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 We are a true activity company; we do not promote timeshare sales in any way.
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Maui's sleeping giant ... Haleakala is
the younger of the two volcanos that has formed the island of Maui. A
journey to the 10,000 foot summit of Haleakala takes you to a Hawaii you
have never imaged. The climate is extreme, with temperatures occasionally
dropping below freezing at night. The wind often howls. Tropical
vegetation gives way to lunar-like crater views. The drop from the
summit to the crater floor is around 3,000 vertical feet, and the crater
covers an area of 25 square miles ... roughly the size of Manhattan
Island. Admission to the National Park is $10 per vehicle.
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on map to enlarge
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| Haleakala
means "House of the Sun" and viewing a sunrise from the summit
is an awe-inspiring experience. Plan on 2 hours to reach the summit from
the Kihei/Wailea area and 2 1/2 hours from West Maui. One of the most
popular activities is a bike trip
from the summit of Haleakala ... after watching the sunrise you can ride a
bicycle 38 miles downhill! If you want to see the sunrise, but don't feel
like driving in the middle of the night, sunrise
van tours are available too. |
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| Technically,
the "crater" of Haleakala is actually an erosional valley which
has had secondary eruptions inside this valley. The interior looks much
like the surface of the moon. There are cinder cones and craters, lava
tube caves, and a network of hiking trails visible from the overlooks. If
you decide to do some hiking, make sure you have proper footwear ...
sandals are NOT a good idea. The weather is extreme, and bring drinking
water with you ... there is no water available in the park. The sun is
intense at high altitude, so make sure to use sunscreen.
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| Among the
fascinating sights of Haleakala National Park are the rare and beautiful
Silversword plants. Once plentiful, the numbers have dwindled, but they
are still commonly found in the park. They are found nowhere else in the
world except for Maui and the Big Island. The plant blooms once in its
entire life, so if you see one in full bloom, you are LUCKY! |
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| To really appreciate the
size and scope of this crater that is large enough to hold the island
of Manhattan, take a scenic helicopter tour. The 45 minute Hana/Haleakala
flight and the 65 minute Complete Island tour offer views of Haleakala
Crater.
Book your flight on-line now
... you will save 15% off the list price and get the best flight time.
That's mid-morning, when the sun is starting to get a little higher in
the sky but before the afternoon clouds start rolling in over the
upper reaches of the volcano.
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