4.8★ from 3,400+ reviews on TripAdvisor
HALEAKALA SUMMIT DRIVE AT SUNSET
Driving Tour, Culture & History
Journey from your hotel through the hills of Upcountry Maui to the summit of Haleakalā for a breathtaking sunset above the clouds, with dinner, storytelling, and scenic stops along the way.
$226
Maui
Hotel Pickup
“This was one of the highlights of our trip. Our guide was amazing and the sunset view above the clouds was breathtaking.”
Verified Review
This 7.5-hour small-group tour begins with hotel pickup and an unhurried drive through the rolling landscapes of Upcountry Maui. Along the way, you'll enjoy a takeout dinner from Kula Bistro, cultural insights from your expert guide, and a rest stop at the Haleakalā Ranger Station before reaching the 9,740-foot summit. There, you'll witness an unforgettable sunset from above the cloudline—an experience marked by silence, awe, and dramatic shifts in color and temperature. With round-trip transportation and rich narration included, this tour offers more than a sunset; it’s a full-scope passage through Maui’s changing light, land, and sky.
GUEST REQUIREMENTS
For all ages, group size limited to 18 guests.
ACTIVITY LEVEL
Light walking at high elevation.
WHAT TO BRING
Warm layered clothing (it can be very cold at the summit)
CANCELLATION POLICY
Changes or cancellations must be made 48 hours prior.
WHAT GUESTS ARE SAYING
4.8★ from 3,400+ reviews on TripAdvisor
Guests love how easy and memorable this tour is — a hassle-free way to reach Haleakala’s summit without the 3 AM sunrise wake-up. Reviews praise the friendly guides, who share Hawaiian history and geology in a way that feels personal and real. Many mention the sheer beauty of the sunset and how cozy it feels to be handed a warm “to go” dinner from a local bistro. Even when the weather’s wild, people say the journey through misty forests and moon-like lava fields makes it unforgettable.
A sensational solar experience and incredible panoramic views from atop Haleakala at 9,740 feet elevation. Marvel at the show of dazzling light and breathtaking colors.
Tour Highlights:
- Hotel pickup in a mini coach with large windows for viewing Haleakala’s landscape.
- "To Go" Dinner from Kula Bistro
- Haleakala National Park surrounds the world’s largest dormant volcano, spanning more than 30,000 acres. Haleakala was formed approximately 1 million years ago through the building up of layers of flowing lava and has been a sacred location for Polynesian people who settled on the island 400-650 A.D. It remains sacred to the Hawaiian people to this day. Pass ancient sacred locations, and witness breathtaking views from the safety and comfort of your vehicle.
Silversword plants, found only at Haleakala, and the rare Nene Goose may be seen as you ascend the volcano.
- Haleakala Visitor Center, situated in a rustic stone structure constructed in the 1930’s on the edge of a cliff.
- “Ascend to the Heavens” as you gently glide through the changes in topography, weather, and scenery accompany elevation changes, as we drive thru kula in the Upcountry region maui comes into focus.
Details:
- Dress warmly (important). The temperature can be as low as around 20 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Kindly note that this tour is not recommended for guests with heart or respiratory conditions that may be exacerbated due to high altitude.
- People who have gone scuba diving should wait 72 hours before going on this tour.
This tour is operated on rough, winding roads. It is not recommended for pregnant women or those with back or motion problems.Polynesian Adventure Activities has been guiding guests across the Hawaiian Islands for over 40 years, weaving stories of island culture and history into every mile traveled. On this Haleakala Sunset Tour, you’ll ride in a comfortable mini coach with panoramic windows, listening as your guide shares legends of the “House of the Sun.” From the rolling hills of Upcountry Maui to the volcanic summit nearly 10,000 feet up, Polynesian Adventure Activities turns a simple drive into an unfolding tale — complete with rare plants, sweeping views, and a sunset show you won’t soon forget.
Hotel pick-up is provided from major Maui hotels. Enter the name of your hotel at time of reservation. Phone our Reservations Department at 808-877-4242, 24 hours prior to the tour to re-confirm your pick up time and place.
48 HOURS NOTICE OF CANCELLATION, prior to tour departure is required for full refund; no-shows will incur a full charge. Maui Haleakala Sunrise tours require 72 hours advance notice. One Day Tours and One Day Tours with Helicopter – a full refund if cancellation notice is received up to 168 hours prior to the airport meeting time. If the tour is rebooked, there are no cancellations or refunds. Refunds or partial refunds for tours, activities, flights, or venues that are cancelled due to reasons outside of our control (weather, force majeure, etc.) will not be honored. Inter-island airline flight schedules are subject to change by the carrier and may be unavailable at the current tour price. For an additional fee, alternate flights may be an option but are dependent on availability and additional fees must be paid in full at the time of booking by the guest and are non-commissionable and non-refundable. Refunds for extenuating circumstances are not guaranteed and will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. A valid doctor’s note submitted within 5 days will be required for each guest requesting a refund due to illness. Some tours require a minimum number of participants to operate; affected guests will be refunded or may rebook to a similar tour/product based on availability which may be subject to additional cost.
No refunds if Haleakala sunset is not visible due to inclement weather conditions.
FOLIO TRAVELOGUE
Haleakalā Sunset Tour: Scenic Drive, Summit Views, and a Journey Through Upcountry Maui
If you’re not a morning person, skip the 3 a.m. sunrise tour and opt instead for this golden-hour alternative—the Haleakalā Sunset Tour. Starting with hotel pickup in the afternoon, this small-group experience leads you on a scenic drive through Upcountry Maui en route to Haleakalā National Park. You’ll wind past farmland, eucalyptus groves, and old ranch country, all bathed in the soft light of the day’s end. The journey is slow by design—a chance to breathe, settle in, and shift into a different rhythm.
You’ll stop for a boxed dinner from Kula Bistro, eaten en route or at a scenic overlook, while your guide shares stories of volcanic origins, ancient Hawaiian traditions, and the rare silversword plants found only on Haleakalā. A rest break at the 7,000-foot ranger station helps you adjust to the altitude before the final push to the summit.
"The road to Haleakalā is long—but the view from the summit at sunset is unforgettable."
At nearly 10,000 feet, the summit of Haleakalā offers views unlike anywhere else in Maui. As the sun sets, the sky turns into a slow-burning canvas—layers of rose, tangerine, and violet stretch across the horizon while the crater below glows in shadow and light. It’s cold. It’s silent. And it feels, somehow, like the world has paused just long enough for you to take it all in.
By the time the stars begin to show and your coach descends back toward sea level, you'll realize this tour wasn’t just about the sunset. It was about the journey—the vastness of the landscape, the hush of high elevation, and the stories that ground you to the land.
