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
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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)
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
Options
Target Parking Lot by McDonald
Starting point:
Target, 74-5455 Makala Blvd, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740, USA
Queens Market place Pick up
Starting point:
Queens' Marketplace, 69-201 Waikōloa Beach Dr, Waikoloa Village, HI 96738, USA
Reviews
1,399 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Great experience
406kymk,,Jan 10, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00West was great. Very knowledgeable about all the stars. The whole trip was very bueatiful and educational 👍👍👍😁😁😁
Mauna Kea is really cold...
Jie B,,Jan 10, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Mauna Kea is really cold so be sure to prepare yourself for it. Wesley was our tour guide and he’s pretty good at it! It was a long trip but we enjoyed it.
Perfect Conditions
garykC6111IN,,Jan 9, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Snow still on the ground. Cloud break just before sunset. Park Rangers closing the road just for tours vehicles leaving pitch black conditions for star glazing. Wes was a great tour guide with an ambulance of knowledge. Respect the elevation !!!
Great service, fun guides, amazing views.
James S,,Jan 8, 2026
- Review from Viator
4.00Fun experience with knowledgeable guides and great service. Our guide, Wes, was fun and helpful the whole way. The only downside is that with a full load the vans are pretty crowded, but then again, you’ll get to know everyone quite well! I would recommend this to other travelers!
Super Great experience !
Nicolas M,,Jan 8, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00I was one of the best experiences in my life ! And James is a great Guide . I super recommend this activity!
Could have been awesome
sandy s,,Jan 7, 2026
- Review from Viator
3.00Try to get an accurate forecast of the weather. We went on the day of the full moon, peak meteor shower and the closest day the Earth is to the moon & the Earth is to the sun, BUT it was 100% overcast and we saw nothing. 2045 is the when next same conditions happen. Not at all the tour's fault, but hugely disappointing. The tour guide Shoyo was great and very helpful.
Enjoyed a lot
yinengy2023,,Jan 6, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We have a great time on Mauna Kea with the tour guided by Wes. The weather is cold but the tour prepared coat and gloves so we are kept in warm. The view is amazing, we see the sunset and the stars. They prepared food and hot chocolate, which is delicious.
The day I went was too...
Sweadha a,,Jan 3, 2026
- Review from Viator
4.00The day I went was too cloudy couldn’t see the stars or sunset. But the tour guide Shoyo did a great job explaining about the place and the telescopes. I would recommend checking the weather forecast before booking this experience. It takes around 2 pm to 8.30 pm spending all the time and going through the altitude is worth it if you could see the night sky.
They made our trip to Hawaii unforgettable
Oleg L,,Jan 3, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Such a great experience! The tour guide (James) was wonderful! Highly recommend. The last sunset of the year was gorgeous! What a great way to view Hawaii from above! Oxana L. December 31, 2025
Must see Mauna Kea
294emesek,,Jan 3, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00West was an incredible guide! Throughout our tour, we learned more about Hawaii and the mountains than anywhere else. He was very kind, keeping our crew engaged and leading an awesome experience.
From US$280.00
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