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.
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‘s Included
Snow parker, Ski pants, and Gloves
An astronomical telescope
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)
4x4 Passenger Van to the summit
An optional TIP per person for good service is customary in Hawaii.
Guest under 16 years old or older than 75 cannot participate
Please arrive at the meeting location 5min prior to pick up 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)
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
1,216 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Spectacular Views
Marcus C,
Sep 13, 2025
- Viator
5.00This truly exceeded my expectations! The views are breath taking. Amazing to be at that elevation. Our tour guide Shoyo was great; friendly, attentive and knowledgeable. The photos were amazing. So worth it!
Perfect Tour and Guide
Luxi C,
Sep 13, 2025
- Viator
5.00It’s amazing experience, we saw Rainbow,Sunset,Stars and Milky Way. Our tour guide Shotaro(Wes) can speak both English and Japanese, he is very kind and professional.He made sure the group was well taken care of, He provided sandwich, hot coco, Snow parker, Ski pants to us. He shared a lot of insights about the area and brought telescope to help with stargazing. And he took photos for us with our phones and his professional camera. Watching the sunset from the summit of Mauna Kea was fabulous & the stargazing afterwards was remarkable. We highly recommend this tour and our guide Shotaro(Wes).
See the stars and Milky Way by the Mauna Kea observatories
Silvia M,
Sep 13, 2025
- Viator
5.00This is a one time in life experience, to see the night stars and Milky Way in the most pure sky and next to the world exclusive observatories.
Amazing and Mesmerizing view of the Night Sky !
Priyanka D,
Sep 11, 2025
- Viator
5.00We had such a wonderful time exploring Mauna Kea summit—watching the sunset, visiting the observatories, and gazing at the brilliant night sky. James and his colleague shared fascinating insights that made stargazing even more special. We also got some amazing pictures to remember this unforgettable experience. Ending the night with a warm cup of hot cocoa under the stars was the perfect touch.
The star gazing was magical
Jessica M,
Sep 11, 2025
- Viator
5.00A lovely tour. James kept checking to make sure everyone felt fit; no altitude sickness. Got some great photos of the observatories. Winter parkas, snow pants, and gloves available for those who took the excursion wearing tee-shirts and shorts. No sunset; too many clouds. But the star gazing afterwards was beyond magical. There was no telescope, but we hardly missed it. First time I clearly saw the Milky Way.
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