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, heart or circulatory conditions, poor health, or pregnancy
If you plan to scuba dive, do not plan to go to the summit within 24 hours after you dive due to the altitude.
**IMPORTANT - Please note, guests meeting at the Courtyard by Marriott King Kamehameha Kona Beach Hotel must meet at least 15 MINUTES PRIOR to the tour's departure time.**
Guests are required to wear closed-toe walking shoes or hiking boots, long pants. We recommend bringing a light sweatshirt or jacket
Guests must bring their own water bottles. Tour operator will provide filtered water refills.
Please advise your parka size (small, medium, large, x-large or xx-large) and choice of meal at time of booking. If you do not indicate this at the time of booking, you will be required to call and advise them of this information directly.
There is minimal walking on this tour, the maximum being about 150 yards
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 Mauna Kea, 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‘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
Gratuities
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.
Options
Departure Time
Reviews
1,501 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Just Do It!
P6193VZjerryn,
Nov 12, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great experience. Our guide John was a fount of knowledge and also very entertaining and helpful as well. The views were amazing and looking at the stars through his telescope was a real highlight. And as a bonus the meal provided although modest was real it good! Highly recommended!
Overall experience
karolinalM5018CJ,
Nov 10, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00It was a great trip with a caring and well knowledged guide Jeff, who made our experience a memorable one. Initially my trip got cancelled due to poor weather conditions that day, but they called and rebooked me for the very next day and everything went smoothly. Although there were some clouds above the horizon, but the views from the summit were still really beautiful. We had a full moon rising which meant that stars wouldn't shine that bright, but with the provided telescope we were able to see all the main starts and planets which Jeff wished to show us.
Perfect summit and star gazing experience
jennic880,
Nov 8, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Awesome experience! Eugene was a great host - very knowledgeable and personable. Really valued the small group size and catering to adults-only.
A Perfect Trip
daraa434,
Nov 5, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Everything went as we were told- pick-up time, bathroom breaks, and arrival at Mauna Kea. Jeff, our guide, was awesome. He was knowledgeable, personable, and very encouraging to all of us. Dinner was delicious. Our time at the summit watching the sunset was perfect. Star gazing wasn’t as perfect due to the full moon and clouds, but Jeff still shared and set up the telescope to view the visible stars and moon. This was a wonderful trip and one we would definitely do over.
A wonderful experience.
817philipo,
Nov 4, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was quite a long tour with lots of driving but the experience was unbelievable. Yes, the air is rarified and cold, but the tour guide looked after us really well and ensure we were all safe and warm. Dinner was minimalist - a small thermos of chicken stew - but it was very filling and delicious. The star gazing was spectacular and we could see Kilauea erupting in the distance a a feint red glow on the far horizon.
Great trip to Mauna Kea summit and stargazing
Jlab,
Nov 3, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was an awesome experience for my wife and I. Our guide Jeff was excellent and shared a wealth of knowledge on volcanoes, Island history and culture, Mauna Kea and the observatories. Going to the summit and seeing the sunset was fantastic. It was a very special place. Jeff than took us to a parking lot lower on the mountain and we looked to the skies with an optical telescope and a cool digital telescope. Jeff did a fantastic job during our stargazing. It was a memorable trip and well worth the price.
More than just stars
Sue B,
Oct 31, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Learning all the history of volcanos and the islands was an unexpected bonus. Food was quite good, our tour guide, Jeff, was fabulous, and Mother Nature may or may not give you a glimpse of the stars.
Unforgettable experience
911hyy,
Oct 28, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This tour was absolutely amazing! Wilson is kind and professional. The scenery along the way was breathtaking and constantly changing. The vehicle was very comfortable, and the food was delicious. The warm coat they provided kept me cozy, and reaching the highest point was truly moving. It’s definitely a must-do experience. No need to worry about altitude sickness either. Highly recommended!
Great time even with last minute weather
V1429PEjayb,
Oct 26, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a great time with our guide Jason leading the way. Unfortunately we were not able to go to the summit due to weather rolling in but our guide did the best he could to find alternative locations to view the stars. If I had the opportunity to do this again I would choose this company again. Their communication was clear and timely. The ride was comfortable and entertaining as all the guest got to know each about each other and about the island.
An unforgettable experience among the heavens
G1212LGjohne,
Oct 26, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00My wife and I had an absolutely amazing time on the summit of Mauna Kea! Jeff was super knowledgeable and really passionate about the history of the Big Island, Mauna Kea, and astronomy. We were there with other tours, but our tour was just so thoughtful and thorough. They even took care of everything—parkas and gloves for when it got chilly, yummy chili when we got hungry, warm hot chocolate and treats for stargazing, and an incredible set of telescopes to see the stars. The clear skies and new moon made for such great visibility that we could see the Milky Way and even Andromeda with our eyes! If you’re up for the elevation, you absolutely have to experience this incredible adventure with Hawaii Forest & Trail.
From $313.09
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