TourTruth score 8.4 out of 10
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Big Island Mauna Kea Summit and Stars Tour 8 hr
TourTruth score 7.7 out of 10
GoodTop 32% in Big Island of Hawaii
1,702 reviews · Rated on 2 providers · How we score
- Big Island of Hawaii
- 8 hrs
- Updated November 2, 2026
Ride to Mauna Kea’s 13,796-foot summit for a private telescope star show, warm parkas, cocoa, and a picnic dinner.
About this tour
Trade the coast for a night above the clouds on a Big Island Mauna Kea summit and stars tour. At 13,796 feet, the island’s highest peak offers a striking vantage point and a remarkable setting for looking into the night sky.
Travel up the four-wheel-drive access road in a custom off-road transit van, then take in the summit scenery and enjoy a private telescope star show. Hooded parkas and gloves help keep you warm, while hot cocoa, cookies, and a picnic dinner provide a cozy pause. Choose Southwest stew or vegetarian chili when booking. The small-group outing lasts eight hours, with pickup and drop-off available from central meeting locations.
Mauna Kea’s weather can shift quickly, and summit access is not guaranteed. Plan for the altitude, dress in layers, and confirm your pickup details with the operator. Book your Big Island Mauna Kea summit and stars tour for an unforgettable evening beneath the stars.
Highlights
- Ascend Mauna Kea in a custom off-road transit van
- Admire the Big Island from 13,796 feet above sea level
- Explore the night sky during a private telescope star show
- Warm up with cocoa, cookies, and a picnic dinner
What's included
Included
- Private star show with telescope
- Hooded parkas and gloves
- Pickup and drop-off from central meeting locations
- Hot cocoa and cookies
- Warm picnic dinner with a choice of Southwest stew or vegetarian chili
- Local taxes
- Guide
Not included
- Gratuities
- Private tour
Ratings on each provider
The ratings and review counts each booking site shows for this tour.
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View on ViatorViator
4.85 / 5 · 1,683 reviews
-
View on GetYourGuideGetYourGuide
4.84 / 5 · 19 reviews
What reviewers mention
Themes that come up most in this tour's reviews.
Often praised
Common complaints
Important information
- Minimum age is 13; children under 13 are not permitted
- Not suitable for travelers who are pregnant or have respiratory, circulatory, heart, or other serious health conditions
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health
- Scuba divers should not visit the summit within 24 hours of diving
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- Wear closed-toed shoes and long pants; a sweatshirt or sweater is recommended
- Provide your parka size and meal choice when booking
- Walking is limited to about 150 yards on uneven terrain with limited lighting; guests must enter and exit vehicles independently
- Collapsible wheelchairs cannot be accommodated
- The access road is four-wheel-drive only and may be bumpy
- Pickup time may differ from the online tour start time; contact the operator to confirm the time and location
- Weather can change quickly, and summit access or favorable conditions are not guaranteed
- Snow is seasonal, with the heaviest snowfall during winter
Frequently asked questions
How long is the tour?
The tour lasts 8 hours.
What is the minimum age?
Guests must be at least 13 years old; children under 13 are not permitted.
Is the summit visit guaranteed?
No. Weather can change quickly, and the access road may close without warning.
What should I wear?
Wear closed-toed shoes and long pants. A sweatshirt or sweater is recommended for layering; hooded parkas and gloves are provided.
Can I join after scuba diving?
Do not visit the summit within 24 hours after scuba diving because of the altitude.
How this score is calculated
This tour scores 4.85 on Viator and 4.84 on GetYourGuide. Ratings on these sites cluster near the top of the 5-star scale, so we compare each one with all other ratings on the same site before combining them.
How the score works and rating distribution in Big Island of Hawaii
- Each provider rating is turned into a percentile: the share of that provider's ratings it beats, weighted by review counts.
- Listings on different providers are combined in proportion to their review counts.
- Tours with few reviews are pulled toward the average until more reviews come in, so a handful of perfect reviews can't top the list.
- The result is shown from 0 to 10: this tour scores 7.7. Top 32% in Big Island of Hawaii means it ranks in the top 32% of tours in Big Island of Hawaii by this score.
Provider rating distribution in Big Island of Hawaii
How many tours in Big Island of Hawaii have a provider rating at or below each value. The dashed line is this tour.
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- GetYourGuide
- Viator
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