Rise before dawn and ride to the 10,000 foot summit of Haleakala, the House of the Sun, to watch the sunrise break above the clouds. A local driver guide handles the 38 mile climb in a comfortable, climate-controlled minibus while you take in the stars, the altitude, and a sunrise that many guests call a spiritual experience. National park admission and a warm local-style breakfast are included.
From $243 per adult · Park admission and breakfast included
Watching the sunrise from the summit of Haleakala is one of the most sought-after experiences in all of Hawaii. The otherworldly landscape, the high-altitude air, the rare native plants, and the deep Hawaiian cultural roots all come together into a morning that is hard to put into words. Haleakala translates to the House of the Sun, and there is no better way to understand that name than to stand at the top and watch the day begin.
Your local driver guide greets you at your hotel in the dark and welcomes you aboard a modern, climate-controlled minibus with wide windows for the views. From there you settle in for the comfortable 38 mile drive to the summit area, climbing through the clouds as the sky slowly changes. At the top, you take in the sunrise from 9,740 feet, where the burst of light and color over the clouds feels almost spiritual.
As you descend, the scenery shifts again through the green slopes of Kula and the rolling farmland of Upcountry Maui. The morning finishes with a warm, local-style breakfast and good company before you head back to your hotel, with the whole sunrise behind you and the rest of the day still ahead.
A look at the sunrise from the summit of Haleakala.
Summer schedule (Apr 1 to Sep 30) departs around 2:00 AM and returns around 11:30 AM. Winter schedule (Oct 1 to Mar 31) departs around 2:30 AM and returns around 12:00 PM. All times are approximate and depend on your pickup location and conditions.
It is cold at the summit. Temperatures can drop to around 20 degrees Fahrenheit before sunrise, so dress in warm layers with a jacket, long pants, and a hat. The sight of the sun rising should warm you right up.
Hotel pickup and drop-off is provided from most major Maui hotels. Simply enter your hotel name when you book. Please call our team at (808) 123-4567 at least 24 hours before your tour to reconfirm your pickup time and place. Please note we are not permitted to pick up in residential areas or at bed and breakfasts.
This tour reaches nearly 10,000 feet, where the air is thin and the temperature is cold. It is not recommended for guests with heart or respiratory conditions that may be affected by high altitude. Anyone who has gone scuba diving should wait at least 72 hours before taking this tour. The tour also travels on rough, winding roads and is not recommended for pregnant women or for guests with back problems or a tendency toward motion sickness.
A full refund is provided if the tour is cancelled more than 72 hours prior to the tour departure time. If cancelled within 72 hours of the tour departure time, or if a guest no-shows, no refund is provided. Refund requests are to be received within 30 days of the date of the tour.
Refunds or partial refunds for tours, activities, flights, or venues that are cancelled due to reasons outside of our control (weather, force majeure, and similar events), as well as refunds for extenuating circumstances, will not be honored.
Very early. Pickup is around 2:00 AM in summer and 2:30 AM in winter, and your exact time depends on your pickup location. We return to your hotel around 11:30 AM to 12:00 PM. Plan for an early night the evening before.
It can drop to around 20 degrees Fahrenheit before sunrise at nearly 10,000 feet. Dress in warm layers with a jacket, long pants, a hat, and gloves. The sunrise itself should warm you right up.
Yes. Haleakala National Park admission is included, and a warm local-style breakfast is served on the descent. Gratuities and any extra snacks or drinks are at your own expense.
Yes. Pickup and drop-off is provided from most major Maui hotels. Enter your hotel name when booking, then call us at least 24 hours before your tour to reconfirm. We are not permitted to pick up in residential areas or at bed and breakfasts.
The tour reaches high altitude on rough, winding roads. It is not recommended for guests with heart or respiratory conditions, pregnant women, or those prone to motion sickness. Anyone who has scuba dived should wait at least 72 hours before taking this tour.
The sunrise is a natural event and cannot be guaranteed. No refunds are provided if the sunrise is not visible due to weather. Even on cloudy mornings, the summit and the drive are a memorable experience.