Big Island GOAT Experience: Mauna Kea Summit, Sunset, Stargazing & Astrophotography
by Hawaii Island Holidays
Choose from 3 available options
How do you want to book?
✓Confirmation before Wed, 9 Sept - card's only charged if it's a yes. If it's a no, still time to book on Viator.
Book on Viator Confirmed right away, but you pay full price.$578Overview
This 7- to 8-hour tour on the Big Island of Hawaii travels to the summit of Mauna Kea, the highest point in the Pacific. Transportation is provided in a comfortable 4X4 passenger van. Jackets and gloves are included to keep warm in the mountain air. The tour begins with a 30-minute cultural stop that explains Mauna Kea’s significance in Hawaiian traditions, including its role as the home of the goddess Poli'ahu and other deities, and the sacred Lake Waiau near the summit. The guide shares historical information about the Big Island throughout the trip. At the Mauna Kea summit, guests spend about four hours watching the sunset near the world’s largest collection of research telescopes. This includes two of the eight telescopes that contributed to the first images of a black hole. After sunset, a private star show takes place using a professional Celestron telescope, weather permitting, to view planets and other celestial objects. Snacks and a hot beverage are provided during the star viewing. The guide uses a DSLR camera to take astrophotography pictures of guests, which are emailed after the tour. Jackets, gloves, snacks, hot beverages, transportation, and professional telescope use are included. Dinner is not included, but guests may bring their own food. The tour is not suitable for travelers under 13 years old, those with heart or serious medical conditions, or pregnant individuals. The name GOAT refers to the tour’s reputation and quality but is not a physical stop or included feature.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
Mauna Kea Summit
Spend about four hours at Mauna Kea summit, the highest mountain in the Pacific, watching the sunset near the world’s largest collection of research telescopes. Transportation is provided by a comfortable 4X4 passenger van. Jackets and gloves are supplied to keep warm. The guide shares historical information and uses a laser pointer to show stars. Guests can view planets and celestial objects through a professional Celestron telescope and have astrophotography pictures taken with a DSLR camera.
240 min
Mauna Kea Cultural Stop
This 30-minute stop covers Mauna Kea’s cultural and spiritual importance in Hawaiian tradition. The mountain is the home of the goddess Poli'ahu and other deities including Lilinoe and Waiau. In ancient times, it was kapu (forbidden) to everyone except the highest chiefs and priests. Hawaiian ali'i, such as Queen Emma in 1881, made the difficult 6-hour journey to the summit and the sacred Lake Waiau. Mauna Kea continues to be a sacred site for Hawaiians and holds community cultural talks on the fourth Saturday of each month.
30 min
Meeting point
Bank of Hawaii, 74-5457 Makala Blvd Suite 102, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
End point
Maunakea Visitor Information Station https://maps.app.goo.gl/nBuxZDm7CspDMiJV7
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.
Additional info
Big Island GOAT Experience: Mauna Kea Summit, Sunset, Stargazing & Astrophotography
by Hawaii Island Holidays
Choose from 3 available options
How do you want to book?
✓Confirmation before Wed, 9 Sept - card's only charged if it's a yes. If it's a no, still time to book on Viator.
Book on Viator Confirmed right away, but you pay full price.$578Overview
This 7- to 8-hour tour on the Big Island of Hawaii travels to the summit of Mauna Kea, the highest point in the Pacific. Transportation is provided in a comfortable 4X4 passenger van. Jackets and gloves are included to keep warm in the mountain air. The tour begins with a 30-minute cultural stop that explains Mauna Kea’s significance in Hawaiian traditions, including its role as the home of the goddess Poli'ahu and other deities, and the sacred Lake Waiau near the summit. The guide shares historical information about the Big Island throughout the trip. At the Mauna Kea summit, guests spend about four hours watching the sunset near the world’s largest collection of research telescopes. This includes two of the eight telescopes that contributed to the first images of a black hole. After sunset, a private star show takes place using a professional Celestron telescope, weather permitting, to view planets and other celestial objects. Snacks and a hot beverage are provided during the star viewing. The guide uses a DSLR camera to take astrophotography pictures of guests, which are emailed after the tour. Jackets, gloves, snacks, hot beverages, transportation, and professional telescope use are included. Dinner is not included, but guests may bring their own food. The tour is not suitable for travelers under 13 years old, those with heart or serious medical conditions, or pregnant individuals. The name GOAT refers to the tour’s reputation and quality but is not a physical stop or included feature.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
Mauna Kea Summit
Spend about four hours at Mauna Kea summit, the highest mountain in the Pacific, watching the sunset near the world’s largest collection of research telescopes. Transportation is provided by a comfortable 4X4 passenger van. Jackets and gloves are supplied to keep warm. The guide shares historical information and uses a laser pointer to show stars. Guests can view planets and celestial objects through a professional Celestron telescope and have astrophotography pictures taken with a DSLR camera.
240 min
Mauna Kea Cultural Stop
This 30-minute stop covers Mauna Kea’s cultural and spiritual importance in Hawaiian tradition. The mountain is the home of the goddess Poli'ahu and other deities including Lilinoe and Waiau. In ancient times, it was kapu (forbidden) to everyone except the highest chiefs and priests. Hawaiian ali'i, such as Queen Emma in 1881, made the difficult 6-hour journey to the summit and the sacred Lake Waiau. Mauna Kea continues to be a sacred site for Hawaiians and holds community cultural talks on the fourth Saturday of each month.
30 min
Meeting point
Bank of Hawaii, 74-5457 Makala Blvd Suite 102, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
End point
Maunakea Visitor Information Station https://maps.app.goo.gl/nBuxZDm7CspDMiJV7
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.