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
Queens Market place Pick up
Starting point:
Queens' Marketplace, 69-201 Waikōloa Beach Dr, Waikoloa Village, HI 96738, USA
Target Parking Lot by McDonald
Starting point:
Target, 74-5455 Makala Blvd, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740, USA
Reviews
1,527 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
the experience was...
Ajay S,Apr 13, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00the experience was amazing. The guide James was very experienced and extremely helpful. The tour lived up to everything they promised. We were able to view the Sunset and the star gazing.
Awesome tour! Chris, pur...
Mavelle P,Apr 12, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Awesome tour! Chris, pur guide, took care of us despite the unfavorable weather. He really knows his stuff. We still saw the most beautiful sunset ever. Will definitely do this again when we come back.
Mauna Kea Sunset and Stargazing
ShuHui C,Apr 12, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00You are betting how much the weather varies, however, if everything works out, you wiil have very memorable experience that will last a lifetime.
Nice tour, James was a...
Bert B,Apr 9, 2026
- Review from Viator
4.00Nice tour, James was a fun guide. Unfortunately the clouds didn't want to cooperate and we didn't get to do any stargazing. Not much you can do about the weather.
Our Mauna Kea Summit Tour...
John Z,Apr 9, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Our Mauna Kea Summit Tour on the Big Island was an unforgettable adventure that exceeded all expectations from the very first moment we boarded the van. The journey up the mountain offered stunning views that gradually transformed as we climbed through different climate zones, building anticipation for the summit. Reaching the top and watching the sunset above the clouds was absolutely breathtaking, with vibrant oranges and pinks painting the sky in a way that felt almost magical. Standing at nearly 14,000 feet, we were literally above the cloud layer, creating a surreal scene that made the entire experience deeply memorable. Our tour guide Chris kept the group entertained throughout with his hilarious stories and witty jokes, making the long drive fly by in laughter. Chris was incredibly accommodating, patiently answering every question and ensuring everyone had the perfect spot for photos during the sunset. The way the sun dipped below the ocean of clouds left us speechless, a moment of pure natural beauty that will stay with us forever. From the crisp mountain air to the incredible stargazing that followed, every part of the Mauna Kea Summit Tour felt special and well-organized. Thanks to Chris’s expert guidance and fun personality, our group felt safe, informed, and thoroughly enjoyed the high-altitude adventure together. I highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting the Big Island—it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience filled with awe-inspiring views and wonderful memories.
Heavenly Hawaii Highpoint
H S,Apr 9, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This is the only way to reach Hawaii's Highpoint. Everything was included and the Sunset was amazing. A point of note was that we did not expect a winchill of -10 Degrees F; and It was not problem with the tour supplied coat and insulated overpants. Tour well done!
Amazing and out of this...
Johnny W,Apr 8, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Amazing and out of this world experience. We were above the clouds in a picture perfect setting. Our tour guide, James was super friendly and engaging. The nigh star photo session total blew our minds. You may experience a little light headed and dizziness due to the thin air. Tour provided warm cloth. Highly recommend this trip experience.
The experience is...
Haoyi G,Apr 8, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00The experience is amazing! The staff is very professional and friendly! Definitely recommended if you come to Kona.
We had an amazing tour...
April L,Apr 8, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00We had an amazing tour with Chris (our guide)! We had a comfortable and smooth ride and Chris shared with us stories and the history of the mountain. The BLT sandwich was surprisingly really yummy! And we got to see a beautiful pink then orange sunset and Chris also helped us to take lots of good photos. Unfortunately, it was cloudy and we didn’t get to see the stars. But it was still an amazing visit to Maunea kea and we highly recommend!
Worth the trip for the views, but the telescopes and star-watching steal the show!
167kamilld,Apr 8, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was a really fun and informative full-day tour! Our guide, James, was kind, helpful, and most of all, highly informative. I was excited to see the landscape of the volcano and to watch the sunset from above the clouds at the summit, and none of that disappointed. The highlight of the day, however, ended up being the surprising stops at the telescopes on Mauna Kea! I had no idea how many interesting explorations and scientific projects are tied to the top of this volcano. We even had the opportunity to meet a NASA engineer who runs their observatory. The starwatching at the end of the evening - as well as the astro-photos - we're also a big hit with the whole group! By the time we arrived back to Kona well after 10pm, we were all beat. Highly recommend!
From US$280.00
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