Maunakea Stellar Explorer from Kona
- 6h 30m
- Free cancellation up to 24h before
- Guided in English
- Instant confirmation
Highlights
For an out-of-this-world experience, check out Maunakea Stellar Explorer from KapohoKine Adventures. This thrilling adventure is the only Big Island star tour to feature nighttime astronomical observing AND safe daytime solar viewing with all ages welcome! Our in-house stellar explorers are the best and most experienced in Hawaii with one having created the Mauna Kea Visitor’s Center and operated it for a decade. Others on staff have written noted articles and reviews for well-known astronomy magazines and have worked at world-class observatories. This tour does not visit Maunakea’s summit or Visitor Center out of deference to Native Hawaiian concerns.
Inclusions
What's included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Bottled water
- Driver/guide
- Dinner
- Jackets
What's not
- Gratuities
Itinerary
The adventure starts with dinner.
Next, you’ll travel across Saddle Road between Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa, two of the tallest and most massive volcanoes on Earth. Your National Park Service trained guide will discuss the volcanology, geology, and history of these monstrous wonders, as well as providing in-depth narration on the various lava flows and flora and fauna that you’ll be passing by. Lastly, your guide will take you to one of our preferred locations on Mauna Kea for nighttime stargazing.
You’ll observe deep sky and planetary objects through a large aperture Dobsonian telescope under one of the darkest and most pristine skies on planet Earth! Our Dobsonian telescopes are a true purist’s experience to view the night sky. Their fast focal ratio enables you to see sprawling wide field views of objects that simply aren’t possible with the types of telescopes used by other tours. Depending on what is visible in the current sky and weather permitting, you’ll observe galaxies, nebula, star clusters, planets, double star systems, the moon, and much more; all the highlights and showpiece objects like you’ve never seen before! Afterwards, warm up with Kona coffee and hot chocolate before returning to your resort. Warm jackets provided. This tour does not visit Maunakea’s summit out of deference to Native Hawaiian concerns.
Cancellation
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts, for a full refund.
Reviews
3.8
- 557
- 419
- 38
- 22
- 123
Ratings come from 109 reviews collected by our booking partner. They are travellers' own words, in the order they were written — never reordered to flatter the experience.
Know before you go
- Pickup
- Pickup is included for everyone.
- Ticket type
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Group size
- Up to 26 travellers
- Operated by
- Kapohokine Adventures
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
How it compares in Big Island of Hawaii
- Its from-price is 26% below the median of the 150 day trips we list in Big Island of Hawaii.
- Its length is typical for the group.
- By number of reviews it ranks 34 of 150.
- The operator lists free cancellation on it.
About Big Island of Hawaii
The Big Island of Hawaii is the largest and youngest of the main Hawaiian islands, with active volcanoes, black-sand beaches, coffee farms and clear skies.
The Big Island is larger than all the other Hawaiian islands combined and still being shaped by active volcanoes. Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has steaming craters, lava fields and the Chain of Craters Road down to the sea. Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa both rise above 4,000 metres, and snow dusts their summits in winter.
Top-ranked sights in Big Island of Hawaii: Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Rainbow Falls, Thurston Lava Tube (Nāhuku).
Special offers in Big Island of Hawaii
Was/now prices come from the operator, never from us.
25% offFree cancellationPrivate Shore Excursion Tour: Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
from
$1,995$1,496
