Day trip

Mauna Kea: Summit Sunset & Stargazing Trip with Photo

Activity provider: hawaii island holidays
Day trip

Mauna Kea: Summit Sunset & Stargazing Trip with Photo

Activity provider: hawaii island holidays
Likely to sell out

From US$ 259 per person

Likely to sell out

View the sunset from the peak of Mauna Kea and learn about the stars and planets during this unforgettable stargazing experience. Enjoy snacks, drinks, and free photos.

About this activity

Free cancellation
Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
Reserve now & pay later
Keep your travel plans flexible — book your spot and pay nothing today.
Covid-19 precautions
Special health and safety measures are in place. Check your activity voucher once you book for full details.
Duration 7.5 - 8 hours
Check availability to see starting times.
Live tour guide
English

Experience

Itinerary
7.5 - 8 hours
  • Kailua-Kona

  • Mauna Kea

  • Mauna Kea Visitor Center

  • Kailua-Kona

Meeting point
Main stop
Highlights
  • See a picturesque sunset from Mauna Kea
  • Sip on a hot beverage as you gaze at the stars
  • Discover where the first black hole photo was taken
  • Use a Celestron telescope to get an up-close view of the sky
Full description

Get your photos taken by the stars during this sunset and stargazing adventure on the summit of Mauna Kea. Learn about the area from your guide as you sip on hot chocolate and eat snacks. Choose from pickup and drop-off options at several locations. 

Delight in the awe-inspiring sunset at the top of Mauna Kea, the highest point in the Pacific. Get cozy with a parka, gloves, and hot drink as you learn historic accounts of Hawaii, the Big Island, from your guide.

Stand amidst the world’s largest collection of research telescopes and see two of the eight telescopes which took the first photo of a black hole. Enjoy your very own private star show with a Celestron telescope.

Capture your experience forever with photos taken by your guide on a DSLR camera. Get emailed these photos after your experience.

After your unforgettable evening with the stars, depart back to your pickup location for drop-off.

Includes
  • Pickup and drop-off (select locations)
  • Snacks and hot chocolate
  • Free DSLR night photos (sent via email)
  • Guide
  • Parkas
  • Gloves
  • Gratuities
  • Dinner
Not suitable for
  • Children under 13 years
  • Pregnant women
  • People with back problems
  • People with mobility impairments
  • People with heart problems
  • People with respiratory issues
  • People diving up to 24 hours prior
  • People with altitude sickness
  • People over 80 years

Select participants and date

Participants

Date

Meeting point

Meeting point may vary depending on the option booked.

Important information

What to bring

  • Comfortable shoes
  • Long pants

Not allowed

  • Non-folding wheelchairs
  • Alcohol and drugs

Know before you go

  • Weather changes can occur quickly and the access road to the summit can close without warning, therefore access to the summit or favorable conditions cannot be guaranteed
  • The temperature can dip below freezing when at a high elevation on the mountain
  • Guests should be able to walk on uneven or rocky terrain. Sometimes cool, wet, or muddy conditions are encountered
Customer reviews

Overall rating

4.9 /5

based on 102 reviews

Review summary

  • Guide
    4.9/5
  • Transportation
    4.8/5
  • Value for money
    4.6/5

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Star rating:

The telescope we used at the star gazing parking lot wasn't great. We have better at home (that was disappointing). We expected to be able to view on the top of Mauna Lau, with a higher end telescope. At least a professional model. By the time of the viewing, we were too cold to enjoy it. Again, having the option at the top would have been ideal, rather than drive down, set it up and wait it out. It turns out we paid for the drive to the top, in which case our driver/tour guide was terrific. I would have opted to drive ourselves (many did) with our rented jeep & save the $1200+ for our group.

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March 24, 2023

This was amazing! There was nothing like stargazing from the top of Hawaii! You know your in the right place when your surrounded by the worlds most advanced telescopes. The views were out of this world, and so were the guides. Suoer friendly, knowledgeable and accommodating. They made the experience fun and comfortable.

March 24, 2023

Probabilmente il tramonto sul Mauna Kea è una delle cose più belle da vedere alle Hawaii. Il tour è stato ottimo, la guida era molto gentile e competente, ci ha portato in cima a vedere il tramonto e un po' più in basso per vedere le stelle (personalmente niente di eccezionale, non ne ho viste molte di più di un qualunque posto poco illuminato). Bello è stato vedere Saturno e Giove tramite il telescopio. Do 4 stelle perché costa parecchio per il servizio, contando che mi sembra non ci sia un costo per salire sul vulcano e che quindi potrebbe essere fatto in autonomia (la strada è abbastanza dissestata e priva di protezioni, bisogna stare un po' attenti ma c'erano parecchie persone con la propria macchina).

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March 24, 2023

Product ID: 401787