How to Visit Mauna Kea on Hawaii in 1 Perfect Day: Itinerary!

[@TheHawaiiVacationGuide]

Since you're going to the Big Island, see our FREE Big Island Travel Guide: thehawaiivacationguide.com/hawaii-big-island-travel-guide/ Mahalo for watching!

[@derbagger22]

A couple of things about Mauna Kea... You need a 4X4, not AWD. The 4X4 allows for low gear. It's why they allow Teslas to go, they have multiple motors and 1 pedal, regenerative braking that helps in the descent. Even if you come in a Jeep, the rangers will grill you to make sure you not only have 4X4, but that you know how to use it. If you don't look confident, they may not let you go up anyway. If you go up for sunset and want to stay and stargaze, they close the top of the mountain to tourists 30 minutes after sunset. As long as there is no ice or snow in the forecast(happens more often than you think), there are 2 parking lots a mile or two down the mountain where you can stay all night if you want. It's where the tour companies go...

[@AMikeSmithOriginal]

Great to meet you guys Wednesday evening at the Luau. Thank you for sharing all of your experiences and information. Many blessings to your family.

[@TheHawaiiVacationGuide]

It was great meeting you too! We hope you had a lovely trip! The luau was wonderful, even for being moved indoors.

[@PaulKruszka]

We made it Mauna Kea in early May as far as the visitor center. Road to the top was closed due to snow storm! After leaving 85 degrees in Kona 2 hrs earlier. Wish we could have made it to the top. Took the what i think was the 2 mile walk across the lava field to the most beautiful beach we've ever seen. Just us and one Monk seal. Mahola once again for your awesome video.

[@TheHawaiiVacationGuide]

Well done on doing the hike across the lava field! It is hot and long! We stayed in Hilo one year with a view of Mauna Kea covered in snow. I can see why it is called the White Mountain.

[@PaulKruszka]

@TheHawaiiVacationGuide Mauna Kea and that beach were actually the first things we saw out of the window of the plane flying into Kona. The excitement grew from there! I'm like look honey! I can see the observatories!!

[@Fredalongjr-gz5bt]

Mountain Thunder Coffee was great - we saw it on a previous plan of yours and went there last September. Great people - great tour - and really great coffee - Really appreciate your recc’s!!

[@TheHawaiiVacationGuide]

They do a great job at Mountain Thunder Coffee! I'm glad you liked it too. Thanks for trusting us with your trip!

[@DFerg-gn8lu]

Thanks for the tip on "Big Island Jeep Rental" keeping it local. Thanks for another fantastic video!! (The change in altitude is one thing -- the challenge for me is getting my sisters to wake up early) and love Mountain Thunder Coffee!!

[@TheHawaiiVacationGuide]

Erica had to drag me out of bed. She is the morning person! Thanks for watching!

[@stargazer5073]

Omgoodness, we watch sunrise from the beach ⛱ 😎!

[@TheHawaiiVacationGuide]

That is a great plan too!

[@kennytam864]

Nice Saturday morning surprise. Thank you for the video

[@TheHawaiiVacationGuide]

Thanks for watching us on your Saturday morning! Have a great week!

[@williamputnam281]

Thanks for the awesome ideas. We need to get to the big island on our next trip to paradise.

[@TheHawaiiVacationGuide]

We hope you can make it! We are headed back soon to test out a new itinerary day.

[@rtallgal6871]

Kekaha Kai State Beach is such a special gem! Great recommendation!

[@derbagger22]

Back in September of '21 we did my last two states to visit, Hawai'i and Alaska. Had an incredible 2 weeks. When people said, oh, Alaska must have been cold, I said not really. It did get down to about freezing in Wrangell-St Elias NP overnight. But it was 28 degrees F on the top of Mauna Kea and we had the PERFECT night for stargazing. We had layers and were relatively comfortable.

[@Matt_Hatt3r]

These are great suggestions! If I had known Mauna Kea had sunrise access, I would have done that on our recent trip. I've already added it for our next one!

[@TheHawaiiVacationGuide]

That’s great to hear! Thanks for watching!

[@wnmech6495]

Great video. Thanks

[@tomjohnson5700]

My son runs one of the observatories for the University of Hawaii. We took a trip to the top. The altitude hit me hard;my face and hands were blue.

[@TheHawaiiVacationGuide]

That is a very cool job. Good for him. Thanks for sharing your experience on the need to acclimate or the issues with the elevation.

[@joerampley1562]

Enjoyed this video.

[@TheHawaiiVacationGuide]

Thanks Joe!

[@derbagger22]

Joe looks like he runs a top notch operation. Make sure to book early, I had trouble booking for a longer stay and have gone big company both times. BTW, it's not that the companies won't let you run up Mauna Kea, it's that they will void your coverage. For places like Alaska and Hawai'i, I often book on sites like Expedia. And use their third party insurance. Often, that insurance won't have those restrictions of where and where not to go.

[@TheHawaiiVacationGuide]

Yes, you are right on the coverage. Thanks for clarifying. Backside of Haleakala and the top of Mauna Kea are two spots on Hawaii where they won't send roadside service. Thanks for the tip on using Expedia. I learn something new with every comment!

[@bilguana11]

The 4-wheel drive is a faux requirement. Before they enforced it, or even mentioned it, I went up there many time with a 2-wheel drive, with never a problem, including 7-pass vans. 15-pass vans and even a Toyota Corolla. But the first time I hiked it. Also, that parking lot isn't at the true summit. There is, or was, a short trail to it.

[@TheHawaiiVacationGuide]

I used to think it wasn’t a requirement either. I went to the top in a sedan 15 years ago. But the last couple of times the rangers required 4x4 drive at the check point. Going down and burning out the brakes was their concern.

[@derbagger22]

@@TheHawaiiVacationGuide They won't let you go up if you're not knowledgeable about how to drive down steep grades, doesn't matter if you have a tank. But, yeah, it's not about ruggedness or ground clearance. All about the gearing...

[@andvas4631]

I am from Peru, from the city of Lima. When I traveled on the buses they passed through those calls andes mountains, it gives me altitude sickness because of the high altitude, but the Andes are big, it takes about 2 hours to be up there at that altitude of 4000. My question is if I am going to drive from Hilo to Mauna Kea, do I also feel altitude sickness?

[@TheHawaiiVacationGuide]

I think you would. It is a fast ascent. Hence, they recommend taking a break at the visitor center.

[@sajidsarkar9574]

Can I park my car overnight while renting the Jeep?

[@wspx9n]

Is this mountain really bigger then mount everest?

[@TheHawaiiVacationGuide]

Yes, but the base of Mauna Kea is the ocean floor.

[@HenggaoCai]

How does the view compare with Haleakala?

[@TheHawaiiVacationGuide]

Haleakala is special as it looks like the sun is coming out of the crater, plus the tour guides doing a Hawaiian chant is unforgettable. But, Mauna Kea was special as there were so few people with us and it felt like the top of the world.

[@HenggaoCai]

@@TheHawaiiVacationGuide Thank You! Do you recommend taking a tour up to Mauna Kea for the sunrise?

[@autonomous_collective]

🤙Mahalo

[@birdman5223]

#2

[@jackcarsen6247]

nahhhhhh boooo