Honolulu Rainforest Self-Guided Audio Tour
4.3 / 5 · 7 traveler reviews
See a rarely explored corner of Honolulu! Hawaii's bustling capital may be known for its beaches and high-rise buildings but did you know just a few minutes away there's a lush forest with hiking trails? On this tour, you'll visit a waterfall hike, a 200-acre garden, Honolulu's historic Chinatown district, and a lookout with stunning views of the city's skyline. Here are just a few of the fun things you can do on the tour! • Hike to Manoa Falls • Visit Tantalus Lookout • Try local Poke • Stroll through Lyon Arboretum • Take a walk through Chinatown PLEASE NOTE: Round Top Drive, a major road on this tour, is closed intermittently due to construction (as needed). KNOW BEFORE YOU GO Recommended Start Time: Before 11:00 a.m. Tour Starting Point(s): Waikiki Direction: Loop, ending where you began "Download the Shaka Guide app to access your purchased tours."
Your experience
Stop 1
Located just 10 minutes from Waikiki, Manoa Falls feels like a world away! Hike along a jungle path that leads to a 150-foot waterfall. Along the way, look out for native plant species, listen to the birds chirp, and breathe in the fresh mountain air.
Stop 2
Visit an artificial lowland tropical rainforest with numerous trails and small water features
Stop 3
Take a walk at the oldest and largest Chinese Cemetery in Hawaii
Stop 4
Visit Manoa Marketplace - a neighborhood shopping center in beautiful Manoa Valley
Stop 5
Hike a loop trail that features beautiful wild flowers and is good for all skill levels
Stop 6
Visit a popular national cemetery located at Punchbowl Crater in Honolulu
Stop 7
Enjoy strolling in the garden made for Hawaiian native plants and flora
Stop 8
Visit the oldest of the Honolulu Botanical Gardens
Stop 9
Check out one of our favorite places to get shave ice
Stop 10
Visit a town bustling with traditional dim sum restaurants, noodle shops and hip bars in converted lofts, as well as crowded Asian markets full of antiques and stalls
Stop 11
Check out the best sunset lookout on Oahu situated in a huge grassy hill and looking out over Diamond Head Crater and all of Waikiki
Stop 12
After your drive through Chinatown, you can choose to pull over and take a look around, or we’ll guide you back to Waikiki where you can hit the beach, do some shopping, or take our Heart of Waikiki Walking tour! When you’re in Hawaii, we ask that you act respectfully toward the locals, land, and wildlife. Please pick up your trash; never touch any marine life, plants, or other animals; and avoid unsafe spots. Hawaii’s natural resources are precious, it’s up to all of us to help preserve these resources.
What’s included
- Take the tour when you want
- Tours NEVER expire
- Freedom to explore at your own pace
- Tour Start is Customizable
- Offline map (no wifi or data needed)
- Tour highlights with activity and restaurant recommendations
- Turn-by-turn directions using GPS
- Hours of audio narration with stories, travel tips and music
- Audio narration that plays automatically as you drive
Not included
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Private transportation
- Meals & Refreshment
Meeting and pickup
This tour starts and ends in Waikiki and travels through the lush forests of the Makiki Valley before visiting Honolulu’s bustling downtown. Check the Shaka Guide app for the GREEN Flag indicating the tour starting point.
Before you go
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- This tour is completed in a loop, starting and ending in Waikiki.
- Expect to spend 3-5 hours on the tour.
- We recommend starting before 11:00 a.m.
- The only spot to grab food is at Manoa Marketplace.
- Lyon Arboretum is open from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. on weekdays and closed on weekends; there’s no admission fee but a donation is recommended.
- Tantalus Lookout is open daily from 7:00 a.m. – 7:45 p.m.
- Lili’uokalani Botanical Garden is open daily from 7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
- National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific is open daily from 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
- Foster Botanical Garden is open daily from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. There is a nominal entrance fee to enter
- Bring some cash! Parking at Manoa Falls is cash only.
- Travelers must have a smartphone compatible with the Shaka Guide app.
- The app must be downloaded and the tour redeemed before arrival.
- Strong Wi-Fi or cellular data is required to download the tour in advance.
- Location services (GPS) must be enabled on the device
- Travelers are responsible for securing any required entrance passes, reservations, or permits before starting
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Check the policy for your selected date and option before booking.
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