Experience big skies and incredible nighttime views on this Mauna Kea stargazing trip with a small group. Experience a warm pre-trip picnic, proceeded by a ride in a 4×4 luxury van to the summit of the Big Island's tallest peak. After admiring a sunset view, continue down to 9,000 feet (2,743 meters) for a stargazing session, complete with a telescope, hot chocolate, and dessert. The trip also includes a guide and a hooded parka to keep you warm.
- Enjoy a private stargazing show through 11” Celestron telescopes on Mauna Kea
- Learn about the history, culture, and ecology of Hawaii
- Indulge in a warm picnic dinner.
What To Expect
Courtyard King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel
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.**
5 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included
Maunakea Visitor Information Station
Enjoy a warm picnic dinner while you acclimate to a higher elevation and learn about Hawaiian star navigation before you head to the summit.
45 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
Mauna Kea Summit
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.
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
Maunakea Visitor Information Station
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
1 hour • Admission Ticket Included
Highlight
Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Minimum age is 13 years
Due to the high altitude; this tour is not suitable for those with respiratory, heart or circulatory conditions, poor health, or pregnancy
Not wheelchair accessible
Scuba divers should be aware of altitude dangers
**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
Not recommended for travelers with back problems
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
Most travelers can participate
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
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 12 travelers
Include
Guide
Hooded parkas and gloves
Hot picnic dinner
Hot cocoa and cookies
Private star show with telescope
Local taxes
Central Meeting Locations for Pick-up & Drop off
Exclude
Gratuities
Max group – 12
