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Mauna Kea Summit & Observatory Tours
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Mauna Kea Summit and Stars Small-Group Adventure Tour

star-4.5
|
Kailua-Kona, United States
(17)
Mauna Kea Summit and Stars Small-Group Adventure Tour
A traveler prepares to watch the night sky after sunset at Mauna Kea Summit, on the Big Island of Hawaii.
Views from the summit of Mauna Kea on the Big Island of Hawaii.
Vans take travelers to the summit of Mauna Kea for an evening of stargazing.
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17

From $235.60

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Number of travelers
0 Adults1 Adult2 Adults3 Adults4 Adults5 Adults6 Adults7 Adults8 Adults9 Adults
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Free Cancellation
up to 24 hours in advance
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icon8 hours  (Approx.)
Hotel pickup offered
Mobile ticket
iconOffered in: English
Keeping you safe during COVID-19
What you can expect during your visit
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas
Gear/equipment sanitized between use
Transportation vehicles regularly sanitized
Guides required to regularly wash hands
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Safety precautions are provided by the tour operator and are not checked by Viator for accuracy
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More questions?
(888) 651-9785

Overview

Experience big skies and incredible nighttime views on this Mauna Kea stargazing trip with a small group. Join no more than 28 guests for a pre-trip picnic at a historic Hawaiian ranch, proceeded by a ride in a 4x4 luxury van to the summit of the Big Island's tallest peak. After admiring a sunset view, continue down to 9,000 feet (2,743 meters) for a stargazing session, complete with a telescope, hot chocolate, and dessert. The trip also includes a guide and a hooded parka to keep you warm.
  • Enjoy a private stargazing show through 11” Celestron telescopes on Mauna Kea
  • Learn about the history, culture, and ecology of Hawaii
  • Indulge in a picnic dinner at a historical ranch
  • Small-group tour limited to 14 participants, ensuring a personalized experience with a naturalist guide
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Guide
Hooded parkas and gloves
Hot picnic dinner
Hot cocoa and cookies
Private star show with telescope
Local taxes
Select Hotel/Resort Pick-up & Drop off
Gratuities

Departure Point

Hawaii Forest & Trail Kona Headquarters, 73-5593 A, Olowalu St, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740, USA

Traveler pickup is offered
Also can pick-up from:
Queens' Market Place, 69-201 Waikoloa Beach Dr, Waikoloa Village, HI 96738
Gilbert Kahele Recreation Park, 44-5400 Daniel K. Inouye Hwy, Waimea, HI 96743

Return Details

Returns to original departure point
  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
  • Minimum age is 16 years
  • Due to the high altitude; this tour is not suitable for those with respiratory, heart or circulatory conditions, poor health, or pregnancy
  • Scuba divers should be aware of altitude dangers
  • Please advise your parka size (small, medium, large, x-large or xx-large) and choice of meal (Beef Stew or Vegan Chili -Gluten Free) at time of booking. If you do not indicate this at the time of booking, you will be required to call and advise them of this information directly.
  • There is minimal walking on this tour, the maximum being about 150 yards
  • Guests are required to wear closed-toe walking shoes or hiking boots, long pants. We recommend bringing a light sweatshirt or jacket
  • 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 14 passengers
  • Snow is seasonal at Mauna Kea, with the heaviest snowfall occurring during the winter months
  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Not recommended for travelers with back problems
  • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
  • No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
  • Most travelers can participate
  • Guests must bring their own water bottles. Tour operator will provide filtered water refills.
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 9 travelers
  • OPERATED BY Hawaii Forest and Trail

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.

  • This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

  • This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

Learn more about cancellations.

The answers provided below are based on answers previously given by the tour provider to customers’ questions.
Q:
What is the policy on face masks and attendee health during Mauna Kea Summit and Stars Small-Group Adventure Tour?
A:
The policies on face masks and attendee health are:

  • Face masks required for travelers in public areas
  • Face masks required for guides in public areas
See all safety measures taken by Mauna Kea Summit and Stars Small-Group Adventure Tour.
Q:
What is the policy on sanitization during Mauna Kea Summit and Stars Small-Group Adventure Tour?
A:
The policies on sanitization are:

  • Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
  • Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas
  • Gear/equipment sanitized between use
  • Transportation vehicles regularly sanitized
See all safety measures taken by Mauna Kea Summit and Stars Small-Group Adventure Tour.
Q:
What is the social distancing policy during Mauna Kea Summit and Stars Small-Group Adventure Tour?
A:
The policy on social distancing is:

  • Social distancing enforced throughout experience
See all safety measures taken by Mauna Kea Summit and Stars Small-Group Adventure Tour.
Q:
What measures are being taken to ensure staff health & safety during Mauna Kea Summit and Stars Small-Group Adventure Tour?
A:
The policy on staff health & safety is:

  • Guides required to regularly wash hands
See all safety measures taken by Mauna Kea Summit and Stars Small-Group Adventure Tour.
Q:
What is the maximum group size during Mauna Kea Summit and Stars Small-Group Adventure Tour?
A:
This activity will have a maximum of 9 travelers.

See all safety measures taken by Mauna Kea Summit and Stars Small-Group Adventure Tour.

Traveler Tips

  • "It also got pretty cold up at 14,,000 ft. Those jackets were definitely a must!" See review
  • "It was a fair amount of driving but well worth it." See review
  • "The parkas provided kept us warm, but recommend bringing some gloves," See review

Reviews

4.5
star-4.5
543 Reviews
5 stars
430
4 stars
70
3 stars
22
2 stars
10
1 star
11
Reviews by Viator travelers
Showing 1-10 of 543 reviews
star-5
Perfect day
Meg_G
, Jan 2021
Justin our guide is very knowledgeable getting to top, seeing all the telescopes and watching sunset with a little lower having him set up telescope to look through. Amazing. Weather perfect. Thank you
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star-5
Mauna Key delight!
Karl_B
, Jan 2021
Jeff was outstanding! His enthusiasm, passion and knowledge for The Big Island, Mauna Kea, the sunset and stars is palpable. They are a Covid safe operator observing social distancing, masks and hand washing. It will be a highlight of my trip!!
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star-5
Great night
Amanda
, Jan 2021
We loved our tour. The tour guide had so many facts to share and had a good personality. The views were breathtaking and stargazing was just amazing.
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star-5
Top of the world
TARA_L
, Dec 2020
The sunset was amazing. Justin was our tour guide. He was very informative. The whole ride up the views were breathtaking.
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star-5
Best time!
DARKE_H
, Nov 2020
Our guide had incredible knowledge about they stars/planets. He was able to use the knowledge and incorporate it with Hawaii’s history and culture.
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star-4
Great trip to the summit
Curdeb
, Mar 2020
Our trip to the Mauna Kea Summit with Justin was really good. Although we didn't have the best of weather for stargazing Justin still did a great job and pointed out many stars in between the overcast.
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star-5
Summit sunset was spectacular
Sue_O
, Feb 2020
Heraldo was an excellent guide with tons of interesting geologic and historical facts. The summit sinset was spectacular.
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star-5
Sunset and star gazing from the top of the world
TonyTraveler
, Feb 2020
This tour especially at this time of year is quite dependent on mainly two things- the weather and the guide. Doing this in the winter means that it will be cold at 13,800 feet above sea level creating a physical challenge to weather 20-30 degree F in addition to thin air/low oxygen levels. Snow and ice can occur canceling making it to the summit. And how the guide shepherds the group through all this and creates a meaningful star gazing experience at 12,800 feet is also key. Well, the weather allowed us to get to the summit for a remarkable view of the wonders of the observatories on top of the tallest mountain in the world (yes it is from its base under the ocean to its summit) and a spectacular sunset! Our guide, Heraldo, was great in all other aspects from his knowledge and discussions to accomplishing a safe individualized tour. But this is an experience not for the faint of heart again especially at this time of year. A heavy parka and mittens are provided as well as blankets but warm heavier socks and good shoes are important. And getting a good nights sleep the night before would help since the tour lasts from 7-8 hours depending on your pick up point and goes late into the night 10:30-11:00P, depending on where you are staying on the island. All that being said, it was a once in a lifetime, remarkable experience.
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star-5
Awesome Tour
adad1996
, Feb 2020
One of the best tours I’ve been on made possible by Jeff Manzo, the tour guide. He was very knowledgeable and made the tour very enjoyable. Highly recommended!!
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star-5
Amazing Experience!!
cmsualp
, Feb 2020
Heraldo was a fantastic guide! He was extremely knowledgeable of the Hawaiin culture and traditions as well as an amateur astronomer. The food from Lava Java was fantastic and even though we ate in a tent it almost like eating in a high-end restaurant! We would definitely do this tour again the next time we come to the Big Island!!
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Product code: 2804MKS

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