Mauna Kea Summit Stargazing Tour
About this activity
Highlights
- Breathtaking sunset views from Mauna Kea summit
- Guided stargazing with professional astronomer
- Comfortable round-trip transportation provided
- Warm clothing and blankets for added comfort
- Small-group experience for personalized attention
Full description
Included / Excluded
- Round-trip transportation to Mauna Kea summit
- Guided stargazing session with professional astronomer
- Warm clothing and blankets for comfort
- Meals and beverages
Meeting point
Start Location
Unknown location
Important information
Know before you book
- Tour operates in all weather conditions; cancellations may occur due to severe weather
- Children under 5 years old are not permitted on this tour
- Guests with mobility issues should consult with the tour operator prior to booking
Know before you go
- Dress in layers to accommodate changing temperatures
- Bring a valid ID for check-in purposes
- Be prepared for a high-altitude environment; stay hydrated
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Good to know
- Minimum age is 13 years - No children under 13.
- Due to the high altitude, this tour is not suitable for those with respiratory, circulatory or heart conditions, pregnancy, or poor health.
- Scuba divers should be aware of altitude dangers. If you plan to scuba dive, do not plan to go to the summit within 24 hours after you dive due to the altitude.
- Guests are required to wear closed-toed shoe and long pants. We recommend bringing a sweatshirt or sweater for layering.
- Please provide your parka size (small, medium, large, x-large or xx-large) and meal choice at the time of booking. If you do not indicate this at the time of booking, you will need to contact the tour operator directly.
- There is minimal walking on this tour, the maximum being about 150 yards. Please note we are unable to accommodate any guests with a collapsible wheelchair. All guests must be able to enter and exit our vehicles on their own, and walk comfortably on uneven terrain with limited lighting on their own.
- 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 Maunakea, with the heaviest snowfall occurring during the winter months
- Please note your scheduled pick-up time may differ from the tour start time displayed online. Contact us to confirm your meeting time & location.
- Weather changes can occur quickly, and the access road to the summit can close without warning; therefore we cannot guarantee access to the summit or favorable conditions.
Traveler reviews
Such a unique experience!
The tour was such a unique experience! I loved everything about the tour. Our tour guide Wilson was such a great tour guide and driver. We felt safe and comfortable. The atmosphere was great. The group had a good time and the length of visit was nice. It was such an incredible time and I enjoyed every moment. My husband and I had a wonderful day.
Great experience
Jeff was an outstanding guide and made the trip memorable and enjoyable. He was so knowledgeable about the region describing the areas we were passing through on the way up to the summit and then was passionate about the stars. We felt comfortable with the drive up and back. The meal was absolutely delicious and the cookies and hot chocolate welcome while we watched stars. The photos of the stars after were just an added bonus. Highly recommend this tour!
Eugene was the perfect guide!
I had heard how amazing the Mauna Kea Stargazing tour is and it truly lived up to the hype! I was in Hawaii for a milestone birthday celebration and this was definitely the highlight of the trip! Eugene was our guide and he was perfect. Fun, funny and full of facts. He made the trip comfortable and enjoyable. I whole heartedly recommend this tour!
Star Struck
If you enjoyed looking at the stars this tour is for you. Jeff was our guide for this tour and he was extremely knowledgeable about the observatories at the top of Mauna Kea. I was amazed at how many different observatories there were at the top of the mountain. After watching the sunset we drove down about a thousand feet where Jeff then set up two telescopes for us to view the stars through. Through the telescopes, we got to see the Omega centauri globula star cluster, the Dumbbell nebula, the Eagle nebula and the Ring nebula just to name a few. He also explained and showed us how to find the different stars in the sky. It was quite amazing. Be prepared because it can be very cold at the top of the mountain. They did supply us with parkas and gloves. But I recommend definitely long pants and a sweater or sweat shirt for under the parka. It can be very windy at the top.
Mauna Kea, best experience on the Big Island
This was one of the most memorable excursions my husband and I have ever experienced. Watching the sunset from the summit of Mauna Kea was truly breathtaking, followed by an incredible stargazing session. Our tour guide, Wilson, was exceptional. He brought along telescopes that allowed us to observe various constellations and celestial bodies, and his knowledge enhanced the experience, enabling us to see details we would not have noticed otherwise. We also observed several shooting stars throughout the evening. Overall, it was a wonderful experience that was well worth the cost.