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Gemini Tour Information

Hello and welcome to the Gemini tour information page.

Tour Criteria

  • If you are interested in a tour of the telescope please contact us a week before the tour so we have sufficient time for setting up the logistics.
  • We do not offer transportation to the summit.
  • We do not offer evening or weekend tours.
  • No one under the age of 16 is allowed to enter the Gemini North Telescope facility.
  • Prior to any tour we need to have the Visitors Guide to the Gemini North Telescope signed and returned to us either by mail or fax at least 24 hours prior to the tour.
  • Educational groups form an important part of our outreach effort and are encouraged.
  • We will deny requests from for-profit organizations (non-educational) and from other scientific/astronomical publication based tours.

Safety Pre-cautions

  • Tour members must wear closed toe shoes, this means no slippers or sandals.
  • Bring warm clothing.
  • Bring UV filtering sunglasses.
  • Bring sunscreen.

Visitors Guide for Gemini North Telescope

High Altitude Sickness

Rental companies that allow their vehicles to go up Mauna Kea:

Harper Car and Truck Rental
456 Kalanianaole St.
Hilo, HI 96720
Phone: 1-800-852-9993

Arnott's Lodge & Hiking Adventures
P.O.Box 4039
Hilo, Hawaii 96720-0039
Phone: (808) 969-7097

Hawaii Forest & Trail
74-5035B Queen Kaahumanu Hwy
Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
Phone: (808) 331-8505
Fax: (808) 331-8704

Other Activities & information

To request a Gemini Virtual Tour CD please e-mail us at VT@gemini.edu. In the e-mail be sure to include your name and mailing address


Gemini Observatory Participants