The Original Mauna Kea Summit Sunset & Stargazing Tour-Since 1983
Overview
The original Mauna Kea sunset and stargazing tour. We pioneered this experience in 1983 and have been on this mountain longer than just about anyone.
Ride from the coast to nearly 14,000 feet in custom 4x4 Mercedes Sprinters with panoramic windows and coach seating in rows of two and three (nobody rides four across). Enjoy a real hot dinner at 9,200 feet, 3-cheese vegetable lasagna and a homemade brownie, then watch the sun set from the summit, often above a sea of clouds, as the observatories open their domes.
Then what sets us apart: about two hours of guided stargazing at mid-mountain, more time under the stars than any other tour on the mountain. Green lasers, 11-inch Celestron telescopes, gourmet hot drinks and a sweet treat while you look up.
Our guides measure their time on Mauna Kea in years, not seasons. Parkas and gloves provided. Max 14 guests per van. Ages 13+; health restrictions apply. Stargazing depends on natural conditions.
What's Included
- Tea and coffee Gourmet hot cocoa, coffee, or tea with a sweet treat during stargazing
- Arctic-style hooded parkas and gloves
- Hot dinner at 9,200 ft: 3-cheese vegetable lasagna and a homemade brownie
- Pickup & drop-off: Kailua-Kona, Waikoloa Beach, Waikoloa Village, or Maunakea Visitor Station
- Custom 4×4 Mercedes Sprinter with coach seating in rows of two and three (no four-across benches)
- Professional guide, fully narrated
- About 2 hours of guided stargazing with 11-inch Celestron telescopes and green-laser sky tour
- Hotel pickup and drop-off (meet at a designated pickup point)
- Gratuities (optional)
Meeting Location
This activity ends back at the meeting point.
What To Expect
Book Online
Safe & secure Easy breezy Hassle‑free
Saddle Road (pass by)
Maunakea Visitor Information Station
40 minutes Admission Ticket Free
Mauna Kea Summit
1 hour Admission Ticket Free
Mauna Kea Observatories
2 hours Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Not permitted for pregnant travelers
- Not permitted for travelers with any history of heart problems, including surgery, stents, pacemakers, or arrhythmias
- Not permitted for travelers with COPD, emphysema, lung conditions or surgeries, or pneumonia or RSV within the past 6 months
- Asthma must be fully controlled, and travelers must bring their inhaler
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Minimum age is 13 years
- Travelers with a BMI of 40 or higher are not permitted
- No scuba diving within 24 hours before the tour
- Pants and closed-toe shoes required; parkas and gloves provided
- Pickup times vary throughout the year with sunset
- The summit is nearly 14,000 feet, with 40% less oxygen than sea level
- Emergency response on the mountain can take about 2 hours, and a medical incident may end the tour for everyone on board
- The mountain road is long and bumpy and may not be suitable for travelers with back injuries
- Summit temperatures average around 30°F with frequent wind; parkas and gloves are provided
- Dinner is vegetarian lasagna; guests with dietary restrictions may bring their own food
- Pickup times vary by location and season and are confirmed after booking
- This tour returns late at night
- Tours may be canceled due to weather or road closures; stargazing depends on natural conditions and is not guaranteed
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 14 travelers
Frequently Asked Questions (8)
Q: What is the cancellation policy for the The Original Mauna Kea Summit Sunset & Stargazing Tour-Since 1983?
Cancellation Policy
Still have questions?
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Activity code: C-51365P1
Traveler Photos
Reviews
Average 4.82 out of 5 stars based on 660 traveler reviews collected by City Balloon Tours and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor
Additional Info
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Frequently Asked Questions (8)
The answers provided below were previously given in response to questions from City Balloon Tours customers.
Filter by:
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
- Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (HST).
- Tea and coffee. Gourmet hot cocoa, coffee, or tea with a sweet treat during stargazing.
- Arctic-style hooded parkas and gloves.
- Hot dinner at 9,200 ft: 3-cheese vegetable lasagna and a homemade brownie.
- Pickup & drop-off: Kailua-Kona, Waikoloa Beach, Waikoloa Village, or Maunakea Visitor Station.
- Custom 4×4 Mercedes Sprinter with coach seating in rows of two and three (no four-across benches).
- Professional guide, fully narrated.
- About 2 hours of guided stargazing with 11-inch Celestron telescopes and green-laser sky tour.
- Hotel pickup and drop-off (meet at a designated pickup point).
- Gratuities (optional).
This tour requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
Apr 2025The minimum age to participate is 13. This tour requires at least one adult to accompany children..
Apr 2025If a date or time is not listed on the calendar, it’s sold out or unavailable for another reason. Support cannot assist further if a date or time is not on the calendar.
If you find a date and time that works for you, book it NOW because things always sell out at this time of year.
Apr 2025Accessibility information for the The Original Mauna Kea Summit Sunset & Stargazing Tour-Since 1983 is as follows:
- Wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Not permitted for pregnant travelers
- Not permitted for travelers with any history of heart problems, including surgery, stents, pacemakers, or arrhythmias
- Not permitted for travelers with COPD, emphysema, lung conditions or surgeries, or pneumonia or RSV within the past 6 months
- Asthma must be fully controlled, and travelers must bring their inhaler
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Detailed check-in instructions – including meeting point address, Google map, and parking information – for The Original Mauna Kea Summit Sunset & Stargazing Tour-Since 1983 will be included in your confirmation email from City Balloon Tours. Please be sure to double and triple check your email address is correct at checkout so this important email makes its way to you!
Mar 2024Once your refund is processed, it usually shows on your card statement within 5–10 business days. The exact timing depends on your bank or card issuer.
Want it sooner? When you cancel, choose Receive a refund to my wallet instead. The credit is in your Wallet straight away and is applied automatically at checkout on your next booking when you’re signed in with the same email. You can see your balance any time in My Wallet.
If you paid part of your booking with Wallet credit, that part always goes back to your Wallet. Trip protection isn’t refundable.
Oct 2026What's Included
- Tea and coffeeGourmet hot cocoa, coffee, or tea with a sweet treat during stargazing
- Arctic-style hooded parkas and gloves
- Hot dinner at 9,200 ft: 3-cheese vegetable lasagna and a homemade brownie
- Pickup & drop-off: Kailua-Kona, Waikoloa Beach, Waikoloa Village, or Maunakea Visitor Station
- Custom 4×4 Mercedes Sprinter with coach seating in rows of two and three (no four-across benches)
- Professional guide, fully narrated
- About 2 hours of guided stargazing with 11-inch Celestron telescopes and green-laser sky tour
- Hotel pickup and drop-off (meet at a designated pickup point)
- Gratuities (optional)
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Not permitted for pregnant travelers
- Not permitted for travelers with any history of heart problems, including surgery, stents, pacemakers, or arrhythmias
- Not permitted for travelers with COPD, emphysema, lung conditions or surgeries, or pneumonia or RSV within the past 6 months
- Asthma must be fully controlled, and travelers must bring their inhaler
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Minimum age is 13 years
- Travelers with a BMI of 40 or higher are not permitted
- No scuba diving within 24 hours before the tour
- Pants and closed-toe shoes required; parkas and gloves provided
- Pickup times vary throughout the year with sunset
- The summit is nearly 14,000 feet, with 40% less oxygen than sea level
- Emergency response on the mountain can take about 2 hours, and a medical incident may end the tour for everyone on board
- The mountain road is long and bumpy and may not be suitable for travelers with back injuries
- Summit temperatures average around 30°F with frequent wind; parkas and gloves are provided
- Dinner is vegetarian lasagna; guests with dietary restrictions may bring their own food
- Pickup times vary by location and season and are confirmed after booking
- This tour returns late at night
- Tours may be canceled due to weather or road closures; stargazing depends on natural conditions and is not guaranteed
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 14 travelers
