Big Island: Mauna Kea Summit Tour with Free Night Star Photo
Overview
Available languages
8 hours
Mobile ticket
We will take you to the summit of Mauna Kea to see the sunset and we will do stargazing afterward (not at the summit). Our most unique part is that our guides will take the photo of the sunset and stars for you using their DSLR camera.
All photos are free of charge and you will get it to your smartphone at the end of the tour.
Additional Info
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Please check the message on Viator. We will send a message about pick up time and location after the confirmation of your booking.
Please note that pick up location has a free parking lot but we do not take any responsibility or liability for any damage or loss caused through the parking
Please note that in times of bad weather sunset or stargazing are not 100% guaranteed and moonphase will affect the visibility of the stars.
Please note that, depending on any guests get altitude sickness or other conditions, the time spent at the summit and the stargazing location may be adjusted.
Guest under 16 years old or older than 75 cannot participate
Not recommended for person weight more than 300lb
Not recommended for person having respiratory problem such as asthma
Guest under 16 years old or older than 75 cannot participate
What To Expect
Kailua-Kona
Pick up guests from each pick up location starting from Target in Kona. (pick up time varies depending on the season) 14:00-15:00pm Target's parking lot meet in front of the Mcdonald’s that is in the Target parking area (74-5453 Makala Blvd, Kailua-Kona) 14:45-15:45pm/ Queens’ Market Place Please meet up at the shuttle bus stop in backside of the shopping mall, a LARGE parking lot near the NOT Starbucks (69-201 Waikoloa Beach Dr #201, Waikoloa) 15:30-16:30pm/ Gilbert Kahele Recreation Park (44-5400 Daniel K. Inouye Hwy, Waimea)
Onizuka Astronomy Complex
Onizuka Visitor Information Station We will take a break at the Onizuka Visitor Center at an altitude of 2,800m or 9,000ft for early dinner and altitude acclimatization. We also change clothes for winter clothes here depending on the weather. Also gift shop is open for guests to purchase the items. (No food or drink sale)
Options
Queens Market place Pick up
Starting point: Queens' Marketplace, 69-201 Waikōloa Beach Dr, Waikoloa Village, HI 96738, USA
Target Parking Lot by McDonald
Starting point: Target, 74-5455 Makala Blvd, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740, USA
What‘s Included
An astronomical telescope
Mauna Kea Summit Tour
Admission Fee for Mauna Kea
Free DSLR camera photo of stars with you in it! (weather and moon phase permitting))
BLT or Vegan sandwich (Please let us know by day before the tour or it will be automatically a BLT)
Snow parker, Ski pants, and Gloves
4x4 Passenger Van to the summit
Gratuities
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
1,627 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Amazing!
Rebecca M,Jun 15, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Shoyo was our tour guide. Very informative and friendly. It was an amazing experience and well worth it!
Unforgettable Mauna Kea Experience with an Incredible Guide, Chris
cliffd999,Jun 14, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had an amazing experience on the Mauna Kea Summit Tour, and a big part of that was our guide, Chris. He was knowledgeable, professional, and made the entire evening feel both safe and unforgettable. From the start, everything was well organized. The ride up in the 4x4 van was comfortable, and Chris did a great job explaining what to expect at the higher elevation and making sure everyone was prepared with the provided parkas, ski pants, and gloves. The stop at the Onizuka Astronomy Complex for dinner was a nice break before heading to the summit. Watching the sunset from Mauna Kea was absolutely breathtaking — truly a once-in-a-lifetime view. After dark, the stargazing experience was incredible. Chris made it especially memorable by sharing interesting information about the stars and planets, and he made the experience accessible and engaging for everyone. The telescope viewing was fantastic, and the free DSLR star photo was such a special bonus. This tour was well worth it for the scenery, the experience, and the excellent guidance from Chris. Highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting the Big Island and looking for a unique and unforgettable adventure.
Maunakea excursion!!
Padmaja S,Jun 13, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This excursion surpassed our expectations in every way! Our guide, Chris, was extremely knowledgeable and answered all of our questions. Would recommend this epic experience to all travelers both with family and friends. Overall a wonderful experience!
Good Tour - One Issue
Mike R,Jun 13, 2026
- Review from Viator
3.00The location was very good. The tour guide, Yoki, was very kind and informative and took excellent photographs. The only issue was that when parking for the stargazing session there was a significant amount of exhaust within our van, which seemed to be caused by parking directly behind another van from the same company.
Great tour and amazing...
Jing C,Jun 12, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Great tour and amazing views! Our tour guide Chris was friendly and knowledgeable. Loved the sunset, stargazing, and the complimentary photos. Highly recommend this experience!
Mauna Kea Summit Sunset and Stargazing Tour
Beth M,Jun 12, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00I highly recommend the Mauna Kea Summit Sunset & Stars Tour. The experience was a once in a lifetime and the views will take your breath away. Our tour guide James was very knowledgeable and funny which made the evening fun.
A worthy investment of your vacation time for unparallel views
Scheherazade,Jun 12, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I was hesitant to book this due to the length of time it would take from our 6 days on the island - but we were glad we did it! They have it planned out well to break out the trip in segments, so nothing feels too rushed or too long - despite rainy and cloudy weather - we were rewarded with perfect sunset and stargazing. Our guide Chris was very attentive and caring to ensure everyone had an enjoyable experience. I was surprised after the first round of introductions he remembered everyone's names. Everything was as promised/planned except never saw use of a telescope. Biggest drawback is the 4 miles of bumpy dirt road on the way up and back down- it's quite jostling. The passenger vans fit 12 people, and apparently, they're routinely sold out - so it can be a tight fit in 4 rows of 3. It does get very cold as advised at the top - glad we changed into sweatpants and tops at the first stop. You'll be grateful for their warm parka and ask for the gloves too! Grab some of the garlic ginger chips and the butter toffee at the rest stop!
Beautiful trip! The...
Jamie G,Jun 12, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Beautiful trip! The sunset was amazing! Wes was a fantastic tour guide and made the trip very memorable!
Chris is a native...
Junko O,Jun 11, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Chris is a native Japanese speaker and did Japanese translation for my mom. Unexpected surprise and amazing service!! クリスが日本語通訳してくれたので、母がツアーを心から楽しんでくれました。
An experience out of this world
Alain L,Jun 11, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00My wife and I both enjoyed this experience. Wes could not have been a better guide. The final stop after sunset provided an opportunity to stargaze in the dark. This is a rare opportunity nowadays because of light pollution almost everywhere. And for most of us who live at higher latitudes, we don’t get to see the southern cross at all, or not in its entirety, but there it was in all its beauty. It’s the same story with Alpha Centauri, the main star of our nearest solar system neighbor. There it was also. The Milky Way was also visible. It is a long trip and it may not be for everyone, but I have no doubt the majority of people would like to see the sunset the way we saw it that night. Both of us highly recommend this experience.
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