Daytime Guided Tour COMBO (McMath/2.1-meter)
All ages • Daily at 10:00am • Our two morning tours for one low price!
What to Expect
Tour two large, amazing and completely unique observatories!
Duration
90 Minutes
Prices displayed do not include fees
About
Kitt Peak is very much alive during the daylight hours. During the summer, the mountain is a great place to beat the desert heat.
This docent-led combo tours the McMath-Pierce Solar Telescope AND 1.2 meter telescope and requires extensive walking. Half of the facilities visited are not wheelchair-accessible. Guests should wear comfortable walking shoes, and be able to walk the distances between the telescopes and climb stairs. Please let us know 24 hours in advance at [email protected] or phone (520) 318-8726 if you require mobility assistance.
- Check in at the Visitor Center at least 15 minutes before the start of your tour.
- Strollers or carry-on infants are NOT permitted.
- Advance reservations are strongly recommended but not required.
- Discounted tickets are available for seniors age 62 and older, groups of 8 persons or larger, active duty military with ID, and students with ID.
- Tohono O’odham Nation: This program is free to members of the Tohono O’odham nation (TON Tribal IDs will be checked upon arrival).
- ASTC Members: Tours are free for ASTC Members and immediate family members (ASTC Membership card will be checked upon arrival).
NOTE for international guests: Arizona State Route 86 has a U.S. Border Patrol checkpoint. If you are visiting from outside the U.S. please bring your passports with you to avoid any potential difficulties.
More Info
This combo offers the opportunity to tour the truly iconic engineering marvel McMath-Pierce Solar Telescope (where water on the Sun was discovered as well as breakthroughs about sunspots and solar oscillations and is now home to the NEW Taṣogida Ki: Center for Astronomy Outreach science center) as well as the 2.1 meter telescope where renowned astronomer Vera C. Rubin did pioneering research into the discovery of dark matter.
Accessibility
Kitt Peak is just shy of 7,000 feet (2096 meters) above sea level at the summit. Please consider any personal health issues that could arise from the altitude or walking at this elevation, such as: decreased lung capacity, cardiac issues, or other issues with altitude. If you have health concerns, please consult your doctor before visiting us.
Our programs typically involve walking, standing, and climbing stairs. Working service animals are welcome.
The walk to the Visitor Center from the parking lot is about 45 meters (50 feet).
The tour to the 2.1 meter Telescope requires walking up almost two flights of stairs and requires 1/4 mile walking uphill.
Please let us know 24 hours in advance at [email protected] or phone +1 520 318 8726 if you require mobility assistance. The Visitor Center’s ability to provide special accommodations is severely limited.
We look forward to hosting you in this adventure of exploring the Universe!
Address
Kitt Peak National Observatory, Tucson, AZ, 85634
Pricing
| Adult | $39.95 |
| Senior | $34.95 |
| Group of 8+ | $34.95 |
| Active Duty Military Member | $34.95 |
| Youth (requires at least 1 non-Youth in booking) | $34.95 |
| Member of the Tohono O’odham Nation | Free |
| ASTC Member | Free |
| Free Youth | Free |
Cancellation Policy
Guest-initiated ticket cancellation & refund requires 48 hours' notice unless Trip Protection has been purchased. (For those with Trip Protection, guest-initiated ticket cancellation & refund requires 24 hours' notice.)
nPrograms for all ticket-holders will be canceled only if staff deem conditions hazardous. In such instances, guests will have the option to receive a refund or to reschedule.
nWe do not offer refunds for weather conditions (clouds, inclement weather, etc..) that are different from those expected, that change suddenly and limit our use of the tour infrastructure.
Operated by