Quick Details
Adults
Ages 15 and older
$ 239
HALEAKALA SUNRISE & DOWNHILL BIKE ADVENTURE
The Sunrise Journey starts before dawn with transportation to Haleakala National Park, where guides share the volcano’s history, geology, and its rare plants and animals. After viewing the spectacular sunrise at the crater rim, you’ll receive a comprehensive safety briefing at about 6,500 feet and embark on a 26-mile guided descent through Haleakala Ranch, upcountry Kula, Makawao, pineapple fields and ending at Paia Bay Beach Park. The experience blends interpretive storytelling with an extended scenic bike ride down the slopes of the world’s largest dormant volcano.
Itinerary for the Sunrise Bike Tour
Check in times vary throughout the year depending on the time of the sunrise. A text message will confirm the exact meet time at our office the day before the tour.
These are all approximate times given traffic and guests riding abilities. Some riders are much slower than others.
CHECK-IN TIME AND LOCATION: 2:45am – 3:30am, 497 Baldwin Ave, Paia HI 96779
NARRATED RIDE TO TOP OF HALEAKALA (90 min): The van ride will start at the check-in location. And will include narration of history and focal
points such as historic churches, the historic cowboy town of Makawao, agricultural town of Kula and the upcountry area being driven through.
The ride will end at the peak point of 10,000 feet.
WATCH THE SUNRISE (30 min): See the sunrise over Maui from 10,000 foot elevation – the top of Haleakala.
NARRATED RIDE TO LAUNCH POINT (30 min): After watching the sunrise, we’ll load back up into the vans and enjoy a narrated ride down to the launch point of 6500 feet.
FIRST BIKE RIDE (20 min): After a safety briefing and gear fitting the ride begins and proceeds through the 29 switchback
turns through the beautiful bi-coastal views of Haleakala Ranch.
RIDE BACK TO LAUNCH POINT (10 min)
REPEATED BIKE RIDE (20 min): The fabulous 29 switchbacks will be repeated for a more exhilarating ride the second time.
VAN TOUR THROUGH KULA (15 min): Followed by a van tour through Kula to the town of Makawao.
EXPLORE MAKAWAO (30 min): Explore the town with either a cup of coffee or breakfast and some shopping.
FINAL BIKE RIDE (20 min): Ride bikes from Makawao down to our office on Baldwin Ave. where the tour began.
SUNRISE GALLERY
A few beautiful moments from the sunrise experience.
SEASONAL CHECK-IN TIMES
This tour is the much talked about tour where you get up early to drive up to the 10,000 foot level into Haleakala National Park to view the spectacular Sunrise. We are one of only two companies to offer this unique invigorating experience. After the check-in at our office you will board the bus with Valley Isle Excursions to begin your narrated tour up Haleakala by an experienced guide. At the top of the Haleakala you will watch the Sunrise over the crater that looks like the moon. On a clear day you can catch the view of the two mountains of the Big Island of Hawaii – Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa.
After the Sunrise you will have a van tour down the mountain through diverse ecosystems that are home to the rare Silver Sword plant only found on the slopes of Haleakala, past forest pine groves to the 6500 foot level where you will be greeted by your Maui Mountain Riders biking guides who will then give you a safety briefing, fit you with a bike and a helmet. As you proceed down the mountain riding down through Haleakala Ranch lands on your bike you will experience the amazing bi-coastal views while riding through the fabulous 29 switchback turns.
At the eucalyptus grove we will load up to head to the launch point the revisit the 29 switchback turns, it is always better the second run. The tour proceeds with a van tour through the agricultural community of Kula down to the Paniolo town of Makawao. While in Makawao there are eateries, coffee shops, and plenty of shopping in many boutiques. The tour will continues from the town of Makawao down through the pineapple fields and Rainbow shower trees to our office in Paia where the tour will commence.
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- Spectacular sunrise viewed from the rim of Haleakala crater
- Guided 26-mile downhill bike ride through diverse landscapes from summit to sea
- Interpretive commentary about Haleakala’s geology, history, and endemic species
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You can wear anything that will make you feel comfortable. However, closed-toed shoes and helmets are the only mandatory attire. Gloves, windbreakers, and windproof pants are highly recommended. Keep in mind that the temperatures in the early morning can be quite brisk and, when combined with the downhill speeds, you may find it chilly.
Jackets, sweatshirts, jeans, leggings, long-sleeved shirts, and the like are all safe options. Dressing in layers is always a good idea.
Check the weather before your tour and dress accordingly.
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You can bring a backpack with you that will be stored in the van. This will carry all the necessary items you may need and can easily store additional layers of clothing or any purchases you make along the way.
- Warm clothing for higher elevations (It is very cold at the top of Haleakala.)
- Closed-toe shoes
- Layered clothing
- Pants (no dresses or baggy pants)
- Sunglasses and/or prescription glasses
- Sunscreen
- Camera
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Aside from the fun experience and the views, there are a few things that are included in the bike tour. These include:
- Volcano Chrome Cruiser bikes that are designed with drum brakes to handle the downhill ride.
- Bell helmet
- Granola bars
- Bottled water
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Check in at 2:45 am (times vary seasonally); departure for Haleakala that pre-dawn morning. Seating is extremely limited; book early.
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- Must sign an acknowledgement of risk form
- Must view the “Leave No Trace” video prior to participation
- Must be a competent bike rider
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It is our goal to make sure that everyone has an enjoyable – and safe – experience on this sunrise bike tour. For that reason, we have certain restrictions in place for your safety. If you have any questions or concerns about the below restrictions, please feel free to contact our office at 808 877-4944.
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- Participants must be competent, experienced, and confident bike riders. They should be able to get on and off the bike safely, keep it under complete control at all times, and be able to maneuver the bike through 180-degree turns, as well as at speeds of 18-25mph.
- Riders must be a minimum of 15 years of age. Anyone under 18 years of age must be accompanied by an adult.
- Riders must not be pregnant.
- The maximum rider weight is 280lbs due to bike manufacturer limitations.
- Rider minimum height is 4′ 10” tall.
- Riders must wear closed-toed shoes only. No exceptions.
- Riders must be capable of engaging in activity at higher elevations.
- Riders cannot be taking medication that may cause drowsiness or fatigue.
- All riders must understand all risks involved in this tour, and must sign an acknowledgement of risk form.
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Seating is extremely limited and tours have limited capacity. Tour times vary seasonally. Participants should consider medication, medical conditions, recent biking experience, fear of heights, and ability to maneuver a bike through 180-degree turns. Mountain Riders may restrict participation based on safety considerations.