When we visit Oahu Hawaii we usually avoid the tourist traps and love finding hidden gems off the beaten path. But if there is one touristy thing that you need to do in Oahu, it is taking one of the Kualoa Ranch Tours. We booked the Jungle Expedition and it was one of the highlights of our trip!
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Everything you need to know about the Jungle Expedition Kualoa Ranch Tour
Table of Contents
- How to get to Kualoa Ranch
- Things to do at Kualoa Ranch
- Why we love the Jungle Expedition Tour
- Jungle Expedition Tour details
- What to expect on the Jungle Expedition Kualoa Ranch tour
How to get to Kualoa Ranch
Kualoa Ranch is a 4,000-acre private nature preserve located on the windward side of the island of Oahu Hawaii.
This eighth-generation family-run working cattle ranch is situated about halfway between Honolulu and the North Shore.
You’ll find it just off the Kamehameha Hwy near the coastal town of Kaneohe about 45 minutes from Waikiki.
Things to do at Kualoa Ranch
Kualoa Ranch made its first debut almost 30 years ago when Jurassic Park was first filmed here. It was actually a backup location since Kauai was hit by Hurricane Iniki during production.
That movie put Kualoa Ranch on the Hollywood map, and almost 30 years and 80 movies and TV shows later it is still one of the most popular filming locations in the world. There was even a film crew on location during our tour!
There are 10 different Kualoa Ranch tours available, so you are bound to find something for everyone! Click the link for all the tour prices:
- Jungle Expedition Tour: This 90-minute tour takes guests on a jungle adventure over bumpy terrain to various movie sites. Adults $48.95 | Child (3-12) $36.95
- Jurassic Adventure Tour: An extensive 2.5-hour tour to different movie locations in a custom open-air vehicle. Adult $129.95 | Child (3-12) $69.95
- 1-Hour ATV Raptor Tour: Drive a 2-6 passenger ATV through remote parts of the Kualoa Valley to various movie sites. Adult $89.95 | Child (5-12) $49.95
- 2-Hour ATV Raptor Tour: Similar to the 1-hour ATV tour but with more sites to visit. Adults $137.95 | Child (5-12) $69.95
- Hollywood Movie Sites Tour: Climb aboard the big open-air bus to visit various movie sites around the ranch. Adults $48.95 | Kids (3-12) $36.95
- Jurassic Valley Zipline: Glide over the valley on 7 different lines with this 3-hour tour. Adults $169.95
- Electric Mountain Bike: Explore the ranch on a 1 or 2-hour E-bike tour. One-hour tour: Adults $76.95 | Child (10-12) $59.95. Two-hour tour: Adults $112.95 | Child (10-12) $89.95
- Horseback Walking Tour: Enjoy the spectacular beauty of the valley on horseback. One-hour tour: Adults $89.95. Two-hour tour: Adults $137.95 | Child (10-12) $89.95
- Secret Island Beach: Spend 3 hours on a private beach with access to a variety of water sports equipment. Adults $48.95 | Child $36.95. Full-day reservations available at an additional charge.
- Mālama ʻĀina Eco-adventure: Learn about the rich history and culture of the land while participating in a 2-hour community service event. Adults $50 | Child (5-12) $40
Why we love the Jungle Expedition Tour
After reviewing the different Kualoa Ranch tours available, we felt that the Jungle Expedition Tour was the best fit for our family.
For a family of six, the cost of the tour really adds up so it was a major draw that the Jungle Expedition is one of the least expensive tours.
The open-air jeep ride will also take you to some of the same filming locations as the movie bus tour, but it is more adventurous and in a smaller group.
We were still able to visit quite a few sites during the 90-minute tour and the bumpy ride back down the mountain was such a fun adrenaline rush!
The open-air jeep seats 16 people but the ranch likes to keep the guide-to-guest ratio at a max of 10:1 so our group of 7 had the entire jeep to ourselves.
Jungle Expedition Tour details
- Cost: Adults $48.95 | Child (3-12) $36.95
- Tour time: 90-minutes, but our tour lasted 1 hour and 45 minutes.
- Children must be 3 or older to participate.
- Not recommended for pregnant women or those with back problems.
- It is highly recommended to reserve the tour in advance as it often sells out.
- Guests are required to arrive 45 minutes prior to the tour departure time.
- A photo ID is required that matches the name on the reservation.
- Backpacks and bags are allowed on the tour.
- Eating and drinking are prohibited on the jeep, except for water.
What to expect on the Jungle Expedition Kualoa Ranch tour
Guests are required to arrive 45 minutes prior to the tour. This will give you ample time to check-in and get your tickets if the lines are long.
You’ll also want to make a quick stop at the restrooms as there will be no bathrooms available on the tour. Unless you count the tree at the end of the hike-ha.
You’ll have some extra time before your tour departs where you can walk around to see the petting zoo or visit the Ranch House. The Ranch House is where you can pick up KualoaGrown fresh produce, meats, and specialty gifts.
Once your tour is ready to depart, you’ll meet your guide then climb aboard and buckle up for an adventure!
Our guide was Joe and he was so great. I would highly recommend him if you want to make a request when booking your reservation.
You’ll begin by making your way up the rugged mountain along the tree-lined primitive road.
Along the way, you’ll see several WWII structures and views of Chinaman’s Hat while your guide narrates the tour with interesting facts. You can even see the islands in the distance that look like a turtle and a mama elephant with its baby.
Your guide will stop for photo ops as you continue to rumble along the road with incredible views of the ocean and majestic Ko’olau Range.
Soon you’ll reach a clearing that was the location for the helicopter landing pad in Jurassic World. The actual structure is no longer there, but it is still cool to still see the location and the spectacular view.
Secret Beach can also be seen off in the distance, as well as the ancient 800-year-old Moli’i fish pond. This is one of only 4 remaining original Hawaiian fish ponds.
Joe explained how they built a rock wall with small holes and used bait to attract fish from Kaneohe Bay into the pond.
They would then feed the fish until they were too big to swim back out through the holes and large enough to harvest.
This ensured that there was always a steady supply of fish to feed the members of the village. Pretty fascinating!
The facade of the Hukilau Cafe in 50 First Dates was located on the shores of the fish pond. Scenes from Lost and Magnum PI were also filmed here.
If you want to see those filming locations up close, you’ll need to take the Hollywood Movie Sites Tour.
As you continue along, the ocean views are replaced by a thick dense jungle.
You’ll soon come to a bend in the road and your guide will turn on the Jurassic World theme song as you reach the entrance to the Indominus Rex Pen from Jurassic World. It was such a cool moment!
In some cases, the ranch has been able to negotiate with the production company to leave behind some of the props after the completion of filming.
The Indominous Rex Pen was left just how it was during filming, it’s interesting to note that there were actually only two walls! You can even see the Rex claw marks scratched into what looks like a concrete wall but is actually made of styrofoam.
Your guide will give you some time to get out and explore around. You can even walk up to the observation deck that you’ll recognize from the movie scene where they are looking out over the pen.
*Update: A stop at the Indominous Rex Pen is no longer included with the Jungle Adventure tour, only the Jurassic Adventure tour.
After you climb back aboard the jeep, you’ll cross a creek then head deeper into the jungle. You’ll soon come across the wreckage of a helicopter from the movie Kong Skull Island.
The helicopter is also made of styrofoam and plywood, and the cap on top of the helicopter blades is actually a cooking wok!
You’ll also come to a clearing that was used during the filming of Hunger Games: Catching Fire. All along the way, your guide will point out interesting facts and history about the valley, it’s very fascinating.
The road then leads through a gate that was used as a set prop from the Ben Affleck movie, Triple Frontier. In the movie, the gate actually leads to the compound of a Columbian drug lord in South America.
From here, you’ll continue up the mountain where you’ll stop and take a short 10-15 minute hike. The trail has a gradual incline and can be quite muddy so be sure to wear tennis shoes. The trail will lead to a spectacular lookout over the Kualoa Valley and the Pacific Ocean. It is truly magnificent.
After you get back in the jeep, the fun really begins. If everyone in your group is up for an adventure, let your guide know and he’ll take you on an adrenaline-pumping ride down the bumpy mountain road!
The seats in the back of the jeep get the wildest ride and you will be bounced right out of your seat, so buckle up! We were shrieking and laughing the entire way down, definitely a highlight of the tour! Like I said, Joe was the best guide!
Of course, if you would prefer a more mellow ride your guide will take it slow.
The last stop on the tour is a quick look at 4 statues erected in the jungle. There are hundreds of Hawaiian gods, but these represent the 4 main gods of the Hawaiian culture.
You’ll soon be back at the ranch for the conclusion of your tour. Be sure to tip your guide, they work hard to ensure you have a great time!
We really did love our experience and feel that the Jungle Expedition is one of the best Kualoa Ranch tours!
I hope this helps you know what to expect before embarking on your Jungle Expedition with the Kualoa Ranch tours. It truly was one of the most memorable things to do in Oahu! And if you’re craving another adventure, I would highly recommend hiking the Maunawili Falls Trail!
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