Mauna Kea Summit and Sunset with Arnott's: Laser-Guided Stars, No Telescopes

Mauna Kea means white mountain, and it matters to Hawaiians for reasons that predate the observatories on top of it. The guides here are local, and the sacred side of the mountain is part of what they cover rather than an aside. The route stops first at the Onizuka Astronomy Complex, 9,000 feet, 2,743 metres, where there are exhibits and where the point of stopping is to let your body adjust before going higher. The summit is at 13,796 feet, 4,205 metres. The vehicle takes you up, above the cloud layer, for sunset when the weather allows, past the international telescopes on the way. Stargazing happens afterwards, with the guide using a laser pointer. No telescopes are provided on this tour. That is worth reading twice, because several Mauna Kea tours do provide them, and the difference decides what you spend the evening looking through. The practical conditions: a minimum of two guests is needed for the tour to run, and the meeting happens in Hilo or at the Onizuka Visitor Center only. Kona pick-ups can sometimes be arranged for groups of four or more, but that has to be agreed before booking rather than after. There are restrictions covering age, health, pregnancy, recent scuba diving, respiratory and heart conditions, back problems and intoxicants. Check them against your own case first, because 4,205 metres is not the place to discover a problem.