Kitt Peak Nighttime Observing Tour
November 12, 2024
Explore space from nearly 7,000 feet up in the Quinlan Mountains. Kitt Peak National Observatory is the largest concentration of astronomical instruments and offers you the chance to learn more about how to study our night sky. Knowledgeable docents will lead us on this guided tour!
Transportation
Deluxe Motorcoach
Duration
1 day
Activity Level 1
Easy
Meals
1 meal (1 dinner) included
Availability
Available
Tour Highlights
- Kitt Peak National Observatory
- Explore Notable Telescopes
- Largest Concentration of Astronomical Instruments
- Knowledgeable Docents Leading the Exploration
- Learn to Use a Star Wheel
- Identify Objects, Stars, and Constellations in the Night Sky
Inclusions
- Roundtrip transportation by deluxe motorcoach
- 1 meal (1 dinner) included
- Admission to listed attractions
- Coach refreshments
- Your professional Tour Director
- All taxes and tips for included items
Kitt Peak National Observatory
Board the motorcoach at our designated locations, for your connivance. We will travel up the Quinlean Mountains, just west of Tucson, reaching the summit at about 7,000 feet at the Kitt Peak National Observatory.
Kitt Peak is a great spot to visit, not just for it’s fascinating science of astronomy but for the long-range views from the mountaintop. In the observatory, there are over 20 telescopes, the largest concentration of astronomical instruments on one site in the world! Knowledagble and passionate docents will provide a delicious box dinner and presentation before leading us to a viewing of the sunset. We will divide into groups and walk to the famous 4 meter Mayall Telescope, view selected objects through the 2.1 Meter Domed Telescope, and learn how to use a star wheel. Identify stars and constellations while exploring the night sky.
Following, we will return on our motorcoach with designated drop off locations.
Meals included: (D)
Cancellation and Refunds: All events with purchased tickets, including theatre and sports, have a 30 day no refund policy. Other day tours up to 3 days cancellation have $10 withheld. Within 3 days of the tour no refunds.
• Rescheduled and Cancelled Tours – If Pleasurebent Tours cancels or postpones a tour you may request a full refund or maintain a credit on your account for the price of the tour.
• Group minimums – Pleasurebent Tours reserves the right to cancel tours that do not reach the minimum number of participants (usually 20 to 25 people).
Itinerary is subject to change due to weather. Weather check will occur at 10 am on the day of the tour.
Trip Information
DEPARTS: Northside, 2:00 pm; Central 2:30 pm; Ajo/Mission 3:00 pm
RETURNS: Ajo/Mission, 9:45 pm; Central 10:15 pm; Northside 10:45 pm
Fun Facts
Notable Telescopes
One of the most famous telescopes housed at Kitt Peak is the Mayall 4-meter Telescope, which is one of the largest telescopes in the United States. Another significant instrument is the WIYN 3.5-meter telescope, known for its high-quality optics.
Cultural Significance
Kitt Peak is located on land leased from the Tohono O'odham Nation. The site has significant cultural importance to the Tohono O'odham people, and the observatory respects and acknowledges this cultural heritage.
Establishment
KPNO was established in 1958, making it one of the first major observatories in the world to be placed on a site chosen specifically for its astronomical advantages.
Package Pricing
$210 per person
Complete Experience
Deposit:
Price Includes
• Roundtrip transportation by deluxe motorcoach
• Admission to listed attractions
• 1 meal (1 dinner) included
• Coach refreshments
• Your professional Tour Director
• All taxes and tips for included items
Booking Policy
We pride ourselves on great service and an enjoyable experience for all, and will go over our booking policies after you make your request for booking. If you’d like to learn more about our booking policies before your trip, give us a call at (520) 325-8839, or visit our Booking Policies page. Click here for more information on our booking policies.
ITINERARY
The times listed on the itinerary are all approximate. We cannot be held responsible for schedule changes due to unforeseen circumstances with the weather, transportation agents, highway conditions, or contracting agents.
ACTIVITY LEVEL
The activity level for this tour is Easy.
Expectations: Little to no walking. Traveling at a leisurely pace, this itinerary requires a small amount of physical activity. Depending on the itinerary details, guests will need to be prepared to board a plane, bus, boat, ferry or ship. There will be some walking to rooms, cabins or restaurants and general points of interest. This may also include an occasional flight of stairs or some steps during transfers and stops.
Appropriate for: All travelers including those with lower mobility and who are comfortable participating in at least three hours of activity per day.
EMERGENCY CONTACT
It is always a good idea to carry on your person a list of medications that you are taking and an emergency contact phone number while you are traveling. And we suggest making a copy of the itinerary and provide it to a friend or family member.
GRATUITIES/ITEMS INCLUDED IN PRICE
The traditional end-of-tour gratuity to your tour director is not included. If you feel your Tour Director helped you enjoy your tour, present the gratuity to the director at the end of the tour.
TRAVEL REQUESTS
We pay close attention to your requests but please realize that these are merely requests and cannot be guaranteed.
RESPONSIBILITY
Pleasurebent Tours acts solely as agent in arranging transportation, sightseeing, baggage-handling and other services and does not assume any liability for injury, damage, loss or delay due to any act or default of any company or person. We, along with our subcontractors, reserve the right to make changes to an itinerary if it is necessary for the proper handling of a tour.
Inquire About This Tour
Submit your inquiry for more information about a tour. We will get back to you with a (human) response as soon as possible. During the week that’s usually within a couple of hours. Evenings and weekends may take us a little bit longer. Please note that this is an inquiry for tour bookings only and does not constitute or confirm a reservation on a tour.
Call 520.325.8839 to Book Today!
If you aren't ready to inquire by email or would rather call and speak to a team member, we look forward to hearing from you.
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