Standing at an altitude of 4,205 meters (13,796 ft) above sea level, Mauna Kea mountain on the Big Island of Hawaii is the highest point in the Pacific Basin and the highest island-mountain in the world! According to the Hawaii tourism guild, its summit is actually 40 percent above the Earth’s atmosphere! On top of the summit, it also hosts the world’s largest astronomical observatory – The Mauna Kea Observatories.
Driving towards the summit, you will experience the in and out of the clouds, being both below and above them, a feeling of flying in an airplane! After reaching the summit, you will be rewarded with the most spectacular sunset and astonishing landscape. For a while you may think you are already out of this world and have landed on Mars! After the sunset, the crisp clear sky will also present you with probably the clearest and closest star/moon gazing experience on the planet.
Be advised that if you plan to get to the summit, a true 4 wheel drive (Jeeps are the most commonly rented ones) and warm winter jackets are a must, even in the summer, as it is windy and cold up there.
