Sunrise view from the Haleakalā summit
At one of the most beautiful spots on the island, you will never forget watching the sunrise from the summit of Maui’s Haleakalā volcano—and there’s no better way to experience it than on the Maui Sunriders Sunrise Bike Tour! In order to have the best possible experience, there are a few things you will need to know!
Dress Warmly for the Summit
Believe it or not, the Haleakalā summit gets quite cold and windy in the early morning hours. While you might not expect to bring your jacket to Hawaii, you will definitely need it in the crisp morning air 10,000 feet above sea level. Temperatures at sunrise will likely be around 40 degrees Fahrenheit. If you want to bring a warm blanket for the early morning hours, you can leave it in the tour van to pickup at the end of the downhill ride.
Although the weather can be unpredictable at this altitude, we do provide wind/rain gear as part of your Haleakalā sunrise bike tour, including jackets, gloves, and pants if you need them.
Dress in Layers
Just as you don’t want to get too cold at the summit, you also want to avoid getting too hot on the way down. Bring easily removable layers on the Haleakalā sunrise bike tour to make sure you’re comfortable every step of the way. Although you might start the day in a warm winter jacket, you will probably conclude your journey in a T-shirt and shorts! We provide backpacks for each rider, so you can store these extra layers on the way down.
Bring Some Snacks and Plenty of Water
There are many restaurants along the bike route where you can buy breakfast or lunch, but you may want to pack a few light high-energy snacks to keep you going after your early-morning start. You will also want to drink plenty of water. Although you won’t be at high-altitude for very long, hydrating with lots of water and electrolytes is an important part of avoiding potential altitude sickness.
Start your journey at 10,023 feet!
Take Your Time!
Set aside a whole day for your tour and don’t be afraid to relax! There’s no race to the bottom, and in fact, the adventure begins long before you ever mount your bike. Take your time to enjoy the serene twilight in the moments before the dawn breaks, and stick around to watch the whole sunrise. The crowds can thin soon after sunrise, and you’d be surprised at how quickly you can have the majestic summit vistas almost all to yourself! Once you get on your bike, you will have plenty of time to soak up the pure mountain air and unbelievable views. The Haleakalā bike ride is all self-paced, and you don’t have to return your equipment to the shop until 4:30 p.m.
The Bike Ride is all Downhill
Our unforgettable Haleakalā bike rides are all downhill, so they are friendly to a wide range of fitness and skill levels. Riders won’t have to do any strenuous pedaling, but you will be navigating some winding mountain roads, so we want to make sure you are very comfortable with steering and breaking. If you stay focused and don’t ride recklessly, you and your companions should be able to enjoy every minute of this leisurely ride. You are encouraged to go at your own pace, and if at any time you feel uncomfortable or need assistance, we will be happy to come help or have someone pick you up.
If you have additional questions about this, or any of our other tours, don’t hesitate to contact us. Follow these tips, and we know you’ll have an amazing Maui adventure you won’t forget!
(Sunrise photo by Dustin A. Lewis via Flickr)
(Elevation marker photo by Gabriel Amadeus via Flickr)
