Oahu Tours
Maui Tours
Big Island Tours
Kauai ToursMauna Kea Summit Adventures
Overview
The original Mauna Kea sunset and stargazing tour. We pioneered this experience 43 years ago, and we've been on this mountain longer than just about anyone.
Ride from the coast to nearly 14,000 feet in custom 4x4 Mercedes Sprinter vans with coach-style seating and panoramic windows. Enjoy a hot dinner at 9,200 feet, then watch the sun set from the summit, often above a sea of clouds, as the observatories open their domes. We stay until the best color has faded.
Then comes what sets us apart: more time stargazing than any other tour on the mountain. At mid-mountain, your guide leads a full stargazing program with green lasers and 11-inch Celestron telescopes, plus gourmet hot drinks and a sweet treat.
Parkas and gloves provided. Pickups in Kona, Waikoloa, and at the Visitor Information Station. Max 14 guests per van. About 7 to 8 hours, because the best parts deserve the time. Ages 13+; health restrictions apply. Stargazing depends on natural conditions.
What's Included
- Tea and coffee Gourmet hot cocoa, coffee, or tea with a sweet treat
- Dinner Hot vegetarian lasagna dinner with a homemade brownie
- All taxes and fees, including the Maunakea stewardship fee
- Arctic-style hooded parkas and gloves
- Stargazing with 11-inch Celestron telescopes (conditions permitting)
- Transport in a custom 4x4 Mercedes Sprinter van
- Professional guide
- Hotel pickup and drop-off (meet at a designated pickup point)
- Gratuities (optional)
Meeting Location
This activity ends back at the meeting point.
What To Expect
Book Online
Safe & secure • Easy breezy • Hassle-free
Saddle Road (pass by)
Maunakea Visitor Information Station
40 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Mauna Kea Summit
1 hour • Admission Ticket Free
Mauna Kea Observatories
2 hours • Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Not permitted for pregnant travelers
- Not permitted for travelers with any history of heart problems, including surgery, stents, pacemakers, or arrhythmias
- Not permitted for travelers with COPD, emphysema, lung conditions or surgeries, or pneumonia or RSV within the past 6 months
- Asthma must be fully controlled, and travelers must bring their inhaler
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Minimum age is 13 years
- Travelers with a BMI of 40 or higher are not permitted
- No scuba diving within 24 hours before the tour
- Pants and closed-toe shoes required; parkas and gloves provided
- Pickup times vary throughout the year with sunset
- The summit is nearly 14,000 feet, with 40% less oxygen than sea level
- Emergency response on the mountain can take about 2 hours, and a medical incident may end the tour for everyone on board
- The mountain road is long and bumpy and may not be suitable for travelers with back injuries
- Summit temperatures average around 30°F with frequent wind; parkas and gloves are provided
- Dinner is vegetarian lasagna; guests with dietary restrictions may bring their own food
- Pickup times vary by location and season and are confirmed after booking
- This tour returns late at night
- Tours may be canceled due to weather or road closures; stargazing depends on natural conditions and is not guaranteed
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 14 travelers
Frequently Asked Questions (7)
Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Mauna Kea Summit Adventures?
Cancellation Policy
Still have questions?
We're here to help.
Activity code: C-51365P1
Traveler Photos
Reviews
Average 4.82 out of 5 stars based on 657 traveler reviews collected by Cool Hawaii and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor
Additional Info
Similar Tours & Activities
Swimming with magical giants as they dance and float right in front of your eyes is a truly magical Kona experience! Our night manta ray...
$30
Spend your morning exploring the Big Island, then board the eco-friendly Fair Wind II for an afternoon of snorkeling highlights in Kealakekua Bay - relaxed,...
$144
Step into dynamic Kona town , where something exciting awaits. Tara, your scavenger hunt game show host, will curate a unique adventure. Embark on an...
$35
• Vessel Designed for Exploration: HAWAII MARINE LIFE CHARTERS uses a 31’ Ocean Craft RHIB—the same "super-raft" used by military and law enforcement. This design...
$1,740
Travelers Who Bought This Activity Also Bought
Hawai‘i Island’s only working salt farm, featured on Guy Fieri’s “Guy Hawaiian Style,” is located on a scenic 7-acre oceanfront site in the Hawai‘i Ocean...
$27
Why Choose Us for Your Manta Ray Night Snorkel? The strongest light power out of any operator…! Choose us if you want the most manta...
$15
A must do while in Hawaii! It's a lifetime opportunity to see up close manta rays feeding and interacting with other ocean creatures under the...
$94
2 different snorkeling locations! Captain Cook Snorkel Tour to kealakekua bay. Fast, agile Zodiac navy boat (used by Navy SEALs) gets you to the bay...
$69
Frequently Asked Questions (7)
The answers provided below were previously given in response to questions from Cool Hawaii customers.
Filter by:
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the activity start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the activity start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the activity start time will not be accepted.
- Cut-off times are based on the activity local time (HST).
- Tea and coffee. Gourmet hot cocoa, coffee, or tea with a sweet treat.
- Dinner. Hot vegetarian lasagna dinner with a homemade brownie.
- All taxes and fees, including the Maunakea stewardship fee.
- Arctic-style hooded parkas and gloves.
- Stargazing with 11-inch Celestron telescopes (conditions permitting).
- Transport in a custom 4x4 Mercedes Sprinter van.
- Professional guide.
- Hotel pickup and drop-off (meet at a designated pickup point).
- Gratuities (optional).
This activity requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
Apr 2025The minimum age to participate is 13. This activity requires at least one adult to accompany children..
Apr 2025If a date or time is not listed on the calendar, it’s sold out or unavailable for another reason. Support cannot assist further if a date or time is not on the calendar.
If you find a date and time that works for you, book it NOW because things always sell out at this time of year.
Apr 2025Accessibility information for the Mauna Kea Summit Adventures is as follows:
- Wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Not permitted for pregnant travelers
- Not permitted for travelers with any history of heart problems, including surgery, stents, pacemakers, or arrhythmias
- Not permitted for travelers with COPD, emphysema, lung conditions or surgeries, or pneumonia or RSV within the past 6 months
- Asthma must be fully controlled, and travelers must bring their inhaler
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Detailed check-in instructions – including meeting point address, Google map, and parking information – for Mauna Kea Summit Adventures will be included in your confirmation email from Cool Hawaii. Please be sure to double and triple check your email address is correct at checkout so this important email makes its way to you!
Mar 2024What's Included
- Tea and coffeeGourmet hot cocoa, coffee, or tea with a sweet treat
- DinnerHot vegetarian lasagna dinner with a homemade brownie
- All taxes and fees, including the Maunakea stewardship fee
- Arctic-style hooded parkas and gloves
- Stargazing with 11-inch Celestron telescopes (conditions permitting)
- Transport in a custom 4x4 Mercedes Sprinter van
- Professional guide
- Hotel pickup and drop-off (meet at a designated pickup point)
- Gratuities (optional)
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Not permitted for pregnant travelers
- Not permitted for travelers with any history of heart problems, including surgery, stents, pacemakers, or arrhythmias
- Not permitted for travelers with COPD, emphysema, lung conditions or surgeries, or pneumonia or RSV within the past 6 months
- Asthma must be fully controlled, and travelers must bring their inhaler
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Minimum age is 13 years
- Travelers with a BMI of 40 or higher are not permitted
- No scuba diving within 24 hours before the tour
- Pants and closed-toe shoes required; parkas and gloves provided
- Pickup times vary throughout the year with sunset
- The summit is nearly 14,000 feet, with 40% less oxygen than sea level
- Emergency response on the mountain can take about 2 hours, and a medical incident may end the tour for everyone on board
- The mountain road is long and bumpy and may not be suitable for travelers with back injuries
- Summit temperatures average around 30°F with frequent wind; parkas and gloves are provided
- Dinner is vegetarian lasagna; guests with dietary restrictions may bring their own food
- Pickup times vary by location and season and are confirmed after booking
- This tour returns late at night
- Tours may be canceled due to weather or road closures; stargazing depends on natural conditions and is not guaranteed
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 14 travelers
