Booking fee
The booking fee includes the costs of booking your tickets such as charges for payment processing. It also covers the provision of our customer care center for processing your order, and all charges imposed by our suppliers.
* This tour requires at least one of the following per booking: Adult, Senior
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.
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Professional guide
Bottled water
Driver/guide
Dinner
Beverages
Coffee and/or Tea
Gratuities
Departure Point
93 Banyan Dr, Hilo, HI 96720, Verenigde Staten
We pick up at all major hotels, please contact us at 808-964-1000 for more information.
Rainbow Falls, Hilo, Hawaii, United States Start your adventure in quaint Hilo town where you’ll drive along the historic waterfront before arriving at Rainbow Falls. This iconic waterfall right off a postcard features an 80 foot tall twin waterfall system. Look for the rainbow effect that gives the waterfall its name! 20 minutes
Boiling Pots, Hilo, Hawaii, United States Continue traveling up the Wailuku River to Boiling Pots. Impressive photo opportunities are often found here when the river “boils” through depressions in the rocks. 20 minutes
Kaumana Caves Park, Hilo, Hawaii, United States Explore Kaumana Caves, part of the lava tube system that brought lava 1.5 miles from Hilo-town in 1881. Take a peek inside the cathedral-like space before tucking into a quick picnic-style lunch atop the caves. 60 minutes
Mauna Kea, Hawaii, United States 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! 90 minutes
Saddle Road, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, United States 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. While you’re taking in the breathtaking terrestrial views, your guide will prepare some heavenly views just as stunning. Setting up a state of the art solar telescope for your viewing pleasure, your specially trained guide will let you safely watch the sun come alive in true color with vibrant solar flares, sunspots, prominences and any other current activity weather permitting. 60 minutes
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
lhasacompton
19 Sep 2024
Great way to catch several sights and get out among the stars. Our group was a hoot! More fun sharing the experience with other travelers who share your interests.
Rebecca_H
17 Aug 2024
The tour guide Eric was awesome. So knowledgeable. Looking at the sun through the telescope was amazing.
lisaaD6397PJ
08 May 2024
You’ll never see as many stars as you will on this excursion!
We were staying in Waikoloa so we drove Hawaiian belt road to do some sight seeing and then had late lunch at Hawaiian Style Cafe (amazing) in Hilo before meeting our tour guide Henry.
Henry was very knowledgeable with each part of the tour. We drove through the gardens and learned of Hawaiian history on our way to Rainbow Falls and Boiling Pots. They were cool and then we went to the top to see the island’s oldest Banyan tree.
Next We drove to the lava cabes and went in about 1/2 mile. It was not tough to walk but tou wNt to wear closed shoes like sneakers. Henry explained about how the heat of lava created different formations.
Then we drove anout 45 minutes up Mauna Kea for view of sunset above the clouds and dinner of sandwiches and salads. We did not go to the peak because of lower oxygen levels and cool temps. Henry gives great overview of star formations and uses laser to point out constellations. The Dobsonian telescope proves you with beautiful star sighting and is also used to show you deep space. This tour was mime and my son’s favorite thing we did on the big island.
This tour in
Hawaii
is organized by
Kapohokine Adventures
We always double-check the availability with our local partners for each booking. Even though this is usually a swift process, it can take up to 24 hours. Once this process is completed you will receive your voucher or ticket by email. If our local partner is not able to confirm your booking we will offer you the best possible alternative. If the new date and/or time doesn’t fit your itinerary, we will reimburse the full amount paid.
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