Tour stop
Honolulu’s Backyard Rainforest Tour
About The Tour
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
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
About the tour
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
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
STARTING POINTS
-WaikikiRECOMMENDED START TIME: Before 11:00 a.m.
OUR SHAKA PROMISE
• Reliable customer support
• Tours crafted by real people
• Satisfaction guaranteed
• Tours never expire
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Now Playing
1. Welcome to Honolulu's Backyard Rainforest Tour
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2. Manoa Falls Intro
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01:40
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3. Lyon Arboretum Intro
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01:47
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4. Chinese Cemetery
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01:10
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5. Tantalus Mt.
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02:04
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6. Intro To Hike
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02:36
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7. Punchbowl Memorial
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03:51
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8. Straight for Foster
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00:19
Honolulu’s Backyard Rainforest Tour Map
Explore Tour Map
Honolulu’s Backyard Rainforest Tour Stops
Things to do on the Tour Include:
Tour stop
Tantalus Arboretum Hike
Tour stop
Manoa Chinese Cemetery
Tour stop
Punchbowl Memorial Visitor Center
Tour stop
Liliuokalani Botanical Garden
Tour stop
Lyon Arboretum
Tour stop
Tantalus Lookout
Tour stop
Foster Botanical Garden
Meet the Creators
Gray Gleason
Narrator
I’ll be your guide on this tour. Press play to hear a sneak peek of the stories waiting for you as you browse.
Creators behind the Honolulu’s Backyard Rainforest Tour
Gray Gleason
Narrator
I’ll be your guide on this tour. Press play to hear a sneak peek of the stories waiting for you as you browse.
Andrew Fowers
Writer/Editor
“I started this business because I believe that when you connect a story to a place, it transforms your journey. It allows you to step beyond being just a tourist and become an informed traveler, fully present in the moment. Our hope is that you come for the guide, but stay for the stories that bring these destination to life.” - Andrew Fowers
Rita Fowers
Writer/Editor
Favorite Quote:
"What man actually needs is not a tensionless state but rather the striving and struggling for some goal worthy of him." - Viktor Frankl
Andrew Shults
Producer & Data Team Manager
Favorite Quote:
“I may not have gone where I intended to go, but I think I have ended up where I needed to be.” - Douglas Adams
Purchase Options
1.
Honolulu’s Backyard Rainforest Tour
$ 19.99
Gift A Tour!
Gift the joy of travel! During checkout, select "Gift this Purchase" to schedule your delivery and write your personalized message.
Don't worry - they'll get a gift receipt, not the bill. No pricing information included.
Honolulu’s Backyard Rainforest Tour FAQS
Information
Conditions can change fast. Please check these links for closures, alerts and local conditions before your trip. Stay informed so you can ensure a smooth ride for your trip.
Important Update!
Aloha Shaka Guiders,
Due to the March 2026 storms, you may notice some changes along your tour—things like temporary road closures, limited access to certain stops, or areas that are still recovering. Our routes are designed to guide you safely, but conditions can shift, so a little flexibility goes a long way.
As you explore, we ask that you travel with care and respect—for the land, the communities, and the people who call these places home. If an area looks closed or impacted, please honor posted signs and avoid entering. These moments are part of the story of Hawai‘i too, and your kuleana (responsibility) as a visitor helps keep these places protected for everyone.
Mahalo for your understanding, and for exploring with aloha 💛
Amy (Your Shaka Friend in Oahu)
Inclusions/Exclusions
Inclusions:
- More than a map and directions — your tour, fully guided
- Audio storytelling that plays as you drive
- Music and immersive sound to upgrade your drive
- Human-created, professionally narrated tours
- Pre-planned route with turn-by-turn directions
- Itinerary mapped out with must-see stops
- Expert travel tips
- Offline access – works without data or wifi
- Flexible, self-paced experience
- One purchase per vehicle (not per person)
- Lifetime access (tours never expire)
- Reliable customer support
Exclusions:
- Private transportation (use your own or rental vehicle)
- Meals
- Attraction admission or park entrance fees
- Parking fees
- Live tour guide or in-person services
- Trip planning or booking services
- Fully customizable navigation like Google or Apple Maps
- On-demand route planning or custom directions
- Open-ended navigation tools
Tour FAQs
1. Where does the Honolulu Backyard Rainforest tour go?
This tour starts and ends in Waikiki and travels through the lush forests of the Makiki Valley before visiting Honolulu’s bustling downtown.
Here are some of the popular spots you can explore on the tour!
Lyon Arboretum
Chinese Cemetery
Manoa Marketplace
Tantalus Mountain
Tantalus Lookout
Tantalus Arboretum Trail
National Memorial of the Pacific
Liliʻuokalani Botanical Garden
Foster Botanical Garden
Shimazu Shave Ice
Chinatown
For help planning your day check out our Honolulu Backyard Rainforest Tour suggested itinerary and here's everything you need to know before you go!
Here are some of the popular spots you can explore on the tour!
Lyon Arboretum
Chinese Cemetery
Manoa Marketplace
Tantalus Mountain
Tantalus Lookout
Tantalus Arboretum Trail
National Memorial of the Pacific
Liliʻuokalani Botanical Garden
Foster Botanical Garden
Shimazu Shave Ice
Chinatown
For help planning your day check out our Honolulu Backyard Rainforest Tour suggested itinerary and here's everything you need to know before you go!
2. What should I pack for the Honolulu's Backyard Rainforest Tour?
Here’s our packing list for this tour. It may seem a little long, but remember, what you bring depends on the activities you choose to do for the day.
Sneakers
Hiking Clothes
Water Bottle
Bug Spray (rainforest = mosquitoes)
Towel
Bathing Suit
Sandals
Sunscreen
Sun Glasses and/or Hat
Snacks
Cash
Car Charger *Very Important*
Phone Mount
Sneakers
Hiking Clothes
Water Bottle
Bug Spray (rainforest = mosquitoes)
Towel
Bathing Suit
Sandals
Sunscreen
Sun Glasses and/or Hat
Snacks
Cash
Car Charger *Very Important*
Phone Mount
3. Can I join the Honolulu's Backyard Rainforest tour along the route?
Yes! Feel free to join the tour along the route. If you don’t begin at one of the tour starting points you’ll miss a few stories, but you’ll still have a great experience.
4. Can I take the Honolulu's Backyard Rainforest tour in the opposite direction?
No, this tour can only be done counterclockwise, beginning and ending in Waikiki.
5. How is Shaka Guide Different from Other Navigation Apps?
Shaka Guide isn’t just about getting from point A to point B — it’s like having a tour guide in your car, sharing stories and local insights as you drive. Unlike other navigation apps, we’ve planned the route for you, so instead of focusing on directions, you can focus on the experience. This means you can’t customize the route, but that’s kind of the point. You’re still in control though, you can skip stops, go at your own pace, and explore freely. It’s not just about getting there; it’s about enjoying the journey.
6. Other Questions? Contact us!
Still have questions? Send us an email at aloha@shakaguide.com or give us a call at (808) 201-8138.
What is an Audio Tour Guide?
Think of us as your personal tour guide in an app. Our tours provide everything a guided tour does, but with the freedom to explore on your terms. Here’s how it works:
GPS triggers audio narration to play automatically as you drive or walk. Listen to stories, get local insights, visit must-see stops and get turn-by-turn navigation.
The app works offline so even with spotty service we’ll get you where you need to go.
Pretty cool huh? We think so! Check out our tours and let’s explore together.
GPS triggers audio narration to play automatically as you drive or walk. Listen to stories, get local insights, visit must-see stops and get turn-by-turn navigation.
The app works offline so even with spotty service we’ll get you where you need to go.
Pretty cool huh? We think so! Check out our tours and let’s explore together.