Quick Details
Watching the sunset from the slopes of Mauna Kea is an amazing experience. The clear skies of Hawaiʻi offer an incredible perspective as the sun slowly slips over the horizon into the Pacific. Mauna Kea’s natural, cultural history, and geology will come to life as Hawaii Forest & Trail’s interpretive guides share their knowledge.
Adult
Ages 13+
$ 299
- Awe-inspiring Hawaiian Sunset At The Top Of Maunakea
- View Deep Space Objects With A Stellina Digital Telescope
- Enjoy A Warm Picnic Dinner & Learn About Hawaiian Star Navigation
Maunakea Summit & Stars Adventure
It’s time to plan your Big Adventure! Learn about the historical accounts of early travelers through the mountain regions and delight in the awe-inspiring Hawaiian sunset at the top of Maunakea, the highest point in the Pacific.
Guests are transported in a comfortably spaced 12 passenger 4WD vans with a dedicated interpretive guide. Hawaii Forest & Trail will take care of all your needs. You’ll enjoy a warm picnic dinner and learn about Hawaiian star navigation. After enjoying a warm dinner outdoors and a scenic sunset, you’ll descend to a lower elevation experience a starlit sky unaffected by light pollution. Savor a cup of hot chocolate as you view the night’s sky through their 11″ Celestron Telescope. Views are compliments of Mother Nature.
Tour Notes
- Afternoon trips depart Monday through Saturday from King Kamehameha Courtyard Marriott Hotel in Kailua-Kona, Queen’s Marketplace in Waikoloa Beach Resort, and the Waikoloa Plaza in the Waikoloa Village.
- Tour is approximately 7 – 8 hours round trip.
Included In Your Tour
- A warm picnic dinner and hot chocolate.
- Warm wear including a hooded parka and gloves and walking sticks.
What to Bring & Wear
Reusable water bottle, Closed-toe shoes, Warm Socks and/or leggings, long pants, and a sweatshirt or sweater.
Know Before You Go
- Guests should be able to walk on uneven or rocky terrain.
- The temperature can dip below freezing when at high elevations on the mountain.
- Guests will sometimes encounter cold, wet, or muddy conditions.
- Due to the high altitude, this tour is not advised for those with respiratory, circulatory or heart conditions, pregnancy, or poor health.
- If you plan to scuba dive, do not plan to go to the summit within 24 hours after you dive due to the altitude.
- No children under 13.
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- Afternoon trips depart Monday through Saturday from King Kamehameha Courtyard Marriott Hotel in Kailua-Kona, Queen’s Marketplace in Waikoloa Beach Resort, and the Waikoloa Plaza in the Waikoloa Village.
- Tour is Approximately 7 – 8 hours round trip.
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- Are guests allowed to go into the observatories? There are currently no observatories open to the public.
- How cold is it at the summit of Maunakea? Average mean temperature is 32 degrees Fahrenheit or 0 Celsius.
- Is the vehicle ride bumpy and windy? For safety reasons the access road to the summit of Maunakea requires a four-wheel drive, so it can be bumpy. Their custom off-road motor coaches will get you to the top and back as comfortably as possible.
- What kind of telescope is used for stargazing? They utilize an 11” Celestron Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope. We also use a Stellina digital telescope to view & take photographs of deep space objects that will be emailed to you to keep & share.
- What is the guide to guest ratio? The maximum guide to guest ratio is 1:12.
- How many guests do you take up per night? The permit allows for a maximum of 2 vehicles per night, and our vehicles carry a maximum of 12 passengers each.
- Do you go up to Maunakea summit every night? Tour operates Monday through Sunday night, weather permitting.
- Are children allowed on this tour? Children under 13 are not permitted on this tour due to altitude.
- Is there much walking/hiking on this tour? There is minimal walking on this tour, the maximum being about 150 yards.
- Will I able to hike & explore the summit on my own? Unfortunately, due to safety & permitting restrictions, guests are unable to explore the summit before sunset on their own. Guests will need to stay near our guides & vehicles while on the tour.
- I would like to see a specific astronomical event from the summit. How can I arrange this? Check out Bishop Museum – Astronomy for upcoming celestial events, and whether they will be observable in the Hawaiian sky.
- Will there be snow on our trip? Snow is seasonal at Mauna Kea, with the heaviest snowfall occurring during the winter months.
- What if it’s cloudy on Maunakea? The summit and visitor center areas of Maunakea are generally above the clouds. Due to high demand for this experience and the constraints of permits, Hawaii Forest & Trail are often unable to reschedule guests when cancellations occur. Therefore they try to avoid canceling tours if they can safely reach the visitor’s center and/or summit. Conditions constantly change on the mountain, and the weather is part of the adventure.
- Can I join the tour from Hilo? This tour only departs from Kona and there is no safe and legal place for you to leave your vehicle along the Saddle road late at night. The nearest meeting location for Hilo based guests is the Onizuka Center for International Astronomy (also referred to as the Maunakea Visitors Center) which is located on Mauankea itself. Please note, ride share options (Uber, Lyft) are NOT recommended due to the remote location. If you have any additional questions please contact our office for more details.
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Restrictions:
- Weather changes can occur quickly, and the access road to the summit can close without warning; therefore, Hawaii Forest & Trail cannot guarantee access to the summit or favorable conditions.
- Due to the high altitude, this tour is not advised for those with respiratory, circulatory or heart conditions, pregnancy, or poor health.
- Guests should be able to walk on uneven or rocky terrain.
- The temperature can dip below freezing when at high elevations on the mountain.
- Guests will sometimes encounter cold, wet, or muddy conditions.
- If you plan to scuba dive, do not plan to go to the summit within 24 hours after you dive due to the altitude.
- No children under 13.
- Other tour restrictions may apply – please contact Hawaii Forest & Trail at 808.331.8505 for more information.
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Picnic style dinner
- Southwest Chicken stew or Vegan chili (GF) and dessert.
Beverages
- Assorted teas, hot chocolate
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PLEASE NOTIFY HAWAII ADVENTURE CENTER IF YOU NEED TO CANCEL OR RESCHEDULE AN ACTIVITY.
You can do so by calling (888) 207-0722 or contact us online.
- No refunds for cancellations within 48 hours of activity
- For groups of 6+ there are no refunds for cancellations within 72 hours of activity
- We will gladly reschedule your activity at no extra cost if changes are made prior to the 48 or 72 hour cancellation period
- Cancellations from date of booking to 48 hours before activity or for larger groups 72 hours before activity are subject to a 10% service charge
- If for some reason we are unable to confirm your reservation with the activity operator due to oversold seats or other unforeseen reasons, a full refund will be provided and you will be notified immediately to discuss alternative dates and activities
If a tour operator cancels any trip due to weather, mechanical failure, unsafe conditions, or insufficient reservations, a full refund will be provided.