Haleakala, Central Maui and Iao Valley
Maui Volcanoes Tour
Haleakala, Central Maui & Iao Valley
The island of Maui can be separated into three distinct and equally fascinating districts: Haleakala, Central Maui, and Iao Valley. Although Haleakala volcano takes up more than three quarters of the island of Maui, all three districts have their own unique features that visitors to Maui should not miss.
Like all of the volcanoes in Hawaii, Haleakala is a shield volcano, meaning that it is created by lightweight lava that is able to spread over a wider area of surface land creating a shield-like shape. This is a dormant volcano with a stunning 7-mile wide depression area at the summit inhabited only by barren lava formations called lava cones. This depression at the summit was once thought to be the location where demigod Maui caught the sun and forced it to slow its progress across the sky. Although Haleakala is still active, it has not actually erupted since the 1600’s.
Haleakala Maui Tour Details
Highlights
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Travel through Upcountry Maui Kula District
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Visit Haleakala National Park (admission included)
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See unique plants and rare birds such as the Nene goose
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Capture the vista from Pu’u Ula’ula Overlook
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See The Valley From Kalahaku Overlook
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Haleakala Visitor Center
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View the town of Wailuku
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Stop In Paniolo Town Of Makawao
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Ka’ahumanu Church
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Iao Valley State Park and `Iao Needle
Tour Description
This tour will travel through three unique parts of Maui; Haleakala National Park including the 10,000 ft elevations of Haleakala’s summit, the central plains which have been cultivated in sugar cane for more than 100 years, and the West Maui Mountains which contains Iao Valley. You will learn about the history of the island from ancient times through the last 200+ years to today. Also known as our “volcano” tour, guests will see and learn about the geology of these two volcanoes (Haleakala and the West Maui Mountains) that formed this incredible landscape some 2 million years ago!
Activity & Event Itinerary
This tour is a 10 hour day that includes 2 meal stops and other special activities as well. There are numerous stops, shops, and opportunities for pictures throughout the day.
| 6:15 – 7:15 am | Pick-up provided from South, Central & West Maui hotels. |
| 7:30 to 8:00 am | Continental Breakfast at the Dunes of Maui Lani |
| 8:30 am | Iao Valley State Park & Iao Needle (when open) |
| 9:30 am | Heritage Gardens |
| 10:00 am | Wailuku & Kahului stops |
| 11:30 am | Enter Haleakala National Park |
| 12:00 pm | Summit Area Exploration |
| 1:00 pm | Lunch in Paniolo Town of Makawao |
| 3:00 pm | Coastal towns and parks |
| 3:30 – 4:30 pm | Hotel Return |
Price & Availability
9-Hour Haleakala & Iao Valley Tour From Maui Hotels & Pier
| Adults (12yrs+) | $170.00 |
| Children (3-11 yrs) | $116.00 |
| Infants (2yrs) | FREE |
9-Hour Haleakala & Iao Valley Tour With Flights From Honolulu Airport
| Adults (12yrs+) | $543.00 |
| Children (3-11 yrs) | $506.00 |
| Infants (2yrs) | $384.00 |
Tour departs each Wednesday morning at 6:45am. Return time is expected to be 4:00pm.
Meals
A lunch stop will be made in the Paniolo town of Makawao. You will get lunch or food on your own.
In the tour vehicle there will be:
- Beverages – Cold Juice, Water & Soda
Whatʻs Included
- Round-trip transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle from your hotel
- Park entry fees for Haleakala National Park
Haleakala Maui Tour Features
Haleakalā National Park
Haleakala Volcano makes up more than 70% of Maui’s land mass. This 10,000 ft high mountain affords stunning views of Maui and four other nearby islands. As we climb in elevation through upcountry Maui we will pass through the same kinds of climate zones one would find on a trip from Mexico to Canada! However much of the plant and animal life here is found nowhere else on earth. As we travel through the upcountry farm and ranch lands and reach the summit the landscape becomes so barren that the area was actually used to train astronauts in the 1960’s for the moon landing. There will be ample opportunities to explore and photograph this stunning landscape while learning about the flora, fauna and ancient Hawaiian history and legends of this sacred mountains from your expert guides!
Central Maui & Upcountry
The central plains of Maui was the place of several ancient battlegrounds before it’s dry and dusty lands were planted in sugar cane some 140 years ago. Today it is home to Maui’s industrial, retail and shipping hub in the town of Kahului which is also home to our main airport. The last sugar cane mill to close in Hawaii was here in central Maui at Puunene in 2016. Learn about the immigrants from all over the world who came to work in the fields and how they’ve adapted to the new agricultural opportunities of today. Heading up towards the West Maui Mountains we enter the town of Wailuku which is also the seat of government for Maui County, much as it was the seat of power in ancient times. Kaahumanu Church is one of the oldest churches on the island and was visited by Queen Kaahumanu in the 1820’s. The churches iconic spire rises to the backdrop of the lush mountain slopes in the background which we will be headed to next…
