Kimkim Trip Reviews

Me, my husband, and our 4-year-old traveled to Vietnam using KimKim, and we had a fantastic experience. Lucy, our travel specialist, really listened to what we wanted and tailored everything perfectly for our family. We got to see everything we hoped to see in Vietnam, and all the arrangements ran smoothly. The hotels were comfortable, and the tours were well-organized and enjoyable. Overall, we had a great trip and would definitely recommend Lucy and KimKim!

Here’s a more polished and natural version of your review, keeping a warm but professional tone:

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Our guide, Mirta, was truly outstanding. He made the Annapurna journey comfortable and was always looking after us, making thoughtful decisions and pacing the trek perfectly to help us adjust to the altitude. He was very attentive to our needs, and we consistently had the best possible accommodations ready for us at each teahouse. The food at the tea houses was fantastic and the kitchens spotless.
All transfers were punctual and well organized. As a small suggestion, for the long 10-hour drive from Kathmandu to Chame, it would be worth considering larger vehicles. The three of us seated in the back found it quite uncomfortable due to limited legroom. The hotel in Pokhara could use some improvement in terms of logistics, particularly regarding the yoga class. It was offered at a very high price, but the space was not adequate and the mats were not in good condition.
In terms of itinerary, I would consider skipping Pokhara altogether.
Our stay during the last two days in Kathmandu was fantastic and very well deserved. We really enjoyed all the places we visited.
Our stay for the last two days in Kahmandu was well deserved and fantactic, and all the places we visted.
Our guide in Kathmandu was fantastic as well. Sangita planned everything seamlessly and supported us with all logistics. She was there to greet us upon arrival and even came to say goodbye with her family, which was a very thoughtful touch.
As per the packing list for the trek I would add a hot water bag, to fill in at the tea houses to keep the feet warm.
A special mention to the young porters—our hats off to them for carrying all our belongings along such challenging trails.
Mitra, Sangita, and the entire team were excellent.

Hotel Reviews

Oms Home

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

The shower all though it had hot water was in the same space as the toilet, and sink so when you shower everything gets wet.

Local teahouse / Lodge

All the teahouses were good overall, and the food was fantastic in every one of them. Some offered Western-style bathrooms, which we really appreciated. As expected, the facilities varied—at times there was no in-room toilet or sink, and in some places the latrines were located outside. We understood this is part of the conditions in Nepal and were able to adjust without issue. There is not hot water or sometimes no showers at all.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Mountain Lodge of Nepal Manang

The architecture and location are fantastic. Unfortunately, the temperature inside the hotel was very cold. If this issue were addressed and a proper gathering space were added, I would easily rate it five stars. There was no heating in the hotel, and it often felt colder inside than outside, which made the stay quite uncomfortable. Although the beds were equipped with electric blankets—which we did appreciate—the bedrooms were still too cold overall. There was also no real common area to relax, aside from the dining room. That said, the bedroom design and views were excellent, and the food was great.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Too cold inside the hotel and there was no heater or fireplace to keep us warm- a gahtering space with a fireplace is needed in that lovely hotel. It was very clean.

Aarya Hotel & Spa

Authenticity & Character

Nice lobby with woodwork and all the services

Location

Excellent location for the first days at Kahtmandu, walking distance to all the gear shops before the trek.

Staff

super acocmodating, and lovely freindly staff.

Cleanliness & Comfort

The bathtub was too hi so it is hard to step into the shower, I do not recommend this for older people .

The Pavilions Himalayas The Farm

Pokhara

The hotel in Pokhara could use some improvement in terms of logistics, particularly regarding the yoga class. It was offered at a very high price, but the space was not adequate and the mats were not in good condition and were smelly, we had some problems with the hot water in the bedrooms, there were accomodating and offered another room to take showers. The staff at the restaurant was fantastic. In terms of itinerary, I might consider skipping Pokhara altogether.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

The staff at the restaurant was excellent.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Drive from Kathmandu to Chame via Besisahar (2670 m / about 9 hrs)

Chame

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

very tight

Welcome to Nepal. Transfer to the hotel

Kathmandu

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Visit Swoyambhunath and Boudhanath

Kathmandu

truly amaizing and our guide was fantastic.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Trek Briefing

Kathmandu

fantastic experince!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

very tight for 6 people

Kathrin was amazing. She found a way to accommodate all of our idiosyncratic preferences and crafted a 16-day NZ adventure that was just right. If we had merely taken the trip we signed up for, we would have been delighted. Yet she had surprises waiting for us all along the way. Several of our lodgings had welcome messages, treats, wine, chocolates--something to welcome us and congratulate us on our anniversary. Five of them (!) provided upgrades at no extra charge, each one better than the last. Then came the ultimate above-and-beyond from Kathrin: She proactively alerted us that our ferry was likely to be cancelled and counseled us to jump to a flight instead. We were able to book a flight within minutes of the cancellation and saved the rest of our trip. She stayed in contact throughout our trip just to make sure everything went smoothly. She was aces.

Your A.I. alternative can't do any of that. We are sticking with Kathrin. Six stars out of five.

Hotel Reviews

Sudima Lake Rotorua

Rotorua

A fairly standard hotel room, clean with a comfortable bed. All you really need if you don't plan on hanging out in the hotel (why would you do that in NZ?). The staff were delightful.

Naumi Hotel Wellington

6141

They gave us a large, corner room that was very comfortable. It's easy to see why people might love this place for its funky decor. The staff was very friendly and helpful. The one downside was that the bathroom was very small, surprising given the size of our room. Otherwise, it was an interesting change of pace.

The Hotel Nelson

Nelson

Fox Glacier Lodge

Fox Glacier

Great location and very comfortable. It was kind of like staying in our own little cabin. The office even offered a free glowworm walk for anyone interested in the evening--just to be nice. We really enjoyed it.

Edgewater Wanaka

Lake Wānaka

We loved this spot. It was right down on the lakeshore, providing a lovely walk into town. We had a full apartment just for the two of us. Everything was like new.

Kamana Lakehouse

Queenstown

The Cinema Suites

Te Anau

The place is enormous. It felt like we should host a party there. Fun and quirky, but very comfortable.

Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruise - Real NZ Wanderer

Manapouri

We had a great time. We basically had the sound to ourselves during this trip. There were only 28 other guests onboard the boat, so it never felt crowded. It was rather cozy, actually. And there was SO MUCH FOOD. What a nice surprise. This was one of the best things we did on our trip to NZ.

River Birches Lodge

Turangi

We don't have the words to describe how beautiful River Birches Lodge is. The design is impeccable. Jason and Rebeca are great hosts, warm and friendly, and made us feel right at home. The room was very well appointed, and the cedar hot tub was an unexpected bonus. They included a lovely breakfast each day and provided great advice about our trip. We stayed in a wide variety of places during our 16 days in NZ (many of them very nice), and by far River Birches was the nicest of the lot. Six stars out of five.

Murchison Lodge

Murchison

Six stars out of five. We cannot find words to express how delighted we were with our stay at Murchison Lodge. Phillip is the consummate host and made us feel welcome from the moment we arrived. It was a highlight of our stay in New Zealand. It's the sort of place that just makes you want to settle in and not move. We should add that the homemade breakfast was the best of our 16 days in NZ. Our only disappointment was that we had to leave.

Activity Reviews

Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruise (Real NZ) on Navigator or Wanderer

New Zealand

We loved it. It was a small group (28 guests), and we were basically the only boat in the entire sound. The room was small (of course) but comfortable. And the staff were delightful. So much food you can't believe it.

Hobbiton Movie Set Tour

New Zealand

Great for all LOTR fans. But probably the most explicitly commercial, touristy thing we did in NZ.

Te Pā Tū - Maori Cultural Experience

Rotorua

This was the best thing we did in 16 days in NZ. We have been to commercial luaus in Hawaii before and expected something similar. As if. This was a much smaller crowd and a much more intimate experience. We learned a ton, and the talented performers really gave their all. We both found it very moving. And the food was plentiful, with a great variety on the prix fixe menu. Just delightful.

Hell's Gate Experience (Geothermal site and Mud Bath and Sulphur Spa)

Rotorua

It looks cooler on paper. The geothermal site is smaller and much less interesting than Orakei Korako, which was well worth the detour in our opinion. The mud bath was just OK, in part because you have to sit out in the cold air while the mud dries on you. It was interesting, but we would probably not do this one again.

Aqua Taxi - Slice of Paradise (boat + optional self guided walks) - full day

New Zealand

The hike was beautiful. It was a little harder than we expected (very hilly), but not too difficult. Our one (small) regret is that we allowed too much time to complete it, so we waited around a long time for our boat. If we did it again, we would have scheduled the earlier boat. As it was, we had an extra hour on a beautiful, sunny beach, so no one should feel sorry for us.

Via Ferrata

New Zealand

Lots of fun. We scheduled the Level 1 (short) experience due to time constraints, but we would gladly have extended to do the next level if we could have made it work with our schedule. It was totally safe and manageable--not physically challenging or dodgy. We would gladly do this again.

Heli Hike to Fox Glacier Half Day

New Zealand

We thought this would be more just a quick, brief touchdown on the glacier. In fact, we spent a couple of hours on the ice. All the gear (including boots, crampons, and rain gear) was provided. Our guide Kate was delightful. Unlike anything was have ever done before. We got a bunch of cool photos.

Te Anau Glowworm Caves

Te Anau

Really cool. Learned a lot and really enjoyed it besides. They kept the group small so it was just right.

Historic Steamship Cruise to Walter Peak Farm + Lunch BBQ

Queenstown (NZ)

This exceeded our expectations by a mile. The boat trip was lovely (perfect weather). And the food blew us away. We anticipated pretty standard fare, but it turned out to be maybe the largest buffet you'll find just about anywhere. And the food was all great. The herding and shearing demonstration was a fun bonus. It was a perfect way to spend our first evening in NZ following 16 hours of travel to get there.

We just got back from 10 days in Vietnam and kimkim did an amazing job in planning the whole trip - soup to nuts, they handled hotels, transfers, an internal flight from Hanoi to Danang, local guides, activities and transportation. Both before the trip and at all points during the journey, we were also in constant contact with our Vietnam specialist, Long. He reached out every day to make sure that we knew the schedule for the next day and to make sure that everything was going smoothly. Special shout-out to Vinh, our local guide in Hoi An and for a day trip to the Golden Bridge and Bana Hills - he was super friendly, informative and über-patient with our near-constant requests to pause here and there to check out local shops and interesting points. Kimkim helped us navigate our first trip to Vietnam and struck the right balance of assistance and free exploration time -- would highly recommend!

Hotel Reviews

Capella Cruise

Halong

Capella runs one and two-night cruises. Like most of the guests we came across, we did the single night cruise, and it was a highlight of our trip to Vietnam. Everything is very well organized, from the transfer to the ship, to meals and activities.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Halong Bay is crowded by ships, but it felt like the Capella found a route that wasn't overcrowded - we never felt like we were on top of the other ships around.

Staff

Everyone was excellent - friendly and helpful!

Cleanliness & Comfort

Having taken cruises on much larger ships, the size of our room, bathroom (it had an actual tub!) and balcony were amazing to me.

Le Sands Oceanfront Danang Hotel

Da Nang

Nice, family-friendly hotel in Danang with a good view of the beach on one side and a good city-scape on the other. Breakfast buffet was very good and there is a nice rooftop pool with a bar that makes good coffees and cocktails. Staff were all very friendly and helpful. There are some other hotels clustered further down the beach, where swimming seems permitted - not sure if it's permanent, but at the time we went, there were "no swimming" signs posted along the strip of beach directly in front of the hotel, so that was a bit of a minus as we had been looking forward to a swim.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

La Siesta Hoi An Resort & Spa

Hoi An

Lovely and sprawling hotel in Hoi An -- more like a resort with four swimming pools, two restaurants (Vietnamese and Italian) and a sprawling grounds where you can spend some time. The rooms were nice and the facility is perfect for families, especially with three of the pools being available to children.

Authenticity & Character

The lobby and grounds are lovely.

Location

Location is a bit outside of Hoi An but there is a shuttle to (and from) the old town from the hotel, and you can easily get a Grab into the city.

Staff

Everyone was super friendly and helpful.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Bespoke Trendy Hotel Hanoi

Bespoke Trendy may have a goofy name, but they have a great location in the heart of the old quarter in Hanoi, just a block away from a good "train street" viewing location. Rooms are nice, the restaurant is good, and all of the staff are helpful and friendly. Highly recommend!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Can't beat the one block from the train street - prime old quarter location!

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Review

VIP Fast Track Service

Vietnam

This is a must-do. It was super-helpful to skip the long immigration lines in Hanoi, especially after the long flight from the U.S. - you are met and essentially waved directly to a person to review passports/visas, as applicable.

We recently completed a 10-day trip to Morocco, and it was truly one of the most memorable travel experiences we’ve ever had. From start to finish, everything was thoughtfully planned and seamlessly executed.

The highlights of the trip were incredible — a rich cultural and food tour that gave us a deep appreciation of Moroccan traditions, stunning luxury accommodations throughout, and unforgettable adventures like ATV dune bashing in the Sahara and a magical camel ride across the desert. Visiting the Roman ruins at Volubilis was another standout — absolutely breathtaking and steeped in history.

A special mention goes to our amazing English-speaking guide and driver, Abdellatif Iggui, who was professional, warm, and incredibly knowledgeable. Having a dedicated vehicle and guide throughout made the journey smooth, comfortable, and truly personalized. We are also very grateful to Hakim from KimKim Travels for organizing such a well-curated itinerary — everything was perfectly coordinated.

A couple of minor points — vegetarian food options in traditional Moroccan cuisine were somewhat limited, and the horse riding experience in the desert was not ideal, mainly due to the lack of English-speaking staff at that activity.

That said, these were very small drawbacks in an otherwise exceptional trip.

Overall, this was a 5-star experience, and we would highly recommend Morocco — and especially this team — to anyone looking for a luxurious, culturally immersive, and adventure-filled getaway!

Planning our trip to Spain through KimKim was one of the best travel decisions we’ve made. The entire process felt smooth, personalized, and stress-free from start to finish. Julia, our local specialist, was incredibly attentive, responsive, and thoughtful in curating an itinerary that truly matched our interests and pace.

Every detail was handled with care, from accommodations to transportation to guided experiences, allowing us to fully relax and immerse ourselves in the journey. The guides we met along the way were knowledgeable, warm, and clearly passionate about sharing their culture, which made each destination come alive in a deeper way.

Although we experienced a few travel hiccups during the holiday week, such as flight delays and traffic outside our control, Julia and the KimKim team were incredibly responsive. They proactively reached out, adjusted details like our car rental pickup and guided tour times, and made a stressful situation feel much more manageable.

Some of the most memorable moments included wandering through the historic streets, taking in the architecture, and experiencing the local food and atmosphere that made each city feel unique. It never felt rushed or overwhelming, just well-balanced and intentional.

What’s the most important thing to know? Trust the process. KimKim and your local specialist handle the details so you can fully enjoy the experience. Communicate your preferences, and they truly tailor the trip to you.

Overall, this was more than just a trip; it was a meaningful experience we’ll always remember. I would absolutely recommend Kimkim and Julia to anyone looking for a seamless and thoughtfully planned journey.

Hotel Reviews

Melia Palma Bay

Palma de Mallorca

This was hands down my favorite place from the entire trip. It truly offered the best of both worlds. We had the extra space and comfort of an apartment (similar to our stay in Valencia, with separate rooms), combined with the ease and convenience of a hotel, as we experienced in Málaga. It was the perfect balance. The space itself was modern, clean, and very easily accessible. The location couldn’t have been better, right across the street from the beach and just minutes from a stunning cathedral, parks, the town center of Palma, great restaurants, and the marina. It was also only about 10 minutes from the airport, which made travel incredibly easy. There’s a great restaurant right downstairs, a rooftop pool and bar, the staff was wonderful, and the underground parking was a huge plus. It also never felt too crowded or busy, which made the whole experience even more relaxing. Overall, this was the highlight of our stay, and I would absolutely return.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Valenciaflats Ciudad de las Ciencias

Valencia

Our stay at Valenciaflats Ciudad de las Ciencias was overall good, especially depending on what type of experience you’re looking for. The space is an apartment, which was great in terms of having a kitchen and extra room to spread out. However, it doesn’t offer the same ease or convenience you might expect from a traditional hotel, so that’s something to keep in mind if you prefer full-service accommodations. One of the biggest highlights was the location in relation to the City of Arts and Sciences. It’s within easy walking distance to the aquarium and science center, which were amazing to experience. That said, it is a bit removed from the main city areas. If you’re new to Valencia, having a car can be helpful. If you're open to using the bus system, it is easily accessible and manageable, but for certain things, like getting to our guided tour, we preferred to use Uber in a new space. Overall, this is a good option if you’re looking for more space, a quieter setting, and a more cost-effective stay. Just be prepared for a bit more planning when it comes to getting around.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

ICON Malabar

Málaga

We initially had a bit of difficulty finding the hotel, as there isn’t direct driving access. You have to park nearby and walk in. That said, once we arrived, it was worth it. We were in the heart of everything, unexpectedly, during a widely celebrated Holy Week. ICON Malabar is a charming, boutique-style hotel located right in the heart of the city center. Everything was within easy walking distance: restaurants, shopping, the beach, and the boardwalk, which made exploring Málaga incredibly convenient. The staff was amazing from start to finish. Check-in and check-out were smooth, breakfast was included and delicious, and they offered great recommendations for local food (including some of the best churros in the area!). They were also very patient and accommodating, especially with our limited Spanish. Overall, a wonderful stay in a perfect location. We would definitely recommend it to anyone visiting Málaga.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Palma de Mallorca Food tour

Mallorca

This is one I can’t fully speak to from start to finish, but I still wanted to share our experience because it says a lot about the quality of the tour and the guide. We visited on a Saturday during Easter weekend, and the area was extremely crowded, with multiple cruise ships in port. Parking was very difficult to find, and we ended up running about 30 minutes late just trying to park. In hindsight, I would highly recommend taking a taxi to the meeting point, as this area is not very car-friendly and requires walking. Because we were late, we initially struggled to find the group and almost gave up. We even took our kids to a nearby park, thinking we had missed the experience entirely. However, our guide truly went above and beyond. He stayed in contact with us, texting and calling to help us find him, and never gave up on us. After about 10 minutes of searching, we were able to meet up with the group about an hour into the tour. Although we missed the first half, the guide made sure we still had a meaningful experience. He had thoughtfully brought food from the earlier stops, wrapped and ready for us, and welcomed us in as if we had been there the whole time. The guide was incredibly kind, patient, and tenacious. Even joining late, we were able to enjoy the second half of the tour, and it ended up being a really memorable experience.

Quality of Experience

Food

We joined late, but what we got in the middle/end was delicious.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Getting to the meeting point was hard due to a holiday weekend, but no transport was given on this. It's a walking food tour.

Paella Cooking Class & Shopping at Mercat Central

Valencia

This experience was absolutely awesome and a definite highlight of our time in Valencia. While we did have some flight delays, this activity couldn’t be rescheduled due to it being a group experience, so that’s something to keep in mind. But once there, you’re fully engaged the entire time, and it’s truly worth it. The experience begins with a guided tour, where you learn about the history of Valencia and the origins of paella. Walking through key spots tied to the story made it even more meaningful and engaging. After the tour, you head to the cooking location, where the experience continues with snacks and wine before moving into the kitchen. You’re guided step-by-step through making authentic paella, all while enjoying a variety of Valencian wines and small bites along the way. The best part is sitting down afterward with the group to enjoy the meal you created together, paired with more delicious wine and finished with a dessert and dessert wine. The staff was knowledgeable, friendly, and truly passionate about what they do, which made the experience even more special. Overall, this is a must-do when visiting Valencia: fun, immersive, and incredibly memorable.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

No transport needed. Meet at meeting place, and you walk with a group through the experience.

Private Treasure Hunt in Málaga

Málaga

This experience was so much fun and a great way to explore Málaga, especially with kids. It combined sightseeing with interactive elements that kept everyone engaged, while also sharing interesting facts and history about the city. The treasure hunt format made walking through the city center feel like an adventure, and the treasure box at the end was a perfect and exciting reward. We also had some major flight delays, and the team was incredibly flexible and accommodating. They worked with our schedule to reschedule the activity so we could still experience it before the end of our trip, which we really appreciated. Our guide was fantastic, friendly, knowledgeable, and full of great insights about Málaga that added even more value to the experience. Overall, this is a fun, engaging, and family-friendly way to see the city. Highly recommend!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Not necessarily transport involved. They give you the address of where to meet, and you go from there on foot!

The trip was planned out really well, and for an international trip, there were almost zero issues, and any we did encounter were minor and dealt with effectively. It was fantastic to have activities and transportation planned which really decreased a lot of travel stress. This was a trip designed for our family and every activity accommodated our ages and abilities.

We had a wonderful week in Morocco planned by the Kimkim team. Our driver, Ziad, was a delight and made all our transitions seamless. Excellent guides were chosen for all our city tours; very helpful in learning how to navigate the cities. The hotel choices were also excellent: La Maison Arabe in Marrakech has climbed to the top of our list of favorite hotels. We thought the pricing was very reasonable given all that was included. We would definitely use Kimkim again!

Morocco was a beautiful country, made extra special by our driver Maysar! He was professional, punctual, polite and just a joy to spend a week with! Everything went according to itinerary. Riding camels in the desert was a definite highlight, but we loved Chefchaouen, Fez, and Marrakesh! Said was helpful when one activity was cancelled due to weather, and was able to help substitute another activity in the trip. Overall would recommend!

Absolutely wonderful trip and all the details worked out flawlessly. We had a little bit of everything in our family trip to Norway and it went off without a hitch. We loved the fjords, the saunas, the Viking Village, and the city of Bergen. We made some unforgettable family memories!

The trip planning was pretty easy with KimKim. We had a great time exploring the highlights of Morocco.

Hotel Reviews

Riad Semlalia

Fès

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

not enough staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Tiziri Luxury Camp

Merzouga

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Riad Ksar Ighnda

Ait Benhaddou

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Riad Andalla Spa

Marrakech

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Lina Ryad & Spa

Chefchaouen

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Riad Kalaa

Rabat

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Review

Casablanca Airport to Rabat via Casablanca City: From Economic Capital to Royal Seat

Morocco

Or driver Tayeb was great. He made everything seamless and had great tips throughout the trip.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We thoroughly enjoyed our trip. The places and experiences that made up our itinerary were excellent. We particularly enjoyed El Calafate/El Chalten. The kayaking/hiking day was amazing. And also the area around Salta - just stunning scenery. In Ushuaia, we loved the day of hiking and rafting. We did not have good luck with weather but enjoyed ourselves nonetheless. The hotels & breakfasts met our expectations - nothing disappointing. The internal flights and all the transfers went very smoothly. And the guides we had for the various things we did were really excellent. Well-informed, easy to understand, fun to be with.
The only thing we might have liked more of was a chance to walk or hike during the four days we spent in the north around Salta. We realize there were long distances to cover by vehicle and so maybe not enough time for that.

Charlotte and team provided us with a wonderful itinerary and excellent support throughout our 11-day trip through the Yucatan peninsula. The highlights for our family of four (including two teenagers) were the group bike tour in Chemuyil (with a wonderful guide, stopping at three amazing cenotes), the tour of the Sian Ka'an nature reserve (also with an excellent guide; we especially enjoyed floating down the river through the mangroves), and the visit to the village of Yaxuna where locals showed us how they are making a living and cooked the most delicious meal for us (and let us swim in their beautiful cenote). Seeing the Mayan ruins in Tulum, Chichen Itza and Ek Balam was great, too. Two relaxing days on the beach in Holbox added the perfect ending to an unforgettable trip. KimKim and their local specialist, Mexplorer, impressed us with excellent hotel choices and community-based tours supporting the local people and sustainable development. We would definitely book another trip with KimKim!

We thoroughly enjoyed our trip. Said was extremely responsive to all of our questions before we left. (I did not work with Abdellah; our friends planned the trip before we signed up.) Our driver, Samad was very courteous and timely (except the last morning). At the beginning, he did not give us a lot of information about where we were or where/when we'd be stopping, but supplied more as the trip went on, which we appreciated.
Our guide in Fez, Shariff, was excellent. We enjoyed our full day with him. We also enjoyed our stay at Riad Braya. The staff could not have been more friendly, helpful and accommodating.
We enjoyed our visit to the Sahara at the Orient Desert Camp. The camel ride to the camp was fun. The accommodations were not as luxurious as we had expected, but they were perfectly fine, and the staff was wonderful - friendly and accommodating. We did not really interact with any of the nomad families; we visited a camp and our guide explained what we saw in different tents. We also had a lot of fun riding in the sand on the atvs.
Dades was our favorite part of the trip! Dar Rihana Dades was fantastic! Mohammed could not have been any friendlier and helpful. The food was absolutely amazing (Michelin Star quality)! Breakfast and dinner were both special and delicious. We also loved our hike with Said through Monkey Finger Canyon. We learned to recognize the trees and enjoyed scrambling over the rocks and then walking through the village at the end of the hike. Our lunch with the Berber family was delicious, but not very exciting because we did not interact with the family.
Marakesh, while interesting, and a must-see, was somewhat disappointing. The hotel staff at Palais Sebban, was not very welcoming, and it was not an easy place to sleep because of noise. Our guide seemed more interested in all of the people he knew, and took us to shops where it seemed as if he would get a commission from their high prices.
We covered a lot of miles (a lot of car time), saw many beautiful sights, and had some really fun adventures!

Hotel Reviews

Palais Sebban

Marrakech

We were not welcomed with tea and snack when we arrived, as we were at all of our previous destinations. Everything seemed very rushed. We had a hard time sleeping the first night because of the noise in the courtyard below our room.

Location

Staff

Orient Desert Camp

Merzouga

Very welcoming environment in the desert. Staff was very friendly and helpful.

Staff

Riad Braya

FesfE

The staff was very welcoming and friendly, and the riad was beautiful.

Authenticity & Character

Location

easy to walk around the medina from the riad

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Dar Rihana Dades

Douar Aït Ouffi

I would give this hotel more than 5 stars if I could! The staff was amazing. They were extremely friendly, welcoming and helpful. The tea and cookies on the roof deck when we arrived were excellent. Breakfast with 3 fresh juices and the best egg dish was a fantastic start to the day. The dinner we had at the hotel was incredible. The chef deserves Michelin Stars! I can't recommend this hotel enough!

Authenticity & Character

The brothers worked so hard to welcome us and make us comfortable.

Location

walkable to other places in the small town, and view of the river

Staff

Mohammed took care of us from explaining things, to contact with our driver and guide, serving in the restaurant, and fixing our hot water.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Guided Tour of Fez Medina

Fes

It was very helpful to go to the overlook to see the whole medina from across the valley. Shariff, our guide asked what we were interested in seeing, and took us to the Jewish Cemetary and Jewish Quarter, which we appreciated. He was very helpful guiding us through the medina, pointing out the different sections and architecture. Our tour lasted more like 6-7 hours which was wonderful for us.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Shariff was excellent and coordinated well with our driver, Samad.

Arrive in Casablanca, Visit Hassan II Mosque, Transfer to Fes via Rabat

Morocco

The Mosque was closed because of Eid, but we were able to visit at the end of our trip, which was good. We made a couple of stops in Rabat which were really beautiful and interesting, but it would have been helpful to have a guide to explain what we were seeing at the Kasbah and palace. We thoroughly enjoyed wandering around Chellah Castle and gardens, including a nice lunch. It was probably the best way to help us get through the long day after overnight travel.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

We did not get much information from our driver at first. He dropped us at the Kasbah and told us where to meet him, but not what we were looking at. It was a bit confusing.

Transport

It was great to be met at the airport without worrying about how to get to our destination.

We had a great trip, well organized and comfortable.
Our local specialist was George; he was cooperative and attentive.
Our local guide Putra was amazing and very informative and helpful.

Angel was the most amazing organizer; informed, personable and fun to work with. We were 4 women who enjoy adventure and talking to local people. We each have done a fair amount of traveling on our own and arranging our own trips with family and friends but this time relied on KimKim to make our arrangements.

Their local day trip guides were extremely knowledgable, thoughtful, kind and with a sense of humor. We appreciated times when the various local guides adjusted the schedule or site given to avoid the crowds. Sometimes we explored new places and had to adjust the schedule given unknown circumstances. The experiences felt unique while at the same time we were visiting major sites. So many places we went were so special. We made a number of requests in the beginning and made a few major adjustments just before embarking. When we had an unexpected emergency she responded immediately --anticipating the next steps with calm.

I wish Angel could arrange all my trips.

This was an outstanding trip planned by Holden and Adrian at Serendipity Adventures with only two months’ notice. We made sure to be where we needed to be and everything happened like clockwork. This is our third trip through kimkim, and as always the kimkim platform made all of the planning and payment easy. This time we especially liked the new kimkim app that made it handy to pull up our daily itinerary and see what was happening when. Costa Rica was exceptionally beautiful, and the easy logistics really allowed us to enjoy the views, great food and world-class wildlife.

Guides were all excellent throughout our trip, making every stop along the way a really educational experience. One of the big advantages of having a guide is meeting and getting to know a local person in the place you are traveling. We always learn so much more than we would just on our own. The guides have a lot of infectious enthusiasm for Costa Rica and the area they live in. Things are so varied throughout the country, and each new ecosystem is a new opportunity to learn about unique plants, animals, geology and ecology. From hollow trees filled with water that sound like a drum when hit, to hand-grinding freshly-roasted coffee beans, to stopping on the side of the road on the way to the airport to see how a cashew grows, we were constantly coming in contact with new and interesting subjects.

Our list of new-to-us animals, birds and plants is huge from this trip - some standouts were howler monkeys, spider monkeys, two & three-toed sloths, agoutis, coatis, quetzal, eyelash pit viper, scarlet macaw, caimans, motmots, sea eels, morpho butterflies, and special mention to all the various hummingbirds at Monteverde and the nighttime spider eyes watching us in La Fortuna. The plant and insect life is an important part of the experience as well, especially at Amor Arenal where you are surrounded on all sides by amazing jungle vegetation, and the cicadas, birds and wind are the constant backing track.

We met so many friendly and helpful people at all of the hotels and attractions, it made for a welcoming trip. Adrian from Serendipity kept track of us through WhatsApp - and provided some critical help over the phone when we became too absorbed in the Monteverde cloud forest and had to change plans quickly. The hotels were all noteworthy because of the helpful staff and the excellent facilities. Every guide was a stand-out, and really every guided activity was rewarding and worthwhile. The naturalist guides were invaluable - Bryan at Arenal, Joe on the Peñas Blancas River, Andy in Monteverde, and Kenneth in Nosara all really knew their areas well and gave us real insight into the natural world of Central America.

Transfers were timely and seemed like a necessity, not an option. There were quite a few rough roads and tricky turns, it was great to have locals driving. They were all excellent.

We would recommend Costa Rica without reservation, and this tour made it great.

Our Japan trip was truly memorable! It was my daughter's first international trip and she did so well. Eleanor has planned it in a way where my daughter can keep up and not get overwhelmed and still check off all the places and experiences we wanted to have. Our local guides and drivers were also superb. Shoutout to Yuka, our guide in Shirakawa. She was a lovely person and my daughter played with her a lot. Overall, the beauty of the places we've seen, the culture, the hospitality made it magical and enchanting for us. It reset our minds and spirit. I can actually say my soul was deeply moved. We were absolutely captivated by Japan!

This was our first trip to Morocco and our first time booking through Kimkim, and the experience exceeded our expectations from start to finish.

Planning with Mohamed was straightforward and pleasant, very much in line with the strong reviews we had read. We chose an itinerary covering Casablanca, Rabat, Fes, the Agafay desert, and Marrakech, and he was happy to accommodate a few thoughtful modifications to better suit our group.

As the trip approached, Said took over the local coordination and handled bookings on the ground. Once we arrived, there were a couple of last-minute changes involving guides and an activity venue—things that could have been stressful—but Said and Karim handled everything seamlessly. The replacements they arranged were excellent, and we couldn’t have been happier with how smoothly it all worked out.

We traveled as a private group of two families, with a dedicated car and driver, which made a huge difference in comfort and flexibility.

Each stop on the itinerary had its own unique charm:
• Casablanca offered a sense of nostalgia (especially for fans of the movie) and the stunning Hassan II Mosque by the sea.
• Rabat was a highlight—we adjusted our schedule to spend more time there, and it was absolutely worth it. It’s rich in history yet also relaxed and coastal, making it ideal for a mixed group. Chellah, with its storks nesting nearby, was especially memorable.
• Fes stood out for its atmosphere—the orange blossom–scented courtyard at Palais Amani, and the maze of narrow streets in the medina. We also visited Mosaique et Poterie de Fes, where live demonstrations showcased truly impressive craftsmanship in traditional pottery and mosaic work. It was fascinating to see the level of skill involved. That said, the sales pitch can be quite aggressive and persistent, so it’s worth being prepared for that. As elsewhere, once we made it clear we weren’t looking to purchase, things remained respectful.
• Agafay Desert (Inara Camp) was a true highlight. The setting—with views of the Atlas Mountains—combined with sunset, dinner, performances, and a camel ride made for a magical experience. We genuinely wished we had stayed an extra night.
• Marrakech was vibrant, beautiful, and full of life. We had heard mixed advice beforehand—some suggesting skipping Casablanca and going straight to Marrakech—and now we understand why. The city is rich in history yet full of energy, with welcoming neighborhoods and lively night markets. Our cooking class at MonRiad was intimate and authentic, led by two young chefs with less showmanship but 100% sincerity. Even after multiple visits to spice markets, we found ourselves enjoying them more each time. Another highlight was a traditional hammam and spa experience at Les Bains de l’Alhambra—it somehow took away all the muscle soreness, dead skin, and lingering travel fatigue in one go 🙂

Overall, the trip felt thoughtfully designed, well-paced, and very well supported on the ground. We appreciated the flexibility, responsiveness, and the sense that we were in good hands throughout.

We were incredibly fortunate to have Karim as our driver throughout the trip.

He drove a brand new 7-passenger Renault SUV, which made long travel days comfortable and relaxed. More importantly, Karim is an excellent driver—steady, safe, and professional, which really matters on some of Morocco’s longer routes.

Beyond that, he was knowledgeable, reliable, and genuinely pleasant to be around. His personality struck just the right balance—friendly and helpful, yet calm and unobtrusive. Traveling with him made the entire experience feel easy and enjoyable.

We couldn’t have asked for a better driver and would highly recommend him to anyone planning a similar trip.

Benjamin created an affordable and amazing itinerary for Bangkok, Pattaya and Phuket. We really enjoyed the diverse food, shopping cultural sites, and nightlife in Bangkok. Kodalay Seafood Buffet was our culinary highlight, great seafood by the river.

Transportation from airports to various destinations were seamless. Elephant Sanctuary tour in Phuket was an amazing experience feeding and walking amongst the elephants in their natural habitat. Also spent time on the beautiful beaches in Phuket and island hopping to Maya Bay.

Benjamin was always available to help in booking extra room or when I lost my wallet and key card. I would highly recommend him for any trip to Thailand.