RIDING THROUGH JURASSIC PARK AT KUALOA RANCH
After our recent experience ATV riding through the Dubai sand dunes & horseback riding along the beaches of St Maarten we knew when we heard we could do both activities at the same place they filmed Jurassic Park we simply had to do it!
Kualoa Ranch
Our setting for the day was the stunning Kualoa Ranch. A four thousand acre working cattle ranch, which also doubles for a movie and TV show set. They run tours every day on either open-air buses, ATV quad bikes or horse back. The ranch’s Ka’a’awa Valley, nestled between the Ko’olau mountain range and the Kaneohe coast, is in our opinion the most beautiful place in all of Oahu.
Kualoa Ranch
After checking in we headed over to the ATV shed to get ready for our 1 hour ATV ride around the property. We popped on our helmets, chose an ATV and after a quick practice lap we were out driving down a dirt road surrounded by the most incredible scenery we had ever seen ... but the sites wouldn't compare to the one to come.
Kualoa Ranch
Kualoa Ranch
Kualoa Ranch
We turned a corner and entered the stunning Ka’a’awa Valley, and we almost fell off our ATV's. The rule was to not photograph and drive - but we may of taken a few cheeky snaps, we simply couldn't help ourselves.
Kualoa Ranch
Thankfully, we were given a photograph stop. In this area movies such as Jurassic Park, 50 First Dates, Pearl Harbour and TV shows like Lost and Hawaii Five-O were filmed. We posed for photos and filmed the amazing site before us.
Kualoa Ranch
Kualoa Ranch
Kualoa Ranch
Kualoa Ranch
We then headed off, driving along and soaking up the beautiful atmosphere passing cows and horses until we got back to the ATV sheds. The hour went way too quickly and it made us wish we went on the 2 hour ATV tour as there was so much more we wanted to see!
Kualoa Ranch
The day wasn't over, it was now time to jump on a horse and tour the more rugged terrain of the area. We headed to the stable, popped on another helmet and before we knew it we were on our beautiful horse riding off into the wilderness.
Kualoa Ranch
Kualoa Ranch
Kualoa Ranch
It was a nice change from being on the fast ATV's zooming past the scenery. We were able to take more in and reflect on the awe-inspiring beauty of the land.
Kualoa Ranch
Kualoa Ranch
Again, an hour went way too fast and before we knew it we were back at the stables, saying mahalo to our guides and grabbing some lunch before it was time to go back to reality.
If you ever find yourself in Oahu, we highly recommend spending a day at Kualoa Ranch, especially if you are big movie buffs like we are.
Tour Price: $74 pp for a 1hr ATV Tour & $74 pp for a 1hr Horseback Tour
If you want to see some footage of our day, check out our daily vlog of our day at Kualoa Ranch.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ggOz9GWMKo8
Have you ever visited a movie site before?
Many thanks to Kualoa Ranch for hosting us during our day. As always, all opinions are our own.
READ NEXT: EXPLORING THE DEPTHS OF HAWAII
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