The Original Mauna Kea Summit Sunset & Stargazing Tour-Since 1983
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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.
Your experience
Stop 1
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.
Stop 2
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.
Stop 3
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.
Stop 4
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.
What’s included
- 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
- Tea and coffee
- Custom 4×4 Mercedes Sprinter with coach seating in rows of two and three (no four-across benches)
- Professional guide, fully narrated
Not included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off (meet at a designated pickup point)
- Gratuities (optional)
Meeting and pickup
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Check the policy for your selected date and option before booking.
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