Skip to content
Vacantier

Activity Big Island of Hawaii, USA

Big Island GOAT Experience: Mauna Kea Summit, Sunset & Stars

4.8 (1,882 reviews) 5–8 hours Free cancellation
Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

Big Island GOAT Experience: Mauna Kea Summit, Sunset & Stars

About this activity

Delight in the awe-inspiring sunset at the top of Mauna Kea, the highest point in the Pacific.

Your guide will share historic accounts of the Big Island. Stand amidst the world’s largest collection of research telescopes.

Two of the eight telescopes which took the first photos of the black hole are here.

Sip a hot beverage during your private star show and view planets with a professional telescope (Weather Permitting).

Your guide will take astrophotography photos of you with our camera and email them to you.

Day Trips Nature and Wildlife Tours Bus Tours Private and Luxury 4WD Tours Walking Tours Nature Walks Car Tours

At a glance

Duration
5–8 hours
Confirmation
Instant confirmation
Ticket
Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group
Up to 14 people
People per booking
1–14
Written guide
German, Korean, Portuguese, Chinese, Japanese, English, Italian, French, Spanish
Guide
English
Operated by
Hawaii Island Holidays

Ages: Adults (13–80 years)

What is included

Included

  • Included: Experienced tour guide
  • Included: FREE night photo with our professional camera
  • Included: Snacks and a hot beverage
  • Included: Jackets and gloves to keep you warm
  • Included: Transportation in a comfortable 4X4 van
  • Included: Professional telescope (Weather Permitting)

Not included

  • Not included: Dinner (Travelers may bring their own)
  • Not included: Private Tour

Itinerary

  1. Mauna Kea Summit

    4 hours Admission included

    One of the best places to see the sunset and stargazing and it's also the highest mountain on earth. Comfortable 4X4 passenger van as transportation.Jackets and gloves provided to keep you warm. Experienced tour guide to talk about our history and show you our amazing night with a laser pointer. Get close to the stars with our professional Celestron telescope and get a nice photo with our DSLR camera.

  2. Stop 2

    30 min Admission included

    Maunakea is a celebrated and storied place in the cultural traditions of Hawai'i.

    While it is the dwelling place of the goddess Poli'ahu it is also associated with the Hawaiian deities Lilinoe and Waiau. The summit was considered the realm of the gods and in ancient times was kapu (forbidden) to all but the highest chiefs and priests. Occasionally Hawaiian ali'i (royalty) would make the long trek to the top, the last royal visitor being Queen Emma in 1881 who led her companions on the arduous 6 hour journey to the top to see the summit and rejuvenate herself in sacred Lake Waiau.

    The White Mountain

    Legends of the Mountain - Poli´ahu

    While today Maunakea is home to 13 international observatories and recieves thousands of visitors every year it remains a sacred place for the people of Hawai'i. On the the fourth Saturday of every month MKVIS hosts community speakers who speak about Mauna O Wakea from a cultural perspective.

Meeting point and pickup

Everyone meets at the meeting point.

Meeting point

  • Maunakea Visitor Information Station

    https://maps.app.goo.gl/nBuxZDm7CspDMiJV7

  • Waikoloa Queens’ Marketplace(Tour Shuttle Pick-Up Point)

    https://maps.app.goo.gl/tdgkU7q7kjwXnMWF6

  • Bank of Hawaii ATM

    74-5457 Makala Blvd, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740

    https://maps.app.goo.gl/hToV4BhqeoBmnR918

End point

  • Maunakea Visitor Information Station

    https://maps.app.goo.gl/nBuxZDm7CspDMiJV7

  • Waikoloa Queens’ Marketplace(Tour Shuttle Pick-Up Point)

    https://maps.app.goo.gl/tdgkU7q7kjwXnMWF6

  • Bank of Hawaii ATM

    74-5457 Makala Blvd, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740

    https://maps.app.goo.gl/hToV4BhqeoBmnR918

Cancellation

Free cancellation

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

If you cancel You get back
At least one day before 100%
Less than a day before 0%
  • The operator may cancel if the weather does not allow it; you then get another date or your money back.

Good to know

  • Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries

  • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness

  • Weather can change rapidly (snow, fog, 120+ mph winds are possible year-round)

  • Road closures may occur due to ice, snow, poor visibility, strong winds, or safety conditions

  • No smoking, alcohol, or illegal drugs at any time.

  • Please respect the mountain — leave no trash behind.

  • Not allowed for travelers under 13 years old

  • Not allowed for travelers with heart problems or other serious medical conditions

  • Not allowed for pregnant travelers

Options

  • Waikoloa Queens’ Marketplace

    Waikoloa Queens’ Marketplace : Waikoloa Queens’ Marketplace(Tour Shuttle Pick-Up Point) https://maps.app.goo.gl/tdgkU7q7kjwXnMWF6

  • Maunakea Visitor Information

  • Kona Bank Of Hawaii Pick Up

    Kona BOH Pick Up : Kona Commons shopping center Bank of Hawaii (across the lot from the Kona Target) https://maps.app.goo.gl/hToV4BhqeoBmnR918

Traveller ratings

4.8 out of 5 · 1,882 reviews
5
89%
4
5%
3
3%
2
1%
1
1%

Activities, prices and reviews are from Viator. Booking and payment happen on Viator; Vacantier may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Big Island GOAT Experience: Mauna Kea Summit, Sunset & Stars

Pick a day to see the times and the price

Necessary cookies keep the site running and cannot be switched off. With your consent we also load Google Analytics, which tells us how the site is used, and our affiliate partners' scripts (Travelpayouts, Kiwi.com), which set cookies to credit us with bookings made through us. Details in the Cookie Policy.

  • Necessary

    The session, form protection, signing in, your chosen currency and this choice. The site does not work without them.

    Always on
  • Analytics

    Google Analytics. Counts visits and which pages and offers are used, so we know what to improve. It never receives your name, email or account.

  • Marketing and affiliate

    The Travelpayouts scripts and the Kiwi.com flight search. They set their own cookies, through which the partner knows you came from Vacantier.