Visit Haleakala Crater, Iao Valley and Other Interesting Stops in Maui

The breathtaking views and landscapes of Maui make road trips and guided tours popular activities among its visitors.  It’s a requirement in almost every itinerary and, if you ask me, so should yours!  Whether you do a self-drive tour or join a guided tour, allot at least 2 days to see nature’s stunning attractions like the famous Road to Hana, Haleakala Crater, and Iao Valley.  To experience both kinds of excursions, we did a self-drive tour for Road to Hana (I’ll post about this later on) and joined one of the guided tours of Valley Isle Excursions to visit Haleakala Crater, Iao Valley and other interesting stops in Maui.

Get ahead of the crowd and start the tour early  

We were picked up from our hotel around 7 am.  We headed to the beautiful Maui Lani Golf Course Clubhouse for the complimentary breakfast.  It gave us enough time to skip the crowd for our next stops.

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Stop #1:  Haleakala Summit Area and National Park

As we drove higher and higher onto the mountain, the weather worsened.  A thick fog covered the surroundings which led to minimal road visibility.  During those times, Mr. C and I were glad that we were in a guided tour because it was difficult to drive through the fog and the steep, winding roads.  You have to be very careful and it helps if you have some knowledge on the mountain roads.

It took us a while to reach the Haleakala National Park.  We were looking forward to seeing the famous Haleakala Crater but I would be lying if I said that our visit was a success because it wasn’t.  Due to the bad weather, it was impossible to see anything through the thick fog.

Our tour guide brought us next to the Haleakala Summit Area in the hopes of getting a better chance in seeing the volcanic landscape.  We had to climb a set of stairs which was more difficult than we thought.  The freezing temperature was almost unbearable, so despite being reminded by our tour guide to climb slowly, Mr. C and I ran towards the indoor viewing deck.  By the time we reached the top, we had difficulty catching our breath!  The air was so thin due to the elevation.  Sad to say, the view was still the same, but it was a great experience reaching the Haleakala Summit.  We were at 10,023 feet above sea level!

We also went to several lookout areas but all of them were covered by the fog.  This would have been our view though if the weather was good!  If only we had more days in Maui, we would have returned to Haleakala.

Our visit to the Haleakala Summit Area and National Park might not have gone as we hoped it would be but we were surprised and fascinated to see some icicles that had already formed.  Icicles in Maui, Hawaii!

We also found several Hawaiian Silverswords, a rare and endangered plant that could only be found in certain areas like Haleakala.

Tips for Visiting Haleakala National Park

1. Check the weather
As amazing as it is in seeing icicles on a tropical island, we would still prefer to see the Haleakala crater.

2.  Bring your passport
It’s not required but you could have it stamped at the Haleakala Summit Visitor Center. 🙂

3.  Dress warmly and prepare for all kinds of weather
The temperature at the summit is at least 20 degrees colder than at sea level!

4.  Bring snacks and drinks
There aren’t any food establishments in the area.

Stop #2:  Picnic at the Lavender Cafe & Farm

Coming back from the Haleakala Summit, we stopped for a lunch picnic at the gardens of Lavender Café & Farm as part of our tour.  For dessert and snacks, we were given a box of Hawaiian Host chocolates to share.

The farm had a lovely, rustic feel.  We were surrounded by gardens filled with flowers and a forest with huge trees.  My favorite was the orchard of lemon trees.  I would have loved to explore more around this area but the rain started pouring while we were in the middle of our garden tour!

Tip:

If you are a fan of lavender, check the Lavender Café on your way from Haleakala National Park.  They are said to serve good lavender products.

Stop #3: Iao Valley

Iao Valley is one of the highlights of our tour.  While the weather made it difficult for us to see the other stops in their full glory, it made Iao Valley more mystical.  A thin fog surrounded the lush peaks while the rain made it possible for waterfalls to flow.

There is an easy, short hike from the parking to view the iconic Iao Needle.  Along the way, you’ll find a stream and see the valley from a better perspective. 

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The Iao Needle is famous for its unique structure.  To see it in person is an amazing experience!  It is a 1,200-foot rock distinctly set apart from the other peaks.

Stop #4: Kepaniwai Heritage Gardens

Close to Iao Valley is the Kepaniwai Heritage Gardens.  It’s a collection of gardens honoring Maui’s cultural roots.  The Heritage Gardens include China, Japan, Korea, Philippines, and Portugal.  Every garden has been customized to reflect each culture.

Stop #5: Kealia National Wildlife Refuge

Although we are not fans of birds or birdwatching, it was quite interesting to see unique and rare birds.  These birds are endangered species and we were told that you could only find them here.

Tip:

Bring a pair of binoculars to get a better view of the birds.

Self-drive tour vs joining a guided tour

Mr. C and I enjoy self-drive tours.  Well, that was until we experienced the luxury of this whole-day guided tour around Maui with Valley Isle Excursions.  For a day trip of 10-11 hours of driving and exploring, a self-drive tour could get really exhausting.  If you have the budget and you want convenience, comfort and safety, I highly suggest joining a guided tour like ours.

From hotel pick-up to return, we were taken care of by the tour and our guide, Junior.  Aside from the complimentary breakfast, lunch picnic and box of chocolates, we had unlimited cold drinks! All we needed to do was to enjoy every minute of it!  Unlike our self-drive tours where we have to focus on the road, with the guided tour, we were able to rest and appreciate the views.

Thanks to Junior, we enjoyed hearing his entertaining stories of a local’s life in Maui!  It added a personal touch to the tour.  It’s him singing in the video, by the way. 😉

The custom cruiser of Valley Isle Excursions also made a huge difference to our experience.  It has elevated seats and large leg space.  We didn’t mind sitting for several hours because it was THAT comfortable.  We also had a full view of the scenery from its giant windows so it didn’t matter where we sat.

Prices:

Adult – $165.99
Child – $145.99
Senior – $155.99

For more details on Valley Isle Excursions, click here.

Tip: 

Get $10 off by booking online in their official website. You get the same services and everything, but you save $10 per person! 🙂

Disclaimer: This post is written in partnership with Valley Isle Excursions. As always, all opinions on Business Traveler’s Wife are my own.

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Haleakala Crater, Iao Valley and Other Interesting Stops in Maui | Haleakala Crater, Iao Valley and Other Interesting Stops in Maui |  Haleakala Crater, Iao Valley and Other Interesting Stops in Maui

Haleakala Crater, Iao Valley and Other Interesting Stops in Maui | Haleakala Crater, Iao Valley and Other Interesting Stops in Maui |  Haleakala Crater, Iao Valley and Other Interesting Stops in Maui

Looking for more activities in Maui?  Check my posts on our kayak AND snorkel tour experience in Olowalu Turtle Garden, whale watching, and the evening we spent in a traditional luau! 🙂