6-7 Hours Private Kauai's Hidden Gems Experience with Snacks

4.8 (45 reviews) 6–7 hours Free cancellation Private tour

out of 5

45 reviews

4.8

6-7 Hours Private Kauai's Hidden Gems Experience with Snacks — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

Learn about local flora & fauna — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

This tour is private and fully customizable - hike as much or as little as you want in the time we have. If you would prefer more of a driving tour to spectacular lookouts instead, we can do that.

Accessible only by foot, our 6 - 7 hour Waimea Canyon & Nāpali Cliff Top Hike is designed to give you amazing views thousands of feet above the ocean! While these hikes can be muddy, you will be amply rewarded for your effort with sweeping views of Waimea Canyon and the most dramatic middle sections of the famous 17-mile-long Nāpali Coast – from unique vantage points that can only be accessed from the cliff top ridges of Kōkeʻe State Park.

Our mission -"sharing Kauaʻi’s beauty with aloha”- was forged in love and respect for this island’s abundant mana (life energy). Our local guides take you to some of their favorite spots, the places they enjoy exploring in their free time. We hope to inspire understanding, respect, and reverence for these sacred, often fragile, environments.

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At a glance

Duration: 6–7 hours
Confirmation: Confirmed within 48 hours
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Your group only
People per booking: 1–15
Guide: English
Operated by: Kauai Hiking Adventures

What is included

Included

Included: Private transportation
Included: Specialty Equipment Some extra safety equipment such a trekking poles, gloves, extra packs, ponchos, and shoe traction devices may be available.
Included: Snacks: Fresh local surprise Fresh local snack or fruit surprise. We generally stop at the Koke'e Lodge between hikes for lunch. We will provide a small cooler to keep in the vehicle for food & drink storage.

Not included

Not included: All Fees and Taxes
Not included: We generally stop at the Koke'e Lodge (conveniently located in our hiking areas) between hikes for lunch. You can pack a lunch if you prefer.
Not included: Price listed does not include visitor entrance / parking fee that may be charged at some lookouts.

Itinerary

Waimea Canyon State Park

2 hours Admission not included

Driving east to west, you’ll witness a change in vegetation and climate as you transition into the “rain shadow,” characterized by the arid farmland of the island’s leeward side (on the opposite side of mountains from typical trade wind direction). Along the way, we’ll pass through the agricultural towns of Hanapēpē and Waimea and learn the important role they played in Kauaʻi’s history.

Your tour continues across the center of the island, winding along the rim of Waimea Canyon and to the North Shore, 4,000 feet (1,220 m) above the spectacular Nāpali Coast. Rainbow-colored canyon walls and cool mountain air create an otherworldly ambiance that’s unlike anything you’ve experienced.

We will stop at a couple of the choicest Waimea Canyon overlooks, including one with a view of 800-foot Waipo’o Falls, before beginning our ridge hike from one of the trailheads in Kōkeʻe State Park or Waimea Canyon SP (depending on your private group and local conditions).
Koke'e State Park

4 hours

Your tour continues across the center of the island, winding along the rim of Waimea Canyon and to the North Shore, 4,000 feet (1,220 m) above the spectacular Nāpali Coast. Rainbow-colored canyon walls and cool mountain air create an otherworldly. There we will enjoy jaw-dropping views of the world-famous Nāpali Coast and/or Waimea Canyon from these vantage points (weather permitting).

We will eat lunch inside charmingly rustic Kōkeʻe Lodge in between hikes/overlooks or at a picnic spot, if you chose to pack a lunch. ambiance that’s unlike anything you’ve experienced.

Price listed does not include visitor entrance & parking charge. This fee goes to help support and maintain our precious state parks and will vary depending on the size of your group. It can be paid by credit card at self-service kiosks in select state park parking lots.

Meeting point and pickup

Everyone meets at the meeting point.

Meeting point

We will meet in the large parking lot just past Japanese Grandma's Cafe

End point

We will meet in the large parking lot just past Japanese Grandma's Cafe

Using your ticket

Your guide will call you the day before your tour to check in and to see if you have any questions. Feel free to call the office at 808-212-9928 to set a custom start time and if you have questions before then.

Most guides will have an SUV or van to transport you to the hiking areas in but in some cases we will have you follow us in your vehicle. This is especially true for groups larger than 4 people. We can provide transportation for large groups if we have enough advance notice.

"Gear List" (let us know if you are missing anything on this list as we have some "lenders"):

Small daypack
Lunch and snacks
Water (minimum 2 Liters per person, “Camelbak”-type drinking systems work well)
Comfortable hiking boots or trail shoes with good traction
Sunglasses
Sunscreen
Sun Hat (optional)
Binoculars (optional)
Camera (optional, if possible bring in a ziploc bag for “waterproofing”)
Lightweight hiking pants or “convertibles” for hiking through undergrowth on less frequented trails (optional but highly recommended for those with sensitive legs)
Polar fleece or lightweight wool sweater
Lightweight rain jacket or poncho
Lightweight rain pants (optional)
Wool or fleece hat for warmth (optional)
Trekking poles (optional)
Change of clothes to leave in the car in case you want to change on the way home (optional)

If it is more comfortable for you, you can wear your flip flops or other shoes until we arrive at the trailhead, then change into your hiking footwear before we start hiking. It’s also a good idea to bring extra water to leave in the car for before and after hiking.

Please note that we will be at an elevation over 4000’ and weather can vary considerably during the course of the day. Conditions range from rainy with temperatures in the low 50’s to full sun with temperatures in the high 80’s. It is usually 10 – 15 degrees colder in the park than it is on the coast.