Profile photo for Chris McCarty
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active 21 hours ago

Chris McCarty

I have spent a good amount of time traveling around Iceland and most recently Morocco. In Iceland, I've mostly focused on Snaefellsnes Peninsula, Westfjords, and North. The best way to experience Iceland is to get away from the bus tours that stick to Reykjavik and the Golden Circle and to explore all the other hikes, waterfalls, volcanoes, and hot springs that Iceland has to offer.

What places and activities do you specialize in?

"Iceland, Morocco, Germany, Norway, Spain, Argentina, Peru, and much of Western Europe."

Please share a unique travel experience you will never forget.

"Several years ago I was in Peru with 2 friends from back in middle school . One was living in South America, and the other was visiting with me. After a fun day of exploring the ruins and markets of Pisac (just outside of Cusco) the informed local friend sent us on our way to the next town of Ollantaytambo....on motor taxi.

We soon discovered the loudest and bumpiest way to travel in Peru as we sat in the back with our large backpacks barely fitting inside the small cart as we yelled back and forth to each other (not in a mean way, it was the only way to hear). At one point the driver stopped to pee on the side of the road as we wondered if we were even going to the right place (this was pre iphone maps to double-check). We managed to make it to within 5 miles of our destination before we were let out and somehow figured out how to make it the last 5 miles.

It was a pretty fun adventure that we laughed about from the comfort of our beds that night. It shows you that while traveling by tour bus may be more predictable, there are better ways to create lifelong memories. "

A view from Wachusett Mountain in Fall
Wachusett Mountain Hike & Brewery

Spend a morning hiking the trails around Wachusett Mountain, which offers great views over central Massachusetts from the peak of Wachusett Mountain. Recharge and relax the afternoon away at nearby Wachusett Brewery, enjoying a flight of local brews, good food, and often live music in the outdoor setting.

Bikes in Edgardown
Day Bike Ride to Chappaquiddick (Martha's Vineyard)

Leave the car behind and set out along flat bike paths along the coastline as you ride from Oak Bluffs to remote Chappaquiddick Island ("Chappy"). Relax on the windswept beaches on the small island made famous by the Kennedys. The total ride is about 18 miles (9 miles each way), with a very short bike ferry to cross the water.

Hike along Franconia Ridge in the White Mountains
The Best of Franconia Notch, White Mountains - 3 Days

The White Mountains in northern New Hampshire is New England's top hiking destination, easily accessed from the Boston area (only 2 hours away). Hikes in this region are steep, but rewarding with gorgeous views of the wilderness. Introduce yourselves to "The Whites" with a shorter hike along the Welch-Dickie Loop, which offers great views for (relatively) minimal efforts. On your other days, climb to either side of Franconia Notch to hike along the ridgelines. Spend your evenings back in Lincoln or North Woodstock enjoying great local food and beer. You could also consider camping in the Notch or a bit further east in the heart of the Whites.This trip can also be easily extended with a few more days by exploring Pinkham notch to the east (home to Mount Washington).

Explore the backroads of the Outer Cape
Cape Cod Road Trip Getaway - 7 Days

Spend a relaxing week on the Cape with this road trip getaway. Start with a few days on Martha's Vineyard to help you quickly adjust to the pace of the Cape. Relax on windswept beaches, bike along island trails, and enjoy warm evening nights. Then it's back to the mainland Cape, where you will explore the more sparsely populated areas of the Lower and Outer Cape. Hike marsh-side trails, top massive sand dunes, climb local lighthouses, and refuel at weathered roadside clam shacks.The drive is only 2 hours from Boston to Provincetown (without traffic), and you can easily split this itinerary in two as well, with a long weekend in Martha's Vineyard or a few days in the Outer Cape.

The craggy coastline of Maine
Coastal Maine Road Trip - 9 Days

This coastal road trip is the perfect way to explore the top sights and hidden coasts of Maine, aptly referred to as "Vacationland". The route is quite flexible: you'll follow the bend in the coast from Portland to Camden to Acadia, with opportunities to explore lesser-visited peninsulas along the way. You can stick to the better-known spots (Portland, Camden, Acadia) or spend some time off the beaten path with a kayak ride through a marsh south of Portland, a boat trip to Monhegan island, or a day hiking around Isle Au Haute, part of Acadia National Park.

Recent trip reviews for Chris

2-Week Ring Road Self-Drive Itinerary: Highlights of Iceland and the Remote Westfjords
Iceland | May 24 - Jun 8, 2019

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finley p.
Newcastle, ME | Reviewed on Jun 13, 2019

Chris did a great job putting together a memorable trip around Iceland, encouraging us to explore some of the more remote areas. We had all kinds of weather from sleet and snow and wind to warm sun. No problem at Lake Myvatn with bugs, probably because it was a bit cool. Good marsh bird watching there and at Djupivogur. Loved Seydisfjordur and the newly renovated guesthouse, Vio Lonio. Appreciated being pointed to the various little museum: Sheep Farming Museum in Holmavik, Herring Museum in... read more

Chris did a great job putting together a memorable trip around Iceland, encouraging us to explore some of the more remote areas. We had all kinds of weather from sleet and snow and wind to warm sun. No problem at Lake Myvatn with bugs, probably because it was a bit cool. Good marsh bird watching there and at Djupivogur. Loved Seydisfjordur and the newly renovated guesthouse, Vio Lonio. Appreciated being pointed to the various little museum: Sheep Farming Museum in Holmavik, Herring Museum in Siglufjordur, Heritage Museum in Isafjordur and others. The Kia he rented for us handled the mildly terrifying, narrow dirt roads up and down the fjords beautifully. Other memorable hotels were the Vogafjos Farm House at Lake Myvatn, Guesthouse Skalafell outside Skaftafell Park., and Helgugata Guesthouse in Borgarnes. Less memorable were the Fosshotel in Patreksfjordur (costly and less unique) and the Arnastapi Cottages (beautiful location, but be sure to ask for a guesthouse or hotel room with an unobstructed view of the ocean. Also, no good place for dinner). The Sea Monster Museum was pretty lame, but some might like it. Waterfalls were all spectacular and we even saw some crazy kayakers go over one as part of a film shoot.) I'd also recommend the Insight Guide, Explore Iceland as an adjunct to Chris' suggestions. Thanks for everything!

Local specialist:
Chris
Chris McCarty
Local specialist in Berkeley, CA | Reviewed on Jun 13, 2019

Trish & Fin, welcome back! So glad you had such a memorable trip to Iceland, and I'm thankful you managed to avoid the black flies at Myvatn. I'm jealous you witnessed kayakers going over a waterfall--that must have been such a site. Sorry we didn't include the opportunity for you to do the same--maybe on your next kimkim trip? ;-)

Best,
-Chris

Trip to Iceland
Iceland | Mar 31 - Apr 8, 2019

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Brian S.
Big Bear Lake, CA | Reviewed on Apr 10, 2019

Great trip overall. Chris was very responsive and easy to work with and has been supportive of working with me to address the few issues that did come up on the trip.

Local specialist:

see all the key spots in the south
Iceland | Nov 20 - Nov 23, 2018

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Alexis C.
Natick, MA | Reviewed on Jan 03, 2019

KimKim really is a great service. Chris (online) listened to what I wanted to see in Iceland and planed things out perfectly. We were on a very short trip — just 4 days, but we got to see everything we wanted and then some. Our actual tour guide Rhenar (hope I'm spelling that correctly) was amazing. He drove the mini van and told us about every location we went. Rhenar really brought Iceland to life for us—telling us all about the volcanic activity, the glaciers, the ego-thermal areas, and so... read more

KimKim really is a great service. Chris (online) listened to what I wanted to see in Iceland and planed things out perfectly. We were on a very short trip — just 4 days, but we got to see everything we wanted and then some. Our actual tour guide Rhenar (hope I'm spelling that correctly) was amazing. He drove the mini van and told us about every location we went. Rhenar really brought Iceland to life for us—telling us all about the volcanic activity, the glaciers, the ego-thermal areas, and so much more. He even entertained us with stories of Icelandic folk-law. He really knew his stuff. Our group was just 13 people—the perfect size. We stopped between sights for amazing photo opps—of course its hard to take a bad picture in Iceland. People say Iceland is expensive—but between Rhenar taking us to get affordable sandwiches for lunch and finding out of the way restaurants in the evening —I'd say it's well worth the trip.

Local specialist:

Iceland and the northern lights
Iceland | Nov 20 - Nov 24, 2018

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Alfredo H.
Baltimore, MD | Reviewed on Nov 25, 2018

Great trip
Beautiful country
Great and friendly service
I will use your services again!
Thank you

Local specialist:

Trip to Iceland
Iceland | Nov 13 - Nov 18, 2018

M
Michael F.
| Reviewed on Nov 19, 2018

Chris was very helpful in helping select, discuss, and finalize the exactly right itinerary for my trip needs. All the details were quickly, efficiently and correctly handled. Very thorough knowledge of all aspects of local life and entertainment and fantastic value overall as a service.

Local specialist:

Trip to Iceland
Iceland | Oct 8 - Oct 15, 2018

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John N.
Alhambra, CA | Reviewed on Oct 17, 2018

I procrastinated my trip planning to Iceland until it was a week before my departure and I decided to try Kimkim. Chris was pleasant to work with and the process was seamless. It took less than 2 days to complete the planning as I wasn’t very picky on what I wanted to do and just let Chris do his work.

Local specialist:

Adventurous family ring road-trip
Iceland | May 27 - Jun 7, 2018

Sophie
Sophie F.
Wentzville, MO | Reviewed on Jun 09, 2018

Chris did a great job helping plan our unforgettable trip.

I have a few suggestions; please advice traveler to Lake Myran (sp) of the absolutely aweful sworn of black flys in the area. We couldn’t walk around the lake because we were not prepared for the flys. We were pretty disappointed as the area and walked looked beautiful. Face nets are essential.
Also, toward the fiords in the northeast coast, were advices to take road 92 to 96. These roads are now just highway one.
Lastly, our... read more

Chris did a great job helping plan our unforgettable trip.

I have a few suggestions; please advice traveler to Lake Myran (sp) of the absolutely aweful sworn of black flys in the area. We couldn’t walk around the lake because we were not prepared for the flys. We were pretty disappointed as the area and walked looked beautiful. Face nets are essential.
Also, toward the fiords in the northeast coast, were advices to take road 92 to 96. These roads are now just highway one.
Lastly, our last accommodation took cash only! We were ill prepared for this as well. Luckily, the women was kind and took what we had. Which was only less than half what we owed.
Otherwise, these were our only problems, and they were minimal!

Thank you for a wonderful trip.

Local specialist:

Iceland Northern Lights and waterfalls
Iceland | Nov 11 - Nov 17, 2017

Rick
Rick O.
Tampa, FL | Reviewed on Nov 20, 2017

Shaky. Definitely made it right - but I think we all would have preferred a smoother communication channel and not necessarily between us and Chris but rather getting the needed info to us to smooth the process i.e. direct contact info for accommodations (phone #'s!), the very important knowledge that an accommodation does not accept credit cards even though the reservation was secured with a credit card. Little things that need to be tightened up.
We could book through booking.com... read more

Shaky. Definitely made it right - but I think we all would have preferred a smoother communication channel and not necessarily between us and Chris but rather getting the needed info to us to smooth the process i.e. direct contact info for accommodations (phone #'s!), the very important knowledge that an accommodation does not accept credit cards even though the reservation was secured with a credit card. Little things that need to be tightened up.
We could book through booking.com ourselves and accomplish the same thing, we were looking for the "smoothing" aspect using Kim Kim.
As for the suggestions of places to visit and time to allow, I think Chris did an exceptional job! All of the accommodations were perfect for our trip and the vehicle suited the terrain we were traversing.
Despite the various hiccups, we all loved Iceland and our experience overall.

Local specialist:

Hiking iceland
Iceland | Sep 6 - Sep 20, 2017

Mathew
Mathew B.
Australia | Reviewed on Oct 08, 2017

What an amazing country and a well planned trip! Plenty to do and see.

Only issue was a few rough roads which could have been avoided that weren't really appropriate for an RV. In particular the road north of Detifoss. Best to approach from the south which is bitumen.

Local specialist:

Adventure with the Girls
Iceland | Sep 13 - Sep 20, 2017

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Shannon H.
Olympia, WA | Reviewed on Oct 02, 2017

I am SO glad we used Kimkim to organize our trip. I can't believe how quickly the time passed between booking our flights and when it was actually time to fly out. All of that planning I thought I'd have time to do disappeared in 6 months. It was so convenient to have an idea of the distances to travel, what to see and where, things to skip when we were short on time, and the highlights of each location. It brought a lot of peace of mind and much-needed structure to our road trip.

Chris... read more

I am SO glad we used Kimkim to organize our trip. I can't believe how quickly the time passed between booking our flights and when it was actually time to fly out. All of that planning I thought I'd have time to do disappeared in 6 months. It was so convenient to have an idea of the distances to travel, what to see and where, things to skip when we were short on time, and the highlights of each location. It brought a lot of peace of mind and much-needed structure to our road trip.

Chris provided exactly what we asked for, and went above and beyond when we needed last minute help and changes. His timeline gave us plenty to do on each day, and while we couldn't quite fit in every single thing, it was nice to know we already had our next destination planned and there was no time spent wondering where to go next.

Local specialist:

8-Day Ring Road, including Snaefellsnes Peninsula
Iceland | Sep 16 - Sep 24, 2017

Heidi
Heidi B.
Washington, NH | Reviewed on Oct 02, 2017

Chris put together a great itinerary and I am amazed at how much we saw. I really appreciated his insight and guidance on places to see. A great example is Seydisfjordur, a beautiful little Scandinavian village at the end of a fjord on the eastern coast. He had us there for a night and it was charming. Not knowing Iceland, I'm not sure on our own we would have ventured all the way out there.

Chris was very easy to communicate with and always promptly answered my questions or concerns.

Local specialist:

iceland wonders
Iceland | Sep 16 - Sep 24, 2017

annmarie
annmarie r.
Kissimmee, FL | Reviewed on Oct 02, 2017

I asked for breakfast included in all my accommodations, but some did not have breakfast and some others I had to pay extra and this was not communicated to me. Would also be good if there was more information given on the conditions of the roads in Iceland, as some were very bad with gravel and many potholes.

Some miscommunication about the tours cancellations. But at least the refund was completed promptly.

Local specialist:

Honeymoon!
Iceland | Sep 12 - Sep 23, 2017

Sarah
Sarah C.
Philadelphia, PA | Reviewed on Sep 27, 2017

We loved Chris's attention to detail when planning our trip. He really sought our unique experiences for us, and crafted a wonderful itinerary. Each day was a good balance of sight seeing and experience the culture through food and museum suggestions. So many things we would have missed if it weren't for his suggestions and guidance - we are so glad we went with kimkim for planning our honeymoon!

Chris is GREAT! He was extremely attentive with all of our questions and concerns about anything... read more

We loved Chris's attention to detail when planning our trip. He really sought our unique experiences for us, and crafted a wonderful itinerary. Each day was a good balance of sight seeing and experience the culture through food and museum suggestions. So many things we would have missed if it weren't for his suggestions and guidance - we are so glad we went with kimkim for planning our honeymoon!

Chris is GREAT! He was extremely attentive with all of our questions and concerns about anything regarding the schedule, booking day trips, even suggesting what to wear! We could not have gotten a better experience from our trip, and it's all thanks to his great itinerary.

Local specialist:

Honeymoon!
Iceland | Sep 12 - Sep 23, 2017

Evan
Evan C.
Philadelphia, PA | Reviewed on Sep 25, 2017

Our trip was absolutely perfect. I wouldn't have changed a single thing about our route, durations of stays, or destinations. Chris was so helpful throughout the entire process and kimkim made our honeymoon unforgettable. Would highly recommend and use again!

We wouldn't have had nearly as amazing of a honeymoon if it weren't for Chris's endless help! Thank you!

Local specialist:

Iceland - with fam
Iceland | Aug 14 - Aug 19, 2017

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david a.
| Reviewed on Sep 24, 2017

Great planning and coordination, however hotel accommodations were a bit out of control in terms of pricing and availability. $350 each night was expensive- were there alternatives such as renting a van that could sleep 3-4, just a thought. Thanks!

Local specialist:

Trip to Iceland
Iceland | Aug 30 - Sep 2, 2017

Barbara
Barbara W.
Canada | Reviewed on Sep 03, 2017

Chris' attention to detail was really appreciated. He did an excellent job with our trip from my first inquiry through to his "check in" note during our travels. We really enjoyed the out of the way and less visited places he suggested, and the hotels were fabulous!

As stated earlier Chris was friendly, knowledgeable and efficient. His suggestions were excellent, particularly his advice about how much we could realistically see and do in 3.5 days

Local specialist:

Solo trip in Iceland for ~6-7 days
Iceland | Aug 24 - Aug 31, 2017

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Nicholas H.
Singapore | Reviewed on Sep 02, 2017

Response time was excellent, and the expert was very accommodating to my requests

Local specialist:

Explore Iceland in 5 days - Seven Optimized Itineraries to help you make the most of your Short Trip to Iceland
Iceland | Jul 29 - Aug 9, 2017

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Sara Y.
Canada | Reviewed on Aug 29, 2017

Our trip was an amazing experience, we enjoyed the "adventure" of the suggested route, focusing on West and North Iceland. However, as a first visit to Iceland, we were disappointed we did not spend more time in Reykjavik and area. It deserves more. The suggested activities and places to see along the route were not always organized according to the drive. I also think it would be more helpful in the planning stages if you had more knowledge of the traveler(s) - sort of a "get to know your clients". All in all, it was great. Chris did a great job. Thank You.

Local specialist:

Girls Road Trip
Iceland | Aug 16 - Aug 22, 2017

Whitney
Whitney S.
Portland, OR | Reviewed on Aug 24, 2017

We had a difficult time sticking to the timeline as it seemed there was too much stuff for us to do in a day if we wanted to sleep in until about 8 and be at our hotel by 6 or 7 pm or so. Would be nice to have discussed how much we wanted to squeeze in one day. Otherwise, fantastic recommendations. All the restaurants, hotels, hikes, etc. were fantastic. Iceland is amazing.

Chris was prompt in responding to any questions and did a great job of booking all of our hotels and flights and... read more

We had a difficult time sticking to the timeline as it seemed there was too much stuff for us to do in a day if we wanted to sleep in until about 8 and be at our hotel by 6 or 7 pm or so. Would be nice to have discussed how much we wanted to squeeze in one day. Otherwise, fantastic recommendations. All the restaurants, hotels, hikes, etc. were fantastic. Iceland is amazing.

Chris was prompt in responding to any questions and did a great job of booking all of our hotels and flights and relaying the information to me. The only improvement that could be made here is to add a feature for saving all of your booking numbers, confirmation numbers, etc. for each flight, hotel, car reservation, lagoon reservations in one place. It was kind of confusing trying to go back and forth between our itinerary and my emails. Because I had to book the massages at the lagoon, I screwed up and only booked one, but that was totally my fault! Little things like that got confusing - like what I had to do vs. what Chris did for us.

Local specialist:

Iceland adventure
Iceland | Aug 8 - Aug 16, 2017

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Dan S.
Oakland, CA | Reviewed on Aug 23, 2017

Chris was great!

Local specialist:

Glaser family in iceland
Iceland | Aug 10 - Aug 18, 2017

Todd
Todd G.
Virginia Beach, VA | Reviewed on Aug 20, 2017

Without the help of Chris McCarty at Kim Kim, I would have been lost attempting to coordinate hotels and find sights around the coastline of Iceland. The timing from one location to another was perfect. This made a once in a lifetime trip as efficient as possible. Thank you

Local specialist:

Nature trip
Iceland | Aug 10 - Aug 16, 2017

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Nirdosh J.
Malvern, PA | Reviewed on Aug 18, 2017

Very nice trip overall

Local specialist:

Iceland driving tour
Iceland | Jul 25 - Aug 2, 2017

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Richard J.
Monrovia, CA | Reviewed on Aug 13, 2017

Chris was great to work with. He provided good recommendations for lodging and took care of making the arrangements. When one of the locations cancelled our reservation at the last minute because of a double booking he quickly helped us find another place. The sightseeing recommendations were very good.

Local specialist:

Volcano, Waterfalls, Fjords
Iceland | Aug 7 - Aug 11, 2017

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Clark A.
| Reviewed on Aug 13, 2017

Our first time with KimKim. We learned more about how to communicate with our tour planner. Some our fault, some his. We had a very difficult and unsatisfactory say at Centri Lodge. The other two locations were satisfactory. Yes, we dis comment back to the travel sites on all stays.

Communication of what we expected in lodgings vs. what we had. Other tour comments were in line in terms of what to do and see.

Local specialist:

Summer adventure
Iceland | Jul 22 - Aug 1, 2017

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Laura G.
Glyndon, MD | Reviewed on Aug 09, 2017

Really was a great trip. Day 2 needed a bit more instructions on sequence of stops. Food recommendations give were excellent, we could have used more recommended restaurants near we're we were booked to stay each night. Everything was really great and we had an awesome time.

Local specialist:

countryside of iceland
Iceland | Jun 23 - Jul 7, 2017

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susan t.
Canada | Reviewed on Aug 01, 2017

Our trip involved the Ring Road and our advisor, Chris timed each day perfectly with the amount of driving and sight-seeing. The majority of the accommodation was wonderful with only two exceptions. The car rental was better than expected and all of the tours we requested were as described.

We had requested the Silfra snorkeling tour in January and received our vouchers from KimKim in March. After being in Iceland for over a week, we received an email from the snorkeling company requesting a... read more

Our trip involved the Ring Road and our advisor, Chris timed each day perfectly with the amount of driving and sight-seeing. The majority of the accommodation was wonderful with only two exceptions. The car rental was better than expected and all of the tours we requested were as described.

We had requested the Silfra snorkeling tour in January and received our vouchers from KimKim in March. After being in Iceland for over a week, we received an email from the snorkeling company requesting a medical questionnaire be completed prior to our tour three days hence. 24 hours later, after submitting it back, they "red flagged" me (the mother) because I was 'over 60' which then required a doctor's clearance. We wasted the next full day driving to another town to see a doctor and/or fax our doctor back in Canada (as email was not possible to our doctor's office). We finally solved the problem with many arrangements and long distance telephone calls but it was with great stress as it was our featured tour. This could have been easily solved had Chris and the tour company communicated that age would be an issue so that back in January, we could have seen our doctor *in Canada* to receive clearance prior. My age was known from the beginning of our trip planning. Vouchers should not be issued if a medical clearance has not been signed!

Local specialist:

weekend at Glacier Lagoon
Iceland | Jul 11 - Jul 17, 2017

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Joan F.
Waltham, MA | Reviewed on Jul 24, 2017

Chris from Kimkim was a tremendous help, from beginning to end. He helped with all kinds of planning, even calling hotels I had booked separately to make sure they had the right kind of beds ready. Kimkim literally made the difference between a high anxiety trip and a relaxed one. Very highly recommended!

Chris went above and beyond what I would have expected. As a result, the trip was both better and easier than it would have been without his help.

Local specialist:

Iceland 2 week family summer getaway, with some of it off the beaten track
Iceland | Jul 5 - Jul 18, 2017

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Eva S.
Malvern, PA | Reviewed on Jul 20, 2017

We had a great trip to Iceland! Loved the country and expansive and beautiful landscapes. Kimkim (Chris) provided us with the inside knowledge we needed to plan this trip. The accommodations were good. Two weeks was about the right amount of time for this trip, as we covered a lot of miles.

Chris was great to work with and was very patient in answering my numerous questions. Glad that he recommended that we visit the westfjords, as this was one of our favorite parts of the trip. For some... read more

We had a great trip to Iceland! Loved the country and expansive and beautiful landscapes. Kimkim (Chris) provided us with the inside knowledge we needed to plan this trip. The accommodations were good. Two weeks was about the right amount of time for this trip, as we covered a lot of miles.

Chris was great to work with and was very patient in answering my numerous questions. Glad that he recommended that we visit the westfjords, as this was one of our favorite parts of the trip. For some of the things that we did it would have been nice to have some more detailed information in our itinerary so that we knew what to expect. For example, the road out to the Latrabjarg bird cliffs was a long, windy dirt road with not much room for vehicles to pass each other - and this whole excursion took us much longer than we expected. But, overall, the trip was a fantastic one and went smoothly!

Local specialist:

Family trip to Iceland
Iceland | Jun 30 - Jul 9, 2017

Mindy
Mindy B.
New Orleans, LA | Reviewed on Jul 11, 2017

It was very close to perfect. But, instead of sending a series of emails with the rental car, accommodation, and activities information, it would be better if all that information was accessible from the kimkim website so everything would be in one place.

Chris planned great activities, and he did a wonderful job with the accommodations. I wish there was more detail in his itinerary, though. Maybe he could include the price range for recommended restaurants and/or a warning that certain places had very limited restaurant options.

Local specialist:

Iceland Driving, Hiking, Camping
Iceland | Jun 22 - Jul 1, 2017

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Brendan M.
Australia | Reviewed on Jul 09, 2017

Amazing specialist helping us out and made it a really special and exciting trip tailored just the way we wanted. Thank you to his dedication!

Again, fantastic specialist and was 100% the reason our trip was so perfect. Big thanks to him in particular. Chris is who really made the trip awesome and ensured that personally.

Local specialist:

Unique Ways to Explore Iceland in 5 days
Iceland | Jun 21 - Jun 27, 2017

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nick R.
Australia | Reviewed on Jul 08, 2017

The accommodation near Vik, Sólheimahjáleiga Guesthouse , was outrageously expensive for what it was , and compared with the proper hotel the next night, Litli Geysir Hotel

You should add the Lava Centre to your itinerary. http://www.lavacentre.is/ We enjoyed a hour or two there and it provided some useful information about the thermal region. One of the useful titbit was to watch for the dome to form in the geyser before it erupts:

Local specialist:

Long weekend in Iceland
Iceland | Jun 30 - Jul 4, 2017

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Catherine G.
Norwalk, CT | Reviewed on Jul 05, 2017

Chris planned a perfect itinerary for us. We only a long weekend to spend in Iceland and we felt that we got to see a lot in a little time. Additionally, Chris encouraged us to stay away from tourist traps and instead explore an area that we might not have thought of on our own. Our activities were a great balance of active and relaxing. Looking forward to going back another time to explore a different area.

Local specialist:

June
Iceland | Jun 14 - Jun 17, 2017

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Heather M.
Canada | Reviewed on Jun 25, 2017

Overall, the experience with KimKim was quite good. Need to check the rules about the car rentals. We were shocked by the massive deposit required by Sixt Car Rental in Iceland. Nowhere on our paperwork did it denote that they wanted a $2000 hold on our card for 20 days. We were forced to buy added insurance to get the deposit down. Also, need to be careful about where you book people based on their 'lifestyle'. Our second stay was at a hostel which was very inappropriate for who we were. It... read more

Overall, the experience with KimKim was quite good. Need to check the rules about the car rentals. We were shocked by the massive deposit required by Sixt Car Rental in Iceland. Nowhere on our paperwork did it denote that they wanted a $2000 hold on our card for 20 days. We were forced to buy added insurance to get the deposit down. Also, need to be careful about where you book people based on their 'lifestyle'. Our second stay was at a hostel which was very inappropriate for who we were. It was adequate but the beds were very uncomfortable.

A few more details on a couple of things and more appropriate accommodations would have helped.

Local specialist:

Iceland Adventure
Iceland | Jun 1 - Jun 12, 2017

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Sara V.
Arlington, VA | Reviewed on Jun 17, 2017

I do have some feedback, really for North Sailing, but wanted to share here too since they are a partner of KimKim. We went on a whale watching tour which departed from Husavik. The seas were rough on the day of our reservations. When we checked in, the person assisting noted this to us - I was not sure exactly what this meant. They had already canceled some of the other trips that day.

We were provided with the jumpers, raincoats, and gloves. The waves were about 10 feet high and a number... read more

I do have some feedback, really for North Sailing, but wanted to share here too since they are a partner of KimKim. We went on a whale watching tour which departed from Husavik. The seas were rough on the day of our reservations. When we checked in, the person assisting noted this to us - I was not sure exactly what this meant. They had already canceled some of the other trips that day.

We were provided with the jumpers, raincoats, and gloves. The waves were about 10 feet high and a number of them broke partially over the bow of the boat. There was no rain. The boat seemed to rock side to side at roughly a 20-degree angle. My mom (70 yrs-old), who was for a short time next to the side about mid-way down, noted that the sea level was about 2 1/2 to 3 feet from the top of the boat railing. Our backpacks were placed on a bench in front of the captain's control room (bridge on larger ships) and with one of the tips went sliding off and hit the side of the boat where my mom was standing. My husband followed shortly thereafter. He was also seated on the same bench. He slammed into my mom and she sustained a knee injury - it still needs to be diagnosed but it is either a sprain or possibly a minor tear.

After that, one of the guides was very helpful in helping my mom (I was too sick to assist). She made sure she had a raincoat and gloves and brought her to a better location on the boat (top deck). I was sick nearly the whole time. I am susceptible to motion sickness so I knew this would be a possibility; however, over the course of the trip about 2/3 of the approximately 24 guests had thrown up at least once.

That all being said, we did see whales. My perspective is that the decision to go out was not a good call. The conditions I would say were unsafe - considering that it is not unfathomable that someone could have gone overboard which would be pretty terminal (the life ring would not do much in those kinds of seas) - and the majority of the guests were sick. In the cafe afterward, some of the guests appeared pretty stunned - starring into space. Please pass along to North Sailing.

Overall, we were very happy with Chris' work on the Iceland trip. He provided valuable input that really shaped the trip itinerary. We ended up going around the ring road which we would not have thought of if Chris had not suggested it. We are so glad we did! Having information on the sites was very helpful and of course having someone knowledgeable about lodging and booking the accommodations, car rental, and activities was super!

Local specialist:

Unique Ways to Explore Iceland in 6 days
Iceland | May 27 - Jun 2, 2017

William
William H.
Breinigsville, PA | Reviewed on Jun 04, 2017

I was very pleased with the work done by kimkim.

My family and I really made it challenging for Chris to arrange our plans: We were located in 3 different cities all giving different feedback. Chris did an excellent job coordinating and adjusting to our {changing} needs.

Local specialist:
Chris
Chris McCarty
Local specialist in Berkeley, CA | Reviewed on Jun 20, 2017

Hi William, I'm very glad that you and your family had a nice time in Iceland, even despite some unforeseen obstacles. We're always up for the challenge to help design the perfect trip, and we hope to see you again soon wherever your next travels may take you.

Explore Iceland
Iceland | May 19 - May 27, 2017

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Amol L.
Atlanta, GA | Reviewed on May 29, 2017

Chris had very good suggestions and advice during the planning stages of the trip. His experience was very valuable in customizing the trip. Everything went on smoothly. We had no trouble finding accommodations. The places were comfortable and as cheap as one could get in Iceland. The places were also located strategically such that we could get to the attractions reasonably quickly and before it got completely mobbed.

Chris also provided detailed recommendations for each day for... read more

Chris had very good suggestions and advice during the planning stages of the trip. His experience was very valuable in customizing the trip. Everything went on smoothly. We had no trouble finding accommodations. The places were comfortable and as cheap as one could get in Iceland. The places were also located strategically such that we could get to the attractions reasonably quickly and before it got completely mobbed.

Chris also provided detailed recommendations for each day for places to see, hikes to take, and also restaurants. We fully followed those recommendations and were rewarded. remember that in Iceland, every attraction is not marked 20 miles ahead. Therefore, it is easy to miss some. Having a local expert is priceless.

Overall, booking with kimkim was an excellent decision.

Local specialist:
Chris
Chris McCarty
Local specialist in Berkeley, CA | Reviewed on Jun 20, 2017

Hi Amol, thank you for your review and your photos (they look great!). I'm glad that you had a smooth trip and enjoyed the places we recommended. Hope to see you again soon!

-Chris

Iceland 101
Iceland | May 13 - May 18, 2017

J
j b.
Washington, DC | Reviewed on May 22, 2017

The north and east was great, the south was so-so. Some of the hotels were passable. The food was good but outrageously expensive.

Chris was very responsive to the wide range of questions. Response time varied a lot depending on his schedule or travel

Local specialist:

Anniversary trip
Iceland | May 4 - May 11, 2017

Patrick
Patrick M.
WA | Reviewed on May 14, 2017

It would be great if kimkim could provide google maps links that provide a driving route. I manually created google maps routes each night for the next day- although i am fine with doing it, but i dont think other folks would have been ok with tackling that activity. The manual entry was challenging with the spelling of icelandic destinations.

Chris' trip was outatanding, and I greatly appreciated how he went the extra mile to find a riding tour that was appropriate for my wife's riding experience. It was a highlight of the trip!

Local specialist:
Chris
Chris McCarty
Local specialist in Berkeley, CA | Reviewed on Jun 20, 2017

Patrick, I'm glad that you had a nice trip and that your wife enjoyed the riding experience! Thank you for the feedback about the Google maps, we have been more consistent with this since your trip for our future travels, and I'm sure that they appreciate your part in that.

-Chris

Iceland Variety Trip
Iceland | Apr 9 - Apr 17, 2017

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Brent W.
New York, NY | Reviewed on May 13, 2017

We had an amazing time, and thought that KimKim did quite a good job, especially given the short notice for our trip. There were several issues that could have been better:
1) There was several recommendations of places to go that were simply impossible to see at the time of the trip - as an example, the Leirhnjukur Lava Fields were completely inaccessible. This happened to us on several occassions, which caused us to spend time that could have been better spent at places that were simply... read more

We had an amazing time, and thought that KimKim did quite a good job, especially given the short notice for our trip. There were several issues that could have been better:
1) There was several recommendations of places to go that were simply impossible to see at the time of the trip - as an example, the Leirhnjukur Lava Fields were completely inaccessible. This happened to us on several occassions, which caused us to spend time that could have been better spent at places that were simply not accessable.
2) In some of the itinerary, there could have been more detail in terms of actually finding the locations. As an example, where exactly is Hvalnes Nature Reserve? It would be useful, when doing a self guided tour to have more specific directions and suggestions about what to look out for, where to turn, and where to park, etc.
3) In the town of Vik, it would have been I good idea to let us know that we needed to call ahead to make reservations for dinner.
4) There was some really sketchy and somewhat dangerous driving, and I think that we could have been better prepared for that. In addition, the driving times in many instances were a severe underestimate of the actual driving time.

These things being said, we did have an exciting and unforgettable trip!

We thought that Chris did a very good job, and was quite helpful when I reached out to him during the trip.

Local specialist:

adventure and sight seeing
Iceland | Mar 29 - Apr 4, 2017

Mari
Mari A.
Milwaukee, WI | Reviewed on May 08, 2017

Chris was very fast to answer, and so informative!

Local specialist:
Chris
Chris McCarty
Local specialist in Berkeley, CA | Reviewed on Jun 20, 2017

Hi Mari, thanks for your review. It looks like you had a great trip!

iceland in 9 days
Iceland | Apr 25 - May 4, 2017

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Anna S.
New Zealand | Reviewed on May 08, 2017

It was pretty much perfect. One day we drove a long way to some hot springs, probably ended up being and extra 2 hrs to find they didn't open untill 4pm. Should've checked but worth adding to the info sheet. Didn't mind too much though.

Local specialist:
Chris
Chris McCarty
Local specialist in Berkeley, CA | Reviewed on Jun 20, 2017

Hi Anna, I'm glad that your trip was (mostly) perfect, thank you for your note about the hot springs, we will make sure to inform future travelers of this so that they can plan their day accordingly.

Best,
-Chris

Self Drive tour for family with young children
Iceland | Apr 7 - Apr 17, 2017

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Abigail A.
San Diego, CA | Reviewed on Apr 25, 2017

It was helpful to have someone with knowledge of the area to help us book rooms. However, the itinerary seemed somewhat generic rather than customized. For example, there were several recommendations on the itinerary that were not open during the winter season. Also, because it was winter and the roads were not always in the best condition, it would have been nice if the itinerary was a little more specific with directions (i.e. what roads were before/after) rather than just saying look for the signs. We relied a lot more on a Rough Guide and a detailed map than I had expected to.

Local specialist:

Top 12 Family Activities in Iceland
Iceland | Apr 14 - Apr 18, 2017

Jennifer
Jennifer R.
NY | Reviewed on Apr 24, 2017

I was really pleased with the itinerary put together for us. We weren't able to do everything but we did almost everything and found some other interesting additions along the way.

Local specialist:

Nature, Culture, Unique Experiences, Less Crowd
Iceland | Apr 5 - Apr 18, 2017

J
Joan L.
Stanhope, NJ | Reviewed on Apr 22, 2017

The whole trip was planned half-way easier knowing what to do and what shall be expected in Iceland with assistance of kimkim's service.

Chris was able to adjust / alter the itinerary according to our preferences and requests and it turned out to be a successful journey. Most of the time we stayed 2 night straight at the same hotel and as a result it allowed us to revisit places and savor the dramatic landscapes we were not able to enjoy at the first day due to extreme weather condition in this April.

Local specialist:

Honeymoon adventure
Iceland | Mar 27 - Apr 5, 2017

S
Sara K.
Evanston, IL | Reviewed on Apr 08, 2017

The trip was amazing. Loved the tips on stops and restaurants. Really happy with most of the accommodations. Will definitely be using Kimkim in the future

Only complaint was we weren't the happiest with the car rental place, didn't seem the reputable. Also the accommodations at the centric house, while centrally located, were very dirty for the price paid. Other than that, very happy.

Loved working with Chris, however would like an heads up when credit card would be charged so we could make sure the money was in the account.

Local specialist:
Chris
Chris McCarty
Local specialist in Berkeley, CA | Reviewed on Jun 20, 2017

Hi Sara, thank you for your review and great photos! Looks like the two of you had a nice time. I'm glad that you enjoyed Iceland.

Thank you for your feedback on the car rental place, we are looking into this a bit more to decide if this is the right partner to work with for future travelers.

Best,
-Chris

Family trip
Iceland | Mar 26 - Apr 1, 2017

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Laura G.
Watertown, MA | Reviewed on Apr 03, 2017

We had the BEST time! Thanks so much Chris!

Local specialist:
Chris
Chris McCarty
Local specialist in Berkeley, CA | Reviewed on Jun 20, 2017

You're VERY welcome, Laura!

Iceland Adventure
Iceland | Mar 17 - Mar 31, 2017

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Allison R.
Canada | Reviewed on Apr 02, 2017

We were really pleased with Chris's response time and the trip schedule for making our way around the country. It was clear that Chris was not aware that a few of the sites and one of roads were closed for the winter. I also specifically asked about Glymur falls in the winter and if the log was across the river and what it would be like in March. Chris said the log would be there, however it was clearly marked on the sign at the trailhead that the log is not there in the winter. The hike... read more

We were really pleased with Chris's response time and the trip schedule for making our way around the country. It was clear that Chris was not aware that a few of the sites and one of roads were closed for the winter. I also specifically asked about Glymur falls in the winter and if the log was across the river and what it would be like in March. Chris said the log would be there, however it was clearly marked on the sign at the trailhead that the log is not there in the winter. The hike was very snowy. We were prepared for that. Good hike either way but again some misinformation given the time of year. Our accommodation was generally excellent and very comfortable for our family of four. The OK hotel was good but the "pull out couch" was not long enough even for me to sleep on (I'm 5 foot 5 inches) let alone two 17 year old boys. Just good to know if you are putting a family in there it would work for two young kids.

Local specialist:

Iceland in Winter
Iceland | Mar 16 - Mar 19, 2017

Grace
Grace L.
Miller Place, NY | Reviewed on Mar 26, 2017

Chris was very helpful and insightful. Always repsonded promptly.

Loved his suggestions and his possible itineraries he laid out for us. There were options and comments to help us gauge how we can cover all that we intended to see.

Local specialist:
Chris
Chris McCarty
Local specialist in Berkeley, CA | Reviewed on Jun 20, 2017

Grace, what great photos you took! Hope the snow wasn't too much in March, but it sure makes some of those photos quite magical.

I'm happy that you liked the suggestions and options that we put together for you.

Best,
- Chris

Iceland
Iceland | Mar 3 - Mar 10, 2017

Mike
Mike M.
Canada | Reviewed on Mar 13, 2017

Chris was there to help me with everything with a fast response!

Local specialist:
Chris
Chris McCarty
Local specialist in Berkeley, CA | Reviewed on Mar 15, 2017

Hi Mike, I'm glad that you enjoyed the service and I hope you had a great time in Iceland. Hope to see you back again for your next trip!

8-Day Ring Road Adventure: Explore Iceland’s Top Places Along Its Most Famous Road
Iceland | Feb 22 - Feb 28, 2017

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Mathew F.
Australia | Reviewed on Mar 06, 2017

My itinerary was great overall. Well paced, stopped at many terrific highlights and quite achievable.
It did however feel like it was written quite generically - that is to say, just a copy paste job rather than something tailored. As an example, one restaurant in Hellnar which was recommended (and pretty much the only one for miles) was closed for the winter. This is confirmed with a search on Google, it's not a one off. I would expect this recommendation to be removed for winter trips.... read more

My itinerary was great overall. Well paced, stopped at many terrific highlights and quite achievable.
It did however feel like it was written quite generically - that is to say, just a copy paste job rather than something tailored. As an example, one restaurant in Hellnar which was recommended (and pretty much the only one for miles) was closed for the winter. This is confirmed with a search on Google, it's not a one off. I would expect this recommendation to be removed for winter trips. Mentions of daily drive distances were a bit off - example, the second last day I had to drive from Skaftafell to Reykjavik (320km, 4hr), not Vik to Reykjavik (180km, 2hr20min) as mentioned in the itinerary. My guess is that Chris used a base itinerary to build mine which is fine, but some of the smaller details were not altered to conform to mine.

My main gripe though is the choice of car hire. I should have looked more closely before agreeing, but I'm generally wary about dodgy operators other than the core Avis, Budget, Hertz, Thrifty. While it might be cheap initially, they do the hard sell at the desk on added insurances, in this case 30 Euro a day (for things like gravel protection, sand protection, reduced excess etc), which still has exclusions. I asked Chris about insurances, he said it included liability and collision and asked if I wanted any additional. Turns out that cover doesn't cover much, and it still includes an approx. $2200AUD excess. Further - the company would put a hold on my card for $2200AUD for going on 10 days after the rental has ended. This is really unsettling and not to mention an inconvenience.

While this isn't strictly Kimkim/Chris's fault, the selection of the car hire company is really important. The discussions online about the chosen car hire company are really worrying.

Chris was very responsive and answered all of my questions promptly.

Local specialist:
Chris
Chris McCarty
Local specialist in Berkeley, CA | Reviewed on Mar 15, 2017

Hi Matthew, I'm glad that overall you had a good experience.

Regarding the car hire, thank you for sharing your experience, we have stopped using these services for our other travelers, as we want the process to be as transparent as possible.