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Big Island
I participated in the tour with my parents in their 60s, so I was a bit anxious, but the guide was very attentive, taking care of everything from altitude sickness to restroom breaks.
Although the tour was primarily in English, the guide provided support in Japanese at key points, which made it very enjoyable! (Every time we got off the bus, he would casually explain things in Japanese, including information about restrooms, safety tips at the summit, and even jokes! ✨)
During the sunset, he took many wonderful family photos against the backdrop of the sea of clouds and the sunset, as well as some funny solo shots! He used a professional camera, so the starry sky looked incredibly beautiful (there was even a bonus of the faint red crater from the volcano that erupted a few days ago!). The photos were shared instantly via AirDrop!
Thanks to the stunning scenery and our guide Shotaro, I made some truly wonderful memories! Thank you so much! ✨
60代の父母を連れてのツアー参加でしたので、少し不安でしたが、ガイドさんが高山病のことはもちろんお手洗いのことも、こまめに気遣ってくださり、ケアしてくれました。
また英語ガイドのみとの事でしたが、要所で日本語でのフォローを入れてくださり、とても楽しめました！（車を降りるたびに日本語でドライブ中の説明のフォローやお手洗い情報、山頂での注意事項、ジョークまで気さくに日本語で話しかけて下さいます✨）
サンセットでは雲海と夕陽をバックに素敵な家族写真から面白いソロショットまでたくさん写真を撮ってくれます！
一眼のカメラで撮ってくれますので、星空がめちゃくちゃ綺麗に写ります（数日前に噴火したボルケーノの赤い火口もうっすら映るボーナス付きでした！）
写真はAirDropですぐに共有してくれます！
見たことのない景色はもちろん、ガイドのショウタロウさんのおかげでとても楽しい思い出が出来ました！本当にありがとうございました✨
Translated by OpenAI
When we went to pick up, our names weren't on the list, but there just happened to be two seats available, so we were able to get on. They said something like, "Lucky you, there were seats available!" which shows they have no management at all. Plus, there weren't enough meals, so we couldn't eat. (laughs)
By the way, there’s no telescope rental. You just quickly look at the stars, take a quick photo, and that’s it. It feels like, where did the photos go? I wish I could get a refund.
ピックアップの際、私達の名前がなく、たまたま2席空いていたから乗れることに。たまたま空いててラッキーだね！みたいな事言われて、管理全くできてません。しかもご飯の数も足りず、食べれませんでした。笑
ちなみに望遠鏡の貸し出しなんてありません。さくっと星見て、さくっと写真とっておわり。
写真どこいったの？って感じです。返金してほしいくらいです。
Translated by OpenAI
We booked this tour based on these reviews, it seems that these reviews were spot on. Our tour started when Tod picked us up on time and whisked us off to our island adventure. He was very knowledgeable and went out of his way to explain Hawaiian culture and pointed out things in our drive that were informative.
The stargazing portion of our tour was an incredibly unique and awe-inspiring experience. Tod was a knowledgeable guide and took us to a dark and remote location in Mauna Kea, perfect for stargazing. With the use of his personal high-quality telescope, binoculars and a powerful laser pointer, we were able to see constellations, planets, and even faint nebulae. Tod also shared interesting facts and stories about the night sky, making the experience both informative and enjoyable.
Tod even made the experience memorable by playing The Planets by Gustav Holst, its those little details, that made this tour the highlight of our Big Island Vacation.
Overall, this tour is a must-do for anyone who wants to see the stars in all their glory accompanied by our an amazing guide Tod.
Make sure to request him on your next stargazing adventure.
Fortunately, all the participants were Japanese, so the Japanese guide provided detailed explanations and took beautiful photos. I was able to enjoy Mauna Kea, which I had wanted to visit once in a lifetime. The weather was bad on the ground, and I was worried, but as the guide said, once we got above the clouds, the new moon allowed us to see the stars clearly, and the wind was gentle, making for a comfortable tour without needing to wear pants.
The only disappointing thing was that I was told the snacks for a member who couldn't participate due to health issues were lost somewhere, so we couldn't hand them out.
幸運にも全員日本人参加者だった為、日本語ガイドさんが、詳しく説明してくれ、写真も綺麗に撮ってくれた。一生に一度行きたかった、マウナ・ケアを堪能できました。地上は天気が悪く、心配してましたがガイドさんのいう通り、雲の上に出れば新月で星も良く見えて、風も弱かったので、ズボンを履かないで快適なツアーでした。
一つだけ残念だったのは、体調不良で参加できなかったメンバーの軽食がどこかで無くなったのでお渡し出来ないと言われたのが残念です。
Translated by OpenAI
OMG not even sure how to translate to words the experience on this tour
everything went smooth since the pick up, the tour guide assigned to us has so much knowledge about the culture, and the places.
you get a meal which is delicious to start the day, the the views from the sunset never in my life had experience something like that
then the cherry on top the stars, this was a life experience like never before you can see even the space station crusing the skies.
do not hesitate on talking this tour you wont regret it
Great experience. Amazing stars and view of the sunset.
In late May, I participated in a sunset and stargazing tour at the summit of Mauna Kea, which was an incredibly valuable experience. Since there were many Japanese participants, our perfect bilingual guide, Sue, navigated in Japanese.
The local information that isn't found in guidebooks, the mysterious and magnificent scenery along the way, the unexpected cold despite being in a tropical location (and the warmth of the borrowed jackets), the delicious sandwiches we had at the summit, the breathtaking sunset, the ever-changing colors of the sky and clouds, the opening of the observatory and the start of the observations, and the view of the star-filled sky and constellations—all of these were truly wonderful and exceeded my expectations, providing a surprising and moving experience.
During the stargazing, when Sue pointed out the constellations and we were all gazing at them, a huge shooting star passed by, and everyone cheered together. That became an unforgettable memory.
Thank you so much, Sue (Stephan). The photos you took with professional skill are a wonderful record, and I am grateful.
５月下旬、マウナケア山頂サンセットと星空観測ツアーに参加し、大変貴重な体験をさせてもらいました。
日本人参加者が多い回だったので、完璧なバイリンガルガイドのスーさんが、日本語でナビゲートしてくださいました。
ガイドブックにはないローカルの情報、道中の不思議で雄大な景色、南国にもかかわらず体験する歯も噛み合わない寒さ（と貸してくださった防寒ジャケットの暖かさ)、山頂で食べた美味しいサンドイッチ、息を飲むようなサンセット、刻々と変わる空と雲の色、天文台が開き観測を開始する様、満天の星と星座の見方、どれもこれも本当に素晴らしく、想像を遥かに上回る、驚きと感動体験でした。
星空観測中に、スーさんが指し示した星座を皆で眺めている時、大きな大きな星が流れ、参加者全員で歓声を上げたこと。忘れられない思い出になりました。
スーさんことステファンさん、本当にありがとうございました。
プロ並みの腕前で撮って頂いた写真は、素晴らしい記録になり感謝です。
Translated by OpenAI
The sunset above the clouds at the summit of Mauna Kea was truly magical. It was an unforgettable beauty. And the starry sky. At first, I told my son, "There aren't as many stars as I thought," but as it got completely dark, the sky was filled with stars! The guide's explanations were enjoyable, and I truly felt that it was a tour worth taking. Thank you very much.
マウナケア山頂雲の上のサンセットは、本当に幻想的でした。忘れられない美しさでした。
そして星空。最初「思ったほど星の量ないね」と
息子に言っていたのですが、完全に暗くなってくると
空が星で埋め尽くされていました！ガイドさんの説明も楽しく、行ってよかったなぁとこころからそう思えるツアーでした。ありがとうございました。
Translated by OpenAI
This was amazing! From our pick up point in Kona, our guide Kailikea (hope I spelled this right) was fantastic. He was so passionate about the trip and his home town it was so engaging. He's such a helpful, friendly and knowledgeable chap. I didn't expect to learn so much, but it was just the right level. 'Kea was clear about what to expect from the altitude and how to best manage it. We were lucky enough to see the Silversword plants by the visitor centre and then enjoyed our meal, included in the tour; veggie lasagne and chocolate brownie. It was a mixed journey up to the summit with some paved and some very bumpy roads but so worth the trip. We learned all about the different dishes and observatories and watched the beautiful sunset from the summit. We had to head lower for stargazing to avoid polluting the light by the observatories. We were awestruck by how many stars you could see, it was stunning. The powerful telescopes were set up and we were shown the visible planets and constellations/asterisms. Viewing the Edna carina nebula through the telescope was an incredible experience. I would 100% recommend this tour!
Tour was excellent, Aaron was a great host. Very informed, engaging. Had fun all along the way. We had plenty of time at all the stops to experience and enjoy. Made our 1st trip here an experience to remember. We are telling everyone if they come to the Island they need to take this tour.
In addition when we 1st booked, we were told that our location was around 90 minutes from the tour pickup. We chose to go ahead but very much appreciated the help and advice. Excellent service all around.
Standing at the summit of Mauna Kea at an altitude of 4,200 meters, I was able to wait for the sunset without any discomfort thanks to proper altitude acclimatization. The sight of the sun setting between the various observatories from around the world was magnificent. During the stargazing, the explanations about the seasons and constellations were very clear and refreshing. The sandwiches for dinner and the hot chocolate were also very delicious.
標高4200ｍのマウナケア山頂に立ちますが、高度順応が適切にされ違和感なくサンセットを待つことができました。
世界中の天文台が立ち並ぶ隙間に太陽が沈んでいく様子は素晴らしいです。
星空観測では、季節や星座についての説明がとても分かりやすく新鮮でした。
夕食のサンドウィッチもホットチョコレートもとてもおいしかったです。
Translated by OpenAI
This was an absolutely amazing experience. We booked this fantastic tour short notice and I'm so grateful there were a few time slots still available that worked with out schedule for us.
Our guide, James, is truly an expert astronomer and has a fantastic personality. To see first hand some of the astronomical wonders we've heard about and seen in books or online was breathtaking.
I would absolutely recommend the Mauna Kea Stargazing Tour Experience as a must do when on the Big Island. In fact, I would do it again because what you see one night will be different on another night!
On the day of my visit, the weather unexpectedly worsened, and I couldn't go beyond the Onizuka Visitor Center. I was disappointed that I couldn't fulfill my dream of coming to the Big Island, but I was happy to see the "Silversword" (Argyroxiphium sandwicense) near the visitor center, thanks to the staff's guidance. I hope to have the opportunity to visit the summit of Mauna Kea again.
当日、まさかの天候悪化で、オニヅカビジターセンターから先に行けませんでした。
ハワイ島に来た夢が果たせずがっかりでしたが、スタッフに教えてもらって、ビジターセンターの近くにある「シルバーソード（銀剣草）」を見ることができて、それは嬉しかったです。
また機会があれば、マウナケア山頂に行きたいと思います。
Translated by OpenAI
We had a great time on this trip. Our tour guide, Stefan, was excellent! He was friendly and informative the entire time. Even though we took the tour on an overcast night, there was so much to see and the views were unforgettable. Five stars, would book again!!
I joined the tour with my wife, and we were a bit nervous as we worried about altitude sickness before we joined. However, we did not need to worry too much. The guide was so professional, and he made us relax in the large van of Mercedes-Benz. In addition, the distributed dinner, hot lasagna and chocolate cake helped us get adjusted in the rest area before we were elevated to the summit. In astronomical observation, I was able to see two shooting stars. I strongly recommend this amazing tour if you come to the big island.
This tour was worth every penny. We loved the ride to the summit, the star gazing, and the wealth of knowledge provided by our tour guide, Maka.
The tour guide was inviting and very knowledgeable. The food was actually quite decent. The views of the sunset from the top were sensational, and it was near seeing all the giant telescopes.
But the highlight for me by far was the stargazing after sunset. It was only 80% visibility and the moon was quite bright but I've never seen so many stars so clearly in my life. It was really a sight to behold. Maka (the tour guide) brought a telescope with him and we saw a number of cool things close up, such as a globular cluster, a star in portions
Orions belt, Venus, and the Moon.
Fernando was a great guide for our tour! We really enjoyed his commentaries and learned a lot from this trip. The sunset was amazing. The night sky was impressive, but cold. Bring winter clothes and layers if you can! They do provide a very warm parka. The dinner was yummy. Highly recommended!
We had a blast! A very unique experience, especially if you enjoy sunsets, heights, and amazing views.
This was my first tour on the Big Island of Hawaii, and the reservation process and pickup location on the day were very clear. Although I couldn't speak English, there were staff members who assisted in Japanese, and I was very satisfied with the service. Above all, I was deeply moved by the magnificent view and sunset from the summit. I didn't experience any altitude sickness, and I was able to have a wonderful time. During the stargazing, I enjoyed lying on the ground, amazed by the closeness and size of the countless stars. (laughs) I'm really glad I participated in this tour. When I come back to the Big Island, I would like to join other tours as well. Thank you very much.
初めてハワイ島で参加したツアーでしたが、予約や当日の送迎場所も分かりやすく、英語が話せなかったのですが、日本語で対応してくれるスタッフもいて、対応にはとても満足でした。そして何より山頂から見た壮大な景色とサンセットに大感動。心配していた高山病もなく、良いひとときを過ごすことが出来ました。星空観測では満天の星たちの近さと大きさに、道に寝転んで楽しみました。(笑)このツアーに参加して本当に良かったです。またハワイ島に来たときには他のツアーにも参加したいと思いました。ありがとうございました。
Translated by OpenAI
Amazing guide! Super knowledgable and passionate! He knew places to go to have absolute privacy. It was a bit cloudy when I went so he offered for me to come again for free, and both times were stunning. I learned a lot and the pics are unlike anything else you'll ever get in your life.
We rented a car so it was great to have a tour where you just show up for the stargazing time, instead of spending hours driving around picking up other tourists.
I was able to learn a lot about lava from the very detailed explanation. Although we couldn't see the starry sky, we can't go against nature.
非常に丁寧な説明で、溶岩について、多くを学ぶことができました。
星空が見えなかったですが、自然には逆らえないですね。
Translated by OpenAI
James was awesome! Our family had a summit tour booked with another company that canceled stated that road was closed, not sure that was true, as I’m scrambling to find an alternative other company said they were still going. Anyway, God‘s got a plan and I came upon epic tours. Even though this wasn’t a “summit” tour my son has a AAS in astronomy and was focused on star gazing and James delivered! James provided chairs to jackets if needed. And gave us a tour of the night sky! And we have a great picture to remember it!
Awesome day on the Big Island. A full day with a coffee farm, tour of the Volcanoes National Park, then stargazing on a clear night. Our Tour guide Aaron was the best. His knowledge of Hawaiian culture, the volcano, and then the night sky was awesome. He was so helpful and kind. This was a once in a lifetime experience. The volcano stopped erupting a few days after our tour. So, we felt so lucky to get to see an active volcano. Be sure to take a sweatshirt or jacket. It got cold in the evening. It is a full day, but so worth it.
We really enjoyed our experience on this tour. Our tour guide, Aaron was very informative! I mean who better to have for a tour guide than a history teacher!! The only part that could use some improvement are the meals. We expected a meal with more substance.
Our guide, Stephan, was wonderful. Out of the 10 tour participants, 8 were Americans, but he provided a lot of explanations and support in Japanese. Stephan is also a photographer, and he took beautiful photos that looked like wedding pictures under a perfect starry sky! Thank you very much!
ガイドのステファンさんが素晴らしかったです。ツアー客10人中、8人はアメリカ人の方でしたが、日本語でたくさん説明&フォローしていただけました。ステファンさんは、さらに写真家で、
満点の星空のもとウェディングフォトのような素敵な写真を撮っていただきました！
ありがとうございました！
Translated by OpenAI
This was one the best experiences ever! The guide was fantastic! (Gauge/Gage? My apologies if misspelling your name - he was super knowledgeable about the island and easy to talk to, he was also well organized and thought of everything. The entire journey was super easy to follow and we all got to see some amazing things. Hot chocolate and biscotti? Snow? Wild turkeys and sheep? Binary star system anyone? Gage will make it happen. We also had a great GREAT experience just chatting with you about the Big Island. Thank you Thank you!
The van that arrived at the meeting place was labeled Hawaiian Eyes Tour, with no mention of the operating company, Masashi Nature School, which was confusing. There was no such information provided by VELTRA, but upon checking the Masashi Nature School's website, it clearly stated that the operating company is Hawaiian Eyes Tour. (I wish this had been communicated through VELTRA as well.)
On the day of the tour, there were ten guests, six of whom were Japanese. According to the guide, the number of Japanese customers has decreased due to the pandemic, so there are no longer Japanese language tours. The guide could speak some Japanese, but not enough to provide a full tour in that language, so the entire ride was in English.
That said, the sunset from the mountain top and stargazing were great experiences, and the guide made an effort to explain things in Japanese, which I personally appreciated. Additionally, I was grateful to receive the photos the guide took via AirDrop.
We were staying at a hotel in Waikoloa, so it was helpful that we were dropped off there on the way back. However, there were two Japanese guests from a hotel outside the Kona area who mistakenly thought they would be dropped off at their hotel and ended up getting off at the pickup location, Queens Marketplace. Considering that it's difficult to catch a taxi in that area and the return time was before 10 PM, I think it would be beneficial to offer a paid option for hotel drop-off.
集合場所に来たバンが、催行社のマサシネイチャースクールとはどこにも書いてなくHawaiian Eyes Tourとなっていて戸惑った。
VELTRAではそのような案内は全くなかったが、マサシネイチャースクールのHPを確認すると、しっかり催行会社がHawaiian Eyes Tourであると記載されていた。（VELTA経由でもしっかりそこは案内して欲しかった。）
当日は、１０人の客で、うち日本人は６人いたが、ガイドさんによると、コロナ禍で日本人客が減ったから日本語ツアーは無くなったとのこと。
ガイドさんも日本語はできるが案内するほどの語学力がない、ということで、行き帰りの車中はずっと英語だった。
とはいえ、山頂の夕陽や星空観測等、ガイドさんが、日本語でも頑張って案内してくれて、個人的には非常に良かった。
また、ガイドさんが撮ってくれた写真もAirDropでもらえたのもありがたかった。
私たちは、ワイコロアのホテルに泊まっていたので帰りはホテルまで送ってもらって助かった。
ただ、コナ地区外のホテルから参加していた日本人の親子２人組が、帰りホテルまで送ってもらえると勘違いしていて、結局ピックアップ場所のクイーンズマーケットプレイスで降りることになった。
タクシーもなかなか捕まらない土地柄で、帰着時間が22時前になるということを考えると、有償でのホテルまでの送ってくれるオプションがあると良いのではないかと思った。
Thank you for your use of our services.
We are glad to hear that you enjoyed the tour.
We sincerely apologize for any anxiety caused regarding the shuttle service. Upon reviewing your feedback, we realized that although we had received confirmation from the local operator that the tour was conducted by Hawaiian Eyes Tours, we neglected to reflect this on the tour page.
To prevent similar inconveniences in the future, we will update the tour page to indicate that the shuttle service will be provided by Hawaiian Eyes Tours.
Thank you for your valuable feedback.
Best regards,
VELTRA
ご利用ありがとうございます。
ツアーをお楽しみいただけたようで嬉しく思います。
送迎車につきましては、不安なお気持ちにさせてしまいましたこと心よりお詫び申し上げます。
ご指摘いただきあらためて確認しましたところ、現地催行会社よりHawaiian Eyes Toursにて催行されているとの共有があったにも関わらず、ツアーページへの反映を失念しておりました。
今後同様のご迷惑をおかけしないためにも、ツアーページにHawaiian Eyes Toursと記載された送迎車がお迎えにあがる旨、追記させていただきます。
貴重なご意見ありがとうございます。
何卒よろしくお願いします。
VELTRA
Translated by OpenAI
The guide was very friendly and shared many interesting stories! Everyone participating was American, and we all had a great time together. We were able to see a starry sky that you can't experience in Japan. The guide also explained about the stars, which was very enjoyable.
ガイドさんが非常に気さくな方で色々な面白い話をしてくれました！参加していたのはアメリカ人だけでしたがみんなでワイワイしてました。日本ではみるようなことができない満点の星空を見ることができました。ガイドさんが星の解説もしてくださり非常に楽しかったです
Translated by OpenAI
I know, I know, everyone likes to use the words “best” “amazing” “trip of a lifetime” THIS excursion IS absolutely THE best trip you will book! It may seem a little pricey, but the time, care, and knowledge that our tour guide Travis invested in our group was top of the line!
First of all, do not underestimate the “cold” warnings. It was frigid, cold to the bone so, dress appropriately! If you have a beanie, bring it for this trip.
Secondly, be prepared for the potential that the actual road up to the summit may be closed. Our group (along with 15 others) was told the road was closed and we would not be able to drive to the summit. Travis was able to talk with another tour operator (friends are good) and together they got the rangers to open the road for us last minute!! Yay!
Okay, so let’s talk dinner for a second. They served a vegetarian lasagna that was to die for most of my family are hard core meat eaters, so i was surprised at how quickly they snarfed it all down and EVERYONE commented on how “great” it was Make sure to bring your own water bottle (there is fresh water at the first stop) or whatever you want to drink.
Once we hit the road to climb the summit, the road was definitely an “off road” experience. Lots of major bumps but totally fun . The drive up was spectacular, so have your camera ready. The view from the top will blow your mind. Take a lot of pics and enjoy!
Then on to stargazing. Totally over the top and way exceeded my expectations! Travis had his own telescope that was a high end piece of equipment to say the least! He has so much knowledge that he was eager to share. We even got to see the once in a lifetime “green” comet he spent at least an extra hour with us up there when all the other tour operators were leaving. It was truly the most memorable experiences of my life! Mahalo to the entire team that i know has to work hard behind the scenes for this…my entire family is so grateful for the experience
