---
title: Big Island Mauna Kea Summit & Stars Adventure
slug: mauna-kea-summit-stars-adventure
type: attraction
sub_type: excursions
source_url: https://www.tripster.com/detail/mauna-kea-summit-stars-adventure
city: Kailua-Kona, Big Island
state: HI
country: US
address: "73-5593 Olowalu Street Building #A"
geo:
  lat: 19.69143
  lng: -156.01889
duration: up to 8 hrs
cancellation_policy: Free cancellation up to 2 days before the experience.
extracted_at: 2026-06-16T20:18:47.799Z
price_from:
  amount: 295
  currency: USD
  unit: per_adult
availability: SoldOut
rating:
  value: 5
  count: 5310
  scale: 5
---
## Overview
Offered by Hawaii Forest & Trail, the Mauna Kea Summit & Stars Adventure is an exciting tour for guests ages 13 and older, featuring a drive to the Mauna Kea summit for picturesque views, a picnic-style dinner, provided warm gear, and an interpretive guide sharing Hawaii’s cultural and geological history.

## What's Included
- Transport to Mauna Kea summit
- Picnic-style dinner served family-style
- Hooded parka and warm gloves
- Interpretive guide during the tour
- Stargazing session with an 11” Celestron Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope
- Hot beverages and chocolate macadamia nut cookies during stargazing

## What's Not Included
- Face mask (guests must bring their own if planning to enter the Maunakea Visitor Center)

## Good to Know
* Tour duration is approximately 7 to 8 hours round-trip.
* Recommended for ages 13 and over.
* Parkas are provided.
* View a sea of night stars at a 9,000-foot summit.
* Interpretive guide provides insights into Hawaiian culture and geology.
* Enjoy a private picnic dinner.
* Please bring a face mask if you plan on entering the Maunakea Visitor Center.
* The tour time can fluctuate according to sunset time.
* The ascent reaches 13,796 feet elevation.
* The summit is cold and windy; parkas help with the cold.
* There is minimal walking, about 150 yards maximum.
* Snow is seasonal, mostly during winter months.
* The summit usually is above the clouds.
* The road to the summit is four-wheel drive only and can be bumpy.
* Children under 13 are not permitted due to altitude.

## Cancellation Policy
Free Cancellation

## FAQs

### Are guests allowed to go into the observatories?
Some observatories are open to the public daily until 4 PM. As our tour arrives after this time, the observatories are closed to visitors.

### How cold is it at the summit of Mauna Kea?
Average mean temperature is freezing.

### Is the vehicle ride bumpy and windy?
The access road to the summit of Mauna Kea is four-wheel drive only, so it can be bumpy. Our custom off-road motor coaches will get you to the top and back in safety and comfort.

### What kind of telescope is used for star gazing?
An 11” Celestron Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope will be used.

### What is the guide to guest ratio?
The maximum guide to guest ratio is 1:14.

### How many guests do take up per night?
The permit allows for a maximum of 2 vehicles per night and our vans carry a maximum of 14 passengers.

### Do we go up to Mauna Kea summit every night?
The tour goes every 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 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 Mauna Kea?
The summit of Mauna Kea is normally above the clouds. If the weather (clouds, snow, ice or high winds) cause us to cancel the tour, there is no charge, of course.

## Reviews

> "So Glad We Did This! Tip: Carefully choose the time of month for your trip so you don't have a full moon."
> — Susan O'Keefe, July 2016

> "Above the clouds. Tip: It is cold and windy at the summit."
> — Kathy Knighton, July 2015

> "A beautiful site to behold!! Tip: Parkas are provided for this cold trip. The snow usually occurs in the winter months."
> — Bethany Bates, January 2015