Maui Sunset & Stargazing at Haleakala

Experience Maui’s sunset and stargazing at Haleakala with Shaka Guide. Enjoy GPS-guided tours, Hawaiian legends, and freedom to explore. Download now!

Duration: 5 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Pukalani - Make a quick stop here for some snacks and water. There is no food once you’re in the park.
  • Makawao - Just before Haleakala is a charming little town named Makawao.

Makawao is dubbed the biggest little town in Upcountry Maui and has its roots in the cattle industry.

In recent years, Makawao has evolved into a charming art town where you will find galleries and workshops of local artists, many with hawaii-inspired themes, as well as lots of tasty local food.

  • Hosmer’s Grove - Hosmer Grove is located just outside the national park entrance at an elevation of 6,800 feet.

Here you will see trees from all around the world, including:

juniper and fir from North America
cedar and seigi pine from Japan and
eucalyptus trees from Australia
This is a short, relaxing, half-mile loop trail. It’s a great spot to stop and breathe in the fresh air from all the foliage around you.

It’s also a completely different landscape from the ones you’ll see later in the tour.

  • Halemauu Trail - This 8-mile trek is actually rated hard, but we suggest you just hike the first mile, then turn around the way you came.

You’ll still get a great view of a crater rim in the condensed version and you’ll have more time for the rest of the activities on this tour!

  • Leleuvia Island - Head in the clouds? It will be at this overlook. Most visitors pass up Leleiwi Overlook but in our opinion, it’s actually one the best on the mountain!

At the lookout, watch as clouds roll by. In one moment, the fog will be so dense you can barely see the terrain around you, in the next, it will clear giving you a panoramic view of the crater. It’s truly a sight to behold!

  • Kalahaku Overlook - At this overlook, you’ll see the crater floor from a completely different perspective. It’s definitely worth a stop!
  • Pā Ka’oao Trailhead - This mini hike starts at the visitor center and takes you to an overlook with a great view of the crater.

The walk is just .5 miles, and it’s well worth it. If you’re thinking to yourself, “another overlook?” Yes, but we promise – this one has great views!

Pro tip! The nearby visitor center is a great spot to use the restroom.

  • Sliding Sands Trail - As you make your way back from the summit, you can return to the visitor center parking lot to hike Sliding Sands Trail.

It is a rigorous 11-mile hike, but we recommend you just hike to the first switchback or until you get tired.

You don’t need to travel far to see the expansive view of the massive crater open up before you!

When you are ready to return, just retrace your steps back the same way you came.

If you plan on doing the whole hike, or a large portion of it, remember to bring water.

The area isn’t shaded and you’ll be walking for a long time.

  • Pu’u Ola’ Cinder Cone Trail( Earthquake Hill or Red Hill) - About a minute past the visitor center at the end of the road, you’ll find an overlook called Pu‘u‘ula‘ula or Red Hill.

This is the actual summit of Mount Haleakala at 10,023 feet above sea level.

From here, you can watch as the sun sets for the night into the arid, mars-like landscape of Haleakala.

  • Alii Kula Lavender - Ali’i Kula Lavender is a serene farm located on the slopes of Haleakalā in Maui. It offers breathtaking views and an array of lavender products. Visitors can enjoy guided tours, walking through vibrant fields, and participating in unique workshops while soaking in the peaceful, aromatic atmosphere.
  • Kula Botanical Garden - Kula Botanical Garden, nestled on Maui’s slopes, is an enchanting haven featuring diverse plant species, vibrant floral displays, and exotic orchids. Wander through beautifully landscaped grounds, serene waterfalls, and picturesque koi ponds. This family-owned garden offers a tranquil retreat, showcasing Maui’s rich horticultural heritage and natural beauty.
  • Surfing Goat Dairy - Surfing Goat Dairy, located in Maui’s Upcountry, is a charming farm known for its award-winning goat cheese. Visitors can tour the dairy, meet playful goats, and learn about the cheese-making process. The farm offers cheese tastings, delightful products, and a unique glimpse into sustainable farming practices on the island.
  • MauiWine - MauiWine, situated in the historic Ulupalakua Ranch, is a premier destination for wine enthusiasts. Known for its distinctive pineapple wines and traditional grape varietals, the winery offers guided tastings, tours of the scenic vineyards, and insights into the winemaking process. Enjoy a relaxing experience amidst Maui’s lush landscapes and rich history.
What's Included
  • Take the tour when you want
  • Tours NEVER expire
  • Freedom to explore at your own pace
  • Tour Start is Customizable
  • Offline map (no wifi or data needed)
  • Tour highlights with activity and restaurant recommendations
  • Turn-by-turn directions using GPS
  • Hours of audio narration with stories, travel tips and music
  • Audio narration that plays automatically as you drive
What's Not Included
  • Meals & Refreshment
  • Entrance Fees
Additional Information

Come for the sunset, stay for the stargazing. You’ll be walking on sunshine until the stars come out. Then, you’ll bear witness to some of the best astronomical observation in the world. Along the way, you’ll learn about the park’s legends and Hawaiian history.

This audio tour uses GPS to give you turn-by-turn directions to the best spots in the park. With Shaka Guide, you have the freedom to explore on your own terms – visit the places you want and skips the ones you don’t.

Shaka Guide is the #1-rated app for Maui with over 13K reviews on the App Store and Google Play Store!

✅ Tours never expire.
✅ Tour work offline. No data needed.
✅ Reliable GPS directions.
✅ A guided tour for a fraction of the price.
✅ Save time planning! We’ve done the work for you.
✅ Your vacation, your terms — freedom to stop and go as you please.
✅ The #1-rated travel app for Maui.
✅ Listen to interesting stories and Hawaiian music!

Download the Shaka Guide app to access your purchased tours.

  • Get Started Easily: • Book Your Tour: Receive a confirmation and easy instructions via email. • Download the App: Follow the simple steps in your email. • Redeem the Tour: Use the redeem code in your email to redeem the tour in the app. • Prepare Ahead: Download the tour using strong Wi-Fi.
  • Begin Your Journey: • Select Your Tour: Go to the My Stuff tab in the Shaka Guide app to launch the tour. • Start the Tour: Select the tour starting point and follow the GPS instructions. • Follow Shaka Guide: Stick to the suggested route and speed for the best experience.
  • Why Choose Our Audio Tour: • Cost-Efficient: One tour for the entire vehicle—no per-person fees! • Ultimate Flexibility: Start, pause, and resume on your schedule. • Convenience: Use the tour any day, over multiple days if needed.
  • Top Features: • Hands-Free: The tour works automatically - GPS-activated stories, directions, and music play as you drive for a seamless experience. • Works Offline: No need for continuous wifi or data. • Reliable Support: Get help via call, chat, or email.
  • Private and Personalized: • Crowd-Free: Enjoy a private tour with just your group. • Customizable Stops: Pick the stops you want and skip the ones you don’t!
  • The Ultimate Guided Tour: • Detailed Itinerary: Includes travel tips and recommendations. • Engaging Narration: Captivating stories and history.
  • What Our Users Say: • “A fantastic way to explore! Easy to use and very informative.” • “Loved the flexibility to stop and go as we pleased. Highly recommend!”
Location
Kahului
Departure Point: Start the tour in Kahului (near airport) Dates: See Availability
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
3.3
(7 Ratings)
5 stars
4 stars
3 stars
2 stars
1 star
Quentin
Aug 26, 2022
Great narration, great information - Worth the money for the information provided. Ours kids 15 and 8 enjoyed listening and learning as well.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Brenleclair
May 24, 2022
Worthwhile - These audio tours are a great way to see the sights at your own pace without getting lost and wasting time. **note: to redeem this purchase in the Shaka Guide app you have to open the “before you go” section in your booking to get the code and instructions for the download. Do NOT pay again in the app. However the tours seem to be $5 cheaper if you purchase directly through the Shaka Guide app
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Chanyu1
May 16, 2021
Good Narrative Tour Audio - This is a good and inexpensive way to do the Haleakala sunset tour with audio narrative of things to see along the way to the mountain top. Good value for the price. A quick tip: this app burns through your phone battery fast so having a car phone cable is a must or else your phone battery will run out of juice pretty quick...
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Diane_m
Mar 19, 2022
Great scenery. Bad audio - Frustrating as the audio kept cutting in and out Beautiful scenery once we got to the top though Wouldn’t recommend the cost of the driving tour
Review provided by Viator
Tammydiane_g
Apr 1, 2021
None - Was told the wrong information and almost didn’t get in the park the ranger was so nice he let us in anyway
Review provided by Viator
370jast
Mar 30, 2021
Shaka Maui - Someone can correct me if I didn’t do it right but I paid 15 dollars here and then was told(via email) to download an app were I still had to pay for the tours. I feel scammed but I would give the actual tour app Shaka Maui 5 stars. The app itself is great. Just download SHAKA MAUI and get your tour because it was AMAZING and the timing was perfect. But paying to be told to download an app where I have to pay additional was really messed. I got scammed on my birthday and yes it was for an extra 15 dollars but it left a bad feeling. Also be careful on the road to Hana! It was soooo beautiful and worth it a hundred times over.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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September 2024
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