Mauna Kea Arnott's Adventures

Do not go on Arnott’s lodge Mauna Kea summit tour. Big mistake. The guide was a decent guy and did what he could but the tour was a nightmare. We wish we’d asked for a refund before it started, as a different person did. The air conditioning in the van was out, an inconvenience but manageable so we went for it. Wish we hadn’t. As we were driving, noticed the seatbelts were locking up, we had to keep undoing and redoing to get freedom of movement. We got past the visitors center when your guide noticed the van had a flat tire. We were stuck on the side of the road for an hour and 15 minutes waiting for a replacement van. We missed sunset on the peak. Our driver was understandably in a rush to get us to the peak so we zoomed up. The headlights from all the vehicles leaving were directly in our eyes. The front passenger seatbelt was broken so a passenger drove without one. The guide asked Rangers to give us a few minutes at the observatory. We stopped at the top for a few minutes to snap a couple photos, then had to rush back down as Rangers were wanting everyone off the summit. We didn’t get a summit sunset or time to eat our picnic dinner. This is not an experience I’d recommend for anyone visiting the big island, I’d have rather spent my time elsewhere and feel this wasn’t worth the price.

It was great! She did a wonderful job narrating along the way sharing HI history. We didn't get to see the stars due to the weather but she didn't let it slow her down.

This tour was fantastic and the view even before sunset is unmatched. And that's not it, if you're the type to be interested it's amazing to see the change from sea level then through the clouds where visibility seems to be near 0 and finally up above the clouds with an unobstructed view all the way to the horizon. Our tour guide was a fountain of knowledge for not just of matters of the tour but also for the area and Hawaii in general. He was very kind and kept checking on our wellbeing for any altitude related ailments. All in all an excellent tour for the price.

The tour was paced well with a stop at the visitor center to make sure that everyone adjusted the altitude. Warm jackets were provided on the top of the mountain.

Going to the top of Mauna Kea has long been on my bucket list. Went with this tour because it was relatively inexpensive and I didn't need dinner included. The guide, Andres, was very knowledgeable but could be a bit brusque, almost to the point of being rude. From reading the other reviews, it looks like Donna is the guide you'd want.

Mr. Arnott conducted a very organized and informative tour. The Mauna Kea summit experience was really fun and beautiful. I am so glad we accepted the offer to wear the freely-provided parkas; it was quite windy and cold at the summit, with freshly-fallen snow to add to the dramatic sights we saw ar sunset. The stars were beautiful and seemed so nearby that I imaged I could touch them.

Donna is an absolutely passionate and super informative guide! We had such a great time visiting Mauna Kea—definitely one of the highlights of our trip to the Big Island. Ask her anything about the island and you’ll never be bored. She knows so much and makes the whole tour fun. Highly recommend Donna’s tour to anyone visiting the Big Island!

On our way up to Mauna Kea we broke out of the cloud cover at about 9,000 feet and swapped soggy Hilo for a wonderland. And as we climbed to the top at 14,000 feet it just got better and better. Its cold and exhausting up there but our guide could not have done enough to ensure we were safe and warm. Later on when darkness fell he took us on tour of our solar system, the Milky Way and Andromeda. Back home I will be a star gazer. I have never spent a better three hundred dollars.

Arnott’s Mauna Kea Adventure is a budget-friendly, Hilo-based way to experience the Mauna Kea observatories and some of the best stargazing on Earth. The tour is about 7–8 hours, starting at sea level and ending near 14,000 feet, with several acclimatization stops along the way. One stop is at the Onizuka Visitors Center, which has great information about the observatories and fun souvenirs. These breaks were essential—I live at 5,300 feet and still felt the rapid altitude gain, and the stops made the longer sunset stay much more comfortable. A huge bonus was that our Arnott’s tour was the first to arrive and the last to leave the summit, which meant we had the top almost entirely to ourselves for a while. Sunset among the observatories was unbelievable—watching the sun disappear while the telescopes opened for the night was a true highlight. After sunset, we descended to around 12,500 feet for stargazing. Our guide gave a great overview of the night sky and showed guests how to take iPhone star photos. I chose to step away from the phones and simply stare at the sky—an incredible experience. Arnott’s has a relaxed, low-key Hilo style. They provide practical Carhartt coats (not the oversized flowery parkas you see on other tours), but they don’t provide snacks or drinks, so bring a water bottle and food. Highly recommended for an authentic Mauna Kea experience.

Wonderful trip great tour guide!!! Eris was very knowledgeable and made sure everyone was safe and had a great time

No amount of words can truly describe how terrific, engaging, and informative Donna was. It’s immediately clear that she genuinely loves what she does—and she is exceptionally good at it. Her knowledge, energy, and storytelling made the experience memorable, and we felt lucky to have her as our guide. I would absolutely recommend this tour to anyone, especially with Donna leading it. The only thing I would change is the duration of the tour—it could definitely be shortened by reducing some of the waiting and lag time. For the price point, providing drinks or light snacks would also be a nice touch. Overall, though, it was a great experience, and we’re very thankful Donna was our guide.

I was lucky to find one spot left on this tour during Christmas holiday season. Our guide, Donna, was highly experienced and took us to many amazing locations with great efficiency and warm hospitality. She knew all the best spots, gave helpful tips on where to look, and made sure everyone was comfortable with the altitude. The sunset above the clouds, the observatories, the stars, and the Milky Way—everything was absolutely breathtaking. I’m so glad I joined the tour. One tip: bring a small amount of tissue paper and hand sanitiser, just in case the portable toilets at the summit run out during high season!

Bundle up more than you think you need to and wear a hat/beanie. I had on a t-shirt and flannel tucked in with a leather jacket, scarf, and hat on and was still shivering. If it weren’t for their company-provided jackets, I feel like I would’ve been a goner. I brought and wore gloves, but my hands were still freezing so don’t forget heavy duty winter gloves. Be sure to bring food, snacks, and plenty of water to combat the effects of altitude sickness and dehydration. Make measured movements to not belabor your heart at the high altitude. During the 30-minute altitude acclimation period at the Visitors Center, fuel up before the final ascent. Fellas won’t have problems, but ladies, there can be long queues for the restrooms at the center. There are porta-potties at the summit if you’re able to wait until then. Try to plan your trip around when there’s a new moon. My dad and I lucked out and just so happened to go the night of a new moon, perfect for stargazing and astrophotography. Bring a camera with night capture capabilities. Newer smartphones with night mode and slower shutter speed settings will get you breathtaking photos of the Milky Way. Thank you, Arnott and Andres for making our visit so special!

We took this experience for our 25th anniversary and it was the highlight of our trip! Donna was a very knowledgeable tour guide! We enjoyed the sunset and the stargazing afterwards!

Andrew is great, really knowledgeable about big island and helpful to give out recommendations on the way. We got enough time to watch the sunset at the top. Though the weather condition wasn't the best for star watching, he gave us breaks to watch lava overflow at a distance

This is absolutely amazing trip, the tour is super worth. We are able to see all the stars and sunset, it is beautiful scene

A must do activity in Hawaii. Guide was amazing, views were amazing and the organisation was amazing. Only advice is bring as many layers as you can as it gets cold!!

Our guide is attentive, knowledgeable, and communicative. The tour started at 3 PM (leaving the meetup point) and finished around 9 PM (back at the meetup point). There were 13 people in total, and they were all very friendly. Some of them were on their honeymoon from South Korea. This experience is a bonding time for friends, family, and loved ones.

The Mauna Kea tour was an unforgettable, once-in-a-lifetime experience. The views from the summit and the stargazing were absolutely stunning — definitely worth doing. The guide was knowledgeable and explained how to handle altitude sickness, which I appreciated. However, he wasn’t very patient when I mentioned that I had experienced altitude sickness in the past and had been taking medicine in preparation. I didn’t have any symptoms during the trip, but he kept insisting that I might cause issues for the group and blamed me for being selfish, which was upsetting. In the end, everything went smoothly, and I was fine throughout the tour. Still, I hope the company trains their guides to handle these situations with more understanding and respect, especially when guests are being open and proactive about their health history.

Have you ever been to nasa, no than go here.. this is most underrated mountain trip you would ever have and I m telling you this is out of the world experience trip

This was a fantastic trip to the summit! No food included but it was not needed! Great guide! He was extremely responsive and helpful! In addition to his wealth of information about the stars, the geography and the geology- he had some great tips for taking night & star pics with the IPhone! It truly is a once in a lifetime experience! Thank you!

This is an amazing tour! Our cruise ship had an overnight in Hilo and we were so excited to book this. We were picked up a short walk from the cruise port. Communication was excellent and our guide was fun and very knowledgable. Be sure to pack extra warm clothes to change in to. It is cold at the summit! Take a water bottle. You can refill at the visitor center with filtered water. This was such a great experience. The views and star gazing were unforgettable.

One of the most beautiful places I’ve seen in my life. I won’t forget the sunset from Mauna Kea. It is totally worth the visit. Andras was very knowledgeable.

Good customer service and friendly staff over the phone. My party of two was unable to go on the sunset and stars tour as at 7200 feet myself and friend started to experience altitude sickness with chest tightness, throat tightness, shortness of breath and bloated stomachs. My body even started to shake.. We had to turn around and get to lower elevation. I called Arnott’s Lodge and asked for a partial refund of one of the two tickets if possible due to experiencing altitude sickness. I didn’t expect both tickets to be refunded but I thought Arnott’s Lodge could meet me half way and refund one of the tickets but management refused to. They stated I requested 3 tickets and they held those tickets for a month. I only booked 2 tickets. Also, I was informed they could refund if customers experienced airplane delays or road closures but not for altitude sickness even though altitude sickness can result in death and shouldn’t be taken lightly. If you are unsure how your body will react to a high altitude location, consider driving to the summit first before booking tickets and save $240.

The tour guide was very knowledgeable about the Hawaiian islands & their customs. And the views were beautiful! Would recommend:)

Wonderful adventure-highly recommend it! Our guide was so knowledgeable-we learned so much! He took great care of us, and it was an amazing experience.

It was absolutely incredible. Andres went above and beyond! He helped me with my proposal. He was also really knowledgeable and friendly to everyone. Extremely professional too.

It was just the best experience ever! You definitely need to go with them and the guide because he explained everything about the Mona Kea and the stars, the Milky Way and took great pictures of using our iPhones! Thank you so much for this amazing experience!

Beautiful activity, we Had a Good guide, good car, on Time,. the sky was clear, Sun set magnifient and stars.

Great experience, watching sunset, bring warm clothes See night sky with stars and Milky Way, highly recommend. Donna is a fun tour guide

This was an amazing experience we were a little dubious as no meal, snack or hot drink were provided however, we took our own snacks and drinks and honestly didn’t feel like we missed out. Communication before the tour was great and our tour guide Donna was fantastic, very friendly and informative. We got to see some of the telescopes up close on our journey to the summit and warm jackets were provided, I would recommend taking warm clothes it gets very cold, the sunset was beautiful and we weren’t rushed to leave. The location where did our star gazing was away from the visitors centre and it was only our tour which consisted of 6 people so no crowds to contend with. If you want to see the sunset and star gaze from Mauna Kea and are self sufficient then I would highly recommend this tour.

I had altitude sickness but the guide really cared for me. My friend had a great time. She said it was worth it.

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 — the woman should have been a photographer!). A must-do if you’re on the Big Island.

The stars were incredible and Andras was a fabulous guide. Highly recommend to anyone desiring a diverse Hawaiian experience

Andras was awesome, very knowledgeable, friendly, and experienced! We learned so much about the stars and got to take some great pictures!

It was a great tour, loved the sunset and star gazing. Andreas was very knowledgeable tour guide. Recommend it 10/10.

Tour leaves from Hilo and includes Andrass’ personalized highlights of the town and a stop at rainbow falls. Then we were driven to the Mauna Kea visitors center for a restroom break and a stop in the gift shop for those who were interested. He took use for a talk about the observatories and the sacredness of Mauna Kea in Hawaiian culture. We watched a beautiful sunset before moving to a private viewing area to see the Milky Way & Andromeda galaxies. He even included a tip about night sky photography using iPhones ! Lovely way to spend an evening under the Hawaiian sky. Restrooms / port-a- potties are available at many of the stops so no need to worry the Ned for them.

Amazing guide and very long tour. Definitely got our money's worth with this excursion. Many memories made today!!! Do this with Margo...you won't regret it!

it is a great experience for us to see the beautiful sunset on the mountain and the guide told us a lot of information of Mauna Kea, very recommended

The views were great. It’s definitely one of the best experiences on big island. The problem is I don’t think the service provided was worth the price. All services included were a drive up to the mountain, a jacket to keep you warm, and a tour guide explaining some context and behind stories about the mountain, observatories and stars. No hot drinks, no snacks (there are other tours providing these at a similar price). We stayed at the mountain for 2.5~3 hours and at least 1 hour outside of the car. It was very windy and cold. We were not informed to take enough food but it’s actually very necessary, since the tour started at 3pm and ended at 8pm which was way past dinner time.

Donna was amazing. Our tour had limited attendees and she made it perfect for us. She was a wealth of knowledge about all aspects of the tour. The sunset was amazing and even with the full moon, we had great stargazing.

Stargazing and top of mountain ⛰️. The experience was awesome as well as the drive to the tip of the mountain.

Everything was so awesome! But you need to prepare more winter, clothes if you join this tour because the top of the mountain is way colder than you expected! Even though I will do it again!!!! It was a very special experience!

Pictures don’t do it justice. It was an amazing adventure from start to finish. Our guide Donna was incredibly knowledgeable. She really took the time to make sure we had the best experience possible. It definitely wouldn’t have been the same without her. Highly recommend using the tour group, especially Donna. You will have more access and time compared to going it alone. Great trip all around!!!!

Loved our extremely knowledgeable guide! He knew all the constellations and everything about the telescopes

This was an amazing adventure. Our guide helped us capture the moment with amazing photos and constantly checked in with us to make sure we were getting the most out of the experience. It was so great!

This was an amazing experience, truly once in a lifetime amazing. The guide was very knowledgeable and nice

Andres was the best guide ever! He was flexible with our family needs and got to know us personally. Take the offer of the jackets and bring hats and gloves!! We made stops along the way to the top that Andres showed us all the key sights and helped us acclimate to the elevation. He had so much interesting information about the environment, local culture, and the observatories that he shared. He made sure we had plenty of time at the top and had a great stargazing session after. Highly recommend!

Such a cool experience! The night I went the road was closed and the company gave me the option of full refund, to change tour dates, or to risk it and go. After speaking with the tour guide Donna, I felt good in my choice to risk it, and go on the tour. Many other companies ended up canceling tours, but Donna was VERY knowledgeable and we were able to get in. We experienced the most beautiful sunset and star gazing. Going up to almost 14,000ft up is a bit of a nerve wracking experience. Donna was very informative letting us know what feelings were normal while up there, and which symptoms we should look out for. She was constantly reassuring our group and checking on how we were all feeling. She shared so many facts about Mauna Kea and the islands, I learned so much. She was also a very good driver and I felt safe the entire time. I would highly recommend this tour!