Big Island: Mauna Kea Summit Tour with Free Night Star Photo
Overview
Available languages
8 hours
Mobile ticket
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.
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.
Please note that, depending on any guests get altitude sickness or other conditions, the time spent at the summit and the stargazing location may be adjusted.
Guest under 16 years old or older than 75 cannot participate
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 75 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 shuttle bus stop in backside of the shopping mall, a LARGE parking lot near the NOT Starbucks (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)
Options
Target Parking Lot by McDonald
Starting point: Target, 74-5455 Makala Blvd, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740, USA
Queens Market place Pick up
Starting point: Queens' Marketplace, 69-201 Waikōloa Beach Dr, Waikoloa Village, HI 96738, USA
What‘s Included
An astronomical telescope
Mauna Kea Summit Tour
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)
Snow parker, Ski pants, and Gloves
4x4 Passenger Van to the summit
Gratuities
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
1,651 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
We had a great experience...
MARK M,Jun 21, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00We had a great experience on our tour with, Chris! We appreciated the comfortable van and the sandwiches were good. It was a beautiful way to experience the sunset. Thank you!
A twinkling tour
Christina H,Jun 21, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00It’s hard to say how amazing this tour is. You have never seen stars so bright, and to literally watch the sun set is so cool. Our guide Chris was very knowledgeable, helpful, and had a good sense of humor. I would definately recommend this tour.
10/10 Would Recommend
yunlingwendy C,Jun 21, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00I loved this experience. I went with my husband and daughter, and our tour guide Chris was fantastic. He told us stories and details about the island / the peak / the telescopes, and he was super thoughtful and accommodating when I struggled to acclimate to the oxygen level. He even brought us hot chocolate to enjoy while stargazing, and provided parkas and gloves for my freezing daughter. Overall one of the best tour guides. 5 stars. Up there, the sunset view was absolutely beautiful, and we loved stargazing and seeing all of the zodiac constellations.
I went on the stargazing...
Yisi C,Jun 21, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00I went on the stargazing tour with my friends and we had a really nice experience. The views were beautiful, the atmosphere was relaxing, and it was a great way to spend the evening together. Everything was well organized, and we really enjoyed the chance to see the night sky in such a special setting. I would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a memorable and peaceful activity.
Wes was the BEST guide on an amazing tour
Shelley B,Jun 20, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This experience is expensive, but it is a once in a lifetime opportunity. I chose this provider since they took photos, had ski pants in addition to parkas, and I thought the BLT dinner might be good (it was). Wes was our guide and he shared great information with us - repeating it in Japanese for the other tour guests. Overall an incredible experience.
Super cool experience!...
Andres P,Jun 20, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Super cool experience! Watching the sunset above the clouds feels amazing. Our guide Shoyo is a really chilled guy, smooth driving and really knowledgeable about all kinds of facts about the area, the island and Hawaii. Big shot out to the vegan sandwich. Pretty good compared to what you usually get in other tours!
Very nice sunset and stargazing experience!
Adam K,Jun 19, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00It's a long drive both ways but ultimately worth it! You get to see what looks like the planet Mars with the clouds as a blanket beneath you. Truly one-of-a-kind vista.
Bucket list
Krista F,Jun 19, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This was bucket list worthy! Our tour guide James made the trip top level. The weather is always a possible reason not to make it to the summit-he waited at the visitor center when all the other tour vans left-we headed down because the road was closed-then suddenly the road opened-then up we went for the most amazing sites. First it was sunset with the canopy of clouds and summit of Mauna Kea…then to a special parking area only for commercial vehicles. The sky was full of stars. James was knowledgable about the stars and made the whole experience great! This was on my husbands bucket list and James helped him check it off the list. The topper is the amazing photos James took both of sunset and under the stars-this captures the memory! I cannot recommend this tour enough!
Absolutely Fantastic
Kimberly W,Jun 19, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Everything was great. We met and drove to the visitor center, altough we were a little tight in the van. If you want to stretch out for the long drive to the visitor center, you could meet them there. We did not have very good weather (rain, vog, etc). The road to the summit was closed. We waited at the visitor center and finally headed back, but got a last minute call it had reopened and we hurried back up and made it for sunset and star gazing. It was cold, but they provided pants, jackets, hats, gloves, hot cocoa, water, and a sandwich. The photos were stunning. The guide (James) was knowable and very accommodating. If we had needed to skip various parts of the tour, refunds are available for bad weather, unlike some other tour providers. Overall a great experience. We will definitely use them again.
What a great experience!...
Jamie N,Jun 17, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00What a great experience! Had James as our guide and he was fantastic. Very nice and personable. The photos were absolutely amazing and he took some extra time to take a few additional photos for us for our special occasion! Would definitely recommend to anyone!
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