Big Island: Mauna Kea Summit and Stars Small-Group Adventure Tour
Overview
Available languages
8 hours
Mobile ticket
Head to the Mauna Kea Observatory, nestled high in the mountains of the Big Island, and experience an intriguing and provocative journey through space and time. Discover Hawaii from the top of the island's tallest peak, Mauna Kea, also known as 'White Mountain,' located 13,796 feet (4,200 meters) above sea level. This small-group star-watching tour ensures a personalized and unique experience at the enchanting Mauna Kea summit.
Additional Info
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Minimum age is 13 years - No children under 13.
Due to the high altitude, this tour is not suitable for those with respiratory, circulatory or heart conditions, pregnancy, or poor health.
Scuba divers should be aware of altitude dangers. If you plan to scuba dive, do not plan to go to the summit within 24 hours after you dive due to the altitude.
Guests are required to wear closed-toed shoe and long pants. We recommend bringing a sweatshirt or sweater for layering.
Guests must bring their own water bottles. Tour operator will provide filtered water refills.
Please provide your parka size (small, medium, large, x-large or xx-large) and meal choice at the time of booking. If you do not indicate this at the time of booking, you will need to contact the tour operator directly.
There is minimal walking on this tour, the maximum being about 150 yards. Please note we are unable to accommodate any guests with a collapsible wheelchair. All guests must be able to enter and exit our vehicles on their own, and walk comfortably on uneven terrain with limited lighting on their own.
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 Maunakea, with the heaviest snowfall occurring during the winter months
Please note your scheduled pick-up time may differ from the tour start time displayed online. Contact us to confirm your meeting time & location.
Weather changes can occur quickly, and the access road to the summit can close without warning; therefore we cannot guarantee access to the summit or favorable conditions.
No scuba diving within 24 hours
What To Expect
Travelers staying in Kailua Kona will meet the guide here. Your guide will meet you at the benches closest to the hotel's parking lot entrance at the curbside. **There may be additional meeting location stops along the way to Maunakea.**
Maunakea Visitor Information Station
Enjoy a warm picnic dinner while you acclimate to a higher elevation and learn about Hawaiian star navigation before you head to the summit.
Options
Departure Time
What‘s Included
Private star show with telescope
Hooded parkas and gloves
Central Meeting Locations for Pick-up & Drop off
Hot cocoa and cookies
A warm picnic dinner is provided with a choice of Southwest Stew or Vegetarian Chili (gluten-free).
Local taxes
Guide
Pick-up & Dropoff from Central Meeting Locations
Gratuities
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
1,595 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Exceeded expectations!
Catherine M G,Jun 18, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our tour guide was Jeff. He was fantastic. He was very knowledgeable about the seed collection/conservation, the summit, and stargazing. He was very kind, encouraging, and patient! This experience exceeded our expectations. The chicken stew was delicious. Loved the added attention to detail, which included super warm parkas, mittens, hot chocolate (yum), and chocolate dipped macadamia shortbread cookies. We had ample time at each stop, never feeling rushed. The can was very clean and in great condition. Highly recommend this adventure when you’re in HI.
Stellar small group experience on Maunakea for sunset and stargazing
Ann T,Jun 17, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This was recommended by friends and the first thing we reserved this spring. Our host/driver/guide was Jeff. He was fantastic the whole trip. On the way up he gave us some history of the Hawaii, the geology of the island and what makes Maunakea the perfect spot to star gaze. Sunset was gorgeous but even better was our evening stargazing. Jeff had two telescopes - one we used our eyes and rhe second that we will receive the file of all the stars we gazed at. This truly was a small group of 12. Highlights was only 8% moon so we saw Jupiter, Venus and Mercury with our naked eye and seeing both northern and southern constellations. Definely dress warmly - although it was in the low 50s and coats and more are provided. Leave the driving to an expert, it is extremely dark on the way down with twists and turns in the road.
Underwhelming experience
428petei,Jun 15, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
3.00The guide/driver was punctual and very respectful however the trip was misleading because I was under the impression that we’ll enter the telescopes at the top of the mountain instead we left immediately after sunset, drove down to 9200ft right above the visitor center where there was a lot of cars with lights plus another bus full of people. I did not enjoy the stargazing part of it at all.
Maura Kea Summit Sunset & Dark Sky Tour
williambY582LL,Jun 15, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a great door to door tour with Hawaii Forest and Trail. Jason was our local Hilo native tour guide, history, geology, volcanolgy expert, safety officer and humorist for our 8 hour adventure. HF & T provided a comfortable 12 person van for our group and picked us all up in Kona at our hotel Courtyard Marriott King Kamehameha. Jason was bright and cheerful and made the whole experience very enjoyable and interesting. The adventure; Interesting drive up the coast to the saddle road and then up the road to the observatories. Jason was full of information about the area, wildlife, native and invasive plants and animals and Hawaiian history. HF & T was very conscious about everyone’s safety with the large altitude changes and how everyone felt. A couple stops were made along the way to help people adjust. Jason provided a nice hot small meal of soup/stew in a thermos with tea and bread at the Visitor Center stop. The drive itself up the steep mountain thru several climate zones was very interesting. Then we got to the top of the mountain. It was out of this world cool. Seeing all these huge scientific Big Boy telescopes was fascinating. To look out from the top of the world to the sea of clouds was breathtaking. Maybe part of that was the altitude and the cold 😂. Then to watch the sun slowly set in the west, the colors were just beautiful. It was truly peaceful, spiritual. People were just quiet and thoughtful. It was very moving. One of the coolest things I’ve ever experienced and I’m old and I’ve done a lot. 🙂 Then we waited as the sky turned dark and Jason set up his telescope and he showed us the beautiful dark sky on the top of Mauna Kea with no light pollution. What you could see with the naked eye and your phone camera was pretty amazing. Looking thru Jason’s telescope was a real treat. Then when we got home HF&T set us digital photos taken with Jason’s telescope. These are really beautiful. We reserved this tour several months ahead for my adult son, his partner and myself after doing a lot of research about different tour companies. HF&T was consistently rated the top tour guides for this adventure. We made this the Grande Finale adventure of our week on the Big Island. It was the perfect climax to a wonderful week on a beautiful island with warm and friendly locals. Thanks to Jason for safely getting us back down the mountain and back to our hotel. Pretty sure everyone fell asleep on the way back. Mahalo Jason and HF&T for a wonderful experience.
Beautiful astronomy program
Departure50230143396,Jun 12, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00ABSOLUTELY OUTSTANDING!!! Wilson is an Incredible tour guide and extremely experienced!! Beautifully structured program! I will be back to do this trip with Wilson!!!
Possibly our best ever trip in Hawai’i.
Martyn A,Jun 7, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Amazing. Fantastically organised trip from start to finish. Professional tour company - and what can I say about our guide, Jeff. Legend! Great historical info on the long drive up and back, great sense of humour - and although seeing the sunset at 14,000 feet with the initial reason for going - the stargazing was unbelievable. Both because of what you should see - but more importantly Jeff’s knowledge. You could tell this was a real passion and skill of his. The equipment he brought with him was amazing to see the stars like that. And all from an automated telescope and iPad screen! Food great. Drinks great. Hot chocolate (definitely needed). Nothing to fault. Thanks Jeff and the wider company. Awesome.
Sunset and stars like never before
316claire,Jun 6, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our driver and guide Jeff was brilliant. He was personable considerate and very knowledgeable The chicken stew was delicious and the hot chocolate and cookie was very welcome The parkas provided were really warm but you do need to dress warmly and listen to The advice regarding high altitude. A really enjoyable experience a beautiful sunset and the stars were so bright and the sky so clear. Jeff was able to show us so many features and we made great memories Highly recommend this trip
Mauna Kea Summit Sunset & Stargazing with Hawaii Forest & Trail – A Must-Do Experience
Sherrie G,Jun 1, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Our Mauna Kea Summit Sunset and Stargazing tour with Hawaii Forest & Trail was absolutely unforgettable. The views at the summit were nothing short of breathtaking—the kind of beauty that makes you pause and truly take it all in. Watching the sunset from above the clouds was simply magical. The experience was made even better with thoughtful touches throughout. The chicken stew was delicious and perfect for the cool mountain air. And during the stargazing portion, enjoying hot chocolate and a cookie while gazing up at the incredible night sky was the perfect way to end the evening. I also have to give special credit to Hawaii Forest & Trail and our guide. I had accidentally overbooked myself and needed to meet at a different location than originally planned. They were incredibly understanding, flexible, and went out of their way to accommodate the change, which I truly appreciated. Overall, this was an amazing experience from start to finish. Between the stunning views, great food, and exceptional service, this tour is definitely a must-do if you’re visiting the Big Island.
Must-do Memorable trip for the Big Island
Emily A,May 21, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00I would highly recommend this tour. The views from above the clouds were magnificent. The dinner was great and comforting. All of the stress was taken out of the trip. The guide picked us up and we were able to relax and enjoy his knowledgeable stories about the area and the island in general, while also enjoying the beautiful views. The road is quite difficult to travel on certain stretches, but he expertly maneuvered it. We had a wonderful time
Great experience!
Robin S,May 19, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This was an awesome experience. It was very cold on top of the mountain but the time was relatively brief and the van was available to get out of the wind. The views were incredible. The meal was surprisingly good and the hot chocolate was so nice after the cold. The star gazing was very interesting. Our guide was knowledgeable, friendly and an excellent driver. I would highly recommend this tour for anyone with an interest in astronomy or just searching for the next awesome sunset experience.
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Operated by Hawaii Forest &Trail