Maui
We took our time climbing the mountain by eating donuts and stopping by souvenir shops. Since there’s not much walking involved, it’s quite easy. They will take you to a spot where you can leisurely enjoy the sunset and starlit sky. The sunset sinking into the great outdoors was sparkling and very beautiful. The changing colors of the sky were also lovely. You can borrow a warm jacket and a blanket, but it gets quite cold at night, so I think it’s a good idea to prepare a little on your own as well.
ドーナツを食べたり、お土産屋さんに寄ったりして、ゆっくり山に登って行きました。ほとんど歩くことはないので、楽です。夕日・星空をゆったり鑑賞できる場所に移動してくれます。大自然の中に沈んでいく夕日は、キラキラしてとても奇麗でした。刻一刻と変わっていく空の色も素敵です。防寒ジャケットや膝掛けは貸してもらえますが、夜はかなり冷えるので自分でも多少準備をしておくと安心と思います。
No one likes being pick up at 3am for a tour, but Rory made it worth it! He was pleasant, cracking jokes, and really knew the history of Maui and Mt. Haleakala. I would highly suggest this tour to couples. Bring warm clothes, not just a sweatshirt!
Did the road to Hana tour today in Maui. We had the pleasure of getting Peaches as our tour guide. She was one of the friendliest and most knowledgeable individuals I have ever encountered. Being in the people business myself it was a breath of fresh air to find someone like her that takes pride in her job and her island. The information that she gave made the tour not just amazing for the scenery, it was very educational and personal. I would 100% recommend this tour to anyone who visits Maui and I would highly recommend Peaches! Thank you for all that you do and making this a trip to remember!
We ended up not going on this trip. The pick up was scheduled for 6:30 at a hotel we were not staying at. After 15 minutes we called the company. Oh our driver was on his way. We called again after 7. Same response and no apologies. We called and canceled . The driver didn't show up until 7:40!!! We did get our money back.
Watching the sunset—connecting it to my own life as a way of signaling the end of a day on Earth—made me want to see the best sunset after turning 60. Moreover, with the Milky Way above and a mantle convection hotspot beneath my feet, I chose Haleakalā for this unique experience. It truly is mysterious how "connections" work; I met Mr. Yamauchi, who has been guiding Haleakalā tours for 2,800 times, after moving to Maui from Washington State, where I have lived for 25 years—this seems too coincidental to be mere chance.
His passion for continuing to guide up to 3,055 times, in reference to Haleakalā's elevation of 3,055 meters, shines through in his gestures as he serves hot barley tea and when he passionately shares his life story. This was not just a tour to see the sunset and starry sky; it was something wonderful. Due to the full moon, we couldn't see the Milky Way, but Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn were all clear! Through the telescope, we could see satellites and rings, making it feel like a textbook experience (though it’s usually the other way around). I will come again during the new moon. There are still many other places I want to visit in Maui.
I am savoring a level of satisfaction that cannot be expressed in words, thanks to Mr. Yamauchi's flexible responses, Mayu's smile, and the very well-organized tour. Everything is a cosmic arrangement.
夕陽を見るー地球の1日の終わりの告げ方に自分の人生を重ねるようにみることにつながるー還暦過ぎて 最高の夕陽が見たくなった。しかも頭上に銀河系 足元にはマントル対流のホットスポット そこに自分をつなげる体験はここしかないーとハレヤカラを選んだ。やはり「縁」とは不思議なもので わたしが25年住んでいるワシントン州から13年前にマウイに来られて すでに2800回ハレヤカラツアーをガイドされている山内さんとの出会いー偶然とは思えず。
標高3055mのハレヤカラにちなんで3055回までガイドを続けるという情熱は 熱い麦茶を出してくださる仕草にもご自分の人生を熱く語るときにも溢れ出ていて 単に夕陽と星空を見るだけのツアーではない素晴らしいものでした。満月ゆえ 天の川が見えずでしたが、火星木星土星全てくっきり!望遠鏡では衛星、リングなども全て、まるで教科書のように(本来は逆ですが)楽しめ
ました。もう1回 新月のときにきます。マウイにはまだまだ他にも行きたいところが多々あるので。
山内さんの臨機応変な対応 まゆさんの笑顔 そして非常によくオーガナイズされたツ
アーにここには書き表せない満足感を味わっています。全ては 宇宙のはからい〜
I searched for a Japanese-guided tour with Sunrise Tours but couldn't find one, so I thought, "Well, anything I can see with an English guide is fine!" and decided to join this tour.
I was nervous about the reconfirmation once I arrived, but I completely replaced the instructions from Veltra on "how to reconfirm in English" with my own and managed to get through it successfully!
We were picked up at 2:20 AM and boarded a shared bus, listening to the guide talk about what I believe was the history of Hawaii as we headed to the summit. The other foreign passengers were surprisingly underdressed, but some started to bundle up as we gained altitude.
When we reached the visitor center near the summit and got off the bus, the strong wind was so intense that it felt like we could be blown away. It was hard to even catch my breath. Despite this, we made it to the viewpoint and waited there, enduring the cold and wind in the dark. Slowly, an orange light began to appear. The sun rose very gradually, coloring the clouds in a way I had never seen before. The moment the sunlight broke through, the locals began to sing. A truly sacred and majestic atmosphere filled the air. It was an emotional experience that I will never forget.
After watching the sunrise, we went to the summit and enjoyed the view from there. It was a 360-degree panorama. It wasn't the panorama of buildings seen from Tokyo's Tokyo Skytree, but a breathtaking natural panorama! I learned that the silver sword plant only blooms once every 20 years, but there were many in bloom.
It might have been better if I understood English more, but I managed to get by with a basic understanding. I definitely plan to participate again the next time I visit Maui.
サンライズツアーで日本語ガイドのツアーを探しましたが見つからず、まぁ英語ガイドでも見られるものは一緒!と思ってこのツアーに参加しました。
現地に着いてからのリコンファームからドキドキでしたが、ベルトラさんの「英語でのリコンファームの仕方」をまるまるそっくり自分に置き換えて伝え、無事にクリアできました!
早朝2:20ピックアップで混載バスに乗りガイドさんのたぶんハワイの歴史と思われる話を聞きながら山頂に向かいました。同乗の外人さんたちはびっくりするはどの薄着でしたが、高度が上がるにつれて着膨れしていく方もいました。
山頂付近のビジターセンターまで上がりバスを降りるとガイドさんもびっくりするほどの強い風で吹き飛ばされるほどでした。息を吸うのもやっとな感じです。そんな中ビューポイントまでやってきてそこで待機。じーっと寒さと風に耐えながら真っ暗な中待っているとオレンジ色の光がうっすらさしてきます。本当にゆっくりゆっくり日が昇っていき雲を染めていきます。本当に今までに見たことのない光景です。太陽の光が差した瞬間現地の方達が歌い始めます。本当に神聖な荘厳な空気があたりに満ちました。感動的な体験で一生忘れないと思います。
サンライズを見た後は山頂まで行き、そこからの展望を楽しみました。360度の大パノラマです。東京の◯◯ツリーから見る建物のパノラマでなく、自然のパノラマにも感動!高山植物の銀剣草も20年に1度しか花を咲かせないそうですがたーくさん咲いていました。
英語がもっとわかればもっとよかったかもしれないけれど、なんとなくわかる程度でも大丈夫。また今度マウイに行った時には是非参加しようと思いました。
Our driver Rory was absolutely wonderful. He was very energetic and informative. The breakfast after the sunrise was also very good with huge portion sizes.
This was one of the best tours we have ever attended. We got to see how the pineapple makes it from a small plant, and on the table. The tasting of the different pineapples in the field was wonderful, and there is no way to get the taste of a fresher pineapple than hand picked in the field, cut it and eat it in the field.
Our tour guide,Rory,was awesome. He was entertaining and knowledgeable. I felt safe with him driving(if you drive to Haleakala or The Road to Hana, you know why this one is important. Just remember it is very cold
At the summit and you will be outside in it standing in one spot for over an hour. I wasn't prepared for 25 degree wind chills in Hawaii in June.
I had the best memories.
I was worried about altitude sickness, but since I acclimatized while going up, it was not a problem at all.
Above all, Yamapi is amazing.
I'm really glad I participated in the tour.
Not only is he knowledgeable and has interesting stories, but his consideration for others is also wonderful.
Previously, I experienced the Mauna Kea sunset and stargazing on the Big Island, but this time was definitely better.
The scenery is beautiful, it's fun, and I want to recommend it to everyone.
最高の思い出ができました。
高山病の心配も、体を慣らしながらあがっていったので全く問題なく。
何よりやまぴーさん、最高です。
ほんとにツアーに参加してよかった。
知識が豊富でお話が面白いだけでなく、気遣いも素晴らしいです。
以前、ハワイ島で同じようにマウナケアサンセット&星空観察を体験済みですが、断然今回がよかったです。
景色も綺麗、楽しい、皆さんにおススメしたいです。
Thank you for participating in the stargazing tour! We will gradually ascend to 1,000 and 2,000 meters, so I don't think those who are new to high altitude will need to worry about altitude sickness.
I apologize for always chatting so much (laughs).
星空ツアー参加有難うございます!1000,2000メートルとゆっくり上がっていきますので、高山病は初めての方でも心配要らないと思います。
いつも本当に雑談が多くてご迷惑をおかけしております(笑)
We used this for our honeymoon!! It was definitely the right choice. They drove us while considering our concerns about altitude sickness, so we were totally fine!! When we arrived, we were just amazed by the scenery. My husband and I kept talking about how we definitely want to come back again someday.
新婚旅行で利用しました!!
利用して、大正解でした。
高山病を気にしながらの休憩含みつつ車を走ってくれたので、全然大丈夫でした!!
着いてみると、景色に感動するばかり。
夫婦で終わってからもまたいつか絶対いこーねとずっと話してました。
Congratulations on your wedding! I think choosing a starry sky for your honeymoon is a great decision. Next time, please be sure to take both of your parents to see the star-filled sky as well.
ご結婚おめでとうございます!ハネムーンに星空の選択は大正解だと思います。是非次回はお互いのご両親も、満天の星を見に連れていらっしゃってくださいね。
This was a once in a lifetime experience. It was truly a wonderful way to watch the sunrise. The colors of the sunrise were unlike any other I've ever seen. Rory, our host, was full of knowledge about the island and very personable.
I didn't expect there to be so many stars in the sky. Yamachan, who guided us, shared his life experiences, which really resonated with me. I felt inspired to expand my own capacity as a person and would love to visit this place again.
空にこんなに星があるとは思いませんでした。
案内をしてくださったヤマちゃんはご自分の人生経験も併せて話をしてくださったのでとても心に響きました。
自分の人間としての器を更に大きくしてまた再びここを訪れたいと思いました。
I still lack experience and am not able to speak well, but I hope that something has resonated with you. Please feel free to come back to Maui for a vacation anytime.
まだまだ自分も経験不足で上手く話が出来ていないのですが、少しでも心に何かが残って頂けたら幸いです。いつでもまたマウイに休みに来てくださいね。
After arriving on Maui, I felt anxious due to the cloudy weather with occasional rain, but as we got closer to the summit, we were greeted with a stunning starry sky! We were also able to see the sunrise clearly, which swept away my worries! It was a truly wonderful experience!
We stayed at the Maui Seaside Hotel near Kahului Airport, so our pickup was scheduled for 3:10 AM. It was helpful that it was later than in other areas. However, by 3:20 AM, no one had arrived, and I started to feel anxious. I tried calling the hotel front desk, but I couldn't get through. Just then, the pickup bus arrived, and the driver greeted us cheerfully without any sign of concern.
As mentioned in other reviews, the English-speaking guide was very energetic, mixing in jokes and creating a lively atmosphere on the bus. I regretted not understanding more English, but the guide occasionally included some Japanese, which was nice.
By the time we reached the middle of the mountain, we were already above the clouds, and the starry sky was incredibly beautiful. When the bus arrived at the parking lot, we were asked about our breakfast preferences before getting off. Since it was a tour without warm clothing provided, I brought a lot of old clothes to keep warm. I wore a windbreaker, a fleece, two sweaters, an inner layer, two pairs of leggings, pants, gloves, a hat, and a hot pack. You definitely need that much to stay warm.
We walked a little from the parking lot and waited for the sunrise. There were quite a few tourists, and many seemed to be there individually. However, I think it would be difficult for anyone not very experienced to drive on the night roads by themselves.
Needless to say, the sunrise was incredibly beautiful, but I was also impressed by the clouds and sky reflecting the morning light. After enjoying the sunrise, we returned to the bus for a break with warm coffee and pastries. We then moved the vehicle a bit to head to the summit, where we enjoyed the views and looked at high-altitude plants.
When we got back in the car, the guide started talking about the history, but I realized I had fallen fast asleep. When we arrived at the breakfast venue, a golf course, I took off all the winter clothes I had been wearing and was in short sleeves. The temperature difference was shocking.
All the tour guests gathered around a table for breakfast. We could choose from a fruit and yogurt plate, hash browns, pancakes, and more. The golf course was beautifully green and felt very pleasant. We arrived back at the hotel around 11:00 AM.
I was able to make good use of my time, and it was a very good trip!
マウイ島到着後、曇り時々雨が続いた為不安が募りましたが、山頂に近づくにつれ満点の星空!朝日もしっかりと見ることができ、不安を一掃してくれました!非常によい体験でした!
私達はカフルイ空港周辺のマウイシーサイドホテルに宿泊していたので、3:10にピックアップ予定。他の地域より遅めで助かりました。
3:20になっても迎えがこず、不安になりホテルフロントから電話をかけましたが繋がりません。そうこうしているうちにお迎えのバスが到着。悪びれる様子はなく、陽気に迎えてくれます。
他の方の口コミにもありますが、英語ガイドの方がテンション高く、冗談を交えつつ大盛り上がりのバス内。もっと英語がわかればと後悔もしますが、時々日本語も交えて絡んでくれます。
山の中腹過ぎたあたりですでに雲の上なのか、星空が見え、とても綺麗でした。
バスが駐車場に到着したら朝ごはんのリクエストを聞かれ、準備をして車を降ります。
防寒着無しのツアーでしたので、古着を沢山持って行き寒さを凌ぎます。
私は上はウィンドブレーカー、フリース、セーター2枚、インナー、下はレギンス2枚にパンツ、手袋と帽子、ホッカイロを完備。それくらいないと寒いです。
駐車場から少し歩いたところでひたすら日の出を待ちます。かなりの人数の観光客の方がいらっしゃり、個人で来てる方も沢山いるようでした。ただ相当慣れてる方でないと夜道の運転を個人でするのは難しいと思います。
言うまでもなく、朝日がとても綺麗でしたが、朝の光が映る雲や空も本当に綺麗で感激しました。
朝日を堪能後はバスに戻り、暖かいコーヒーとペストリーを頂きブレイク。少し車を移動させ頂上へいき、景色を眺めたり、高地植物をみたり。
車に戻ると歴史についてお話ししてくれるのですが、気がついたら爆睡しておりました。
朝食会場のゴルフ場に着くと、先ほどまで着ていた冬服を全て脱ぎ、半袖で姿に。気温差が激しくびっくりします。
ツアー客全員でテーブルを囲い朝ごはん。
フルーツ・ヨーグルトプレート、ハッシュドポテト、パンケーキなどから選べます。
ゴルフ場は緑が綺麗でとても気持ちよかったです。
ホテルには11;00頃到着。
時間を有効活用でき、とてもよい旅でした!
Had an awesome time on this tour. Our tour guide was Melanie . She was very informative and also quite entertaining. Also included was all we wanted to drink and a delicious lunch by a beautiful Hana Beach .Would recommend this tour to all my friends and family.
This was my second time participating. The stargazing during my first visit was half as enjoyable because it was cold, so this time I came prepared with warm clothing. However, unfortunately, it coincided with a full moon, which was disappointing. Still, I repeated the experience because I was looking forward to chatting with Mr. Yamauchi, so it was good. Every time I come, I really think about wanting to live on a Hawaiian island.
2回目の参加でした。
初参加時の星空観測が寒くて楽しさ半分でしたので、今回は用意周到の厚着で参加しました。
しかし、生憎の満月に当たってしまい残念でした。
まあ、それでも山内さんとの会話が楽しみでリピートしましたから良かったです。
いつ来ても、本当にハワイの離島に住みたいと思いますね。
Honolulu is convenient and nice, but I definitely recommend Maui. It feels like time flows slowly there, and you can live in harmony with nature. Next time, please be sure to consult the lunar calendar and come visit Maui.
ホノルルも便利で良いのですが、やはり自分はマウイ島をお勧めします。ゆっくりと時間が流れ、自然と一緒に暮らしていけるような気がします。次回は是非月齢表と相談の上、マウイに遊びに来てください。
I participated in this tour because the sunset tour I attended last time was fully booked. I brought a down coat, and it was indeed cold at the summit. The guide was English-speaking, and that was fine. You can make better use of your time compared to the sunset tour. The breakfast at the golf course was also delicious.
前回参加したサンセットツアーが満席だったので、こちらに参加しました。
ダウンコートは持参しました。やっぱり山頂は寒いです。
英語のガイドさんでしたが大丈夫でした。
サンセットツアーより時間を有効に使えます。
ゴルフ場での朝食もおいしかったです。
Tour driver was great. Sunset at the top was great. Overall enjoyed the entire experience
Although the bus driver was very knowledgeable, this trip did not meet our expectations. The young adults on the trip were anticipating a dip in one of the Seven Pools only to find they were closed as was the trail leading up to see 5 of the seven. No mention of this was made until we were driving in. We would not have taken this excursion. Also, the bus driver talked 100% of the time and coughed about 50%. Not an enjoyable day as I am now sick.
Great adventure and the kids had a good sense of what a real hike involves!!
너무 좋았어요 친절하셨구요
한국분들 여행으로도 추천합니다
1시간 반 기다렸는데 시간 잘 갔어요
따뜻한 옷 꼭 챙기시고요
감사합니다 감사합니다
The tour guide was very informative and stopped at every opportunity to take photos or show us the local markers and beauty
The tour was cancelled. We were not notified so drove from Lahaina for the tour, sat and waited for over an hour at the tour location. Finally we used the phone at one of the local businesses (Makaii Glass Creations) to call about it, only to find out the tour was cancelled. I was told we had been emailed about the cancellation but neither email addresses provided received an email and there was no message on our phone either.
Warm Aloha,
We sincerely apologize that you did not receive the message from the activity provider regarding your tour cancellation. Your credit card has been refunded in full, and please do not hesitate to contact us at anytime if there is ever anything we can do to assist you.
Mahalo Nui Loa,
VELTRA Support
The tour overall, for the ticket price, is worth it. Our family of four went on the Gold package which included lunch and it was a good value for the dollar.
On the way up you drive through beautiful rainforests and curvy roads. The driver is informative and gives a lot of good info - wish he was more interactive with the visitors.
On the way down, you go through the back side -- very bumpy and not as beautiful. This is when you realize it's a very long day. I was very thankful our driver was competent and made us feel safe as the roads were precarious in some spots.
Overall, a good day -- just very long. I do think it was better to take the tour vs drive ourselves because it would have been hard to see anything other than focusing on the road. And we learned about a lot of things we wouldn't have known otherwise. Not going to do this again though - once is enough!
Thanks to Yamapi, I created unforgettable memories for a lifetime.
To avoid putting too much strain on our bodies, we made stops at Krispy Kreme Doughnuts and Claridge while heading to the summit of Haleakalā. Since I was with my elderly parents, I was worried about the cold and altitude sickness, but there was no need for such concerns with Yamapi's tour.
The sea of clouds and the sunset, and the breathtaking starry sky I saw while lying on the ground are unforgettable. Yamapi's stories while we gazed at the stars resonated deeply with me. I held back tears as I looked at Orion. I promised my parents that we would come again together.
The sushi for dinner that we chose at the supermarket was delicious, and we even enjoyed warm tea and snacks in the car. After stargazing, we listened to music selected by Yamapi in the car, soaking in the emotions as we were driven back to the hotel. The couple who joined us on the tour were also very kind, making it a fun trip for everyone. With chairs, blankets, down jackets, knowledge, and thoughtful care, I believe Yamapi's tour is number one in Hawaii.
ヤマピーさんのおかげで一生の思い出ができました。
身体に負担がないように、クリスピークリームドーナツやクラロッジに寄りながら、
ハレアカラ山頂を目指します。
高齢の両親と一緒だったため、寒さや高山病が不安でしたが、
ヤマピーさんツアーはそんな心配不要でした。
雲海とサンセット、
そして、地面に寝転がって見た、あの満天の星空は忘れられません。
星を見ながらのヤマピーさんのお話も心に響きました。
泣きそうになるのをぐっとこらえて、
オリオン座を見ていました。
また一緒に来ようね、と両親と約束しました。
スーパーで選ばせて下さった夜ごはんのお寿司は美味しく、
車中では温かいお茶やおやつまでいただきました。
星空観測後の車中では、
ヤマピーさんセレクトの音楽を聴きながら、
感動にひたりつつ、ホテルまで送っていただきました。
一緒のツアーだったご夫婦もとてもやさしくしてくださり、
みんなでワイワイ楽しい旅でした。
椅子や毛布、ダウンジャケット、知識、気配り心配り、
ヤマピーさんのツアーはハワイNo.1だと思います。
Thank you for the wonderful comment. Life truly passes by in the blink of an eye, and when I look up at the starry sky, it feels like our time alive is just a few seconds. I look forward to seeing you again!
素敵なコメントを頂き恐縮です。人生は本当にあっという間に過ぎてしまい、あの満天の星空を見上げると生きている時間は数秒のような気がします。またお目にかかれることを楽しみにしております!
The web sites all boast of waterfall swims and swimming in rock pools. This does not happen as there is insufficient water at these locations. The rock pools were more like insect infested cess pools and there are warning signs about the dangers of swimming in them. The only swimming option is at the black sand beach where a 30 min stop was taken. I think the description needs to be altered to be more accurate.
Other than that, it was quite interesting but we were definitely ready to get off when it was finished. It is a long and tiring day.
This was excellent!! Our driver was very knowledgable about Hawaiian history as well as plants, trees and many other points of interest along the way. He knew where to stop so we could take pictures, etc. We debated doing this drive ourselves but are very glad we did this with a driver. We also liked the small amount of people which made us feel we got very personal attention. We loved the stop at the Tropical Plant nursery as well and the girl that showed us the plants, etc. was also great!! Would highly recommend this tour!!
Our tour guide was named Rory and he was fantastic. As we drove to Haleakala Rory provided us with so much Hawaiian history, it was fabulous learning and hearing so much about the culture. The sunrise that morning was spectular we were able to see Venus and Mars clearly and once the sunrise began it was just beautiful. We were also treated to a fabulous breakfast. We highly recommend this tour.
Our tour driver Gus, was awesome we had a fantastic day. The road to Hana is beautiful 617 switchback turns however, it was worth every turn. Our driver Gus stopped at beautiful waterfall, fantastic road side eateries and bought us the most wonderful banana bread we have ever tasted. We highly recommend this tour.
Our tour guide josh was extremely friendly and personable. He seemed to know everything when it came to Maui and the environment in which we were hiking. The lunch was great and you couldn't beat the scenery! Would definitely refer a friend!!!