Kimkim Trip Reviews for Indonesia

Our Bali trip was absolutely incredible, and so much of that was due to the thoughtful planning and exceptional service of our travel agent, Athaya. She created an itinerary that gave us a wonderful mix of adventure, excitement, relaxation, culture, and luxury, while also allowing us to experience the dramatically different regions and topography of Bali. Every part of the trip felt intentional, and we came away feeling like we had truly experienced the island rather than simply visited it.

One of the absolute highlights was the team Athaya arranged for us. Our driver, Sang, was amazing. Anyone who has experienced Bali traffic knows that getting around the island is an adventure in itself, but Sang maneuvered through it like an expert! We always felt completely safe and comfortable with him, and his skill behind the wheel was truly impressive.

And then there was our wonderful guide, Mr. Oki. I cannot say enough good things about him. He was incredibly kind, patient, attentive, and genuinely cared about making sure we had the best possible experience. He taught us about Balinese customs, traditions, and culture in a way that made everything we were seeing so much more meaningful. He stood in lines to get our admission tickets, handled all the little details so we didn’t have to think about them, and was always looking for ways to make our day easier. He even made sure to take pictures of us throughout our adventures, which means we now have wonderful photographs of our amazing trip.

What impressed me most about the entire trip was the balance. We had exciting adventures, peaceful moments, beautiful accommodations, cultural experiences, and opportunities to see completely different sides of Bali. Each region felt like a new experience, and the itinerary flowed beautifully without ever feeling repetitive.

But perhaps the best example of Athaya’s level of service came when something happened that wasn’t even part of the trip she had planned. Our onward travel arrangements unexpectedly fell through, leaving us in Bali with nowhere to stay and no transportation arranged. Athaya immediately came to our rescue. Within minutes, she had found us a driver and secured a hotel so that we weren’t stranded. There was no hesitation—she simply stepped in and took care of us when we needed help. That kind of responsiveness and genuine concern for her clients is something you don’t forget.

This was the kind of trip that makes you realize how much difference an exceptional travel planner can make. Athaya didn’t simply arrange hotels, transportation, and activities—she created an experience, surrounded us with wonderful people, and made us feel cared for from beginning to end. And when the unexpected happened, she was there for us then, too.

We left Bali with incredible memories, a much deeper appreciation for the island and its culture, and enormous gratitude for Athaya, Sang, and Mr. Oki. They each played a special part in making this an unforgettable experience.

I would recommend Athaya without hesitation to anyone planning a trip to Bali. She is the person you want planning your vacation—and, perhaps even more importantly, the person you want in your corner when your plans don’t go according to plan.

Activity Reviews

Visit Ubud Art Market

Indonesia

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Bali Swing at Tegallalang Rice Terrace

Indonesia

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Balinese Massage

Indonesia

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Cliffs of Majesty : Visit Uluwatu Temple & Watch Kecak Dance

Indonesia

Quality of Experience

K

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Gitgit Waterfall Canyoning Adventure

Indonesia

Canyoning was hands-down one of the most exciting and memorable experiences of our entire trip to Bali! The guides were absolutely fantastic. They were knowledgeable, professional, and extremely safety-conscious, which made us feel completely comfortable even when we were doing something that pushed us outside our comfort zones. They explained everything clearly, told us exactly what to expect, and made sure we knew what to do before every jump, rappel, and challenging section of the canyon. We always felt like we were in very capable hands, which allowed us to relax and actually enjoy the adventure. And then there was one particular guide who was absolutely hilarious. He honestly made the experience! He kept us laughing throughout the entire excursion and somehow managed to make even the more intimidating moments fun. His personality, humor, and enthusiasm turned what was already an incredible adventure into one of those experiences we’ll be talking about for years. The scenery was spectacular, the adventure was exhilarating, and the guides were exceptional. It was the perfect combination of adrenaline, natural beauty, and just plain fun. If you’re considering canyoning in Bali, DO IT! It was one of our favorite experiences of the entire trip, and we would recommend it without hesitation.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Visit Penglipuran Village

Indonesia

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Bathe the Elephants

Ubud, Bali

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Our trip was amazing(
Our Yogya Karta guide, Bien was amazing. His level of knowledge of the history of Indonesia from early days to today was great. He was thoughtful, patient and his years of experiences came to life in the way he understood and explained everything. I am sure you use him in your tours as his English language is also very good....

In Bromo, Teguh was an amazing guide and loves Indonesia! My son, Sunny and I enjoyed the time with him and the visit to Bromo and surroundings.

Today our guide Yanto at blue flame was also amazing. He stayed with us the whole hike up and down and was a delight to be with. Would recommend him as a permanent guide for anyone speaks English or needing English speaking guides - would recommend same with Teguh as well - both of them were great for us.

And our drivers ebot and Pedro were great as well.

Hotel Reviews

Hotel Majapahit Surabaya

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Teras Hotel Ijen Banyuwangi

Banyuwangi

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Manis ae Hotel, Cabin, & Resto Bromo

Bromo

Authenticity & Character

Location

Cleanliness & Comfort

The Phoenix Hotel Yogyakarta - MGallery Collection

YOGYAKARTA

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

A Royal Evening at Prambanan : Visit Prambanan & Watch Ramayana

Yogyakarta

Kota Gede Walking Tour

Yogyakarta

Go on a Sunrise Hike to Mount Bromo

Indonesia

Witness the Blue Flame of Ijen Crater

Indonesia

The Refined Java Experience : Visit Borobudur & Visit Klipoh Village by Andong

Yogyakarta

Visit Taman Sari Water Palace

Yogyakarta

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

I have used Kimkim twice now. The first time was for a two-week trip to the Philippines about six months ago, and everything was so wonderful that when I decided to take my two daughters to Bali before one headed off to law school and the other started college, I didn’t hesitate to book through Kimkim again.

For this trip, I wanted something a little different. We were looking for eco-conscious luxury, beautiful nature, authentic cultural experiences, and places that felt a little off the beaten path. One thing I especially appreciated during my first Kimkim experience was being paired with a local travel specialist who really understood the destination and culture. I asked whether I could receive a quote from a different specialist this time, but was told I couldn’t. I decided to move forward anyway even though I would have liked to have shopped agencies. (Since Kim Kim is basically a matchmaker site between local agencies and the consumer of travel).

The itinerary was pretty basic and the activities were primarily “self guided”. The trip was definitely highly marked up.

The planning process was fine, and after a few itinerary adjustments we were on our way from the San Francisco Bay Area to Bali.

The biggest disappointment was the level of communication from our travel specialist. We were only checked in on once after arriving, and during that message she didn’t even remember my name. It lacked the warmth, attentiveness, and thoughtful personal touches that I experienced on my previous Kimkim trip and that friends have also described. It certainly didn’t ruin our vacation, but it was noticeably different from the level of service I had come to expect.

Now for the part that made this trip absolutely unforgettable:
Our driver, Made (pronounced “Mah-Dee”), was extraordinary. I was initially told that he was “just a driver” and that a guide would cost extra. In reality, Made became one of the biggest highlights of our entire vacation.

He consistently went far above and beyond what anyone could reasonably expect. He was incredibly knowledgeable about Balinese culture, history, religion, traditions, food, and daily life. He answered every question we had with patience and enthusiasm, made wonderful recommendations that improved our itinerary, and was always thinking several steps ahead to make our days smoother and more enjoyable.

As three women traveling together, we always felt completely safe in his care. He was professional, respectful, kind, punctual, and genuinely invested in making sure we had the best possible experience. By the end of two weeks, he felt more like a trusted friend than simply our driver. If Kimkim has employees who represent the very best of what travel should be, Made is one of them. He deserves tremendous recognition.

The accommodations were also outstanding. Every hotel was an eco-luxury retreat, beautifully designed, surrounded by nature, and unique in its own way. The prices were very reasonable for travelers looking for this sort of resort . The markup from kimkim was huge and next time I will book these hotels myself and saved a lot of money. I never saw an itemized cost breakdown but did the math and I could have spent 1/2 the price booking myself. Each location had its own personality, yet all maintained the same high standard of comfort and hospitality that was standard for the areas where we stayed.

Even with my disappointment regarding communication from our travel specialist, this was still probably the best trip of my life. Bali is magical, and Kimkim put together an itinerary that allowed us to experience its beauty in a meaningful way. If I could make one suggestion, it would be to ensure every traveler receives the same level of personal attention during the planning process that Kimkim has built its reputation on.

And if you’re lucky enough to have Made as your driver, know that you’re in exceptional hands. He was worth his weight in gold and was one of the biggest reasons this became a trip my daughters and I will remember for the rest of our lives.

Hotel Reviews

Wapa Di Ume Sidemen

We spent our last three nights in Bali here. It was the perfect place to end the best vacation EVER. The staff were so attentive and thoughtful and kind. We attended their “BBQ by the river” which is a must! The restaurant was great. Breakfast was lovely every morning. The room was perfect for me and my two adult daughters. We had such a great time here. The staff really made it special . The views were priceless .

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Pondok Santi Estate

Nusa Tenggara Bar.

My adult daughters absolutely loved this resort. The location and staff were phenomenal. We spent 4 nights here and we felt so close to everything but loved being on this quiet southern tip of the island . He could hear the ocean and wake up to a beautiful sunrise every morning from our generously appointed villa. The outdoor showers such a great touch . The perfect amount of nature and luxury. The staff were incredible. I will definitely visit again someday!!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Across the street from a beautiful stretch of beach and set back away from the party atmosphere of the island .

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Ubud Valley Boutique Resort

We loved this place! The staff was top notch . The room was so beautiful. The craftsmanship of the villas were absolutely breathtaking .

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Elevate by Hanging Gardens Munduk

Munduk

We had a wonderful stay at Elevate by Hanging Gardens Munduk. The property is beautiful, and the views of the mountains and surrounding greenery were absolutely breathtaking. It was such a peaceful place to relax and unwind. The staff were kind, welcoming, and attentive, and our villa was comfortable, thoughtfully designed, and felt like a special place to stay. As a vegan, I was pleasantly surprised to find several great vegan options on the menu, which made dining easy and enjoyable. The cooler weather was a nice change, and we really enjoyed spending a few days in this part of Bali. It felt like a wonderful place to slow down and take in the scenery. We would absolutely recommend this hotel to anyone looking for a beautiful, relaxing stay surrounded by nature, and we’d love to return someday

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Private Sound Bath & Healing Experience

Ubud, Bali

This was just okay. I wouldn’t do it again.

Quality of Experience

Visit Jatiluwih Rice Terraces

Indonesia

Our tour guide was so sweet! This place is beautiful . Take your time and just soak in wonder of this place. Bring money for snacks and buy goods from the people from the village they are so kind and thoughtful.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our tour guide was wonderful. Our driver showed up just as we were finished - no waiting in the hot afternoon sun!

Transport

Sacred Wellness Journey in the Sidemen Valley

Sidemen, Bali

Anandini was wonderful! Surya was so kind wise and patient. Everything about the day for myself and my daughters was such a special gift. We will always remember this place as well as Surya.

Quality of Experience

Such a magical resort restaurant garden and wellness center. I’d love to stay in one of their villas the next time I’m in sideman ! There are the most precious pups on site and it’s all Vegan which meant I could eat everything on their amazing menu!

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Our Drive Made did all of our driving and he was knowledgeable of every place we went. Transportation was always exceptional! anandinil Was so close to our resort but he still picked us up drove us and made sure we were good to go at the reception desk. There was torrential rainfall the morning we arrived so the help was so appreciated!

Catamaran boat trip around the Gili islands

Indonesia

The boat “utopia” is a beauty!! We loved this so much. The staff played great music and were a lot of fun! The snorkeling was great with a perfect amount of stops and lots of time to play in the water, paddle board or float around the boat before and after lunch. We had a great group on board with us and everyone had such a great time!!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

The staff were phenomenal and provided friendly and exemplary service!

Transport

Sekumpul Waterfalls Adventure

Indonesia

If you can make the hike back UP the mountain side, taking the trip down to the rivers and the falls is a MUST. This was such a surprising adventure! Probably our favorite activity on our trip to Bali. The local guides are amazing and the views are awesome inspiring. The sort of beauty that is so difficult to even capture with a cameras I was glad my daughters and guide took pictures because I was speechless and totally lost myself in the magic of this place.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Our guide Adi was incredibly knowledgeable and so excited each time we asked him a question. You could feel his love for Bali and the people. Out driver Ardi was also amazing!
We had the luck of being in Bali on a major holiday so got to see the people and temples dressed up!
Sofitel Nusa Dua cannot be beat!
K Club was in a beautiful setting- high in the mountains.
We had a packed itinerary so be sure when planning you’re ok with long drives and bad traffic or just stay in one area. It’s all beautiful!

This was our first time using a travel company (as we were travelling with our children) and we were very impressed with the service!
The communication back and forth from George during the planning stages was fantastic.
We then got a dedicated app, WhatsApp group and 24 hour phone number help during the trip itself.
Any issues were dealt with kindly and generously by the company. Our trip itself was full of once in a lifetime memories.
All drivers were faultlessly on time and our guides were all knowledgeable and lovely people. Miss Oki in particular was very knowledgeable and we felt like we got all our Indonesian culture questions answered!
Highly recommend GoKo travel!

Hotel Reviews

Luwansa Beach Resort

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Ramayana Candidasa - CHSE Certified

Manggis

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Puri Lumbung Cottages

Munduk

Munduk is a beautiful place and the grounds are very good but the room is not good enough for families. Old electrics, outdated bathroom, open to the outside so lots of cockroaches/spiders in the room. No air conditioning.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Review

ATV rides, Tegalalang Rice Terraces & Bali Swing

Ubud, Bali

ATV was very fun and kids loved it Bali swings was very touristy and we didn’t enjoy it as much

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We are flying back now but rest assured we will provide reviews…. Marc was amazing. He “got” us and created the most amazing vacation we’ve ever been on. My only complaint literally, is that you don’t have a way yet for us to use him for all our vacations he’s amazing Kim Kim is amazing. Thank you.

We had an amazing 2-week trip in Bali and Lombok! First, everyone loooooved Tejaprana Resort and Spa in Ubud. It was amazing in all ways -- the property, our rooms with pools overlooking the jungle, the spa, the food, the service, the passionfruit drinks! We stayed for 5 nights and could've stayed longer.
Mt Batur hike - It was exactly what we anticipated. Glad we had a beautiful sunrise as we knew that's not guaranteed. The hike was tough in parts but totally worth the 2am wake up call.
Bike ride from Kintamari -- This was in the top 3 activities for the group. Amazing day! The two guys from Infinity were wonderful. It was an exhilarating day cycling through the villages and countryside.
Cooking class -- Excellent. However, it lacked some "intimacy" because of its scale. There were 3 other classes happening at the same time. Good food in a beautiful home, though. [I'd skip the market tour next time.]
Overall food in Ubud -- We ate really well...from Compound Warung to Mozaic. Breakfast and snacks at Tejaprana were delicious!
The traffic in Ubud was NO JOKE. We were glad we hired Edi to get us around a couple of those nights. We did use Grab a few times and that worked out for us, as well.
Budi (tour guide)-- What a great guy! So full of life and an amazing sense of humor. We enjoyed our time with him which was only the one day (as we did Pasir Putih the following day instead of Lempuyang). We got to Besakih early before the crowds which was really nice. We had the place to ourselves. And Tirtagangga brought a smile to our faces. Who doesn't love feeding koi and eating ice cream? :)
Amed -- Stayed at the Griya which had pros and cons. I think we would have given it 5 stars had we not just stayed at Tejaprana. The coastal view from the pool made up for it, though. And good food in their restaurant.
We opted for a day at Pasir Putih beach instead of visiting Lempuyang due to the crowds. Edi (driver) took us. He seemed pleased that we wanted to go there. Wow what a beautiful beach. Quiet. Cheap, great warung food and beers. Perfect weather. Super relaxing. A memorable day for us.
Sunset boat ride and BBQ -- The boat ride was lovely and HOLY COW the BBQ was amazing. We didn't know what to expect but it exceeded our expectations! Quite a spread.
Our guide in Lombok-- Maliki! Too much to type but we will probably keep in touch with him. Really great guy. :)
Snorkeling was a good day. So many turtles which made it memorable...a really nice day on the Gilis and in the water.
The Mahagiri Villas in Sanur were great. We arrived and checked in and congregated at one villa, ordered a bunch of snacks and beer, sat in the pool. We were happy.
Then we pulled ourselves together and walked the backstreets of Sanur and wished we had had one more night there, fyi. Lovely town. Walkable. Hit the night market. Ate dinner on the promenade. It was an ideal final day.
And Edi (our driver).
EDI!
Loved him. He's great. We established so much trust with him. What a good guy.
Last but certainly not least -- Marc. Our travel specialist. We were so glad we took his advice on so many things...staying at Tejaprana (it wasn't our first choice), the bike ride he picked, hiring Edi for additional driving services. I could go on and on. Marc is a great communicator and we were tough customers. We highly recommend using Marc. We'd take this trip all over again.

This was the first time I used KimKim/mytripology. I worked with two different planners—Priscilla and Jessica. Together we created a lovely itinerary for Bali and Komodo. Unfortunately my airline was delayed and we had to cancel the first day. While they were able to rearrange and reschedule most activities, the first night hotel was not willing to give me a refund. Kimkim offered a dinner as compensation. A nice gesture but surely a hotel given two days notice should refund room rate. Also we had booked a high end liveaboard boat in Komodo. Apparently the boat company decided to cancel out prepaid reservation in favor of a private charter. Again KimKim scrambled and was able to get us on another boat (of lower quality), but it made me wonder about their vetting quality of tour operators. We did get the monetary difference refunded. All that said, our online daily contact, Deta, was very polite and responsive and quite helpful along the way. I would give the whole experience 4.5 stars.

We had an amazing 3 week trip to Indonesia, visiting 4 islands (Java, Kalimantan, Bali, Flores/Komodo). Myriam did an excellent job planning the trip, she was very responsive both during the planning and while traveling. Everything worked out as planned and on schedule. All the guides were knowledgeable, spoke good English, though sometimes they had some difficulty understanding it. The hotels were all good. The best experiences were the Komodo and Kalimantan boat trips and Prambanan and Borobudur temples near Yogyakarta.

Hotel Reviews

Ketapang Indah Hotel

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Private cruise trip in Komodo National Park

Labuan Bajo, Indonesia

Food was ok, could have been better. Staff smokes a lot

Authenticity & Character

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Golo Hill Top

Very basic

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Sri Ratih Cottages

Breakfast was not very good

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Taman Sari Bali Resort & Spa

Pemuteran

Authenticity & Character

Location

on beach

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Private Klotok Boat

Pangkalan Bun

Great food. Staff smokes a lot.

Authenticity & Character

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

No hot water, AC didn't always work

Lava View Lodge Hotel

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Tugu Malang

Malang

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

The Phoenix Hotel Yogyakarta - MGallery Collection

YOGYAKARTA

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

FM7 Resort Hotel Jakarta

Tangerang, Banten

Authenticity & Character

Location

near airport

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Prambanan: Indonesia’s Largest Shivaite Temple Complex

Yogyakarta

Visiting Prambanan was one of my favorite experiences in Yogyakarta. This Hindu temple complex is truly magnificent and a must-see for its beautiful architecture and historic significance. The guide was knowledgeable and the tour was informative, showing the highlights of this ancient cultural landmark. I thoroughly enjoyed it and would highly recommend it to anyone visiting the area.

2 nights Liveaboard Cruise: Discover Flores & Komodo

Komodo Island

The liveaboard cruise around Flores and Komodo was a fantastic highlight of the trip. The combination of on-land hikes with beautiful views and encounters with Komodo Dragons, along with snorkeling on great beaches, made it an exceptional experience. The boat and crew were nice, with the highlight being the knowledgeable team pointing out wildlife and ensuring we could take great pictures.

The trip was amazing. The hotels were excellent. The only constructive criticism was the guide in Lumbak was not very good. Asink was very pleasant but didn’t really guide us thru the area especially considering how wonderful the other guides were. Also the tasting lunch was not good and would not recommend using that restaurant in the future. Otherwise everything else was spectacular.

Myriam, Budi, Putu, and all of the other guides and drivers were amazing. The trip was perfectly planned, and everything was smooth as could be. I would give this team my highest recommendation!

Kimkim needs to do a better job vetting local specialists. We dealt with 3 different specialists at Shanti Travel since first planning our trip. The high turnover should have been a red flag. We spoke about our concerns to someone from Kimkim before our final payment was due. All of the specialists were pleasant to deal with and were responsive, but only had months to a few years of experience.
The most egregious error had to do with an internal flight that Shanti (Kimkim) booked for us at the very start of our trip. The 6 am flight had been cancelled months before and was never rebooked by the agent. If we weren’t staying at the airport hotel and checked the flight status at the airport counter the night before, we would have shown up in the morning and had no flight ( and would have missed the early morning flight on a different airline which we wound up taking). They did not apologize or take ownership of the mistake.
The best part of our trip we arranged on our own, a 12 day snorkel liveaboard cruise in Raja Ampat on Wisesa.
That said, we enjoyed our itinerary to Borneo, Yogyakarta, East Java (Bromo, Tumpak Sewu), Bali and Gili Air. On previous trips with Kimkim to India and Cambodia, we had guides and drivers. On this trip to Indonesia, we had drivers, some of whom spoke limited English, and then guides which we would meet at some of the stops hired on the spot.
We were very pleased with Kimkim in the past and have recommended them to several friends. Now, I’m not sure that we would use them again.

Hotel Reviews

Slow Private Pool Villa

Gili Air

Having a villa with our pool was great. We would be delivered breakfast each morning to enjoy at a table next to our pool. The location was good, a short walk to the west facing beaches. There were many restaurants and bars along the beach to watch the sunset and have dinner.

Authenticity & Character

Location

If there is a hotel as nice as this, but closer to the beach, it might be preferable

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Arkamara Dijiwa Ubud

Bali

The hotel is in a beautiful peaceful location, a short drive away from the center of Ubud. The room was very nicely decorated. The pool was beautiful. Breakfasts and dinner at the hotel were excellent, with a Balinese dancer at dinner. We enjoyed the spa very much.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Peaceful location near rice fields away from the traffic in central Ubud

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Tugu Malang

Malang

This was one of my favorite hotels and I had to request it myself. The agent had originally recommended a place closer to Tumpak Sewu which was more rustic. Since we were staying at Lava View Lodge (very rustic) the night before, we opted for more luxury, but a longer drive. Tugu Malang was beautiful, like a museum. There was a tea house with excellent complimentary afternoon tea. À la carte breakfasts were amazing. The staff couldn’t be better.

Authenticity & Character

Location

A quieter area in Malang to walk around a bit. Close drive to Colorful Village. 2 hour drive to Tumpak Sewu, but definitely worth the drive. Much closer to Surabaya airport

Staff

Some of the best service I’ve ever had at a hotel

Cleanliness & Comfort

Lava View Lodge Hotel

The only plus to this hotel is the proximity to Bromo. For sunrise, we needed to leave at 2 am instead of 12:30 am. We had the best room (suite) and the bathroom was like what you would picture at a train station. The bed was comfortable enough but I couldn’t sleep at all because of people talking all night in a seating area outside our room, as well as the lights outside our room.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

The Phoenix Hotel Yogyakarta - MGallery Collection

YOGYAKARTA

Beautiful hotel, excellent breakfast. Staying in the section near the pool may have been nicer.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Service was excellent and instantaneous

Cleanliness & Comfort

Rimba Lodge

We spent almost all of our time, including meals, on the houseboat, the service and food which was very good. The boat wasn’t the most comfortable though. Instead of staying at Rimba Lodge, which was very rustic, I would recommend staying on a luxury deluxe houseboat and sleeping on the boat.

Authenticity & Character

I

Location

On the river, in the National Park, but sleeping on a luxury boat with AC would be more comfortable.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Jakarta Airport Hotel

Jakarta

Our flight arrived early and Kimkim should have booked the room for the night before so that we could check in early morning. Instead, we had to pay at the front desk. The room rate was very inexpensive.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Gili Islands Snorkeling

Indonesia

We had arranged on our own snorkeling in Raja Ampat immediately preceding this trip with Kimkim. Nothing can compare to that. For this snorkel trip, we had a private boat and got to see the underwater statue near Gili T and some pretty coral and fish at Gili Meno. There were too many other people at these sites for it to be very enjoyable.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Canoe & Trekking at Bratan Lake

Indonesia

This was a great day, heading north from Ubud to a much quieter region. Probably what Bali was like 25 years ago. With a guide, we paddled an outrigger canoe (he did most of the work) on Beraton Lake. We got very close to the Ulun Danu Temple, built on the lake. On the other side of the lake, the guide led us on a hike through the jungle, pointing out various edible, medicinal plants and spices. We then had a picnic near a waterfall. We didn’t have as much time as I would have liked to spend walking around the rice terraces which were nearby.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Experience Taman Beji Griya - Purification Ritual

Indonesia

This is a unique experience and fun. With a guide, we visit a temple under a waterfall and make offerings along the way. We were barefoot, wearing only a sarong with a swimsuit under. Also this day, we visited Sangeh monkey forest and went to a dance performance at Ubud Palace.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Visit Tumpak Sewu

Indonesia

Very beautiful waterfall. The panoramic viewpoint was great and there were many people with drones. I went with the guide down the more than 400 steps to the bottom. Some were a little slippery, but there was a railing the whole way. The guide took photos and videos on his phone and then sent it to me via Airdrop at the end.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Sunrise Trek to Mount Bromo

Mount Bromo, East Java

We were lucky that most of the clouds cleared as we got close to sunrise. About 5 cones are visible with Bromo constantly sending up smoke. The largest peak, Meru, has small eruptions about every 15 minutes. There are 3 viewpoints and the traffic to get there for sunrise is horrendous. We stayed at the closest hotel (which I wouldn’t recommend) and left the hotel at 2 am. Many jeeps were already there, parked on both sides of this narrow road near the viewpoints. We parked a bit further down the road to be able to make a quicker exit after sunrise. This meant we hiked up the road to the highest viewpoint, breathing all the exhaust from jeeps blocking the road. Once there, we waited in the cold for 2 hours until sunrise. Bring a down jacket, hat and gloves. After sunrise, it took more than an hour waiting in traffic. Some jeeps are just parked in the center of the road, preventing passage. From here, we drove through the sea of sand and climbed the steps to the rim of Bromo.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Visit Madakaripura Waterfalls

Indonesia

The waterfall is beautiful and one of the highest in Indonesia. It doesn’t get the same crowds as Tumpak Sewu yet. The problem was that the road leading up to it was washed out and we had to take a motorbike taxi through the forest, crossing a stream over a rickety bamboo bridge. The river was brown which occurs from run off after the rainy season. The guide was very helpful in assisting us to the waterfall navigating rocks while crossing the river 3-4 times. They provide a helmet to wear and a poncho and sturdy waterproof sandals are needed. I’m not sure I would do this again (mainly because of the motorbike ride).

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Guide was concerned about our safety and took good pictures for us.

Visit Borobudur Temple, Pawon Temple, Mendut Temple, and Yogyakarta Market

Yogyakarta

Another place on our bucket list. It’s the largest Buddhist temple in the world. Photos don’t do it justice. It’s not allowed to have private guides We were placed in a group of about 10 people with an English speaking guide who was very informative.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Cooking class in Yogyakarta

Yogyakarta

We did this in the late afternoon so did not go to the market with the guide to get the ingredients. Instead, this served as our dinner. We cooked some typical Indonesian dishes, including Gado-gado (tempeh and vegetables), shrimp with spices cooked in banana leaf and rice. Our guide, Yasmin, was great and we enjoyed conversation with her about life in Indonesia.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Visit Prambanan Temple and see Ramayana Show

Yogyakarta

A Hindu temple from the 8th century almost as impressive as Angkor Wat. Our guide was excellent, explaining the exquisite carvings in the stone. One section depicted the Ramayana story, which helped us to understand the dance performance that evening. The performance is typically done in an outdoor venue with the illuminated temple as a backdrop if the weather cooperates. Our driver took us to a nearby restaurant for dinner before the performance.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Experience Silver Class in Kota Gede

Yogyakarta

This was fun. The jewelry is filigree, using silver wire to make earrings and a pendant. It was a private session and we had a lot of help. You need good eyes. We didn’t have the time to complete the pieces, but they finished them for us and delivered the pieces to our hotel.

Borneo: Rimba Lodge – Pondok Tanggui – Camp Leakey – Rimba Lodge

Pangkalan Bun

We had more than 2 days going up and down the Sekonyer river, which was very peaceful with many birds. We stopped at the 3 orangutan feeding stations where rangers put out food at specified times during the day. We had to cross over about 3-4 boats to get to the docks. There were quite a lot of people at each of the stations, but we were fortunate to see the alpha male, females and juveniles at each stop. At several times, we were able to see orangutans in the wild as we were cruising the river, as well as many Proboscis monkeys. Our guide, Saiful, was one of the best on our entire trip, explaining and spotting wildlife. The food was very good and Saiful gave us information about each of the dishes and snacks we were served.

Quality of Experience

Food

The quantity, variety and tastiness of the food served for breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as snacks was excellent. The cook did not speak English, but our guide explained all of the dishes.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Saiful was an excellent guide.

Transport

We had the best time on our honeymoon to Lombok! It was so seamlessly organized by our specialist, Arizta and her communication was so easy and reliable! Special shoutout to our driver in Lombok, Kus, who made the trip beyond memorable. He was so funny, easygoing and especially knowledgable about the island. He seriously was the best. He was punctual and made it so we never had to even think about when we had to be somewhere, he knew exactly when and where we needed to be and got us there safely and his communication was also so reliable. He also had great insight to extra excursions on our free days so we also had the best time! He went above and beyond! I would recommend him for anyone visiting the island in need of a driver! Our accommodations were also top notch. We wanted something a bit more off the beaten path but also some time to be in a more populated area to just walk, explore and relax. Aritza accommodated both of these requests and balanced the time perfectly! Our excursion were also prefect! Nate, in Tetebatu, was so so knowledgable and we had so much fun learning and exploring the village he grew up in! All of the villagers and people we met along the way were beyond kind and generous. Thank you all for organizing and taking the work out of the vacation so we could just sit back, relax and enjoy!

Activity Reviews

Experience Plaga Rose

Kuta, Lombok

The guides were so fun and so relaxed, it made the day perfect! The snorkeling was so much fun and the reefs looked beautiful. The beaches were beautiful and the sand truly did look pink and the water was pristine blue!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Hiking with Guide in Ricefields, Waterfalls & Monkey Forest

Tetebatu, Lombok

This was such a perfect day! Nate was the best guide! He was so knowledgable and had such good energy! The trip was topped it off with the best beef rendang we tried during our vacation at the warung.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We had an amazing experience using Kimkim to plan our honeymoon in Bali. They did a fantastic job creating a well-balanced itinerary with a great mix of activities, from sightseeing to relaxation, and included a variety of restaurants and cafés that really let us experience the local food scene.

What stood out the most was their support during the trip itself. They were always available to answer questions and were incredibly responsive whenever our plans shifted. When we were running late or needed adjustments, they handled everything smoothly and made sure our itinerary stayed on track without adding any stress.

Jessica and Deta were so wonderful to work with! Overall, the planning felt thoughtful and personalized, and their on-the-ground support made a big difference. We’d definitely recommend Kimkim to anyone looking for a seamless and well-organized travel experience.

Super happy with the organisation, planning and support during the trip.

Overall a great trip to Indonesia, wonderful locals with a serenity quality to their culture, refreshing. We did not make it to Cunca Wulong waterfall & cultural dance due to fatigue from previous 3 days on Liveaboard to Komodo Island. Saw Komodo dragons resting & saw a blue manta ray while snorkeling -epic snorkeling for us which was unexpected. Driver was punctual, polite & kind. Our Sudamala Resort stay was relaxing & felt high-end for
accommodations. Great breakfast banquet each morning. Wonderful staff! Ciella, our contact was helpful & responsive to many questions.

We had a wonderful experience working with Kim Kim to help plan part of our Indonesian adventure in Bali, Lubuan Bajo and Komodo. Caroline and Welton were excellent planners and concierges. They were both professional, friendly and so responsive to our requests and questions. They really helped make traveling in a part of the world that we had never visited before so easy and stress free. Our driver Ketut was the best! Thank you Kim Kim for an amazing vacation. We will definitely call you again! 🥰

George helped me plan an amazing trip to Borneo with my daughter. He was very responsive to my feedback and created a WhatsAppp group linking himself with my guide and drivers whilst I was travelling. I always felt that I could reach out to him if I had any questions.

We were always picked up on time from our hotel and airports by someone holding up a sign with my name on it. Our local guide in Borneo, Mr. Krishna, was very knowledgeable and willing to answer my many questions.

Hotel Reviews

Anara Airport Hotel

Jakarta

Very western rooms with not much character but the breakfast buffet was amazing. Very convenient for an overnight stay. I would stay there again.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Cleanliness & Comfort

Rimba Orangutan Eco Lodge

the rooms are basic but are clean and have A/C! The staff was incredibly friendly. We saw different types of monkeys on the hotel grounds.

Location

Cleanliness & Comfort

The Patra Bali Resort & Villas

kuta

Basic rooms but great if you need a place to crash 6 min away from the airport.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Day 3: A Morning with Orangutans and Afternoon of Cultural Discovery

Borneo

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Day 2: Journey into the Heart of Orangutan Research at Camp Leakey.

Borneo

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Arrival: The Bornean Orangutan and Wildlife Tour

Borneo

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Welcome to Tanjung Puting National Park

Borneo

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Artiza from Shanti travel was amazing!! She came up with a one of kind itinerary and beautiful places to stay in Bali!
Putu was our driver in Bali. He made the trip! We really had a fabulous time that we will remember forever ❤️❤️

Hotel Reviews

The Sun of Granary Resort and Villas

Ubud,Bali

Beautiful grounds, friendly staff and nice rooms. The breakfast was good but the dinners were not that great... We tried traditional and Western meals and both be very disappointing. I love me some Pringles, but they served them to us on a plate as an appetizer for dinner!?!

De Moksha Eco Friendly Boutique Resort

Tabanan

The staff, food and grounds were beautiful!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Alindra Villas & Spa

Jimbaran

This place was amazing!! I wish we had more time there. The rooms and grounds were beautiful.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Pura Luhur Uluwatu and Ketcak Show

Indonesia

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Silver class in Ubud

Ubud, Bali

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Experience Balinese Cooking Class- Shared

Ubud, Bali

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Experience VW Safari Car Tour - Besakih

Ubud, Bali

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Experience Taman Beji Griya - Purification Ritual

Indonesia

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Travel Tanah Lot to Ubud via Tanah Lot Temple

Indonesia

Overall the trip was amazing. I only gave George a couple of weeks to get a 2 week trip planned for me and he did amazing. I really enjoyed speaking with him regarding my trip because it gave me a chance to let him know what I wanted and for him to offer suggestions of things I didn’t know about. I would recommend working with George for all your planning needs.

My guide for the first 8or so days was fantastic. Tini made my trip so memorable. It was like I was traveling with one of my best friends. Ultimately, all she wanted was for me to enjoy myself and not worry about a thing. She made sure to explain about everything. Her knowledge was never ending and more importantly her passion for her culture really shown through. What I appreciate most is the little things. She would bring me traditional cakes and treats in the morning to try from her family or even sharing a blessing ritual moment together. When I was hospitalized due to some unforeseen illness she stuck by me the entire time until she knew I was comfortable and well taken care of. She even went out and bought me food to hold me over while there and went to my hotel to get me anything I needed. They truly don’t make people like her anymore. Amazing human being and even better guide. If you can request her.

Ardy was my driver the entire time I was with my guide and he was the best. Always ready and there for Tini and I with whatever we requested. He went above and beyond to make sure we were good and also offered some great recommendations for restaurants to try as well. Any place I wanted to stop at like a grocery store, etc he was accommodating.
As far as hotels, they were all great just unfortunately far from most areas providing restaurants and shopping but a quick ride on the back of a scooter is no big deal when downloading the app.

Activities were immaculate. If you can do a ritual purification ceremony with Pak Nyoman, do it. You truly feel a weight lifted off your shoulders. He has a gift and it was a very private event that I cannot begin to put into words.
Whitewater rafting and atv tours were awesome as well. My guide, Candy, for whitewater rafting was fun and knowledgeable. He pointed things out during our rafting and took pictures for me. Such a sweet soul and made the adventure so much more fun.
Because of George I was able to fit so much in such a short time but never felt overwhelmed or exhausted. He planned every detail and made this adventure that much more enjoyable. I didn’t have to worry about a single thing except what time to wake up. Even when he found out I was in the hospital he checked on me.

My local Indonesia contact was also a great source for recommendations for my free time. Additionally, she made sure I was well taken care of.

I cannot speak highly enough about the service KimKim offers. While I noticed price transparency was a top complaint I did have that worry myself. After getting at least a breakdown from George (you cannot get pricing for everything due to contractual agreements with luxury services like this- yes this is common in the industry) and experiencing everything in person the price is well worth it. My estimated costs were not much more than what I ended up paying but when you consider everything that goes on behind the scene like placing the guide & driver in a hotel as well or paying for all parking and entrance fees it all makes sense. Don’t let the lack of transparency dissuade you from using this service. George stayed within my max budget I had set.

I will definitely use again.

Activity Reviews

Bali Jungle ATV Adventure: Waterfalls, Rivers & Underground Tunnels

Ubud, Bali

Fun day riding the trails

Quality of Experience

They go over all everything before beginning and give you a test run in muddy waters. So much fun. Don’t forget to bring your phone.

Food

Little cafe with a view at your 1/2 way stopping point. You do not need to bring money they will have a bill for you at the end. They had sandwiches, gelato and drinks for purchase

Guides, Drivers and Staff

There to help when you need it.

Transport

White-Water Rafting Adventure on the Ayung River:

Ubud, Bali

Candy, my guide, was amazing. I was worried because it was just him and I but he made this trip so memorable. Definitely a lot of work because there were just 2 of us but he made it so much easier,m. When we would float he would take time to explain things like the meaning of the work Ayung. He even took pictures and videos of me. Loved every minute of this adventures

Quality of Experience

Food

Restaurant had good food and great views

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Candy is the best

Transport

A Spiritual Morning: Melukat Water Blessing

Munduk, Bali

Pak Nayoman truly had a gift. I felt such a weight lifted after the ceremony. But what made me realize his talents was I didn’t have to say a thing and he knew why I was truly there. I hate crying in front of people but he made me feel so comfortable to release all my negative energy. This was a private ceremony and I felt comfortable throughout. They made me feel at home.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport