
The Original Mauna Kea Summit Sunset & Stargazing Tour-Since 1983
Traveler rating
4.7/5
Based on 685 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is The Original Mauna Kea Summit Sunset & Stargazing Tour-Since 1983 worth booking?
The Original Mauna Kea Summit Sunset & Stargazing Tour-Since 1983 is a 7-hour experience in Big Island of Hawaii, United States, from $335 per person. It scores 79 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 4.7/5 rating across 685 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 79 / 100
- Rating
- 4.7/5 (685)
- Duration
- 7 hours
- From
- $335 per person
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.
What you get
About this experience
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.
What's included
Included
- Government fees
- Arctic-style hooded parkas and gloves
- Professional guide
- Stargazing with 11-inch Celestron telescopes (conditions permitting)
- Tea and coffee
- Dinner
- Transport in a custom 4x4 Mercedes Sprinter van
Not included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off (meet at a designated pickup point)
- Gratuities (optional)
What you'll see and do
Saddle Road
Travel the scenic highway between Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa, crossing lava flows and high-country landscapes on the way to the mountain. Your guide shares the culture, geography, geology, and natural history of Hawaiʻi Island along the drive
Pass by without stopping
Maunakea Visitor Information Station
Description: At 9,200 feet, we stop for a hot dinner and a chance to adjust before heading higher. Learn why the world's largest telescopes are located on Mauna Kea and what life is like for the astronomers who work here. Before continuing, we hand out parkas and gloves and shift into four-wheel drive for the steep ascent to the summit.
40 minutes here
Mauna Kea Summit
Description: Arrive at nearly 14,000 feet before sunset and watch the observatories open their domes and rotate into position, including Keck, Subaru, and Gemini. There is plenty of time for photos as sunset transforms the landscape, often above a sea of clouds. We stay until the best of the color has faded.
60 minutes here
Mauna Kea Observatories
After sunset, we descend to mid-mountain, where the skies stay clear and the air is more comfortable for stargazing. Your guide leads a full stargazing program, tracing constellations from Polaris to the Southern Cross with green lasers and showing planets, star clusters, and galaxies through 11-inch Celestron telescopes. Hot drinks and a sweet treat are served along the way. Stargazing depends on natural conditions.
120 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Big Island of Hawaii
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
Big Island of Hawaii
Kohala Coffee Co. is near the gas station at Waikoloa Plaza in Waikoloa Village. This locally owned café has restrooms and indoor seating for customers while you wait, so grab a coffee before the tour. Our vans will be parked out front for easy identification. Please arrive a few minutes early.
Meeting point
Big Island of Hawaii
Queens' Marketplace We pick up on the back side of the complex, near Snorkel Bob's. Look for our vans in the rear parking lot, where we will also drop you off after the tour. We recommend checking the location before your tour day so you know exactly where to go.
Meeting point
Big Island of Hawaii
Kona Crossroads Shopping Center. Enter from Henry St. Domino's and AutoZone are on the mountain side and Denny's is on the ocean side. Park on the ocean side and look for our signs with the company logo. Restrooms, picnic tables, and benches are near AutoZone and Sakura Restaurant.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
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.
Ends at
Kohala Coffee Co. is near the gas station at Waikoloa Plaza in Waikoloa Village. This locally owned café has restrooms and indoor seating for customers while you wait, so grab a coffee before the tour. Our vans will be parked out front for easy identification. Please arrive a few minutes early.
Ends at
Queens' Marketplace We pick up on the back side of the complex, near Snorkel Bob's. Look for our vans in the rear parking lot, where we will also drop you off after the tour. We recommend checking the location before your tour day so you know exactly where to go.
Ends at
Kona Crossroads Shopping Center. Enter from Henry St. Domino's and AutoZone are on the mountain side and Denny's is on the ocean side. Park on the ocean side and look for our signs with the company logo. Restrooms, picnic tables, and benches are near AutoZone and Sakura Restaurant.
Options you can book
All Day
Mauna Kea Summit Adventures
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 6 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Mauna Kea Summit Adventures
Know before you go
- 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
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 685 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
8 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
8 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Food and drink
8 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Photo opportunities
7 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Value for money
2 mentionsTravelers feel they got more than they paid for.
Organization
2 mentionsPickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.
Traveler reviews
685 verified traveler reviews for The Original Mauna Kea Summit Sunset & Stargazing Tour-Since 1983. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Mauna Kea Summit Adventure- tour of a lifetime
We have done a summit tour many times and this was the best trip ever. The tour did not disappoint and our guide ‘Kea did a great job educating us on the drive about Hawaiin culture and the history of the Big Island. This tour stopped at different points on the way to the summit and we saw it all! The large radio transmitter, all of the different observatories - and information about who made them, why they are different, and their uses. We have also never stargazed so high up and with such a powerful telescope. Kea was so knowledgeable about the astronomy- we really learned alot. The company provided a delicious small dinner and good time to aclimate at the visitor center. Just enough time to eat, stretch your legs, get a little souvenir at the gift shop, and use a real bathroom. Pick up and drop off were easy and on time with a nice small group. Highly recommend this tour company and great guide!
via Tripadvisor
Sublime Tour and Amazing Guide Experience
Sometimes there are not enough superlatives to describe some adventures on this planet. Kinga and I had the most amazing, sublime tour experience with Mauna Kea Summit Adventures last night. Trip started out in Kona and was an informative drive up with background on the Hawaiian culture, history and the volcanic formation of the Island of Hawaii. We ate dinner and acclimated to the altitude (+9000') at the Manua Kea Visitor Center. Then proceeded up to the summit in the 4x4 tour van. Paused along the way to appreciate Mauna Loa and other features. Reached the summit (13,769') and got to take in all of the Awesome Observatories here. Our guide, Maka, was great in giving us all of the background and perspective regarding the sites spiritual impact to the native Hawaiian's and some of the concern around development of the sites as well as it's astronomical importance. Timing was perfect for us to catch and observe the sunset and awe-inspiring beauty on display. We then headed down the mountain and setup for an a detailed and thorough Astronomy observation at a great vantage point. Again, our guide, Maka was incredibly well informed and led a great star-gazing session with their Celestron Telescope. Ton of photos and video clips to capture the moment. Highly recommend for anyone coming out here.
via Tripadvisor
A fantastic evening!
Had a great and enthusiastic tour guide in our van. They showed us multiple different types of stars/galaxies/nebulae and all the legends behind all the constellations we could see. The food was tasty and hot, and I appreciated the parkas and gloves they provided! I was also very glad that they were the ones driving on the road to the top and not me.
via Tripadvisor
Gorgeous Sunset, fantastic star tour.
A fantastic bus tour leaving from Kona. We learned about the island as we first drove north through the lava fields, stopping along the way for breaks. Then we spent about a an hour at the visitor centre to acclimate to the lower oxygen and get our parkas and dinner. The evening sunset was gorgeous and the nighttime astronomy was great. Our host Arthur was informative, helpful and funny, and kept our group safe. I was really concerned about booking this tour during between the first quarter and full moon (booked the tour after booking our flight!) - pretty much any other quarter of the moon would have given much darker night skies, but the tour pivoted nicely and we got gorgeous view of the moon's terminator. Star clusters of Omega Centauri were gorgeous and it was great seeing the southern cross in the sky for the first time. A great experience, we're very glad we went!
via Tripadvisor
Incredible
This was amazing! From our pick up point in Kona, our guide Kailikea (hope I spelled this right) was fantastic. He was so passionate about the trip and his home town it was so engaging. He's such a helpful, friendly and knowledgeable chap. I didn't expect to learn so much, but it was just the right level. 'Kea was clear about what to expect from the altitude and how to best manage it. We were lucky enough to see the Silversword plants by the visitor centre and then enjoyed our meal, included in the tour; veggie lasagne and chocolate brownie. It was a mixed journey up to the summit with some paved and some very bumpy roads but so worth the trip. We learned all about the different dishes and observatories and watched the beautiful sunset from the summit. We had to head lower for stargazing to avoid polluting the light by the observatories. We were awestruck by how many stars you could see, it was stunning. The powerful telescopes were set up and we were shown the visible planets and constellations/asterisms. Viewing the Edna carina nebula through the telescope was an incredible experience. I would 100% recommend this tour!
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 7 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $335 to $351
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 240
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Why this scores 79
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
The Original Mauna Kea Summit Sunset & Stargazing Tour-Since 1983: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Big Island of Hawaii.
How much does The Original Mauna Kea Summit Sunset & Stargazing Tour-Since 1983 cost?
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Prices start at $335 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Big Island of Hawaii usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does The Original Mauna Kea Summit Sunset & Stargazing Tour-Since 1983 take?
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Plan for about 7 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Big Island of Hawaii is not rushed.
Is The Original Mauna Kea Summit Sunset & Stargazing Tour-Since 1983 worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 79 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.7/5 across 685 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Big Island of Hawaii, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule The Original Mauna Kea Summit Sunset & Stargazing Tour-Since 1983?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is The Original Mauna Kea Summit Sunset & Stargazing Tour-Since 1983 suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 7-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book The Original Mauna Kea Summit Sunset & Stargazing Tour-Since 1983?
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Around 240 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Big Island of Hawaii can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Big Island of Hawaii and add a light layer if any part of the 7-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does The Original Mauna Kea Summit Sunset & Stargazing Tour-Since 1983 start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Big Island of Hawaii within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Big Island of Hawaii?
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The Big Island is volcano country: Hawaii Volcanoes National Park tours, Mauna Kea summit stargazing, night manta ray snorkels off Kona, Waipio Valley lookouts and coffee farm visits. Summit tours have real altitude rules, so we weight safety detail. On Outty we rank every Big Island of Hawaii experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Big Island: Captain Cook Snorkel On A Power Catamaran With Lunch, KONA Manta Ray Night Snorkel - FREE re-ride if no Sightings, Big Island in a Day: Volcanoes Waterfalls Sightseeing and History. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Big Island of Hawaii?
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April to October, though the island runs year round. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Big Island of Hawaii?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in The Original Mauna Kea Summit Sunset & Stargazing Tour-Since 1983?
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Included: Government fees; Arctic-style hooded parkas and gloves; Professional guide; Stargazing with 11-inch Celestron telescopes (conditions permitting); and Tea and coffee. Not included: Hotel pickup and drop-off (meet at a designated pickup point); and Gratuities (optional). Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Where is the meeting point for The Original Mauna Kea Summit Sunset & Stargazing Tour-Since 1983?
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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). Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.
What languages is The Original Mauna Kea Summit Sunset & Stargazing Tour-Since 1983 offered in?
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It runs in English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for The Original Mauna Kea Summit Sunset & Stargazing Tour-Since 1983?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
Is The Original Mauna Kea Summit Sunset & Stargazing Tour-Since 1983 wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Wheelchair accessible; All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible; and Not permitted for pregnant travelers. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to The Original Mauna Kea Summit Sunset & Stargazing Tour-Since 1983 if the weather is bad?
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This experience depends on good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.
What do travelers say about The Original Mauna Kea Summit Sunset & Stargazing Tour-Since 1983?
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Across 685 reviews averaging 4.7 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, knowledge and storytelling, food and drink. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
What booking options are available for The Original Mauna Kea Summit Sunset & Stargazing Tour-Since 1983?
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There are 2 options to choose from, including All Day, Mauna Kea Summit Adventures. Prices and start times differ by option, so compare them on the booking screen.
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