Panorama

Many of Maui's highlights are best viewed from above. This company offers a plethora of excellent helicopter tours, including a West Maui Tour, Hana/Haleakala Tour, Moloka'i Tour and a Complete Island Tour. See Haleakala Crater, the waterfalls of heavenly Hana, the majestic West Maui Mountains and more —the wonders never cease. Tours are between 30 and 65 minutes long and cost USD115-215 per person. If you would like to plan out your own itinerary, ask about private charters.

People from all over the world travel to Maui to see sights such as the waterfalls and pools of Hana, the Haleakala Crater and the West Maui Mountains. Usually they drive and sometimes they hike...but absolutely nothing allows sightseeing like these quiet, jet-powered, air-conditioned helicopters. This company has been in business for more than 25 years.

There are a never-ending variety of natural wonders in this enormous park, including the eerie floor of the crater and the magical Kipahulu Valley, much of which is closed to tourists. A seven-day pass is USD5 or USD10 per vehicle. Explore Haleakala with an experienced guide or stick with the established trails. Weather conditions can change drastically at the summit. Bring food, water and proper clothing for every member of the group if you plan on hiking.

If you got a good aerial view of Maui while arriving, you may remember the lush, tropical greenery that characterizes this spectacular island. Daredevils can get a better aerial view via a powered hang glider. Fly low over the jungle of Hana, accompanied by a seasoned professional. You'll even get hands-on practice at flying the glider yourself. If you're not staying in Hana, it's best to visit this place while en route to Wai'anapanapa or Oheo Gulch.

This, the oldest company in the downhill bike business, offers five different variations on the Haleakala downhill ride. Starting from Haleakala, participants cruise 30 miles down the mountain, stopping in Paia, Makawao or Kula for a meal and a tour. Of course, a standard Super Sunrise Tour is also offered. Call for reservations or more information. Free hotel pickup is offered in most cases. The company requests that riders have an experience level of intermediate or higher.

Guide Randy shares a wealth of natural history, geological and botanical lore, and island folklore while leading hikers through Maui's magnificent wilderness. Several half-day and full-day hikes are offered, many to areas not usually visited by tourists. The "easy" three-mile Haleakala Waterfall Hike is appropriate for children. Several treks in the West Maui Mountains explore more remote, rugged, rainforest terrain. Snacks and minimal gear is included in tour prices. Discounts are offered for children 13 and younger, groups of six or more, or parties who book two weeks in advance.

Beginning at the summit of Mt. Haleakala, this exhilarating 38-mile ride on a "Volcano Chrome Cruiser" affords spectacular views of verdant tropical forests, surrounding valleys, the vast ocean and outer islands. All equipment, specialty apparel and hotel transfers are included. The "Sunrise Journey" ($120) picks you up between 2am-2:45am for your journey to the summit for the sunrise. You'll eat breakfast in Makawao on your way down the mountains, and will return to your hotel around 11am. A later morning ride (7am-3pm, $115) includes a picnic lunch at Sunrise Market and Protea Farm.

If you've spent any time at all on the Hawaiian Islands, the green, pink and blue-striped vans of Polynesian Adventure Tours are probably a familiar sight. These island tours are conducted throughout the state of Hawai'i and offer a wide variety of sightseeing opportunities. Tours conducted on Maui include the Haleakala and Central Maui tour, the Haleakala Sunrise tour, the Haleakala Sunset tour and the ever-popular Hana tour. Excursion prices range from USD56 to USD70.

View magnificent mountain scenery while your trusty steed ambles through the largest ranch in Maui. Daily Haleakala Ranch rides include one-hour rides, two-hour rides and picnic rides, ranging from $55-95. Two longer rides depart Monday through Saturday at 9:30am from the Haleakala Visitor Center parking lot. The 7.5-mile Junction Ride lasts four hours and includes a picnic lunch at the crater floor ($145). The Cabin Ride is 12-mile ride ($180) allows for an extensive exploration of the volcano.

View the natural wonders of Maui from above. The state-of-the-art Black Beauties can get passengers amazingly close to waterfalls, cliffs, craters and other stunning landmarks. Two popular tours are the West Maui Deluxe Tour, which flies over the West Maui Mountains, Lahaina and Ka'anapali, and the Hana/Haleakala Special, which visits the Haleakala Crater, Hana and Ho'okipa Beach. A horseback-helicopter combination tour is offered; call for more information.

It is hard to imagine a more dramatic spectacle than the active Kilauea Volcano. Now visitors to Maui can take this company's helicopter tour over to the Big Island to view the volcano. Tours depart from Kapalua, West Maui Airport and Kahului, Maui. The heli-tour also passes over Maunakea, Hilo and Hana. This is a fantastic way to view a few of Hawaii's most amazing attractions within a two-hour period. Charters are also available. It is recommended that you book tours a few days in advance. Call for pricing information.