13:25, 13:40, 13:55, 14:10, 14:25, 14:40, 14:55 · No hotel pickup: everyone meets at the start point
Booking
Instant confirmation · mobile ticket
Guidekin's take
A Mauna Kea summit visit pairs with a telescope star show and a warm picnic dinner of stew or vegetarian chili.
Parkas, gloves, hot cocoa and pickup at central meeting points are included; participants must be at least thirteen. 4.85 from 1,686 reviews at €300 per person for 8h.
In our comparison: #3 of 8 in Mauna Kea Summit & Stargazing, by rating weighted by review volume (see the comparison).
A warm picnic dinner is provided with a choice of Southwest Stew or Vegetarian Chili (gluten-free).
Local taxes
Guide
Pick-up & Dropoff from Central Meeting Locations
Gratuities
Tour operator will provide filtered water refills for your bottle
Private Tour
Child prices by age band are shown at checkout. Option texts and prices come from the operator's listing; prices checked on Viator on 7 November 2026.
Reviews
4.8
1,686 ratings Tripadvisor 1,144 · Viator 542
97% of ratings with a star breakdown are 4★ or 5★: 1,635 of 1,686
Star breakdown of all 1,686 ratings
5 stars
1,527 · 91%
4 stars
108 · 6%
3 stars
27 · 2%
2 stars
12 · 1%
1 star
12 · 1%
Latest reviews
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Ratings collected from Guidekin, Viator & Tripadvisor.
Meeting point and route
Meeting point
Where
Please park in the lower gravel lot & walk to the Visitors Ctr (aka Onizuka Ctr) to meet our guide by the picnic area. Arrive at least 15 mins prior to your pick-up time. PLEASE NOTE: Your pick-up time will be different than the displayed online tour start time. Contact us to verify the meeting time, Please park by the vacant lot adjacent to Domino's Pizza. Our guide will meet you on the curbside. Arrive at least 15 minutes before your scheduled pick-up time. PLEASE NOTE: Your pick-up time will be different than the displayed tour start time online. Please contact us to verify the meeting time., Please park & meet us on the backside (south side) of this popular shopping center. We will pick you up by the long yellow curb with the two yellow umbrellas. PLEASE NOTE: Your pick-up time will be different than the tour start time displayed online. Please contact us to verify the meeting time., Please meet us at the front entrance and allow a 15-minute window for your driver to arrive. PLEASE NOTE: Your pick-up time will be different than the tour start time displayed online. You may contact us to verify the meeting time., **IMPORTANT - Please note that guests meeting at the Courtyard by Marriott King Kamehameha Kona Beach Hotel must arrive at least 15 minutes prior to the tour's start time. ** ** Mahalo!**
No hotel pickup: everyone meets at the start point
Operator
Hawaii Forest &Trail; booking and payment are completed on Viator
Itinerary
1
Travelers staying in Kailua Kona will meet the guide here
Your guide will meet you at the benches closest to the hotel's parking lot entrance at the curbside.
**There may be additional meeting location stops along the way to Maunakea.**
5 min · Admission not included
2
Maunakea Visitor Information Station
Enjoy a warm picnic dinner while you acclimate to a higher elevation and learn about Hawaiian star navigation before you head to the summit.
45 min · Admission included
3
Mauna Kea Summit
Enjoy a sunset from above the clouds while overlooking the Pacific Ocean atop Maunakea. After the sunset, travel to a more comfortable elevation and let our guides reveal the night sky with our 11" Celestron telescopes.
30 min · Admission included
4
Maunakea Visitor Information Station
Descend to a lower elevation after the sun sets and sip hot chocolate during a private star show with our 11” Celestron telescope.
View deep space objects with our Stellina digital telescope and share captured images of the Hawaiian night sky with your friends & family
1h · Admission included
About this tour, from the operator
Head to the Mauna Kea Observatory, nestled high in the mountains of the Big Island, and experience an intriguing and provocative journey through space and time. Discover Hawaii from the top of the island's tallest peak, Mauna Kea, also known as 'White Mountain,' located 13,796 feet (4,200 meters) above sea level. This small-group star-watching tour ensures a personalized and unique experience at the enchanting Mauna Kea summit.
Walking, children and accessibility
The operator's own notes, grouped by topic. Nothing here is added by Guidekin.
Walking and health
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Due to the high altitude, this tour is not for those with respiratory, circulatory or heart conditions, pregnancy, or poor health.
Scuba divers should be aware of altitude dangers. If you plan to scuba dive, do not plan to go to the summit within 24 hours after you dive due to the altitude.
Children
Minimum age is 13 years - No children under 13.
Accessibility
There is minimal walking on this tour, the maximum being about 150 yards. Please note we are unable to accommodate any guests with a collapsible wheelchair. All guests must be able to enter and exit our vehicles on their own, and walk comfortably on uneven terrain with limited lighting on their own.
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Guests are required to wear closed-toed shoe and long pants. We recommend bringing a sweatshirt or sweater for layering.
Please provide your parka size (small, medium, large, x-large or xx-large) and meal choice at the time of booking. If you do not indicate this at the time of booking, you will need to contact the tour operator directly.
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 12 passengers
Snow is seasonal at Maunakea, with the heaviest snowfall occurring during the winter months
Please note your scheduled pick-up time may differ from the tour start time displayed online. Contact us to confirm your meeting time & location.
Weather changes can occur quickly, and the access road to the summit can close without warning; therefore we cannot guarantee access to the summit or favorable conditions.
No scuba diving within 24 hours
Good to know
Food included see what is included
Age rule Minimum age is 13 years - No children under 13.
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
1+ days: Full refund
0-1 days: No refund
Compared with other Mauna Kea Summit & Stargazing
Tour
Price
Duration
Rating
Group
This tour · #3 of 8
€300
8h
4.85 (1686)
shared
Small Group Big Island Twilight Volcano and Stargazing Tour
€281
12h
4.9 (1759)
shared
Big Island Mauna Kea Summit Sunset and Stargazing
€291
7h
4.99 (74)
shared
Mauna Kea Arnott's Adventures
€232
7h
4.82 (157)
shared
Ranked #3 of 8 in Mauna Kea Summit & Stargazing by Guidekin score (rating weighted by review volume). Prices here run from €232 to €305, median €277; typical length 7h. 0 of 8 are private. Figures are live from the tour cards; the rubric is our handpicked set, not the whole market. Compare all 8 Mauna Kea Summit & Stargazing