It is my dream to one day stargaze on this mountain. I live in the suburbs and never have had the chance to see the stars without light pollution. This video was magical, thank you so much for sharing this experience! It’s hard to describe the beauty
Its 1000% worth the trip up the hill, we didnt get to see the stars at night but I can only imagine how beautiful it would be! This was our highlight of our trip to the Big Island!
@Th3Alfisti We did not experience altitude sickness during our trip up to the top. However, we did stay at the visitor center for about 40 minutes to acclimate to the altitude. Id recommend staying at the visitor center for atleast half hour before driving the rest of the way up.
Early afternoon, I would recommend giving yourself at least 2 hours from the visitor center to the top of the mountain. They shut down the roads in the evenings at times, when roads get fog/ice.
it's pronounced Mauna Kay-a not key-a. The Hawaiian "e" is pronounce "ay" Also, the other volcano you were pointing to was Mauna Loa, not Kilauea. Great video though.
I would love to drive up that mountain but those requirements are insane. I have driven on way worse roads in the western US with a Toyota Corrolla and Toyta Rav 4 and been fine. Going down in 1st gear is actually pretty hard on the car, 1st gear is meant for steeper hills than that, you should be in a lower gear but I don't think you need to go all the way down to 1st. As for altitude sickness most people won't have a problem under about 15,000 ft and if you do have a problem it probably will take more than 30 minutes to develop and it takes a 2 weeks to acclimate to altitude not 30 minutes. I imagine the cost of renting one of these 4 x 4 vehicles and filling its big tank with gas is prohibitive for most people and the Mana Kea drive is yet another thing only the rich can do.
@Weathernerd27 They require the 4x4 and that you acclimate for 30 minutes at the vistor center half way up. The road is very steep. I think they just recommend a lower gear on the way down because most people are not used to driving those types of roads. Its just a safety thing, I hear that many people get stuck on the roads or run out of gas.
@daredare187 Yeah I think it can be done in pretty much any car. But they stop you at the visitor center and check your vehicle now.. You see anyone having troubles getting up?
@TravelsThroughNature Yeah pretty lame they do that now. I've never seen anyone have troubles except a old lifted truck struggling at the top with big tires and stock 4 cylinder engine
The passenger kept pointing to mauna loa and calling it kilauea. Also, went there in 2022. Summit was closed for weather as well. Didn't get a chance to go back, so thanks for posting. How long did it take to go from the visitor center to the summit?
It is my dream to one day stargaze on this mountain. I live in the suburbs and never have had the chance to see the stars without light pollution.
This video was magical, thank you so much for sharing this experience! It’s hard to describe the beauty
Its 1000% worth the trip up the hill, we didnt get to see the stars at night but I can only imagine how beautiful it would be! This was our highlight of our trip to the Big Island!
Drive to your nearest rural area?
Great video guys! Makes me want to go climb this volcano now.
Do it!! Its an amazing trip to the top!
Im going there next week. Was is bad with the altitude sickness? Or was it allright? Just let me know. Thanks in advance :)
@Th3Alfisti We did not experience altitude sickness during our trip up to the top. However, we did stay at the visitor center for about 40 minutes to acclimate to the altitude. Id recommend staying at the visitor center for atleast half hour before driving the rest of the way up.
@TravelsThroughNature thanks for the tip 👍🏼
@Th3Alfisti Of course. Enjoy your trip up there!
Love this! My wife and I are going to the Big Island in May and we are most definitely doing this drive! Mahalo for the video!
Definitely worth the drive up, such a great experience! Have a great time visiting the Big Island! 🤙
Thanks for the video! How was the drive down?
The drive down was nice. We just had to go slow in 1st gear, the road is very steep
What time of day to you reccomend heading up? We are staying in Hilo.
Early afternoon, I would recommend giving yourself at least 2 hours from the visitor center to the top of the mountain. They shut down the roads in the evenings at times, when roads get fog/ice.
Hi guys, how many hours before sunset you planned to arrive at at the top? Is an hour enough do you think? Thank you!
It takes about 45 mins it get to the top from the visitor center, so an hour before sunset should be enough time
What time of the year did you go?
May 2023
it's pronounced Mauna Kay-a not key-a. The Hawaiian "e" is pronounce "ay" Also, the other volcano you were pointing to was Mauna Loa, not Kilauea. Great video though.
She might have been mistaken on the volcano she pointed at. But either way an amazing experience !
Mauna kia
Just put the fries in the bag bro
Which car rental company do you choose that allow you to drive to Mauna Kea summit?
@@farmerwang1973 We rented from a private party on the island.
I would love to drive up that mountain but those requirements are insane. I have driven on way worse roads in the western US with a Toyota Corrolla and Toyta Rav 4 and been fine. Going down in 1st gear is actually pretty hard on the car, 1st gear is meant for steeper hills than that, you should be in a lower gear but I don't think you need to go all the way down to 1st. As for altitude sickness most people won't have a problem under about 15,000 ft and if you do have a problem it probably will take more than 30 minutes to develop and it takes a 2 weeks to acclimate to altitude not 30 minutes. I imagine the cost of renting one of these 4 x 4 vehicles and filling its big tank with gas is prohibitive for most people and the Mana Kea drive is yet another thing only the rich can do.
@Weathernerd27 They require the 4x4 and that you acclimate for 30 minutes at the vistor center half way up. The road is very steep. I think they just recommend a lower gear on the way down because most people are not used to driving those types of roads. Its just a safety thing, I hear that many people get stuck on the roads or run out of gas.
Do we need a reservation?
@@VuongNguyen281 No reservation
Not that i expected a pot of gold, but Ive never seen the end of a rainbow before, i have seen double and triple rainbows but not that.
We were hoping for the pot of gold 💰 but the full rainbow was definitely awesome to see!
Rental car? If so which rental company?
Rented from a private person through the App Turo
I remember simply driving up there in my honda accord like 15 years ago and seeing other normal cars. Now is all this silly rules.
@daredare187 Yeah I think it can be done in pretty much any car. But they stop you at the visitor center and check your vehicle now.. You see anyone having troubles getting up?
@TravelsThroughNature Yeah pretty lame they do that now. I've never seen anyone have troubles except a old lifted truck struggling at the top with big tires and stock 4 cylinder engine
Did you rent your car?
Yes, We rented through a private party. Most regular rental cars you can't take to the top
Renting car is not haraam
There was no stargazing ?
We didn't stay long enough to see the stars, unfortunately.
Is it easy to drive to the Summit? I am a female driver who isn't that great. Travelling with my 15 years old niece.
The drive isn't difficult, just need to have a 4x4 vehicle and more than half a tank of gas to reqch the summit
Not Kilauea, Mauna Loa🙄
?
The passenger kept pointing to mauna loa and calling it kilauea. Also, went there in 2022. Summit was closed for weather as well. Didn't get a chance to go back, so thanks for posting. How long did it take to go from the visitor center to the summit?
@walterlau3 it took about 30 - 40 minutes to get to the top from the visitor center.