Your Authenteco Travel 10-Day Maui Itinerary
When it comes to a vacation in Maui, you’ll want to have a mixture of free time and adventures on your trip, so we have made the perfect itinerary for exactly that! You'll have days with planned activities (the things we believe are Maui bucket list items), in addition to one relaxing spa day, and many days where you have the free time to choose what you want to do (with a big list of activities, restaurants, and places to go recommended by up)! We also made sure to pair activities together based on location so you will never feel rushed or like you will spend the whole day driving. We've got a fantastic snorkeling adventure to Molokini crater, an incredible stargazing evening, and many opportunities to go hiking, spend time at the beach, and explore! And of course, we couldn't forget the staples like a Luau and a massage!
When we travel to faraway destinations, the activities we participate in usually have the greatest effect on the environment and local culture. Sustainable tourism, thankfully, is a growing industry and one we want you to experience! This takes a lot of research and time to perfect an itinerary because Maui is a TOURIST hot spot--even with the pandemic!
However, after lots of emails and phone calls, several trips, and exploring Maui ourselves, we have crafted the perfect adventure to Maui that you will LOVE.
*** It is important to remember that we customize every itinerary based on our extensive travel surveys, the weather, availability, trip reason, etc. This should act as a general guide to a 10- day vacation in Maui and give you an idea of what your trip with Authenteco Travel might look like! For all trip inquiries, submit your trip request here, and we would love to help you plan your perfect vacation!
Maui Day 1
Welcome to Maui! As the locals say 'Aloha!' Today you're landing in the tropical island paradise that you are lucky to call home for the next ten days.
Your flight doesn't get in too late today, so you have the perfect amount of time to pick up your rental car, check into your lovely new abode at Ho'Oilo House located in Paihia and then head out for dinner--your first taste of Maui's fresh produce! We have a large number of options available for dinner tonight, and these will be located on your exclusive Google Map.
Make sure you get a good sleep tonight. Your flight was long and tomorrow starts the epic part of your adventure in this tropical paradise!
Honeymooners in Maui on an Authenteco Vacation
Maui Day 2
Lua’us and relaxation
Spend your morning relaxing at the beach! You wanted a true, authentic Maui experience, and this is how you get one! Relaxation, long walks along the sand, and delicious food.
Speaking of food… enjoy Kimo's or Moku Roots for a delicious and fresh lunch today. Their foods are incredible!
Leave plenty of room for food, though, because tonight you have the Old Lahaina Luau! Since there's an open bar at this luau, consider taking an Uber to and from the luau so you can responsibly have fun! At the end of a spectacular first full day in Maui, your comfy bed awaits an amazingly restful sleep.
Maui Day 3
To Molokini Crater
After settling in yesterday with some relaxation and the Lu'au, it's time to take to the open ocean with the renowned Molokini Crater.
Now, we have to be completely upfront--Molokini Crater is definitely a tourist hotspot that has felt the effects of mass tourism. Hundreds of boats and visitors have damaged the reef. However, if people don't experience the bio-diversity of Hawaii's reefs, they might not be convinced to take action to save them.
We researched how to sustainably visit this site for a LONG time and picked the ABSOLUTE BEST company. The company does not condone swimming with marine mammals, uses local food aboard their vessels, and was awarded the Sustainable Ecotour Operator of the year in 2017. After an unforgettable morning at the crater, head back to Lahaina for a relaxing afternoon before heading to one of our favorite secret restaurant reservations on your itinerary.
Molokini Crater from above
Maui Day 4
Relax and adventure
Yesterday was a big day of adventuring, so today we wanted to give you the opportunity to relax and choose your own itinerary as you depart Lahaina and head towards North Shore.
There are a great number of optional activities you can choose to do if you're still feeling adventurous today.
Try your hand at Maui goat yoga, indulge in locally grown and produced chocolate at Maui Ku'Ia Estate, the Hawaii Mermaid Adventure, or a Maui Wine Tasting at a local winery (we have some awesome recommendations if you’re interested in this). Once you check into our one-of-a-kind secret North Shore accommodation, we recommend taking a relaxing outdoor shower or heading to the pool for a quiet afternoon before heading to your reservation at one of Maui's finest restaurants--Mama's Fish House.
Maui Day 5
Sunset and stargazing
It's been a busy few days, so this morning it is time to sleep in and relax. You're right in the heart of paradise right now, so we want you to enjoy every moment of it.
We have a truly special surprise for you this evening! Many people think the Haleakala Sunrise, surrounded by hundreds of other people, is a must-see. Unfortunately, the mass tourism at Haleakala in the morning has forced the national park to create a lottery for entry into the park for sunrise.
Instead, grab a Japanese picnic in Makawao at Kojima's Sushi or another restaurant of your choice and get ready for an amazing experience with Maui Stargazing! They'll suit you up in winter gear (if you travel in winter- but be warned, it will be chilly most of the year here) and take you for an amazing look at the night sky from the top of the world.
After the drive up the volcano and watercolor sunset, get ready for the best stargazing of your life! Bring lots of layers, some hot drinks, and snuggly blankets.
“Join Maui Stargazing for a stunning sunset at Haleakala Summit followed by a science-based, 60-minute guided telescope tour of the cosmos. Observe the most deep-sky objects through the largest portable telescope on Haleakala. See the visible planets and deep-sky objects of the Milky Way, including nebulae, star clusters, and the galaxies beyond through a 12-inch aperture Dobsonian telescope. Maui Stargazing truly believes in educating its clients on their Stargazing tour. They also provide everything you need, from hot drinks and snacks to all of the cold weather gear you'll need to stay warm. No need to bring an extra suitcase just for this experience--everything is provided! And, of course, you'll be looking at the galaxies through the largest portable telescope on Haleakala. “
Maui Day 6
Relax and rejuvenate
You've had an adventurous start to your trip so far! It's time to slow down. Enjoy the pool, read a book by the hammock out back, sip some delicious local coffee and walk the property. You have a luxurious spa package booked in at lunchtime, so make sure you have a big breakfast to fuel you for a day of pampering. It will go until mid-afternoon. This spa treatment is the Hawaiian Healing Experience and you will just fall in love with it! After your pampering session, you have a free afternoon to go for a wander and explore the area some more. If more relaxation is in need, you can head back to your accommodation and lay in your hammock under the trees.
Your reservation for dinner is at one of our favorite farm-to-table dinner spots that has a delicious and unique array of meals for you to indulge in!
Day 7 & 8
The Road to Hana
No trip to Maui is complete without driving the infamous Road to Hana. This 64.4 mile stretch of road along the North East coast of Maui is full of waterfalls, lush rainforest, and the Old Hawaii you've been dreaming of.
We've laid out your entire route on your custom Google map titled "Road to Hana." Follow our suggestions or adventure on your own, but make sure to read our notes at each stop. Our Road to Hana route is a little different to what you might see in mainstream media, but trust us when we say this is the real Road to Hana you want to see!
You have two days to do as much or as little of the Road to Hana as you want, so make sure you take the time to travel slowly and enjoy each location you visit.
There aren't a lot of places to dine in Hana, so we recommend filling up on fresh fruit and vegetables from the stands along the road! We'll make sure you see the rainbow eucalyptus trees and grab the BEST banana bread from the Halfway to Hana food stand.
You'll also visit Three Bear Falls, Black sand beach, Red sand beach, Oheo gulch or "The Seven Sacred pools" and of course get to hike Pipiwai trail that will lead you to the 400 ft Waimoku falls!
When you arrive at your luxury Oceanfront villa in Hana, make sure you relax, breathe the fresh air, and reflect on how magical Maui really is!
Road to Hana
Maui Day 9
Paia, fish, and relaxation
You're almost at the end of your vacation, but we're not letting you finish without another adventure around Paia!
Today you get to drive back through the road to Hana (or another route if there's one you want to take) and do more beach-hopping, swimming, and waterfall hunting. Once you arrive back in Paia, you'll have some time to go and devour some more fresh seafood from the Paia Fishmarket before another afternoon of exploration and relaxation.
This is another great opportunity for you to do any other activities from your list of optional activities and try any of the restaurants on your Google Map that you don't want to miss out on. The afternoon is yours, but we have plenty of recommendations for you if you’re feeling up to it!
Day 10
Hometime
It's the last day! Don't worry--you still have plenty of time to soak up the surreal landscape.
You might be exhausted from the last few days, and if you are, that's ok! Grab the "Green Buzz Bowl" from the incredible plant-based cafe, Choice Health Bar, and head to Baldwin beach park for a swim or Ho'okipa Beach park to see more sea turtles.
If you want to soak in one more dramatic landscape, then hike Waihee Ridge Trail early and grab brunch after! You will NOT regret it. This 5-mile roundtrip hike takes you through the clouds and into the Heavens of Maui.
Enjoy a nice relaxing afternoon and an evening eating delicious local food before boarding your flight and saying goodbye to Maui!
A Glimpse at your Maui Accommodation
When you visit Maui, you will likely want to stay in different locations so you can see lots of the island but still do it at a relaxed pace, so we decided to choose four different accommodations in three different parts of Maui: Lahaina, North Shore, Hana, and Paia. We wanted to avoid those giant resorts, so we looked for small boutique accommodations that would provide you with privacy, gorgeous views, and also the ability to walk to restaurants, shops, and of course the beach!
In keeping with traveling responsibly, we found a mixture of luxury and eco-friendly accommodations. We found local businesses that actually support or implement green practices and invested hours upon hours of research to keep you away from the crowds and closer to the locals.
For example, all of your locations are strategically picked to pair with your adventures so that car use is minimal and walking/biking to the beach or grabbing munchies is easy for you! Because we wanted this to have the most magical escape possible, we made sure to find locations that were just a step away from the beach! Your Lahaina B and B is family-owned and has incredible ocean views! Your Upcountry accommodation ticks all the boxes for relaxation and adventure. Hana offers you the chance to be surrounded by breathtaking views, majestic waterfalls and a lush tropical landscape where unspoiled Hawaii helps you enjoy the true spirit of Aloha. And finally, your Paia accommodation which is right next to a 3 mile stretch of beautiful sand can get you in touch with the most incredible fresh food and is close to the airport for your departure!
Stay in Maui’s most luxurious Airbnb
Enjoy Maui's most luxurious B&B when you first arrive on the Island! The Ho’oilo House is a family-owned and operated business that started in 2003 when Jay and Kathy Wisthoff, Amy Wisthoff-Martin and Dan Martin purchased this beautiful new home with the intention to make it luxurious and comfortable. Sadly, Jay passed away in 2018 but Amy, Dan and Kathy have continued with the business and their mutual love of Maui. Amy and Dan’s daughters, Grace and Caroline, have grown up on Maui and are often seen working at the family business. They all run the home with the desire to make it feel like a home away from home and to embrace the true meaning of aloha.
You will arrive here on your first day in Maui and we know you'll just fall in love with the place. Rinse off under a private, warm outdoor shower, take a dip in your tub, and enjoy relaxation at its finest! The B&B is right where the action is—the park, beach, restaurants, shops, and fish market are all close by, but not too close as to disturb the peace and tranquillity it has to offer. Every morning you will be treated to a delicious continental breakfast with freshly made loaves of bread and vegan pastries! Not to mention the incredible array of fresh fruits!
Oceanfront & luxurious
As you travel the beautiful Hana Highway through Maui’s untouched rainforest, you will be surrounded by breathtaking views, majestic waterfalls and a lush tropical landscape. Your journey ends as you reach the town of Hana. Here is unspoiled Hawaii, where you can relax and enjoy the true spirit of Aloha. Relax in a first-class studio that features panoramic oceanfront views where you can experience incredible sunrises and moonlit nights while turtles and dolphins swim nearby in the surf. Your luxurious accommodation opens the doorway to adventure. From the black sands of Wainapanapa State Park to world famous Hamoa Beach, you can enjoy swimming, snorkelling or surfing close to your doorstep.
Just eight miles away, the pools at Oheo Gulch (“seven pools”) offer great scenery and refreshing swimming in Haleakala National Park. Or, enjoy a panoramic hike up through the bamboo forest to Waimoku Falls. The trails at Wainapanapa will bring you to fresh-water caves or take you along the coast to spectacular views where you can sometimes see humpback whales as you hike along the cliffs. Fill your day with a stroll along the beach, or find a quiet place to sit and enjoy the unspoiled beauty. Hana is a place where you'll lose track of time, where mystical days and tranquil nights simply unfold.
Want to set off on an unforgettable vacation to Maui like this but don't know where to start? Submit a trip request, and we’d love to help you!
For more information about what destinations we’re sending travelers to, check out our destinations page!
Want to check out more of our itineraries? Check out the itineraries below!
