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Mauna Kea Summit: Small-Group Stars Adventure at Hawaii's Tallest Peak
4.8
1,434 Ratings
Kailua-Kona
Embark on a small-group adventure to the Mauna Kea Observatory, Hawaii’s tallest peak. Explore the mysteries of space and time while enjoying breathtaking views from 13,796 feet above sea level.
Embark on a small-group adventure to the Mauna Kea Observatory, Hawaii’s tallest peak. Explore the mysteries of space and time while enjoying breathtaking views from 13,796 feet above sea level.
Duration:
8 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Courtyard by Marriott King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel - 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…
- Courtyard by Marriott King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel - 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. - Mauna Kea Summit - Enjoy a sunset from above the clouds while overlooking the Pacific Ocean atop Maunakea. After the sunset, travel to a more comfortable elevation and let our guides reveal the night sky with our 11” Celestron telescopes. - Maunakea Visitor Information Station - Descend to a lower elevation after the sun sets and sip hot chocolate during a private star show with our 11” Celestron telescope. View deep space objects with our Stellina digital telescope and share captured images of the Hawaiian night sky with your friends & family
What's Included
- Private star show with telescope
- Hooded parkas and gloves
- Central meeting locations for pick-up & drop-off
- Hot cocoa and cookies
- Included local taxes
- Expert guidance
- Hot picnic dinner
- Private star show with telescope
- Hooded parkas and gloves
- Central meeting locations for pick-up & drop-off
- Hot cocoa and cookies
- Included local taxes
- Expert guidance
- Hot picnic dinner
What's Not Included
- Gratuities
- Gratuities
Additional Information
Embark on a fascinating voyage through space and time at the Mauna Kea Observatory, perched high atop the peaks of Hawaii’s Big Island. The view from Mauna Kea, Hawaii’s loftiest pinnacle affectionately dubbed ‘White Mountain,’ situated 13,796 feet (4,200 meters) above sea level, offers a distinct perspective of the island. With our small-group…
Embark on a fascinating voyage through space and time at the Mauna Kea Observatory, perched high atop the peaks of Hawaii’s Big Island. The view from Mauna Kea, Hawaii’s loftiest pinnacle affectionately dubbed ‘White Mountain,’ situated 13,796 feet (4,200 meters) above sea level, offers a distinct perspective of the island. With our small-group astronomy tour, you are guaranteed a unique and intimate encounter on the mesmerizing summit of Mauna Kea.
- 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
- No scuba diving within 24 hours
Location
Courtyard by Marriott King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel
Palani Road
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.8
(1434 Ratings)
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Hhcvapeg
Jul 19, 2025
- I've recently tried the ADAI HHC Vape - Jumanji 1ml, and I have to say, it's an amazing experience! With 95% HHC distillate, it provides a smooth and enjoyable buzz without the typical THC side effects. The flavor is delightful and reminds me of tropical fruits. If you’re looking for a legal and convenient way to unwind, I highly recommend checking it out! 🌴✨ Have any of you tried it? What are your thoughts?
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Astrodad22
Jul 19, 2025
Wonderful experience with excellent guide - Amazing experience seeing the sunset from Mauna Kea, learning about the history of the island and its volcanoes, and seeing the stars. Jeff was a wonderful guide and driver. Everything worked flawlessly; it was clear this company really plans things carefully and had all the logistics sorted out — unlike some other tour companies on the island. Highly recommended.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Allison_s
Jul 16, 2025
Not to be missed adventure! - We had a great time on this tour. Adam is a 10/10 as a guide. I loved hearing about his relationship with the island as home and the cultural details and history provided along the way. The van/bus was very comfortable and the cold water available was nice, and SW stew was also quite good! Thanks again for the bucket list experience I was needing. :)
Review provided by Viator
V9262iprobind
Jul 15, 2025
Phenomenal Mauna Kea adventure - Adam was an outstanding tour guide. Extremely knowledgeable and informed, friendly and entertaining. Food was great, the Mauna Kea experience was phenomenal and the stargazing was spectacular.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Biglotz
Jul 15, 2025
Great experience for newlyweds - Fantastic experience to the summit. Was able to see the sunset and moonrise above the clouds and amongst the huge telescopes. Jeff (our guide) was very knowledgable. The stars were fantastic. Overall, a great experience and will be memorable for a long time.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Robgm4415sc
Jul 15, 2025
Must do for breathtaking view of the sunset above the clouds and the star-filled night sky - Recommendation: Must do it. Amazing, rare experience to see the Sun set above the clouds and the stars at the height of observatories.
The Summit & Stars adventure was amazing. The view of the clouds, landscape and stars through the telescope was unique and breathtaking.
Our guide Jason, was a large part of what made the excursion great. He was funny, knowledgeable and passionate about history, culture and the night sky. He was also clear about safety and how to prepare for a trip to a high elevation.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
520jeffreyl
Jul 12, 2025
Totally Enjoyable Evening - Everything was terrific. Not a thing we didn’t enjoy! Our guide, Eugene, did everything possible to make the night a total success. He was probably the best guide we have ever had on a tour.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Azrose2013
Jul 9, 2025
Stunning sunset from 14,000 feet! - This was an outstanding tour! Our guide was very knowledgeable and friendly. He was able to answer almost everyone's questions, and he pointed out things we might have missed. The meal provided was hot and tasty and the chocolate dipped cookies at the end of the tour were delicious. We even went to the place that made them upon his recommendation and bought more as gifts. The summit view and the sunset from up there was incredible! Unfortunately the light cloud cover and the full moon made it impossible for the stargazing part of the tour which happened halfway down the mountain. Not the company's or the guide's fault. We recommend this tour and this tour company!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Erica9399
Jul 8, 2025
Excellent Personable Experience with Summit and Stars - We had such an easy-breezy and wonderful experience with Jon visiting the summit and learning all about the stars (and even seeing some cool stuff through a telescope, too). The dinner was excellent choice and looked better than that of all the other tours. While sunset over the clouds is a sight to behold in and of itself, the trip with Jon as a Hawaii encyclopedia and personable guy is what made it truly five stars.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Drewc_13
Jul 6, 2025
Amazing View - We took this tour with the additional Wednesday only stop at the dry forest. I wouldn’t worry about going to the dry forest. It wasn’t very interesting. We spent most of the time listening to the Hawaiian names of various plants. The rest of the trip, however, was amazing. The chicken stew is very good. It is very cold at the top of the summit but it is well worth it. The time spent looking at the stars is fascinating. You will get some great pictures to keep from the company. Our guide, Jason, was very kind and informative.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
