Big Island GOAT Experience: Mauna Kea Summit, Sunset & Stars
Overview
Available languages
Mobile ticket
Delight in the awe-inspiring sunset at the top of Mauna Kea, the highest point in the Pacific.
Your guide will share historic accounts of the Big Island. Stand amidst the world’s largest collection of research telescopes.
Two of the eight telescopes which took the first photos of the black hole are here.
Sip a hot beverage during your private star show and view planets with a professional telescope (Weather Permitting).
Your guide will take astrophotography photos of you with our camera and email them to you.
Additional Info
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Not allowed for travelers under 13 years old
Not allowed for travelers with heart problems or other serious medical conditions
Not allowed for pregnant travelers
What To Expect
Mauna Kea Summit
One of the best places to see the sunset and stargazing and it's also the highest mountain on earth. Comfortable 4X4 passenger van as transportation.Jackets and gloves provided to keep you warm. Experienced tour guide to talk about our history and show you our amazing night with a laser pointer. Get close to the stars with our professional Celestron telescope and get a nice photo with our DSLR camera.
Maunakea is a celebrated and storied place in the cultural traditions of Hawai'i. While it is the dwelling place of the goddess Poli'ahu it is also associated with the Hawaiian deities Lilinoe and Waiau. The summit was considered the realm of the gods and in ancient times was kapu (forbidden) to all but the highest chiefs and priests. Occasionally Hawaiian ali'i (royalty) would make the long trek to the top, the last royal visitor being Queen Emma in 1881 who led her companions on the arduous 6 hour journey to the top to see the summit and rejuvenate herself in sacred Lake Waiau. The White Mountain Legends of the Mountain - Poli´ahu While today Maunakea is home to 13 international observatories and recieves thousands of visitors every year it remains a sacred place for the people of Hawai'i. On the the fourth Saturday of every month MKVIS hosts community speakers who speak about Mauna O Wakea from a cultural perspective.
Options
Waikoloa Queens’ Marketplace
Waikoloa Queens’ Marketplace : Waikoloa Queens’ Marketplace(KOR Salon), 69-201 Waikoloa Beach Drive, Waikoloa Village, HI 96738 Starting point: Starbucks, Beach Resort, 69-201 Waikōloa Beach Dr, Waikoloa Village, HI 96738, USA
Kona Bank Of Hawaii Pick Up
Kona BOH Pick Up : Kona Commons shopping center Bank of Hawaii (across the lot from the Kona Target) Starting point: Bank of Hawaii, 74-5457 Makala Blvd Suite 102, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740, USA
Hilo Naniloa Hotel Pick Up
Grand Naniloa Hotel Hilo - a DoubleTree by Hilton “A” lot, near Crowns nightclub Starting point: Grand Naniloa Hotel Hilo - a DoubleTree by Hilton, 93 Banyan Dr, Hilo, HI 96720, USA
What‘s Included
Experienced tour guide
FREE night photo with our professional camera
Snacks and a hot beverage
Jackets and gloves to keep you warm
Transportation in a comfortable 4X4 van
Professional telescope (Weather Permitting)
Dinner (Travelers may bring their own)
Private Tour
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
1,807 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Mauna Kea, Top of the World Experience
Leilani P,Jun 18, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00What an incredible opportunity to see our beloved Mauna Kea for the very first time. Our host, Chris, was funny, knowledgeable, and made the time spent with everyone a comfortable one. If you are a seeker of nature and knowledge, and have always wanted to capture unforgettable photographs with insane views, look no further. In this little adventure you'll be under endless stars and planets, learning about the constellations all while drinking a hot beverage and making unforgettable memories that'll last more than a lifetime.
Incredible trip! Knowledgeable and helpful tour guides.
Todd A,Jun 16, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Incredible experience! On the day of our trip it was cloudy and rainy all day long at our hotel so I was really worried so ai called the tour operator directly. They answered the phone immediately and sent me a link to the summit webcams and weather forecast for that night which showed clear skies. Sure enough once we got through the clouds to the summit it was perfectly clear. We saw an amazing sunset and an unreal amount of stars. The pictures they gave us were really cool too. The operators are so careful to make sure no one gets altitude sickness. I wouldn’t want to try this adventure on my own.
If you don't do this tour while on the Big Island, you're wrong
211natalief,Jun 16, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00My son and I took this tour just a week ago. It was amazing! The directions were clear for pick up location and time. The bus getting to the base of the mountain was comfy, and the 4x4 bus we took up Mauna Kea was also very comfortable. Our guide, John, was amazing. He let us all introduce ourselves and shared his knowledge of Mauna Kea with us as we traveled up the road to the summit. We were able to get out at the visitor center to acclimate to the elevation for about 30 min. Then we continued up the road. We made it to the summit in time for sunset, which was breathtaking. We then stayed near the summit for stargazing. John provided nice coats, snacks and hot chocolate while we were watching the stars. We were able to see stars we had never seen before, including the Southern Cross. John had tons of knowledge on Polynesian navigation, and demonstrated how stars were used to explore. Through the telescope we got to see another galaxy that is millions of light years away. They also provided pictures of the entire evening for us to download and share. Such a great experience.
Epic trip to see the top of Mauna Kea
melissahO93HA,Jun 15, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00What an amazing experience!! Our guide Tay and John were very passionate educators and it was a delight to spend some time with them getting acquainted with the stars.
Worth it!
klsnyc,Jun 15, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Very informative and guides made it fun. Would recommend.
Breathtaking
sariahe,Jun 15, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Because of the high elevation and thin air, the experience is literally breathtaking. I'd say the only thing i didn't consider was the amount of standing during the star gazing portion of the tour. It's a long evening with high elevation and you get tired. This is no reflection of the tour company. They were knowledgeable and patient with everyone. Highly recommend
Best experience EVER!
Scenic212108,Jun 13, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We took the tour as a family of three. This was the best thing and such a memorable experience. Our guide was Tay, and hands down THE BEST tour guide ever. His knowledge of geology, Hawaiian culture and astronomy was so incredibly. It is one of the coolest things we have done. Absolutely worth EVERY penny.
do. This. Tour.
M8777XUmichaelj,Jun 10, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Chris and Anna were thoughtful kind and knowledgeable. Made the daunting trip ez and enjoyable.
Great up above the clouds
FarAway36539011046,Jun 10, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our tour guide, Chris, kept us entertained on the trip up the mountain. The Hawaiian history and beliefs were new to me. The views were amazing. It was like stepping out onto the moon and seeing the most amazing sunset. The island has been very rainy for our visit - but up above the clouds - the sky was clear. It was a fun adventure.
Great stargazing experience
Michael L,Jun 9, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Awesome experience. Never saw stars like that. Tour guides were very knowledgeable and good hosts. Much better on a tour than it would have been on our own
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Operated by Hawaii Island Holidays