Taikobo Hawaii
Taikobo Hawaii
5
Cultural ToursSightseeing ToursPrivate ToursNature & Wildlife Tours
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Full view
About
Permitted Commercial Maunakea Tour Operator. Providing guided tours to the summit of Mauna Kea since 1983 as well as other famous tourist destinations on the Big Island of Hawaii.
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
Awards
Travelers' Choice
2024
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
212 reviews
Excellent
200
Very good
5
Average
2
Poor
2
Terrible
3
Scott H
Austin, TX2 contributions
Nov 2021 • Couples
I highly recommend this tour! My wife and I booked this at the last minute and we were not sure it was going to be worth it. By the time we were dropped off we understood the cost of this tour and would do it all over again.
Our tour guide John was knowledgeable about the history and culture surrounding Mauna Kea. Along the trip to the top we listened to narratives that were very informative - and gave us a greater appreciation for the sanctity as well as the utility of such a place as Mauna Kea. John was attentive to the group and offered a chant at the top that was packed with meaning.
After watching the sunset we stopped somewhere between 12-13,000 feet elevation to observe the night sky. John tested our astronomy knowledge and shared much of his with the group - significantly increasing our knowledge and awareness. He also used his telescope to show us select bodies in space.
Highly recommended!
Our tour guide John was knowledgeable about the history and culture surrounding Mauna Kea. Along the trip to the top we listened to narratives that were very informative - and gave us a greater appreciation for the sanctity as well as the utility of such a place as Mauna Kea. John was attentive to the group and offered a chant at the top that was packed with meaning.
After watching the sunset we stopped somewhere between 12-13,000 feet elevation to observe the night sky. John tested our astronomy knowledge and shared much of his with the group - significantly increasing our knowledge and awareness. He also used his telescope to show us select bodies in space.
Highly recommended!
Written November 4, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Maia M
1 contribution
May 2022
Our experience with Taikobo couldn't have been better! We did the Mauna Kea Sunset Tour. We booked with very little time in advance and they only featured one place left at their website. I wrote to them asking if by any chance they had another one (I went with my husband) and the reply was super quick and luckily in a few hours time they replied again saying another place had opened up and we could arrange with them. The customer service was excellent since we had some issues with communicating by phone (we are form overseas and our roaming wasn't working properly) and they were super helpful.
The tour in itself was marvelous. Such a wonderful and unique experience. Shin was our guide and he was so lovely and caring. Always making sure all of us were okay throughout the trip (I had read that you can get altitude sickness but we were okay). He told us a lot of things during the ride to Mauna Kea about the places we were driving through, he took lovely pictures of us, explained us about the constellations in the sky and the stars, and was overall a great guide.
At the beginning of the tour they gave us a goodie bag with local snacks, water, and packets of hot chocolate for the coldest part of the tour, which was great.
We made a stop at the visitor center mid-way going up to get accustomed to the high altitude of the summit, and saw a terrific sunset once we got there. We also saw in the distance at night the glow of the volcano, which was one of the highlights for me.
They gave us parkas to keep us warm as well.
It was one of the best experiences of our trip and we are so glad we did it with Taikobo. It is an investment of money but you will not regret it.
Thank you Shin!!!
The tour in itself was marvelous. Such a wonderful and unique experience. Shin was our guide and he was so lovely and caring. Always making sure all of us were okay throughout the trip (I had read that you can get altitude sickness but we were okay). He told us a lot of things during the ride to Mauna Kea about the places we were driving through, he took lovely pictures of us, explained us about the constellations in the sky and the stars, and was overall a great guide.
At the beginning of the tour they gave us a goodie bag with local snacks, water, and packets of hot chocolate for the coldest part of the tour, which was great.
We made a stop at the visitor center mid-way going up to get accustomed to the high altitude of the summit, and saw a terrific sunset once we got there. We also saw in the distance at night the glow of the volcano, which was one of the highlights for me.
They gave us parkas to keep us warm as well.
It was one of the best experiences of our trip and we are so glad we did it with Taikobo. It is an investment of money but you will not regret it.
Thank you Shin!!!
Written May 22, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
yff
9 contributions
Apr 2022 • Couples
If you’re in Big Island, just don’t miss Maunakra sunset( or sunrise) tour!. It can be “the” experience once in life time. Spectacular views knocking you dead and a full of star lights make you feel you’re standing in the middle of universe.
Thank you so much Shin, our tour guide who spent some extra time for stargazing and helping us photo shooting( so helpful, we need ourselves photos with mountain and starlight view( our selfie stick is broken so with Shin’s help is so thankful)
Also their van is roomy, to compare to other tour we took a few days before ( that was a cage, so uncomfortable). Also the reason to join this small group tour, only tour companies with permissions to go up the summit can reach out. So if your rental car could be a sedan or not heavy duty, you just can’t enter. We give them a Five ⭐️Arigato a bunch Shin! A+Y😆
Thank you so much Shin, our tour guide who spent some extra time for stargazing and helping us photo shooting( so helpful, we need ourselves photos with mountain and starlight view( our selfie stick is broken so with Shin’s help is so thankful)
Also their van is roomy, to compare to other tour we took a few days before ( that was a cage, so uncomfortable). Also the reason to join this small group tour, only tour companies with permissions to go up the summit can reach out. So if your rental car could be a sedan or not heavy duty, you just can’t enter. We give them a Five ⭐️Arigato a bunch Shin! A+Y😆
Written April 29, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Scott C
1 contribution
Sep 2023 • Couples
We are so glad we were able to book a last minute trip with Taikobo during our short stay on the big island. It is an absolute must do experience and I would highly recommend it to everyone.
Our guide Shin was not only very knowledgeable about the culture, Hawaii, Mauna Kea, the various observatories and the stars, he was also very passionate about the experience making sure everyone was feeling well and having a great time. He made sure to check in with us frequently and took many photos of us at various points of interest during our ascent and sunset.
The stargazing was spectacular the night we went up. Not only were the conditions great but we also had a red glow visible from Kilauea in the distance. Shin spent plenty of time pointing out various constellations visible with the naked eye including the milky way and also a star, galaxy and Saturn through his amateur telescope that he brought with him.
We were probably the last van to leave the mountain after stargazing. Shin went above and beyond with the experience and took beautiful photos of us with his more advanced camera that was able to capture both the milky way and the lava glow in the same frame.
If you are on the fence about doing an excursion like this I would highly recommend it. Shin will make it an unforgettable experience.
Our guide Shin was not only very knowledgeable about the culture, Hawaii, Mauna Kea, the various observatories and the stars, he was also very passionate about the experience making sure everyone was feeling well and having a great time. He made sure to check in with us frequently and took many photos of us at various points of interest during our ascent and sunset.
The stargazing was spectacular the night we went up. Not only were the conditions great but we also had a red glow visible from Kilauea in the distance. Shin spent plenty of time pointing out various constellations visible with the naked eye including the milky way and also a star, galaxy and Saturn through his amateur telescope that he brought with him.
We were probably the last van to leave the mountain after stargazing. Shin went above and beyond with the experience and took beautiful photos of us with his more advanced camera that was able to capture both the milky way and the lava glow in the same frame.
If you are on the fence about doing an excursion like this I would highly recommend it. Shin will make it an unforgettable experience.
Written September 16, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bianca O
2 contributions
Jun 2022
This tour is a must! From pick up to drop off we had a great experience. We were picked up right on time and given snacks for the trip. Our tour guide Shin was an absolute gem. Shin is incredibly kind, welcoming, and genuine. He constantly checked in with everyone to make sure they were okay, offered to take photos at every stop, and made sure we had the best spots and opportunity to view the sunset and stars. His knowledge of the Island and constellations was impressive and we learn't much about Mauna Kea, the Island, and stars. The snacks that were provided were delightful. Upon our return, Shin drove us all the way to our hotel for drop off to save us the walk. He went above and beyond for us which made an already incredible tour even better. We can't recommend this tour enough.
Written June 6, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
fredk
New Canaan, CT17 contributions
Jun 2022
We had a wonderful private trip to the top of Mauna Kea with our tour guide, John. He picked us up at our hotel, drove well, conveyed interesting information in a very friendly manner, and took us to great places to see the sunset and stars. During the trip, he provided a warm parka, which was very necessary, and hot chocolate, and did a great job of pointing out key aspects of the heavens. He also provided us with really cool pictures of us with an incredible number of stars behind us. It was a first-class trip and one I would recommend wholeheartedly.
Written July 19, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tiffany H
5 contributions
Jan 2023 • Couples
We loved this tour so much! Despite having read many reviews about the tour and what to expect, it was still mind blowing to stand on top of Mauna Kea watching the sun set. Our guide/driver John was very knowledgeable and shared many details about not only the volcanos/Big Island but also Hawaiian traditions and history with us. When we were almost at the top of the summit, John shared a short Hawaiian chant with us and we showed our respect to Poliʻahu, the Hawaiian goddess of snow. Standing on snowy ground on the tallest volcano in the world, this offer of respect to Mother Nature and Hawai'i moved me to tears.
The extra accommodations, including a snow gear parka, snacks/hot cocoa, night sky photos, were all extraordinary and deeply appreciated. When we got to the summit, it was 36F with wind blowing at 40MPH. (We saw other tour groups with no snow jackets on...) We highly recommend this company/tour/our guide John, will definitely use them again!
The extra accommodations, including a snow gear parka, snacks/hot cocoa, night sky photos, were all extraordinary and deeply appreciated. When we got to the summit, it was 36F with wind blowing at 40MPH. (We saw other tour groups with no snow jackets on...) We highly recommend this company/tour/our guide John, will definitely use them again!
Written January 5, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Octocat
1 contribution
Jan 2022
I participated in Mauna Kea Sunrise tour by Taikobo, and it was certainly one of the highlight of my Big Island experience! Our guide John was knowledgeable and kind, sharing interesting stories about Hawaii, it’s culture and history with us on the way to Mauna Kea, in engaging manner. Stargazing was great despite of the full moon (that makes stars less visible, he said), staring from finding the pole star, seeing constellations, imagining the vast universe following his instructions. My mind was blown away when he let us watch the moon through the telescope - it was gigantic and I could see it’s irregular edges!
On the top of Maura Kea, we were very lucky that we could see the sunrise and moonset of the full moon almost simultaneously. The moon setting next to the shadow of the summit (that looks like a real mountain) was so beautiful and surreal….and all of this happens while we are looking over the sea of clouds from above.
Mauna Kea was amazing place - I appreciate this tour gave us plenty of time to take in it’s extraordinary beauty and sacred energy. It is well designed and well executed by the team of Taikobo (from friendly receptionists to the super knowledgeable tour guide) with Aloha spirits. Highly recommend!
On the top of Maura Kea, we were very lucky that we could see the sunrise and moonset of the full moon almost simultaneously. The moon setting next to the shadow of the summit (that looks like a real mountain) was so beautiful and surreal….and all of this happens while we are looking over the sea of clouds from above.
Mauna Kea was amazing place - I appreciate this tour gave us plenty of time to take in it’s extraordinary beauty and sacred energy. It is well designed and well executed by the team of Taikobo (from friendly receptionists to the super knowledgeable tour guide) with Aloha spirits. Highly recommend!
Written January 18, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Daniel C
2 contributions
Sep 2022 • Couples
Top 5 excursions we have ever been on. The view of sunset from the top of Mauna Kea was epic and unlike anything i have seen before. On top of that, the view of stars was once in a lifetime, i have never seen such clear skies and so many stars with the naked eye. Our guide John was fantastic and helped connect us to the local culture surrounding the volcanos and the significance to the Hawaiian people. It helped align the views with importance of the volcano that provides them. To top it off, John brought a telescope so we could see planets and the constellations with greater detail. Can’t say enough good things about the service he provided. You can tell he went above what most other tours were doing and was there to ensure an excellent Experience for his guests. Yeah we’ll worth the money to not have to stress about the drive and just enjoy the views and experience.
Written September 27, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hypo Chen
1 contribution
May 2022
I'd think the best way to go to Mauna Kea is by joining a tour. One of my colleage traveling at the same time rented a car and could only go up to the visiting center half way and won't be able to see the summit and the telescopes.
We were picked up at 2:30 at their office at Kona. Our guide's name is Shin. He was very knowledgeable about everything around Big Island. He did a great job driving safely, as well as introducing the scenery and animals on the way there. It's an alternation between his chats and pre-recorded audio so that he could concentrate on driving when the roads became steep and curvy.
The biggest difference between this tour and other tours is that no big food was provided (~$20 less than others). When I saw the website I thought absolutely no food will be provided. I was wrong. Shin brought up a bag with water and local snacks (purple yam chips and coconut butter stuffed bread were my favorite). Thinking back, that's the right amount of food cuz on the way we don't have much time (and energy) to eat a bigger meal. The road was bumpy and windy so I thought eating too much may become a burden.
Shin was happy to take pictures for everyone in the trip during the trip (12-ish ppl that day). It was really cold on top of the mountain. I had hard time handle my own camera well from time to time. So I really appreciate his kindness taking so many photos for us. He took extra photos when stargazing the southern cross, as many of us came from areas southern cross cannot be seen.
At the end of trip back to Kona it was almost 11 (dropping people off took a while). He maintain energetic chating casually with us and giving trip advises. Everyone got a very well-made sunset postcard by the time we leave the van. The photos taken during the trip were sent to us the same night. This is very quick!
I highly recommend this trip to others folks planning to go. I totally feel they gave us more than we paid for.
We were picked up at 2:30 at their office at Kona. Our guide's name is Shin. He was very knowledgeable about everything around Big Island. He did a great job driving safely, as well as introducing the scenery and animals on the way there. It's an alternation between his chats and pre-recorded audio so that he could concentrate on driving when the roads became steep and curvy.
The biggest difference between this tour and other tours is that no big food was provided (~$20 less than others). When I saw the website I thought absolutely no food will be provided. I was wrong. Shin brought up a bag with water and local snacks (purple yam chips and coconut butter stuffed bread were my favorite). Thinking back, that's the right amount of food cuz on the way we don't have much time (and energy) to eat a bigger meal. The road was bumpy and windy so I thought eating too much may become a burden.
Shin was happy to take pictures for everyone in the trip during the trip (12-ish ppl that day). It was really cold on top of the mountain. I had hard time handle my own camera well from time to time. So I really appreciate his kindness taking so many photos for us. He took extra photos when stargazing the southern cross, as many of us came from areas southern cross cannot be seen.
At the end of trip back to Kona it was almost 11 (dropping people off took a while). He maintain energetic chating casually with us and giving trip advises. Everyone got a very well-made sunset postcard by the time we leave the van. The photos taken during the trip were sent to us the same night. This is very quick!
I highly recommend this trip to others folks planning to go. I totally feel they gave us more than we paid for.
Written May 20, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
No questions have been asked about this experience
*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.