Big Island: Mauna Kea Summit and Stars Small-Group Adventure Tour
Hawaii Forest &Trail
4.8
sylviadN2706CE
8 days ago
Our tour guide Jeff was very informative and pleasant, keeping the group aware of sights in the way, great knowledge of historical background of the summit as well as the Hawaiian culture.
Would recommend going , it was a great experience
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 that guests meeting at the Courtyard by Marriott King Kamehameha Kona Beach Hotel must arrive at least 15 minutes prior to the tour's start time. ** ** Mahalo!**
- 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 that guests meeting at the Courtyard by Marriott King Kamehameha Kona Beach Hotel must arrive at least 15 minutes prior to the tour's start time. ** ** Mahalo!**
- Human tour guide - English
Points of Interest
Stop At: Courtyard by Marriott King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel75-5660 Palani Road, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740Travelers 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 minutesStop At: Maunakea Visitor Information Station177 Makaala St, , Hilo, HawaiiEnjoy 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 minutesStop At: Mauna Kea SummitKailua-Kona, HawaiiEnjoy 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 minutesStop At: Maunakea Visitor Information Station177 Makaala St, , Hilo, HawaiiDescend 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 & familyDuration: 1 hourAdditional 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, 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.
- Guests must bring their own water bottles. Tour operator will provide filtered water refills.
- 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.
- No scuba diving within 24 hours
- 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
- Pick-up & Dropoff from Central Meeting Locations
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 that guests meeting at the Courtyard by Marriott King Kamehameha Kona Beach Hotel must arrive at least 15 minutes prior to the tour's start time. ** ** Mahalo!**
- 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 that guests meeting at the Courtyard by Marriott King Kamehameha Kona Beach Hotel must arrive at least 15 minutes prior to the tour's start time. ** ** Mahalo!**
- Human tour guide - English
Points of Interest
Stop At: Courtyard by Marriott King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel75-5660 Palani Road, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740Travelers 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 minutesStop At: Maunakea Visitor Information Station177 Makaala St, , Hilo, HawaiiEnjoy 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 minutesStop At: Mauna Kea SummitKailua-Kona, HawaiiEnjoy 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 minutesStop At: Maunakea Visitor Information Station177 Makaala St, , Hilo, HawaiiDescend 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 & familyDuration: 1 hourAdditional 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, 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.
- Guests must bring their own water bottles. Tour operator will provide filtered water refills.
- 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.
- No scuba diving within 24 hours
- 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
- Pick-up & Dropoff from Central Meeting Locations
Need To Know Info
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.
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4.8
based on Groupon 1,515 reviews
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sylviadN2706CE
Our tour guide Jeff was very informative and pleasant, keeping the group aware of sights in the way, great knowledge of historical background of the summit as well as the Hawaiian culture.
Would recommend going , it was a great experience
Kelli_D
It’s quite cold, but worth every second. They provide warm coats and mittens along with hot chocolate. Sunset was once in a lifetime!
Douglas_L
Wilson did a great job. His demeanor, promptness attention to safety and knowledge made the tour a great experience. The views at the top were amazing 👏
Christine_K
We enjoyed our trip to Mauna Kea and the stargazing afterwards. They were very pleasant to work with and flexible with our pick up location. We learned so much more than what we would have had we attempted to do this ourselves. We also especially appreciated the attention to the change in the elevation and precautions taken.
kgeer
This was a fantastic tour. Had dinner (provided) at visitor center, went to the summit for sunset which was so beautiful and then did stargazing on the way back down to visitor center. Our guide Jeff was wonderful and so knowledgeable. He set up telescopes and showed us countless galaxies, planets and nebulas. Just a wealth of information. Provided hot cocoa and cookies during stargazing. But dress warm, it was cold but the wind made it very cold.
The only things I was not thrilled about: The amount of traffic up at the summit- way too many people! The state or someone needs to figure a way to limit it. Also I was not real happy that I had to pay full price since I had to drive to visitor center myself (from East side) since they only do transportation from Kona. I think there should be a discount for that. I missed out on a lot of information that was given to everyone else on the drive from Kona plus had to use my own gas.