Experience big skies and incredible nighttime views on this Mauna Kea stargazing trip with a small group. Join no more than 28 guests for a warm pre-trip picnic, proceeded by a ride in a 4x4 luxury van to the summit of the Big Island's tallest peak. After admiring a sunset view, continue down to 9,000 feet (2,743 meters) for a stargazing session, complete with a telescope, hot chocolate, and dessert. The trip also includes a guide and a hooded parka to keep you warm.

Enjoy a private stargazing show through 11” Celestron telescopes on Mauna Kea
Learn about the history, culture, and ecology of Hawaii
Indulge in a warm picnic dinner.
Small-group tour limited to 14 participants, ensuring a personalized experience with a naturalist guide

What's Included

Guide
Hooded parkas and gloves
Hot picnic dinner
Hot cocoa and cookies
Private star show with telescope
Local taxes
Central Meeting Locations for Pick-up & Drop off

Gratuities

Departure & Return

This operator has two meet-up options available. You can either meet at the departure point below or select a location for pick-up.

Departure Point

Courtyard by Marriott King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel, 75-5660 Palani Rd, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740, USA
**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. Mahalo!**

Pickup Details

Return Details

This activity will end right where it started.

Please Note

Also can pick-up from: Queens' Market Place, 69-201 Waikoloa Beach Dr, Waikoloa Village, HI 96738 Gilbert Kahele Recreation Park, 44-5400 Daniel K. Inouye Hwy, Waimea, HI 96743

What To Expect

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Minimum age is 16 years
Due to the high altitude; this tour is not suitable for those with respiratory, heart or circulatory conditions, poor health, or pregnancy
Scuba divers should be aware of altitude dangers
**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
Not wheelchair accessible
Not recommended for travelers with back problems
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
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 14 passengers
Most travelers can participate
Snow is seasonal at Mauna Kea, with the heaviest snowfall occurring during the winter months
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 9 travelers

Operated by Hawaii Forest and Trail

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

about cancellations

Frequently Asked Questions

The answers provided below are based on answers previously given by the tour provider to customers’ questions.

Q:What is the policy on sanitization during Mauna Kea Summit and Stars Small-Group Adventure Tour?

A:The policies on sanitization are:

Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas
Gear/equipment sanitized between use
Transportation vehicles regularly sanitized

Traveler Photos

Traveler Tips

Bring a hoodie or jacket it gets COLD up there.

It also got pretty cold up at 14,,000 ft. Those jackets were definitely a must!

The parkas provided kept us warm, but recommend bringing some gloves,

Reviews

5.0

779 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

Reviews by Viator travelers

Showing 1-10 of 779 reviews

Great services! Great value!

Andy_S, Mar 2022

Really appreciated their discount on cloudy weather. And communicated to us way in advance!! Tour guide/driver is very informative and careful on driving. Learned so much Hawaiian history from guide!!! Good food and nice comfy and warm amenities for the summit, including hot beverages and parka, etc. Excellent service. Highly recommended!!!

Unforgettable Tour!

Val, Mar 2022

So we were notified before the tour that our chances of seeing stars was low due to the weather. But we were told we would still see a pretty sunset and still given the choice to cancel with no penalties. We decided to go on the tour and we were not disappointed! Our tour guide Jason was amazing with lots of information and jokes; and even though we didn't see stars the rest of the tour was well worth it. They did give us a discount because of the weather which was really kind of them and another reason I would recommend this tour hands down.

You have to do this!

Paula_A, Mar 2022

Amazing experience! No photos can capture the awe inspiring sunset or vastness of the stars you can see!

Wonderful tour!

Shelby_L, Mar 2022

We had a great time with our guide Justin. He was very knowledgeable and made us all very comfortable. The dinner was nice and there is time to shop for souvenirs and use the restroom along the way. We really enjoyed seeing the sunset and telescopes as well as the stars at night! We were informed that this is the only tour with a Vaonis Stellina telescope! This was a wonderful trip and I’d recommend it to anyone who travels to the big island.

Overall, worthwhile experience, family loved it!

mary_g, Mar 2022

It was a great experience, something you really should do while on the big island. Don't recommend driving by yourself, roads are tortuous. Moon was a bit bright so stars were not as clear as might have been. Sunset was lovely. The guide was okay, not a regular though so not as much of a personality, but he was knowledgeable. Unfortunately gave away my vegan stew so I did not get one, others said stew was really good. It is freezing cold up there, so dress warmly. On way back heating too high in van and music too loud. (Just my opinion). Absolutely NO social distancing so don't expect it. Overall, worthwhile experience, family loved it!

2 travelers found this review helpful

Star gazing

Mark_S, Mar 2022

Great guide with a bumpy ride to an amazing sunset and beautiful viewing of the stars. Highly recommend.

Magical

May_K, Mar 2022

Jeff was so knowledgeable and great. The food and parkas made me feel really cared for and that Hawaii forest and trails is thoughtful about the guest experience .

1 traveler found this review helpful

Everything was great -...

JacquelineI_D, Feb 2022

Everything was great - star gazing so clear . Sunset stunning , tour guide very informative. Nice people in the group

Must do!

Kathy_B, Feb 2022

Sunset and shadow of mountain on clouds. Learning about differences in latitude. Justin is extremely knowledgeable.

1 traveler found this review helpful

Great night sky you won't see anywhere else

Jim_S, Jan 2022

Seeing all the stars you can't see because of light pollution was amazing. Entire trip was well thought out and Justin was stellar.

...

Questions?

Product code: 2804MKS

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Mauna Kea Summit and Stars Small-Group Adventure Tour

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