Mauna Kea Summit Tour with Stargazing: Free Night Sky Photos

Sunset at 13,796 feet, then stars through a telescope with photos to take home

An eight-hour Mauna Kea summit tour from Kailua-Kona includes sunset viewing at Hawaii's highest peak, stargazing with a refractor telescope afterward, and free DSLR photos of the stars and constellations your guide captures for you. Pickup starts at 2 p.m. from Target parking lot in Kona or Queens Market Place in Waikoloa. The tour includes a sandwich dinner, winter gear, and a 4x4 van ride to the summit. Guests must be between 16 and 75 years old and in moderate physical fitness.

Step-by-step itinerary

Mauna Kea summit tour and stargazing

• Pick up guests from Kona and Waikoloa
• Break at Onizuka Visitor Information Station
• Watch sunset at Mauna Kea summit
• Stargazing with telescope and laser pointer
• Return to pick up locations

The experience

The day starts with pickup from either Target's parking lot in Kailua-Kona or Queens Market Place in Waikoloa, depending on which you choose at checkout. You'll ride in a 4x4 passenger van toward the mountain, stopping first at the Onizuka Visitor Information Station at 9,000 feet for a break, an early dinner (BLT or vegan sandwich), and a chance to acclimate to the altitude. This is where you'll change into the winter gear (snow parka, ski pants, and gloves) that the tour provides.

From there, the van continues to the Mauna Kea summit at 13,796 feet, where you'll watch the sunset from the highest point in Hawaii while observing the observatories clustered at the peak. After sunset, your guide sets up a refractor telescope for stargazing and uses a laser pointer to walk you through constellations, stars, and planets visible that night. This is the part that makes the tour distinct: your guide photographs the night sky and you in it using a DSLR camera, then sends the images to your smartphone before the day ends. At no extra cost. Weather and moon phase affect visibility, and the stargazing location may shift depending on conditions.

The return trip to your pickup location takes you back down the mountain. The whole experience runs about eight hours from start to finish. Note that sunset and stargazing are not guaranteed in bad weather, and if anyone in the group develops altitude sickness or other issues, the time at the summit or stargazing spot may be shortened.

What’s included

• Pickup from Target parking lot in Kona or Queens Market Place in Waikoloa.
• 4x4 van transport to the summit.
• admission to Mauna Kea.
• early dinner sandwich (BLT or vegan).
• snow parka, ski pants, and gloves.
• refractor telescope for stargazing.
• free DSLR photos of the sunset and stars with you in them, delivered to your phone at the end of the tour.

Options for this experience

2 options

Target parking lot, next to McDonald'sGuide in English · 13:45 and 14:00Meeting point: Target, 74-5455 Makala Blvd, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740, USA

Pick-up at Queens Market PlaceGuide in English · 14:30 and 14:45Meeting point: Queens' Marketplace, 69-201 Waikōloa Beach Dr, Waikoloa Village, HI 96738, USA

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 13:45, 14:00, 14:30 and 14:45Last departure this season: 31 Jan 2027

Book up to6h before

AgesAdult (16 to 75 years) · Under 16: can't be booked

GroupUp to 12

Live guideEnglish

Audio guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48 h

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Moderate physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Hawaiian Eyes Tour

Is this one for you?Choose the Kailua-Kona pickup if you're staying on the west side. Pick Queens Market Place if you're based in the Waikoloa resort area. The eight-hour window and fixed schedule mean the sunset and stargazing both fit into one evening without you arranging transport or timing separately, though bad weather or a full moon will affect what you see.

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Top questions

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What should I bring or wear on the Mauna Kea summit tour?

The tour provides a snow parka, ski pants, and gloves, so you don't need to bring winter gear. Wear layers underneath and bring sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat for the daytime portions and the summit. Closed-toe shoes are essential.

Will I definitely see the sunset and stars on the night of my tour?

Sunset and stargazing are not guaranteed if weather turns bad. Moon phase also affects how many stars are visible: a full moon washes out fainter stars. Your guide will do stargazing at a location that may shift depending on conditions, and if anyone develops altitude sickness, the time at the summit may be cut short.

How does the altitude affect the tour, and who shouldn't do it?

Mauna Kea's summit sits at 13,796 feet, which is high enough to cause altitude sickness in some people. The tour is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, respiratory problems like asthma, poor cardiovascular health, or pregnancy. Guests must be between 16 and 75 years old and weigh under 300 pounds. You should have at least moderate physical fitness.

What happens to the photos your guide takes?

Your guide photographs the sunset and the night sky using a DSLR camera, and you'll receive the images on your smartphone at the end of the tour at no extra charge. Photos depend on weather and moon phase permitting.

Where do I get picked up, and what time does the tour start?

You choose your pickup location when you book: either Target's parking lot in Kailua-Kona (meet in front of the McDonald's inside the Target lot at 74-5453 Makala Blvd) or Queens Market Place in Waikoloa (shuttle bus stop on the back side of the mall at 69-201 Waikoloa Beach Dr). Pickup windows vary by season. You'll receive your exact time and location in a message after booking.

What's included in the tour price?

The tour includes the 4x4 van ride to the summit, admission to Mauna Kea, a refractor telescope for stargazing, winter gear (parka, ski pants, gloves), an early dinner sandwich (BLT or vegan, let the operator know your choice before the tour), and free DSLR photos of the night sky taken by your guide.