A visit to Maui is widely seen as incomplete without an ascent up its unique natural wonder, Haleakala volcano. Peering into its craters is a view into another world, where the red Martian landscape, mixed in with other unexpected colors, are dotted with cinder cones from multiple past eruptions. Though dormant for centuries, it is still technically active and is the only non-extinct Hawaii volcano not on the Big Island.
This volcano above the clouds also provides breathtaking bicoastal views of Maui from a vantage point of around 10,000 feet and even of the Big Island on clear days.
Your tour guide will share the fascinating geological history of Haleakala, and how it connects with Maui and Hawaii’s broader history as entirely formed by volcano eruptions. They will also point out some of the tropical birds and plants special to Hawaii and lead your group on walks to various lookout points or, for those more active, on one of the Park's popular trails. A highlight will be watching the sun slip below the horizon behind the island of Lanai, creating a spectacular color show that complements the unique panoramic views from Haleakala summit.
The tour will also visit picturesque Iao Valley, one of the majestic entrances to the other volcano that makes up Maui. This older volcano, now most commonly referred to as the West Maui Mountain, illustrates how the land transforms as the eruptive phase fades away and erosion takes its toll, with its lush green rainforest and jagged peaks providing a vivid contrast to Haleakala. The towering cliffs and Iao Needle landmark provide a dramatic photo backdrop to complement the moonscape of Haleakala and provide lasting memories of this day exploring Maui’s iconic volcanoes.
Availability
If you can't do any of the available dates, you can check out the small group shared tour version, submit our waitlist form, or email us as there may be flexibility with opening up another van.
Why This Tour Stands Out
Customer Rating:
5 out of 5 stars
Also rated on :
Lonely Planet guidebook:
Haleakala:
To fully experience Maui – or at least peer into its soul – make your way to the summit of Haleakala. This amazing park is all about interacting with this mountain of solid lava and its rare life-forms, some of them found only here. Often referred to as the world's largest dormant volcano, it's a phenomenal sight like no other in the US national-park system.
Sunset at Haleakala are exceptional, and favored by locals who want to avoid the sunrise crowds. The sunsets have inspired poets throughout history.
It's a good and super-smooth paved road, but it's steep and winding, often with no barrier and a sheer drop on one side, and it can often be foggy.
Haleakala Sunrise Experience (NOT our day & sunset tour):
Temperatures hovering around freezing and a biting wind are the norm at dawn. If you don't have a winter jacket (ski wear) or a sleeping bag to wrap yourself in, bring a warm blanket. However many layers of clothes you can muster, it won't be too many.
Iao Valley: "Top Choice"
The scenery is dramatic, with sheer peaks soaring in all directions and with stunning views of the valley and Wailuku.
Maui Revealed guidebook:
Haleakala: "A Real Gem"
The beauty is hard to describe, but it’s unlike any other place we’ve been. Adjectives that describe it include desolate, wondrous, arid, majestic, colorful, harsh, peaceful, vast, spiritual, exciting, scary, ancient.
Sunset above the clouds is an experience you won't soon forget.
Haleakala Sunrise Experience (NOT our day & sunset tour):
We bring our ski clothes, gloves and a wool cap, and still, we sometimes get cold. The temperature rises quickly when the sun does.
Iao Valley: “Not Too Be Missed!”
A peaceful, beautiful valley
Fodor's guidebook:
Haleakala:
From the tropics to the moon! The chance to witness this unearthly landscape is reason enough to visit. The volcanic terrain offers an impressive diversity of colors, textures, and shapes—almost as if the lava has been artfully sculpted. The barren landscape is home to many plants, insects, and birds that exist nowhere else on earth.
Iao Valley: "Fodor's Choice"
When Mark Twain saw this park, he dubbed it the Yosemite of the Pacific. It is a lovely deep valley with the curious Iao Needle, a spire that rises more than 2,000 feet from the valley floor.
As a private tour, this would depend on your group's abilities and interests.
It could be an easy sightseeing tour, with just short walks to lookouts, such as the Kalahaku overlook. Note: some of these lookouts may have stairs, although usually there are some viewing areas that don’t require stairs, as well as minimal walking from the tour van. However, all guests should be able to get in and out of the vehicle on their own (or with the help of others in their party, but not dependent on the guide/driver). There is space for 1 collapsible wheelchair or walker, which should be noted with your booking but will not be provided by the tour. This tour is not a fit for fully handicapped guests. Walking sticks/poles can be provided as requested.
For those who want longer walks/hikes that may be on uneven ground, have stairs, and/or have some steepness, the tour does have a hiking permit with the National Park, unlike many of the larger tours that are not allowed to use the trails, and the tour can do at least a portion of any of the accessible trails in the Park, time permitting, such as Hosmer’s Grove, Sliding Sands, Halemau’u Trail, or Leleiwi overlook.
In general, it will be on a spacious and comfortable Mercedes-Benz Sprinter tour van, which handles up to 11 passengers, although smaller tours with 6 or less would likely be on the Mercedes-Benz Metris minivan.
Dinner
A light dinner is included and served picnic-style near the summit. It is catered by the highly rated That’s a Wrap cafe in South Maui which specializes in fresh and healthy eating. The current offering (subject to change) is chicken on local greens, hummus with tortilla chips, and a fruit salad. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free diets can be accommodated, and there is a question at checkout to note any dietary restrictions.
Other
Throughout the day, the tour includes drinks (juices, soda, and water) and snacks, as well as hot beverages (hot chocolate, tea, and instant coffee) for the cooler temperatures when near the top of Haleakala.
Temperatures at Haleakala are much cooler than at sea level, especially near the summit at 10,000 feet. Here's what you can expect:
Temperature Ranges
Summit (sunset viewing): 40s–50s °F
Mid-elevation stops: 50s–60s°F
Sea level (tour start / Iao Valley): 70s–80s °F
The summit is always the coldest part. While sunset is chilly, it’s still warmer than sunrise (which can dip into the low 30s °F). Most of the tour visits a mix of elevations, but you'll noticeably feel the drop in temperature as you ascend to higher altitudes.
What the tour provides: Blankets for your comfort, plus hot beverages
What to bring: A warm layer or jacket is strongly recommended
No, there is not a minimum, although children younger than 4 may not be a good fit for the standard tour since it’s a long day of driving, in addition to the altitude gain from sea level to around 10,000 feet. However, your private tour can be personalized, including to be shorter and not go as high.
The tour can provide 1 booster seat; otherwise, parties are responsible for providing and installing booster/car seats for younger children.
There are 2 common areas to watch the sunset -- at the Upper Visitor Center (around 9,700 ft) and Pu'u'ula'ula (just up the road at around 10,000 feet, usually referred to as the Summit). Often the tour chooses the visitor center area for sunset viewing because there are facilities (e.g. bathrooms), more parking, usually less congestion, and it keeps open the opportunity for any guests who want to remain in the warmer vehicle to watch the sunset. If the tour does not visit the Summit for sunset, it will instead visit the Summit outside of sunset when it is less crowded, and ultimately the timing will depend on conditions including weather and parking availability. As a private tour, your preferences will largely determine whether to visit the Summit at sunset or beforehand.
One of the primary guides is Wendy, who has lived on Maui for over 15 years, 9 of those working at Haleakala including as a Park ranger.
The tour operator has been running private customized tours for groups since 2016, and maintains 5-star ratings across major third-party review platforms.
The operator's name and phone number will be provided in your detailed confirmation email. They're among a select group of operators with National Park permits to offer guided Haleakala tours, and part of an even smaller group authorized to venture onto Park trails.