Mauna Kea Summit and Stars Small-Group Adventure Tour

Hawaii Forest &Trail
4.8
Select Option:
Cancellation Policy
Up to 24 hours before your scheduled admission.
cwdouty58
4 days ago
This was our seventh trip to Hawaii, but this was the highlight of our first visit to the Big Island. Watching the sunset above the clouds followed by stargazing is breathtaking. Jeff is an excellent guide. His knowledge of astronomy and the Big Island is impressive.

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.

Departure Point

  • Please park in the lower gravel lot & walk to the Visitors Ctr (aka Onizuka Ctr) to meet our guide by the picnic area. Arrive at least 15 mins prior to your pick-up time. PLEASE NOTE: Your pick-up time will be different than the displayed online tour start time. Contact us to verify the meeting time
  • Please park by the vacant lot adjacent to Domino's Pizza. Our guide will meet you on the curbside. Arrive at least 15 minutes before your scheduled pick-up time. PLEASE NOTE: Your pick-up time will be different than the displayed tour start time online. Please contact us to verify the meeting time.
  • Please park & meet us on the backside (south side) of this popular shopping center. We will pick you up by the long yellow curb with the two yellow umbrellas. PLEASE NOTE: Your pick-up time will be different than the tour start time displayed online. Please contact us to verify the meeting time.
  • Please meet us at the front entrance and allow a 15-minute window for your driver to arrive. PLEASE NOTE: Your pick-up time will be different than the tour start time displayed online. You may contact us to verify the meeting time.
  • **IMPORTANT - Please note, guests meeting at the Courtyard by Marriott King Kamehameha Kona Beach Hotel must meet at least 15 MINUTES PRIOR to the tour's start time. Mahalo!**

Return Details
  • Please park in the lower gravel lot & walk to the Visitors Ctr (aka Onizuka Ctr) to meet our guide by the picnic area. Arrive at least 15 mins prior to your pick-up time. PLEASE NOTE: Your pick-up time will be different than the displayed online tour start time. Contact us to verify the meeting time
  • Please park by the vacant lot adjacent to Domino's Pizza. Our guide will meet you on the curbside. Arrive at least 15 minutes before your scheduled pick-up time. PLEASE NOTE: Your pick-up time will be different than the displayed tour start time online. Please contact us to verify the meeting time.
  • Please park & meet us on the backside (south side) of this popular shopping center. We will pick you up by the long yellow curb with the two yellow umbrellas. PLEASE NOTE: Your pick-up time will be different than the tour start time displayed online. Please contact us to verify the meeting time.
  • Please meet us at the front entrance and allow a 15-minute window for your driver to arrive. PLEASE NOTE: Your pick-up time will be different than the tour start time displayed online. You may contact us to verify the meeting time.
  • **IMPORTANT - Please note, guests meeting at the Courtyard by Marriott King Kamehameha Kona Beach Hotel must meet at least 15 MINUTES PRIOR to the tour's start time. Mahalo!**

Duration
8 hours

Languages Available
  • Human tour guide - English

Points of Interest


Stop At: Courtyard by Marriott King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel
75-5660 Palani Road, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
Travelers staying in Kailua Kona will meet the guide here. Your guide will meet you at the benches closest to the hotel's parking lot entrance at the curbside. **There may be additional meeting location stops along the way to Maunakea.**
Duration: 5 minutes

Stop At: Maunakea Visitor Information Station
177 Makaala St, , Hilo, Hawaii
Enjoy a warm picnic dinner while you acclimate to a higher elevation and learn about Hawaiian star navigation before you head to the summit.
Duration: 45 minutes

Stop At: Mauna Kea Summit
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
Enjoy a sunset from above the clouds while overlooking the Pacific Ocean atop Maunakea. After the sunset, travel to a more comfortable elevation and let our guides reveal the night sky with our 11" Celestron telescopes.
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Maunakea Visitor Information Station
177 Makaala St, , Hilo, Hawaii
Descend to a lower elevation after the sun sets and sip hot chocolate during a private star show with our 11” Celestron telescope. View deep space objects with our Stellina digital telescope and share captured images of the Hawaiian night sky with your friends & family
Duration: 1 hour

Additional Information

  • Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
  • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
  • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
  • 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, heart or circulatory conditions, poor health, or pregnancy
  • If you plan to scuba dive, do not plan to go to the summit within 24 hours after you dive due to the altitude.
  • **IMPORTANT - Please note, guests meeting at the Courtyard by Marriott King Kamehameha Kona Beach Hotel must meet at least 15 MINUTES PRIOR to the tour's departure time.**
  • Guests are required to wear closed-toe walking shoes or hiking boots, long pants. We recommend bringing a light sweatshirt or jacket
  • Guests must bring their own water bottles. Tour operator will provide filtered water refills.
  • Please advise your parka size (small, medium, large, x-large or xx-large) and choice of meal at time of booking. If you do not indicate this at the time of booking, you will be required to call and advise them of this information directly.
  • There is minimal walking on this tour, the maximum being about 150 yards
  • 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 Mauna Kea, 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.
  • No scuba diving within 24 hours
Inclusions
  • Private star show with telescope
  • Hooded parkas and gloves
  • Central Meeting Locations for Pick-up & Drop off
  • Hot cocoa and cookies
  • Local taxes
  • Guide
  • Hot picnic dinner

Redemption Instructions
• Please note guests must be 13 years of age or older to attend this tour
• Guests are required to wear closed-toe walking shoes or hiking boots, and long pants. We recommend guests bring a light sweatshirt or jacket.
• Important: Please advise the following either through the Viator messaging portal, directly to Hawaii Forest and Trail (+1-808-331-8505) or info@hawaii-forest.com at the time of booking:
1. HOTEL NAME - needed to confirm the closest meeting location
2. PARKA SIZE, (small, medium, large, x-large or xx-large)
3. MEAL

Voucher Info
Mobile or paper ticket accepted

The tour identified in this promotion is made available through Viator. Groupon is not affiliated with or sponsored by the Hawaii Forest &Trail in connection with this deal. Please contact Groupon customer service for all inquiries related to this offer. Inquiries placed to Viator will be directed back to Groupon.

This offer is not eligible for promo codes.

Need To Know Info

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.

Merchant is solely responsible to purchasers for the care and quality of the advertised goods and services. Offer is not eligible for our promo codes or other discounts. Learn about Strike-Through Pricing and Savings

Customer Reviews

4.8
based on Groupon 1,489 reviews
100% Verified Reviews
All Groupon reviews are from people who have redeemed deals with this merchant. Review requests are sent by email to customers who purchased the deal.
Reviewed on
cwdouty58
This was our seventh trip to Hawaii, but this was the highlight of our first visit to the Big Island. Watching the sunset above the clouds followed by stargazing is breathtaking. Jeff is an excellent guide. His knowledge of astronomy and the Big Island is impressive.
catherinedU3081EJ
Wilson, our guide, was very personable and knowledgeable. It is evident he is passionate about what he does. The van was comfortable even on the rough roads. The chili was very tasty and nice as it was getting cool by the time we ate.
James Z
Our tour guide Wilson (Willie) was very pleasant and knowledgeable and made the whole experience 5 stars. We lucked out with the weather and saw a beautiful sunset from high atop Mauna Lea and then a very clear night which was perfect for star gazing. The chicken stew was really good just know that you will be eating a little early, probably around 4pm before making the climb to the top. There were other tours going up but the vans from this company were the nicest and most comfortable it seemed. We highly recommend this tour!!

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