Waipio Valley Wagon Tour & Big Island Tropical Waterfalls Adventure [Closed] reviews, Big Island tours & activities, fun things to do in Big Island | HawaiiActivities.com

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Waipio Valley Wagon Tour & Big Island Tropical Waterfalls Adventure [Closed]

Overall Rating

4.36 4.36 / 5

Reviews

39 reviews
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Waipio Valley Experience

Reviewed by: Thuvan, 2022/03/05

Waipio Valley Wagon Tour is a great way to see and experience the valley. Although the van drive down and up the valley was bumpy, we were glad it wasn't the wagon or hiking on foot because of the long, windy steep hill. We saw the waterfalls from afar (not up close), wild horses, taro fields, streams and river. We were a little disappointed that the tour did not go the black sand beach. Overall the wagon tour is a good way to see the valley below, especially for those who are not experienced in hiking uphill.

Rating:
Attended as:Couples
Activity Date:2022/02/09
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Bob is the guy!

Reviewed by: Sherrie , 2020/02/24

Trust this experience to someone who knows how to drive and maneuver this very intimidating road down into the valley and back up! Bob is that guy! This narrow, winding, and steep road that serves as the only way in and out is simultaneously occupied by experienced drivers, novice drivers, experienced hikers, novice hikers, and everything in between. Bob was cool as a cucumber every inch of the way. As for the mule and wagon ride, Bob handled the mules with grace and respect and the mules were great hosts. Bob was very informative and knowledgeable about the Valley, its vegetation, its history, and its community’s way of life. We were well pleased and recommend this tour and Bob!

Rating:
Attended as:Friends
Activity Date:2020/02/21
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A definite must do

Reviewed by: Cathy W, 2020/01/23

If you want a once in a lifetime Hawaiian experience, you have got to plan on this tour...it's hair-raising, heart-stopping & the absolute best day of our vacation...our van driver, Bob, drove us down to the valley in his trusty van, then introduced us to Banjo & Jim who pulled his trusty wagon...we learned alot about the valley, the folks who have lived there & live there now...breath-taking views & fabulous memories...highly highly recommended!

Rating:
Attended as:Friends
Activity Date:2020/01/20
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Good tour but too short

Reviewed by: Lori, 2019/12/19

The mule ride was really short and could have been done with an extra 15 minutes in the van. We thought we’d see more of the valley. The best views were from the view point that we went to before the tour

Rating:
Attended as:Families
Activity Date:2019/12/16
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Interesting, informative and fun

Reviewed by: Ann, 2019/01/25

We really enjoyed our tour. The guides were knowledgeable and personable. A wonderful experience!

Rating:
Attended as:Couples
Activity Date:2019/01/22
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Not the best experience

Reviewed by: laha, 2018/10/26

I will start with saying our tour guide was over 20 minutes late showing up at the Last Chance Store to pick us up (meeting place before heading down into the valley). No apologies or explanation from him either. The van we rode down in was super old and smelled very musty...we were worried it was going to fall apart! When we got down in the valley, he let us out of the van and had us stand out in the misting rain while he went to get the carriage and mules. Apparently they can't cross the creek with a full load. He said he'd return in 10 minutes. Over 20 minutes later, he returned to pick us up! Our ride was fine but very short and with the rain and fog, we couldn't see much. I don't know why they didn't cancel due to the weather...we were really robbed of the experience due to not being able to see anything. Afterwards he let us out before he crossed the creek, but this time it was actually raining. He did give us umbrellas to stand under at least. Overall, not a great experience and definitely not worth what our family of 5 paid to see!

Rating:
Attended as:Families with Young Children
Activity Date:2018/10/18
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Wonderful experience in Waipio Valley

Reviewed by: Shira, 2018/06/17

We had a wonderful experience riding along in this incredible sacred valley. Bob and the mules were a delightful experience. The waterfall was breathtaking and Bob's knowledge of the valley was captivating. So grateful to have chosen this adventure to share with my 7yr old grandson who was equally enthralled to have the experience.

  • Incredible scenery

  • Powerful Waterfall

  • The Mules

Rating:
Attended as:Families with Young Children
Activity Date:2018/06/08
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Beautiful views of the valley

Reviewed by: Karen from MO, 2017/09/24

What a unique experience! We were met at a small shop and driven part of the way down in the valley by Bob in a four wheel drive van. The road in and out of the valley is very steep and rough at times, but the view was beautiful. The wagon ride was fun and Bob was very informative telling us about the plant life and history of the valley. We saw a beautiful waterfall that can not be seen unless you go down in the valley.

Rating:
Attended as:Couples
Activity Date:2017/09/07
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Wild Ride

Reviewed by: Jessie, 2017/03/05

We went down to this Valley and the carriage driver knew everything about everything we came across. It was very nice and the horses were great.

Rating:
Attended as:Families with Young Children
Activity Date:2017/02/15
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Okay, not great

Reviewed by: Fred Andrews, 2017/02/14

It was okay but not great. It really amounted to a van ride down the steep hill, after which the mules took over. The explanations were pleasant. We were disappointed that we did not take the track to the ocean. Maybe we should have booked a horse ride.

Rating:
Attended as:Couples
Activity Date:2017/02/11
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Waipio Valley Option

Reviewed by: Joan, 2016/08/22

I have wanted to experience Waipio Valley since I moved here three years ago and so was looking forward to this trip that one of my friends found online and organized. It was fine. We three were surprised that the tour on the wagon was as short as it was. The gal driver was great in her enthusiasm and information. I would have thought we would have seen more and spent more time in the valley. If you do not want to walk up or down (which we were very glad we did not have to do), then this trip is an option since they take you down and up in a van. The van was older without AC and the driver left the sliding door open for air. Not sure I would want to get back in that vehicle since great brakes are the most important feature and I did not have confidence that this was that up-to-date.

Reply from activity provider

Warm Aloha Joan,

Thank you once again for taking the time to share your experience with us. We are currently verifying with the activity provider as to whether the door remains open during the ride down the valley. We will get back to you as soon as we hear back from them.

Mahalo Nui Loa,

VELTRA Customer Support

Rating:
Attended as:Friends
Activity Date:2016/08/19
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Mule Wagon Tour

Reviewed by: Donita, 2016/08/05

It was a very interesting tour. The tour guy was very knowledgeable. We learned a lot about the vegetation and history of the valley.

Rating:
Attended as:Families
Activity Date:2016/08/02
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Waipio Valley Mule-Drawn Wagon Tour

Reviewed by: Leinani, 2016/02/06

My friend and I both enjoyed the tour very much. He picked us up on time, drove us into the valley where we got on the wagon. He was very knowledgeable about what we were seeing and answered our questions. We enjoyed the open air of the wagon and it was all good.

Rating:
Attended as:Friends
Activity Date:2016/01/11
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Liked the tour

Reviewed by: Susan, 2016/01/05

The valley is so beautiful. Bob is a great tour guide. We all love him.

Rating:
Attended as:Families with Young Children
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Great Experience

Reviewed by: Susan, 2016/01/05

Our family enjoyed the tour very much! It's amazing looking at the beautiful island and volcano. Kids are so excited. I think the memory will stay with them for ever.

Thanks!

Reply from activity provider

thank you so much for joining our tour and posting the review!

Rating:
Attended as:Families
Activity Date:2015/12/30
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waipio valley wagon tour

Reviewed by: burt yaste, 2015/02/24

expected it to be cancelled because of rain and heavy fog. could not
see any of the waterfalls that we saw on a previous trip.
the driver said it is usually 95 per cent sunny down here so why are
we going today? Just Asking!

Rating:
Attended as:Couples
Activity Date:2015/02/21
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Waipo Valley

Reviewed by: David Wright, 2014/08/08

A good experience,our guide Bob was knowledgeable and had a clear understanding of the history of the Valley and the plants that grew there. A steep hill ride down in the 4x4 van was an experience in itself. I would recommend this as a way to explore the deeper valley in a n unusual way.

Rating:
Attended as:Couples
Activity Date:2014/08/02
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Great Trip at a leisurely pace

Reviewed by: Les, 2014/07/20

Great guided tour of the valley. Very knowledgeable guide. There are Mosquitos so bring some bug repellant. Also wear tennis shoes. You will not be disappointed in this beautiful valley.

Rating:
Attended as:Couples
Activity Date:2014/07/17
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Mules and a guide who lives in the valley

Reviewed by: The Shepherds, 2013/12/27

We had not seen Waipio Valley except from the overlook. Before the trip, we were not aware of the possibility of seeing Waipio from a mule-drawn wagon (after the hair-raising ride to the bottom in a 4-wheel drive van). We loved it. The guide had plenty of history and agricultural information to share as he and the mules pulled us through the roads and fords to get well up the valley away from the mouth of the river flowing through the valley. The tour is about 45 minutes and does not include the black sand beach, due to restriction on tours in that area. Photography is oddly difficult from the wagon, but the tour was enjoyable and enlightening.

Rating:
Attended as:Couples
Activity Date:2013/12/20
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Mule Ride

Reviewed by: Dave Hall, 2013/12/12

Very neat activity in Valley of the Kings. Beautiful scenery and great guide who was vey knowledable about the valley.

Rating:
Attended as:Couples
Activity Date:2013/11/29
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Wagon Tour

Reviewed by: Beverly , 2013/03/06

With few options to actually descend into the valley, this was a pretty good one. The guide/driver was knowledgable and friendly. The kids, 2 & 6, had a very good time. We were visited by some of the wild horses, which was exciting for everyone. The only improvement I can think of would be is the route were a loop and not just "down the road and back."

Rating:
Attended as:Families with Young Children
Activity Date:2012/05/22
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Our wagon tour was great

Reviewed by: Jerry Ray Callen, Jr, 2013/02/02

Our wagon tour was great. Our guide could not have been better. She lives in the valley. I loved being shown around by someone local. It was beautiful! Thanks

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Attended as:Families with Young Children
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Great experience

Reviewed by: Sunshine, 2012/12/22

Excellent customer service! Our guide was so knowledgable and inviting. The trip was so much fun. What a great way to see and learn about the Waipio Valley, than with folks that live there.

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Attended as:Couples
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Wagons ho!

Reviewed by: hotgpa, 2012/10/04

What a wonderful way to experience this unique area of the island. Bob was a great guide and the views were spectacular, the only clear view of the tallest waterfall on the Island. I wish a trip to the black sand beach had been part of the experience.

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Attended as:Couples
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waioio valley wagon tour

Reviewed by: jack17, 2012/10/03

the waipio valley tour was enjoyable. very different that the commercialized tours on the big island...no gift shops just taking in the clean fresh air and views of this gorgeous valley...

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Attended as:Couples
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This is a very short ride

Reviewed by: Mead Family, 2012/08/16

The ride down into the valley in the 4x4 van was quite beautiful and thrilling on the one lane road which is very steep. The wagon ride itself was very short and leaves you thinking was that it for the money?

If you are traveling with the young or the old you will not be able to go into this valley any other way as I would not recommend you drive there yourself even in a 4x4. The only other way in is to walk and it is very steep walk.

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Attended as:Families with Young Children
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totally unique

Reviewed by: Mr. Anonymous, 2012/07/20

My family really enjoyed seeing the breathtaking views and learning more about how Hawaii was in the past.

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Attended as:Families with Young Children
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Best Tours on the Big Island

Reviewed by: Gene From Texas, 2012/07/12

This is one of the best tours on the big island. I did not have high expectations before the tour. I thought it would be a just a ride through the valley. It was way more than that. The ride in the van just to get down to the valley is something else. The guide was excellent having lived his whole life in the valley. It is a very educational tour.

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Attended as:Couples
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Nice Trip

Reviewed by: Mr. Anonymous, 2012/06/12

We have been down to Waipi'o before, but the rest of the group had never been there. The children thoroughly enjoyed it. The driver/guide was well informed, though somewhat unenthusiastic, but I can only imagine how many times he has repeated the same litany. The trip seemed rather short, considering the cost. It would be nice if it could traverse a loop rather than down the road and back. We were visited by a small group of the Wiapi'o wild horses, which was exciting for all of us. With few ways to actually visit the valley, this was a nice one.

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Attended as:Families with Young Children
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Waipio Valley Wagon Tour

Reviewed by: Mr. Anonymous, 2012/03/14

Wonderful experience with knowledgable and experience driver. Would highly recommend this activity!

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Attended as:Families with Young Children
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