Haleakala & Iao Valley Private Tour

Join us on this unforgettable Maui day trip where you will learn about the history, geology, nature, and culture on the legendary Hawaiian island as we delve into Haleakala, also known as The House of the Sun. On this tour, you will get to see Maui’s two volcanoes as well as experience the incredible diversity of the island’s landscapes – you’ll go through as many climate zones and environments as if you were to drive from Mexico to Canada! Come and experience the breathtaking beauty of Haleakala National Park before we head on to Iao Valley State Park and the famous Iao Needle for a taste of lush rainforest.

We start the day by heading straight up to the summit of Haleakala, Maui’s 10,023-ft volcano. It’s often chilly up there, between 20 and 40 degrees less than at the coastline, so don’t forget your hoodie and/or jacket!

We take our time at the summit to marvel at the amazing moonscape-like scenery, peer into the “crater,” catch sight of the Big Island’s Mauna Kea across the channel, and find the unique silversword plant. We can stop at several lookout points to get different views. If we’re lucky, we may come across a pair of resident Nene, which is the threatened native Hawaiian goose and the official state bird!

Afterward, we could go for a short forest walk to find our colorful endemic birds—if you’re a true birder though, we recommend you book our dedicated Birding tour.

We then make our way down the mountain and recommend a stop for a farm-to-table, no-host lunch at either the Ocean Vodka Cafe or the popular Cafe O Lei at the Mill House, located at the Maui Tropical Plantation. During whale season, a great alternative is the Seascape Restaurant at Ma’alaea harbor, as you can whale watch while having lunch. But ultimately, the lunch location is up to you, so let us know if you have a preference!

In the afternoon, we start our Iao Valley tour (pronounced Ee-ya-oh) and spend some time strolling at the base of towering green cliffs, see the famous Iao Needle. We may dip our toes in the fresh, cold stream, and check out the cultural gardens at Kepaniwai Park.

We offer the option of starting later in the day, so you can experience the Haleakala Sunset, in which case we would start at Iao Valley, then head to Haleakala Summit. Sunset option is available by request: please give us a call to inquire about availability.