We invite you to join us for a visit to two of Maui's most beautiful locations, the Iao Valley State Park and the Maui Tropical Plantation. You will see the tropical beauty and exotic nature of Maui along with learning about the culture and the agriculture that has made Maui famous. You'll take a walk in the Iao Valley and ride a tram through the plantation so you'll enjoy plenty of photo opportunities. Then finish up by walking through beautifully landscaped gardens and indulge yourself with some unique shopping.
This beautiful day begins when you meet with your guide just next to your Kahului cruise ship pier. Then you'll board comfortable, and air-conditioned transportation for a guided drive to Iao Valley State Park. This park is a lush, stream-cut valley in West Maui and offers over 6 acres of incredible sights. There are many exotic plants found only in Maui along with a lush rainforest filled with nature's wonders.
One of those wonders is the famous Iao Needle, which is a lava remnant covered in vegetation that rises 2,250 feet (685 meters) above sea level. Not only is this remnant amazing to see, it is very important to Hawaiian culture. The Hawaiian god Kane is considered to be the provider of life and is associated with water, clouds, rain, streams, and natural springs and the Iao Needle is the representation of procreation with both Kane and the god of the underworld, Kanaloa.
You'll enjoy many spectacular photo opportunities during your walk in the park. The trails are easy, but it is recommended that you wear comfortable walking shoes.
Next, it's off to the magnificent Maui Tropical Plantation. Once you arrive you'll board a tram and enjoy 35 minutes of a narrated tram tour through some of the most incredibly lush landscapes in existence. Tropical flowers, vines, and trees cover the plantation along with fruit fields and flower orchards. You'll also see fields of coffee, bananas, macadamia nuts, papayas, mangoes, orchids, and more. Just imagine the sights and scents of this plantation.
Once that comes to an end you will then be able to walk through beautifully landscaped gardens. Do keep that camera handy, these gardens are incredible. Then you can browse through the unique gift shop for that one of a kind souvenir. When it's time, you'll board your comfortable transportation again and be driven back to your Kahului Maui cruise ship pier.
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