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Big Island Mauna Kea Summit and Stars Small-Group Adventure Tour
day_trips

Big Island Mauna Kea Summit and Stars Small-Group Adventure Tour

by Hawaii Forest &Trail

8 hours
$296.86$329.84 on ViatorSave 10%/person
From
$296.86$329.84 on ViatorSave 10%per person

Choose from 1 available option

8 hours
Starting time
Friday 11 September 2026
Language
English
Free cancellation until 10 Sept 2026.
$593.71$659.68Save 10%
2 guests × $296.86
All taxes and fees included

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.$659.68

Overview

This small-group bus tour lasts about eight hours and visits the Mauna Kea summit at 13,796 feet (4,200 meters) on the Big Island of Hawaii. The tour begins with a pick-up for travelers staying in Kailua Kona at a central meeting point near the hotel parking lot, with possible additional stops along the route. The first stop is the Maunakea Visitor Information Station where guests spend about 45 minutes having a hot picnic dinner while acclimating to the higher elevation and learning about Hawaiian star navigation. Next, the tour proceeds to the Mauna Kea summit to watch the sunset above the clouds overlooking the Pacific Ocean. After about 30 minutes at the summit, the group descends to the Visitor Information Station for a private star show lasting about an hour. During this time, guides provide a star viewing session with 11-inch Celestron telescopes and a Stellina digital telescope, allowing guests to see deep space objects and share night sky images. Included are hooded parkas and gloves for warmth, hot cocoa and cookies, local taxes, guide services, and pick-up and drop-off from central locations. The off-road transit vans used can carry up to 12 passengers and are equipped for the bumpy four-wheel-drive road to Mauna Kea. The walking on this tour is minimal, with a maximum of about 150 yards over uneven terrain with limited lighting.

Highlights

Visit Mauna Kea summit at 13,796 feet altitude
Hot picnic dinner at Maunakea Visitor Station
Watch sunset above the clouds over Pacific Ocean
Private star show with 11" Celestron telescopes
Includes hooded parkas, gloves, hot cocoa, and cookies
Pick-up and drop-off from central meeting points

What's included

Private astronomy session using a telescope
Provision of hooded parkas and gloves
Pick-up and drop-off at central meeting points
Serving of hot cocoa and cookies
Applicable local taxes included
Tour led by a guide
Hot picnic dinner provided
Pick-up and drop-off available only from central meeting points

What's not included

Gratuities

Itinerary

1

Kailua Kona Meeting Point

Guests staying in Kailua Kona meet the guide at benches near the hotel parking lot entrance at the curbside. There may be additional meeting location stops along the way to Mauna Kea.

5 min

2

Maunakea Visitor Information Station

Guests spend about 45 minutes here to acclimate to higher elevation while enjoying a hot picnic dinner. The stop includes information on Hawaiian star navigation in preparation for the summit visit.

45 min

3

Mauna Kea Summit

At 13,796 feet, guests observe the sunset above the clouds with views of the Pacific Ocean. After about 30 minutes, the group travels down to a lower elevation for the star viewing session.

30 min

4

Maunakea Visitor Information Station

The group returns here for about an hour to enjoy a private star show. Guests view deep space objects through 11-inch Celestron and Stellina digital telescopes and can share images of the Hawaiian night sky.

60 min

Meeting point

Please park in the lower gravel lot & walk to the Visitors Ctr (aka Onizuka Ctr) to meet our guide by the picnic area. Arrive at least 15 mins prior to your pick-up time. PLEASE NOTE: Your pick-up time will be different than the displayed online tour start time. Contact us to verify the meeting time

End point

Please park in the lower gravel lot & walk to the Visitors Ctr (aka Onizuka Ctr) to meet our guide by the picnic area. Arrive at least 15 mins prior to your pick-up time. PLEASE NOTE: Your pick-up time will be different than the displayed online tour start time. Contact us to verify the meeting time

Languages

English (guide)

Cancellation policy

  • Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.

Additional info

1–12 travelers per booking
Mobile ticket
Not advised for anyone with back or spinal problems
Not advised during pregnancy
Not advised for anyone with a heart condition
Suitable for all fitness levels
Minimum age for this tour is 13 years; no children under 13 permitted.
Not suitable for guests with respiratory, circulatory, heart conditions, pregnancy, or poor health due to high altitude.
Scuba divers must not visit the summit within 24 hours after diving because of altitude risks.
Guests must wear closed-toed shoes and long pants; layers such as sweatshirts are recommended.
Guests need to bring their own water bottles; filtered water refills are provided.
Parka size and meal choice must be provided at booking; otherwise, direct contact with the operator is required.
Walking is minimal (about 150 yards); guests must be able to enter/exit vehicles and walk on uneven terrain with limited lighting without assistance; collapsible wheelchairs cannot be accommodated.
Access road to Mauna Kea requires four-wheel drive; transit vans carry a maximum of 12 passengers and handle the bumpy ride.
Snow occurs seasonally at Mauna Kea, mainly in winter months.
Pick-up time may differ from the online tour start time; guests should confirm meeting time and location.
No scuba diving allowed within 24 hours before the tour.
Total
$593.71Save 10% vs Viator