Hana Horseback Ride

Enjoy a true Hawaiian experience as you ride at Maui Stables, a Native Hawaiian Owned and Operated Company, located in the heart of the most beautiful scenery East Maui has to offer. This tour is offered daily, originating at a brand new and spacious stable facility where morning refreshments are served up with an orientation and equipment familiarization.

All tours are accompanied by an “Alaka’i”, or trained tour leader, and a “Kako’o” (apprentice), who begin each tour with traditional “pule” prayer and “oli”, or call to the “aumakua” (ancestors).

As Hawaiian history is consistent with its language, all of Hawaii's important events were recorded orally through chants. These chants will be used extensively through out the tour, and each guest will be given the basic intent. The small group size of this Maui horseback tour allows for this oral tradition to continue as the history of the Hawaiians' ancestors is shared with you.

“Who would not be wise on the path so long walked upon by my ancestors” -- Ancient Cultural Wisdom

"This possession of knowledge is the base root for the survival of our ancient culture for thousands of years on an isolated colony of islands anchored in the vast Pacific Ocean. Through a tradition of ocean voyaging, the Polynesians who landed on these shores brought remnants of their successor cultures -- and after a long period of isolation, developed a culture that became very uniquely Hawaiian. Through an oral tradition of hula (dance), oli (chants), and mo'oku’auhau (genealogy), these treasured secrets have been handed down from generation to generation to preserve and perfect the lifestyle that complimented and coexisted within the nature of this rare island paradise".

The Alaka’i (guides) who will accompany you on your tour into the natural wonderland can trace their family roots back for hundreds of years. Here is the playground of the magical days of their youth. Days spent learning by doing, as they followed and imitated their Kupuna (elders) into these mountain valleys to gather food, medicines, and absorb the hidden meaning of this land of their ancestors. We are the direct descendents of the Hawaiians who were tied to this land before the coming of Western culture.

Take a horseback ride into the past -- listen to the stories about the history of their ancestors as they lived, worshiped, and died in battles defending this land.

Kipahulu, "Welcome of the Birds", is where your Maui horseback ride will take place; it's also the land of Ancient Hawaii, where you will participate with the living, dynamic culture of Hawaiian yesterdays. The verdant rain forests are home to some of Hawaii’s rarest and most endangered bird species. The Hawaiians cherished these birds for their feathers, used to create the colorful cloaks and helmets of our warrior chiefs.

You'll have this unforgettable opportunity to see miles and miles of crystal blue sea, as you ride by several Hawaiian native flowers which are not just beautiful but also fill the air with their fragrance.

Did we mention the waterfalls?  They will be spilling from way up high!! We recommend you bring your swimwear for a cool dip in the pools, after your ride.

You will love this island and fall in love with its people and history!! This is more than a Marui horseback ride, it's more than a Hana horseback ride, it's an experience that you will never forget!!

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

- Can be reached by either Hana Hwy (36) or Haleakala Hwy (37)
- Allow 2.5 hours drive time from airport in Kahului
- Depart resort areas by 6:30 a.m. to be prompt
- Check-in time 9:45 a.m. - return to stables 1:30 p.m.
- Includes 3 day pass into Haleakala National Park to swim in the "seven pools" and/or take a walk to Waimoku Falls after ride returns to stables
- Located in Kipahulu, 1 mile south of Haleakala National Park
- Morning and afternoon refreshments, bottled water and helmets provided
- Due to remote location no food service or other amenities are available.
- Bring picnic lunch if you are a hearty eater.
- Closed toe shoes required. Long pants recommended.
- 250 lb. weight limit.
- Minimum age 10. Exceptions on a case-by-case basis for children who are regular riders.
- Bring bathing suit, towel, change of clothes, sunscreen and camera.
- Cost of the tour is $150 plus 4.167% GE tax

Suggested Directions from Lahaina or Kihei-Wailea:  see map (picture # 22 of 22)
Travel toward the airport and take highway 36 to the Haleakala Highway 37. Highway 37 eventually becomes 31, which again becomes 36 as you circumnavigate the volcano.

To experience the true wilderness of Old Hawaii, it is necessary to get as far away from development as you can. A mere 50 miles from the major resort areas, the drive can take up to 2 ½ hours. Be prepared—leave your hotel by 6:30 a.m., as there are many interesting points along your journey to the sables.

Suggestions on where to stop on your way to Kipahulu:
Once in the Upcountry region of the volcano on Highway 37, look for Grandma’s Coffee House just past Mile Marker 16 and stop for wonderful local brewed coffee and homemade pastries.

Continue on to the Ulupalakua Ranch and Store, where the Tedeschi Vineyards Winery is located. From this vantage point on a clear day, you can see the islands of Hawaii, Kahoolawe, Molokini, Lanai, and Molokai.

Coming around the corner, the shoreline of Maui lies in the Alenuihaha Channel—26 miles across to the island of Hawaii—considered the roughest channel in the world.Here the landscape dramatically changes as you enter Pele’s land (Hawaii’s Fire Goddess). Toward the ocean, lava flows tell of her power. Toward the mountains is a depleted land, bare of its once verdant rain forests that helped sustain native Hawaiian populations numbering in the tens of thousands. The forests were decimated first in the early 1800’s from the sandalwood trade, and completed later with the cutting of the native koa and ohia trees to fire the furnaces of sugar mills. After the sugar industry failed in these areas, the cattle ranchers completed the job of deforestation. However in the lower lands some of the Native dry land forests still remain.

Further along (Miles 20-24) you will see the stone foundation ruins of what was once a flourishing Hawaiian village. The mountain vegetation eventually begins to green as the prominent Kaupo Gap slices into the side of the volcano where the lava flows spilled to the sea. Adjacent to the gap is the beginning of the Kipahulu Valley, frequently pouring with waterfalls as you once again begin to enter the rainforest.

At Mile 33, the road is unpaved for five miles. Not to fear—Mile 34 is the Kaupo Store.

Back into the lush Kipahulu area, cross a few streams and look for our sign just past the 40 Mile mark. Turn right down the paved road. We are at the end, on your right.

Aloha—Welcome to Kipahulu!

Cancellations must be made by calling our concierge lines at 808-214-9283.  We will not accept cancellations via email, voicemail, fax or chatline. You must call at least 48 hours before the event for credit or refund to be applied. Some activities require a longer notice or will not allow cancellations once booking is made (each tour description will show exceptions to the 48 hour rule if applicable). Activities are 100% refunded in the event of your tour being canceled by the Activity Provider for any reason, such as weather, mechanical, etc. Ohana Fun! Hawaii will make every effort to get approval from an activity provider but cannot guarantee a refund until such approval is granted.  If you have any questions regarding a specific activity refund policy please call our concierge lines at 1-808-214-9283 prior to making your booking.