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 2 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.
Please see additional info for restrictions eg age, health, pregnancy, scuba dive, respiratory, heart, back issues, intoxicants etc. for this tour.
Posted By : Jari_L
Most amazing sunset I’ve ever seen and as a pilot that’s saying alot.!!! Stargazing was equally awesome and our tour guide was super knowledgeable. Very informative and interesting. Highly recommended!!!!👍🤙
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Posted On : 2024-04-30 12:51:18 
Posted By : leah_d
It was great the tiny group of 7 people, the stops, the tour guide with knowledge and so beautiful!! very grateful I was able to go on this tour :)
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Posted On : 2024-04-28 23:43:56
Posted By : AKANE_A
Our guide was knowledgeable and punctual. He was very clear what to expect next xx miles or where and what we do next. Constellation guide by using the pointer was so great too! A day before, we experienced the constellation at the planetarium, Imiloa center but our guide’s live show was so real and imaginary! Very special moment was provided… We were able to see‘Subaru’. Thank you.
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Posted On : 2024-04-23 14:41:05
Posted By : lisasummerl
We just got back from our trip of a lifetime to visit Hawaii as a couple - long delayed honeymoon by many years... A dream was to see the observatories and so glad we found Arnott's Lodge & Hiking Adventure. I had lots of questions, plus we wanted to try a day tour which is less common and everyone who answered phone was super nice & patient with my many questions. We ended up being the only couple on the tour with a fabulous guide Donna who knew so much and gave us a great tour for hours. We started by visiting the rainbow falls - cloudy - drizzly - didn't matter - still gorgeous. Note: If blue skies are important to you, the weather in Hilo area unpredictable and often cloudy/rainy so plan accordingly.... Then up Mauna Kea - broke through clouds & drizzle to blue skies - like being on another planet. We stopped at the different telescopes - yes, after reading & watching 3 Body Problem had to pose in front of the giant radio telescope. Donna was amazing not only gave tour but took lots of pictures of us and pointed out areas of interest and local recent history. Keck visitor gallery -small hall with photos - an actual bathroom (!!!) and glass wall for viewing telescope is open again limited hours. At first we were debating this due to cost but so glad we splurged and had the experience of a lifetime we will always treasure. Views stunning beyond belief. Donna, was a a rockstar tourguide and driver. Thank you Donna for your time & expertise & hospitality!!!
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Posted On : 2024-04-13 20:54:08 
Posted By : Scott_E
Absolutely incredible.
One of the most memorable moments of my life and made even better by a great guide.
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Posted On : 2024-04-10 12:48:07
Posted By : Anjali_S
It was such a Great experience. I can only recommend it. The guide was very good. I got picked up from the hotel. We even stopped at the beautiful Rainbowfalls. I learned many new things and the view was absolutely out of this world. The star gazing was amazing to.
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Posted On : 2024-04-07 13:29:38
Posted By : Novia_W
One of the most memorable tour we took in the big island! Donna is a friendly, energetic, and knowledgeable guide, and she’s also a great driver at the same time! She made this trip so much easier and more enjoyable for us, by sharing all the fun facts of the island and the astrology knowledge. 100/10!
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Posted On : 2024-03-28 05:16:39
Posted By : pricehall2018
Despite the rainy weather in Hilo and on the drive up, Donna made this trip memorable by narrating a history of eruptions, lava flow anecdotes and some Hawaiian history along the way. Loved having the only female guide up to the summit of Mauna Kea as an added bonus (who runs the world? ;))!
Lots of opportunities to ask questions, with Donna continually checking in with how everyone was feeling at altitude, taking everyone’s pictures, and making sure we were warm enough (there were strong winds and a healthy wind chill every for us Canadians at the summit!). We never felt rushed or corralled and the high points were all hit (thanks Mother Nature for no sunset-obscuring blizzard at the peak!). Her knowledge of the telescopes, constellations and of the drive down a precarious road in low visibility was impressive, and included tips on how to use an iPhone to capture the best pics of the Milky Way so we have incredible pictures of the whole epic adventure.
Only thing to make this tour “go to 11” would have been a thermos of hot chocolate to defrost with, and a telescope to see more detail (recognizing there might be some
COVID-created limitations to those suggestions).
Loved the “small group tour” feeling of not just being people to be schlepped for a sunset - highly recommend this tour company and guide - thanks Donna for all the little touches :).
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Posted On : 2024-03-16 18:15:21
Posted By : Ryan_O
Great tour led by Donna who has unlimited knowledge, energy and spirit. Fantastic sunset above clouds and great knowledge of the stars for stargazing. Highly recommend
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Posted On : 2024-02-26 14:09:06
Posted By : Sonja_D
If possibly try to go during a darker phase of the moon, but our guide did an excellent job; he was very respectful and informative about the local issues surrounding the observatory. Bring a sandwich, it’s a long trip, and a pair of warm pants. It can get very very cool on top out of the sun. The trip back was dark and quiet which was nice.
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Posted On : 2024-02-23 19:28:47
