Reviewed by: かつか
The sunset at the summit of Mauna Kea and the stargazing nearby were absolutely amazing. During the stargazing, the guide provided explanations about the stars, which were easy to understand. I was able to see stars that I can't see in Japan. Since the elevation is high, I was worried about altitude sickness, but it was good to have lunch at a lower elevation to acclimatize. Even so, I felt a bit uncomfortable after just a little movement. It gets cold at the summit, so make sure to prepare adequately with warm clothing like a sweatshirt.
マウナケア山頂でのサンセットと近くでの星空観測は最高に良かったです。星空観測では、ガイドさんが星の解説をしてくれて、わかりやすかったです。日本では見れない星も見れました。標高が高いので高山病が心配でしたが、中腹で高度順応をかねてお弁当を食べたのが良かったです。それでも少し動いただけで苦しくなりました。山頂は寒いのでトレーナーなどで防寒対策は万全に
| Rating: | |
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| Packages: | 2名様以上プラン |
| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2017/12/15 |
| Activity Date: | 2017/12/12 |
Reviewed by: ヨッシー
I only walked slowly along the road, so I wanted to enjoy more varied scenery and a leisurely pace. For those who are riding a horse for the first time, it might be satisfying.
道路をゆっくり歩いただけだったので、もっと変化のある景色や並足程度は楽しみたかった。
馬に乗るのが初めての人には、満足かも。
| Rating: | |
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| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2017/12/11 |
| Activity Date: | 2017/12/08 |
Reviewed by: ある人
The weather had been bad for about ten days leading up to the event, but on the day itself, it was clear and the sunset was incredibly beautiful, almost bringing me to tears. I knew that it was a full moon that day, so I wasn't expecting much from the starry sky, but it didn't quite turn out to be a sky full of stars. However, we were treated to a supermoon, which was very beautiful. On the way back, I even got to see a moonbow (a white rainbow), which is said to bring happiness.
Mauna Kea became my best memory from my trip to Hawaii. Our guide, Matsuzaki, was very enjoyable and provided great explanations, and he was very attentive, which made the experience even more exciting and fun.
前日まで10日間ほどお天気が悪かったそうですが、当日は快晴でサンセットが最高に綺麗で、感動で涙が出そうになりました。
星空は当日が満月だということをわかって参加していたので、期待していなかったのでよかったのですが、降るような星空というわけにはいきませんでした。でも代わりにスーパームーンということで、月が非常に綺麗でした。そして帰路、幸せになるという、月虹(白い虹)まで見ることができました。
マウナケア山がハワイ島へ行って一番の思い出になりました。
ガイドの松崎さん、ナチュラルハイ、とのことでとても楽しく説明していただき、そして豆に動いていただき、一層盛り上がり楽しい時間でした。
| Rating: | |
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| Packages: | 2名様以上プラン |
| Attended as: | Friends |
| Posted on: | 2017/12/10 |
| Activity Date: | 2017/12/03 |
Reviewed by: コウゼン
My childhood dream has come true. With our knowledgeable guide, Jin, and the wonderful people I met on the tour, I was able to celebrate an unforgettable silver wedding anniversary. Thank you very much.
子どもの頃からの夢が叶いました。知識豊富なガイドのジンさん、そしてツアーで出会った素敵な皆さん。
忘れられない銀婚式を祝うことが出来ました。ありがとうございました。
| Rating: | |
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| Packages: | 2名様以上プラン |
| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2017/12/09 |
| Activity Date: | 2017/11/13 |
Reviewed by: Yoobon
This time, the weather and timing were perfect, and I was able to fully enjoy the starry sky for about an hour until sunset and moonrise. The view of the sunset from the summit of Mauna Kea was breathtaking. The sight of world-class universities and research institutions with their observatories lined up was also impressive. The guide's explanations were interesting and enjoyable, and I got some great photos taken using various techniques, which made for wonderful memories. Next time, I would like to see the summer sky.
今回は、天候もタイミングも良く、日没の時間と月の出までの約1時間で、星空を満喫することができました。マウナケア山頂からの夕日はの眺めは、感動しました。世界トップクラスの大学や、研究機関の天文台が連なって、建っている姿も圧巻でした。ガイドさんの解説は興味深くかつ楽しく、またテクニックを駆使した写真を取ってもらい、良い記念になりました。次回は夏の空を見てみたいと思いました。
| Rating: | |
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| Packages: | 【10日前までのお申込みで無料特典】基本プラン |
| Attended as: | Friends |
| Posted on: | 2017/12/08 |
| Activity Date: | 2017/12/04 |
Reviewed by: ケンタロウ
It was cold. It was extremely cold. Even though it's Hawaii, it's better to prepare warm clothing without underestimating it. Of course, the tour company also provides warm clothing. The sunset had colors that are beyond words, and the starry sky was on a completely different level. The guide's explanation of the constellations was very easy to understand and enjoyable.
寒かった。めちゃくちゃ寒かったです。ハワイですが 舐めて掛からず防寒着は準備した方が良いです。もちろんツアー会社さんの方でも防寒着は用意してくれています。サンセットの言葉で表現出来ない素晴らしい色合い、そして星空って言っても桁違いの星空です。ガイドさんの星座案内もとてもわかりやすく楽しめました。
| Rating: | |
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| Packages: | 2名様以上プラン |
| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2017/12/06 |
| Activity Date: | 2017/12/05 |
Reviewed by: たあちゃん
We participated as a couple because we wanted to see the Hawaiian honeycreepers in the forest. We left the hotel at 7 AM, and our guide was Gary. The other participants were a group of three elderly American women and one older American man, all enthusiastic birdwatchers.
The tour progressed enjoyably with initial introductions and Gary's knowledgeable and humorous talk. The materials distributed to participants explained well how the Hawaiian honeycreepers have evolved according to their environment.
In the clear, sunny air, we quickly spotted the Nene (Hawaiian goose) at the golf course just outside the hotel, and the Pueo (short-eared owl) running through the grass. Gary's sharp eyes also found the Pacific golden plover and the black-crowned night heron in the distance among the grass.
Around 9:30 AM, we finally had breakfast at the entrance of the Palila Reserve on Mauna Kea, and the bread itself was delicious, exceeding our expectations. We were able to see the yellow Palila and Amakihi well in the dry forest here.
In the afternoon, we moved along Saddle Road to the cloud forest of Mauna Loa. Climbing up the lava path in the forest, the sandwich lunch was also tasty. In this forest, we saw many red Apapane and the bright red Iiwi, which we had been most eager to see. The Elepaio also showed its cute appearance. After the Iiwi appeared, the light rain that had been falling intensified, so we put on our rain gear and descended. We also enjoyed beautiful introduced species like the red-billed leiothrix and the yellow-faced grassquit, returning to the hotel at 5 PM.
Gary, our guide, provided detailed explanations about the birds as well as Hawaii's history and environment, and we were able to see a significant number of the native birds we aimed to see. It was a very enjoyable day.
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。
| Rating: | |
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| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2017/12/03 |
Reviewed by: KIRIN
The road to the summit was closed... I was really looking forward to it, so it's disappointing. At the time of departure, they said we could cancel and get a refund due to the road closure, but since there was a possibility that the closure might be lifted and I didn't have any other plans, I decided to participate. In the end, the weather wasn't good, and the road remained closed, so I couldn't see the starry sky. However, I did get to see the sunset and a rainbow through a break in the clouds, which was nice. But considering it cost nearly 40,000 yen for two people, I think it might have been better to cancel after all. (^^;
山頂までの道が通行止め。。
楽しみにしていたのに残念でしたー。
出発時、通行止めということでキャンセルも出来るし返金するとのことでしたが
ひょっとして通行止め解除になるかも?で他の予定がなかったのもあり
悩みましたが参加してみました。
結局天気が良くなくて通行止めのままだったし星空も見れなかったけど
雲の切れ目から夕日とそこから虹も見れたのまぁよかったけど
ただ
日本円で2人で4万弱なのでそれ考えるとキャンセルしても良かったな~と(^^;
| Rating: | |
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| Packages: | 2名様以上プラン |
| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2017/12/03 |
| Activity Date: | 2017/11/29 |
Reviewed by: kobakoba
I wanted to see the sunset from the summit of Mauna Kea again on our 25th wedding anniversary, which I booked (though it doesn't align with Japan time) since we visited the Big Island for our honeymoon 25 years ago.
We were staying at a B&B, so we were picked up at the entrance of Kona Mountain Coffee near the airport. The large van was fully booked with 13 people. Due to bad weather, the mountain had been closed for four days, and it was finally open again… everything about this trip felt lucky!
Our guide, JIN, who was quite big, kept us entertained with his lively talk in the van (laughs). Around 3:30 PM at the Onizuka Visitor Center, we had an early dinner with bento boxes, warm miso soup, and drinks, and put on our ski pants. We took photos at a beautiful spot with a sea of clouds, and everyone bundled up in their ski jackets as we headed to the summit.
The sea of clouds changes every day, so the way the sunset reflects varies, allowing us to see different sunsets each day. The clouds looked like snow! Without any wind, we felt truly lucky. As the sun gradually set, the surroundings turned orange… it was moving. I might have extended my life (laughs).
Once the sun set, we moved down in the van because the headlamps would interfere with the observation. We waited until it got darker, and warm drinks and cookies were distributed. The star explanations were given by another tour guide, Ishikawa.
Looking up at the sky made my neck a bit sore, but the starry sky was so overwhelming it felt like they were falling. JIN took many photos with his hobbyist telescope camera, being considerate since it was our silver wedding anniversary (the photos can be downloaded later with a password). The photos that can't be captured on a smartphone will become one of our precious memories.
We were dropped off at the meeting point around 9 PM, and since we were a bit hungry, we stopped by Subway to take out sandwiches on our way back to the accommodation.
Thank you, JIN! The next day, for our final dinner, we made a reservation at a restaurant you recommended where we could see the sunset! Please continue to help many people create wonderful memories!
25年前の新婚旅行で訪れたハワイ島でもう一度マウナケア山頂からの夕陽が見たくて25回目の結婚記念日(日本時間とはずれますが)に予約をしました
私たちはB&Bに宿泊していたので、飛行場近くのコナマウンテンコーヒー入口でピックアップしていただきました
大きなバンに13名満席でした
4日間悪天候の為山がクローズしていて、久しぶりのオープンとのこと…今回の旅行は何だか全てラッキー!
大きな大きな(身体がbig)ガイドのJINさんはバンの中でも軽快トークで飽きさせません(笑)
オニヅカビジターセンターで15:30頃早夕食のお弁当と温かい味噌汁、飲み物をとり、スキーウェアのパンツを履きます。雲海が綺麗なスポットで写真を撮り、スキーウェアの上着を着て全員モコモコギュウギュウ詰めで山頂へ
雲海は毎日出方が違うので、雲海の出方によって夕陽の映り方も違い、日々違う夕陽が見れるそうです
雲海がまるで雪のよう!風もなく本当にラッキー
だんだん陽が沈み、辺りがオレンジ色に…感動です
寿命が延びたかも(笑)
陽が沈むとヘッドライトが観測の妨げになるとかで、バンで下の方へ移動します。そこでもっと暗くなるまで待ちます。暖かい飲み物とクッキーが配られました
星の説明はもう1組のツアーガイドの石川さんが
空を見上げて少し首が痛くなりましたが、降ってくるかと思うくらいの星空でした
JINさんが趣味という望遠カメラでたくさんの写真を撮ってくれました。銀婚式ということで気を遣ってたくさん撮ってくれました(写真は後日パスワードを受け取りダウンロードできます)
スマホでは撮れないような写真はまた大切な思い出のひとつになります
集合場所に送り届けてもらったのが9時頃、さすがに小腹がすいたので、宿に戻る途中、サブウェイでサンドイッチをテイクアウトして帰りました
JINさん、ありがとうございました!
翌日最終日の夕食は教えていただいた夕陽が見れるレストランに予約をして行ってきました!
これからもたくさんの人達の素敵な思い出作り、頑張って下さい!
| Rating: | |
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| Packages: | 2名様以上プラン |
| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2017/12/02 |
| Activity Date: | 2017/11/21 |
Reviewed by: yumo
On the day I participated, I was lucky enough to see a beautiful sunset and starry sky! The summit of Mauna Kea was unimaginably cold, but I was able to manage thanks to the warm clothing they provided. Additionally, they took photos at each point, and there was a service to download them for free from a dedicated site, allowing us to get pictures with the starry sky in the background that we couldn't have taken ourselves! Depending on the weather on the day of participation, it seems that you might not be able to reach the summit or see the stars well, so I really feel lucky. If I could wish for something, I would be happier if the quality of the bento was a bit higher.
私が参加した日は運よくサンセットも星空もとってもきれいに見れました!マウナケアの山頂は想像を絶する寒さでしたが、防寒着を貸し出していただけたので我慢できました。また、ポイントごとに写真も撮っていただけて、無料で専用サイトからダウンロードできるサービスもあり、自分たちで撮影することのできない星空をバックにした写真なども撮っていただけました!参加日の天候によっては、山頂まで登れなかったり星空があまり見えなかったりするようなので、本当にラッキーだったなと思います。欲を言えば、お弁当のクオリティーがもう少し高いと嬉しいです。
| Rating: | |
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| Packages: | 【10日前までのお申込みで無料特典】基本プラン |
| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2017/12/01 |
| Activity Date: | 2017/11/22 |
Reviewed by: キミー
I was hoping for a starry sky, but there were clouds, and even at an altitude of 3,000 meters, I realized it was difficult to see perfectly. It was my second time, and I was disappointed.
満天の星空を期待しましたが、雲があり3000メートールの高さでも、完璧にはなかなか見ることができないことを痛感しました。二度目だったのですが、残念〜
| Rating: | |
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| Packages: | 2名様以上プラン |
| Attended as: | Friends |
| Posted on: | 2017/11/28 |
| Activity Date: | 2017/11/25 |
Reviewed by: 星空観察人
I participated in this tour on November 17, 2017, expecting a sky full of stars. Unfortunately, due to strong winds, we couldn't go to the observation deck at the summit of Mauna Kea, but our guides (Ishikawa and Matsuzaki) set up another viewing point on Mauna Kea, and we were able to enjoy a very satisfying stargazing experience. They set up a telescope so we could see Saturn and shared fun stories about the stars under the real night sky. The real Milky Way is truly moving. We also had the opportunity to take photos with the starry sky as a backdrop, which became a wonderful keepsake.
Once it was confirmed that we couldn't go to the observation deck, they efficiently moved us to another sunset point, and we were able to take photos at a great timing. Despite the many challenges posed by nature, I truly appreciate the sincere efforts of the guides to make our experience enjoyable. It was a truly wonderful experience. If I ever have the chance again, I would love to see that starry sky once more.
☆2017/11/17参加
今回は満天の星空を期待し、こちらのツアーに参加させて頂きました。残念ながら強風の為マウナケア山頂の展望台に行くことが出来ませんでしたが、ガイドのお二人が(イシカワさん、マツザキさん)マウナケアの別のポイントをセッティングして下さり、大満足の星空観測を堪能する事が出来ました。土星がみられるように天体望遠鏡をセットし、皆に見せて下さったり、本物の星空の下にて楽しい星のお話をして頂きました。本物のミルキーウェイは本当に感動的です。また、星空をバックに写真撮影もして頂きました。とても良い記念になりました。
展望台に登れない事が確定した時点で、手際よく別のサンセットポイントへ移動され、とても良いタイミングで写真撮影もしていただきました。
自然に左右される事も多い中、少しでも我々を楽しませようとして下さる、ガイドの方の誠意ある対応に、本当に感謝しております。
本当に素晴らしい体験でした。もしもいつか機会があれば、またあの星空を見たいなあと思ってしまいます。
| Rating: | |
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| Packages: | 2名様以上プラン |
| Attended as: | Friends |
| Posted on: | 2017/11/28 |
| Activity Date: | 2017/11/17 |
Reviewed by: kobakoba
Our tour included three couples from the mainland besides my husband and me. There was also a Japanese tour with a guide fluent in Japanese at the same meeting time, but the instructions and riding techniques were explained so thoroughly that we had no trouble at all with the English tour.
I was unsure about wearing a helmet. If you're worried, you can wear one, but the other couples weren't wearing helmets, so we decided not to. All the horses were well-trained (though some were quite greedy and tended to wander off), so it was fine without a helmet.
There was a bag available at the stable that you could borrow for free. You can put drinks, smartphones, and digital cameras in it. One person on the same tour attached a handle to their digital camera and took lots of photos while riding. I thought it would be a hassle to carry a selfie stick, so I just took my smartphone, but I was nervous about dropping it while taking pictures. I wished I had attached it to the selfie stick.
We also rode through the beautiful nature along the river, soaking in plenty of negative ions.
It was an afternoon tour, and it drizzled a bit on the way, but we were lucky that it didn't rain at Waipi'o! I would love to go horseback riding again when I visit the Big Island.
私たちのツアーには私たち夫婦以外に本土からのカップルが3組でした。同じ集合時間で日本語が堪能なガイドによる日本語ツアーもありましたが、注意事項も乗り方も丁寧に教えて下さるので英語でも全く不便はありませんでした。
迷ったのはヘルメットの着用。心配なら着用、他のカップルは着用なしだったので着用なしで。馬はどの子も良く調教されてるので(一部かなり食いしん坊で寄り道の多い子もいましたが)ヘルメットなしでも大丈夫でした。
馬屋に蔵につけるバッグがあり、無料で借りれます。
飲み物やスマホ、デジカメなど入れておくことができます。同じツアーの方がデジカメにハンドルをつけて乗馬しながらバシバシ写真を撮ってました。私は荷物になるかとスマホの自撮り棒を外してスマホのみ持って行きましたが、落としそうでハラハラしながら撮影してました。自撮り棒につけていけば良かったなと思いました。
大自然の中川の中も進んで行きます。マイナスイオンをたっぷり浴びてきました。
午後からのツアーで、行く途中パラパラと雨が降っていましたが、ワイピオは雨が降らなくてラッキーでした!またハワイ島に行った時には乗馬したいです。
| Rating: | |
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| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2017/11/27 |
| Activity Date: | 2017/11/20 |
Reviewed by: ケン坊
Since retiring at 65, my dream has been to fulfill my childhood longing for space by visiting Mauna Kea.
I spent two years planning under the conditions of a new moon during the off-season, thoroughly researching direct flight tours to the Big Island, and spent two weeks online looking into Mauna Kea tours before choosing Masashi's tour.
After witnessing the splendid sunset with the Subaru Telescope proudly glowing red, I was able to see the starry sky a little further down. However, clouds started to appear after a while, which was a bit concerning, but as Mr. Otaka suggested, waiting paid off as the skies cleared beautifully.
Everyone says it’s like a planetarium, and I thought it couldn’t be that great, but it truly felt like a planetarium.
Additionally, the Leonids meteor shower coincided with our visit, providing the best conditions with occasional shooting stars and the Milky Way.
From the moment I got into the welcoming car, Mr. Otaka's high-energy tour began. I bombarded him with various questions during the ride, and he provided precise answers that were far superior to what I found in books or online, which greatly benefited my travels in the following days.
Thank you very much.
65歳でリタイアしてからの夢は、
少年のころからの宇宙への憧れを、
マウナケアに行って満たすことでした。
2年かけて新月でシーズンオフの条件で計画し、
ハワイ島直行便ツアーを調べつくし、
2週間ネットでマウナケアツアーを調べつくして、
マサシさんのツアーを選びました。
スバル天文台が誇らしげに赤く輝く極上の夕陽を見た後、
少し下った所で星空が見えました。
が、暫くして雲が出て来てやや危なかったですが、
大高さんの言う通りに待つときれいに晴れてきました。
皆さんまるでプラネタリウムと言うけれど、
そこまでは無いでしょうと思ってましたが、
本当にプラネタリウム見たいでした。
さらにしし座流星群も重なり、
時折の流れ星と天の川最高の条件でした。
迎えの車に乗った時から大高さんのハイなツアーが始まり、
車中で様々な質問を浴びせましたが、
本やネットとは別格の的確な答えをいただき
翌日以降の旅にとっても良かったです。
ありがとうございました。
| Rating: | |
|---|---|
| Packages: | 2名様以上プラン |
| Attended as: | Families |
| Posted on: | 2017/11/24 |
| Activity Date: | 2017/11/16 |
Reviewed by: タクパパ
It was my first experience riding a horse, but I got used to it in about 30 minutes. The guide was flexible and provided support throughout the ride. Since we walked along narrow paths in the valley, the horse stopped to drink water and eat grass along the way, and we even passed by cars, which helped me improve my reins handling. They also took some great photos.
The meeting point was quite far and hard to find. I was a bit nervous during the journey, but somehow I understood the pickup fee.
乗馬初体験でしたが30分ほどで慣れてきました。
ガイドの方が前後について、臨機応変にサポートしてくれました。渓谷の細い道を歩くので途中で馬が水を飲んだり草を食べたり、途中で車とすれ違うことも、おかげで手綱さばきも上手くなりました。いい写真も撮ってくれました。
集合場所は遠くわかりづらいですね
道中ハラハラドキドキ、ピックアップの料金になぜか納得しました?
| Rating: | |
|---|---|
| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2017/11/20 |
| Activity Date: | 2017/11/17 |
Reviewed by: Josh
Had a great time with beautiful surroundings and very cooperative horses!!! Would definitely do it again.
| Rating: | |
|---|---|
| Packages: | Waipio Horseback Ride & Waterfalls Adventure |
| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2017/11/19 |
| Activity Date: | 2017/11/14 |
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!
| Rating: | |
|---|---|
| Packages: | Summit Sunset & Stargazing Adventure |
| Attended as: | Friends |
| Posted on: | 2017/11/18 |
| Activity Date: | 2017/11/04 |
Reviewed by: さとっち
After eating lunch at the Onizuka Visitor Center, we put on our warm clothing and were about to head to the summit when the road to the summit was closed due to snow and icy conditions. I understand that this is nature, and it can't be helped, but I have questions about the subsequent handling of the situation.
We were left at Onizuka for over 30 minutes without any explanation, then we were taken back to the car and descended. Just when I thought, "Are we going home like this?" we returned to the parking lot at 2000 meters, received a refund of $15 per person, and were left waiting again...? When I checked with the guide, I was told, "We descended because you can't see the sunset from Onizuka."
Of course, due to the thick clouds, we couldn't see the sunset, and after being taken back to the car, I was wondering, "What will happen next?" We returned to the dark Onizuka, and when we arrived, the driver and guide left us in the car and went outside. We were left in the cramped car for about 30 minutes, still in our warm clothing, without any explanation. Everyone started expressing their dissatisfaction, saying things like "It's hot," "What will happen next?" and "I want to get out of the car." Finally, the guide returned and let us out.
There seemed to be about 25 of us on the tour with two cars. During that time, I was quite irritated by the sound of the guides laughing outside.
After that, they used a laser pointer to explain the constellations against a sky where only three stars were visible due to the thick clouds, but at that point, I just wanted to go back to the hotel. Since our time on the Big Island is limited, I think it would be better to have the option to descend instead of forcing a tour that can't do anything.
Our guide had the stance of "Please ask anything if you have questions," so perhaps I should have asked more questions, but since it was a change in the tour itinerary, I would have appreciated explanations each time. More than being unable to go to the summit due to the weather, I was most disappointed with the guide's handling of the situation.
I heard that on 90% of the days, you can reach the summit, but on 10% of the days, you cannot. I was told that in January of this year, there were more than ten consecutive days when the summit was inaccessible. I think it's better for those who are looking forward to it to understand in advance that there may be disappointing outcomes.
オニズカビジターセンターでお弁当を食べた後、
防寒着を着込み、これから山頂へ・・・というところで、
雪と路面凍結の為に、山頂への道がクローズされました。
自然のことなので仕方がないのは理解できますが、
その後の対応に疑問が残ります。
何の説明もないまま30分以上オニズカで放置状態、
その後車に戻されて下山「このまま帰るの?」と思ったら、
2000Mのパーキングまで戻り、1人-15ドルの返金を受け、また放置状態・・・?
ガイドに確認すると「オニズカでは日の入りが見れないから下山した」とのこと。
もちろん雲が厚く日の入りを見ることはできず、また車に戻されて、
「これからどうなるの?」って思っていたら、また真っ暗なオニズカに戻り、
着いたらドライバー兼ガイドは私たちを残したまま車外に出てしまい、
30分くらい狭い車の中で、防寒着を着たまま何の説明もなく放置され、
みんなが「暑い」「これからどうなるの?」「車から出たい」など、
それぞれが不満を口にするようになったところで、
やっとガイドが帰ってきて車外へ出してくれました。
私たちのツアーは車2台で25名前後いたように思います。
その間、車外から聞こえるガイド同士の笑い声にかなりイラっとしました。
その後、厚い雲で3個しか星が見えない空に向かって、レーザーポインターを使って
星座の説明をして下さいましたが、こんなことならさっさとホテルに帰りたかったです。
ハワイ島の滞在時間はわずかなので、何にもできないツアーを無理に継続するのではなく、
ツアー客の多数決を取るなりして、下山するという選択肢もあっていいと思います。
私たちのガイドは「質問があったら何でも聞いて下さい」というスタンスだったので、
こちらが何度も質問すればよかったのかも知れませんが、
ツアー自体の行程変更なので、その都度説明をしていただきたかったです。
天候で山頂に行けなかったことより、御社のガイドの対応が一番残念でした。
9割の日は山頂まで行けるけど、1割の日は行けないことがあるそうです。
今年の1月は10日以上山頂に行けない日が続いたそうです。
楽しみにしていても残念な結果になることがあることを、
事前に納得して参加された方がいいと思います。
| Rating: | |
|---|---|
| Packages: | 2名様以上プラン |
| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2017/11/18 |
| Activity Date: | 2017/11/11 |
Reviewed by: Curt
This was one of the best tours ever! The high lite was the star gazing, holy cow was it fantastic!
| Rating: | |
|---|---|
| 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: | |
|---|---|
| Packages: | Summit Sunset & Stargazing Adventure |
| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2017/11/15 |
| Activity Date: | 2017/11/12 |
Reviewed by: 権兵衛
It was mostly cloudy, and unfortunately, we could hardly see the sunset or the starry sky. The tour guide was bright and cheerful, which was satisfying. However, we couldn't win against nature...
ほとんどが曇っていて、夕陽をはじめ星空はほとんど観測できず、残念。添乗員の方は、明るく元気で満足。ただ、自然には勝てず・・・。
| Rating: | |
|---|---|
| Packages: | 2名様以上プラン |
| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2017/11/13 |
| Activity Date: | 2017/10/30 |
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
| Rating: | |
|---|---|
| Packages: | Summit Sunset & Stargazing Adventure |
| Attended as: | Solo Travelers |
| Posted on: | 2017/11/12 |
| Activity Date: | 2017/11/09 |
Reviewed by: ゆうたろ★さぶ
It takes a long time to get on the horse. We went down the valley in a four-wheel drive vehicle, and it was quite an old car! The engine warning light was on, which was a bit scary.
The horses are well-trained, so it's safe. Even beginners will be fine.
Also, you can't go to the bathroom for about three hours. Just a heads up. Plus, the bathroom you can use before that is really dirty!
馬に乗るまでが長い。渓谷を四駆で下っていきます。しかも結構年季の入った車!エンジンの警告灯がついていたし、ちょっと怖かったです。
馬は調教されていて安心です。初心者でも大丈夫です。
それから3時間くらいトイレに行けません。注意です。しかも、その前に行けるトイレめっちゃ汚い!
| Rating: | |
|---|---|
| Packages: | 午前プラン |
| Attended as: | Families |
| Posted on: | 2017/11/10 |
| Activity Date: | 2017/11/07 |
Reviewed by: アロハ
This was my second time at Mauna Kea. I barely managed to see the sunset, but unfortunately, I couldn't enjoy the starry sky. During my first visit to Mauna Kea, I was blessed with good weather and was able to fully enjoy the sea of clouds, the sunset, and the starry sky, which I realize now was very lucky.
2度目のマウナケアでした。サンセットはかろうじて見れたという感じでしたが、星空は残念ながら拝むことができません。はじめてのマウナケアは、天候に恵まれ、雲海も、サンセットも、星空も満喫できたのは、とてもラッキーだったのだと…
Thank you very much for participating in the tour.
We are truly sorry to hear that you were unable to see the stars due to bad weather.
We sincerely hope that when you visit the Big Island again, you will be able to enjoy both the sunset and the starry sky, and that it will be a satisfying tour for you.
Thank you for taking the time to provide your valuable feedback.
We look forward to serving you again.
VELTRA Customer Support Team
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、悪天候により星空をご覧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。
次回またハワイ島にお越しになることがありましたら、その際にはサンセット、星空ともにお楽しみいただけ、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。
VELTRAカスタマーサポートチーム
| Rating: | |
|---|---|
| Packages: | 1名様プラン |
| Attended as: | Solo Travelers |
| Posted on: | 2017/11/09 |
| Activity Date: | 2017/02/26 |
Reviewed by: ちかぽん
Mr. Matsuzaki greeted us with high energy in the welcoming car. He kept us entertained during the ride, making it a fun tour. We were blessed with great weather and enjoyed the wonderful views, and he explained the stars clearly using a laser pointer. He also shared various information about Hawaii, which made it truly enjoyable. Thank you very much.
お迎えの車でいきなりのハイテンションの松崎さん。
車内でも楽しませてくれて楽しいツアーでした。
天気にも恵まれて素晴らしい眺望を堪能して、星の説明もレーザーポインターでわかりやすく説明して下さいました。
ハワイの情報も色々と教えて下さり本当に楽しかったです。
ありがとうございました。
| Rating: | |
|---|---|
| Packages: | 【10日前までのお申込みで無料特典】基本プラン |
| Attended as: | Families |
| Posted on: | 2017/11/09 |
| Activity Date: | 2017/11/06 |
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~~
| Rating: | |
|---|---|
| Packages: | Mauna Kea Sunset & Stargazing Tour with Dinner |
| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2017/11/06 |
| Activity Date: | 2017/10/15 |
Reviewed by: ハワイ島フリーク
This was my several visits to the Big Island, but I had never been to Mauna Kea before. One reason was my concern about altitude sickness, but after participating for the first time, I felt that worry was unnecessary. Certainly, some caution is needed, but the staff provided thorough explanations, and as long as you follow their instructions, you can enjoy a wonderful sunset and beautiful stars without any worries.
Climbing to over 4,000 meters for the first time gave me the illusion of being on another planet rather than Earth. I believe this is a sensation you can't experience anywhere else.
既に数度目のハワイ島でしたが、これまでマウナケアには行ったことがありませんでした。ひとつには高山病への心配もあったからですが、初めて参加してみて、その心配は不要だったと思いました。確かにある程度の注意は必要ですが、スタッフの方が丁寧に説明してくださり、その指示にさえ従っておれば、基本的には何の心配も無く、素晴らしい夕日と、きれいな星を堪能できます。
初めて4000メートルを超える高地に登り、地球ではなく、他の惑星に居るような錯覚を覚えました。これは他では体験できない感覚だと思います。
| Rating: | |
|---|---|
| Packages: | 2名様以上プラン |
| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2017/11/05 |
| Activity Date: | 2017/10/31 |
Reviewed by: さかなやオヤジ
The natural beauty and relaxed atmosphere of the Big Island of Hawaii were wonderful. I enjoyed the tropical island's eternal summer. The sunset from the summit of Mauna Kea felt like the orange sun sinking into the sea of clouds happened very quickly. In the dark night sky, the mysteries of the universe were illuminated by countless stars and the Milky Way, making me realize that Earth is just a small speck in this infinite universe. I am grateful to the Big Island of Hawaii for all the emotions it has given me.
ハワイ島の大自然と落ちつきあるゆったりした街。南国の常夏の島を楽しみました。
マウナケア山頂からの夕日は、雲海に沈むオレンジ色の太陽がとても早く感じられました。
また暗闇の夜空には、宇宙の神秘たくさんの星・天の川が天空に輝いており、地球もこの無限の星の仲間であり、改めて宇宙の大きさ、広さ、地球が宇宙では小さな一粒であると感じました。
たくさんの感動を与えてくれる島・ハワイ島に感謝します。
| Rating: | |
|---|---|
| Packages: | 2名様以上プラン |
| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2017/11/05 |
| Activity Date: | 2017/10/28 |
Reviewed by: Tory
This tour allows you to spend most of the itinerary in a car while heading to see the sunset sinking into the sea of clouds at your feet, so even if you have some concerns about your physical fitness, you can participate with peace of mind. I was captivated by the guide's careful and interesting stories, making the time to the destination fly by. It seems that the tour can be affected by the weather, but fortunately, we were blessed with good weather on the day of participation, and despite it being a half-moon, we were able to enjoy a sky full of stars, which was fantastic.
ほとんどの行程を車で過ごして、足元に広がる雲海に沈んでいく夕陽を観に行けるツアーなので、多少体力に不安があっても安心して参加できます。ガイドさんの丁寧で面白い話に聞き入ってしまい、目的地までの時間もあっという間に感じました。天候に影響されるツアーではあるようですが、幸い参加日は天気に恵まれ、半月にも関わらず満天の星空を眺めることもできて最高でした。
| Rating: | |
|---|---|
| Packages: | 2名様以上プラン |
| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2017/11/02 |
| Activity Date: | 2017/10/26 |
Reviewed by: sada0
I read the testimonials and decided to go on this tour, and it was a great choice. The guides, Matsuzaki and Jin, provided wonderful explanations about the stars, and I was able to take photos with the sunset. It was my first time seeing the Milky Way, and I could download the photos taken for me after returning home. It was a tour filled with great experiences. If I have the chance, I would love to participate in this tour again.
体験談を読みこのツアーに決めて大変良かったです。ガイドのMATUZAKIさん・JINさんの星の説明や、夕日と一緒に写真を取っていただけたり、ミルキーウエーを初めて見れたことや、撮っていただいた写真を家に帰ってからダウンロードできたり良いことばかりのツアーでした。もう一度でも機会があればまたこのツアーに参加したいです。
| Rating: | |
|---|---|
| Packages: | 2名様以上プラン |
| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2017/10/29 |
| Activity Date: | 2017/10/20 |
Tips and suggestions
Reply from activity provider
An unexpected error has occurred. Please go back to the previous page and try again, or wait a few minutes and try once again.
Thank you very much for participating in the tour. However, I sincerely apologize for not being able to provide a service that meets your expectations.
I have confirmed the situation on the day of the tour with the operating company. As you mentioned, due to bad weather, we had to give up on viewing the sunset and returned to the Mauna Kea State Park at an altitude of about 2,000 meters. After that, we headed back to the Onizuka Visitor Center at around 2,800 meters to check the movement of the clouds, which would help us decide on a location for stargazing.
While the guide did provide explanations during the move, I apologize that the information did not reach everyone. Additionally, the conversation among the guides was about discussing the location for stargazing while observing the clouds, but I understand that this resulted in delays without a clear outline of the tour, which may have caused you discomfort. I deeply apologize for the lack of consideration.
We have received the feedback you provided and the operating company has expressed their commitment to further improving their services. Our company, along with the operating company, will continue to strive to provide activities that always satisfy our customers.
Thank you very much for your valuable feedback despite your busy schedule.
VELTRA Customer Support Team
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、ご満足いただけるサービスを提供できませんでしたこと、心よりお詫び申し上げます。
当日の状況を催行会社に確認させていただきました。
お客様のおっしゃる通り、悪天候のためにサンセットの鑑賞を断念し、一旦高度2,000m付近のマウナケアステートパークまで戻った後、
星空鑑賞の場所を決める材料となる雲の動きを確認するため、再度、高度2,800m付近のオニヅカビジターセンターに向かったとのことでございます。
移動の際には、ガイドはお客様にご説明をさせていただいたようでございますが、皆様にご案内が行き渡っておりませんでしたこと、申し訳ございません。
また、ガイド同士の会話は、雲を見ながらの星空鑑賞の場所の相談であったとのことではございますが、今後のツアーの工程がはっきりしない中でお待たせする結果となりましたこと、
ご気分を害されるものであったかと存じます。配慮が足りませんでしたこと、深くお詫び申し上げます。
いただいたご意見を真摯に受け止め、今後一層のサービス向上に励んでまいるとの言葉を催行会社より預かっております。
弊社も、催行会社とともに、お客様方に常にご満足いただけるアクティビティの提供に努めてまいります。
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。
VELTRAカスタマーサポートチーム