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Haleakala and Best of Maui Tour

Kapalua, United States
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From $158.28

$185.02 Save $26.74

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Free cancellation
Up to 24 hours in advance.
Maui Tours
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Kid-Friendly
Likely To Sell Out
Private and Luxury
Unique Experiences
  • 9 hours 30 minutes (approx.)
  • Pickup from select hotels
  • Mobile ticket
  • Offered in: English

Overview

From the lunar summit of Haleakala Crater to the viewpoint for Iao Needle, explore the best of Central Maui on this informative, guided day tour. Hotel pickup is conveniently provided, and the tour also visits historic Wailuku—a funky, yet up-and-coming hot spot. Learn the island’s agricultural history and hear its legends and stories, and experience some of the island’s best scenery from its valleys right up to its peak.
  • Full-day trip to Haleakala, Iao Valley and central Maui
  • See a dormant volcano in Haleakala National Park
  • Enjoy scenic drives past Maui's flower farms and sugar cane farms
  • Admire the Iao Needle in Iao Valley State Park
  • Professionally narrated tour
  • Pickup and drop-off at Maui hotels

What's Included

  • Air-conditioned vehicle
  • Haleakala National Park admission
  • Pick-up and drop-off at specific Maui hotels
  • Tour narration by a professional driver/guide
  • Lunch
  • Port pickup and drop-off
  • Gratuities

Meeting And Pickup

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

Start time

06:00 AM

Pickup details

The tour times provided reflect the start and end of the tour, but not your exact pickup and drop off time. Whether or not you've provided your hotel/lodging at the time of booking, you are required to contact the tour provider no less than (2) days prior to your tour date to receive your exact pickup time and location. The tour provider will advise you of the specific area at the hotel/lodging you should wait; for example "at the front entrance." Please be there at least 5 minutes before your pickup time. If your hotel/lodging is not included on our pickup schedule, you'll be advised to meet at nearby location. Please note that we are prohibited by certain properties to pickup non-hotel guests and we do not pick-up at private properties such as AirBnB's and residential areas.

What To Expect

Your Central Maui day trip begins with a hotel pickup, where a knowledgeable, informative, and professional guide will help introduce you to the island. You’ll explore both State and National Parks while hearing the island’s history, and even get a glimpse of historic Wailuku—the County seat of government.

On the tour’s first stop, wind your way through Maui’s Upcountry before reaching Haleakala Crater—one of the island’s most dramatically scenic and popular spots to visit. This 10,000 ft. (3,007m) volcano has been dormant since 1790, and covers 33,000 acres of cinder cones and remote, tropical forest.

After descending the mountain and stopping for lunch (own expense), drive past fields of waving sugar to the famous Iao Needle, where King Kamehameha fiercely battled to place Maui under his control. A short hike leads to the viewpoint for the pointy, forested needle, which rises 1,200 feet (366m) from the valley floor against a verdant backdrop of cliffs. Later on, at the top of Wailuku, visit historic Ka’ahumanu Church—which is backed by Iao Valley—and hear the history of this picturesque church built in 1876.

On the final journey back to your hotel, drive through Wailuku past farms and fields before returning by mid-afternoon, allowing enough time to make plans for the night—if you have energy after the day tour.

Haleakala National Park

1 hour 15 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Haleakala Crater (Pass By)

Additional Info

  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
  • Please contact the tour provider at minimum of 7 days prior to the tour date for ADA and all special requests.
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Stroller accessible
  • Service animals allowed
  • Infants must sit on laps
  • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
  • No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
  • Haleakala is known for rapidly changing weather conditions and dense clouds and rain are common. As a result, clear viewing of the sunrise is not guaranteed, and the tour operates rain or shine. Refunds will be granted only when the tour is cancelled for safety reasons.
  • Iao Valley is closed until 2/15/23, additional time is spent in Makawao Town
  • The high altitude at the summit area may complicate health conditions and breathing difficulties. Elderly visitors, pregnant women, young children, and those with respiratory or heart conditions should consult their doctor prior to touring. Walk slowly and drink water to avoid dehydration. If you have gone scuba diving, you should wait at least 24 hours before going on this tour.
  • Most travelers can participate
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 24 travelers

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
  • This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
  • This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

Traveler Photos

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Traveler Tips

It is quite cool at that altitude so a good idea to take a light jacket.
There was a lunch stop, but everyone had to pay for his or her food.
Unfortunately the weather did not cooperate, and the crater at the top was completely engulfed in fog, but the trip was well worth it.
Reviews
4.0
147 reviews
Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews
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Reviews by Viator travelers.
Showing 1-10 of 147 reviews
Sales was fabulous. So...
John_R, May 2022
Sales was fabulous. So knowledgeable and humorous. He took very good care of us, assured our comfort and safety. He had to deal with a couple of glitches with transportation and managed it well. The volcano was spectacular, and the trip up to it was amazing.
Enjoyed it
Anne_H, Apr 2022
Watching clouds clear over the crater, revealing a spectacular sight. But for the most part, this tour was spent sitting on a bus. Better to do it on your own so you can hike down into the crater.
Must do tour!!
Erica_E, Mar 2022
Excellent tour! Cousin Mitch was our tour guide! He was so friendly and knowledgeable about Haleakala and Iao Valley! He gave us enough time at each stop.
Good tour, but definitely could have spent more time at Iao Valley!
Emily_B, Mar 2022
The drive to Haleakala is definitely not something I would try driving on my own. But honestly, you don’t need a tour guide for Iao Valley. You can definitely drive there yourself if you have your own car. I wish were able to spend more time at Iao Valley. It was absolutely breathtaking but it felt super rushed and I know there were more areas to explore there. We will most likely go back to Iao Valley on our own so we can get the full experience!
Very informative
Linda_K, Mar 2022
Seeing the crater and the rainforest and all of the interesting information and history cousin Mitchell provided.
Great day exploring Haleakala
Cheryl_B, Oct 2021
My husband and I enjoyed the entire day. We saw a large part of the island while going to Haleakala. The views for Iao Valley are amazing. The driver/ tour guide Mitch is one of the best!
Out of this world views.
Samantha_J, Oct 2021
We had an amazing time, the views are out of this world and the stories about the island make it that much better. Lots to see and learn. Would recommend 👌
Memorable Bus Tour
MALUISA_M, Sep 2021
We are MaLu & George. It was fascinating & memorable tour on my (MaLu) birthday on August 25, 2021 with Mitzel being friendly & well-informed guide. First we would like to use this platform to reconnect with Zylou, the 2-year old boy & his wonderful mom Jakie. Please call us at 360-606-7888. We miss them both. We were awed by the view on top of Haleakala looking down at the dormant volcano crater & the lush green beauty of Iao Valley. This experience was highlighted by allowing us to enjoy Zylou with his mom Jakie. Zylou was so fond with George that he kept on calling his name (George) in & out of the bus where all the passengers sang with Zylou. He played & cuddled with George where the mom thanked us for she had a time for herself while we took care & enjoyed with Zylou. It made our day complete.
Go for it
Traveller, Aug 2021
Very good tour. Certainly worth it. Would absolutely recommend it. Ur tour guide S’ale was fantastic
Best tour guide ever
RANDI_A, Jun 2021
We had the best guide. He was knowledgeable and made a point to know all of our names. So glad we did this!
Haleakala
Candice_F, May 2021
Punctual pick up and drop. Our guide Wayne was awesome. Lots of information! Beautiful photo opportunities! We had a great day!
From the volcano to the valley
Rita_H, Apr 2021
Our guide was the best we’ve had. So knowledgeable about history and the plants. Our tour was part of the slow startup since Covid and opening up Maui again under strict regulations - so lunch stop was not able to happen. However, extra stops made up for it and we were given opportunities to grab snacks, etc at other places. We are so glad we took this tour!
Stunning
Susanna L, Sep 2019
Haleakala is stunning and well worth a visit. It is quite cool at that altitude so a good idea to take a light jacket. I hiked from where the tour bus stopped to the summit and it gave a better view of the crater. Iao Valley was also great. This tour takes up most of the day and you really only see two attractions being Haleakala and Iao Valley but because both are so beautiful it is worth booking this tour.
False advertising! Beware!
Fabiola_F, Jan 2019
This tour is operated by Polynesian Adventure Tours. This tour was very unorganized and disappointing. Overall we felt scammed. Viator advertises this tour as 9 hours and that is incorrect it was 6 hours. There were only two thirty minute stops and an hour and a half for lunch which was at a restaurant that was not even included. First our Tour guide Michael, forgot to pick up some people at a hotel and we had to wait around until they were dropped off at our first stop. Despite this being an error on the tour company, it cut into our tour time. The voucher clearly states that if you are not at your hotel for pickup the tour company will call your cell phone. Clearly that did not happen. At the Haleakala crater, we were only allowed to stop for 30 minutes. We were not taken to the summit while other tour groups were allowed. This made some people angry because they have been on these tours before and were allowed to go to the summit. The visitor center was closed due to the government shutdown. I understand this is beyond the tour companies control but no alternatives were planned. It was very rushed.The biggest scam was lunch which is advertised as central Maui We were told to bring money for lunch because it was not included. However we were forced to dine at a restaurant, pay for our own overpriced food with lousy service, and the tip was automatically included in the bill. This was insane!! We spent more time here then the other two stops. Finally we were taken to Iao valley and again it was very rushed. Before we were able to look around we were already due back at the bus and the tour guide looked very annoyed and kept looking at his watch. I would recommend going with another tour company to see the Haleakala crater and Iao Valley. I have been on many tours in many different places and this was the most disappointing tour. The sites were gorgeous but I was too disappointed from feeling scammed. I am not rich, I save my money to enjoy these once and a lifetime experiences and Polynesian adventure tours took advantage of that.
So so Haleakala, lao Valley, and Central Maui Tour
Prabuddha_D, Jan 2019
This tour was okay, but not great. Haleakala itself was outstanding and the scenery at Iao valley was very nice, too. However, the length of the tour could have been much shorter -- transfers took a lot of time. No food or drink was provided (unlike some other tours in Maui). There was a lunch stop, but everyone had to pay for his or her food.
Excellent Tour and Guide
Jean_M, Dec 2018
This tour was enjoyable, and our guide, Judy, was fun and informative. It really cannot be called an ag tour, as we just drove through mostly fallow farmland, but the rest was as described - and the guide gave us lots of information and fun facts. Unfortunately the weather did not cooperate, and the crater at the top was completely engulfed in fog, but the trip was well worth it.
Great day tour in central Maui.
Marie-Anne F, Oct 2018
Well organized tour in small group to visit central Maui away from the beaches. Our guide was very knowledgeable and made everything possible to make the day trip enjoyable.
Perfect day in Maui
hyde9906, Sep 2018
Amazing day learning about all of the history of Maui- Mitch was excellent so was lunch at Casanova!
We really enjoyed our day on this...
Nancy_G, Feb 2018
We really enjoyed our day on this tour. Our driver told wonderful stories and was a very nice man. So glad we could leave the driving to someone else while we enjoyed the view. The remaining comments are only for the company and I do not want to include in the review. We called the local phone number the day before our trip and were told that we would be picked up at our hotel at 6:30 rather than 600AM. But there must have been an automated phone system that left 1 message on our answering machine in Maui and 2 messages on our home phone machine in Seattle that our driver was waiting for us and was needing to leave without us. I find that a bit annoying that your system isn't in touch better with your local people. thanks
Our tour guide was informative! She...
Floresma S, Jan 2018
Our tour guide was informative! She made our trip enjoyable.
...

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