Exploring Hawaii’s landscape is a beloved vacation activity, providing a closer look at the islands’ natural beauty for memories that will last a lifetime. If you’re looking for a firsthand experience, one of the more popular private tours is to Haleakala National Park. It features a collection of historic towns and breathtaking views along one of the world’s highest elevation gain in the shortest distance. Here are a few fun facts on the region to inform you about why it’s such a sought-after destination.

3 Facts About Haleakala National Park

1. International Reserve

Bats and seals are the only mammals native to the islands. Any others were brought in by settlers and travelers. While they adapt to their surroundings, many are highly destructive and disrupt the ecosystem by competing with or preying on the native life.

Haleakala is an essential reservation that contains more endangered species than any other national park in the United States. In 1980, the United National Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) recognized the park’s potential for preservation and established it as an International Biosphere Reserve. 74% of the park is set aside as a wilderness area, so it’s partially closed to private tours to allow local wildlife to flourish.

2. House of the Sun

The literal translation of Haleakala is “house of the sun.” The height of the summit measures 10,023 feet, which makes it an ideal location to view the sunset on a private tour. Legends say that Maui, a demigod, imprisoned the sun at this spot to prolong the daylight.

3. Space Surveillance

The Haleakala Observatory is found just past the summit on a gated road. There, scientists of the Maui Space Surveillance System track satellites and debris currently orbiting the earth. While the observatory is not open to the public, the summit has become a popular location for amateur astronomers.

If you’re interested in embarking on an adventure to Haleakala National Park, reach out to Hoaloha Jeep® Adventures in Wailuku, HI. Their private tours last anywhere from six to eight hours and accommodate parties of all sizes. Local tour guides will accompany each group and provide an insightful narration of the region. The experience ends with a sunset on the summit. Call (888) 493-4060 to book your trip, or visit their website for additional information on their Jeep tours.