Helicopter tour takes you over Maui, and lands in the rain forest too

Explore Maui’s lush rain forests from the air and the ground with a new helicopter tour that visits the east side of the Hawaiian island.

Maverick Helicopters recently launched the Hana Rainforest Experience, a 75-minute tour in which choppers show off the coast and then land in the rain forest to allow passengers to check out the tropical habitat.

While on the ground, you can hike to streams and find native plants such as ginger and coconut, lemon and passionfruit trees. Maverick’s private landing spot is on a former taro plantation.

Tours depart daily from Kahului and cost $299 per person. Info: Maverick Helicopters, (800) 978-0266

Other companies offer shorter, less-expensive tours without the landing.

Sunshine Helicopters’ Hana-Haleakala tour starts at $225 and include flyovers of the dormant Haleakala volcano and remote Hana town.

A similar ride with Blue Hawaiian costs $229.

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