Mauna Kea Summit, Dinner & Private Star Show
About This Experience
The Mauna Kea Summit is the highest point in the Pacific and home to some of the most advanced astronomical research on Earth. This premium tour treats it as both a dining room and an observatory.
After hotel pickup, you'll enjoy a warm picnic dinner (Southwest chicken stew or vegan chili) with views of the mountain before ascending to the summit for the Hawaiian sunset. Winter parkas and gloves are provided for the cold — temperatures at this elevation routinely drop near freezing after dark.
After sunset, the group descends to a lower elevation for the main event: a private star show through an 11-inch Celestron telescope and a state-of-the-art digital astrophotography scope. Your guide covers Hawaiian star navigation, identifies constellations, and captures digital astrophotography images — emailed to guests after the tour. Hot chocolate and cookies accompany the stargazing session. The smaller group size and private telescope access make this one of the most intimate summit experiences available on the Big Island.
Highlights
- Enjoy a warm picnic dinner (chicken stew or vegan chili) with mountain views
- Watch the Hawaiian sunset from the Mauna Kea summit
- Private star show with a professional 11-inch Celestron telescope
- State-of-the-art digital astrophotography — images emailed after the tour
- Learn Hawaiian celestial navigation with hot chocolate and cookies under the stars
What's Included
- ✓ Hotel pickup and drop-off
- ✓ Warm picnic dinner (Southwest chicken stew or vegan chili)
- ✓ Hot chocolate and cookies
- ✓ Winter parkas and gloves
- ✓ 11-inch Celestron telescope private star show
- ✓ Digital astrophotography images emailed after the tour
- ✓ Expert guide
- ✓ Gratuities
Not Included
- Alcoholic drinks
- Personal drone use
What to Bring
- Reusable water bottle
- Closed-toe shoes
- Long pants
- Warm sweatshirt or sweater (parkas and gloves are provided)
Good to Know & Caveats
- Your pickup time will differ from the posted tour start time — contact the operator to confirm your exact meeting time
- Dinner choices: Southwest chicken stew (dairy-free) or vegan chili (gluten-free)
- Winter parkas are provided in men's sizes
- Bring a reusable water bottle, closed-toe shoes, long pants, and a sweatshirt
Not Suitable For
- Children under 13 years
- Pregnant women
- People with heart or respiratory conditions
- People with altitude sickness or high blood pressure
- People who have dived within 24 hours
Meeting Point
Hotel pickup from select Kona-area locations — confirm your pickup point and time with the operator before the tour.
What Travelers Say
Rated 4.9/5 by 15 verified GetYourGuide travelers.
It was great. The guide was knowledgeable, professional, and very nice. The sunset was beautiful and the stargazing amazing. We got to see the Southern Cross, Alpha and Beta Centauri. I really enjoyed the telescope and the digital photos he shared.
— Nelta, July 20
This trip was incredible — so well organized and informative and perfectly designed. Jason the tour guide was the best! The hot meal and hot cocoa were wonderful, and the top of Mauna Kea and the stargazing were out of this world.
— Brenna, March 2
Visiting the top of the world is fun and exhilarating! Great guides — so good about sharing helpful information about altitude and the stars. Hot chocolate and cookies. I would recommend this to friends.
— Leah, March 2
