Maui Online Guide

Thrown a curve by the Park Service’s ban on commercial tours from the summit, Maui’s bike companies have adjusted their tours to fit the new reality. The bike portion of the tours now start at a staging area just outside of the park, at the 6500′ level. This new route is 11 miles shorter and 3500′ less in vertical drop than the former route, but still an exciting ride.

Initially two of the bike companies had permits to operate vehicle tours within the park. They turned this to their advantage by offering sunrise tours in their vans and afterwards self-paced bike tours starting just outside the park, where the ban had no effect.

As the original 60 day ban was extended by months, the Park Service relented somewhat and issued vehicle tour permits to the escorted tour operators. The new model for the Haleakala sunrise bike tour thus became a drive to the top for a view of the sunrise followed by a drive in the van back to a staging area just outside the park entrance where the bike portion of the tour began.

From here, at the 6500′ level, the bike portion of the tour snakes its way down highway 378 until it reaches highway 377. Here, some tours turn left towards Kula, while others turn right towards Pukalani and perhaps on all the way to Pa’ia or Haiku.

To the basic bike portion of the trip, the tour companies offer a number of enhancements. The enhancements included in the package have a great deal to do with the cost of the trip. Below are listed the basic ones offered by the bike tour companies.

• Pickup and drop off at your hotel or cruise ship

• Time of day, sunrise or later in the day

• All the way to the top or only to the 6500′ level

• Escorted tour or self guided

• Meals and other extras offered by some of the companies

As we reviewed the websites of the various tour companies we found a wide variety of packages offered. But, they basically boil down to choosing between escorted or self-paced then picking from a very early sunrise tour, a later in the morning summit tour or an express tour that doesn’t go to the top.

What do you get for your money. Basically, you get a specially equipped bike to ride, safety equipment (helmet, gloves), some kind of jacket or rain gear and whatever van transportation is included. If the tour is escorted there will be a guide in front and the van following behind the group. If the tour is self-paced you’re on your own, though the van may stop at a few turnouts on the first leg of the trip to make sure you’re okay.

Who are the bike companies? What does each one offer? How much does it cost? In part 3 we’ll take a closer look at each of the companies offering Haleakala bike tours.