Oahu Tours
Maui Tours
Big Island Tours
Kauai Tours
Big Island: Mauna Kea Summit and Stars Small-Group Adventure Tour
Overview
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.
What's Included
- Dinner A warm picnic dinner is provided with a choice of Southwest Stew or Vegetarian Chili (gluten-free).
- Private star show with telescope
- Hooded parkas and gloves
- Central Meeting Locations for Pick-up & Drop off
- Hot cocoa and cookies
- Local taxes
- Pick-up & Dropoff from Central Meeting Locations
- Guide
- Bottled water Tour operator will provide filtered water refills for your bottle
- Gratuities
- Private Tour
Meeting Location
This activity ends back at the meeting point.
What To Expect
Book Online
Safe & secure Easy breezy Hassle‑free
Courtyard by Marriott King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel
5 minutes Admission Ticket Free
Maunakea Visitor Information Station
45 minutes Admission Ticket Included
Mauna Kea Summit
30 minutes Admission Ticket Included
Maunakea Visitor Information Station
1 hour Admission Ticket Included
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- No scuba diving within 24 hours
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Minimum age is 13 years - No children under 13.
- Due to the high altitude, this tour is not suitable 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 12 travelers
Frequently Asked Questions (8)
Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Big Island: Mauna Kea Summit and Stars Small-Group Adventure Tour?
Cancellation Policy
Still have questions?
We're here to help.
Activity code: C-2804MKS
Traveler Photos
Reviews
Average 4.88 out of 5 stars based on 1,612 traveler reviews collected by Cool Hawaii and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor
Additional Info
Similar Tours & Activities
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...
$25
Evening Volcano Explorer from Hilo
The original volcano lovers tour. Start with a drive through quaint Hilo town where you’ll drive along the historic waterfront before heading out to the...
$177
Kailua-Kona Adventure Whale Watch
Meet Apollo, a 41 foot ribcraft purpose built for the ultimate adventure, and the newest member of the Hawaiian Adventures Team. Apollo’s 12.5 meter hull...
$119
Ensure you find some of the best snorkeling sites in Hawaii on this sail and snorkel adventure leaving from Keauhou Bay Pier. Set sail along...
$179
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...
$25
The original volcano lovers tour. Start with a drive through quaint Hilo town where you’ll drive along the historic waterfront before heading out to the...
$177
Meet Apollo, a 41 foot ribcraft purpose built for the ultimate adventure, and the newest member of the Hawaiian Adventures Team. Apollo’s 12.5 meter hull...
$119
Ensure you find some of the best snorkeling sites in Hawaii on this sail and snorkel adventure leaving from Keauhou Bay Pier. Set sail along...
$179
Travelers Who Bought This Activity Also Bought
Hawaiian Salt Farm Tour in Kona
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...
$25
Big Island Manta Ray Night Snorkel
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
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...
$25
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 (8)
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).
- This activity 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.
- Dinner. A warm picnic dinner is provided with a choice of Southwest Stew or Vegetarian Chili (gluten-free).
- Private star show with telescope.
- Hooded parkas and gloves.
- Central Meeting Locations for Pick-up & Drop off.
- Hot cocoa and cookies.
- Local taxes.
- Pick-up & Dropoff from Central Meeting Locations.
- Guide.
- Bottled water. Tour operator will provide filtered water refills for your bottle.
- Gratuities.
- Private Tour.
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..
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 Big Island: Mauna Kea Summit and Stars Small-Group Adventure Tour is as follows:
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- No scuba diving within 24 hours
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Detailed check-in instructions – including meeting point address, Google map, and parking information – for Big Island: Mauna Kea Summit and Stars Small-Group Adventure Tour 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 2024Once your refund is processed, it usually shows on your card statement within 5–10 business days. The exact timing depends on your bank or card issuer.
Want it sooner? When you cancel, choose Receive a refund to my wallet instead. The credit is in your Wallet straight away and is applied automatically at checkout on your next booking when you’re signed in with the same email. You can see your balance any time in My Wallet.
If you paid part of your booking with Wallet credit, that part always goes back to your Wallet. Trip protection isn’t refundable.
Oct 2026What's Included
- DinnerA warm picnic dinner is provided with a choice of Southwest Stew or Vegetarian Chili (gluten-free).
- Private star show with telescope
- Hooded parkas and gloves
- Central Meeting Locations for Pick-up & Drop off
- Hot cocoa and cookies
- Local taxes
- Pick-up & Dropoff from Central Meeting Locations
- Guide
- Bottled waterTour operator will provide filtered water refills for your bottle
- Gratuities
- Private Tour
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- No scuba diving within 24 hours
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Minimum age is 13 years - No children under 13.
- Due to the high altitude, this tour is not suitable 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 12 travelers
