• Our summit guide will meet visitors with reservations outside the telescope enclosure (i.e. the dome) at a pre-appointed time and escort visitors inside the enclosure.
• The tour will last 30 minutes. Visitors will be able to see the telescope and the primary mirror recoating facilities.
• Tours will be offered on up to 15 days a month. On each day that we offer tours, there will be tours at 10:30AM, 11:30AM, and 1:30PM.
• Tours will be in Japanese or English.
• One week advance reservations are necessary.
  

(Larger image)	0. Get to Mauna Kea. Transportation to the summit of Mauna kea is the responsibility of the visitor. A four wheel drive vehicle is required. The drive from Hilo or Kona to the Mauna Kea summit area takes approximately 3 hours, depending on weather and traffic. This includes a one hour rest at the Onizuka Visitor Information Station at the 9000 ft (2800 m) level of Mauna Kea to acclimatize to high altitude.
(Larger annotated photo)	1. Meet at Subaru Telescope. There is a visitor parking area at the foot of the telescope enclosure. Subaru's summit guide will greet visitors at the door on the side of the enclosure a few minutes before the time of the tour. There are no rest rooms along the tour route so make sure you go to the restroom before you arrive at Subaru.
(Larger annotated photo)	2. Subaru's summit guide will lead visitors through the enclosure for a 30 minute tour. Before the tour, all visitors must sign a liability waiver form. The telescope enclosure is not a building for humans, but a giant scientific instrument! The tour route includes two elevators rides and narrow corridors. All participants will wear hard hats for the entire duration of the tour.
(Larger annotated photo)	3.View the Subaru Telescope from a balcony. The balcony is 40 feet (12 meters) high. Try not to drop anything! Visitors will return along the same route and will be able to see the primary mirror recoating facilities at the end of the tour.

The scope of our tours is limited by concerns about visitor safety and telescope operations, and by the need to respect rules and regulations put in place to protect Mauna Kea and its people.

• The high altitude of the summit area of Mauna Kea presents a substantial health hazard to visitors. Tours will not be open to people younger than sixteen, people with health concerns that may make them susceptible to high altitude sickness, and people who are pregnant. Please read the University of Hawaii Institute for Astronomy's information bulletins on Mauna Kea health hazards for more information about the risks associated with traveling to high altitude. We ask you to obtain sufficient health insurance to cover any medical costs you may incur due to illness or injury during your visit to Mauna Kea.
• Transportation to the summit will be the responsibility of the visitor. Please be aware that the choices of transportation to the summit of Mauna Kea are extremely limited. Transportation from Hilo or Kona to the Mauna Kea summit area takes approximately 3 hours depending on weather conditions, including the time required to acclimatize to high altitude.
• Tours of visitors arriving with their own transportation will be limited to 8 visitors per tour. This number limit is set by how many people our summit guide can safely usher through the enclosure. Tours of visitors arriving with licensed local tour operators will be limited to 14 visitors provided that the tour van driver assists our summit guide in giving the tour.
• In order to make sure that we have sufficient staff at the summit to handle unexpected situations, tours will be limited to weekdays only.
• Visitors will not be able to look through the telescope. The surface of the primary mirror will be covered to prevent dust accumulation. The summit guide will not be presenting information on Subaru's latest scientific results.
  

Medical Alert The summit of Mauna Kea has an elevation of 13796 ft (4205 m). The air pressure in the summit region is less than 60% of that at sea level, and the body must work harder to obtain oxygen. Altitude sickness is a risk for all visitors. All visitors should expect a reduction in both their physical and mental capabilities. The stress caused by the high altitude environment can also worsen any existing health problems. Dryness, cold, and increased UV radiation also contribute to physical discomfort at high altitude. Please read the Procedures and Guidelines for Subaru Telescope Summit Facility Tours and the University of Hawaii Institute for Astronomy's information bulletins on Mauna Kea health hazards (http://www.ifa.hawaii.edu/mko/safe_visit.htm) before visiting Mauna Kea to familiarize yourself with the dangers of high altitude and how to maximize your safety and comfort.

• You may sign up for a tour on our web site as soon as the tour schedule becomes available.
• The tour schedule for a particular month will be posted on the web three months in advance. For example, the schedule for December becomes available September 1, 12 Midnight, HST. (HST, Hawaii Standard Time, is 10 hours before Greenwich Mean Time)
• Sign up at least one week in advance. Sign up is on a first come first serve basis.
• To sign up, please visit our tour calendar web page. Details of the sign up process are described on the bottom of the tour calendar page. The basic steps are:

  1. Check the tour calendar for dates and times of tours.
  2. Click on the tour of your choice.
  3. Agree to the basic conditions of the tour.
  4. Enter information about you and your group.
  5. Confirm the details of your reservation.

 

Visiting the summit area of Mauna Kea The summit area of Mauna Kea is open to the public during day light hours. For more information on Mauna Kea and the facilities on Mauna Kea, please visit the web site of the Onizuka Visitor Information Station.