"This was a once in a lifetime experience. Our guide was so knowledgeable and explained so much about what we were doing and seeing in the sky with the telescopes. I highly recommend doing this tour with this company. It was wonderful!!"
Verified Review
The Maunakea Summit & Stars Adventure takes you from sea level to nearly 14,000 feet, where Hawai‘i’s tallest peak rises above the clouds—and light pollution. With its dry air, high altitude, and remote Pacific location, Mauna Kea offers some of the clearest, most stable skies on Earth, making it a world-renowned site for astronomical observation. You’ll watch the sun set from the summit, then descend to a private stargazing location where guides set up high-powered telescopes and share both Western astronomy and ancient Hawaiian star navigation. With warm gear provided and a picnic dinner included, it’s a rare chance to stand at the edge of the universe—on a mountain that’s sacred, scientifically important, and utterly awe-inspiring.
GUEST REQUIREMENTS
For ages 13 and up, group size limited to 12 guests.
ACTIVITY LEVEL
Summit is cold and at high elevation.
WHAT TO BRING
Reusable water bottle, closed-toe shoes, long pants, and a warm sweater.
CANCELLATION POLICY
Full refund with 24 hours notice of cancellation.
WHAT GUESTS ARE SAYING
4.9★ from 5,400+ reviews on TripAdvisor
Travelers consistently describe this tour as a bucket-list Big Island experience, blending science, culture, and the jaw-dropping wonder of Maunakea’s summit. Guests rave about the passionate guides, who share local stories and astronomy insights in a way that makes the high-altitude adventure feel personal and safe. Many reviews praise the smooth ride up in warm parkas, the breathtaking sunset above the clouds, and the incredible clarity of the night sky once telescopes are set up. Visitors often say standing at nearly 14,000 feet with the Milky Way overhead is unforgettable — and worth every penny.
Join us for a journey from sea level to the nearly 14,000-foot summit of Mauna Kea reveals the wonders and world-class clarity of the Hawaiian night sky. After Sunset at the highest point in the Pacific, we’ll come down to a little more comfortable elevation to set up our Celstron optical telescope and our digital deep space telescope to provide you with the most comprehensive star show available on the mountain. We’ll even send you home with pictures of some of the objects in the sky that evening!
Restrictions:
- Guests should be able to do short walks on uneven or rocky terrain.
Weather changes can occur quickly, and the access road to the summit can close without warning; therefore we cannot guarantee access to the summit or favorable conditions.
- The temperature can dip below freezing when at high elevations on the mountain.
- We 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. Other tour restrictions may apply – please contact us at 808.331.8505 for more information.
- 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 Mauna kea? 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 Mauna kea requires a four-wheel drive, so it can be bumpy. Our 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? We 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.
- Is there much walking/hiking on this tour? There is minimal walking on this tour. The maximum being up to half a mile on Wednesday’s on our Giveback Experience at the dry forest.Founded in 1993 by naturalist Rob Pacheco and his wife Cindy, Hawaii Forest & Trail began as a simple rainforest bird walk and has grown into a premier eco-adventure company on Hawai‘i Island. Celebrating 30 years, they’re known for small-group, fully outfitted tours that offer exclusive access to private lands — from volcanic craters and waterfalls to remote forests and stargazing sites. What sets them apart is a team of expert interpretive guides, rooted in science and storytelling, dedicated to conservation and connecting guests with Hawaii’s rare native ecosystems.
Mauna kea trips offer central meeting locations including the King Kamehameha Courtyard Marriott in Kailua-Kona, the Queen’s MarketPlace in the Waikoloa Beach Resort area, the Waikoloa Plaza in the Waikoloa Village area, and the Onizuka Center for International Astronomy Visitor Information Station. 8-9 hours round trip.
Customers will receive a full refund with 24 hours notice of cancellation.
Private tours: Customers will receive a full refund with 72 hours notice of cancellation.
Cancellations within the cancellation period, “no-shows”, or any guest not meeting the tour requirements will be charged the FULL AMOUNT of the tour.
FOLIO TRAVELOGUE
Not Just a Summit. A Window to the Cosmos
The journey begins in Kona, where we board a 4WD van and set off toward Maunakea, the tallest mountain in the Pacific. As we ascend, the landscape transforms—from lava fields to rolling pastures to alpine terrain. Our guide shares stories of the mountain's significance in Hawaiian culture, adding depth to the scenery unfolding outside the window.
Upon reaching the summit, we're greeted by a panorama that defies description: the sun dipping below a sea of clouds, casting hues of orange and pink across the sky. It's a moment of awe, standing above the world, wrapped in the stillness of the mountain.
“A stargazing trip that somehow brought everything into focus.”
As darkness falls, we descend to a lower elevation for stargazing. With hot chocolate in hand, we gather around the telescopes. The guide points out constellations, planets, and galaxies, weaving in tales of Hawaiian star navigation. The clarity of the sky is astounding; it's as if the universe has unveiled itself just for us.
This isn't just a tour; it's an experience that connects you to the land, the sky, and the stories that bind them together. It's a reminder of our place in the cosmos and the rich tapestry of culture and nature that defines Hawai‘i.
