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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

Sat 19 Apr

Other dates

You can choose the date already on the booking website

Starting at $260.00

Make a reservation

Sat 19 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)

mediagal12017

Mar 2021

Wes and Shoyo were the perfect guides...kind and considerate, thinking of the guests every need and ensuring we got the most out of the trip. They showed up right on time for pick up and we set out for Mauna Kea. They told us all about the land, the native peoples, the animals, the weather, the geography and astronomy. They were very down to earth and respectful and also very knowledgeable. They made sure when we got to base camp that everyone was properly acclimated before we went any further. They brought us amazing teriyaki chicken and equipped us with the warmest snow pants and thick jackets so we could proceed the rest of the way. It was very windy on the day we went but they made sure we were comfortable. We went to the top and they explained all of the telescopes, who had discovered what, pointed out what islands/ nations were in all directions. It was a very cloudy day, so we did not see the traditional sunset, but the glory and majesty of the sun in those clouds was amazing! Picture after picture could not do it justice. As the sun went down, they found a way to break out a telescope and we could see the brilliance of a carpet of stars across the sky, clearer than I have ever seen in my life. They knew the stars and constellations by name and used a special technique to take our pictures against this magnified star base. Most other tour companies charge for that, but it was their pleasure to patiently take one for each of us and they did it all for free. This was the most amazing tour and we were blessed to get it from the best company on the island with the very best guides. Mahalo Wes and Shoyo!

Sean_C

Mar 2021

These fellas(Shoyo and Wes) are very knowledgeable and kind hearted! I appreciate their attention to detail! I had been planning a special way to propose to my future wife and thought this may be a unique experience. As the weather changes from day to day, these two gentlemen let me know of the current and future forecasts. My original plan was foiled but they came through in the end. I had our trip planned out to the hour. Heed my warning, make your plans interchangeable!!!! Kona tends to be very dry and Hilo has a lot of rain making for the way Mauna Kea. Of no fault of Hawaiian Eyes, storms do pop up and can alter your day. Know that they truly have your best interests and intentions in mind and make for a wonderful experience you surely will remember. This trip allows you to make your own stamp with artistic vision of a great photographer. I appreciate them greatly. Once at the top, you have an amazing view of the telescopes as well as an intensely beautiful sunset where they photograph you and your party. Then you set off downhill for a wonderful photopp while stargazing. When we come back to revisit, can't wait to see how their craft has evolved!

Holly

Feb 2021

This was an excellent trip, highly recommend. We were lucky to have a private tour. The bus felt very safe - even had plastic dividers between rows. Dinner was excellent - salad and teriyaki chicken. The tour guides took lots of pictures which is a great keepsake! We even got some pictures of Kilauea at night with the stars.