Leaving Kona you travel 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 (scoria cones, lava flows, lava tubes and kipukas).
About 2 hours before sunset we arrive at Humu'ula, the private site where the 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 on Maui, Mauna Loa and Hualalai, as well as the impressive collection of telescopes on the summit itself. Mauna Kea is the highest mountain in the world (over 9,700 meters from its base at the bottom of the sea) and is also 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.