Haleakala Maui Sunset Twilight Tour met diner

We took a tour thru Polynesian Adventure to see the sunset at Haleakala. We chose not to have a car on this trip so we did everything thru tour companies. Our bus was late picking us up but when I called, they gave me an update. We met another tour bus at a shopping area to switch drivers/meet other passengers. The shopping area was nice and I wish we were able to spend more time there. The driver was friendly and informative. You can take a lot of good pictures on the way from the bus. We stopped at one of the main signs for a photo op. Bring warmer clothes to put on when you get there as the temp drops. I read that it’s colder for sunrise compared to sunset. I recommend sunset for that reason and for more picture taking as the ride up to summit would be in the dark if you go for sunrise, and you are getting up really early. Also, warm clothes take up room in your suitcase. Dinner was included in the price (sandwich or salad). The driver also had warm drinks once we got there and cookies. The dinner is passed out once you get to the top of the summit – you are supposed to eat on the bus as food is not permitted in the park. I think it would have been nice if we had a different stop to eat at. Once you get to the summit you have limited time and eating felt rushed. You can go to the very top (another .5 miles by walking 2 different path choices). We chose not to do that due to feeling rushed and the altitude change can cause breathing issues. We took many great pictures without walking to the top – this was one of my favorite excursions of the trip. For the folks that drive, parking is limited and you could be turned away. Also, you will have a long drive down in the dark. It was nice having a tour driver worry about this drive. I would recommend this tour group. My main suggestions for improvement is to allow more time at the top of the summit and have a different stop to eat dinner.

Saved the best for last. This is our last excursions before heading home. Sale was an awesome tour guide. I want to come back with friends and do the tour again with him!! He was enriched with so much history which mad the trip even more memorable.

We waited over one hour for the sunset. We could have gotten there 30 minutes before sunset and spent more time at the first stop which looked very nice. Additionally, previous bus tours I’ve taken had a guide that wasn’t also the driver. I question the safety of the driver giving the tour when he should give full attention to driving. Also, the driver/guide was very nice but his English was often difficult to understand.

Our drivers were friendly and knowledgeable. It was cloudy when we got up but the clouds broke just as we were leaving so we got a nice sunset shot.

Unfortunately cloud cover so couldn’t see anything of interest no crater, sunset or anything else of interest

Our tour guide(Al Pacino) is great. He’s very knowledgeable. We have enough time to eat our dinner and enjoy the sunset. The sunset is awesome!

Great tour. Good sandwiches. The driver was knowledgeable and a good driver. If you get car sick, take precautions

The actual sunset and views were AMAZING! I would caution anyone taking this tour that it's not just a simple bus ride as you're led to believe. You get picked up at your hotel and driven part way then have to transfer to another bus. We ended up having to wait 40 minutes and the driver didn't explain so most of is stayed on the bus when we could've explored the plantation we stopped at. When we got to the top of the mountain they gave us our pre-ordered meals. We had ordered one of our sandwiches to be a certain way due to allergy issues. When we picked up the food the driver, who had the list, handed us our 5 meals. The special meal was inaccurate so that person was unable to eat it only to find out later that the driver didn't pay attention to the list. There HAD been a meal made appropriately but apparently given to someone else! Then on the way back we had to, AGAIN, transfer busses!! This driver asked if our meal had been appropriate.. If this driver was aware, why wasn't the driver who actually handed out the food!! There was a disabled person on the trip and switching on and off busses was incredibly difficult for them.

Eight hours of my life I will never get back. We get picked up from our hotel only to spend an hour on the bus searching for other guests at other hotels or locations, going to a strip mall two times to no avail. This is before getting to the transfer location for the actual tour bus. Then the drive up the mountain with the insipid driver, who knew the weather would be bad. Get to the top , no visibility. So we get our dinner which is a box with a sandwich and salad, which we are expected to eat on our laps. No bottled water, only warm tea, which the driver said was hot when he out it in board over four hours ago. Then we trek back down the mountain only to be delivered to the wrong transfer site! Adding another hour to our time on the bus. Five hundred dollars spent for a miserable day and a lousy box “dinner”. This tour is a travesty, with no redeeming quality. I would rather have stayed at my hotel in the sun than waste a whole day on a bus. “

Wonderful experience. Alfredo Al Pacino our bus driver very k firmed and very engaging!