Mauna Kea Summit: Sunset & Stargazing Small Group Tour

Summary

Sunset over Mauna Kea then stars through telescopes with local guides

You’ll start your Mauna Kea adventure with a warm dinner as you learn about Hawaiian navigation from your local guide. Watch sunset from above the clouds at nearly 14,000 feet, then sip hot cocoa while stargazing through powerful telescopes. Expect laughter, cold cheeks, and a kind of silence that lingers long after you come back down.

What’s the experience like?

Keola, our guide, handed me a parka before we even left Kailua Kona. “You’ll need this,” he grinned, and I didn’t believe him until the van started winding up Mauna Kea. The road gets rough after a while — not scary, just bumpy enough to make you feel you’re leaving regular Hawaii behind. We stopped for dinner at what felt like the edge of the world. The picnic was warm (I picked the veggie curry), and Keola told us about how ancient Hawaiians used the stars to cross oceans. He asked if we could spot Orion’s Belt in Hawaiian — I tried to say “Ka Heihei o na keiki” and everyone laughed, including me. I probably butchered it.

The air got thinner as we climbed higher — my ears popped, and someone in our group said they felt a little lightheaded but nothing serious. Up top, the sky was pink and gold, clouds below us like an ocean themselves. There’s a silence at 13,000 feet that feels heavy and light at once; you can hear your own breath inside the parka hood. I didn’t expect to see snow patches up here either — in Hawaii! That stuck with me for some reason.

After sunset, we drove back down a bit (Keola said it’s safer for stargazing) and set up these big Celestron telescopes by the side of the road. My hands were stiff from cold but they passed out hot chocolate and cookies — honestly, that cocoa tasted better than any fancy drink I’ve had on vacation. Looking through the telescope at Saturn’s rings felt unreal; someone next to me gasped out loud when they saw Jupiter’s moons lined up. It wasn’t just looking — it was sharing quiet awe with strangers under this huge sky.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Mauna Kea summit and star viewing

• Meet guide in Kailua Kona
• Enjoy warm picnic dinner
• Watch sunset above the clouds
• Descend and sip hot chocolate
• Private star show with telescopes

Top questions

How high is Mauna Kea summit?

The summit is 13,796 feet (4,200 meters) above sea level.

Is hotel pickup included for this Mauna Kea tour?

The tour includes central meeting locations for pickup and drop off in Kailua Kona.

What should I wear on the Mauna Kea Summit tour?

You should wear closed-toe walking shoes or hiking boots, long pants, and bring a light sweatshirt or jacket; parkas and gloves are provided.

Is food included on this day trip to Mauna Kea?

A hot picnic dinner is included along with hot cocoa and cookies during stargazing.

Can children join this Mauna Kea stargazing tour?

The minimum age is 13 years old; no children under 13 are allowed due to altitude risks.

How much walking is required on this tour?

There is minimal walking required; about 150 yards maximum during the whole tour.

What kind of telescopes are used on this tour?

The guides use 11-inch Celestron telescopes plus Stellina digital telescopes for deep space viewing.

Is this tour suitable for people with heart or respiratory issues?

No; due to high altitude it is not recommended for those with heart, respiratory or circulatory conditions or pregnancy.

What’s included

Your day includes pickup from central Kailua Kona locations, a warm picnic dinner as you acclimate to altitude, hooded parkas and gloves for comfort at the summit, all local taxes covered, expert guiding throughout Mauna Kea’s ascent and descent, use of powerful telescopes for private stargazing sessions with hot cocoa and cookies before returning safely down the mountain together.