Mauna Kea Stargazing and Summit Tour
Mauna Kea Stargazing and Summit Tour
$315.00
Journey to the top of one of the tallest peaks in the world: the summit of Mauna Kea. This tour traverses the 4×4 roads to the 13,800-foot summit to catch a spectacular sunset. As the sun begins to sink, you’ll be presented with one of the best stargazing experiences on earth. Gaze into the heavens through a professional-grade telescope, and you’ll understand why Mauna Kea is celebrated by astronomers across the globe.
BOOK NOW • MORE INFO
Give Back On Wednesdays
The Tour
This 7-8 hour tour departs Kona before climbing to the highest peak in Hawaii for a spectacular sunset. Settle in for a ride up Mauna Kea’s 4×4 access road in a custom-built off-road motor coach and explore the Mars-like, 13,800 ft summit. Weather permitting, guests will be rewarded with views of Mauna Loa, Haleakala on Maui, and both coasts of the Big Island. As the sun begins to sink, you’ll traverse back down to a more suitable elevation of 9,000 feet for a stargazing experience like no other. Brace yourself for why many people visit Hawaii: Big Island Stargazing!
What You’ll Learn
The early Hawaiians were expert navigators and relied on the stars to point them in the right direction. This tour highlights the incredible navigation techniques used by Polynesian voyagers. Guests will also learn about the early travelers through these towering mountains and the deeply sacred Mauna Kea.
What’s Included
In addition to a private star show and the opportunity to peer into the heavens through a Celestron optical telescope, transportation from Kona and Waikoloa to Mauna Kea is included. Guests are also provided with a hot picnic dinner, dessert, hot tea, and hot chocolate. Gloves and parkas are included as well.
What to Bring
The average temperature of the upper reaches of Mauna Kea sits at a crisp 32 degrees. Wear warm gear: long pants, socks, sweatshirts. Closed-toed shoes are also recommended, as this tour includes light walking over rocky, uneven terrain. Don’t forget water in a reusable bottle as well!
Give Back Wednesdays
Book on a Wednesday for an extra stop at the Waikoloa Dry Forest to give back to the aina (land). On this special tour, guests are allowed to help restore endangered native species in this protected Hawaiian forest before going up to Maunakea to see the stars. A portion of your ticket cost will also be donated to the conservation efforts of the Waikoloa Dry Forest. Do your part and Book The Summit & Stars Giveback Experience today!
BOOK NOW!
Nearby Areas:
Kona • Waikoloa • Waimea
Mauna Kea Summit and Stars Photos
Important Information about this activity
| Tour Details: | This 7-8 hour trip departs daily from Kona and Waikoloa and includes a sunset view, star gazing with high-tech telescopes, and a warm picnic dinner (with vegan and gluten-free options). |
|---|---|
| Gear and Comfort: | Hooded parkas and gloves are provided to keep you warm. Guests are advised to wear long pants, closed-toe shoes, and bring a reusable water bottle. |
| Restrictions: | No children under 13 allowed, and the tour is not suitable for those with heart, respiratory, or circulatory issues due to high altitude. |
| Stargazing Equipment: | Guests use an 11" Celestron telescope and a Stellina digital telescope to view and photograph deep space objects. |
| Pick-Up Locations: | Departures are available daily from Kona, Waikoloa, and nearby areas. |
What recent guests are saying
The Maunakea summit and stargazing trip is the tour reviewers rave about most this season. Guests describe watching the sunset from above the clouds and then a sky full of stars, and they praise guides who explain astronomy, the observatories and Hawaiian history while keeping safety first. Many call it a once-in-a-lifetime night, and the hot dinner gets mentioned too.
Expect it to be very cold at the summit. Nearly all recent reviews are five stars.
Our summary of Hawaii Forest & Trail's public Google and Yelp reviews, updated October 17, 2026.