Kimkim Trip Reviews for Indonesia

We had a wonderful time with our Yogyakarta guide and driver, Dilla &Parlan. Seeing Borobudur and Prambanan was a highlight of our trip and they made getting to both fun and easy to see.

The travel from Yogyakarta to Bromo and Ijen could have been overwhelming given the distance but our guide/driver Aldo was the best. His excellent English, sense of humor and being an all around fun person made the time go quickly. The hotels and regions we stayed at for the hikes were beautiful. Our Bromo guide Teguh was the best guide we had during the trip. We’d heard about the possible crowds at Bromo but with his guidance felt like we had the mountain to ourselves. And he always knew how to get the best photo to capture the beauty. The region around Ijen is stunning filled with terraced rice fields and coffee plantations.

Snorkeling in northern Bali at Menjangan Island was spectacular- incredible corals, endless fish and sea turtles. The drive from north Bali to south was fascinating and possibly some of the steepest roads I’ve ever seen. Pecatu (Uluwatu) is beautiful being high up on the cliffs with amazing views. Really enjoyed relaxing and recharging here.

Hotel Reviews

Teras Hotel Ijen Banyuwangi

Banyuwangi

Beautifully designed building in a lovely setting.

Authenticity & Character

Location

The terraced rice fields surrounding the hotel are beautiful.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

The Phoenix Hotel Yogyakarta - MGallery Collection

YOGYAKARTA

Great location, well appointed with a lovely pool and helpful friendly staff. Breakfast was great and one of the most extensive we’ve very seen. Our room overlooking the pool was perfect.

Authenticity & Character

Historic character

Location

Near Malioboro Street and great coffee options in walking distance.

Staff

Very nice and friendly

Cleanliness & Comfort

Jiwa Jawa Bromo

Beautiful location and grounds. The gallery was also lovely.

Authenticity & Character

The grounds are very well maintained and nice to wander in.

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Menjangan Dynasty Resort

Lovely beach setting with great snorkeling access. Buildings are beautiful and the layout of the space is great.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Front desk staff were lovely and helpful. The food service staff were a bit forgetful.

Cleanliness & Comfort

VANARA Resort & Spa

Pecatu

Incredible buildings with beautiful designed rooms/ villas and the view is spectacular. The restaurant and breakfasts were some of the best food we had in Indonesia- I’m still thinking of the lovely breakfasts. Staff were incredibly kind and thoughtful- always helpful and anticipating your needs. We had an early checkout and they offered breakfast to go which was so perfect.

Authenticity & Character

Villas are designed to capture the views and with great attention to detail. The afternoon snacks in the room are also lovely.

Location

The view over the cliff to the ocean was incredible during the day but even better at sunset. Don’t be surprised by the drive in- it is a bit out of the way but completely worth it.

Staff

The staff were always kind, attentive and helpful. The resort uses texting rather than landline phones - which I didn’t know how I’d feel about but it works great and isn’t at all obtrusive. Also, because the restaurant is so highly regarded and the location so amazing people come to have drinks and dinner but the staff quietly gives preference to those staying at the hotel- which is lovely.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Visit Taman Sari Water Palace

Yogyakarta

Interesting to see but small and not much information. Did also enjoy the shadow puppet makers stall outside the exit- truly incredible to see the process.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Dilla explained the space well but there isn’t much left to the building.

Transport

Cliffs of Majesty : Visit Uluwatu Temple & Watch Kecak Dance

Indonesia

A Royal Evening at Prambanan : Visit Prambanan & Watch Ramayana

Yogyakarta

Go on a Sunrise Hike to Mount Bromo

Indonesia

Such an amazing morning- to be able to watch the sunrise over volcanoes then hike and look into the caldera was truly incredible. Cannot say enough good things about our guide, Teguh, who knew just where to we should be for the best views and how to miss the traffic. Incredible!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Witness the Blue Flame of Ijen Crater

Indonesia

No blue flames for us but fun to hike into a caldera. We hiked in quickly without much of a crowd but the single path into the caldera was hard to navigate with so many people going both directions.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Snorkeling in Menjangan

Indonesia

Incredible snorkeling environment- so much wildlife, including sea turtles!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Visit Borobudur Temple

Indonesia

I cannot say enough wonderful things about Athaya and Kim Kim Travel! From beginning to end, my experience in Bali was absolutely amazing, and their exceptional service made this trip truly unforgettable.

The level of attentiveness, professionalism, and care was outstanding. Every detail was thoughtfully planned and beautifully executed. Any questions, concerns, or unexpected issues were handled promptly and efficiently, allowing me to relax and enjoy every moment of my vacation.

The villa was absolutely superb! Beautiful accommodations, breathtaking surroundings, and every detail exceeded my expectations. From the stunning pool decorations to the incredible private chef experience, everything was simply perfect.

What truly set this experience apart was the personalized service. From the moment we arrived at the airport, someone was there to assist us. Whether it was transportation, excursions, special requests, or simply wanting to explore something new, the team was always available and ready to help. Every excursion was seamlessly coordinated, making the entire experience stress-free and enjoyable.

Athaya and Kim Kim Travel went above and beyond to make my birthday trip to Bali extraordinary. Their dedication to providing an exceptional experience did not go unnoticed, and I am genuinely grateful for the care and attention they put into every detail.

If you're planning a trip to Bali and want a luxurious, personalized, and worry-free experience, I highly recommend Athaya, Graciela, and Kim Kim Travel. They truly understand hospitality and how to make their guests feel special.

Thank you for making my Bali birthday celebration everything I dreamed of and more! I arrived as a guest and left with beautiful memories that will last a lifetime. ❤️🌺

10/10 – Highly recommend!

George made wonderful location recommendations once we let him know our interests. Gili Air was perfect, as was the Lazy Mango, as was Koh Samui. We didn't know about these locations prior to working with George. Our guides were very knowledgeable, impressive actually, about their countries and cities and translated the local language for us and our drivers.
If I'd ask for one improvement, while everything worked out well, there were a few details that were confusing along the way and we had to contact Kimkim to ensure pickup times as the App and itinerary didn't always match.
Also, the use of middle names on flight arrangements must match our passports in the USA, although some flight arrangements were made without the use of middle names. It may be OK in other countries, we don't know. While traveling from Thailand to Vietnam, we were told that if our Passport and Visa matched, all was ok, even if the middle name was missing. Boarding passes were issued without any hassle, and our travel went as planned. The issue created some unneeded stress.

Thank you so much Athaya and kimkim for being with us every step of the way for our trip. It definitely was a stress free trip you were amazing with communication and getting this done. I really appreciate you. The overall experience was a 10.!!

Hotel Review

Villa Andrea by Balisuperhost

Very nice and luxury.

Authenticity & Character

Location

The road to get to the villa was scary. Very small roads.

Staff

Very nice and polite

Cleanliness & Comfort

The rooms were nice and clean. There was lots of tiny ants especially in the restrooms and kitchen. And after turning off the air a while I noticed something coming through on the walls not sure what it was. Put you in the mind of mold maybe.

Activity Reviews

Farm to Table Cooking Class

Indonesia

Nice learned a few different things.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Visit Tegallalang Rice Terrace

Indonesia

It was HOT wish we would have remembered our fans and umbrellas. Other than that so beautiful out there.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our driver and tour guide was amazing

Transport

Dear Team,
Suzanne already wrote a review for both of us, but I would like to use this opportunity and to add, that it was Marc, who created our itinerary and even we didn't meet him, he was with us along the whole trip. It gave us a very good feeling of safety.
Deep thanks to Marc and to all the wonderful team!
All the best,
Yoram

We just returned from a 10-day trip to Java and Bali. We had a wonderful trip and thoroughly enjoyed Indonesia's beautiful places, cuisine, and culture. Jessica planned an amazing vacation for us. The hotels we stayed at were unique and comfortable. Our trip coordinator, Graciella, stayed in touch to make sure we were well taken care of. When we wanted to cut down on a few places to make our itinerary less hectic, we could do that easily. The drivers and guides they provided us were courteous and knowledgeable. We highly recommend Jessica and her team if you are planning a trip to Indonesia.

As we both reached this year 80, we decided that instead of a big party we will travel to a very special place. Indonesia was the best choice we could do - and it was beyond all our expectations. The trip was planned very well by Marc - we could experience unique historical sites like Borobudur or Pure Besakih, being overwhelmed by the majestic nature like Bromo and to meet wonderful people of Indonesia. We even learned a bit about the excellent Indosian cuisine. Marc was always there for us, patienly dealing with all kind of questions which occured close to our departure (volcano erruptions) and also during the trip. Marc is super!!!
We liked very much our guide in Jawa - Coco - who was most attentive, knowlegable, intelligent and pleasant person. We also liked our driver in Bali - Made - who was gentle, atentive, always precise and an excellent driver.
All our hotels, recommended by Marc were beautiful and on a very high level.
In short - our trip was an absolutely amazing experience and we thank you for making it such.

Right after immigration Deta make sure my driver is visible to me while I browse through the signage. The driver is helpful and drives us to the hotel.
Both our driver and tour guides did very good job and make sure that we enjoy the tours during our stay. I would recommend KimKim to anyone would like to have your vacation arranged for you without hassle.

Our guides were all awesome! So knowledgeable and patient. They really made the trip worthwhile. It felt great to have a personal guide and driver to help with translations and overall experiences. Our guide in Lombok was amazing!

I feel that our guide in Ubud could have been a bit more proactive, we mentioned twice wanting to try the Kopi luwak (as we passed multiple places selling it) but he did not offer for us to stop. At the moment we didn't realize that we could have just asked him to take us there, as it was the first day of our trip so we weren't aware that we had that liberty.
He also did not offer for us to stop at any shops to buy souvenirs, so we ventured out on our own when we got back to the hotel. In hindsight I didn't realize we had the option to ask for further beyond just the biking excursion, so maybe that could have been communicated a bit better, but it did not take away from the trip or experience by any means!

It was a pleasure to work with Jook and the kimkim team. Because of their detailed planning, our trip went seamlessly. From airport pick up to Tours, boutique, making class, scuba diving, sunrise on Mount Batur, our drivers were there to pick us up and bring us back. We felt safe the entire time. Bali is not easy to navigate and the streets don’t have great signage and are teaching with scooters and traffic jams and so it’s always better to have a local driver. The driver Agong was pleasant, reliable, and knowledgeable about the different temples and sites that we saw.

Our trip had an interruption because of the eruption of Krakatoa while we were in Jakarta. They were able to help us with last-minute change of plans. I am very glad we used the kimkim team. We had wonderful memories and learned so much about Indonesia.

Hotel Reviews

Sari Pacific Jakarta, Autograph Collection

Jakarta

This hotel had the most incredible brunch I have ever had. They had dishes of Indian, Indonesian, Chinese, Japanese, continental, American. Each breakfast was like a trip around the world. This was also a block away from a great mall that had a lot of interesting Indonesian handcrafts, a food court, and multiple restaurants. The hotel was clean and convenient. The Japanese restaurant there was amazing also.

Authenticity & Character

Beautifully appointed, fabulous breakfast

Location

Close to a great mall

Staff

Very helpful in getting us a ride to yogykarta

Cleanliness & Comfort

The Sankara Resort & Spa

Bali

The staff were very helpful and sweet. They had interesting entertainment in the evenings, Restaurant had great food. The spa was wonderful as well. I enjoyed their pool. The one drawback was issues with humidity in the bedrooms and low water pressure in the showers. The hotel staff were very eager to help and remedy the situation.

Authenticity & Character

Entertainment in the evenings with local performers and spa were very charming

Location

The rooms had a view onto a Charmin rice patty, it is not within walking distance of the main center of Ubud

Staff

Always eager to help, great attitude

Cleanliness & Comfort

Humidity issues in our room, some of the bedding had to be changed out because of a musty odor

Activity Reviews

Dive Bali's Iconic East Coast: Tulamben or Amed

Indonesia

My daughter loved this experience. The reefs were relatively close to shore so she didn’t have to spend much time on the boat to get to the reef. Staff was friendly and helpful.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Two hour ride from Ubud

Ubud Cultural & Nature Highlights Tour

Indonesia

Beautiful falls, monkey forest was a lot of fun and the monkeys came up to us and it was fun watching them. The Liu coffee plantation was also great and the flights of coffee and tea were amazing.

Quality of Experience

Love the monkey forest, fall were beautiful, Luwat coffee plantation had amazing coffee, and tea

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Agong was knowledgeable and pleasant

Transport

Hidden Beach, Uluwatu Temple & Kecak Dance

Indonesia

Kecak traditional dance was interesting, we had overstay our time at the beach so we didn’t get to see the temple

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Agong was friendly, knowledgeable, and helpful

Transport

Mount Batur Sunrise by Jeep Adventure

Indonesia

Hated getting up so early, but definitely the pictures were worth it. The guide was an excellent photographer and knew how to take the long exposure photos to get the great shots. The sites were amazing.

Quality of Experience

Food

They serve some cookies and tea before we set out

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Jeep did not have seatbelts. It is a pretty steep ride up the mountain.

Crafting Heritage: A Traditional Batik Painting Experience

Indonesia

This was so interesting to go through the process of applying the wax and painting. I love the experience and the ladies were very helpful.

Quality of Experience

I really love arts and crafts, and they let me create my own pattern

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Very friendly and helpful, their English really wasn’t very strong, but they were very kind and helpful

Transport

He was willing to take me after the class to a jewelry and wood carving store with local artisans

Jakarta Half-Day Highlights Tour

Jakarta

Catherine was very knowledgeable and her English is very good. She took us through the highlights, the moss was really large and unusual. This was a new experience for us having to wear a scarf and cover-up. We really enjoyed the dioramas in the national Museum, which explained the heritage of Jakarta.

Quality of Experience

It was great to see the highlights of Jakarta in one afternoon

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Katherine was very friendly and open

Transport

George understood exactly what to plan for our family type holidays.
From adventure and a bit of history, a touch of Balinese culture, some relaxation and to fit that all into 9 days.
Well done.
The local Bali operator, GoKo was also very organised and everything ran smoothly.
Two points I would like to mention where things could have ran better was communication.
1) GoKo was so pro-active, they created a WhatsApp group for us. My assumption was that it included our guide, so I never bothered referring to the confirmation email with the guide’s contact details. Our guide’s details could have been shared on the group to avoid such an oversight from the travellers.
2) Going to Nusa Penida, there was no pickup either. Apparently he was told we arrive on the next ferry, but if we knew, we could have walked to Naomi Sea Adventures and got going earlier. A day trip is already very time constrained. Fortunately we did see many mantas.

One last request is if you have access via Bali tourism to immigration department. Please tell them how dismayed we were to stand in line for two hours to get through passport control. Only two officials stamping passports for all who do not have ePassports is not enough. We got through around 22:00, the line was still as long. Poor tourists who got through after midnight. That is not how to treat your biggest foreign currency revenue stream.
Thanks for a wonderful trip.

What an incredible trip!

If you ever have the opportunity to travel with KimKim and work with Marc, don’t hesitate—just do it. In an ever-modernizing world, this was the kind of authentic adventure that stays with you forever.

Marc Urban was our trip planner and made so much of this trip possible. My partner had more questions and worries prior to our departure than any two people could address, but Marc persevered. He planned and revised and answered questions and researched options and generally went above and beyond the call travel arranging to make it our dream experience and for that we are grateful.

Our journey began in Jakarta, where we stayed at the extraordinary House of Tugu. From the moment we arrived, we knew we were somewhere special. The team are true masters at creating a memorable guest experience. It is part boutique hotel, part living museum, and everywhere you look there is something beautiful to discover. We enjoyed a couples massage with traditional scrubs and oils, followed by dinner, and it was absolutely magical.

From there, we traveled to Bukit Lawang, determined to see the orangutans. We stayed at Ecolodge Bukit Lawang, which was wonderfully rustic and perfectly immersed in nature. Our guides, Lucy and Sugay, were brilliant. Lucy was an endless source of knowledge about Sumatra, its history, its people, and its agriculture.174c9fd1-20d8-4f7a-b701-b6bb00d6c7ed.JPG

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The trip also provided one unforgettable surprise: I was taking a shower with the balcony door open when a macaque decided to help itself to our luggage! I came out to find it enthusiastically going through our bags like someone shopping at Filene’s Basement. 😂 It finally accepted a banana as payment to leave. It remains one of my favorite travel stories.

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Unfortunately, I became ill and couldn’t complete the jungle trek to see the orangutans, although my partner was able to continue. Even so, I saw many other monkeys and still had an incredible experience. We toured terraced rice fields in a motorcycle-powered sidecar, watched dark sugar being made from the sap of sugar palms, drank from fresh coconuts, and watched sunrises turn the sky the colors of fire. The lodge restaurant served simple, delicious food, and I highly recommend the becak tour and palm-sugar demonstration.

Our next stop was Plataran Borobudur Resort & Spa in Yogyakarta. What a beautiful contrast—from a rustic ecolodge to a luxurious private villa complete with our own pool. The staff were exceptionally gracious and attentive, the food was outstanding, and the expansive grounds were filled with beautiful surprises, including rehabilitated local animals and a koi pond.

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The views were breathtaking. In one direction, we could see Borobudur; in another, an enormous jungle-covered ridge rose dramatically into the sky. Our guides were consistently prompt, warm, and knowledgeable, taking us effortlessly from temples to towns to palaces. We even enjoyed a private gamelan lesson!

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Visiting Borobudur, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was unforgettable, and Prambanan, the magnificent Hindu temple complex, was equally breathtaking.

Next, we headed to Munduk, which completely changed our perception of Bali. Forget the beaches—this was cool mountain air, lush cloud forests, waterfalls, and remarkable round cabins built on stilts high above a steep valley. Some were even reached by funicular.

Our guide expertly navigated the narrow, winding mountain roads that we would never have attempted ourselves. We hiked through beautiful countryside, explored waterfalls and mountain lakes, and paddled a canoe across a peaceful lake to a hidden temple. We also visited Rumah Desa, where I learned about village life and local cooking and even had the opportunity to plow a rice field with an ox! My partner was unfortunately sick during this portion of the trip, but it became one of my favorite cultural experiences.

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From there, we continued to Kappa Senses Ubud, another exceptional property. It is a beautifully subdued and elegant resort, with peaceful facilities, wonderful restaurants, and private bungalows with their own lap pools.

The Sacred Water Temple purification ceremony was one of the highlights of our journey. We also visited the Monkey Forest, which, although popular with tourists, was absolutely beautiful and so much fun.

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Rather than rushing to see every temple, we chose to slow down and immerse ourselves in the local culture. I created my own batik artwork and made a silver ring—two experiences and keepsakes I will always treasure.

Then came one of the greatest highlights of the adventure: our liveaboard from Labuan Bajo.

Our new ocean home, the Floresta, was a beautiful, traditional two-masted Indonesian sailing ship. The crew quickly became our friends and could not have been more gracious. Special recognition goes to our onboard concierge, Fansi, and to the charming young woman who prepared all our abundant meals and snacks. Every day, we were treated to multi-course meals featuring delicious local specialties made with fresh ingredients.

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We visited Komodo National Park, where we saw and photographed several incredible Komodo dragons roaming freely in their natural habitat. We snorkeled along lush underwater cliffs filled with coral and marine life and walked along Pink Beach, where tiny fragments of deep-red coral give the sand its famous rosy color.

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One evening, we witnessed something truly unforgettable: tens of thousands of bats emerging from their island caves at sunset and filling the sky as they began their nightly hunt. It was spectacular.

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We ended our voyage at Seraya Island, where we enjoyed extraordinary snorkeling and some of the most beautiful sunrises and sunsets imaginable. If you visit, don’t miss the walk up to the Sunset Bar—the view is worth every step.

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Finally, we returned to Jakarta and once again stayed at House of Tugu. Coming back felt like returning home. We were welcomed with tea and a leaf inscribed with the words “Welcome Home,” a simple gesture that perfectly captured the warmth and hospitality we experienced throughout Indonesia.

As wonderful as the destinations were, what made this journey truly unforgettable were the people. Every driver, guide, crew member, and hotel team welcomed us with genuine kindness and pride in their country.

We returned home with incredible memories, new friendships, and a much deeper appreciation for Indonesia’s culture, beauty, and hospitality. We were genuinely sad to leave, but enormously grateful to every person who helped make this adventure so extraordinary.

Thank you to KimKim, Marc, and everyone who made this journey possible. It truly was the adventure of a lifetime.

We had a wonderful trip! The kimkim team created an excellent itinerary for us based upon our stated interests that allowed us to really explore and learn about Indonesia . We loved the range of activities in which we engaged, knowledgeable guides (especially Eko), and accommodations (especially ThecPhiiji. The itinerary was full but had flexibility that was much appreciated. There were no inconveniences- all went smoothly. There was excellent communication throughout planning and during trip. . I would consider working with kimkim again for future travel.

Arizta and Laura did a great job of building a wonderful itinerary for us - listening to our likes and dislikes, and customizing it accordingly. Communication and support throughout our holiday was responsive, proactive and top- notch. Highly recommend

Hotel Reviews

Great Mountain Views Sidemen

Sidemen

Beautiful and restorative stay!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Staff was attentive and very helpful

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Vila Ombak

Nusa Tenggara Bar.

Great location, friendly staff. Nice amenities. Wonderful breakfast!

Puri Sari Beach Hotel

Labuan Bajo

wonderful stay. friendly service

Shared Liveaboard - Blue Lotus

Fantastic live-aboard, great diving guides, wonderful food!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Villa Sonia

Ubud

Wonderful stay. Nice location, beautiful setting for the hotel

Activity Reviews

Experience Rafting Telaga Waja Sidemen

Indonesia

Fun rafting! very adventurous. Guide was helpful

Experience Balinese day in Sidemen

Indonesia

Great cultural experience. attentive guides

Experience Taman Beji Griya - Purification Ritual

Indonesia

Such a unique experience. Our guide was wonderful, filmed our experience. Highly recommend!

Jeep tour to Mount Batur for Sunrise

Indonesia

We went for sunset because sunrise was very early. Guide smoked (we were outside, but it was still icky). He was very friendly. It was a great view, but sunset wasn't as great as maybe the sunrise is?

Gembleng Waterfall

Indonesia

Beautiful waterfall - great addition to the day

Private Balinese Cooking Class for the Family

Ubud, Bali

Great cooking class and learned a lot about the culture. Highly recommend!

Experience Cycling Countryside Salak Agro Sidemen

Indonesia

Nice and easy bike ride through village and paddies. My son loved the fruit. Was very safe (a car followed up from behind). Highly recommend!

Alex Sipangkar was our guide across Northern Sumatra. Native to the area, he was very knowledgeable and seemed to know so many people in so many places. He got us to the two memorials we sought, including the more remote Rev. Samuel Munson & Henry Lyman memorial in Lobu Pining. There we met the 6th generation descendant of the raja who led the attack on the party. She was very knowledgeable and we plan on corresponding further, exchanging our knowledge.
The Samosir Island resort was so perfect for our needs. Relaxing, enjoying Batak culture and foods, and exploring the island and Lake Toba were the best. It was a most memorable trip, and will live on as I continue with my writings of the history of the Bataks, North Sumatra and the missionaries. Thanks to everyone who made this possible. Laura and Welton of Kimkim are highly recommended as the planners of our trip, and Alex and his driver made us feel safe and happy over our ten days.

Hotel Reviews

Tabo Cottages

Sumatera Utara

Everything was great. Our room, the resort, the food, and all the wonderful people who worked and visited with us. I would go back and stay at the drop of a hat!

Authenticity & Character

Built lovingly from the ground up by terrific owners and staff

Location

Right where you want to be on Lake Toba

Staff

Great

Cleanliness & Comfort

Best on our trip

Hotel Anara Kualanamu

Sumatera Utara

Everything and more. Dining was superb. Bed was most comfortable.

Authenticity & Character

Modern and clean

Location

At the airport so convenient

Staff

Everyone was excellent

Cleanliness & Comfort

Anara Airport Hotel

Jakarta

Great airport hotel.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Right spot for air travelers

Staff

So helpful

Cleanliness & Comfort

Spotless

Hotel Grand Kenari Tarutung

Tarutung

Rural hotels with basic facilities

Authenticity & Character

Location

Right smack dab in the middle of Taratung

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Bathrooms. Rooms

Atsari Hotel Parapat

Parapat

Good overnight stay. Friendly staff.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Near Lake Toba. In town.

Staff

Friendly.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Explore Samosir Island by Car

Samosir Island

We saw and engaged with people of the island. Alex took us to upland farming areas where his family lives and prospers. We visited with school children and shared two books we brought to help with their Rnglish language skills.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Alex and his driver were the best!

Transport

Great SUV. Comfortable and reliable

Tarutung Tour: Batak Faith & Cultural Heritage

Tarutung

My life is a bit more complete after visiting the memorial sites of the missionaries I had read so much about over the past 20 years The people of the Taratung region were so welcoming to us. Meeting the 6th generation granddaughter of the raja was unexpected and eventful! She shared her knowledge with me and added a lot to my story of those times.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We loved our trip to Indonesia! We especially appreciated having a local agent to interact with on WhatsApp while we were in country. Ciella's check-ins and help were invaluable, especially when an earthquake occurred and our plans had to be adjusted. She and the guides/drivers took care of us, made sure we were safe, and rescheduled our plans to make it possible for us to do as many activities as we could after the event. We appreciated our guides--Arif, Edi, and Ibnu--and their knowledge. They were patient and understanding of our family's needs, and they made sure we ate well, even with some who are more picky, and saw all we wanted to see. It was so nice to be able to go where we wanted (with a family of six!) and not worry about logistics, fees, and parking! In addition, our hotel accommodations were amazing! We were very impressed.

One of our favorite parts of the trip was the day of island hopping on Komodo Island and Padar Island. All of the stops were incredible, and even though we couldn't do any scuba diving, we enjoyed the sights and snorkeling. Arif was very patient with us in our snorkeling and helped the kids enjoy it. Another favorite part was the stop at the Jatiluwih rice terraces. We would have liked to spend more time there, though the 2-3 hours at sunset we had was magical. We appreciate that Edi and Parlan were willing to stay late with us and let us enjoy it even after dark. The monkey forest was better than anticipated, as was our visit to Borobudur.

If we were to do this trip again, we would choose not to go to Nusa Penida (this is something we arranged on our own on a free day), or we would snorkel and see the island from the sea instead of from land. We would also tour more around Nusa Dua, as Jessica suggested. If we had more time (perhaps 14 days instead of 12), we would include the sunrise volcano visit and Java cave rappelling that Jessica recommended, or add another day in Labuan Bajo to do more snorkeling/diving/exploring.

Hotel Reviews

Sudamala Resort, Komodo, Labuan Bajo

Labuan Bajo

Beautiful resort with a great pool, beach, and restaurant. Rooms were separate villas. The private outdoor showers and toilets were a surprise, but not a bad one. The spa was great, as was the food on site. We enjoyed the resort's Indonesian buffet night. We especially loved the beautifully landscaped garden grounds.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Sea Sand & Sun Villa

We loved this fantastic villa! It was so beautiful and comfortable--perfect for a family of six. The pool and patio were gorgeous, and the rooms very comfortable. Our agent arranged for a chef to come each morning and provide breakfast, which was so nice! The only thing to know ahead of time is that the villa isn't near any businesses or restaurants. So you'll need to book rides or order delivery from Gojek for meals. If a clothes washing machine were also available on the property, that would be ideal. But the overall experience was top notch.

Authenticity & Character

Location

It would be helpful if there were restaurants closer to the villa, but the privacy tradeoff is worth it.

Staff

Pande communicated well with us and made sure we had all we needed.

Cleanliness & Comfort

The Phoenix Hotel Yogyakarta - MGallery Collection

Yogyakarta

Great location near Malioboro Street, with wonderful character and decor. The pool was beautiful, and the breakfast buffet was amazing. Rooms were comfortable and worked well for our family.

Authenticity & Character

The artistic details throughout are one-of-a-kind.

Location

Walking distance to Malioboro Street, right near the Tugu Jogja monument.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Island Hopping in Komodo Island

Indonesia

The Padar Island views were incredible and very worth the climb. Komodo Island was incredible. We saw half a dozen komodo dragons up close. We enjoyed the beauty of Pink Beach and all the snorkeling stops. Some of us were lucky enough to see sharks, mantas, and turtles, though the reefs and fish were incredible on their own. Even though an earthquake meant we had to reschedule our initial plans (and skip scuba diving), this was the best day of our trip to Indonesia and satisfied all ages in our family of six (teens, young adults, adults).

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

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Visit Borobudur Temple

Indonesia

The way this site is organized to manage the flow of many visitors was impressive. We thoroughly enjoyed the temple, learned a lot from our guide, and felt we were able to get great photos despite the crowds--especially toward the end of our allotted hour. It's an impressive site!

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Visit Tanah Lot

Indonesia

A beautiful site on the sea! Very picturesque.

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Campuhan Ridge Walk

Indonesia

Not as picturesque as expected, but still nice. It's a short walk, and it was neat to see the temple at the start. You can get glimpses of the ravines on each side, but jungle growth makes vista photos difficult. Overall, this isn't a must see, but it's nice if you have a little time or are staying nearby.

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Visit Banyumala Twin Waterfall

Indonesia

Beautiful waterfalls and a wonderful area. The hike down and back is steep, but doable. Most people only get in the water long enough to take a photo, and the site is wonderful even if you don't get wet. An excellent activity.

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Klipoh Village Cycling Tour

Indonesia

For personal reasons, we didn't have time to do as much as we would have liked. We only stopped at one place: pottery. We enjoyed it and the bike riding. My husband and I actually enjoyed it most, and we were surprised that our teens and young adults weren't as engaged with the hands-on activity. We might have been better off choosing something more adventurous with them.

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Visit Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary

Indonesia

Better than anticipated. A very fun activity, and great with kids.

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Visit Mirror Stone Cave

Indonesia

Not as large as expected, though not bad. If you've visited cave systems in the United States or parts of Europe, you've probably seen much more impressive caves. Don't go out of your way to visit.

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Visit Ubud Palace

Indonesia

Public areas are smaller than expected, though elaborate and amazing. It's certainly worth a visit, but this site won't take a long time.

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Visit Goa Gajah

Indonesia

Very cool temple complex! There's more than just the elephant cave entrance. The ravine cascade was very nice. This won't be a long visit, but it's a nice one.

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Visit Ulun Danu Beratan Temple

Indonesia

The grounds and gardens are much larger and more elaborate than expected. It makes for a longer, beautiful experience. There are a few smaller attractions within the grounds as well. The animals were a big hit with our young teens. It's best to visit on a day that's not cloudy, so you can see the mountains behind the lake.

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Visit Prambanan Temple

Indonesia

Cool temple! This is large and ancient and a must see. Our guide gave us plenty of great information, which was helpful because there isn't any explanatory info otherwise.

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Watch Ramayana Dance Show

Yogyakarta

The show is interesting, but very long. There are two 90-minute parts, with an intermission. It was too much for our teens and young adults, so we stayed only for the first half. Unless you pay for cushioned seating, you'll be sitting on the side on rough stone benches, which gets uncomfortable fast. That said, the artistry was nice, and there were some fun acrobatics and fireworks. The second half probably had more of this, but we did get a good amount in just the first half. We didn't regret leaving early.

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Visit Amelia Sea View

Indonesia

Great views!

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Visit Ubud Art Market

Indonesia

A nice souvenir shopping experience. I expected more unique offerings, but you can find mostly the same items store to store (and in other locations in Bali).

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Visit Jatiluwih Rice Terrace

Indonesia

This is one of the best things you can do in Bali. It's much larger than you might expect. Plan to spend plenty of time. We were there for three hours at sunset and wished we had more time to explore farther. It's simply breathtaking.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Myriam was always prompt and pleasant. Stephen/Hans (guide) and Ichung (driver) were also always prompt and pleasant. Unfortunately there seemed to be a real disconnect between the itinerary and guiding arranged with Myrium compared with what actually happened on the trip. Certain activities never happened (e.g. cooking class, becak ride, silk weaving demonstration/discussion, others) even after bringing them to Myriam's attention (e.g Fort museum tour). It's understandable that the itinerary would fluctuate for when things would organically happen (e.g funeral) but communication was really poor from the guide, even after I asked for more details each day so I would know what to prepare, what to wear, etc.

I would have rather had no meals included and paid for myself as the guide left me at the hotel each night and I would have preferred not to eat there for the 4 nights. I understand lunch stops need to be timed and placed strategically but that flexibility would have been nice. As it was, I didn't have three dinners because of some issues and timing.

I have never arranged a private tour previously and expected basics of 1)driving/navigating logistics, 2) hotel arrangements, and 3) proficient English and interactive dialogue about the sites visited. Only the first happened (no driving or navigation issues). There were consistent confusions at one of the hotels, which thankfully were eventually sorted. The biggest disappointment was my guide, who was a very nice man, but spoke limited English and rarely interacted with me. At one point we were lost in a forested area and he had us walk in circles three different times, trying to find a trail. Randomly walking through rice fields is one thing, and through villages, so we can interact with local people, but this seems to be walking just use time? And there was limited to no talking or explanation from the guide so it wasn't really informative or held interest to walk up a busy road with motorbikes flying by.

When we went to the first restaurant, I was handed an Indonesian menu and thought the guide would help me understand what the options were. He did not so I had to use Google translate for the rest of the trip and figure it out myself. I pretty much Googled each point we stopped at so I would know what I was looking at or what to look for at the site when it became quickly clear Steven/Hans would not be giving detail.. Long car rides were spent in silence or with driver & guide chatting. It's not that I expected to be entertained as a solo raveler, but I expected some interaction beyond 'Stop now. Lunch'.

I gave this experience 3 stars because, in the end, I did see the main highlights I wanted to see; however, I'm saddened this trip I entrusted to kimkim was so poorly fulfilled.

First trip with kimkim and we were very impressed. Our trip to Indonesia was very well planned and our Specialist Myriam took great care to make sure that we all of our needs were considered. All of the drivers and local guides kept a consistent level of quality throughout the whole trip, and we able to connect with Myriam and get messages back at all times. Looking forward to the next one.

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

Bathe the Elephants

Ubud, Bali

Quality of Experience

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Visit Penglipuran Village

Indonesia

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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.

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Cliffs of Majesty : Visit Uluwatu Temple & Watch Kecak Dance

Indonesia

Quality of Experience

K

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Balinese Massage

Indonesia

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Bali Swing at Tegallalang Rice Terrace

Indonesia

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Visit Ubud Art Market

Indonesia

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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

The Phoenix Hotel Yogyakarta - MGallery Collection

YOGYAKARTA

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Manis ae Hotel, Cabin, & Resto Bromo

Bromo

Authenticity & Character

Location

Cleanliness & Comfort

Teras Hotel Ijen Banyuwangi

Banyuwangi

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Majapahit Surabaya

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Visit Taman Sari Water Palace

Yogyakarta

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

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

Yogyakarta

Witness the Blue Flame of Ijen Crater

Indonesia

Go on a Sunrise Hike to Mount Bromo

Indonesia

Kota Gede Walking Tour

Yogyakarta

A Royal Evening at Prambanan : Visit Prambanan & Watch Ramayana

Yogyakarta