Overview
The original Mauna Kea sunset and stargazing tour. We pioneered this experience in 1983 and have been on this mountain longer than just about anyone.
Ride from the coast to nearly 14,000 feet in custom 4x4 Mercedes Sprinters with panoramic windows and coach seating in rows of two and three (nobody rides four across). Enjoy a real hot dinner at 9,200 feet, 3-cheese vegetable lasagna and a homemade brownie, then watch the sun set from the summit, often above a sea of clouds, as the observatories open their domes.
Then what sets us apart: about two hours of guided stargazing at mid-mountain, more time under the stars than any other tour on the mountain. Green lasers, 11-inch Celestron telescopes, gourmet hot drinks and a sweet treat while you look up.
Our guides measure their time on Mauna Kea in years, not seasons. Parkas and gloves provided. Max 14 guests per van. Ages 13+; health restrictions apply. Stargazing depends on natural conditions.
Itinerary
Travel the scenic highway between Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa, crossing lava flows and high-country landscapes on the way to the mountain, in a custom 4x4 Mercedes Sprinter with coach seating in rows of two and three (nobody rides four across). Your guide covers the culture, geography, geology, and natural history of the island on the way up.
At 9,200 feet we stop for a real hot dinner, 3-cheese vegetable lasagna and a homemade brownie, and a chance to adjust to the altitude before heading higher. Learn why the world's largest telescopes are on Mauna Kea and what life is like for the astronomers who work here. Parkas and gloves are issued before we engage four-wheel drive for the climb to the summit. (40 mins)
Arrive at nearly 14,000 feet before sunset and watch the observatories, including Keck, Subaru, and Gemini, open their domes and rotate into position. Plenty of time for photos as the sunset transforms the landscape, often above a sea of clouds. We stay until the best color has faded, then descend to mid-mountain, where the air is more comfortable and the skies stay clear. (60 mins)
After Sunset we spend about two hours under the stars, more time stargazing than any other tour on the mountain. Your guide traces the sky with a green laser, from Polaris to the Southern Cross, and brings the night's best targets into our 11-inch Celestron telescopes. Midway through, gourmet hot cocoa, coffee, or tea and a sweet treat to ward off the chill. Stargazing depends on natural conditions; more than 90% of our trips get excellent skies. (120 mins)
What's Included
Inclusions
- About 2 hours of guided stargazing with 11-inch Celestron telescopes and green-laser sky tour
- Arctic-style hooded parkas and gloves
- Hot dinner at 9,200 ft: 3-cheese vegetable lasagna and a homemade brownie
- Pickup & drop-off: Kailua-Kona, Waikoloa Beach, Waikoloa Village, or Maunakea Visitor Station
- Gourmet hot cocoa, coffee, or tea with a sweet treat during stargazing
- Custom 4×4 Mercedes Sprinter with coach seating in rows of two and three (no four-across benches)
- Professional guide, fully narrated
Exclusions
- Hotel pickup and drop-off (meet at a designated pickup point)
- Gratuities (optional)
Meeting & Logistics
Best for guests in Hilo, Hamakua, Puna, or Volcano, about 1 hr 10 min from Hilo.
Fill up on gas; there are no services on Saddle Road.
Park in the Lower Dirt Parking Lot below the visitor center (restrooms available), then walk up to meet our vans in the paved lot above.
Keep your phone on.
Meeting Point
Meeting details will be provided after booking.
Special Instructions
Please arrive at your pickup location 10 minutes early. Your exact pickup time varies by location and season and will be confirmed by Mauna Kea Summit Adventures after booking. Keep your phone on for pickup and tour status updates. Weather: We make a daily go/no-go decision based on mountain weather and road access. If we cancel, we will try to reach you by phone. If you are unsure of your tour status, call (808) 322-2366 to reconfirm. What to wear: Summit temperatures average around 30°F with frequent wind. Wear long pants and closed-toe shoes, and bring layers such as a sweater or hoodie. Hooded parkas and gloves are provided. What to bring: Water and a non-alcoholic dinner beverage (no alcohol), extra camera batteries and memory since cold drains batteries fast, and sweet snacks if you like. Guests with dietary restrictions may bring their own food. Altitude: Feeling a bit lightheaded or sleepy is normal. Tell your guide right away if you feel unwell; guides carry oxygen. No scuba diving within 24 hours before the tour. Pickup locations: Kona Crossroads: Park on the ocean side (Denny's side) and look for our signs. Restrooms are near Auto Zone. Queens' Marketplace: Meet our vans in the rear parking lot on the back side of the complex. Snorkel Bobs Kohala Coffee Co., Waikoloa Plaza: Our vans park out front. The café has restrooms and indoor seating. Visitor Information Station: Leave Hilo with a full tank; there are no services on Saddle Road. Park in the Lower Dirt Parking Lot and walk up to our vans. Return: The tour returns late at night, and times may vary by about 15 minutes with group size, weather, and road conditions. If you drove to your pickup, plan for a late drive back.
Photos
The Original Mauna Kea Summit Sunset & Stargazing Tour-Since 1983 Photos
Additional Info
- Wheelchair accessible
- Service animals allowed
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- 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
- 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
- Offered by Mauna Kea Summit Adventures
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
