Kipu Ranch Adventures

If I could give this place a negative number I would. I took one of their atv tours during my recent stay in Kauai and they completely ruined my entire trip. I still can’t get over how rude they were and how they treat their female customers.
Let me start off by saying that I am a adventurous, independent woman that doesn’t want to ride alongside a man on an atv (even though I am married). When we tried to book this atv tour, the company kept insisting that we get a double seater atv and I ride alongside my husband. I kept insisting back that I wanted my own atv. I have ridden atv tours in the past and wasn’t at all concerned that I couldn’t handle the ride. When we got there for their 7AM tour, I ended up meeting the tour guide and right from the beginning I sensed a bit of an attitude from him, especially towards me on the single atv. They had us run drills to make sure the single riders could ride the atvs independently and I passed their tests. In addition to me, my husband and this other guy were riding a single atv. The rest of the group were older couples riding the double atvs together. Right before we took off on the tour, the tour guide asked me again if I was okay riding the atv by myself. I told him again I was fine. We started the tour, the tour guide mentioned that he was going to demonstrate another series of safety steps and rules to follow once we went a bit further. Shortly after and before he explained the remaining rules, we went down a fairly steep hill and I could swear to you, my atv almost turned over. I simply jumped off my atv to ensure it didn’t fall on me or damage their machine. Once it went back upright, I jumped back on the atv and was going to go on with the tour when the tour guide comes over telling me that he is kicking me off the tour. He starts making a huge scene, telling me that I had broken the rules and was not supposed to get off the atv for any reason. I looked at him bewildered and had no idea what he was talking about. Never did he explain that we could not get off the atvs. Let me reiterate again that I have been on other atv tours in Hawaii and no one has ever had this rule. At this point, all the other riders had stopped and were staring at us. To defuse the situation, I explained to him that he hadn’t provided clarification around this particular rule but now that I knew, I would adhere to it. He again reiterated that since I had broken the rules, I wasn’t allowed back on the atv. Keep in mind that at this point, we are a mile into the tour. My husband, listening to this, comes over and explains to the tour guy that he can assure him he didn’t clarify this particular rule. After a few minutes passes and the tour guide continues to argue with us, I finally gave up and asked him to tell us what he wanted us to do. He told me my only option was to ride in the back with the second tour guide, on his atv. I couldn’t ride with my husband, nor go back. I agreed and we literally went less than 20 feet when he starts talking about the remaining series of rules that we must follow. I sat on my own alongside the guide who didn’t even speak one word to me for the next few hours. This was the worst experience on a trip I have ever encountered.

We did the 4-​hour waterfall ATV tour with picnic lunch. First, I will agree with one of the reviews before mine. The optional insurance pitch scared me before the tour even started. I understand signing a waiver that says «Hey — don’t be an idiot. If you break our machines because you did something done — you owe us». But the way the insurance is pitched made me super nervous that not only was I going to be involved in an accident, but I was also going to have to buy new ATVs because of it.
They did give us some bug spray and a bandanna (to keep the dust out). We got suited up with helmets and goggles and made it on our way. There is a restroom /​changing room available if you want to put on your swimsuit under your clothes.
The beginning of the tour was pretty dusty, so I’m glad we had the goggles and bandannas. I think you’re either dealing with mud or dust depending on the recent weather — either way, make sure you wear something you don’t care about — that red dirt is no joke.
We got a little more comfortable with our machines and then went on the «Bunny slope». I was kinda nervous (I’ve driven ATVs before — but this was a little rougher than I expected). I made it through, but was kinda slow.
The sights were beautiful and the guides were very good with keeping everyone at a comfortable pace (slow for me, but others wanted to go a little faster and they were able to). We stopped a few times to look at the different views. Kipu Ranch is expansive and you can see so many different movie sites from just one location. Our guides (Mark and Kyle) were very informative and pretty entertaining also. We stopped at the first water hole that has the rope swing and everyone had a pretty good time on that. Then we had lunch, which was a basic picnic build-​your-​own-​sandwich lunch. We did get to meet a nice little red bird that frequents the area haha. Afterwards, we headed back towards the starting area to go to the 2^nd water hole. We had a couple of fun moments on the way including flinging cow poo, waiting for a herd of cattle to cross the road, and seeing a flock of peacocks/​peahen. The waterfall was pretty, but there were lots of mosquitos so I didn’t get in.
Overall, the tour was very good. One thing I would say is that if you’re not sure if you want to drive — just get the guide driven. I didn’t mind driving, but I think I would have enjoyed the sights more if I hadn’t had to drive. Also be prepared to drive a little ways off the main road to get to Kipu Ranch. My dad made a comment that I was trying to drive him to a remote location for his life insurance.

My wife and I went to Kauai for our honeymoon and I feel so fortunate that we got lucky with so many great tours and guides.
As a former tour guide, I can be very judgmental about tour guides. A lot of times they are boring, just going through the motions. Absolutely not the case here.
Mana and Kyle were AWESOME. They were incredibly entertaining, super personable, and happy to answer any questions.
The ATVs were a hoot to drive and the movie trivia, snacks (amazing trail mix!), and rope swing were all icing on the cake.
Highly recommend this tour.

We did the 4 hour waterfall ATV tour (at 11:30) and had an absolutely amazing time! Lumbo and Mona were very entertaining, knowledgeable and caring tour guides! They were thorough with the instructions from start to finish and were patient with everyone in the group. They were also great photographers! They provide the helmets and goggles and lunch and let us keep the bandanas as souvenirs. We were taken to where they shot all of the Jurassic Park movies and the famous Indiana Jones hanging rope and two waterfalls (one we couldn’t and shouldn’t swim in and the other we did). The last waterfall which we swam in is a private one on a private land. We definitely got our money’s worth from this tour!

We enjoyed a fantastic ATV tour with Mark and Rich. They were entertaining as guides and they knew their stuff. Everyone in our party of 4 had a great time (even those who were reluctant to try it at first). Can’t wait to bring our kids back when they are old enough! Highly recommend.

We loved our ATV tour with Mark! My husband and I were visiting Kauai on our honeymoon and we loved the adventure! Amazing views that you won’t see anywhere else, and a great guide. Ride at your own pace. I would highly recommend this ATV company. They were amazing!

This was definitely the highlight of my trip. Thanks to my sister-​in-​law & bf’s recommendation, we had an awsome time with Giggles and partner being our guide.
To sum it up, this is not your usual typical tour. This is an out of the box tour where you get to learn to drive the machinery and the tour around this private acres of paradise that spread across the whole mouton region. It’s more than just a breathe taking scenic route but with multiple unique stops where it gives you time to explore and understand the history behind this beautiful piece of land.
Highly recommend for anyone visiting. It’s worth every penny.

Such a blast. We took the 7am trip with Mana and Rich who were excellent tour guides. The views are breath taking and it’s a ton of fun to drive the 4×4’s. Mana was incredibly knowledgeable, and made the trip a lot of fun. The views are breathtaking. Do this and get access to sites you’ll never be able to see otherwise. It’s a blast.

Mark and Troy were awesome guides on this fun waterfall adventure on ATVs. Our family ranges from age 9 – 49 and we all had a blast. The trails were a ball — challenging and fun. Mark provided awesome safety driving tips which helped us all feel confident and ready to have fun. The lunch by the waterfall was delicious and an amazing setting. This is a «must do» if you are visiting Kauai. You won’t regret it!

Highly recommended! The scenery was gorgeous! We had fun, rode at a good pace, even the lunch was good! Our tour guide really knew his history and was eager to share with us. I learned a lot about Hawaii all while enjoying gorgeous views! If you do any of the many activities on kauai, I Highly recommend this one!

Simply the BEST!!! This isn’t my first trip to Kauai, and I don’t know why I waited so long. This time our trip included 3 adults, myself and my parents. Where should I start??? First we met the tour guides, Mark & Lumbo, I hope I spelled his name right :) then we were given safety gear and instructions on how to operate the ATV, and were told to keep our keys, wallet, jewelry all in the office so that it wouldn’t get lost. I had so much fun, my mother & father did as well, the tour guides made us feel really comfortable and honestly they treat you like family. I am thankful to the tour, Lumbo and Mark as those 4 hours had made us all smile, laugh and see hidden places on the island which are AMAZING, ***PRICELESS*** THANK YOU!!!

Our tour guides were marc and kyle they were really nice and knowledgable about the land. Basically we atv through what once used to be royalties land and now its a cattlefarm with over 150 years of history in it. The land consisted of 4200 acres of forestation and mountains used for many movie props. The tour-​guides were really outgoing and taught us what kind of plants and trees were on the land. I even ate a purple flower that tasted like white mushrooms. And theres a grass that goes to sleep if you touch them. Please please wear a poncho if you decide to go on these atv rides it can get really really muddie. They also feed u on the tours and youll see many many wildlife. We also got to swing on the same rope as harrison ford in indiana jones

What a amazing and informative experience. So far this has been the highlight of our trip.
Giggles and Kyle where born and raised on the island and shared alot of great stories with us. It is amazing learning the history of the island and how Hollywood uses these amazing sites in many different movie’s.
I recommend this to anyone!!!
THANKS GIGGLES AND KYLE.

My husband and I booked the three-​hour ranch tour with four of our friends and had such an amazing time. Our guides, Troy and Lumbo, were so knowledgeable, not only about how to properly and safely operate ATVs and buggies, but also about the history of Kauai and the various sites we visited. They provided so much background information and included not only historical facts, but also folklore and pop culture references. They were very good at managing (reining in) a large grow and did so with a great sense of humor. I would highly recommend this tour to anyone. Yes, you get really dirty, but it’s well worth it!

My wife and I went here for one of our many adventures while on honeymoon in Kauai. Had a great time, would recommend to anyone that wants a fun off-​roading adventure, however… I lost my wedding ring in one of their rivers.
I used their «Indiana jones» swing and after I landed in the river I felt my wedding ring sliding right off my finger. They make every attempt to prepare you for the trip by making suggestions on what to bring and what not to bring. One thing they curiously forgot to mention was jewelry.
When I asked them if any locals would happen to have an underwater metal detector they said no. They failed to direct me to one of the three guys on the island that have their own scuba gear and metal detectors specifically for this type of incident. It’s hard not to think they make a nice little side business off of this. I wasn’t the only one to lose my ring that very same day in the river.
Right before jumping in, they give you a list of things to consider. Don’t do this, don’t do that, blah blah blah. No «number one» or «number two» in river… Nothing related to taking valuables off for all newlyweds. Unfortunate I was left feeling like it was all done on purpose.

We had an insane amount of fun with the Kipu Ranch guys. We decided to take the 4 hour Waterfall Tour with a Picnic and we got a great pair of guides in Justin and Giggles — 11:30am on Monday 14Sept2015. Justin is extremely informative while entertaining at the same time. If he wasn’t doing ATV tours, I could see him being a well versed historian of Hawaiian and Kauai’s history culture. Giggles… You’ll see why he has this nickname LOL. Great team to ride with.
Not only are the vehicles fun to ride in but they have one of the more premier off-​roading vehicles on the market that allows you to experience Kipu Ranch without feeling hindered or enclosed. The Teryx is built to handle the rough road and wet turns but the great guidance by the guides gives you the extra step of confidence to drive them safely. It safely fits 4 and is awesome to drive! I was a first time driver of one of these and it felt natural in about 5 minutes.
The Ranch itself is beautiful, even on a rainy day. Experiencing the landscapes where Hollywood movie scenes have been adds the extra cool factor.
The guava that grows on the ranch is great and they do a good job of incorporating them into the picnic. By the way, the picnic was excellent, local bread loaves and cold cuts with water and chips is a great choice (although I am curious about the bbq tour haha).
Seriously, the next time I get back to Kauai, I’m going on another tour. I have no clue why anyone would complain about the price or the level of service.

Justin and Mana were awesome guides! So funny but also super informative. We grew up in Hawaii, but still learned a lot of history about Kipu Ranch and the island of Kauai. BUT, it’s not just a history lesson… it was a blast going around on the all terrain vehicles. We were laughing and smiling the whole time. The views are just beautiful too, it’s a unique way to see the island from perspectives that most locals can’t see it from.
Definitely request Mana and Justin as your guides, they’re super down to earth and friendly. It’s just a great time!

We went on the Ultimate Ranch Tour at 730AM. Took the first tour in the morning to maximize our time in Kauai and it was a lot of fun. The scenery was beautiful and the tour guide, who was also very informative and knowledgeable of the island, took us to actual spots where movies were produced such as Jurassic Park and The Descendants.
They provided helmets, cold water, goggles, bandanas and tasty cookies. Our ATV had a mount where we were able to snap on our go pro. They also offer insurance for their ATVs. I found it most fun to drive straight towards the potholes (we accepted the insurance jic)! My favorite part of the tour was the rope swing from Indiana Jones. Expect to get dusty, muddy, and dirty by the end of the 3 hour tour! Probably one of my favorite activities on this island.

Wow… A business with a 5-​star Unilocal rating based on over 180 reviews says a lot about it! I rarely see this and when I went there, I realized they were deserving of such a rating. Impressive! The entire experience, from beginning to end, was very organized, fun, unique, picturesque. And the staff, from the two ladies at the check-​in desk, to our two wonderful guides, were all friendly and professional… Like they really enjoyed their jobs and were happy to have us as their guests. Special thanks to our guides, especially Sugar, who was so funny and friendly and made the tour extra enjoyable!
We went on a 3 hour ATV tour at 8am. It was my first time riding an ATV and it was fun. The trail itself was rough and rocky at times, with small ditches and sharp turns, but it wasn’t that bad. My bf loved the rough terrain because he was the driver and enjoyed speeding up over the ditches. The trail wasn’t wet so there was little mud. I can imagine you can get quite muddy if it had been raining.
The terrain we explored was quite impressive and the guides do a great job of explaining the history of this private land. Towards the end of the tour, we ended up at the top of the mountain, where we were treated to a gorgeous view of a private beach, accessible only by boat. Another highlight: when we stopped by a small river where there was a swinging rope. There, you could either swing and hold on, swing and jump into the water, or fake swing (just pose with the rope and take a photo). Fun!
Another interesting fact was that many Hollywood Movies were filmed there! The guides do a great job of pointing out the location of various movie scenes.
Attire: I didn’t know what to expect but for those wondering… My female attire included: workout clothes, long sleeved shirt, cropped pants, hiking shoes. They do provide a bandana, which is a must bc the dust gets into your mouth. They also provide helmets, of course, and goggles for your eyes. The day we went, we didn’t need the goggles and opted for our sunglasses instead.
An overall excellent experience. The guides did such a great job and it was refreshing to see they were appreciated by the generous gifts they were receiving from other patrons at the end of our tour. Great Job and Great Company. Highly recommend!

Wowzers! This was my FAVORITE excursion during our awesome trip to Kauai! Soooo worth what you pay for this knock-​out adventure… if you don’t try this, you’re depriving yourself of a total amaze-​balls experience! And meeting über-​awesome folks like Lumbo and Mark…
Hubby and I did the 3-​hr adventure tour, and went with the Teryx (because I’m a chicken and didn’t want to tackle a solo attempt on those single-​rider ATVs)…I was MORE than happy to let him drive! The Kipu Ranch was a beautiful setting, and it was so informative and educational and interesting to hear the history of the stunning land we were driving/​riding through. I loved being able to recognize all the places where movie scenes were shot (I’m a total Jurassic Park junkie, so loved hearing all the stuff about the older JP movies, and the new «Jurassic World» coming out next year!). And don’t get me started on the Indiana Jones rope…
What we really loved, besides Lumbo and Mark of course, was that this was not some easy, smooth, flat, vanilla walk in the park… Hubby was like a kid in a candy store going over all those roots, bumps, lumps, and rocks with the accompanying steep inclines and declines. His fave was splashing through that muddy creek, as well as every single puddle he could find. As Captain Brake-​light in front of us seemed to purposely AVOID the potholes and puddles, we hit them head on every time… such fun! It totally helped that it had rained most the morning before we arrived, and poured a couple times while we were on our adventure (that kept the dust level down as well).
I’m not gonna give EVERYTHING away; you’ll just have to experience it for yourself. And don’t forget to try those fantastic non-​coconut coconut cookies when offered! And do NOT forget to tip your guides, because Lumbo and Mark were awesome and deserved to be rewarded for their humor, skills, and awesomeness :)
We already know we’re going to do this EXACT same tour when we come back to Kauai… do yourselves a favor and DO THIS TOUR! It’s like a L’Oreal commercial… do it BECAUSE YOU’RE WORTH IT! :)