I've read some tours include viewing planets & constellations through telescopes after coming down from the summit, near the visitor center. Can anyone tell me if this is available for all visitors to the center or a tour exclusive experience? To be clear, I mean smaller telescopes for human use, not the huge digital imaging telescopes at the summit. I'm just not sure if this is something the center provides for all guests or if tour guides are bringing up telescopes or what.

Hello, we are planning to come to Mauna Kea. But when I looked at the moon phases, I saw that it's a in between first quarter moon and full moon when we're there. Is this still advisable to do? Thank you :)

We are considering renting a 4 wheel drive vehicle so we can get to the summit of Mauna Kea. Is the road to the summit safe? Is the view worth the drive? Is a tour worth the cost? Thanks

Hi all, could I check if the Mauna Kea Visitor Centre is closed since June 2019? Could we still drive up to the visitor centre for star gazing? Thanks

Buongiorno a Tutti, desidero chiedere un' informazione circa l' ascesa in macchina: e' autorizzato l' uso di macchine 4x4 a noleggio per l' intera strada sino alla vetta? Grazie Grazie!!!

Hello! We are planning to visit Mauna Kea summit in our upcoming visit to Big Island. Some of the tours allow a pick up near the parking lot at Cinder Cone by Hwy 200 Saddle road. Is it safe to park the car there and join the tour from there? Or is it more advisable to choose a tour which picks up directly from the hotel? Any answers or suggestions related to the Mauna Kea summit Visit will be appreciated. Thank you,

Hello, I will be visiting the Big Island, Hawaii from late December, 2016 until early January, 2017. I plan on purchasing tickets for Hawaii Forest and Trail's "Maunakea Voyage" tour. Have any Tripadvisors gone on this tour? Do you know if you are able to go inside of the Keck observatory at the top of the summit on the tour? Lastly, do you know of any guided tours that permit visits inside of the observatories? Thank you

Planning some trips from Honolulu, and would like to visit the observatories and see some lava flows. Where would be the best airport to land, and where would be the best area to stay/book hotel in terms of proximity to both?

What is the drive between Saddle Road and the Visitor's Center like? Is it an ok drive in the dark?

Would it be better to go on a Friday night or a Saturday night. Having tourguides around might be nice, unless it draws huge crowds?? Thank you