It was early, it was cold, it was dark and it was AMAZING.  Before visiting the beautiful island of Maui, I did a bit of research on what to see and do there and repeatedly came across sites describing sunrise on Haleakala as something not to be missed.  After experiencing it for myself, I can now affirm that Haleakala at dawn is a Maui must do!

To reach the summit of Maui’s Mount Haleakala in time for sunrise requires hitting the road by 3am. You’ll want to dress in layers and maybe even take blankets with you. Even though it’s Hawaii, temperatures can fall into the low 40’s! I learned this the hard way…my leggings and windbreaker didn’t quite cut it.

Depending on your starting location, it can take anywhere from 45 minutes to over an hour to reach the top. The drive is steep and winding and can be treacherous if you’re not fully alert. If you arrive late, you’ll have to park farther down the mountain and walk your way up, which is no fun at 4 in the morning! Luckily the Russian and I made it in time to get a good view just outside the lookout tower and waited about 1 ½ hours huddled under our towels trying to keep warm.

About 50 other people stood alongside us chatting, laughing and trying to position themselves in a spot with the best view. But as soon as the sun started to gradually peak above the clouds, the crowd grew silent and still and everyone took in the moment. It was breathtaking to see the colors change and the world slowly illuminate around us.

We stayed for about 2 hours watching the sky change and the clouds roll in. It was truly mesmerizing. As we prepared to leave, a young man came over and asked us to take a photo of him and his girlfriend…before we knew it, he dropped down to one knee and proposed! It was a beautiful ending to an unforgettable morning. If you ever find yourself in Maui, visiting the summit of Mt. Haleakala at dawn is something you simply MUST DO! Click here for more information.

What are some of your suggestions for unforgettable travel adventures? What’s on your list of things to see and do in Maui? Share your comments below!

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