Top Big Island of Hawaii landmarks

Mauna Kea Summit and Stars Small-Group Adventure Tour

Recommended by 96% of travelersBadge of ExcellenceBig Island of Hawaii, USA

8 hours (approx.)
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

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Overview

Experience big skies and incredible nighttime views on this Mauna Kea stargazing trip with a small group. Experience a warm pre-trip picnic, proceeded by a ride in a 4x4 luxury van to the summit of the Big Island's tallest peak. After admiring a sunset view, continue down to 9,000 feet (2,743 meters) for a stargazing session, complete with a telescope, hot chocolate, and dessert. The trip also includes a guide and a hooded parka to keep you warm.

Enjoy a private stargazing show through 11” Celestron telescopes on Mauna Kea
Learn about the history, culture, and ecology of Hawaii
Indulge in a warm picnic dinner.

What's Included

Guide
Hooded parkas and gloves
Hot picnic dinner
Hot cocoa and cookies
Private star show with telescope
Local taxes
Central Meeting Locations for Pick-up & Drop off

Gratuities

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting points

Select a meeting point

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

Join your small group and prepare for an immersive experience. Travel in a 4-wheel-drive van, beginning your journey from the base of Mauna Kea to the top. Savor the opportunity to indulge in a warm, picnic-style dinner at the Maunakea Visitor Information Station before going up to the summit.

Ascend up this tall peak on this Big Island, reaching heights of 9,000 feet (2,743 meters). Get settled and watch as the sun sets. Then, take part in a stargazing session and delight in viewing the night sky through telescopes. Indulge in some hot chocolate and desert as your guide shares tales of Hawaii's history, culture, and ecology.

As the night goes on, stay cozy in your complimentary hooded parka and continue to watch the celestial show until the end of your experience.

Courtyard King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Maunakea Visitor Information Station

45 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Mauna Kea Summit

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Maunakea Visitor Information Station

1 hour • Admission Ticket Included

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Minimum age is 13 years
Due to the high altitude; this tour is not suitable for those with respiratory, heart or circulatory conditions, poor health, or pregnancy
Not wheelchair accessible
Scuba divers should be aware of altitude dangers
**IMPORTANT - Please note, guests meeting at the Courtyard by Marriott King Kamehameha Kona Beach Hotel must meet at least 15 MINUTES PRIOR to the tour's departure time.**
Guests are required to wear closed-toe walking shoes or hiking boots, long pants. We recommend bringing a light sweatshirt or jacket
Guests must bring their own water bottles. Tour operator will provide filtered water refills.
Please advise your parka size (small, medium, large, x-large or xx-large) and choice of meal at time of booking. If you do not indicate this at the time of booking, you will be required to call and advise them of this information directly.

There is minimal walking on this tour, the maximum being about 150 yards
Not recommended for travelers with back problems
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
Most travelers can participate
The access road to Mauna Kea is four-wheel drive only, so it can be bumpy. The custom off-road transit vans will get you to the top and back in safety and comfort. The transit vans can carry a maximum of 12 passengers
Snow is seasonal at Mauna Kea, with the heaviest snowfall occurring during the winter months
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 12 travelers

Cancellation Policy

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

Traveler Photos

Featured review

Raiyah_A

Incredible views of the planets and stars. The guide Eugene was very knowledgeable and I was able to see Saturn (plus 2 moons), Jupiter (plus 4 moons) and many star constellations with the equipment they provided. Thank you for a wonderful tour and hiring such amazing drivers and knowledgeable guides.

Reviews

4.8

1,327 reviews

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

Reviews by Viator travelers.

We perform checks on reviews

Showing 1-10 of 1,327 reviews

Out of this world amazing

Elizabeth_O, Jan 2025

Outstanding trip to the summit for sunset and stargazing. Jeff our guide was amazing. He Took care to make sure we acclimated to the altitude, and pointed out so many stars and planets and how they align.

Jason was a fantastic...

Michael_S, Dec 2024

Jason was a fantastic guide! Amazing scenery and stars! I was worried about the altitude. While you definitely felt it on the summit, it was manageable and we didn’t stay on the summit for too long. This tour was a highlight of our trip!

Planet and Star gazing in the clouds

Raiyah_A, Dec 2024

Jason was an amazing guide

Sidney_S, Dec 2024

Jason was an amazing tour guide. So knowledgeable and thorough. The view was spectacular and food/drinks were very good.

Response from Host, Dec 2024

Mahalo for your kind words! We’re thrilled to hear that Jason made your tour exceptional with his knowledge and thoroughness. It’s great to know that you enjoyed the stunning views, as well as the food and drinks. Thank you for joining us, and we hope to welcome you back for more amazing experiences on the Big Island!

Sunset and Stars

Karen_B, Dec 2024

Jason gave us a 5 star experience! Entertaining and knowledgeable. Do yourself a favor and go with this tour operator versus driving on your own!

Response from Host, Dec 2024

Mahalo for the fantastic review! We're so glad to hear that Jason provided a 5-star experience with his entertaining and knowledgeable approach. We truly appreciate your recommendation—having an expert guide really makes a difference in making the experience more enjoyable and informative. Thank you for choosing us, and we hope to welcome you back for more unforgettable adventures soon! 🌟🚐

Absolutely thrilling...

Devanshi_P, Dec 2024

Absolutely thrilling experience! Jeff was the best guide with a ton of information to share. Got to learn about the history of volcanoes on the island, see the stunning observatories on Mauna Kea, and marvel at the night sky with awesome insights from Jeff.

Response from Host, Dec 2024

Mahalo for your amazing review! We’re so glad to hear that you had a thrilling experience with Jeff. His passion for sharing the history of the island’s volcanoes, as well as insights into the stunning observatories on Mauna Kea and the night sky, really makes the tour special. Thank you for joining us, and we hope to welcome you back for more unforgettable adventures under the stars! 🌋🌌✨

Special views and experience

Cale_N, Dec 2024

Incredible experience and beautiful views of observatories, sunset, stars. Awesome food and service and our guide Jason was extremely knowledgeable and friendly. Highly recommended. Thank you!

Response from Host, Dec 2024

Mahalo for your wonderful review! We’re so glad to hear that you had an incredible experience with stunning views of the observatories, sunset, and stars. It’s great to know that you enjoyed the food and service, and that Jason’s knowledge and friendliness made the tour even more special. Thank you for recommending us, and we hope to welcome you back for more unforgettable adventures in the future! 🌅🌌✨

Just Do It

Marc_P, Dec 2024

What an awesome experience! Worth the money :-) Everything was perfect set. Friendly and polite crew.

Response from Host, Dec 2024

Mahalo for your kind review! We’re so happy to hear that your experience was worth every penny and that everything went perfectly. It’s wonderful to know that the crew made the experience even more enjoyable with their friendly and polite service. Thank you for choosing us, and we hope to welcome you back for more unforgettable adventures soon! 🌟

Spectacular tour

Marek_K, Dec 2024

Only my wife, Maria, was able to participate in this tour, and she strongly recommends it. The program was very well prepared and balanced, and the provided food was delicious. The minibus was very comfortable. Proper attention was paid to safety. The guide and driver, Jeff, shared a lot of interesting information about the Hawaii Island, its nature, as well as the many international astronomical observatories placed on Mauna Kea. The sunset view from the top of the volcano and the private stargazing, using a telescope supplied by Jeff, were spectacular. He provided interesting commentary during stargazing and took some quality photos (using a camera attached to the telescope), which the participants could subsequently download from the Internet.

Response from Host, Dec 2024

Thank you for sharing your wife's experience! We're so glad Maria had such a fantastic time on the tour and that everything—from the well-prepared program to the delicious food and comfortable minibus—met her expectations. It's great to hear that Jeff's expertise in sharing information about the island, its nature, and the observatories made the experience even more enriching. The sunset and private stargazing sound incredible, and we’re glad Jeff's commentary and photos added to the memories. Thank you for recommending the tour, and we hope to welcome both of you back for another adventure!

Great experience with ultimate views.

Jeff_C, Nov 2024

Jeff was a great guide with a wealth of knowledge. I would recommend this tour to anyone wanting to catch a view of the ultimate sunset on Hawaii. Thank you Jeff!

Response from Host, Dec 2024

Mahalo for your kind review! We're so glad to hear that Jeff's knowledge and expertise made your sunset experience even more memorable. The sunset on Hawaii is truly a sight to behold, and it's wonderful to know that this tour gave you the ultimate view. Thank you for recommending it, and we hope to see you on another unforgettable adventure soon!

Great experience!

Dustin_L, Nov 2024

Really terrific experience! John was knowledgeable, engaging and accommodating to all of our group. It was a fun group to go with too. The parkas certainly help but I’d also encourage you to have a hat. It’s very cold at the summit and it will make your experience more enjoyable if you’re warm. I still had fun but I was freezing! I know it seems weird to have a hat or gloves in Hawaii but it’s important! Certainly one of the highlights of this trip to the Big Island!

Response from Host, Dec 2024

Thank you for your wonderful review! We're so glad to hear that John made your experience both engaging and enjoyable. It’s always great when the group energy adds to the adventure! Your advice about staying warm at the summit is spot on—the conditions up there can be surprisingly chilly, and preparing for the cold makes a big difference. We're thrilled that, despite the brisk temperatures, this tour was a highlight of your Big Island trip. Mahalo for joining us, and we’d love to have you back for another adventure!

Excellent!

Michael_C, Nov 2024

Jeff was an outstanding tour guide - very knowledgeable and focused. It was freezing at the summit with a biting wind, but still an amazing experience.

Response from Host, Dec 2024

Mahalo for your review! We're so glad to hear that Jeff made your experience memorable with his knowledge and focus. Braving the freezing summit and biting wind is no small feat, but it’s wonderful to know the adventure was still amazing for you. Thank you for joining us, and we hope to welcome you back for more unforgettable Big Island experiences!

Great experience!

warnerrv, Nov 2024

Wonderful trip! Highly recommend! The views and the stargazing were amazing!! Our guide and driver, Jason, was the best! He was knowledgeable and entertaining.

Response from Host, Nov 2024

Thank you for your wonderful review! We're so glad you had an amazing time with us, from the stunning views to the incredible stargazing experience. Jason is truly a standout guide, and we're happy to hear his knowledge and entertainment made the trip even better. Mahalo for the recommendation, and we hope to see you again for another adventure!

Great tour of MaunaKea!

Sharon_K, Nov 2024

Excellent, organized tour! We traveled 16,000 feet to the summit of MaunaKea where we saw observatories and the sun set! A little farther down we stopped for a star show with explanations of how to view the stars, taking time to point out venus, saturn and the milky way galaxy with a telescope. We had a wonderful chili/stew for dinner and cookies and hot cocoa. Jon was an amazing tour guide, who shared his vast knowledge and history surrounding the island and all the areas we traveled through!

Response from Host, Nov 2024

Thank you for your wonderful review! We're thrilled to hear you had such an excellent experience on the Mauna Kea summit tour. Jon’s expertise and passion for the island’s history truly make the tour special, and we’re glad you enjoyed the sunset, stargazing, and the delicious dinner. It’s great to know you had a memorable time, and we’d love to welcome you back for more unforgettable adventures. Mahalo!

A truly memorable experience!

Paul_N, Oct 2024

Our tour guide made the journey to the Mauna Kea summit especially memorable. I'm sorry that his name escapes me but we were indeed fortunate to have someone so knowledgeable in the natural landscape as well as that of the night sky. His enthusiasm for all that he was describing was infectious and kept us completely absorbed as we lumbered up the big mountain. The sundown was breathtakingly beautiful! We were also lucky that our night sky on that particular day was equally amazing and unaffected by a bright moon. Highly recommend this wonderful excursion!

Response from Host, Nov 2024

Thank you for sharing your experience! We're so glad you had such a memorable journey to the Mauna Kea summit. It’s wonderful to hear that your guide’s enthusiasm and knowledge made the trip even more special, from the breathtaking sunset to the incredible night sky. We’re thrilled that the conditions were perfect for stargazing, and we appreciate your high recommendation. We hope to welcome you back for another unforgettable adventure soon!

Fantastic time!

Anna_M, Oct 2024

Awesome experience! Bret was a great tour guide. He had wonderful stories to share with us. Highly recommend!

Response from Host, Nov 2024

Thank you for your fantastic review! We’re delighted you had an awesome experience and enjoyed Bret’s storytelling and guidance. He loves sharing the unique history and culture of Hawaii, and it’s wonderful to hear it made your tour memorable. Mahalo for the recommendation, and we hope to see you again on another adventure!

Excellent tour

Paula_C, Oct 2024

Professional tour well maintained vehicle Jeff the tour guide was a book of knowledge The tour goes into depth to explain everything you’re see excellent experience

Response from Host, Nov 2024

Mahalo for your review! We're so glad you enjoyed the tour and appreciated Jeff's deep knowledge of the island. Our team is dedicated to providing a memorable and informative experience, and it's wonderful to know we met your expectations. We hope to welcome you back for more adventures and exploration on the Big Island soon!

Excellent and spectacular

Catherine_F, Oct 2024

Excellent all around. Jason was friendly, helpful and knowledgeable. The tour was smooth and professional. Not our first tour with Hawaii Forest and Trail, they have always been excellent. Highly recommended.

Response from Host, Oct 2024

Thank you for your wonderful feedback! We're so glad to hear that Jason provided you with a friendly and knowledgeable experience during your tour. It's great to know that you found the tour to be smooth and professional, and we appreciate your continued trust in Hawaii Forest and Trail for your adventures. Your high recommendation means a lot to us! We look forward to welcoming you back for more excellent experiences on the Big Island!

Fascinating Journey to the Summit of Mauna Kea

Larry_W, Oct 2024

Our trip to the summit of Mauna Kea, 13,800 ft, to watch the sunset was led by our tour guide, Adam, who was of very kind demeanor and quite knowledgeable on many topics. It was a 7-hour trip from and back to Kona in a very comfortable van with excellent visibility. Adam provided an interesting narration along the way talking about the lava fields, Polynesian history, plant and animal life as well as the volcanism of the island. Adam is also an amateur astronomer and brought a 11-inch Celestron telescope for us to view the stars at altitude. We spotted Comet C/2023 A3 Tsuchinshan-ATLAS was visible from Mauna Kea as well. The afternoon supper at 9200 ft as well as snacks were tasty and welcome.

Response from Host, Oct 2024

Thank you for your fantastic review of your Mauna Kea summit trip! We’re so glad to hear that Adam made your experience enjoyable with his kind demeanor and extensive knowledge on topics ranging from Polynesian history to the island’s unique geology. It’s wonderful that you had the chance to spot Comet C/2023 A3 Tsuchinshan-ATLAS through the telescope, making your stargazing experience even more special. We're also pleased you enjoyed the tasty supper and snacks along the way. Your feedback is greatly appreciated, and we hope to welcome you back for more incredible adventures on the Big Island!

Top of Hawaii

William_M, Oct 2024

The wild trip up the mountain with guide’s knowledge and experience. Also seeing comet. Then viewing the sunset 🌅 at 14,000 feet. We then use their telescope to view stars, planets, and the full moon. We then traveled down to our destination safely listening to Hawaiian music It is well worth the time and money Dress warmly in layers it was 85 degrees at base and 0 degrees at summit! The winds were over 40 MPH so having a guide that knew how to hide from it was importantl! The hot meal with a hot beverage was a big hit

Response from Host, Oct 2024

Thank you for your fantastic review! We’re delighted to hear that you had such an exhilarating trip up the mountain and enjoyed the unique experience of viewing the comet, the sunset at 14,000 feet, and the stunning celestial sights through our telescope. It’s great to know that our guide's knowledge and experience helped enhance your adventure, especially with navigating the chilly winds at the summit. We're glad you enjoyed the hot meal and beverages, too! Your tips about dressing in layers are incredibly helpful for future guests. Thank you for choosing us, and we hope to welcome you back for more incredible experiences on the Big Island!

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