Haleakala Sunrise or Sunset - Which is Best?

Going to the summit of Haleakala, Maui’s largest volcano, is one of the most popular things to do in Maui. The cinder landscape of this active Volcano  (just kidding its dormant) with its unique wildlife is truly a sight to behold. But when should you go? Many travel early in the morning to see the Haleakala sunrise. Others wait to travel in Upcountry to the Summit area in the evening to see the sunset. Which is better? Both are truly amazing sights, but here are a few points to consider.

Haleakala sunrise. Viewing the sunrise from the Summit offers you the chance to see and do a great many different things you might not get to do if you went there in the evening. For instance, on our Haleakala sunrise bike tour, not only do you get the chance to see the incredible sunrise and the landscape of Haleakala Crater, but you can also see more of Upcountry Maui up close as you bike down all the way to sea level. On this bike tour – from the mountain to the sea – you’ll see a variety of different wildlife and picturesque countryside landscapes that stretch out to the ocean; you can stop to eat at a restaurant nestled on the slopes of Haleakala; or you can spend a while in one of the charming small towns along the way to shop, eat, or browse one of their numerous art galleries. The Haleakala sunrise bike tour offers a unique opportunity to see a side of Maui many tourists never see – all while seeing the gorgeous Haleakala sunrise first!

A lot of visitors to Maui are jetlagged the first few days they are here. So why not take advantage of automatically waking up early and check out the unforgettable Haleakala sunrise. If you’re at the Summit a little before sunrise, you can also see the amazingly clear sky filled with stars. Then you really have a chance to see and do everything – stargaze, see the sunrise, and experience biking down Upcountry!

Watching the Haleakala sunrise, seeing the explosion of colors as the sun rises above the clouds at 10,023 feet above sea level, is truly awe-inspiring.

Haleakala sunset. Of course, the main perk to waiting until the evening to venture up Haleakala is that you can sleep later. This may be the ideal to some. However, if you do experience jetlag on your trip, you may want to wait until the end of your Maui vacation when you get adjusted to the time.

The sunset on the peak of Haleakala is also a gorgeous sight. Many like to visit Haleakala at night not only to view the picture-perfect sunset but also to afterward see the night painted with bright twinkling stars.

“Temperatures immediately before dawn and immediately after dusk are regularly below freezing,” the Haleakala National Park Service warns, so both sunset and sunset will be pretty cold, and you’ll thus need to dress pretty warm.

Overall, many visitors will say that the Haleakala sunrise is hands-down the best of the two to see. Being above the clouds when the sun rises over the mountain is awe-inspiriing. But the convenience of not getting up early may appeal more to some. If you have the chance while in Maui, you should see both of these amazing natural phenomenon.

(First photo by Courtney Collison via Flickr)

(Second photo by Divya Thakur via Flickr)

Must See On The Maui Volcano Tour: Makawao Town

 

You can see so many things on the Maui volcano tour, many things that you might not otherwise have seen during your vacation in Maui. This downhill bike tour through Upcountry Maui offers a chance to see this unique part of Maui up close. Of course you can drive through Upcountry, but that’s like taking a boat when you could go surfing! You’ll get to “experience” the adventure that is Upcountry and Haleakala when you take the Maui volcano bike tour.


Although on our self-paced Maui volcano bike tours, you can stop as you want along the way, there are a few major stops that everyone should take on their volcano tour. One of these stops is Makawao Town. The little town of Makawao is the heart of what’s known as “Paniolo Country.” One of the last paniolo or Hawaiian cowboy towns in Hawaii, Makawao has its own unique atmosphere and feel. As the “biggest little town” in Upcountry, “Makawao has one foot in its plantation past and another in its thriving arts community,” the Hawaii Tourism Authority noted. Yes, Makawao is a little bit of the old mixed with the new, and this is what makes Makawao one of the must-see stops along the Maui volcano tour.

Makawao is where the paniolo still roam and rodeos are still a major part of life and the culture of Upcountry. Held every year on the Fourth of July, the Makawao Rodeo is Hawaii’s largest paniolo competition with all the traditional rodeo events like calf roping, bronco riding, and barrel racing as well as a parade through Makawao. Paniolo is still such a large part of the town’s life and heritage that you just might see a cowboy riding through town on horseback.

This eclectic town is jam-packed with charming boutiques and art galleries, all with an authentic, not so touristy feel, but more of a ‘this-is-life-in-a-small-Upcountry-town’ vibe. Once named one of the top 25 arts destinations in the United States, Makawao is home to many working artists. From watching glassblowing at Hot Island Glass to shopping for Polynesian jewelry, clothing, and home accessories to browsing numerous fine arts galleries and wood sculptor shops, Makawao offers a world of diversity in its shopping.

An array of restaurants also calls Makawao home, including the well-known T. Komoda Store & Bakery. This small bakery that has been a local tradition since 1916 is legendary for its pastries including its cream puffs and donuts on a stick. And as Mitchell commented on Yelp: “The best way to hit this spot is to take the Maui Sunriders sunrise bike tour. It is a great stop with 7 miles left to go in a 26-mile downhill mountain bike bomb. . . It looks like a bodega/convenience store, but the secret (well not that much of a secret) is that they make the most amazing fresh bread and donuts.”

So don’t miss Makawao Town on your Maui volcano tour! This eclectic little paniolo town has a lot of character and a cool story to tell.


(First Photo by “Allie_Caulfield“)
(Rodeo photo by “Travis“)
(Gecko Trading Co. Photo by “Allie_Caulfield“)
(Fourth photo by PV Photography)
(Komoda Store Photo by “Too Tall Paul“)

Maui Downhill Bike Ride and Other Top Maui Activities

Maui boast a wonderland of activities. From sea and land excursions to even air tours, Maui is certainly  the place to go if you love adventure.

One of our favorite activities of course is the Maui downhill bike ride. Offering much excitement, but not too much, this bike tour is something almost everyone can do – you just need to know how to ride a bike. Starting with a tour of the Summit of Haleakala (and the Haleakala sunrise if you opt for that bike tour) as well as Haleakala Crater, our Maui downhill bike ride is an exciting land excursion with so many things to see along the way. The numerous towns, restaurants, and fruit stands along the route offer a variety of places to explore and enjoy an afternoon of sightseeing. Because our Maui downhill bike ride is self-paced, guests can ride at their leisure, not at the pace of the tour guide or the fastest biker. You can stop and go along the bike route as you like and really take in all the beautiful scenery of Upcountry Maui. This bike tour offers a relaxing and invigorating way to explore a side of Maui that many tourists never see.

Sea excursions are also a highlight in Maui. You can ride on sailing catamarans and enjoy an elegant sunset dinner cruise or take a snorkeling tour around Molokini. Snorkeling is a great water activity for a variety of ages and skill levels. Always a favorite, whale watching tours offer an opportunity to see the majestic humpback whales up close. The Pacific Whale Foundation offers a nice whale watching tour from both the Lahaina and Maalaea harbors. For a little more adventure, you can take a kayak tour, scuba diving tour, or go deep sea fishing.

Although more expensive, air tours of Maui provide guests with a gorgeous view of the island and certainly an unforgettable experience. There are a number of helicopter tour companies offering air tours of Haleakala Crater, the Hana rainforests and waterfalls, the West Maui Mountains, Molokini, and East Maui. You can also book a private helicopter charter for a real luxurious experience.

And besides the Maui downhill bike ride, there are a number of other Maui land tours you can try. Drive along the winding Hana Highway where you can stop to see gorgeous waterfalls and hike along the bamboo rainforest. Along this driving route, you can also stop to see the Oheo Gulch or “Seven Sacred Pools” in the Kipahulu district of Haleakala National Park. There are also numerous hiking trails in this area such as Pipiwai Trail and Kahakai Trail.

If you would prefer not to drive the winding Road to Hana yourself, there are also numerous van tours available to take you to all the scenic stops along the way.

The beautiful Valley Isle is the ideal place to vacation and explore. We invite you to take our Maui downhill bike tour with exciting views of Haleakala and Upcountry Maui. You won’t be disappointed!


(First two photos by PV Photography)