A trip to Maui isn’t complete without watching the sunrise atop the beautiful Haleakalā. Haleakalā is the East Maui Volcano that makes up more than 75% of the island. Valley Isle Excursions provides unforgettable vacation experiences, one of which is the Haleakalā Sunrise Tour. This tour is like nothing you’ve ever seen before and probably the earliest tour you’ll experience in your life. The 2 am pick up time is well worth the beauty of Haleakalā.

You’ll be picked up at your hotel by a bus driver who is also your tour guide. Valley Isle Excursions tour guides are certified by the National Association of Interpretation so you can trust their knowledge. The tours are mostly full depending on the time of year, so expect to make a few more stops to pick up the rest of you “ohana” for the day. Ohana is the Hawaiian word for family. 

Once everyone is picked up you ‘ll head over to a cute Hawaiian diner for continental breakfast. After breakfast is when you’ll start your two-hour journey up to Haleakalā. Valley Isle Excursions says, “for over 150 years, visitors to Maui have ascended to Haleakalā to experience the miracle of demi-god Maui’s efforts” and this is still so much very true. Hundreds of tourists each day unite and watch the sun rise.

You’ll arrive to Haleakalā’s crater about an hour before sunrise so keep in mind Haleakalā is about 10,000 ft. above sea level, so the temperature is quite colder than the warm Maui beaches. The top of Haleakalā is breathtaking. A beautiful crater 10,000 ft. above sea level in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.

You’ll be in awe of the infinite stars, it’s truly one of the most beautiful places to visit. As each minute passes you’ll start to see the horizon slowly appear and as the sunrise gets closer the stars begin to fade followed by the light sun light starting to break through slowly eliminating the sky with beautiful electric colors from yellow, red, purple, that reflect on the bed of clouds giving light all over Maui.

For those couple of minutes, the sun is rising life seems to be put into perspective. There’s not much time after sunrise before you head back down from the summit. Valley Isle Excursions makes a few stops on the way down giving you the history of Haleakalā. The experience Valley Isle Excursions provides truly creates everlasting memories.

Before the tour comes to an end, you’ll make one last stop to enjoy a hot delicious breakfast buffet. Valley Isle Excursions has made this tour accessible and easy for people of all ages and has truly committed to the legacy of Haleakalā succeeding all expectations for anyone who is fortunate enough to have this experience.

FIND OUT MORE

By Rutger Deverell & Christopher Dela Cruz