Mauna Kea Summit & Observatory Tours and Activities

Stand atop Hawaii’s tallest mountain for two unparalleled experiences: sunset and stargazing. Board a 4WD vehicle upon pickup in Hilo and find yourself on the snow-dusted summit of Mauna Kea in no time. After viewing the night sky through a professional telescope, we take a picture of you and the stars. Jackets and gloves are provided to keep you warm.

Experience big skies and incredible nighttime views on this Mauna Kea stargazing trip with a small group. Join no more than 28 guests for a pre-trip picnic at a historic Hawaiian ranch, proceeded by a ride in a 4x4 luxury van to the summit of the Big Island's tallest peak. After admiring a sunset view, continue down to 9,000 feet (2,743 meters) for a stargazing session, complete with a telescope, hot chocolate, and dessert. The trip also includes a guide and a hooded parka to keep you warm.

On this Mauna Kea sunset tour, you’ll get to see amazing views from above the clouds on the summit of Mauna Kea! Our guides will also take professional-quality photos of you with the sunset and stars for FREE ! !

Enjoy a sunset and stargazing experience like no other on this small-group trip to Mauna Kea—the highest point in the Hawaiian islands. Following afternoon pickup, travel in a 4x4 van to the summit—you can change into a warm jacket and pair of gloves, and sip a hot beverage, as the sun starts to set. Then, learn why so many research telescopes are located here during a brilliant celestial show.

Mauna Kea is home to the world's premier stargazing location. On this tour with an Analog-Astronaut and professional photographer guide, see the night sky like never before. Leave with stunning photos of your group with galaxies, stars, and constellations in the background. After your trip, your guide will send you a link to the photos.

Hawaii’s natural wonders aren’t only on land and in the sea—the Big Island is also a prime spot from which to admire the wonders of the solar system. This tour is the only one that includes both afternoon solar viewing and nighttime stargazing, accompanied by astronomy experts. Visit Rainbow Falls and the Kaumana lava caves, then explore the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and use a state-of-the-art solar telescope and Dobsonian telescope to spot solar flares, galaxies, star clusters, and planets.

Hawaii’s natural wonders aren’t only on land and in the sea—the Big Island is also a prime spot from which to admire the wonders of the solar system. This tour is the only one that includes both afternoon solar viewing and nighttime stargazing, accompanied by astronomy experts. Visit different destinations and use a state-of-the-art solar telescope and Dobsonian telescope to spot solar flares, galaxies, star clusters, and planets.

Our Mauna Kea Summit Tour is designed to showcase the beauty and wonder of one of the most impressive mountains in the world. Mauna Kea (meaning “white mountain”) is historically and culturally very significant to the Hawaiian people, and because of its contributions to geology and astronomy, to the world as well. Our local guides will enlighten you with the sacredness and cultural aspect of Mauna Kea. A spiritual high for many locals and visitors. #1 rated tour for adventure and photography. This tour requires a minimum of 4 guests in order to run. Our tour only meets guests in HILO or at the Onizuka Visitor Center on Mauna Kea. We DO NOT pick up guests from Kona, Waikoloa, or any hotels not located in Hilo. All guests MUST show recent negative COVID test results or completed vaccination cards. Please see additional info for restrictions eg age, health, pregnancy, scuba dive, respiratory, heart, back issues, intoxicants etc. for this tour.

Shaka Guide is an audio tour app that gives you the benefits of a guided tour with the freedom to explore on your own terms. This Big Island Tour Bundle comes with five socially-distanced audio driving tours: • South Island Epic Coastal Journey (8-10 hour tour) • North Island Jungle Adventure Loop (8-10 hour tour) • Kona Big Kahuna Loop (4-6 hour tour) • Kohala Coast and Backcountry Tour (3-5 hour tour) • Volcanoes National Park Tour (6-8 hour tour) The app uses GPS to give you turn-by-turn navigation to historic sites, popular attractions, world-class beaches and scenic hikes with stories about the places you’re visiting and music to entertain you along the way. All Shaka Guide Tours... • Never expire - take them multiple times or buy in advance • Work 100% offline - no data or wifi necessary • Let you take the tour when you want - download the tour and choose the day that works best for you *Please use the link in your confirmation email to download the app*

See two of the largest volcanoes in the world and stop at one of the most active on this full-day, small-group excursion. First, drive between the Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa volcanoes, stopping for lunch at Mauna Kea State Park. Then watch for current activity at Kilauea Volcano, the most active of the five volcanoes in Hawaii. Head to Kilauea National Park to see the beautiful landscapes and enjoy dinner at Kilauea Lodge. Hotel pickup and drop-off is included.

Discover Hawaii’s remarkable wildlife on a full-day, small-group birdwatching tour into the Big Island’s Mauna Kea Forest Reserve. Travel on foot and by four-wheel drive as you explore dry forest and rainforest habitats that shelter the endangered palila honeycreeper, the Hawaii amakihi and the Hawaii ‘elepaio. Listen for the calls of endemic songbirds as you traverse an otherworldly lava trail, then follow a local, bird-loving guide along forest paths into the distinctive, high-elevation mamane-naio ecosystem.

Shaka Guide's driving tour app works like a tour guide in your car! On this tour drive along beautiful green coastlines, through tropical jungle roads, and go star gazing on the tallest mountain in the world. We've done our research so you will not miss a thing! Just sit back and listen to fun stories along the way. Skip the tour bus & explore Big Island at your own pace for a fraction of the cost with the best self-guided audio GPS tours for Hawaii! Rated the #1 best GPS tour app for Hawaii with over 6,000+ raving reviews and 200,000+ downloads. Why you need it: ✅ You don't need service because you can download the tours & use them offline ✅ Much cheaper than a tour bus at only $9.99 for lifetime access ✅ Save time planning your trip because we have the best stops lined up ✅ Freedom to stop and go as you please, unlike a tour bus where you are confined to the pre-determined route (no fun!) ✅ Hear cool and fun stories along the way (and some corny joke's that might make you laugh)

Come with us as we explore the fascinating volcanic landscape looping around the southern coast of the Big Island! Shaka Guide is your perfect companion with turn-by-turn directions, information on what to do & see, and a truckload of interesting stories and Hawaiian legends of this amazing island! Skip the tour bus & explore Big Island at your own pace for a fraction of the cost with the best self-guided audio GPS tours for Hawaii! Rated the #1 best GPS tour app for Hawaii with over 6,000+ raving reviews and 200,000+ downloads. Why you need it: ✅ You don't need service because you can download the tours & use them offline ✅ Much cheaper than a tour bus at only $9.99 for lifetime access ✅ Save time planning your trip because we have the best stops lined up ✅ Freedom to stop and go as you please, unlike a tour bus where you are confined to the pre-determined route (no fun!) ✅ Hear cool and fun stories along the way (and some corny joke's that might make you laugh)

Touring the Big Island of Hawaii loses a little magic when you are crowded onto a bus with lots of strangers. This private tour ensures a personalized and uncrowded experience by taking you around the island in the company of just your group and a guide. You'll see all of the island's best attractions, from a black-sand beach to a waterfall and, of course, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

On this Mauna Kea sunrise and stargazing tour we will be watching amazing stars from Mauna Kea which is known as one of the best place on the earth to do stargazing. We will first do stargazing and taking photos of you with stars in it at Onizuka visitor center while we are climatizing to the elevation. We will arrive to the summit of Mauna Kea 30min before the sunrise and we will see the amazing view of the sunrise!

Here is your chance to visit Kilauea volcano and see the youngest of the Hawaiian Islands. On this inter-island excursion, you’ll visit the famous Kona coffee belt, Punalu’u Black Sand beach, Volcanoes National Park, and a discovery of the life of the world’s most active volcano. See amazing natural formations, including the Kilauea Iki Steam Vents and the Thurston Lava Tube, to the chronological life of the volcano at the Kilauea volcano visitor center, Kilauea Iki rainforest and overlook to see Halema’uma’u Crater. This exciting tour to Hawaii’s most distinct feature is sure to highlight your vacation. Book your tour today and witness the power of Kilauea volcano and the Big Island.