Sep 27, 2024
Highly recommend - This experience is worth it!!! We had an amazing time. We learned a lot and the view was amazing. Swimming in the lagoon was everything. Where else can you go and have a private swim.❤️😊
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sep 19, 2024
An unexpected thrilling and incredible Adventure - We so enjoyed this adventure. We were surprised at every turn by the beauty and abundance of this wild Hawaii landscape. We enjoyed Lemon, strawberry, and grapefruit, guava fresh from the trees.
The excursion we chose pushed us physically, but fed us spiritually.
Our guide Charlie shared the culture and history of the Hawaiian and Polynesian peoples. We would strongly recommend this adventure for anyone that desires something other than the typical tourist experience.
Review provided by Viator
Sep 1, 2024
Fun and amazing adventure with the Hawaiian Dundee! - My daughter (16 years old) and I went on a jungle adventure with Charlie, the Hawaiian Dundee, and would definitely do it again. Charlie is a kind and caring man with years of experience taking people on his adventures. Charlie only takes your group for the day, so he can tailor the adventure to what you want to do. This is a "no frills" but amazing experience. Here are some tips for future adventurers and what we experienced during our day with Charlie:
-What to wear: light-weight hiking pants and a long sleeve shirt with a swimsuit or other light-weight shirt underneath; shoes you can hike in and do not care if they get wet and muddy; socks that are not cotton. My daughter and I wore swim suit bottoms and tank tops under our pants and long-sleeve shirts. We took off our long-sleeve shirts after we were done swimming in the pool at the waterfall and kept them off for the rest of the hike. BUT be sure to take insect repellent. I would not have kept my long-sleeve shirt off if I did not have insect repellent because of the mosquitoes. We wore running shoes and hiking socks that were not cotton. You will cross several streams so your feet (and calves, at least) will get wet. I do not think hiking boots are necessary but I would not wear hiking sandals because of the terrain. My running shoes were fine but I am glad I wore an older pair so I didn't care how wet and muddy they were at the end of the day.
-What else to take: a light-weight water bottle (not metal) or hydration pack, food/snacks, sunscreen, and insect repellent. We were planning on taking our metal water bottles but Charlie suggested that we not because of the weight. He gave us a few bottles of water that we could pack, which worked fine. If you take a hydration pack, be sure to not pack anything in it that you don't want to get wet, potentially. We took a backpack for our food, which we then put inside a dry sack that Charlie provided to make sure everything stayed dry if we fell while crossing streams.
-You meet Charlie at his house where he teaches you how to rappel because you will rappel 200 ft into a canyon as part of the adventure (the one we did - I think Charlie has options where you do not have to rappel...).
-Once you are ready, you ride with Charlie to the starting point. This is where you will first meet Shadow, a dog that Charlie is trying to rescue from the jungle. Shadow stayed with us the entire day and is the sweetest dog. I hope Charlie is able to rescue her soon.
-You start the adventure by hiking through the jungle a bit to where you will rappel into a canyon. There are amazing views along the beginning of the route.
-After you rappel, Charlie guides you through the jungle to a waterfall and pool where you can swim (in the clothes and shoes you are wearing, so, again, be sure to wear light-weight clothes that you don't care get wet and dry quickly). You have a snack/lunch at the waterfall, and then you can climb by the waterfall and jump into the pool. Charlie has ropes to help you climb, as well as rappel next to the water fall, if you don't want to jump into the pool. He has helmets and life jackets available, as well.
-After playing at the pool for a while, Charlie guides you back out of the canyon and back to his jeep. You are in the canyon for a while so there are not views but you hike next to a stream for a while and are able to experience the "rain forest of Kauai."
-All along the way, Charlie shares some of the history of Kauai, points out native plants vs. "alien" plants, lets you taste fruit that is in season, gives you an awapuhi "salon treatment" for your hair at the pool, and is the most pleasant guide.
-There were definitely sections that had a steep incline climbing out of the canyon but those sections were relatively short and Charlie stops to take breaks. We did cross several streams, one of which has a rope that you can hold onto for when the water is higher and faster. We went at the end of August, so the water was not too high and the streams were easy to cross.
-Charlie guides you back out of the canyon and back to his jeep, where the jungle adventure ends.
-Charlie mentioned that the total hike is only 1.5 nautical miles - I forgot to ask him how many land miles we hiked. :)
-I suggest taking shoes/sandals to change into once you are back to Charlie's jeep as well as clothes you can change into before you get back into your rental car, although we were relatively dry by the time we got back to our rental car.
-You end your adventure by riding with Charlie back to his house.
-I tried to upload photos to share my daughter rappelling next to the waterfall but my photos would not upload.
My daughter and I had an amazing day with Charlie and Shadow. Charlie is a great guide and is very pleasant and kind. I agree with other reviewers that, for the hike we did with Charlie (he has four options for his guided adventures), you need to have relatively good fitness and be willing to hike through mud and water.
There are no "posh amenities" on this hiking adventure but it gives you a feel for authentic Kauai and we loved it. I am planning on going on another jungle adventure with Charlie if we visit Kauai again - maybe we will do the option where Charlie takes us rappelling down several waterfalls. Charlie mentioned that he also does jeep tours, so if you want to skip the hiking jungle adventure, you could consider spending a day with Charlie touring in his jeep. Charlie is a lovely person with a kind heart and I hope to spend a day with him again in the future. Mahalo Charlie!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Aug 25, 2024
Awesome Adventure - Our day with the Hawaiian Dundee was one of the best and most memorable time on our trips to Hawaii. Not only was he extremely knowledgeable, but he is a genuinely good person. He was a real pleasure to talk with, and the experience could not have been better. My teenage sons and I will be talking about the adventure for a long time to come!
Review provided by Viator
Aug 3, 2024
This is a must do. Guaranteed. - By far the highlight of our trip! Charlie is amazing, the hike, repel, climb, jump, swim, and waterfall were more than promised. If you're thinking about this, do it. It's truly an amazing way to experience real Kauai. Thanks Charlie & we hope you enjoy your new Jeep Mojave - Matt & Amber
Review provided by Viator
Jul 30, 2024
Once in a lifetime experience - Charlie Dundee was extremely experienced and knowledgeable. He customized the tour to our skill level and what we wanted to experience. It was my family of four, including two younger boys. This was just the right challenge/adventure for us.
We were out in the Hawaiian jungle alone. There were no other tour groups or people out there. We saw and crossed waterfalls, walked through forest, swam in natural pools and walked through creeks. This was a once in a lifetime experience and one of the highlights of our trip to Kauai.
Mahalo Charlie! You da man!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jul 23, 2024
A once in a lifetime experience! - What a unique and incredible experience!! It felt like we were the only ones in the jungle! Hawaii Dundee Charlie is incredibly knowledgeable about Hawaiian history and of course the local flora and fauna. Lots and adventurous fun!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jul 18, 2024
You will enjoy getting wet! - Walking through the water most memorable because it was so refreshing! We did the easiest trail, Dundee calls this Door #1, 9/10 mile, and still was enough of a challenge for two 65 year olds.
Review provided by Viator
Jul 3, 2024
Just a little family from Missouri…. - The Hawaiian Dundee did a remarkable job, teaching us, keeping us safe, and opening our eyes to the real, and beautiful Kauai. He has a compassionate heart for nature and animals, and I have so much respect for his dog rescue efforts. To have seen the spectacular waterfall and immerse ourselves in the pool will be an unforgettable experience for all of us. He made us feel capable and safe throughout the entire tour. I am grateful to have met him and so happy with our experience. Thank you!!!
Review provided by Viator
Jun 29, 2024
True Hawaiian Jungle Adventure! - My family and I truly enjoyed this unique, private adventure! Dundee (aka Charlie) takes time to ensure everyone in the group understands and is comfortable with the repelling and ascending equipment and has the correct apparel for the trip. If you have a sense of adventure and are looking for something different than the run of the mill tourist experiences then this trip is for you! The bonus is you get to meet Shadow, the sweet yet shy doggie who keeps a close eye on you the entire way and makes sure no one wanders off the path. The vistas cannot be beat and not found on any other trip. Tour includes a refreshing swim in a waterfall with optional cliff jumping! We can’t wait to come back and do Dundee’s other adventures for returning customers!
Some tips: Lightweight pants are a MUST and I definitely recommend long sleeve sun shirt and neck gaiter and hat. The mosquitos are NO JOKE and the proper clothing works better than repellant. Waterproof hiking boots would be better than the Keen hiking sandals we had but if that’s all you have, they’re better than sneakers. Helps to be in reasonably good shape, this is of course, a tour through the wild with limited cell service.
Review provided by Tripadvisor