Enjoy a sunset and stargazing experience like no other on this small-group trip to Mauna Kea—the highest point in the Hawaiian islands. Following afternoon pickup, travel in a 4x4 van to the summit—you can change into a warm jacket and pair of gloves, and sip a hot beverage, as the sun starts to set. Then, learn why so many research telescopes are located here during a brilliant celestial show.

This bucket-list experience whisks you up to the Mauna Kea summit
Watch the sunset from the mountaintop, and see the stars come out
Leave all the driving to your guide with round-trip 4x4 van transit
Warm jackets and gloves, hot drinks, and pro photographs included

What's Included

Transportation in a comfortable 4X4 van
Snacks and a hot beverage
Jackets and gloves to keep you warm
Experienced tour guide
Professional telescope (Weather Permitting)
FREE night photo with our professional camera

Dinner (Travelers may bring their own)

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting points

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End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

This Mauna Kea summit sunset and stargazing experience starts with easy pickup from one of the three options: Hilo, Waikoloa Village, or Kailua-Kona. Get picked up in a comfortable 4x4 van with the rest of your small group that’s limited to just 14 people.

Once you reach the Mauna Kea summit by vehicle, get suited up in a provided jacket and gloves to stay warm during the evening. Your guide tells you about Hawaii and its history related to the area as you watch the sunset and stargaze as the night falls. Your guide uses a laser pointer and professional Celestron telescope to show you important spots in the sky. Plus, enjoy snacks and a hot beverage while you relax on Mauna Kea.

Your trip is remembered easily with an included night photo using a DSLR camera. Your full-day adventure ends with drop-off back at the original pickup location.

Mauna Kea Summit

4 hours • Admission Ticket Included

Maunakea Visitor Information Station

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Not wheelchair accessible
Not recommended for travelers with back problems
Not recommended for pregnant travelers

No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
Not recommended for travelers under 13 years old
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 14 travelers

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.

Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Frequently Asked Questions

The answers provided below are based on answers previously given by the tour provider to customers’ questions.

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Q:How can I arrange pickup for the Mauna Kea Summit Sunset and Stars Tour?

A:Pickup is available from select locations in Hilo, Waikoloa, and Kona. Be sure to select the correct pickup option when making your reservation.

May 2021

Q:Can I change my departure point for the Mauna Kea Summit Sunset and Stars Tour after the booking is confirmed?

A:Pickup is included from the location on your selected option when making your reservation. If you need to change the pickup location, please call the local operator at the phone number on your ticket.

May 2021

Q:How should I dress for the Mauna Kea Summit Sunset and Stars Tour?

A:It can get very cold on Mauna Kea, so dress accordingly. You will be provided with coats and gloves to help keep you warm.

May 2021

Q:How strenuous is the Mauna Kea Summit Sunset and Stars Tour?

A:All guests should be in moderate physical condition. There is a significant change in altitude as the tour group ascends Mauna Kea.

May 2021

Q:How high is the Summit of Mauna Kea?

A:The Visitor Station is located at 9,200ft (2,800m) and the summit is 13,796ft (4,205m).

May 2021

Q:Do we get to use the telescope at the Summit during the Mauna Kea Summit Sunset and Stars Tour?

A:The large observatories are run by several different universities/organizations from several different countries. You may, however, get close to the stars with a professional Celestron telescope to view the incredible night sky.

May 2021

Q:Are there age restrictions to participate in the Mauna Kea Summit Sunset and Stars Tour?

A:Guests under age 13 are not recommended due to the high altitude.

May 2021

Q:Are there other restrictions to participate in the Mauna Kea Summit Sunset and Stars Tour?

A:This tour is not recommended for anyone who is pregnant, has back problems, or is in poor health due to the high altitude.

May 2021

Q:Are there restrooms available during the Mauna Kea Summit Sunset and Stars Tour?

A:There are restrooms at the Mauna Kea Visitors Center as well as portable restrooms near the summit.

May 2021

Q:Is food included in the Mauna Kea Summit Sunset and Stars Tour?

A:Food is not included, however, you may bring your own packed dinner with you. There will not be food available for purchase upon arrival.

May 2021

Traveler Photos

Reviews

5.0

968 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

Reviews by Viator travelers.

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Showing 1-10 of 968 reviews

Stunning sunset and stargazing

ElizabethBrown, Apr 2024

The views from Mauna Kea were phenomenal! Loved the sunset, it was beautiful watching the sun set behind the clouds on the ocean’s horizon. The tour guide, Zach, shared lots of facts about the island’s flora, fauna, rocks, telescopes, landscapes and history. We enjoyed stargazing and learning about the constellations. The telescope took a while to sync, but once it was, the views through that were amazing. The moon was out in full, but still plenty of stars to see and enjoy.

It was nice but disappointing

Dennis_N, Apr 2024

Very Disappointed with star gazing, but the rest was very nice. Never got the pictures that were promised to us.

Great experience

Todd_J, Apr 2024

Well organized and a crew with knowledge and the enthusiasm to share it. Zach was engaging and willing to repeat his presentations for those not paying attention the first time. Security is the highest priority with the team. Coats and gloves were clean and worked really well. We enjoyed this excursion.

Very knowledgeable guide

venkat_G, Apr 2024

The guide was very knowledgeable and did a very good job during the trip in explaining various attractions.

Mauna Kea tour top notch!

Dawn_K, Apr 2024

The sunset was beautiful from the top of Mauna Kea and the stargazing was fun and greatly enhanced by our guide’s knowledge of the stars.

Beautiful sunset, amazing stargazing

Beth_E, Apr 2024

Amazing tour, beautiful sunset, breathtaking views. Perfect place for stargazing. Our tour guide Robert was very knowledgeable, funny and engaging. Highly recommend this tour. Pick up and drop off made easy. Also nice to not have to drive the treacherous roads yourself.

Magnificent sunset view. Stargazing awesome, limited by clouds. Cheap unappetizing snacks.

Pallavi_P, Apr 2024

The sunset at the Mauna Kea observatories was stunning. The location was very windy and cold despite the gloves and warm coat. The driver guide was knowledgeable and a skilled driver in challenging driving conditions. The van was comfortable. The main concern is it was a cloudy night. We didn't get much stargazing. And, the snacks were very basic. Considering we had paid a very high fee, no stars and simple snacks limited the value of the excursion.

Breathtaking views and a great tour

Erin_W, Apr 2024

My sister and I had a great time on the Mauna Kea sunset and stars tour. Tay was our knowledgable and enthusiastic guide. It ended up being extremely windy on top of the mountain, but we were provided colorful parkas and gloves to help keep us warm. Unfortunately the clouds didn't clear at the summit enough to see stars up there. But Tay was dedicated to finding an alternative spot for us to get some stargazing in, so we drove down the mountain to an alternative area where we were able to get a clearer sky and see an abundance of stars. We had the opportunity to see some constellations and the great nebula through their provided telescope and get a photo with the night sky. An extremely cool and fun experience -would highly recommend!

Not worth the price.

Stephanie_L, Apr 2024

Too crowded. Thought was going to look through telescopes...did not. Snacks were blah. Had to use porta potty which was disgusting on the way back. Van broke down. Our Star picture was blurry. For the price, would not recommend. The hosts were nice and upbeat though.

For a good time…

Cheryl_R, Apr 2024

A well-organized tour. Robert was extremely knowledgeable and engaging. I would highly recommend!!!!

Best attraction on the big island

Nick_R, Apr 2024

Everything about the trip was fantastic. The view from the summit is unbelievable. The tour guides are friendly and very knowledgeable, and helped make the tour so much better. I have done most of what the island has to offer and this was by far the best experience.

At the top of the world … yes, in Hawaii!!

Rossana_B, Apr 2024

If you come to Big Island and don’t visit Manoa Kea, you have not come to Hawaii! The tour company guides, Robert and Blaze were enthusiastic and caring, delivering great customer services. Robert, our group guide and driver is very knowledgeable and personable, sharing so much about Hawaii’s culture, history, geography and astronomy. It is a must do tour!

Rob and Jess did an...

Caryn_H, Apr 2024

Rob and Jess did an awesome job. So did our driver from Kona up to the meet up area where Rob and Jess picked us up.

Out of this world

GeorgeThomas_K, Apr 2024

This was an amazing and worthwhile trip . Robert was our guide up to the viewing area . He was very knowledgeable, extremely personable and very conscientious. He made us feel at ease as he navigated the very challenging roads and terrain . I recommend this trip to anyone visiting the big island .

Amazing opportunity to view the stars and stand among the clouds

Jennifer_B, Apr 2024

Experiencing the Mauna Kea tour was an absolute highlight of my visit to the Big Island, Hawaii! From the very start, our guides, Robert and Melia, made us feel safe and informed. The ride up to the summit was breathtaking as it was thrilling, offering views that seemed almost otherworldly. Standing atop Mauna Kea, witnessing the sunset above the clouds, was an unforgettable moment, truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The stargazing session that followed was equally impressive. Robert and Melia allowed us to view the stars through a telescope while also providing details on both Greek and Hawaiian names and stories associated with the constellations. This tour not only connected me more deeply with the natural world but also with the rich cultural heritage of Hawaii. A must-do for anyone visiting Big Island!

Fantastic experience

Lori_M, Apr 2024

Amazing experience with fantastic guides, Jess & Rob were friendly and knowledgeable and made the whole trip very enjoyable. View of Orion Nebula was incredible.

Awesome summit view and stargazing.

Leon_M, Apr 2024

Summit view was excellent! Zach provided a great stargazing experience and “star talk”! We would highly recommend this tour.

Great experience

Tseggy_K, Apr 2024

Stars gazing was amazing and Robert was very knowledgeable and friendly. We had a great time! It’s very cold up there. Make sure bundle up!

Out of this world

James_P, Apr 2024

The experience is one you’ll never get anywhere else. Guides are very knowledgeable and made the ascent and descent easy.

Amazing experience!

Heather_B, Apr 2024

Kimo and Rob were amazing guides and always on top of anything needed. They made it an amazing experience every step of the way. We had an amazing tiime that we will never forget!

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