We were really looking forward to this 1 1/2 hour horseback ride. Everything about it was horrible! The brochure says they provide sunscreen and water - - they had neither. As we mounted the horses it began to rain and less than five minutes into the ride it began to pour, and it poured for the entire 1 1/2 hour. The only offer made was to "cut your ride short to get you out of the rain". My wife wears glasses and could see nothing due to the rainwater on her glasses. We got totally soaked, to the point where we poured water out of our shoes and wrung water out of our socks. Our clothes were ruined by the stains from the water soaked leather saddles. We would have expected an offer to stop the ride and have been offered vouchers for a ride on a later date By the way, we two were the only riders. As far as the lovely hills, cinder cones, great views of the ocean and other islands - - forget it - - all we saw was rain, clouds and the horse's mane. This business needs some customer relations training! read more

We had originally thought about doing a different ride thru the waipi'o valley but once we talked to Jennifer at the stables we knew the ranch ride was the one for us. Jackie took us on an amazing 2.5 hour ride through some of the prettiest open range you could imagine. We saw wildlife, learned about the geology and history of Hawaii and had the ride all to ourselves. Our horses were friendly and fun to ride and we even got to trot and canter a bit. No nose to tail trail rides for us this week! My kids (9 and 11) both really enjoyed the freedom of the ride and appreciated the views too. Thanks, Jackie! read more

This was a lot of fun. The horses were fun and the ride lasted a long time (like 2.5 hours). The ride down into the valley and back up again on their shuttle van bothered some people because the road is incredibly steep, but I thought it was a blast. The guide was the most enjoyable person I met and this was one of the best things we did during our week on the Big Island. read more

My husband and I did a horse riding tour with Na'alapa Stables. The reviews online seems good and we've heard the beauty of the valley which was inaccessible w/o 4WD. The price of just getting a ride down the valley and up seems to be similar to taking the horse riding tour so we decided to give it a try. First the good, I would give 5 stars for the scenery and the route they took was interesting enough as we went through the beautiful valley and crossEd through streams which made it a bit adventurous, but I would only give a 2 star because of the service/the way they handled the tour. Now the bad. We booked the tour over the phone for an afternoon tour and was told to check in at Waipio Valley Artworks at 12:30. We got there early and checked with the lady in the store to make sure we were at the right place. The lady told us to wait around and someone would let us know when our tour people were there. a bunch of people were also waiting around so we just found seats on their patio and ate our lunch. around 1pm when no one showed up for us I got up and talked w/ this family of 3 who was also going on the same trip. we were all confused since we were told to be there to check in at 12:30. right then a lady came out from the back and told us to check in with her for the tour. we all followed her to the office in the back to pay with our credit cards. She didn't bother checking on the patio where many people were just waiting there so after the 5 of us paid we had to wait around some more while she sit around chatting w/ another lady in the office. It was ~1:15 before we all got in the van and head down to the valley. The van was pretty crowded since they apparently overbooked this trip. On their website it says Max 10 ppl but we had 13 for this tour. They told us we could not bring backpacks and had to put everything we want to bring in the tiny saddle bags they provide, but did not have enough saddle bags for everyone. The ride itself was fun enough but I felt like the 2 guides did not provide enough help for everyone. aside from 2 teenage girls who had a little experience, everyone else were pretty much beginners. However, many times the guides instead of giving us instruction on how to guide the horses just told us to 'keep the distance' or 'keep up' while the horse was trying to get a snack on the side not following the clueless rider's direction. Maybe they know the horses are well trained and would eventually get back in line, but it would be nice to have a little more help. Now the worst, we had trouble opening the door of the van on our way down and our guide said that never happened before. so on our way up, she decided to leave the door open 'in case it gets jammed again'!!! Geez.... maybe this is the back country and I am just not used to this, but really?!! I would've given a 3 star for the over all experience but had to give a 2 because of the sketchy car situation. read more

Just finished our trail ride through the Valley with Miley and Matt and could not be happier unless the trip had been an overnight camping excursion. Their knowledge of plants, trees, animals was so entertaining and their competence and individual care made it a highlight of our Hawaii adventure. read more

No responses to my messages and calls in 3 days. Yiu should be more responsible to your clients.

My husband and I thought this would be a great way to see the Waipio Valley. We were not disappointed by the experience. The trail guides were great, full of personality and information. The horses, although some stubborn were also great. The trail was diverse and gave you a good perspective of the valley. Would recommend this to anyone looking for a fun way to see Waipio Valley read more

Very fun activity and it gives you a chance to see the beautiful Waipio Valley. We booked online before our trip. We showed up to the meeting spot where you check in and then they will transport you to the stables located in the Waipio Valley. There is no cell service once you reach the meeting location. I'd suggest wearing pants as you do brush against trees and plants while on the horse. They will transport you to the valley in a big van. I was so glad that they do this because that road down to the valley is no joke and you really need to know how to drive it. It was nice having someone drive you down there who really knew how to handle the road. Once you arrive at the stables, they will give you a quick tutorial about how to direct the horses. The horses and beautiful and very well trained. I had Makani, who was such a great horse! They will provide you with a helmet and a saddle bag and will lock up any extra belongings for you in the stable for when you are out. I was a first-time rider and immediately felt comfortable on the horse. You'll go through the valley and even through some rivers. When we went, the water was not high enough to get me wet. It's gorgeous so make sure to bring a camera. They will also take your camera to take pictures of you riding through the valley. We had a great time and our hosts were great. Remember to bring tips for the hosts. read more

The best thing about this ride was the Waipio Valley. Not the horses, not the service but the incredible views you get. The "ride" was pretty basic, up a road, then back on the same road, over a river and then back. This is definitely a tourist type horse ride, so if you're experienced with horses or riding you probably won't like it since there's a lot of inexperienced people on horses that don't know how to control a horse. The guides were very friendly and funny, they dial up the humor for the tips but they work hard so I think they deserve it. I would say that you don't need a horse to see this valley, unless you feeling really lazy (like we were) If not, your time is better spent just hiking it or having a picnic at the look out. Your wallet will thank you. read more

One of my favorite things that I did on my Kona trip. I ride back home and didn't want to do a beginner tour, so that's why I picked this place. They gave me a horse to ride that was a bit more of a challenge which I always like. The views were nice and it was cool to ride amongst the cows! They also let us have a bit of a gallop a few times on the tour but the less experienced kids didn't feel pressured or left out for staying at a walk. read more

Why aren't more people knowing this wonderful trip? They take kids 8 yrs old or up. The 1.5 hrs ride took you through the beautiful run, and view of nearby island Maui. The wrangler Jessie is so helpful and well knowledged about the ranch AND so good with first time riders. The Stables is the same as the Kahua Ranch. This is the activity will make me really miss Big Island ^^ read more

The most beautiful way to see Waipi'o Valley is on horseback. The folks at Na'alapa Stables make it a fun and safe ride suitable for just about everyone, with an especially useful "driver training course" before you get in the saddle. Happy, healthy horses and fabulous scenery as you ride through streams and see some of the longest waterfalls on the island--truly, an unforgettable experience! read more

Visited the Big Island in March 2018, and our first activity was the Waipi'o Valley Horseback Adventure with Na'alapa Stables. What an incredible experience, from the view at the top of the valley, to the bumpy steep ride down, and the horseback tour itself. Grace and her assistant were incredible guides. Our group had both experienced and beginner riders, and they matched the horses perfectly with their riders. My horse was Pua, and she was just wonderful. Riding through the valley was so serene and peaceful, and the views were absolutely incredible. I felt like I was in LOST or Jurassic Park. This was for sure one of the highlights of our trip. I cannot recommend highly enough!! read more

What a great experience! From the beginning the check in was easy and fun. The ride down into the valley was exciting and the driver was engaging with all of us, and this was throughout the tour. The stable dogs come along for the ride tagging along with the horses, views of the valley, tarot fields and the housing is amazing. Weather a novice or experienced rider you will have a great time with the horses, dogs and humans! read more

Had a fantastic time here yesterday. The horses are beautiful, well behaved. The two ladies guiding the way were tremendous. You ride mostly in the shade and streams with glorious views of waterfalls. Highly recommended. read more

First let me say that I have done the ride down in Waipio Valley, which was very nice, but I have also donn this ride on Kahua Ranch and if you are an intermediate or experienced rider this is the activity you want. I took my 21 year old son who grew up riding quarter horses. Our lovely wrangler Jacque selected the perfect mounts for us based on size and experience. My son rode a Belgian cross Bear and I rode a Royal Mounted Police horse (couldn't pronounce his name). The ride was relaxing, Jacque was well versed in history, ecology and biodiveristy of the island. She and my son are the same age and the same college major so I ended up learning a LOT. We did some trotting and cantering on this incredibly large working cattle ranch for more than our allotted time. We were having so much fun we just lost track of time. If you want to get away from the nose to tail trail ride, this is where you want to be. Fun, professional and safe. LOVED IT. read more

Great horseback ride experience. Very friendly staff and all locals so they know a lot. Horses are awesome, funny they all have their own personality. Keoni was super awesome and funny and all around great great attitude. Worthwhile! read more

The horseback ringing was great! The horses were very happy.

This is our third time riding in the area, and this was the best. An incredible ride with Darien and Jackie! They know a great deal about the geography and history of the area, and all about the horses. Beautiful view and lots of fun! The stables have everything you need as a visitor: helmets, boots, jackets, and little saddle bags for phones, water, etc. Used, but clean. Anything you leave behind (car keys) can be put in the safe. The horses look good and are energetic and happy. We got a good lesson about how to ride the horses and there's no skimping on the riding time. You ride in a group, but not single file. There's room to wander and change order so you can talk to various riders. There's even opportunities to trot and canter. My daughter has been riding 10 years, and my husband and I have minimal experience. We all had a great time. My husband is a big guy, so a Percheron (draft horse) was chosen for him. He thought that was awesome. read more

Overall a decent experience - we did the Kahua Ranch ride, and had some difficult weather on our day, which was no one's fault. I had read that the Kahua Ranch ride was not your typical nose to tail trail ride, with opportunities to open up a little bit and get some speed, or ride side by side. Our experience was basically a nose to tail trail ride with a couple places to briefly trot, but that may have been in part due to weather and mixed experience of the group. My only moderate complaint was with the attitude of our main guide - while at times she was funny, overall she seemed rather cranky. I made a reservation online over a month prior to the trip, then 2 days later emailed to add a third rider, and received a reply with confirmation. When we arrived at the stables, we were only down for 2 riders, and though it was resolved in the end, our lead guide seemed annoyed about the situation. I got the strong impression throughout the ride that she did not want to be out in the wind and rain, which I can sympathize with as she has to lead these kind of tours all the time, but for most of us we had traveled long distances to be there, so we wanted to make the best of it. Finally, getting ready, we were helped more by the other customers than by the guide with finding dusters, boots, saddlebags, etc. In the end it was a good experience, just not amazing. read more

Me and my husband booked the Waipio Valley horseback ride during our honeymoon. 4 days before the ride they rescheduled our time. Not a problem, but not really ideal. On the day of our ride, my husband receives a text that it is cancelled due to rain. I was a little irritated that they did not call. I tried calling and went to voicemail. A little later someone answered and said they couldn't reschedule us for a week. Very disappointed with this company. read more

Although i didn't exactly complete a riding experience with this tour, I had to give them a 5 star rating. My fiance and I had booked a similar riding tour that took off from the same meet up spot. We mistakenly went with this group, who took us down into the valley to the stables. It was there we discovered we had jumped in the wrong van. This tour was already at their max number of riders, but instead of leaving us in the dust, Shelly got on the phone and called around to the other local tours. Since she couldn't get a hold of them, she gave us a ride back up to town in her own vehicle- and we made it just in time to jump on our tour's horses! If it wasn't for her and this group being so helpful, we wouldn't have made it. Huge thanks to this stable for their hospitality! The valley is beautiful, too! read more

Booked this place online. Kids were soooo excited , unfortunately that never happened....they called the day of and said there was a glitch in the system and it was already booked!! Seriously ??? There was also a review of this happening before. Red flag ! Disappointed kids !! We went and bought long pants to go on this tour ! Never again !!!!!! read more

My wife Mary and I had the pleasure of taking your tour back on March 31st. Horseback in the Waipio Valley was simply amazing and in one of the most beautiful places we've ever seen. Keoni and Mahena were welcoming, friendly, informative, funny, and attentive to safety, especially to less experienced riders. While it rained off and on during our ride Mary and I felt it added to the experience, since we were riding through a lush tropical rain forest. The Waipio Valley is a can't miss on the Big Island and doing in on horseback makes it even better. Thanks for the memories we look forward to seeing you again. Louis read more

My family and I were extremely excited to go on this tour and left a whole morning to do this tour for the company to tell us that we couldn't go to their tour on the day we reserved and that they could reschedule to the following week. We ended up taking a shuttle bus down to the valley and we experienced the exact same thing, beautiful views and all. read more

Great way to see the Waipio valley. The guides were experienced riders who had local knowledge of the valley's history being local Hawaiians that grew up farming the valley floor. The horses were responsive and well cared for. The tour gives you views from the ridge line while taking the shuttle down to the stables on the valley floor. The views along the trial were just as amazing, plus you get the experience of seeing it on horseback. A definitely must do. read more

Went on the ranch ride for two and a half hours led by Jackie. The setting is beautiful, beyond photos, the ride was exactly what I wanted - cover a lot of area, varied speeds & Jackie has extensive knowledge of the area. My horse Doc was a reliable ride who likes to go fast, once you can motivate him. This was an amazing experience and a very reasonable price. I recommend the morning ride (check in 8:30am) & views are incredible on the ride up too! read more

We had a wonderful time on the morning Waipio Valley horseback adventure on July 4th. It was pouring rain on the drive down but the weather cleared up nicely once we started on the trail. Miley, our driver and one of the guides, was born and raised in the valley. She and the other two guides were very friendly, attentive and knowledgeable! There were around 10 people in the group and almost everyone was a novice rider. The staff provided raincoats, helmet and helped everyone mount and dismount from their horses. We received a quick lesson on how to ride the horses and they were very well behaved for the most part, aside from an occasional detour to munch on some roadside fruit trees. I highly recommend the experience to anyone who wishes to experience Waipio Valley without hiking! Mahalo for a wonderful experience! read more

We took this excursion while visiting in Kona and LOVED it! Great customer service, horses were beautiful and well trained (this was my first riding experience). Had a great time with Tiny, even though he was the newest horse at the time. Our guides were fun & funny and took great care of the entire group, and showed us some incredible views and took pics of us on our behalf. Thanks for an unforgettable experience! Jag, Ang and Neal read more

Profoundly disappointed. Thank you for ruining my vacation.

Had an absolutely awesome time, Maggie and Jamie were super nice and patient with a number of inexperienced riders. Definitely recommend!

My wife and I went on a 2.5 hour expedition into the hills with Jackie as a guide. Oh, what fun! Sure we walked, but not nose to tail. We trotted, cantered, and had a great time. Jackie provided expert knowledge in the area and was a great trail guide. The two and a half hours on horseback was just enough to see the ranch in its glory. Oh, such fun. read more

Great guides, beautiful scenery. The horses were a little wild sometimes but they do a wonderful job of helping you ride.

Thank You Grace for touring us in Waipio Valley on my birthday trip - wonderful ride!!!!!

Great ride & value. If you haven't ridden before, they will tell you all you need to know. Better than I expected. The ride down was fun, as they left the van door open for a better view. No worries. read more

An outstanding adventure. The guides that day, Keoni and Mana, were great fun and professional. They had a wealth of information about all aspects of the area and the horses. The views are spectacular and there are plenty of photo ops. Taking pics while maintaining control of the reins is not easy, so be patient. This ride is well worth the price. read more

This was by far our most favorite thing to do. The guides and the weather were great. What a wonderful time. It's a bit expensive but worth it. read more

Can't speak highly enough of the horseback adventure into the Valley!! An experience you will never forget!