Mauna Kea Summit Sunset & Stars: View Black Hole Telescopes

Stand at high altitude and look through the same telescopes that photographed a black hole

A sunset and stargazing tour on Mauna Kea Summit in Hawaii takes you to the highest point in the Pacific, where you'll watch the sun drop into the ocean, then view planets through a professional Celestron telescope and stand among thirteen international observatories. The guide shares the mountain's Hawaiian cultural history, provides jackets and gloves against the cold, and photographs you with the stars—the image emailed to you after the tour. The experience runs 7 to 8 hours; minimum age is 13, and the road closes without notice if weather turns severe.

Step-by-step itinerary

Mauna Kea summit sunset and stargazing

• Travel by comfortable 4X4 van
• Receive jackets and gloves
• Learn Hawaiian cultural history
• View sunset at Mauna Kea summit
• Explore observatories and telescopes
• Enjoy hot beverage during star show
• Use professional telescope to view planets
• Get astrophotography photo taken

The Experience

The 4X4 van climbs through changing climate zones to the summit, where the air thins and the temperature drops fast enough that jackets and gloves come standard. You arrive in time to watch the sunset from 13,796 feet—the highest point in the Pacific—with the curvature of the earth visible on the horizon and the island falling away below. The guide walks you through the history of Mauna Kea in Hawaiian tradition: the mountain as the dwelling place of the goddess Poli'ahu, the realm of the gods, forbidden to all but the highest chiefs and priests until Queen Emma made the six-hour trek to the summit in 1881. That cultural weight sits with you as you stand there.

After sunset, the guide sets up a professional Celestron telescope and points it at planets and deep-sky objects visible that night. You look through the scope yourself—no sitting in a planetarium, no screen between you and the thing. The guide uses a laser pointer to trace constellations and major stars across the sky, and you sip a hot beverage while the cold settles in. Two of the thirteen observatories on the summit are the same telescopes that took the first photographs of a black hole; you're standing among instruments that changed what humans know about the universe. The guide photographs you against the night sky with a DSLR camera and emails the images to you afterward.

Weather on Mauna Kea changes without warning—snow, fog, and winds over 120 mph are possible any month of the year, and the road closes when conditions turn unsafe. The tour includes transportation, the guide, telescope access, snacks, and warm gear; you'll need moderate fitness for the altitude and the cold, and the minimum age is 13. Bring your own dinner if you want it, or plan to eat before or after the tour in Kona or Waikoloa, depending on which pickup location you choose.

What’s included

• Transportation in a comfortable 4X4 van.
• an experienced guide who speaks English and shares the mountain's history.
• jackets and gloves to keep you warm.
• snacks and a hot beverage.
• access to a professional Celestron telescope to view planets and deep-sky objects.
• and a photograph taken by the guide with the night sky, emailed to you after the tour.

Good to know

Moderate physical levelNot for back problems

Operated by Hawaii Island Holidays

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want to see the sunset and stars from the highest point in the Pacific and stand among the telescopes that photographed a black hole—the van handles the altitude, the guide handles the cold and the history, and you walk away with a photo of yourself under the night sky. The road closes without notice in bad weather, so book for a date when you have flexibility; if conditions turn unsafe, you'll reschedule or get your money back.

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Top questions

What are the two telescopes that photographed the black hole?

The Mauna Kea Summit hosts thirteen international observatories, and two of them—the Subaru Telescope and the Event Horizon Telescope array—were part of the collaboration that captured the first images of a black hole in 2019. You'll stand near these instruments during the tour.

How cold does it get at the summit, and what should I wear?

Mauna Kea Summit sits at 13,796 feet, where temperatures drop well below freezing year-round. The tour includes jackets and gloves; wear layers underneath and bring a hat and warm socks. The guide will advise you on what to expect based on the day's conditions.

Can I see planets through the telescope, or just stars?

The professional Celestron telescope shows planets, star clusters, nebulae, and other deep-sky objects visible that night. What you see depends on the season and the sky conditions, but the guide chooses targets that are bright enough to view clearly.

What happens if the weather closes the road before we get there?

The road to Mauna Kea closes without notice if snow, ice, poor visibility, or high winds make it unsafe. If the road is closed on your tour date, you'll be notified in advance and offered a reschedule or refund; the tour cannot proceed if access is blocked.

Do I need to be fit to handle the altitude?

Moderate physical fitness is required because of the elevation and the cold. The 4X4 van does the climbing, but you'll be standing outside at 13,796 feet for several hours. If you have heart problems, spinal injuries, or are pregnant, this tour is not suitable.

Will I get a photo of myself with the stars?

Yes. The guide photographs you against the night sky using a DSLR camera and emails the images to you after the tour, so you have a record of the moment at the summit.