WOW! The short version: We had an AMAZING experience, our tour guide Chris was OUTSTANDING and I HIGHLY recommend booking this private tour with Awapuhi Adventures! This was a highlight of our week in Maui for sure!!!
The details: Our week in Maui was packed full of experinces and fun and although the Road to Hana was something friends said was a "must do" for our first time in Maui, I hesitated because it sounded like a long day and making the drive on our own, or being a part of group tour on a set schedule for that length of time, didn't sound all that appealing. A few days before we were heading home, I kept getting the urge to look at the Road to Hana options again so I looked up tours, read all the reviews, etc. and came across several companies that offered private tours and decided that this was the way we wanted to experience the Road to Hana. After considering all the details in the reviews, we decided to book with Awapuhi Adventures on our last full day in Maui. BEST decision ever!
Our guide Chris was AMAZING! He was friendly, knowledgeable and full of fun facts on pretty much everything along the way! He has driven this tour a LOT of times and we felt safe, considered and taken care of on every turn. It felt like we were hanging out with a long time friend! Chris paid attention to what we were interested in experiencing and customized our day accordingly. We especially enjoyed stopping at the local stands, interactions with the local people, hiking around the black and red sand beach areas, the amazing views of the water, a cave, turtles and scenery, lunch at Huli Huli's, coffee and ice cream stops, laughter and joy, and so much more. We learned a lot along the way from Chris about the history, culture, towns, plants, flowers we were seeing and enjoyed the entire day. Had we driven this route in our rental car, there is no way we would have known where to stop, where to pull over when there is only one lane for both directions of traffic or backing up on those curves if you need to, we would have missed so much and had a less than stellar experience I am sure. Had we taken a group tour, we would have saved a little money but had a much different experience as well. This trip is worth the splurge! It was the most scenic tour and being able to relax and take it all in without any stress, was priceless! It was myself, husband and our 19yr old son on the trip and all of us had a GREAT experience! My son even said that Chris really made the trip! All the information he shared kept us all interested and engaged during the 10 hours we shared together - Chris even played music for us which was an icredible treat and he helped us get some great family photos too! I am SO happy we didn't pass on this tour! While sharing details, I should also note that another great advantage is the vehicle that Awapuhi uses. They tour in a Honda Odyssey mini van which is incredibly comfortable and the key is whether seated in the front or back, your windows roll down, so everyone can see the sights! It seems to be the perfect size to navigate through the countryside and get in and out of easily and there is A/C so it's an ideal way to travel this road (I should note, I'm not normally a mini van person - but I'm telling you - it was a great way to go!)! As you can tell, I can't say enough about this tour, and company! If you are wanting to have an INCREDIBLE memory making experience - THIS is the tour and company to book with!!! Thank you for an adventure of a lifetime Chris and Awapuhi Adventures! We will never forget you and this trip, you left an imprint in our heart and memories! I would definately do this tour again when we return to Maui - I hope many others will too!!! Mahalo!