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 (7)
Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Big Island: Mauna Kea Summit and Stars Small-Group Adventure Tour?
Cancellation Policy
Still have questions?
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Activity code: C-2804MKS
Traveler Photos
Reviews
Average 4.88 out of 5 stars based on 1,597 traveler reviews collected by Cool Hawaii and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor
Additional Info
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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).
- 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 2024What'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
