Road to Hana Maui Tour Highlights

An Experience Like No Other

A Full Day Maui Tour

Valley Isle Excursions offers a Road to Hana Tour that takes guests through the USA’s largest tropical rain forest. A demanding 52 miles with 617 curves, and 56 one lane bridges awaits drivers of the Hana Highway, but have no fear, because when you ride with VIE it’s your turn to be the pampered tourist. And, the fun starts even before getting onto this legendary highway and into the surrounding tropical rain forest.

VIE’s Road to Hana Tour begins on the dry, sunny, south shores of the island (where most of the island’s hotels and condos are located), when we pick you up in one of our Custom Cruisers for our Hawaiian-style continental breakfast at the Clubhouse at Maui Lani Golf Course in Kahului. Then, once bellies are full with fresh Hawaiian grown coffee and fruits, locally made juices, jams, jellies and assorted breakfast pastries, we’ll begin our quest for adventure on VIE’s Road to Hana Tour!

(Please note: Although we pride ourselves on having a large pick up area, however, if you are staying upcountry you will need to make other arrangements to meet us at Maui Lani – please contact us for breakfast and departure times.)

The Road to Hana tour was wonderful… excellent Tour Guide. Glad we booked this tour.

Doug & Carol

The vistas were breathtaking, the stops were all fun and had a unique Hawaiʻian flare.

Aaron H.

We thoroughly enjoyed the day. Our first time here from Alberta and we felt we learnt more than we ever dreamt we would in one day!

Patty & Ailsa

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Take a Photographic Tour of Maui Below

Rain Forest Flora & Fauna

Hana’s rain forest is very unique, yes, even compared to all the other islands! It has always been one of the richest throughout Hawaii in terms of resources and diversity. Because of it’s incredible beauty and enormous variety of plant and animal species, it was just as prized a place to live back in ancient times as it is today.

There are many varieties of flowers and flowering trees on Maui that thrive in Maui’s 17 climate zones. Bird of Paradise, Heliconia, Hibiscus & Protea among others create an amazing color palette.

Maui’s Beautiful Waterfalls

Around nearly every corner the road to Hana reveals stunning waterfalls, cradled by a lush tropical rain forest with a surprising number of fantastic photo opportunities. So, get your camera ready!

You can learn how to photograph waterfalls before your adventure on the Hana highway. Here are some fabulous tips from our pro. He’s been professionally photographing the many waterfalls on Maui for the past 20+ years.

Note: The water levels of the falls often change rapidly due to the little known fact that the watersheds for many of the waterfalls are very small and it’s usually raining somewhere on Haleakala, so falls are flowing most of the time. Fortunately, even during a drought, many waterfalls maintain a minimum flow because they are also fed by multiple springs that come out of the mountainside. Another factor that has affected the levels is diversion. Much of the water coming off the mountain is diverted into the East Maui Irrigation Canals at several points along the highway to assist in crop irrigation. Finding the perfect waterfall is more about knowing where it rained on Haleakala in the last 6-8 hours and how that knowledge translates into what waterfalls will be affected, which is part of the extensive training our expert guides undergo. Why all of the extensive and detailed training you ask? Because, we are fully committed to making sure you have your “best day on Maui” with VIE!

Keanae Peninsula

Almost unbelievably, centuries ago Hawaiians brought soil down, by hand, from high up in the mountains to cover the jagged lava rocks and create the entire half mile long Keanae Peninsula. Their amazing display of physical labor is a testament to how revered this land is in Hawaiian culture. It’s no wonder so much history is found here!

In recent times, the peninsula is also home to some very tasty banana bread, classic Hawaiian coconut candy and to-die-for smoothies that perfectly compliments the tropical fruit options found at the stands along the road to Hana.

Maui’s Black Sand Beach

Waianapanapa State Park is the envy of every other tropical state park on Maui. Why? It boasts a beach that is unlike any other on the island of Maui. It’s a true pitch black sand beach, created by thousands of years of surf pounding repeatedly on this secluded, geologically fresh lava flow… a perfect spot for sunbathing and picture taking. Just remember to bring shoes, water and sunscreen because black sand attracts more heat than a regular beach.

Included within the state park is a blowhole, sea caves, numerous sea arches and pillars -plus caves where legends come alive. Hear these ancient stories, and others, directly from our expert Maui tour guides as you head to this fantastic location.

A Classic Picnic In Hana

Waianapanapa is one of our favorite places on the road to Hana and it’s the last stop before Hana too! There are no restaurant lines to wait in on VIE’s tour! There is no wasting of precious tour-time while waiting to be seated in restaurants, for food to be delivered or the bill to be paid. We’ve pre-arranged for a delicious lunch in order to maximize our tour time in Hana. We’ll take the weather and other factors into consideration then pick the best spot to enjoy a yummy Hawaiian BBQ lunch with all the fixin’s!
We know of a few perfect locations in the Hana area, like a tropical flower farm, to serve you a wonderful picnic lunch, in an upscale Hawaiian picnic-style presentation. (And if you’re a vegetarian, or have another diet restriction, let us know and we’ll do our best to accommodate your needs.)

Haleakala National Park at Kipahulu

The amazing and irresistible Pools at Oheo are located in the Kipahulu area within Haleakala National Park. It is a true treat to come here because you’ll get to experience it the way the ancient Hawaiians did. Really, aside from park services being put in, it hasn’t changed that much in the last 200 years.

The Oheo Gulch are representative of Hana at it’s finest and even Hawaiian royalty came here to vacation, so it must be pretty amazing, right? (currently the pools are closed to swimming due to a landslide) Not only are the pools incredible, the coastline is strikingly dramatic and you can see an authentic “hale“ (Hawaiian house), unusual trees and other plants. The park’s Rangers and our expert guides always love to share a “papa” (story) about Hana’s History. Come, let us show you Hana like no one else can!

Palapala Ho’omau Church

It is quite a statement that this most serene and hallowed ground was chosen as the final resting place of an American aviation legend, Charles Lindbergh. He loved this place and his final wish to die and be buried here on Maui was fulfilled. Because he was an aviation pioneer, he flew and traveled all over the world. He was easily one of the most well-traveled humans that ever lived. He could have been buried anywhere (and with great fanfare), but chose this amazing, peaceful place. It is so quiet and full of reverence you’ll probably feel the need to whisper. Visitors of all ages and origins flock to Lindbergh’s grave site throughout the year.

Kipahulu, where the church is located, may very well be the most remote spot on the island. It has the least population and if you’re looking for serenity, this is the spot. FYI – Be aware, if you’re driving yourself and not on the tour, because beyond this point, the road becomes rougher with every mile, until the pavement disappears almost entirely, along Maui’s backside towards Kaupo.

Maui’s Backside & Kaupo

You’ll notice that the enormous Kaupo Gap just completely towers over Maui’s windswept back side. The rough road (an understatement) keeps this area’s rugged terrain untouched, and just barely populated. Today, as it has been for almost two hundred years, under Haleakala’s rainshadow the Paniolo (Hawaiian cowboys) tend to their herds across miles of grassland, among the jagged outcroppings of Haleakala’s ancient lava flow which has long ago hardened into unforgiving volcanic rock.

The road after Kaupo turns into a beaten up, potholed mess that is barely maintained. Our custom cruisers, built for Maui’s worst roads, provide a much smoother… and safer ride. (**Please note that car rental companies usually forbid you to take their autos on this road.)