Great Stops on the Maui Volcano Tour - Kula Lodge and Restaurant

With our Maui volcano tour, you get to to see a unique side of Maui – Upcountry! Along the slopes of Haleakala sits a uniquely beautiful world, bursting with crisp mountain air and amazing mountain to ocean views. This world is quite different than the golden beaches of Maui featured on postcards, but it’s just as beautiful and engaging.

Biking through Upcountry provides an opportunity to experience this gorgeous landscape up close. The great part about our Maui volcano tours in particular is that you can experience all of this beauty at your own pace. Because all of our biking tours are self-paced, you can stop and go as you please. Stop to pick a flower or shop at a unique boutique. You can pick where you want to stop along the biking route.

One of the most popular stops along the route is the Kula Lodge and Restaurant. At about 3,200 feet on the western slopes of this dormant volcano, the charming lodge provides an awesome place to stop and relax, take pictures, or enjoy a nice lunch.

Kula Lodge Garden Terrace

“Kula is the Undiscovered Maui, a place only the adventurous discover. You won’t find tourist traps or snorkel shops. Instead there will be birds singing from Jacaranda trees and flowers that grow to startling sizes and beauty,” Kula Lodge noted on its website.

This lodge sits amid a beautiful garden of flower farms with protea, carnations, and tropical flora. Panoramic views from the West Maui Mountains to the Pacific Ocean await you at this lodge. Situated on the hills of Haleakala, it is the perfect place to stop along the Maui volcano tour and snap a photo. But, you can also stop and enjoy a bite to eat too!

The restaurant at the Kula Lodge is open 7 days a week for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. This restaurant features an outdoor garden terrace “cradled” amid the trees overlooking the entire west side of Maui. On the garden terrace, a wood-burning pizza oven creates delicious pizza dishes. The Kula Lodge and Restaurant has its own Executive Chef that oversees all the culinary dishes at this delightful restaurant. The Kula Lodge really offers amazing views and an unforgettable setting to enjoy relax and enjoy a nice meal on your Maui volcano tour.

Kula Lodge filled with paintings by local artists.

Located in the heart of Upcountry, Kula Lodge is also a nice place to stay the night if you want to spend a few days in the Upcountry Maui. This “romantic hideaway” has 5 rustic lodges available for overnight stays. “Imagine spending a few days in a lush garden that overlooks an endless horizon,” the Kula Lodge noted.

If shopping is a must on your Maui volcano tour, the Kula Marketplace and the Curtis Wilson Cost Gallery, both located at the Kula Lodge, have a variety of unique island gifts available for purchase. These shops feature one-of-a-kind art by local Maui and Hawaiian artists and craftsmen as well as homemade jellies, jams, and pastries.

With its sweeping views of the lush green countryside to the ocean, the Kula Lodge and Restaurant is a hidden gem in Upcountry and definitely a must-see on your Maui volcano tour.

(Garden Terrace photo by Bill Abbott via Flickr)

(Last photo by Belindah via Flickr)

How Many Miles is the Haleakala Downhill Bike Tour?

 

One of the most popular things to do in Maui is the Haleakala downhill bike tour. It’s thrilling and relaxing all at the same time and provides a unique view of Maui. But many wonder how far the bike tour is. And will the bike ride be too strenuous?

From where you begin the Haleakala downhill bike ride at the staging area to our Maui Sunriders shop in Paia, the entire bike ride is about 27 miles. If you take the Haleakala sunrise or summit bike tours, you will first be driven to the Summit of Haleakala to explore the Summit area and Haleakala Crater. If you choose for the express tour, you’ll be taken directly to the staging area outside of the park at an elevation of 6,500 feet.

Is the Haleakala downhill bike tour an intense 27-mile ride? Because the bike ride is all downhill, it is a fairly easy bike ride. Although this Maui volcano has an average grade of 5 percent, there are many switchbacks on the first portion of the Haleakala downhill bike tour that eliminate any extreme steepness.

Our Haleakala downhill bike tours are self-paced offering bikers the opportunity to take their time and stop as they want along the way. Without stopping, the bike tour takes about an hour and a half. However, many bikers prefer to stop to eat at the various restaurants along the route or sightsee and shop at the many shops and art galleries in the quaint towns on the tour.

For those who take the sunrise tour, the average return time for bikers with a stop for breakfast is around 10 a.m. or 11 a.m. On the summit tour, the average return time including stopping for lunch and sightseeing around town on the way down is around 2 p.m. or 3 p.m. On the express tour, the average return time for bikers is around 1 p.m. or 2 p.m. including stopping for lunch and to see the town on the bike down.

Whichever option you choose, you have until 4:30 p.m. to make your way back to our shop in Paia.

Liability insurance requires that bike riders only ride on the official Haleakala downhill bike tour route, which ends at our shop in Paia. Biking around Paia after returning to our shop is not allowed.  However, Paia and its beautiful beaches are really better experienced on foot anyway.

The self-paced feature of our Haleakala downhill bike tour really makes it easy to ride, more enjoyable, and more family-friendly, we feel. Although a 27-mile bike ride down a dormant volcano may seem daunting, the fact that it’s a downhill bike ride and that our bike tours are self-paced provide a fun and relaxing way to see the incredibly beauty of Upcountry Maui.

Unique Wildlife You Might Spot On The Haleakala Sunrise Volcano Tour

The Haleakala sunrise volcano tour has so many amazing things to offer its guest. The sunrise tour especially boasts spectacular views of the sun rising above the clouds at the peak of this dormant volcano. Then, there’s the Haleakala Crater and its unique landscape that will make you feel as if you’re on another world.

In the summit area as well as in the entire Haleakala National Park, there is also some incredible wildlife. The park is noted for having a number of unique endangered species. So to better prepare you for your bike tour, we’ve gathered some information from the National Park Service about the wildlife you’ll see on the way down Haleakala.

Hawaiian Goose – Nēnē

World’s rarest goose, the nēnē

You will only see the nēnē in Hawaii. As the world’s rarest goose, the wild nēnē nests on Haleakala and, as the NPS noted, may fly around neighborhoods on Maui and Moloka’i. The last survivor of several other endemic geese, the nēnē is an endangered species and is the State Bird of Hawaii.

The nēnē has strong feet, short wings, padded toes, and reduced webbing which helps them walk over the rough terrain of the Haleakala volcano. Nēnē often monogamous and at 14 weeks old, the young goslings can fly and join the rest of the flock.

Although park biologists protect “the island’s most noticeable large native animal,” they often travel through roadways and parking lots where they’re sometimes killed by cars. Thus, there are often warnings alerting motorists to watch out for the nēnē.

Of course, to protect the nēnē, the NPS urges visitors to “keep them wild” by not giving them any food or water, not getting too close to the nēnē, and keeping pets away.

Hawaiian Petrel – ‘Ua’u

The ‘ua’u are an endangered species of migratory seabirds. According to the NPS, their largest known nesting colony is at the top of Haleakala, so look out for these birds at the summit of Haleakala on your volcano tour!

NPS photo of ʻUaʻu at 9000 ft. elevation on Haleakalā

At 16 inches long, these seabirds have a three-foot wingspan and are dark grey on top and white underneath. The young ‘ua’u reportedly leave their nests for the first time in November and fly out to the ocean at night in search of food. But sometimes these seabirds can sadly become grounded.

“They fly over land at night and are believed to navigate by stars. These and other seabirds that fly at night sometimes become confused by lights. The seabirds fly around the lights, become tired and fall to the ground,” the NPS noted.

On the NPS website, there are instructions for what to do if you find a grounded seabird. These birds, the NPS said, also make a variety of calls, one sounding just like its name: oo-AH-oo. So if you hear this sound on your Haleakala sunrise volcano tour, it may be an ‘ua’u.

Haleakala Silversword

With the variety of climates and elevations on Haleakala comes a variety of unique plant life.

The beautifully unique Haleakala silversword

“Over 850 species of plants are found within the bounds of Haleakala National Park. Of these, over 400 species are native, or arrived without human intervention; over 300 species are endemic to Hawai’i, found only in the islands,” the NPS noted.

The silversword is one of the unique endemic species to Haleakala. Living among the desert cinder landscape of the Haleakala Crater and Summit area, silverswords are easily recognized by the silvery hairs on their sword-like succulent leaves and their low-growing rosette. They can live up to 90 years.

If you see a flowering silversword on your Haleakala sunrise volcano tour, this is a truly a unique experience as the silversword only flowers once and then dies soon after.

The silversword is one of the many rare and unique plants that you can see on your bike tour of Haleakala, many of which can only be seen in Hawaii.

The NPS has downloadable guides you can take along to help you identify these distinctive plants and bird species.



(First photo by Eric Chan)

Why Its A Great Idea to Take A Maui Downhill Bike Tour On Your Island Vacation

When thinking about your island getaway, you may just envision lying around on the gorgeous beaches of Maui all day reading a book and soaking up the sun. That of course would be a nice vacation. But there are many reasons to add a Maui downhill bike tour to your island plans! Here’s a few . . .

Great way to see (or experience) Upcountry. Our downhill bike tour takes you through the mountainous landscape of Upcountry Maui. Starting out with a land tour of the Summit area of the volcano Haleakala, our bike tours offer a unique chance to really experience the scenery of Upcountry firsthand. Because our particular self-paced Maui downhill bike tour allows guests to ride at their own pace, on their own timetable, and without the unwieldy large groups of guided bike tours; you can stop to pick a flower or take a picture at a unique spot along the way. The world is yours! As you bike down, you can stop at one of the charming small towns or restaurants along the route. The quaint towns in Upcountry have a variety of unique shops, boutiques, and art galleries to explore. But more than just driving through Upcountry, taking a downhill bike tour through this picturesque countryside lets you be a part of the land, and really take in the distinctive beauty of this area – an area that many Maui tourists never get to experience.

An unmatched biking experience. If you enjoy biking or want a little adventure on your trip (but not too much), then the Maui downhill bike tour is the activity for you. It’s really the ultimate biking experience. Think about it, what could be a more exciting biking adventure than to bike down a volcano? What a great story to tell! Plus, while this bike tour offers a great sense of adventure, it is downhill so you don’t have to be a professional cyclist to go on this bike tour. The adventure is really in the incredible scenery of Haleakala and Upcountry.

See an unforgettable sunrise – a great bucket list item. One of our Maui downhill bike tour options is the Haleakala sunrise bike tour. On this tour, you’ll see the sun rise above the clouds at the peak of Haleakala. This is definitely something that should be on everyone’s bucket list! Everyone agrees that seeing this sunrise at an elevation of 10,023 feet above sea level is really one of the most unforgettable moments of their entire vacation. Instead of driving up to Haleakala only to view the sunrise, our Haleakala sunrise bike tour combines this unforgettable experience with the opportunity to see more of Upcountry, up close and personal!

Easy and fun exercise on vacation. Many like to get some exercise in while they’re on vacation. So instead of just riding a recumbent bike in a hotel gym, why not ride down the captivating Haleakala volcano? You’ll be able to get some light exercise in the fresh mountain air and beautiful hillsides of Upcountry.

Really, there are so many benefits to taking the Maui downhill bike tour while you’re here on vacation! Our bike tour will definitely be one of the highlights of your trip. Book your downhill bike tour today!



(First two photos by PV Photography)

Haleakala Sunrise or Sunset - Which is Best?

Going to the summit of Haleakala, Maui’s largest volcano, is one of the most popular things to do in Maui. The cinder landscape of this active Volcano  (just kidding its dormant) with its unique wildlife is truly a sight to behold. But when should you go? Many travel early in the morning to see the Haleakala sunrise. Others wait to travel in Upcountry to the Summit area in the evening to see the sunset. Which is better? Both are truly amazing sights, but here are a few points to consider.

Haleakala sunrise. Viewing the sunrise from the Summit offers you the chance to see and do a great many different things you might not get to do if you went there in the evening. For instance, on our Haleakala sunrise bike tour, not only do you get the chance to see the incredible sunrise and the landscape of Haleakala Crater, but you can also see more of Upcountry Maui up close as you bike down all the way to sea level. On this bike tour – from the mountain to the sea – you’ll see a variety of different wildlife and picturesque countryside landscapes that stretch out to the ocean; you can stop to eat at a restaurant nestled on the slopes of Haleakala; or you can spend a while in one of the charming small towns along the way to shop, eat, or browse one of their numerous art galleries. The Haleakala sunrise bike tour offers a unique opportunity to see a side of Maui many tourists never see – all while seeing the gorgeous Haleakala sunrise first!

A lot of visitors to Maui are jetlagged the first few days they are here. So why not take advantage of automatically waking up early and check out the unforgettable Haleakala sunrise. If you’re at the Summit a little before sunrise, you can also see the amazingly clear sky filled with stars. Then you really have a chance to see and do everything – stargaze, see the sunrise, and experience biking down Upcountry!

Watching the Haleakala sunrise, seeing the explosion of colors as the sun rises above the clouds at 10,023 feet above sea level, is truly awe-inspiring.

Haleakala sunset. Of course, the main perk to waiting until the evening to venture up Haleakala is that you can sleep later. This may be the ideal to some. However, if you do experience jetlag on your trip, you may want to wait until the end of your Maui vacation when you get adjusted to the time.

The sunset on the peak of Haleakala is also a gorgeous sight. Many like to visit Haleakala at night not only to view the picture-perfect sunset but also to afterward see the night painted with bright twinkling stars.

“Temperatures immediately before dawn and immediately after dusk are regularly below freezing,” the Haleakala National Park Service warns, so both sunset and sunset will be pretty cold, and you’ll thus need to dress pretty warm.

Overall, many visitors will say that the Haleakala sunrise is hands-down the best of the two to see. Being above the clouds when the sun rises over the mountain is awe-inspiriing. But the convenience of not getting up early may appeal more to some. If you have the chance while in Maui, you should see both of these amazing natural phenomenon.

(First photo by Courtney Collison via Flickr)

(Second photo by Divya Thakur via Flickr)

Must See On The Maui Volcano Tour: Makawao Town

 

You can see so many things on the Maui volcano tour, many things that you might not otherwise have seen during your vacation in Maui. This downhill bike tour through Upcountry Maui offers a chance to see this unique part of Maui up close. Of course you can drive through Upcountry, but that’s like taking a boat when you could go surfing! You’ll get to “experience” the adventure that is Upcountry and Haleakala when you take the Maui volcano bike tour.


Although on our self-paced Maui volcano bike tours, you can stop as you want along the way, there are a few major stops that everyone should take on their volcano tour. One of these stops is Makawao Town. The little town of Makawao is the heart of what’s known as “Paniolo Country.” One of the last paniolo or Hawaiian cowboy towns in Hawaii, Makawao has its own unique atmosphere and feel. As the “biggest little town” in Upcountry, “Makawao has one foot in its plantation past and another in its thriving arts community,” the Hawaii Tourism Authority noted. Yes, Makawao is a little bit of the old mixed with the new, and this is what makes Makawao one of the must-see stops along the Maui volcano tour.

Makawao is where the paniolo still roam and rodeos are still a major part of life and the culture of Upcountry. Held every year on the Fourth of July, the Makawao Rodeo is Hawaii’s largest paniolo competition with all the traditional rodeo events like calf roping, bronco riding, and barrel racing as well as a parade through Makawao. Paniolo is still such a large part of the town’s life and heritage that you just might see a cowboy riding through town on horseback.

This eclectic town is jam-packed with charming boutiques and art galleries, all with an authentic, not so touristy feel, but more of a ‘this-is-life-in-a-small-Upcountry-town’ vibe. Once named one of the top 25 arts destinations in the United States, Makawao is home to many working artists. From watching glassblowing at Hot Island Glass to shopping for Polynesian jewelry, clothing, and home accessories to browsing numerous fine arts galleries and wood sculptor shops, Makawao offers a world of diversity in its shopping.

An array of restaurants also calls Makawao home, including the well-known T. Komoda Store & Bakery. This small bakery that has been a local tradition since 1916 is legendary for its pastries including its cream puffs and donuts on a stick. And as Mitchell commented on Yelp: “The best way to hit this spot is to take the Maui Sunriders sunrise bike tour. It is a great stop with 7 miles left to go in a 26-mile downhill mountain bike bomb. . . It looks like a bodega/convenience store, but the secret (well not that much of a secret) is that they make the most amazing fresh bread and donuts.”

So don’t miss Makawao Town on your Maui volcano tour! This eclectic little paniolo town has a lot of character and a cool story to tell.


(First Photo by “Allie_Caulfield“)
(Rodeo photo by “Travis“)
(Gecko Trading Co. Photo by “Allie_Caulfield“)
(Fourth photo by PV Photography)
(Komoda Store Photo by “Too Tall Paul“)

Maui Downhill Bike Ride and Other Top Maui Activities

Maui boast a wonderland of activities. From sea and land excursions to even air tours, Maui is certainly  the place to go if you love adventure.

One of our favorite activities of course is the Maui downhill bike ride. Offering much excitement, but not too much, this bike tour is something almost everyone can do – you just need to know how to ride a bike. Starting with a tour of the Summit of Haleakala (and the Haleakala sunrise if you opt for that bike tour) as well as Haleakala Crater, our Maui downhill bike ride is an exciting land excursion with so many things to see along the way. The numerous towns, restaurants, and fruit stands along the route offer a variety of places to explore and enjoy an afternoon of sightseeing. Because our Maui downhill bike ride is self-paced, guests can ride at their leisure, not at the pace of the tour guide or the fastest biker. You can stop and go along the bike route as you like and really take in all the beautiful scenery of Upcountry Maui. This bike tour offers a relaxing and invigorating way to explore a side of Maui that many tourists never see.

Sea excursions are also a highlight in Maui. You can ride on sailing catamarans and enjoy an elegant sunset dinner cruise or take a snorkeling tour around Molokini. Snorkeling is a great water activity for a variety of ages and skill levels. Always a favorite, whale watching tours offer an opportunity to see the majestic humpback whales up close. The Pacific Whale Foundation offers a nice whale watching tour from both the Lahaina and Maalaea harbors. For a little more adventure, you can take a kayak tour, scuba diving tour, or go deep sea fishing.

Although more expensive, air tours of Maui provide guests with a gorgeous view of the island and certainly an unforgettable experience. There are a number of helicopter tour companies offering air tours of Haleakala Crater, the Hana rainforests and waterfalls, the West Maui Mountains, Molokini, and East Maui. You can also book a private helicopter charter for a real luxurious experience.

And besides the Maui downhill bike ride, there are a number of other Maui land tours you can try. Drive along the winding Hana Highway where you can stop to see gorgeous waterfalls and hike along the bamboo rainforest. Along this driving route, you can also stop to see the Oheo Gulch or “Seven Sacred Pools” in the Kipahulu district of Haleakala National Park. There are also numerous hiking trails in this area such as Pipiwai Trail and Kahakai Trail.

If you would prefer not to drive the winding Road to Hana yourself, there are also numerous van tours available to take you to all the scenic stops along the way.

The beautiful Valley Isle is the ideal place to vacation and explore. We invite you to take our Maui downhill bike tour with exciting views of Haleakala and Upcountry Maui. You won’t be disappointed!


(First two photos by PV Photography)