--- title: Mauna Kea Stellar Explorer Kona slug: mauna-kea-stellar-explorer-tour-kona type: attraction sub_type: tours source_url: https://www.tripster.com/detail/mauna-kea-stellar-explorer-tour-kona city: Hilo state: HI country: US address: Grand Naniloa DoubleTree by Hilton Lobby, 93 Banyan Drive geo: lat: 19.72959 lng: -155.06489 duration: up to 6 hrs cancellation_policy: Free cancellation up to 3 days before the experience. extracted_at: 2026-06-16T20:18:50.376Z price_from: amount: 239 currency: USD unit: per_adult availability: InStock rating: value: 4.5 count: 3548 scale: 5 ticket_options: - group: Other Options options: - name: Mauna Kea Stellar Explorer Kona price: 213.39 regular_price: 239 savings: 25.61 ticket_types: - name: Adult (13+ yrs) min_age: 13 - name: Child (0-12 yrs) min_age: 0 max_age: 12 --- ## Overview Reach for the stars with the Mauna Kea Stellar Explorer tour! This unique Big Island adventure blends daytime solar viewing and stargazing, exploring Hilo's natural wonders, volcanology, and awe-inspiring views of the sun and night sky through expert-led excursions. ## What's Included - Bottled water - Driver and personal guide - Hotel pickup and drop-off - Dinner - Entry/admission to Saddle Road - Round-trip transportation - Warm Kona coffee or hot chocolate - Provided jackets for comfort during the tour ## What's Not Included No explicit "What's Not Included" section provided. ## Ticket Options - **Mauna Kea Stellar Explorer Kona** — $213.39 (regularly $239.00, save $25.61) See the skies from Mauna Kea’s slopes with solar viewing by day and deep-space stargazing by night. Includes visits to Rainbow Falls and Saddle Road, expert-led telescope sessions, round-trip Kona transportation, warm jackets, and picnic dinner. - Adult (13+ yrs) - Child (0-12 yrs) ## Good to Know * A day of natural beauty and awe-inspiring astronomy, blending Hilo’s scenic sites with an evening of stargazing under one of the clearest skies on Earth. * Plan your trip so close to a new moon for better experience and you get to see the milky way band as well! * Learn about everything from Hawaii including culture, folk lore, geography, volcanoes, history, and astronomy! * Plan for an unforgettable 6 hour experience. * Round-trip transportation is included, so you can relax and focus on the experience. * Enjoy a warm Kona coffee or hot chocolate, and provided jackets to stay comfortable throughout the tour. * Wear long pants as it gets chilly after the sun sets. * Your guide is a seasoned astronomy professional with experience at Mauna Kea's Visitor Center and contributions to major astronomy publications. * This tour does not visit Maunakea’s summit out of deference to Native Hawaiian concerns. * The tour is approximately 6 hours long from beginning to end. * Beverages and dinner are included. * The tour requires good weather; if canceled due to poor weather, a different date or full refund is offered. * No heart problems or other serious medical conditions allowed. This tour is not wheelchair accessible. * State law requires child safety seats for all guests under 4 years of age. * Booster seats required for all guests between ages 4 and 7 and under 4 feet 9 inches tall and 80 pounds weight. * Guests under 18 MUST be accompanied by an adult. * Guests must bring and present a government-issued ID. * Video camera/camera may be brought if desired. * Food allergies and dietary restrictions can be accommodated with advance notice—note this when booking or contact the number on the e-ticket. * Requests for booster and/or safety seats should be noted when booking or by contacting the number on the e-ticket. * This tour does not visit Maunakea’s summit or Visitor Center out of respect for Native Hawaiian concerns. ## Cancellation Policy Free Changes & Cancellations. See details upon selection. This stellar explorer experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. ## FAQs ### Where do we meet for the Mauna Kea Stellar Explorer trip? You can be picked up at your hotel for this stargazing Big Island Hawaii tour! Please confirm you pick up date and time via the number located on your e-ticket. ### How long is the tour? The tour is approximately 6 hours long from beginning to end. ### Should I eat before the tour? Beverages and dinner is included in your tour price and experience. ### Will the tour operate in the case of rain? This stellar explorer experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. ### What health restrictions are in place? No heart problems or other serious medical conditions. This tour is not wheelchair accessible. ### Are there other tour restrictions I should know about? Yes. The following tour restrictions and regulations apply: (1) State law requires child safety seats for all guests under 4 years of age. (2) Booster seats required for all guests between ages 4 and 7 and under 4 feet 9 inches tall and 80 pounds weight. (3) Guests under the age of 18 MUST be accompanied by an adult. They are able to provide booster and safety seats for children who require them if given advance notice. Please note your request for a booster and/or safety seat when making your reservation, or by contacting the number located on your e-ticket. ### What should I bring on the tour? You must bring and present a government-issued ID. If desired, guests may bring a video camera/camera. ### What is included in my tour? You will get bottled water, driver and personal guide, hotel pickup and drop-off, dinner, and entry/admission to Saddle Road. ### I have a food allergy or dietary restriction. Can this be accommodated? Yes. Given advance notice, all food allergies and dietary restrictions can be accommodated. Please note this request when making your reservation and/or contact the number on your E-ticket.