Big Island: Mauna Kea Summit Tour with Free Night Star Photo
Description
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.
Tour Options
Itinerary
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 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 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！
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)
Returning to the pick up locations starting from Waikoloa Resort
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- 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
Reviews(1,745)
Wesley was a great tour guide, he was knowledgeable and friendly. He helped keep us all safe on the ride to and from the mountain. They gave us a delicious sandwich and hot chocolate to keep us full and warm. This tour was a beautiful and unforgettable experience.
Before the time of my pickup I had high expectations and was not disappointed. From the time I was picked up at the designated spot to our return our tour guide Chris was very knowledgeable, informative and spoke about the many highlights of the Big Island, Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea. He s also a great driver - patient and safe. We stopped at the Visitors Centre for a bathroom break, walk around to stretch your legs and to get acclimated to the height. Once at the summit the view was amazing especially when sunset came and the telescopes opened preparing for the evenings viewing. After sunset we descended a short way to the night viewing area where everyone was in awe of the band of the Milky Way, Venus and the setting of the crescent moon. When the viewing ended Chris took personalized photos with the night sky (Milky Way) in the background. I had a terrific time as did everyone else and I would highly recommend the tour with Chris. It was a long day but definitely worth it.
First and foremost- it’s cold. The tour so kindly provides gloves, ski jacket and pants, it may be good to bring a beanie and maybe a layer of fleece or heat tech. To be able to view the blanket of stars was awe inspiring and magical. Definitely worth it!!! I can see myself joining this tour again with family next time .
Being on top of Mauna Kea was an incredible experience! Stargazing with such minimal light pollution and seeing the Milky Way was unforgettable. Wes, our tour guide, was a great driver and I'm glad we didn't attempt to do this on our own. 10/10 would recommend this experience.
It will be difficult to make this tour on your own as our family went the summit many years ago. Other than the location, everything was new to us. Our family of 6 adults started with a pickup in Kona (or Hilo) and not having to make that drive on the return in the dark was really nice. James was aware of a road closure (due to fire) as we started off. He immediately let us know of the detour we were taking and why. The sky was clear for the sunset and the star gazing was was amazing. Wes, our resident astronomer and guide from the other group, pointed out planets, constellations, etc. with a laser pointer- very beneficial for those of us with no constellation imagination. James was a great guide from start to finish. The BLTs were delicious (maybe we were hungry). It looks like you have several operator choices but James and Hawaii Eyes didn't disappoint.
We had an incredible experience on the Mauna Kea Summit Tour, and our guide James made it truly special. He was very friendly, knowledgeable, and shared fascinating information about stargazing and the night sky throughout the tour. James also went above and beyond to help us capture wonderful family photos, including some breathtaking sunset and Milky Way shots. The star photos turned out fantastic and will be memories we cherish for years to come. We already had a special day, and James made it even more memorable. Highly recommend this tour and especially James as a guide! Thank you, James, for an unforgettable experience!
We took a tour to Mauna Kea on 7/31/26. This was an amazing once in a lifetime experience. The views pre and post sunset were breathtaking. Our tour guide Chris was very knowledgeable and friendly. He was so attentive making sure we were having the best experience possible, which we did. It was very windy the day of our tour and Chris always made sure we were comfortable. I would highly recommend this tour operator.
Chris was an amazing guide! He answered all our questions and made sure we had time to acclimate to the altitude so no one would get sick. As a solo traveler it also was greatly appreciated he was willing to take pictures as it made the experience even better! This was one of the coolest things I’ve ever done and I’m so glad I booked this tour.
Our tour guide Wes was fantastic! Super knowledgeable and I appreciated the cultural and social commentary he provided on the relevant issues and current events related to Mauna Kea. Unfortunately the clouds impacted the quality of stargazing but we got a great sunset and Wes positive nature as our tour guide more than made up for that! I’d gladly have him as a tour guide and go through Hawaiian Eyes tour company again!
The road does get very bumpy so be prepared for that. Bring warm layers of clothes. Our guide, James was wonderful!
