Big Island: Mauna Kea Summit and Stars Small-Group Adventure Tour

Overview

Available languages

English

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.

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.**

5 minutes • Admission Not Included

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.

45 minutes • Admission Included

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

4.85

1,554 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

1406

Great small group tour
Bev B,,Feb 20, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00
Small group. Jeff was an amazing guide. Star gazing was informative and out of this world. Learned a lot!
Exelent experience
abderahmaneg2025,,Feb 20, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
A wonderful island, a unique experience. Thank you.
Fantastic Tour-not to be missed-who knew Hawaii had snow!
barbara M,,Feb 16, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00
We did the Maunakea Summit & Stars tour with Hawaii Forest & Trail on Thursday, February 12th, and it was outstanding from start to finish. Jason was our guide for a group of 12 in a microbus, and he was absolutely sensational. He has a fantastic speaking voice (sounds like actor Jeremy Piven) is incredibly knowledgeable, and effortlessly weaves together Hawaiian history, cultural context, correct pronunciations, geology, and celestial science. His depth of expertise—especially around the night sky—made the entire experience both educational and inspiring. He created a positive, approachable atmosphere for everyone in the group. Jason was attentive throughout the evening, making sure everyone was comfortable, well fed, snacked, and had ample time at the Stellina digital telescope for star viewing and photos. The pacing was perfect—plenty of time at the summit to take in the observatories and views, without ever feeling rushed. The entire experience felt thoughtfully organized and professionally executed. Highly recommend this tour—and if you can, request Jason. He truly elevates the experience.
At the top of the world
harrypG6376AK,,Feb 15, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Well organized tour, from pick up to the end of the trip. Despite the many people at the observatories, it was a special experience to witness the sunset in the snow. Our guide still watched us stars after sunset. The guide was very knowledgeable and a particularly impressive one was Saturn with its ring. Please dress warm.
Amazing trip up Mauna Kea
Peter H,,Feb 15, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00
Absolutely wonderful trip to the top of the mountain, to watch the sun set and to see the galaxies. .
On top of Hawaii
caspersjogren,,Feb 15, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
What a great day and night. Jeff was just awesome and did a great job to make everyone feel safe and a part of the tour. The stargazing was amazing and Jeff was awesome and shared his knowledge and insight of the universe. I can only recommend this tour if you want to see something special.
Well worth it.
roberthV3277IS,,Feb 14, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
It was very informative and well-run. John was knowledgeable about, not only Mauna Kea and astronomy, but Hawaiian politics and history, botany, birds and how introduced plants and animals have reconfigured the landscape. The trip was overall excellent, informative, and well-run. John clearly enjoyed his job and willingness to share his knowledge with the group. He was the lead nerd in a pack of nerds,
A night of stars
lydiabK2156MS,,Feb 14, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Jon was a great tour guide. Not only did he share his knowledge of astronomy, he was also very knowledgeable about Hawaiian history. We really enjoyed the tour and his sense of humor.
This is a Must Do experience!
Kirk H,,Feb 13, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Our tour guide Jason was wonderful, and this experience was the trip of a lifetime. Seeing the telescopes and the sunset on top of the world is amazing and the stargazing is probably the best in the world!
Don’t go during a full moon
HedthreeG,,Feb 12, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00
It’s a long drive on a winding, sometimes unpaved road. I’m glad someone else was driving. The chicken stew was tasty, but salty. We had plenty of time near the telescopes for pictures. I noticed the other group had a wooden sign with the altitude on it. We borrowed that for a picture. At sunset, we moved to a lower altitude for star gazing. Check the phase of the moon before you book. We had a full moon. No Milky Way for us. We saw just a couple stars through the telescope and two planets. Parkas were provided. Thank goodness. It was 32 F with a wind chill down to 26 F. Mittens are also provided, size medium. Wind blows right through them. Large hands would have nothing, if you didn’t pack your own gloves. Bring thick ones! Overall, it was cool.