13:10, 13:35, 13:45, 14:05, 14:25 · No hotel pickup: everyone meets at the start point
Tickets
Admission included
Booking
Instant confirmation · mobile ticket
Guidekin's take
Watch sunset from Mauna Kea's summit before stargazing through a professional telescope.
A hooded parka, local snacks, hot chocolate and the mountain passenger fee are included; weather or road closures can prevent summit access. 4.99 from 74 reviews at €291 per person for 7h–9h.
In our comparison: #2 of 8 in Mauna Kea Summit & Stargazing, by rating weighted by review volume (see the comparison).
A required $20/person passenger fee for the Center for Maunakea Stewardship (University of Hawaiʻi) to support the care and preservation of the mountain's natural and cultural resources.
Private stargazing with a professional telescope
Heavy-duty hooded parka (If you need an XL parka, please request the quantity at booking.)
All local snacks. Hot chocolate is served during the stargazing.
Please bring your own warm layers—sweater/hoodie, warm socks, beanie, and gloves.
Must wear toe closed shoes and long pants.
Bring your own water. Drinking water will reduce the risk of altitude sickness.
Tips for your guide are greatly appreciated.
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
5.0
74 ratings Tripadvisor 68 · Viator 6
100% of ratings with a star breakdown are 4★ or 5★: 74 of 74
Star breakdown of all 74 ratings
5 stars
73 · 99%
4 stars
1 · 1%
3 stars
0 · 0%
2 stars
0 · 0%
1 star
0 · 0%
Latest reviews
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Ratings collected from Guidekin, Viator & Tripadvisor.
Meeting point and route
Meeting point
Where
Meet us at the shuttle bus stop by the curb in the back side of the Queen's Marketplace in Waikoloa Beach Resort. Look for the large yellow sunshade umbrellas as a landmark.
⭐⭐⭐IMPORTANT: Please contact us for your pickup time, Meet us at our office in Kailua-Kona. Located between Kona International Airport and downtown Kona, just off Route 19 near Costco.
Departure
13:10, 13:35, 13:45, 14:05, 14:25 daily; scheduled through December 2027 (operator schedule, seats confirmed at checkout)
Return
This activity ends back at the meeting point
Pickup
No hotel pickup: everyone meets at the start point
Operator
Taikobo Hawaii; booking and payment are completed on Viator
Itinerary
1
Maunakea Visitor Information Station
We take time at the Visitor Center to safely acclimate to the high altitude while exploring the gift shop and educational displays that highlight Maunakea’s world-class observatories, unique environment, and deep cultural significance.
45 min · Admission included
2
Mauna Kea Summit
Explore the summit, home to world-renowned observatories, and watch a stunning sunset sink into the clouds and horizon.
1h · Admission included
3
Mauna Kea
Descend to a lower-elevation stargazing site (between 13,000 and 9,000 feet) after sunset, and experience the night sky from one of the best viewing locations on Earth. Your expert guide will bring the stars to life with fascinating insights into the universe, while a professional telescope reveals breathtaking celestial objects up close.
1h · Admission included
About this tour, from the operator
Experience the magic of Mauna Kea at nearly 14,000 feet above the Pacific Ocean.
Watch a breathtaking sunset from the summit, then enjoy expert-led stargazing with a professional telescope in one of the world’s best night-sky locations.
This small-group tour has been operated continuously since 1989 by a trusted, fully permitted local company. Travel in luxury 4WD vans with professionally trained guides who prioritize safety, comfort, and personalized service.
Learn about the cultural significance of Mauna Kea and the wonders of the universe—where ancient Hawaiians believed the Earth meets the heavens.
Heavy-duty parkas, local snacks, and hot chocolate are included. Convenient pickups in Kailua-Kona and Waikoloa Beach Resort.
Walking, children and accessibility
The operator's own notes, grouped by topic. Nothing here is added by Guidekin.
Walking and health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Guests with heart conditions, lung disease, or serious medical issues are not allowed.
Pregnant guests are not allowed.
Accessibility
Pets, including service animals, are not allowed to ensure the comfort and safety of guests with allergies or animal phobias.
The tour may be canceled before departure due to weather or road closures. If that happens, you’ll be offered a new date or a full refund.
If unfavorable weather conditions, road closures, or other unforeseen circumstances prevent us from reaching the summit after the tour has begun, a 50% refund of the tour price will be issued, excluding the non-refundable $20 Mauna Kea Passenger Fee. If we reach the summit but weather conditions prevent us from conducting the stargazing portion of the tour, we’ll issue a $50 refund per guest. and prevent us from reaching the summit, you’ll receive a 50% refund of the tour price, excluding the non-refundable $20 Mauna Kea Passenger Fee. If we reach the summit but weather conditions prevent us from conducting the stargazing portion of the tour, we’ll issue a $50 refund per guest.
Alcohol beverages are not allowed.
Drunk or intoxicated guests are not allowed.
A minimum of 3 guests is required to hold a tour. If we have fewer than 3 bookings 24 hours before departure, the tour will be canceled unless existing guests choose to pay the difference.
No meals are included. Please eat a full meal before the tour. We do provide some nice local snacks.
If a guest becomes ill or injured and cannot continue, the group may need to adjust the itinerary. Anyone leaving the tour must be accompanied by a companion (if applicable) and arrange their own return transportation at their own expense.
If you need an XL parka, please request the quantity at booking.
Age restriction: 13-80 yrs old (Guests ages 13–17 must be accompanied by a responsible adult)
Guests who have been scuba diving within 24 hours are not allowed.
Severely obese guests (BMI over 40.0) are not allowed.
Good to know
Food included see what is included
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 · #2 of 8
€291
7h–9h
4.99 (74)
shared
Small Group Big Island Twilight Volcano and Stargazing Tour
€281
12h
4.9 (1759)
shared
Big Island: Mauna Kea Summit and Stars Small-Group Adventure Tour
€300
8h
4.85 (1686)
shared
Mauna Kea Arnott's Adventures
€232
7h
4.82 (157)
shared
Ranked #2 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