Quick Details
Adult
Ages 16+
$ 250
Children
Ages 15 & Under
$ 235
Tour Haleakala National Park and a Sunset Picnic – Stay for Stargazing
Join Maui Stargazing for an extensive tour of Haleakala National Park followed by a stunning sunset picnic at a scenic overlook followed by a science-based, 60-minute guided telescope tour of the cosmos. Weather permitting, we observe the most deep-sky objects of any astronomy tour through the largest portable telescope on Haleakala. See the visible planets and deep-sky objects of the Milky Way, including nebulae, star clusters – and the galaxies beyond – through a 12-inch aperture Dobsonian telescope. Stay warm in our winter jackets and snowboard pants in children’s sizes on up to adult XXXXL.
Your Guided Tour of Haleakala National Park Includes
- Extensive tour of Haleakala National Park
- Stops at trailheads, overlooks, summit and visitor centers
- Expert astronomer
- Guided survey of the constellations
- Largest portable telescope on Haleakala
- 60 to 90 minutes of telescope time
- See the best views of deep-space objects in the field setting
- Winter jackets, fleece hats and gloves
- Insulated snow pants in your size
- Family-friendly observing site with restrooms and paved surfaces
- Your guide will send a text message the morning of your tour with the meeting details. Park and board our Mercedes Sprinter for your excursion
- Meeting location: Kula Marketplace, 15200 Haleakala Highway, Kula, HI 96790
Tour Tips
Guests bring their own picnic dinner and beverages. Space is limited so no coolers or ice cubes please. Purchase picnic items at any point along the route to the meeting point – sandwich shop or super market deli – or call ahead by 1:30 p.m. to the Kula Marketplace to order and have your picnic ready when you arrive. (808) 878-2135.
- Dress as warmly as possible with closed shoes or boots with thick socks, long pants, and a long sleeve shirt, fleece hoodie or sweatshirt. Maui Stargazing supplies winter outerwear, including snowboarding pants, heavy winter coats, hats and gloves, but you still need the layers described above.
- Bring water, and optional: sunglasses, sunscreen, wide brim hat, camera, and a tripod.
- Wear your contact lenses or prescription glasses for distance for telescope observing.
- Guests who are prone to motion sickness, please hydrate and consider taking an over-the-counter, non-drowsy motion sickness remedy and using pressure point wrist bands
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Kula Marketplace
15200 Haleakala Highway, Kula HI 96790
You will find your astronomer parked on the highway parking lot above the marketplace.
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- If Maui Stargazing cancels a tour due to inclement weather, guests may receive a full refund or reschedule to another night.
- Maui Stargazing does not control the weather and forecasts are not always accurate so not all tours are conducted under perfectly clear skies.
- In most cases conditions allow telescope observing, so our policy is to proceed with tours unless we are certain of poor conditions.
- It’s not possible to predict the extent of cloud cover with 100% accuracy and we cannot guarantee clear skies.
- If clouds prevent stargazing you’ll receive a 25% refund.
- We look forward to showing you all the wonders of the night sky over Haleakala through the largest portable telescope on Maui!
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No scuba diving within 24 hours before your tour date to avoid decompression sickness. (It’s okay to snorkel/swim).
This is a no smoking tour. If you smoke cigarettes and cannot go 6 hours without, please wear a patch. Cigarette smoke is offensive to non smokers and it can trigger asthma.
This tour takes place at high elevation, under darkness and on uneven surfaces, so it is not recommended for those with chronic conditions, respiratory, circulatory and cardiac conditions, those with mobility impairments, or people in poor health. Maui Stargazing tours may not be appropriate for those with pacemakers, walkers, wheel chairs or oxygen tanks. Please consult their physician and call Maui Stargazing before booking if you have questions.
All activities are at your own risk. No liability, expressed or implied, rests with Maui Stargazing LLC or its officers.
Minimum age for this tour is 4 years or 40 pounds. Parents of children weighing 40-85 pounds and under 4’9” need to bring a booster seat according to Hawaii State law.
Maui Stargazing utilizes the largest portable telescope on Haleakala, a 12” Orion truss tube Dobsonian, which offers the best views in the field setting. The objects will not appear as they do in the Hubble Space Telescope or photographs.
Haleakala Observatories are off limits to the public and not included in this tour.
If you need to cancel, notify Maui Stargazing via email at [email protected] ASAP so others may reserve their spot on the tour.
No refunds for no shows or cancellations within 72 hours of check in time.
Changes to reservations are not permitted within 72 hours prior to the tour.
Maui Stargazing LLC reserves the right to cancel or reschedule a tour at the discretion of the management.
Observing locations and equipment can be subject to change based on field conditions.
For your safety please remove shoes and be seated while putting on and taking off snow pants.By purchasing this sunset and stargazing tour you agree to these terms.
Aloha! We look forward to meeting you!