Know Before You Go, Sunset and Stargazing Haleakala Tour

Start Planning!

You’re about to go on an awesome adventure to the summit of Maui’s tallest volcano, but there are a few things you should know about the tour before you get started!
You DO NOT need a reservation to visit the park at sunset. Reservations are ONLY required for sunrise.
Pack warm clothes -- temperatures can drop below freezing at the summit.
The tour starts and ends in Kahului. This is about a 2-hour drive from the resort areas of Kaanapali and Lahaina in West Maui.
There’s nowhere to buy food in the park. Pack a picnic or eat before you go.
Entrance to Haleakala National Park is $30 per car -- you can pay with cash or credit.
The sun sets at about 5:30 p.m. in the winter and 7:00 p.m. in the summer. If you want to see the stars you need to wait around for an hour after sunset.
Expect to spend about 4-6 hours on the tour.
We recommend starting from Kahului around noon.

What to Expect!

To Spend 4-6 Hours Exploring

This tour is concentrated in Haleakala National Park with only a few stops outside the park.

It’s designed for you to make stops on your summit for sunset, then focus on the drive back in the dark.

Please note, that this tour does not need to be done in time for sunset, it’s still a great experience no matter when you go!

Cold Temperatures and Possible Altitude Sickness (don’t let it stop you!)

You might not have packed a jacket for your Hawaii vacation, but you’ll definitely want to run to the nearest gift shop and grab a sweatshirt before embarking on a trip to Haleakala.

Temperatures are considerably cooler in the park, especially at the summit where they can drop below freezing.

Also, be prepared with some water as altitude sickness is common atop the mountain. You’ll gain a lot of elevation in a short period of time.

To Be Active

Haleakala is known as one of the best spots for hiking in Maui. There are three hikes on this tour:

Sliding Sands Trail
Halemau'u Crater Hike
Pa Ka’oao Trail

The first two are about 11 and 8 miles respectively, the third is a short .5-mile walk.

If you want to attempt Sliding Sands or Halemau’u Crater but don’t have time for the full hike, you can always trek about a mile in and turn back -- you’ll still see awesome views on both!

To Learn

Listen to the stories and legends of this massive volcano. In Hawaii, Haleakala is a sacred spot, and we’ll tell you all about its importance to Hawaiian culture.

Budgeting

There's only one major fee on this tour, and that's the $30 entrance fee to Haleakala National Park.

However, if you plan on grabbing lunch before you enter the park in plan to spend about $15 per person.

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Pro Tip! This park entrance fee can also be used within 3 days on the Road to Hana tours to access the Kipahulu section of the Haleakala National Park.

Start Packing!

Here’s our packing list for this tour. It may seem a little long, but remember, what you bring depends on the activities you choose to do for the day.

Jacket, Layers, Blanket: temperatures can drop below freezing at the summit
Sneakers
Hiking Clothes
Water Bottle
Towel
Bathing Suit
Sandals
Sunscreen
Sun Glasses and Hat
Snacks
Cash
Car Charger *Very Important*
Phone Mount

Malama Aina

In Hawaiian the word malama means “to take care” and the word aina means “land.”

When you’re in Hawaii, we ask that you practice this and pick up your trash; respect the marine life, plants, and animals; and avoid spots that are unsafe.

Hawaii’s natural resources are precious, it’s up to all of us to help preserve these resources for generations by respecting the aina when you visit.

When you’re in Hawaii, we ask that you act respectfully toward the locals, land, and wildlife.

Please pick up your trash; never touch any marine life, plants, or other animals; and avoid spots that are unsafe. Hawaii’s natural resources are precious, it’s up to all of us to help preserve these resources.

We hope that we’ve given you all the information you need to make the most of your day. Your vacation is extremely important to us so if you have any questions feel free to reach out at aloha@shakaguide.com.

For more help planning your day check out our Sunset and Stargazing Haleakala Tour suggested itinerary.