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Ana Bicanic

Hi there! My name is Ana, I am 26 years old and I come from Belgrade, Serbia. Growing up I would travel a lot with my parents who love to dive. I knew from very early on that I want to be in travel business. I moved to Vienna for University, but as soon as I finished I realized that Europe is not my cup of tea. I moved to China in 2019 and stayed there until I needed to evacuate due to Covid. I went back to Europe and that was just a confirmation that I felt the best in Asia. I waited for a chance to be able to relocate to Asia, and once it came I choose Thailand due to my love for kite surfing. I spent 8 wonderful months there and decided its time to change it up a bit. I came to visit Bali for a month, but fell in love with the island of the gods and decided to stay. Now I spend my time exploring Indonesia and surfing at the best spots around.

What places and activities do you specialize in?

"I specialize in Indonesia. I spend a lot of time engaging with locals and learning about their culture, trying all the foods available and going to all the known as well as hidden gems Indonesia has to offer. I also know all the best spots for surfing."

How did you get involved in travel?

"I choose tourism major in High school and due to it I've done a lot of practices at hotels, travel agencies and even the Belgrade Tourism Fair, which made me fall in love with the industry."

Please share a unique travel experience you will never forget.

"The most amazing experience for me so far was seeing a Dugong come up to say hi to me while surfing at the amazing Padang Padang beach in Uluwatu, Bali."

Ana is part of the following groups: Singapore Travel Agents, Indonesia Travel Agents
Top itineraries and travel advice
Family itineraries

Recent trip reviews for Ana

Incredible Indonesia experiences
Indonesia | Oct 29 - Nov 12, 2023

Tanuja
Tanuja R.
Brentwood, TN | Reviewed on Nov 26, 2023
I really don’t know where to start! EVERYTHING was so amazing! Ana helped us curate such an awesome itinerary that included so many varied experiences that we still can’t believe we fit so much in two weeks! I kept pushing Ana for more and more and not once did she say “no”! She made our dream Indonesia wishlist come true! The fun orangutan trekking was the highlight in Sumatra. The ancient temples and melding of religions and cultures (namely Muslim Hindu and Buddhist) was heart... Read more

I really don’t know where to start!

EVERYTHING was so amazing! Ana helped us curate such an awesome itinerary that included so many varied experiences that we still can’t believe we fit so much in two weeks! I kept pushing Ana for more and more and not once did she say “no”! She made our dream Indonesia wishlist come true!

The fun orangutan trekking was the highlight in Sumatra.

The ancient temples and melding of religions and cultures (namely Muslim Hindu and Buddhist) was heart warming in Central Java.

Hot smoking volcanoes were breathtaking in East Java. The once in a life time experience of blue flames at Mt Ijen will always stay with us.

Bali was the hub of so much colorful activity … bike rides, rice terraces, cooking classes and we even made time to be pampered in spas.

Cruising through the waters of Komodo national park gave us the opportunity to see nature at its best… thousands of flying bats, hissing Komodo dragons, dazzling coral and the calm underwater sea life!

At the end of every trip we try to pin down our favorite experience but honestly there were too many in this one to point out just one.
Many of our family members and friends have asked for our travel consultant and our itinerary!!
Very happy to share!

Local specialist: Ana Bicanic
Ana
Ana Bicanic
Local specialist in Bali | Replied on Nov 27, 2023

Hello dear Tanuja,

Thank you so much for such a lovely review! I am happy to hear that you've had amazing time!

Looking forward to working with more members of your circle and thank you for good recommendations!

All the best!
Ana

I enjoyed this trip . A trip with varieties. ...
Indonesia | Sep 17 - Oct 7, 2023

L
Ling M.
Canada | Reviewed on Nov 07, 2023
I enjoyed this trip . A trip with varieties. Our two drivers/main guides were both good. They were friendly and helpful. The highlights for this trip for me are the Mount Bromo sunrise trip and the blue flame hike the following morning. But for the blue flame hike, too bad I did not walk fast enough . By the time when I got to the spot, the blue flame burnt out already. If we started 30 minutes earlier or if we skipped that morning refreshment, I would be able to see the blue flame. ... Read more

I enjoyed this trip . A trip with varieties. Our two drivers/main guides were both good. They were friendly and helpful. The highlights for this trip for me are the Mount Bromo sunrise trip and the blue flame hike the following morning. But for the blue flame hike, too bad I did not walk fast enough . By the time when I got to the spot, the blue flame burnt out already. If we started 30 minutes earlier or if we skipped that morning refreshment, I would be able to see the blue flame. Hopefully the tour organizer would consider this point so that other tourists who love to see the blue flame would not miss it.

The 3 cruise days trip to Komodo National Park was interesting too. I enjoyed the beautiful coral reefs, sunrise and sunset there. The cruise crews were good.

For the day trip to Nusa Penida, I wish they could provide us big towel so that we could have it to cover our body when we were going to our next snorkelling spot. It was a bit cold after we got out from the water after snorkelling. Or they told us before so that we could bring our big towel.

Overall the trip was great. I enjoyed it. Thanks.
Ling

Local specialist: Ana Bicanic
Ana
Ana Bicanic
Local specialist in Bali | Replied on Nov 13, 2023

Hello dear Ling,

Thank you so much for your feedback!

I hope to welcome you again in Malaysia, Indonesia or Singapore!

All the best,
Ana

Exhilarating trip to Java/Bali/Komodo islands
Indonesia | Sep 17 - Oct 7, 2023

D
David C.
Canada | Reviewed on Oct 19, 2023
From arranging the destinations to solving the minor issues through the trip, Ana has been helpful and responsive. We probably should have taken her advice and took advantage of the free/rest days in between ... While we're seniors in relatively good shape, the hikes to Bromo / Ijen are strenuous ones. It might be a good idea to give future participants a heads up, e.g. set expected arrival times for various stops up Ijen so they would know if they could make it on time to see the blue... Read more

From arranging the destinations to solving the minor issues through the trip, Ana has been helpful and responsive. We probably should have taken her advice and took advantage of the free/rest days in between ... While we're seniors in relatively good shape, the hikes to Bromo / Ijen are strenuous ones. It might be a good idea to give future participants a heads up, e.g. set expected arrival times for various stops up Ijen so they would know if they could make it on time to see the blue flames.

Saiful was great for the portion around Yogyakarta - helpful, informative and courteous.

Nyoman went all out - including the birding trip to West Bali NP and the attendance at a Ngaben. From taking us to the laundromats to retrieving the glasses from the monkey at Uluwatu, Nyoman is attentive and more than helpful. And he takes the time and effort to explain the Bali culture and attractions. My wife and I are more than pleased with his assistance!

Revan was simply great throughout the Komodo cruise. He is knowledgeable and goes out of his way to help us - whether it's trekking up the hills or guiding us during the snorkeling trips.

Trip to Nusa Penida was a complete waste of a day - poor infrastructure, average snorkeling, no sightings of Rays after a long rough ride and finally had to turn back from the beach because of traffic. And the communication from the drivers/guides were lacking ...

VW day was less than satisfying - after getting over the initial excitement of riding open top, we're sucking fumes the whole day. The guide speaks little English and provides no explanation of the attractions. Could have used our own driver/car to go to all those destinations.

The Balinese day provides varieties and was a lot of fun.

The long stay at a relatively isolated hotel in Ubud was a bit inconvenient. But the staff and the services provided at the hotel are more than adequate.

Hotel Review
Arkamara Dijiwa Ubud
Bali

The hotel was great, but the location was too secluded. We couldn't easily walk to restaurants or explore the local area. It was nice for peace and quiet, but not convenient for exploring.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Experience Balinese day in Sidemen
Experience Balinese day in Sidemen
Indonesia

This was a fantastic experience. We spent the day learning about the local culture, visiting rice fields, and more. It was a great way to immerse ourselves in Balinese life.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Sunrise Trek to Mount Bromo
Sunrise Trek to Mount Bromo
Mount Bromo, East Java

The trek was challenging, especially for our group in our 60s. Our guide was optimistic about our abilities, but we had to start at 3 a.m. and some of us couldn't make it in time to see the blue flame. I wish our guide would have managed our expectations better or suggested an earlier start for those of us who are slower.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Experience Snorkeling in Menjangan
Experience Snorkeling in Menjangan
Pemuteran, Bali

Snorkeling was a great experience, but the equipment was subpar. Despite the equipment issues, the variety of things to see, the high visibility, the warm water makes snorkeling at Menjangan a superb experience.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Experience Nusa Penida snorkeling- Manta Point + Mangrove tour
Experience Nusa Penida snorkeling- Manta Point + Mangrove tour
Indonesia

This was a disappointing experience. The ferry ride was chaotic with tons of people waiting and multiple ferries departing. The drivers did not speak English well and the location was overwhelmed with tourists. The roads were congested, narrow, and bumpy, making the trip uncomfortable. The snorkeling was supposed to include a manta ray sighting, but the rays were a no show that day.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Ana Bicanic
Ana
Ana Bicanic
Local specialist in Bali | Replied on Oct 24, 2023

Dear David,

Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback!

I hope to see you again in Indonesia, Malaysia or Singapore on one of your future adventures!

Best,
Ana

Malaysia and Indonesia Adventure Getaway.
Indonesia | Sep 7 - Sep 28, 2023

Wynand
Wynand B.
Zimbabwe | Reviewed on Oct 10, 2023
Dear Ana and the Kim Kim team. What an amazing adventure trip we had to Malaysia and Indonesia! No tour operator could assist us from Africa and we came across Kim Kim on the internet who connected us to Ana. We did some research as to what we wanted to see and learn about and experience on our adventure getaway, and with Ana's guidance and patience and working through many options, we finally settled and decided on version 9! Starting in Kuala Lampur and visiting the Batu Caves, the... Read more

Dear Ana and the Kim Kim team. What an amazing adventure trip we had to Malaysia and Indonesia! No tour operator could assist us from Africa and we came across Kim Kim on the internet who connected us to Ana. We did some research as to what we wanted to see and learn about and experience on our adventure getaway, and with Ana's guidance and patience and working through many options, we finally settled and decided on version 9! Starting in Kuala Lampur and visiting the Batu Caves, the Aquarium, the Kuala Lampur Bird Gardens to name but a few things. We then travelled to Bukit Lawang where we started our jungle trek to Gunung Leuser National Park. To see the fauna and flora and experience the jungle with all the different primate species and birds, reptiles and mammals. Orangutans, Thomas Leaf Monkeys, Gibbons, flying lizzards, dragon lizzards, squirrels, butterflies to name but a few. Hearing the sounds of the forest. Camping by a river was just amazing. Then proceeding onwards to Betestagi and climbing Mount Sibayak Volcano and seiing the sulphur vents. To Lake Toba and Samosir Island and learning about the Batak peoples. Then visiting an orchid farm on the way to Medan with hundreds of species of orchids. Making our way onwards to Flores Island to catching our private boat trip to Rinca and Komodo Islands to see the great Komodo Dragons around the Flores sea. We went snorkeling with turtles and the abundant underwater life around these islands. Then onwards to Gili Meno to slow down and take a rest. Stopping over in Bali to experience the culture of the peoples of this island. Learning about Luwak coffee, visiting an amazing local art gallery. Then back to Kuala Lampur. Our getaway holiday trip involved learning about cultures and peoples and seeing amazing wildlife. Eating the most amazing food Malaysia and Indonesia had to offer. We would not have changed anything on our travels and every step was well organised by Ana and the Kim Kim team to provide a hassle free holiday. Absolutely nothing went wrong throughout our travels!
A huge thank you to Ana and Kim Kim as well as all the guides who picked us up at each place and taught us so much about the land and country of Indonesia. To the guides at Gunung Leuser National Park, Atte and Sudhar, to Zulkifli who showed us around Sumatra. To Agung for showing us around Bali. To Yuris who guided us on the boat to Rinca and Komodo and showed us the wildlife wonders underwater as well as on the islands. Truly, this was an amazing adventure and Indonesia and Malaysia are amazing countries to explore and have an adventure getaway!
Thank you.
Wynand and Petra

Local specialist: Ana Bicanic
Ana
Ana Bicanic
Local specialist in Bali | Replied on Oct 16, 2023

Hello dear Wynand and Petra,

Thank you so much for your wonderful review!

But even bigger thank you for being such an amazing guests! I am happy we had an opportunity to meet and thank you for being so caring about the nature and so respectful of Indonesian and Malaysian culture. You truly were the guests to wish for!

I will pass along the praise to all the guides, and we hope to welcome you to Indonesia, Malaysia or Singapore in future!

All the best!
Ana

Awesome trip to Indonesia
Indonesia | Sep 22 - Oct 8, 2023

L
Lisa R.
Riverside, OH | Reviewed on Oct 09, 2023
Ana did an amazing job planning and executing out trip to Indonesia! Our driver, Wes, was wonderful and took very good care of us. He really went above and beyond to make our trip special! All of the hotels that Ana suggested were great. The 4 dat private cruise thru komodo National Park was an absolute highlight! All of our connections went smoothly! It was truly an awesome trip! Read more

Ana did an amazing job planning and executing out trip to Indonesia! Our driver, Wes, was wonderful and took very good care of us. He really went above and beyond to make our trip special! All of the hotels that Ana suggested were great. The 4 dat private cruise thru komodo National Park was an absolute highlight! All of our connections went smoothly! It was truly an awesome trip!

Hotel Review
Private cruise trip in Komodo National Park
Labuan Bajo, Indonesia

Highlight of our trip to Indonesia!

Authenticity & Character
Authentic wood fishing boat sailing thru the most gorgeous islands
Location
Spectacular trip
Staff
Terrific staff, delicious authentic Indonesian food
Cleanliness & Comfort
Very clean and comfortable but you are off the grid!
Local specialist: Ana Bicanic
Ana
Ana Bicanic
Local specialist in Bali | Replied on Oct 16, 2023

Hello dear Lisa,

Thank you so much for your review!

I am very happy to hear that you loved your trip and that everything went smoothly!

I hope to welcome you again in Indonesia, Malaysia or Singapore!

All the best!
Ana

Our trip with Kim Kim was very well organised...
Indonesia | Sep 16 - Oct 6, 2023

Sue
Sue B.
United Kingdom | Reviewed on Oct 07, 2023
Our trip with Kim Kim was very well organised - first Borneo with our lovely boat crew and great guide Johanes. We have no bad comments here we loved every minute but it may be worth mentioning to other western travellers how basic the facilities in the boat are as some may find this off putting.
Next to Tanah Lot - after the mix up with hotels, we were very happy. Then Ubud - what a great hotel - a real hidden gem and so central for the town.
The Komodo cruise was great also but again...
Read more

Our trip with Kim Kim was very well organised - first Borneo with our lovely boat crew and great guide Johanes. We have no bad comments here we loved every minute but it may be worth mentioning to other western travellers how basic the facilities in the boat are as some may find this off putting.
Next to Tanah Lot - after the mix up with hotels, we were very happy. Then Ubud - what a great hotel - a real hidden gem and so central for the town.
The Komodo cruise was great also but again facilities are basic and I think, if you want to avoid complaints, this should be stressed. The crew and guide here were fine but not as friendly as in Borneo
Jimbaran was our next stop and again, after changing rooms twice - the first time the shower didn’t work, the second room, workmen were working in our wall with kango hammers. We were then upgraded and very happy with the Villa 😊
Ana has been available to us throughout the trip for any problems - even when she was on leave so again, we can’t praise her enough.
Most of all, we wound like to state how absolutely Amazing our Bali driver was. He has always been on time and reliable, listened and changed itineraries at the last minute when we have wanted to, kept our luggage for us while we have gone on 4 day trips, queued for hours for tickets while we enjoy looking at something else and taken us to specialist shops at our request. He knows the island ( and roads/shortcuts) so well and is great at recommending what to do If anyone is thinking of a trip to bali, I can highly recommend him. Thank you Subrata Yasa for making our trip so fantastic 🥰

Hotel Reviews
FM7 Resort Hotel Jakarta
Tangerang, Banten

Great for an easy one night stop over and

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
A little noisey
Bali Agung Village - CHSE Certified
Seminyak

Good bar and restaurant here and a pool big enough to swim in

Authenticity & Character
Location
Right near beach
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Artini 2 cottage

A hidden gem !

Authenticity & Character
Amazing character place
Location
Right in the Center but quiet and peaceful
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Artotel Sanur
Sanur

Great location for airport

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Private cruise trip in Komodo National Park
Labuan Bajo, Indonesia

We expected very basic facilities but the doors to cabin and bathroom did not shut and there was no comfortable seats. Borneo did it much better

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Puri Pandawa Resort

Needed 2 room changes for simple problems the hotel would have been aware of

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Experience Borneo Cruise Day 1
Experience Borneo Cruise Day 1
Indonesia
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Experience Borneo Cruise Day 2
Experience Borneo Cruise Day 2
Indonesia
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Experience Borneo Cruise Day 3
Experience Borneo Cruise Day 3
Indonesia
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Experience Borneo Cruise Day 4
Experience Borneo Cruise Day 4
Indonesia
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Experience  the Tanah Lot trek
Experience the Tanah Lot trek
Tanah Lot
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Experience Ubud VW Safari Car Tour
Experience Ubud VW Safari Car Tour
Ubud, Bali
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Experience Rafting in Ayung River
Experience Rafting in Ayung River
Ubud, Bali

Only downside is the 600steps down to the river and 300 back up !!! Some people may not make this and spoil the whole experience

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Sunrise trek to Mount Batur
Sunrise trek to Mount Batur
Indonesia

Definitely not for the faint hearted !! This is a very callanging walk/climb

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Komodo Cruise Day 1
Komodo Cruise Day 1
Indonesia
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Komodo Cruise Day 2
Komodo Cruise Day 2
Indonesia
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Komodo Cruise Day 3
Komodo Cruise Day 3
Indonesia
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Visit Taman Ayun Temple
Visit Taman Ayun Temple
Indonesia
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Visit Goa Gajah Cave
Visit Goa Gajah Cave
Indonesia
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Komodo Cruise Day 4
Komodo Cruise Day 4
Komodo Island
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Experience Nusa Penida snorkeling- Manta Point + Mangrove tour
Experience Nusa Penida snorkeling- Manta Point + Mangrove tour
Indonesia
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Visit Bali's Most Beautiful Beaches & Explore Uluwatu Temple
Visit Bali's Most Beautiful Beaches & Explore Uluwatu Temple
Jimbaran, Bali
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Experience Sunset Cruise and BBQ
Experience Sunset Cruise and BBQ
Indonesia
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Ana Bicanic
Ana
Ana Bicanic
Local specialist in Bali | Replied on Oct 16, 2023

Hello dear Sue,

Thank you so much for your review!

I am glad to hear that you had amazing time!

I hope to welcome you again in Indonesia, Malaysia or Singapore!

All the best!
Ana

Amazing trip to Bali with a perfect balance o...
Indonesia | Feb 16 - Feb 27, 2023

M
Megan D.
Los Angeles, CA | Reviewed on Sep 16, 2023

Amazing trip to Bali with a perfect balance of cultural sites, activities, and pleasure time. I really loved this tour and would definitely use this tour company again.

Local specialist: Ana Bicanic
Ana
Ana Bicanic
Local specialist in Bali | Replied on Sep 18, 2023

Hello dear Megan,

Thank you so much for your review!!

We hope to welcome you back in Indonesia, Malaysia or Singapore!

All the best!
Ana

Shanti Travel Driver and Guide Nengah Suarma is a Gem!
Indonesia | Jul 23 - Aug 7, 2023

Andrea
Andrea P.
Ashburn, VA | Reviewed on Sep 04, 2023
Ana connected us with Shanti Travel driver Nengah Suarma, and he was amazing. If not for Nengah, the trip would have been very different. Nengah was a safe driver, who was also knowledgable, smart, and possessing of amazing English language skills. Nengah was enthusiastic every day about seeing us and taking us to places we guessed he had been to 1,000 times before. He was also very flexible about any day's planned itinerary and was able to help us shape our travels in the moment to get the... Read more

Ana connected us with Shanti Travel driver Nengah Suarma, and he was amazing. If not for Nengah, the trip would have been very different. Nengah was a safe driver, who was also knowledgable, smart, and possessing of amazing English language skills. Nengah was enthusiastic every day about seeing us and taking us to places we guessed he had been to 1,000 times before. He was also very flexible about any day's planned itinerary and was able to help us shape our travels in the moment to get the most out of our visit to Bali. I highly recommend Nengah Suarma as a driver and local guide.

Hotel Reviews
Artotel Sanur
Sanur
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Natya Hotel Tanah Lot
Tanah Lot
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Elevate by Hanging Gardens Munduk
Munduk
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Korurua Djiwa Ubud
Ubud
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Sudamala Resort, Komodo, Labuan Bajo
Labuan Bajo
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
PinkCoco Uluwatu

This was my favorite hotel of the trip when all things are considered! The staff were extremely nice and fun with a persistent attention to detail. The room was also lovely with so much pink. I had a great time at the pool and was surprised each time free hors d'euvres were brought to me. The honor bar at the pool was a genius idea, too.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Ana Bicanic
Ana
Ana Bicanic
Local specialist in Bali | Replied on Sep 06, 2023

Hello dear Andrea,

I am happy to get you feedback! I will pass your review to Nengah Suarma!

Hope to welcome you in Indonesia, Malaysia or Singapore again!

All the best,
Ana

Refreshing Time in Bali
Indonesia | Jul 25 - Jul 31, 2023

Kurt
Kurt T.
San Rafael, CA | Reviewed on Aug 16, 2023
Planning our Bali trip with KimKim was super easy and Ana was super present with us as we had questions/changes. This was our first time in Bali so we relied on Ana's expertise in planning. The lodging was excellent. We were pampered for sure. Highlights were massages and an Indonesian cooking class. the VW tour we took was great. Wayan was a great guide and we had a great day. Highlights were a coffee tour and the rice terraces. All the drivers were prompt and knew where to go. At... Read more

Planning our Bali trip with KimKim was super easy and Ana was super present with us as we had questions/changes. This was our first time in Bali so we relied on Ana's expertise in planning. The lodging was excellent. We were pampered for sure. Highlights were massages and an Indonesian cooking class. the VW tour we took was great. Wayan was a great guide and we had a great day. Highlights were a coffee tour and the rice terraces. All the drivers were prompt and knew where to go. At times, we needed to advocate for what we wanted/didn't want to do, but they were flexible. I am not sure we would climb Mt Batur again (at 3am), though it was beautiful to watch the sunrise (bring 2 jackets!). Nusa Penida was also spectacular for snorkeling.

Hotel Reviews
Korurua Djiwa Ubud
Ubud

First class experience. Wonderful accommodations and the food was amazing. We took the cooking class and that was a highlight of our whole trip. Highly recommend!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Le Yanandra Resort Bali

Nicely decorated and comfortable. Walking to the nearby beach was great.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Ana Bicanic
Ana
Ana Bicanic
Local specialist in Bali | Replied on Aug 16, 2023

Hello dear Kurt,

Thank you so much for your review! It really helps me improve!

I wish you all the best and hope to welcome you again in Indonesia, Malaysia or Singapore!

Best,
Ana

7 Days in Bali - Days from Ubud and relaxing time in Sanur.
Indonesia | Jul 31 - Aug 7, 2023

Laurence
Laurence S.
Thailand | Reviewed on Aug 08, 2023
The trip was very well organised overall. There was good communication and documentation collection before I left for Bali, (such as pre arranging the visa on arrival ), good. My driver (from the airport up and to Ubud and Sanur ) was Supartha who was friendly, helpful, knowledgeable and reliable. He always made sure I was clear about everything and double checked arrangements through Whatsapp . The VW 'Safari Tour' driver was Agul. He was great and nothing was too much trouble for him in... Read more

The trip was very well organised overall. There was good communication and documentation collection before I left for Bali, (such as pre arranging the visa on arrival ), good. My driver (from the airport up and to Ubud and Sanur ) was Supartha who was friendly, helpful, knowledgeable and reliable. He always made sure I was clear about everything and double checked arrangements through Whatsapp . The VW 'Safari Tour' driver was Agul. He was great and nothing was too much trouble for him in terms of me wanting to stop for taking photos wherever and whenever I wanted.

My main concern is the Mount Batur trip that was planned for me. I had already made it clear that I need to knopw the level of difficulty for this trek and was told that it was doable, even for my age. In reality, in my opinion, it was not. There were hords of people, which already made the pathway clogged and put pressure on me to keep moving, (so that those behind me to make progress /pass by) The climb, after around 2.5 km, left the road and became very steep and rocky, a scramble up loose rocks. This was not easy and I felt there was a real risk of tripping and causing injury;-many walkers were falling and grazing themselves in front of my eyes. I decided not to continue, although my guide tried to encourage me to continue, but kindly without forcing the issue. So, in the end, I sat on a rock for almost two hours, halfway up with the guide and several others who also could n't make it.
There are not guide ropes or warnings about saftey on this path. In future I recommend you clearly state that this walk is for fairly experenced trekkers and will be challenging. (I have trekked a lot in the UK in rencent years, and I would say this is far harder than described in by Kimkim).
If I knew about the climb before hand, I would have cancelled this part and looked for an alternative activity-This part of my trip was a waste of money and time.

The trip to Nusa Penida was enjoyable and to snorkelling with manta rays was truly memorable and amazing.
However, this trip was not exactly as stipulated in my itinerary as it was a group tour and not private as I had thought. There was no mangrove trip either, as outlined originally. I let this be known to Ana who was apologetic and arranged a free compensatory dinner in my hotel in Sanur, which I kindly accepted. I later enquired to do the mangrove tour myself from my Sanur hotel, but I was told this trip is not running now, since Covid - I would have thought KimKim tours would have known this, if this is in fact true.
Thank you for the trip and I hope the feedback is useful.

Hotel Review
Artini 2 cottage

The place is very nice and extremely relaxed. I found the rooms more basic than I had hoped, but comfortable. The noise from others in adjecent rooms is an issue, one can hear every word spoken by the occupants in the rooms next to and below. I would tell your guests that this could be anissue. The pool was very nice and so was the gorgeous setting for the cottages. Breakfast was poor in my opinion as the taste was not good, the sausages were disgusting and the curry I ordered was tasteless. I did nt tell them this as I did want to upset the staff. A nice place overall, but not as good as it looks on the internet!~

Authenticity & Character
stated above, although I will add the staff were VERY helpful and friendly.
Location
The breakfast -taste/ food quality and choice. The Balinese styled cottages are a bit run down and basic. The furniture is old, although I guess it is part of the style and authenticity of being in Bali.
Staff
Just their seemingly genuine willingness to please. Such that it would be difficult to complain to them face to face.
Cleanliness & Comfort
The breakfasts need some improvement. Some upgrading of the rooms.
Activity Reviews
Experience Ubud VW Safari Car Tour
Experience Ubud VW Safari Car Tour
Ubud, Bali

Please see previous comments.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Sunrise trek to Mount Batur
Sunrise trek to Mount Batur
Indonesia

I have already posted in my general comments

Quality of Experience
Pre advise your guests on how hard this is.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
organised and reliable, plus friendly.
Transport
Experience Nusa Penida snorkeling- Manta Point + Mangrove tour
Experience Nusa Penida snorkeling- Manta Point + Mangrove tour
Indonesia

I already made my comments in the generla comment section.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Ana Bicanic
Ana
Ana Bicanic
Local specialist in Bali | Replied on Aug 09, 2023

Hello dear Laurence,

Thank you for your review. I really appreciate it, every guest is different and has different expectations, so having a wide spectrum of reviews helps me improve a lot.

I hope to welcome you in Indonesia again!

All the best,
Ana

Nathan Salenna - the Best Guide Ever!
Indonesia | Jul 24 - Jul 31, 2023

E
Elizabeth C.
Chicago, IL | Reviewed on Aug 07, 2023

Nathan Salenna - the Best Guide Ever!

We had a wonderful amazing eye-opening tour of South Sulawesi, with a guide who really took the time to explain the culture & the things we were seeing in rich & sensitive detail. We saw so much & ate so well, and we loved our Driver - Opa - we couldn't have asked for more from our relatively short time on the island. We are already talking about going back in two years to see more of Sulawesi!

Local specialist: Ana Bicanic
Ana
Ana Bicanic
Local specialist in Bali | Replied on Aug 09, 2023

Hello dear Elizabeth,

I am very happy to hear this! We would love to welcome you to Indonesia and Sulawesi again in future!

I am passing your reviews of guide and driver.

Thank you for your review and thank you for trusting us in organising this amazing experience for you.

All the best,
Ana

Great times in Bali/Lombok with the local dri...
Indonesia | Jun 18 - Jul 1, 2023

Andrew
Andrew K.
Meridian, ID | Reviewed on Jul 10, 2023
Great times in Bali/Lombok with the local driver and guide services helping us make the most of it. Read more

Great times in Bali/Lombok with the local driver and guide services helping us make the most of it.

Hotel Reviews
The Kayana Beach Lombok
Lombok
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Kayumanis Jimbaran
Jimbaran
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Ana Bicanic
Ana
Ana Bicanic
Local specialist in Bali | Replied on Jul 11, 2023

Hello dear Andrew,

I am happy to hear that you had good time in Indonesia!

We hope to welcome you again on some of the other islands!

All the best,
Ana

Perfect trip customized to our interests
Indonesia | Apr 13 - Apr 23, 2023

Rebekah
Rebekah U.
Seattle, WA | Reviewed on May 02, 2023
Ana and the team at Shanti helped us plan and book a phenomenal trip through Bali! She had all the local knowledge needed to help us customize our itinerary to our interests and prioritize activities that worked for us. She set us up with amazing local guides, including our driver for the week (Rusna!), a trail guide on Mt. Batur, and a guide through the highlights of Ubud. Most importantly, she was an on the ground, local contact available throughout our trip to answer questions and help us... Read more

Ana and the team at Shanti helped us plan and book a phenomenal trip through Bali! She had all the local knowledge needed to help us customize our itinerary to our interests and prioritize activities that worked for us. She set us up with amazing local guides, including our driver for the week (Rusna!), a trail guide on Mt. Batur, and a guide through the highlights of Ubud. Most importantly, she was an on the ground, local contact available throughout our trip to answer questions and help us with any changes. Highly recommend the KimKim custom planning experience broadly and Ana and her Shanti team specifically!

Hotel Reviews
De Moksha Eco Friendly Boutique Resort
Tabanan

Gorgeous grounds, great food, and exceptional staff. Loved it!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Beautiful, scenic grounds but not located near other amenities. Felt isolated.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Arkamara Dijiwa Ubud
Bali

Beautiful grounds, super helpful staff, and comfortable room. They provided a shuttle to central Ubud during regular hours and had special agreements with approved taxis that they could book on our behalf in off hours. The front desk was always accessible via WhatsApp.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
La Joya Biu Biu Resort
Jimbaran

Gorgeous, cliff side location. Drinks and extra amenities were a bit expensive compared to other places, but overall experience was positive.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
A/C in our room was hit and miss and the room was definitely "rustic."
Activity Reviews
Experience Ubud VW Safari Car Tour
Experience Ubud VW Safari Car Tour
Ubud, Bali

Superb driver who customized the day trip to our interests...and also took fantastic photos (an unexpected bonus!)!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Sunrise trek to Mount Batur
Sunrise trek to Mount Batur
Indonesia

Tough climb with gorgeous views!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Visit Goa Gajah Cave
Visit Goa Gajah Cave
Indonesia

This was a super super touristy place. As one of our first popular temple visits we did, we weren't aware and equipped to stop a guy from coercing us into a tour and insisting on payment at the end. We felt trapped in a guided tour we didn't actually ask for and in a show of performative religion that didn't feel respectful to the actual roots of the place.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Visit the UNESCO Jatiluwih Ricefield
Visit the UNESCO Jatiluwih Ricefield
Indonesia

One of our favorite stops on the trip! An absolutely gorgeous walk through rice terraces with scenic mountain views beyond. We would have loved to spend more time enjoying this place!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Ana Bicanic
Ana
Ana Bicanic
Local specialist in Bali | Replied on May 03, 2023

Hello dear Rebekah!

Thank You so much for the kind words! They mean a lot!
I am also very grateful for having you and Amy as guests, because you were so easy going, you knew exactly what you wanted since you've done your research and you trusted me! Thank You!

I will pass the note to Rusna and we hope to see you in Indonesia again!

I love the pictures!!!

All the best,
Ana

Thank you KimKim
Indonesia | Apr 2 - Apr 23, 2023

S
Spencer S.
North Adams, MA | Reviewed on May 01, 2023
Our trip to Indonesia was a true reprieve from the stresses of regular life, a perfect vacation. Our KimKim specialist Ana organized several lovely events for us but also maintained a comfortable flexibility, listening well and helping us refund things when our energy wasn't up to the big tasks. In particular, our driver throughout the trip, Parma, was one of the kindest, most splendid humans we have ever met and want him to get as much praise possible for hosting us so well. The Komodo... Read more

Our trip to Indonesia was a true reprieve from the stresses of regular life, a perfect vacation. Our KimKim specialist Ana organized several lovely events for us but also maintained a comfortable flexibility, listening well and helping us refund things when our energy wasn't up to the big tasks. In particular, our driver throughout the trip, Parma, was one of the kindest, most splendid humans we have ever met and want him to get as much praise possible for hosting us so well. The Komodo Island boat cruise stood out as a spectacular highlight of the trip (we saw Komodo dragons, Mantas, turtles, soft coral, and unreal sunsets). Our guide Tony also stood out as a spectacular and knowledgable friend.

Local specialist: Ana Bicanic
Ana
Ana Bicanic
Local specialist in Bali | Replied on May 26, 2023

Hello dear Spencer!

Thank you so much for your kind words!
You and Nicole were really great guests and everyone in the team can confirm! It was very pleasant working with you and we hope to see you again on one of our destinations!
I will pass the comments to Parma and Tony as well!

Best Regards,
Ana

Ana was outstanding.
Indonesia | Apr 13 - Apr 23, 2023

A
Amy M.
SeaTac, WA | Reviewed on Apr 26, 2023

Ana was outstanding. While planning, she listened to us and what we had research and helped us with local knowledge. Despite the 15 hour time difference, she was quick to respond.
Once we arrived, she met us at our hotel to welcome us and confirm our schedule. She was available during our whole trip for random questions, even as small as bug spray brand.
She was kind and communicative. Our trip was much richer because of her help.

Local specialist: Ana Bicanic
Ana
Ana Bicanic
Local specialist in Bali | Replied on May 03, 2023

Dear Amy,

Thank you for such a wonderful review!
I loved meeting you and you girls were the perfect guests!

I hope we will have an opportunity to plan together again in future!

I wish you all the best in your exploring myself era!

Warmest Regards,
Ana