affected by undesirable weather. In any case Mauna Kea is a cold and sometimes windy place. MKSA does not guarantee the weather, but they do promise to stay well informed and to cancel when they feel that weather is likely to spoil the scenic nature of the trip. This is a shared group adventure activity; a most unique and rich experience is your reward for the long and sometimes rugged trip.
Departure Point: Pick-up/return to Lanihau Center, Jct. of Hwy 190 and 200 in Kona or the Queens Market Place at Waikoloa
Operates: Daily: weather permitting. Most of the unfavorable nights are predictable and about 8% of the trips are cancelled for that reason.
Duration: 7 to 8 hours
(..more info) | Your Price | | All Passengers 13 and | $192.00 | $181.90 | | |
Land Tours on Hawaii by Mauna Kea Summit Adventures
Summit Adventure 
