You’ll get to be on the top of the tallest mountain in the world!
Join us on an epic Mauna Kea Summit Adventures Tours to one of the most amazing mountains in the world! Travel from sea level to the summit of Mauna Kea at 14,000 ft./4200 m. in one evening for a trip that you’ll remember for a lifetime!
Our Mauna Kea adventures tour offers breathtaking views, unparalleled sunset, stargazing, and an experience you’ll treasure forever.
From the ocean floor to its summit, Mauna Kea is approximately 33,500 feet (10,200 meters), significantly taller than Mount Everest.
Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to experience one of the world’s most spectacular destinations, offering you an evening filled with wonder, beauty, and unforgettable memories.
*This tour currently has a minimum requirement of 2 passengers to run.
**Weather permitting.
***Arnott’s Lodge may occasionally offer a daytime tour to Mauna Kea. Check our calendar for availability. The schedule for this tour is different from our regularly scheduled evening tour.
Lodge Guest Discount!
Guests who stay at Arnotts Lodge in Hilo for at least one night are eligible for a discount on the Mauna Kea Summit Evening Tour. The tour must be taken within 30 days of the lodge stay date. Please contact us if you are one of Arnotts Lodge’s guests and would like to take this tour.
Closed-toe footwear, warm clothing, a light dinner, water, sun protection, and your camera.
We highly recommend that guests bring their own binoculars if possible, as it can enhance your experience tremendously when you have equipment that you are familiar with. Ensure that you have practice using them and that you are comfortable with adjusting them as needed. For an article on why using binoculars can be great for stargazing, click here.
Our main objective is to reach the summit of Mauna Kea. We understand that our guests come to visit Mauna Kea for many different reasons.
Whether your goal is to try to understand the cultural and spiritual importance, to add the mountain to your list of high points visited, or to study its unique geology and history, we are here to help you reach the top.
Mauna Kea is occasionally hit by passing clouds or bad weather, which does not close the road. If the road is open to the summit, our tour WILL proceed.
We cannot guarantee that you will see sunset or stars as we have no control over cloud coverage and spontaneous weather. Both the phase of the moon and cloud coverage can affect stargazing (See here.) Check out Mauna Kea’s webcam http://mkwc.ifa.hawaii.edu/current/cams/
This tour is not recommended for anyone with heart or respiratory problems, high blood pressure, motion sickness, back pain, pregnant women, children, anyone in poor health, or anyone who has scuba-dived within the last 48 hours.
We strongly recommend that you not take this tour if you have indulged in alcohol to excess the night before or if you have had any alcohol to drink the day of your tour. You must be 13+ to take this tour.
As a general health indicator, all guests must be able to walk at least 100 yards briskly and climb into the van unaided.
If you have a health condition that you believe may be affected by altitude changes, or if you are unsure, please consult your doctor before booking this tour.
Step stools are rated for 250 lbs/115 kg, and guests must be able to occupy a single-seat space. Please read our FAQ on Mauna Kea.
Please ensure that you provide the correct contact information during your booking.
Our staff will send you a confirmation notice containing information about this excursion, including meeting times, meeting location, and any preparations necessary.
Please read and keep this emailed notice to make sure you are properly informed about this tour.
We have a 48-hour cancellation policy. If you cancel outside of 48 hours to the date of your scheduled tour, a $49 cancellation fee will be assessed.
If you cancel within 48 hours of the date of your scheduled tour, there is no refund offered for any reason.
This includes unforeseen events, illnesses, and injury. We always recommend travel insurance in case of unforeseen events.
Charters, groups, private Sunrise, Day, and Evening Tours are also available; inquire at info@arnottslodge.com or call/text/WhatsApp us at 808-339-0921 for availability.
Please read our detailed page along with our terms and conditions on Mauna Kea before booking!
If we are aware of a road closure that will affect the course of the tour before the tour begins, we will let you know and offer you the option to continue with the tour or reschedule (if possible).
If you choose to continue with the tour knowing that a road is or may be closed and you may not make it to the summit, no refund will be offered in that instance.
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Enjoyable stay!! - Enjoyable, close to shopping, open market and beaches.
Clean inviting room with all the amenities needed for a comfortable stay.
Wonderful customer service. Mahalo Siobhan and Doug for making our... read more stay beautiful!
Pleasant place to stay - We enjoyed it quite a bit. We liked the kitchen in the room, and the common spaces were very pleasant. The nearby beaches were very beautiful. Having free parking was... read more a plus. The beds were comfortable and the staff was very friendly.
Once in a lifetime experience - Amazing experience. The top of Mauna Kea feels like you’re on Mars and the night sky is dazzling. Our guide Donna was awesome (get her to take your picture —... read more the woman should have been a photographer!). A must-do if you’re on the Big Island.