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Best Mauna Kea Summit Tour (Free sunset and star photo!)

Best Mauna Kea Summit Tour (Free sunset and star photo!)

Overview

We will take you to the summit of Mauna Kea to see the sunset and we will do stargazing afterward (not at the summit). Our most unique part is that our guides will take the photo of the sunset and stars for you using their DSLR camera.
All photos are free of charge and you will get it to your smartphone at the end of the tour.

City: Big Island of Hawaii

Tue 08 Apr

Other dates

You can choose the date already on the booking website

Starting at $260.00

Make a reservation

Tue 08 Apr

Starting at $260.00

Make a reservation

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What's Included

Snow parker, Ski pants, and Gloves

Admission Fee for Mauna Kea

Free DSLR camera photo of stars with you in it! (weather and moon phase permitting))

BLT or Vegan sandwich (Please let us know by day before the tour or it will be automatically a BLT)

4x4 Passenger Van to the summit

An astronomical telescope

Additional Info

Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Please check the message on Viator. We will send a message about pick up time and location after the confirmation of your booking.
Please note that pick up location has a free parking lot but we do not take any responsibility or liability for any damage or loss caused through the parking
Please note that in times of bad weather sunset or stargazing are not 100% guaranteed and moonphase will affect the visibility of the stars.
Not recommended for person weight more than 300lb
Not recommended for person having respiratory problem such as asthma
Guest under 16 years old or older than 70 cannot participate

What To Expect

Kailua-Kona

Pick up guests from each pick up location starting from Target in Kona. (pick up time varies depending on the season) 14:00-15:00pm Target's parking lot meet in front of the Mcdonald’s that is in the Target parking area (74-5453 Makala Blvd, Kailua-Kona) 14:45-15:45pm/ Queens’ Market Place Please meet up at the backside parking area of Queen's Market Place in front of Island Gourmet Markets (69-201 Waikoloa Beach Dr #201, Waikoloa) 15:30-16:30pm/ Gilbert Kahele Recreation Park (44-5400 Daniel K. Inouye Hwy, Waimea)

Onizuka Astronomy Complex

Onizuka Visitor Information Station We will take a break at the Onizuka Visitor Center at an altitude of 2,800m or 9,000ft for early dinner and altitude acclimatization. We also change clothes for winter clothes here depending on the weather. Also gift shop is open for guests to purchase the items. (No food or drink sale)

Mauna Kea Summit

Mauna Kea summit at an altitude of 13,796 ft (4,205 m) At the peak of Mauna Kea, you will see most of the observatory at the summit and we will be watching the sunset from the highest peak oin Hawaii. Enjoy a fantastic moment！

Onizuka Astronomy Complex

After the sunset, we will do stargazing using our refractor telescope and laser pointer. Our guide will explain about the star, constellation, and planets. Also we will take the astro photo with you in it! (The location of where we will do the stargazing may varies depending on the weather conditions)

Kailua-Kona

Returning to the pick up locations starting from Gilbert Kahele Recreational park.

Show 2 more stops

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Traveler Photos

Reviews (1000)

Yvonne_B

Mar 2025

We had great time watching the sunset and gazing at the clear beautiful night sky. Definitely was worth the tour. James was a wealth of knowledge of all the telescopes and the stars.

Peng_L

Mar 2025

Absolutely unforgettable experience! The summit and stargazing tour on Mauna Kea was a dreamy experience, and our guide James made it even more special. He was incredibly knowledgeable, passionate, and made everyone feel safe and comfortable throughout the journey. Watching the sunset from the summit was surreal, and the stargazing session that followed was mind-blowing - crystal-clear skies and stunning views of planets, constellations, and galaxies. James explained everything in such an engaging and easy-to-understand way, it made the night truly magical.

Gita_P

Mar 2025

This was our first trip to the Big Island and traveling to Mauna Kea seemed daunting... this tour was perfect for our family! A small van picked us up at a nearby location and from the beginning our tour guide, James was extremely accommodating. He shared local tid bits as well as what to expect. The drive was smooth (until the volcanic road towards the top) and with great views! We had ample time at each stop: visitor center, the 2 satellite and observatory stops, the sunset stop and the star gazing spot! James had everything prepped, from warm coats to a veggie sandwich from the local Pine Tree Cafe to hot coco for star gazing! James took pictures and even shared how to take better pictures. The views were unbelievable! The sunset was spectacular... and being above the clouds was surreal! Even the bitter cold and wind seemed to not distract from experiencing, for us... an once in this lifetime adventure. What made it so much better was the care and concern of our local guide James... We'd recommend this tour with James to everyone!