All Reviews for Mauna Kea Summit, Big Island

Stefan waited after others had left, and got us the most amazing photos and memories. Thank you to Stefan for caring for the guests.

It was a fantastic tour! From the ease of meeting the guide at a local pick up point, the his knowledge of the islands, the geography, and of course the telescopes and sky, to the use of parkas, pants and gloves... it was a wonderful experience! We went on an almost full moon night so only the brightest of stars were visible, but we were still able to see Saturn and Jupiter through their telescopes. Dress warm... and have a great time!

Stefan was a great guide and we loved how he made a concerted effort to make sure that we got some amazing photos with the sunset and stars.

First of all, I would like to thank Mr. Stefan Weich. I have participated in various tours in the past, but none have been as good as this one. I was impressed by the attentiveness and clear explanations. Above all, as a photographer, he took wonderful photos, which will be a great keepsake. Thank you very much.

先ずは、Mr.Stefan Weichに感謝しています、過去色々ツアーに参加しましたが、今回ほど良かったツアーは無かったです、気配り・明朗な説明等、感激しました、何よりも写真家でもあり、素晴らしい写真を撮って頂き、非常に記念に残ります、ありがとうございました。

Have done this tour 5 years ago with a different vendor. Was much better with other tour group but did not recall who it was when I booked this trip. Things I did not like about this tour:
1. Was not notified I could have been picked up in Kona. So we drove over an hour when we did not have to. Another couple drove all the way to the visitor center for the same reason 2. Dinner was marginal at best. 3. Star viewing from the visitor center parking lot?? Are you kidding me? Why? Light pollution, less clear skies..what a joke. I lay that blame on the tour guide, Maka. 4. Guide is not passionate about astronomy but he can be a good guide at times. Sadly, as the night wore on so did his personality. 5. Gloves were only proffered when a man complained. Hand them out with the coats.

Bottom line: do the tour but with a different group.

The original schedule had to be changed due to bad weather, and we had to turn back at the Onizuka Visitor Center, but I was very grateful for the option to reschedule to another day when there was availability. The sunset view from the summit was absolutely stunning and very impressive. Additionally, the stargazing tour at another location was not only beautiful because of the clear night sky, but the guide's explanations of the constellations were easy to understand and very helpful.

当初の日程は、悪天候のためにオニズカビジターセンターで引き返すことになりましたが、空きがあった別の日に振り替えてもらえた対応はとてもありがたかったです。
山頂から眺めるサンセットはとても素晴らしく、見ごたえがありました。また、別の場所に移動しての星空観測ツアーも、星空がきれいであることはもちろんですが、ガイドさんによる星座の説明がわかりやすくてよかったです。

Had a wonderful experience at the top of Mauna Kea watching the sunset, followed by star gazing at a private location.

Very accommodating, lots of pics taken for us and very informative about the dormant volcano as well as Hawaii and the observatories. Coats and mitts were available when the temp dropped with the sunset.

The choice was ours to make as to pics we wanted taken, where and when to have our dinner snack and what we wanted to see in the night sky.

A few improvements would be to have a more comfortable van. This van was not comfortable to ride in for the trip to the top and back. Additionally, the photography equipment and additional telescope equipment should be added and improved.

This experience is beyond human words to describe. We had an absolutely perfect night with a crescent moon that set shortly after we got set up. The Milky Way was more spectacular than we could have imagined. James’ knowledge of what we were looking at was top notch. There were a couple of personal disappointments and cons but they do not diminish the rating of the experience.

I had expected some serious telescopes that would be used. James had a top end mount and camera with some powerful lenses but when it came to looking at Jupiter and Saturn, I get bigger and better images with my homemade 6” reflector. I was really wondering if he was using his equipment to show us Andromeda and what I think he said was the Dumbbell nebula or if he was showing us stock photos. He homed in on those two objects very quickly for a setup that was merely put down and “kinda” leveled.

The other comment is about the cost. James is an expert and one expects to pay for expertise. But for an adventure that does not include pickup except for about a mile from the destination and has no major equipment like a submarine that the Atlantis has to maintain, the price seems high. Especially since the included photos are about worthless, you are forced to purchase the full resolution package if you want to share your photos with anything other than your phone.

That being said, experiencing God’s creation like that was amazing!

The guide is friendly and informative. He can speak fluent English and Japanese. He provided the needed equipment for the trip and took nice photos for us. We’ve had unique and amazing lifetime experience by standing on the top of the world (count elevation from the seabed) and watching the stunning sunset and moonrise. Unfortunately, the full moon was so bright and we couldn’t clearly see the Milky Way. Overall a must have one and I will recommend do it with a guide as first time as some unexpected situations could happen if you are not fully prepared.

Warning: some people might feel faint and uncomfortable or fall asleep due to elevation

●Tour Details: We were guided by a charming guide who spoke fluent Japanese. Along the way, we enjoyed stories about the history and specialties of Hawaii Island, making the approximately 2.5-hour journey to the summit of Mauna Kea feel effortless. At the summit, we watched the sunset over the vast sea of clouds, followed by a sky full of stars. It was truly the best view.

●Cautions: Most of the road is paved, so I don't think you'll get car sick, but there is about 25 minutes of bumpy road near the summit, so if you're prone to motion sickness, it's better to take some anti-nausea medication.

●Food: We had a hearty BLT sandwich. Since you'll be busy enjoying the scenery during the tour, I think it's a good idea to bring some light snacks.

Overall, it was a wonderful tour and one of the most impressive experiences in Hawaii. Thank you!

●ツアー内容：日本語ペラペラでおちゃめなガイドさんにご案内頂きました。道中もハワイ島の歴史や特産品などの話で楽しませて下さり、マウナケア山頂までの約2.5時間も飽きる事なく過ごせました。山頂では大雲海に沈む夕日を眺め、その後は満天の星空。ほんと最高の景色でした。
●注意点：大部分は舗装された道路なので車酔いしにいくと思いますが、山頂の近くで25分ほどガタガタ道を通るので、酔いやすい方は酔い止めを飲んどいた方が良いと思います。
●食事：ボリューム満点のBLTサンドを頂きました。ツアー中は景色を見るのに忙しいため、軽く軽食を持って行った方が良いと思います。

総じて素晴らしいツアーで、ハワイで最も印象的な経験になりました。ありがとうございました！

Thank you for the guide. I was able to see some very beautiful scenery.
However, I was very concerned about the driver’s hands-free driving and using a smartphone while driving.
I understand that this is a road he has been driving on daily for years and that he is familiar with it. The speed was not excessively fast.
Since I also drive in Japan, I know that it is possible to drive with both hands off the wheel at a slow speed. Using a smartphone might be similar to looking at a navigation system.
That said, this is not a drive with family or friends; it is a tour that I paid to participate in. The lives of several people are at stake. It would be too late after an accident or injury.
In fact, we were able to return safely without any incidents. However, as a guide, I believe it is not acceptable to make participants feel uneasy.
Those participating in English may not mind. However, I felt anxious every time the driver looked at his smartphone, worrying about the distance to the car in front of us.
If he is so accustomed to this road that he cannot drive without using his smartphone, then I think the company should implement some measures.
Alternatively, if hands-free driving and smartphone use are allowed in Hawaii, then I apologize for my lack of knowledge. However, if that is the case, I believe it would be appropriate to inform us at the beginning, saying, "I will be using my smartphone while driving, but this is okay."
While entertaining as a guide is important, I think safety should come first.
I enjoyed everything else besides the driving. Thank you.

ガイドありがとうございました。とても素敵な風景を見ることが出来ました。
ただ、ドライバーの、両手放し運転とスマホいじり運転が非常に気になりました。
何年も毎日の様に通っている道で、運転し慣れていることは重々承知しています。スピードがすごく出ていた訳でもありません。
私も日本では運転しますので、遅いスピードでの両手放しが余裕であることはわかります。またスマホいじりも、カーナビを見るのと同じかもしれません。
とは言ってもこれは、家族や友人とのドライブではなく、お金を払って参加しているツアーです。数人分の命を預かっているわけです。事故や怪我をしてからでは遅いです。
実際、何もなく安全に帰ることは出来ました。しかしガイドとしては参加者に不安な気持ちを抱かせた時点でNGではないでしょうか。
英語で参加する方は気にしないのかもしれません。しかし私は、スマホを見ながら運転される度、前の車との車間距離が気になってしまったのが事実です。
あまりにも毎日慣れている道で、スマホをいじらずには運転してられない、というのであれば、会社として何か対策を打つべきだと思います。
もしくはハワイでは、両手放しもスマホいじりも許されているというのであれば、私の知識不足です。すみません。しかしそれなら、冒頭に「私はスマホをいじりながら運転するけどこれはokだからね」と伝えるのが正しい姿勢だと考えます。
ガイドで楽しませることも重要ですが、安全を第一にしていただいた方がよろしいのではないかと思います。
運転以外は楽しめました。ありがとうございました。

Awesome tour! Stephan was amazing. Very knowledgeable about the island, Mauna Kea and the stars. We would definitely recommend. Everything was as advertised and even more!

I'm glad I went.
As expected, the weather was better at the summit, and once my eyes adjusted, I could see everything clearly.
Our guide, Stephan, was very polite and illuminated things with his light, providing information about the stars, even sharing knowledge I had no prior understanding of. Thank you for being such an interesting guide, Stephan.
I want to go again.

いってよかったです。
やっぱ、山頂のほうが天候もよく目がなれてくるとくっきりと見えてきました。
ガイドのステファンさんも英語でも日本語でも丁寧にライトで照らしなが

星に関してまったく知らない知識まで教えていただきました。それにおもしろいステファンさんありがとう。
また、いきたいです。

Absolutely amazing, a once in a lifetime experience made easy through this tour group. Easy to accommodate our special pickup needs, kind and knowledgeable guide. It was a guided tour, but plenty of time to wander and explore on our own. The stars and cocoa were amazing and the photos were first class that we received!! Highly recommend!!!! This was my sister's favorite activity during our week long Hawaii stay!!

My wife and I did this tour on our honeymoon. We come from the Midwest US and have not ever really been able to see many stars hence our booking this trip. The pickup location was convenient, the tour guide friendly and informative, and the experience overall was enjoyable. Would recommend to anyone going to try and book this tour as it was fun and definitely worth it.

I was impressed by the number of stars!
Su-san's guidance and thoughtfulness were excellent.
I was also surprised by how cute Su-san's child is and how beautiful his wife is.

星の数には感動しました!
すーさんのガイドと心づかは最高でした。
また、すーさんのお子さんの可愛さと
奥様が美人なのには驚きました。

Super condition. Great guide very helpful to get thé good pictures spot and take also excellent pictures with vis dedicated caméra.
Tour well organized with amazing star gazzing.
Flexibility for thé pick up localisation

We have been extremely lucky with the weather and our guide Stephan. He made a fantastic job and created a memorable event for us. THANK YOU!!!!
The stargazing was unbelievable. We have never seen so many stars in the sky and Stephan explained all of them - ok, most of them .

What an evening!
The whole experience from booking to drop off at was seamless. The guide was very knowledgeable and enthusiastic to share his knowledge. He also gave an idea of the Big Island’s topography.
The main attraction is worth the money and the time you will spend. We went in a clear day and the sunset was spectacular. The guide gave a fantastic guided tour of the telescopes, the sky, the stars and the constellations.
He patiently took pictures of all the tourists and I’m immediately airdropped them.
In all a must do trip. Big shout out to the guide.

This was a great trip, seeing the views from 13,000 feet, watching the sunset above the clouds, and the star gazing with a knowledgeable guide, all made for an awesome trip.

My husband and I absolutely LOVED this excursion. Our tour guide was so incredibly kind and knowledgable. We loved learning about the history and culture surrounding the mountain during our ascent. The dinner provided was delicious. The sunset on the summit and the stargazing was other worldly. We will never forget it!

Wes and his partner did an awesome job. Wes was very professional and gave alot of information about the tour and the history of Hawaii. His partner is an amazing photographer. I would highly recommend this tour company

Great knowledgeable guide, Fernando made the long drive up to the summit with a bunch of volcano facts and stories about the Hawaiian history. Absolutely breathtaking views at sunset in the summit. Followed by stargazing, we were told about and shown all the constellations, saw some shooting stars, the Milky Way and Saturn

This experience is hard to express in words. I definitely want you to see the sunset and the starry sky with your own eyes. The staff were great at explaining things, kind, funny, skilled at taking photos, and very helpful when I needed assistance. Thank you for a wonderful and enjoyable memory.

この感動は言葉ではなかなか言い表せません。是非サンセット&満天の星を自分の目で見てほしいです。そしてスタッフさんは説明が上手い、優しい、面白い、写真が上手い、困った時に親切に対応してくれる素敵な方々でした。とても楽しい思い出をありがとうございました。

The staff were really kind. It’s a tour that is friendly to Japanese people as well. I learned a lot about constellations. I would like to use this service again.

スタッフさんが本当に親切でした。日本人にも優しいツアーです。星座についてすごく詳しくなりました。また利用したいです。

Marcus was a very knowledgeable astronomer and answered any question our group asked.

This trip was so much more than I expected! We started with a quick tour of rainbow falls and boiling pots. our guide Marcus was exceptionally knowledgeable about the plant life and history of both places. We then explored the lava caves, which was an unforgettable experience. Finally, we got to watch a beautiful sunset, followed by stargazing. I can’t believe how much astronomy I learned in one night. The skies were spectacular and once again Marcus seemed to have an endless fund of knowledge, answering all our questions in detail. The trip was unforgettable and Marcus is clearly a great asset to his company!

A 7-hour tour from 3 PM to 10 PM.
3:00 PM Pickup at the Target parking lot
Visitor Center
(Get your dinner sandwich at your own timing)
Telescopes from various countries
Sunset
Explanation of the night sky and constellations
10:00 PM End at the Target parking lot

A tour that allows you to fully enjoy your travel day to the Big Island.
Due to the Wuhan coronavirus pandemic, Japanese tourists stopped coming, and they switched to English tours in 2019. However, the guide was Japanese, so if you have any questions during the several breaks, you can ask in Japanese and they will kindly explain. The guide engages with you. I was able to properly learn about the constellations for the first time. It was fun.

15時から22時までの7時間のツアー。
15:00 ターゲットの駐車場でピックアップ
　　　ビジターセンター
　　　(夕食のサンドイッチを自分の
　　　タイミングでもらう)
　　　各国の望遠鏡
　　　サンセット
　　　星空と星座の説明
22:00ターゲットの駐車場で終了

ハワイ島への移動日をフルに楽しめるツアー
武漢コロナパンデミックで日本人が来なくなって、2019年に英語ツアーに変えたそうです。ただしガイドは日本人だったので、わからなかったところは途中休憩が数回あるので、その際に日本語で聞けば丁寧に教えてもらえます。ガイドが話しかけてくれる。星座の説明はじめてちゃんと教えてもらえた。楽しかった。

We really enjoyed our adventure with Mauna Kea Stargazing Tour. Our guide, Maka, was excellent: entertaining, polite, knowledgeable, etc. He was extremely quick and calm when responding to a high altitude emergency when we reached our high altitudes. I was impressed with the Veltra company with their constant updates, emails reminders, and phone call reminder. I gave "Good" review because it was very cloudy and the star gazing was limited. I would book through this company again and I would do this tour again too.

This was our first trip to the Big Island, so of course we wanted to see the summit at Mauna Kea. Our tour guide was Justin- and he was tremendous. He met at pickup location a couple minutes early. He provided a clear outline of what the day would include- and he held to it very closely. On the way to our first stop, He provided a great narration of the volcanic and mythological history of the island. After dinner (and acclimating to elevation for a while) we headed further up the mountain- the safety discussion was very calming, but helpful. The view from the summit was SPECTACULAR. About 10-15 minutes before the actual sunset, sneak to the back side of the area up there, and the SHADOW of Mauna Kea on the clouds looks like another mountain. I am fairly well-travelled, and this was a first for me! After that, we went down to the Start gazing station, and got to see some really cool stuff. Justin's knowledge was superb, enough to engage with a couple college students in our group that studied Astronomy at school. Very impressive. Truly, a great way to see a unique and beautiful piece of the Big Island! Many thanks!