Small-Group Sunset Astronomy

Haleakala Sunset and Astronomy Tour runs through Amazing Maui Stars. Rated 5.0 across 57 reviews. Runs 5 hours 30 minutes. From $245.

Overview

Eight travellers at most ride up Haleakala with a guide, watch the sunset from near the 10,000 foot summit, then stay after dark for telescope viewing of planets, constellations and the Milky Way. The tour runs five and a half hours, starting at 16:00 from a meeting point in Makawao. It ends back at the same spot.

The guide drives the van, talks about the geology, plants, animals and history of the mountain on the way up, and hands out chairs, warm outerwear, binoculars and a telescope once on top. Hot tea, hot chocolate, coffee and gloves are provided; food is not. The operator stopped providing dinner because of the range of allergies and dietary restrictions among guests, so the current arrangement is to bring your own snacks or a boxed meal.

This suits travellers who want the sunset rather than the sunrise, plus a long stargazing session. Reviewers say the guide supplies coats, pants, gloves and hats, and that the group size keeps the night unhurried. It is less suited to wheelchair users, recent scuba divers, anyone with sinus congestion, or people with heart conditions, since part of the night is spent at altitude.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Meet in MakawaoArrive at 81 Ahuwale Pl, Makawao, for a 16:00 start. The route from Hana Highway 36 runs up Haleakala Highway 37, then left onto Makani Road and left onto Ahuwale Place; the property is third on the left.
2. Drive up the mountainThe guide drives toward the summit, talking about Maui's geological history and the plants and animals found on the volcano along the way.
3. Haleakala National ParkFour hours inside the park, admission free. Watch the sunset, then stay into darkness for telescope viewing and stargazing.
4. Return to MakawaoThe tour ends back at the meeting point, roughly five and a half hours after the start.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points shape this tour more than most, mostly because of the altitude and the timing.

• Dress for cold. It is cold at the top, and reviewers advise dressing warmly. The guide carries warm outerwear, gloves, hats and pants, plus chairs to sit on.
• Bring your own food. No dinner is included, deliberately, because of allergies and dietary restrictions among past guests. Bring a sandwich, boxed dinner or snacks, and something to drink is covered, since hot tea, hot chocolate and coffee are provided.
• Altitude cautions. Part of the tour is at night at 10,000 feet. The listing advises against it for recent scuba divers, people with sinus congestion, and anyone with heart problems or other serious medical conditions. Most travellers can participate otherwise.
• Getting there. Hotel pickup is not included, so plan the drive to the Makawao meeting point for a 16:00 start. Directions in the listing are specific: from Hana Highway 36, right onto Haleakala Highway 37, then left on Makani Road and left onto Ahuwale Place.
• Small group pace. The tour caps at eight travellers, and several reviews say the small group makes the evening feel unhurried and personal. Everyone takes turns at the telescope, and the guide answers questions throughout the drive and the stargazing.
• Photography help. One reviewer received guidance on night photography from the guide. Bring a camera if catching the night sky matters to you.

Common issues. Weather cancels this tour: high winds at the summit forced one cancellation, and the listing states the experience requires good weather, with a different date or a full refund offered when the operator calls it off. It is not wheelchair accessible, and there is no hotel pickup, so travellers must reach Makawao by 16:00. Dinner is not included.

Before You Book A Seat