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.
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
1,536 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Wonderful sunset / stargazing gazing experience
Kim d,,Feb 2, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Amazing experience to see the sunset above the clouds and stargazing . Wilson, our driver, was wonderful. So knowledgeable about the mountains/volcanoes ! And the stars.
Mauna Kea Summit tour
shelleyheller,,Feb 2, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was a great tour, especially for anyone interested in geology or astronomy. Our guide, Wilson, made it truly excellent. He was very skilled at providing excellent information in a relaxed and informal way while keeping everyone very comfortable.
Must do, tour highly recommended!!
Peter B,,Jan 29, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00A must do and the only place on earth to do it! You can rent a jeep and drive up yourself but it is very dangerous and I highly recommend this tour for safety and the experienced tour guide and extra benefits like parka jackets (it’s cold up there) and private star gazing. Most amazing night sky ever, never saw so many stars. And the sunset was the best. Definitely recommend doing as a tour not on your own in a rented 4x4!!
Amazing astronomy!
heather dalwadi,,Jan 28, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00It was amazing! Props to Eugene who made the experience safe, fun and memorable. I specially enjoyed the astronomy time at the end.
Amazing Tour with Eugene
heather dalwadi,,Jan 28, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was one of the best tours I’ve ever taken on vacation! I travelled to Big Island with my mom and she wanted to see the summit of Mauna Kea. We were fortunate to have Eugene as our guide. He was amazing!!! I don’t love heights, but felt safe the entire time. He was informative and safety conscious. I also enjoyed the end of the trip where we spent time looking at the stars and planets through a $4000 telescope. We saw the rings of Saturn!!! It was truly amazing. I had so much fun I couldn’t sleep right away when I got back at the end of the day. I highly recommend this tour!
Great trip!
kaleenj2025,,Jan 28, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our guide, Eugene, was fabulous! He was very informative, personable, and seriously knew what he was talking about. I highly recommend this experience.
Best tour of our trip
Lauren E,,Jan 23, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This was hands-down our favorite tour/part of our trip. The experience was incredible and literally out of this world. John was the best.
Amazing tour to one of the world's best dark sky sites
HSIU T,,Jan 23, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00We had an amazing evening on the tour. Jeff our driver / guide was extremely informative and made sure that everyone was comfortable and safe (contant reminder to take slow deep breaths as we climb up to higher altitudes.). It was my best stargazing experience to date, blessed by clear skies, 2% moon and multiple images on 2 different telescopes. I would recommend this tour in a heartbeat!
This trip was a life highlight!
tylorb2026,,Jan 22, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a fantastic tour with Jeff as our guide. He was knowledgeable, engaging, and very passionate, making for a wonderful trip. We had high hopes for our trip up Mauna Kea, and this did not disappoint!
A stellar experience!
China W,,Jan 20, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00I booked this tour for my parents, my partner, and myself on the last day of our trip (which also happened to be a moonless night) and it turned out to be an excellent way to end our vacation. Our tour guide Jason was the best! He is super knowledgeable and kind, and I felt like we were in good hands the entire way. The sunset was awesome but for me, the highlight was the stargazing afterwards. We went to a spot just above the visitor station so it wasn't as cold and we weren't as affected by the altitude, plus only tour groups were allowed there so it wasn't crowded at all. The night sky was simply incredible to look at. I've never seen that many stars before! Getting to look at deep space objects through the telescope was very cool and Jason's own passion for astronomy made the whole night even more enjoyable. (The attached image was taken with an iPhone and a mini tripod, which we brought with us.) The provided parkas were very warm, though I'd recommend bringing as many layers as you can, plus a warm hat and gloves. Dinner was simple but satisfying, though I did feel a bit rushed since we only had 30 minutes to eat, use the restroom (there's always a long line for the ladies' room so go early), and visit the information center.
From US$329.84
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Operated by Hawaii Forest &Trail