Leaving Kona, the journey travels along the coast through desolate lava flows before reaching the grasslands on the flanks of Mauna Kea. As you travel the route that crosses between Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa, you will see a diverse landscape of cattle ranches, dry forest, and rainforest, as well as peculiar geological formations such as scoria cones, lava tubes, and kipukas (islands of old vegetation surrounded by recent lava flows).
About two hours before sunset, you arrive at Humu'ula, the private site where a hot picnic-style dinner takes place. After dinner and with a winter parka in hand, the 45-minute ascent to the summit of Mauna Kea (4,205 meters above sea level) begins. There you can enjoy spectacular views of the horizon, the Haleakala volcano on Maui, Mauna Loa, and Hualalai, as well as the impressive collection of research observatories and telescopes on the summit itself. It is worth noting that Mauna Kea is the tallest mountain in the world when measured from its base on the seabed (exceeding 9,700 meters) and is considered by many Hawaiians to be the most sacred site in the entire archipelago.
After sunset, you hike down to the Visitor Information Center at an elevation of 3,000 meters above sea level. As you enjoy hot drinks and cookies in the warmth of winter parkas, you will marvel at the glow of the Hawaiian night sky, one of the best locations on the planet for stargazing.