Overview
Our cycling tour of the island loops around the valley nestled between two sleeping giants, Pu‘u Kukui caldera to the West, and Mt. Haleakalā to the East. Inside Maui’s 120 miles of coastline, we experience a surprising range of microclimates, from exotic gardens to rain shadow dry lands, from sandy lagoons to snowy summits! With over 20 ecosystems and lots of hills, cycling here is always an adventure. One minute we’ll be riding through a lush tropical rainforest, and the next we’ll turn the corner onto a huge, sunny lava flow, or drop down onto a private peninsula for some warm, fresh Hawaiian banana bread.
Challenging climbing and exhilarating descents await us as we explore Maui’s mountainous back roads by bike. Surfing lessons and a sea kayaking tour, both appropriate for beginners, allow us to broaden our experience, while hiking gives us a chance to see this beautiful landscape close-up. Join us for the perfect multi-sport getaway to this adventurous and tropical isle.
Evenings are filled with the sights and scents of real island hospitality, where we are pampered with islands feasts, luaus, and hula dancing, while staying in our own oceanside hale (private beach house).
We combine extraordinarily scenic cycling with great hiking, sea kayaking and even surfing. We pack the best Maui has to offer into an active, yet relaxing week-long Hawaiian retreat.
Day 1 | Cycling – West Maui Mountains
We begin our ride today along the coastline of the Mauna Kahālāwai (West Maui Mountains). This western quarter of the island is an eroded volcano that is much older than Mt. Haleakalā in the east. Later we’ll climb up 1,000 feet through classic Maui scenery: amazing valleys sprinkled with water falls, and majestic sea cliffs line our route. We also ride through the old Hawaiian fishing village of Kahakuloa where they still grow Taro. Taro is believed to be one of the first cultivated plants, and it is the base for Poi, a classic Hawaiian dish.
Day 2 | Cycling & Sea Kayaking
After a short shuttle, we ride out past the only winery in Maui, along a road with little to no vehicle traffic for almost 40 miles. This ride provides a great introduction to Hawai’i with views of the ocean, mountains, and even four of the other Hawaiian islands along the way. There is roughly 3,500 feet of elevation gain over this 30-mile ride. We will shuttle back to Kihei for lunch and to trade out bikes for sea kayaks for an exciting adventure just off the coastline.
Day 3 | Surfing & Free Time
Spend the morning learning to surf with a 2-hour private lesson. We head out at the best time of the day to learn, in one of the best places in the world to learn, with expert, personalized instruction- you can’t go wrong! Then the afternoon is yours- wander into town for browsing at the local markets or relax on one of Kihei’s beautiful public beaches. If you’re looking for more high profile sun and sand, head south to world famous Big Beach.
Day 4 | Hike Mt. Haleakelā
A trip to Mt. Haleakelā allows us to experience the natural history of Hawai’i up close. The remarkable volcanic landscape surrounding Haleakelā’s summit gives way to a variety of other ecosystems as you descend into the park. In fact, you pass through as many ecological zones on the drive to the summit as there are between Canada and Mexico! Here, a massive variety of native Hawaiian plants and animals thrive, including some species that exist no where else in the world. After taking in the sights from the van, we’ll head out on a day hike, exploring the park’s many wonders.
Day 5 | Cycling Haiku to Ke’anae Village
Today we voyage through the rain forest to Ke’anae Village. A tropical atmosphere bursting with lush green foliage, combined with incredible views of both the ocean and Haleakalā, make this one of the best rides on the planet! In Ke’anae, we stop for warm banana bread, fresh from the oven. As we take our break, a dramatic scene sprawls out before us as waves pound the lava rocks below. In all, the day’s rides add up to over 3,000 feet of elevation change over more than 50 miles.
Day 6 | Hiking – Bamboo Forest
From the trailhead off the famous Hana highway, we embark on a unique hiking adventure. We venture into a lush section of bamboo forest, passing three classic Hawaiian waterfalls along our route. Bring your swimsuit for a dip in the idyllic freshwater pools that lie at the base of the falls. Cap off the perfect day in paradise with a snack of fresh guava, before concluding our tour after lunch.