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
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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.
What‘s Included
Private star show with telescope
Hooded parkas and gloves
Central Meeting Locations for Pick-up & Drop off
Hot cocoa and cookies
Local taxes
Guide
Hot picnic dinner
Pick-up & Dropoff from Central Meeting Locations
Gratuities
Options
Departure Time
Reviews
1,566 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Wonderful time!
Chesapeep,Apr 14, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had the best time with our guide Jeff. He is so knowledgeable and we really enjoyed our time on this tour. Highly recommend - even on a cloudy night we got so much out of it.
Neat views, great guide.
Q1108EAjamesr,Apr 10, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Willy (his nickname) was an amazing guide! He explained things well, was accommodating, funny, and made the tour a great experience. It was a nice group size, of around 12 people. We had someone who worked with telescopes and studies the starts as a profession, he had traveled to many other top sights in the world yet he said Willy still taught him things and the views were among if not the best he had ever seen. Dress warm as it can be 32F / 0C.
Wealth of information and fun
David W,Apr 6, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Jason, with Hawaii Forest & Trail, provided a very informative, fun, and interesting tour to the summit, and especially sharing views with the group of Jupiter, stars, nebula, and galaxies. Extremely knowledgeable, sharing information of the history, geology, the observatories, and astronomy. And made it enjoyable - for all of the group I think..
Great adventure !
jonathankZ9503JK,Mar 30, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Weather conditions were a bit challenging for our adventure but our guide Jon made it totally interesting and worthwhile . Such a great story teller and so knowledgeable. Highly recommend!
Prepare to be Amazed
Eileen L,Mar 11, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Experience of a lifetime. Our guide Jeff, was absolutely incredible. Prepared, amazingly knowledgeable, professional, friendly, and overall great guy. I would recommend this tour to anyone wanting to see and learn about Hawaii’s geology, culture, astronomy and other wild amazing facts. Would highly recommend this to our friends and family. A must do tour
Well worth your time!
446kristonj,Mar 8, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This tour was spectacular! We enjoyed every aspect, including the food, views, star gazing and most importantly the tour guide!
Mesmerizing adventure - we saw so much! Guide Jeff was super knowledgable as we explored the stars and more!
Laura W,Mar 6, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Galactic Adventure! What a great tour!
Amazing experience!
jayp913,Mar 4, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We booked the Mauna Kea Summit and Stars and frankly, it was an amazing day. We went on a Wednesday and Jeff was our guide. On Wednesdays, they start off the tour with a Giveback experience - we visited a dry forest and helped collect seeds to aid in conservation efforts. Then we were off to the main attraction, the Mauna Kea summit at 14,000 feet. I appreciate their planning in stopping at the visitor's center for an hour to let everyone acclimate to the higher altitude and you also get to enjoy dinner before heading up - the vegetarian chili was excellent! The trip up to the summit and back down will be bumpy, but the views make it all worthwhile. Such an amazing experience seeing sunset above the clouds. Afterwards, you end with stargazing and I have never seen so many stars before in my life. Jeff was an excellent driver and guide throughout the day and I highly recommend doing this tour if you can!
Mauna Kea trip
daletT8048SZ,Mar 3, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00The trip went as planned, the tour guide Jeff was great, the food was great, and the view from the top was fantastic. Unfortunately, it was too cloudy to stargaze, but that was nobody's fault but mother nature.
Sunsets, stars, and stories
tex2norcal,Mar 1, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00My husband and I had a phenomenal experience with Jason and our group! We learned about island history, cultural challenges, and the balance between advancing science and respecting people and sacred spaces. Beautiful sunset views, stargazing, and astronomy lessons enhanced the trip even more! We highly recommend this experience…unlike anything we’ve experienced!
From US$329.84
Want a private experience? Upgrade to a private tour
Related Experiences
Operated by Hawaii Forest &Trail