Odynovo Tours Co., Ltd

Eleanor is an excellent planner. She was knowledgable and helpful in the planning process as well as throughout our trip. I appreciate how clear Eleanor was in her communication with us. She was prompt and consistent in her responses, and always available and able to answer questions/ change bookings etc. Knowing Eleanor was on hand to help in the event of difficulty was reassuring to myself and the other members of our party.

Eleanor also put us in touch with Yoshika, who was a fantastic tour guide for our time in Kyoto.

Many thanks to Eleanor for helping us to make the trip of a lifetime in Japan!

Hotel Reviews

Kyoto Umekoji Kadensho - Private Bath Facility

Wonderful space with traditional tatami mats throughout (no shoes allowed past entrance). The rooms were comfortable, clean and quiet, and the breakfast delicious. The staff was helpful and attentive. Would definitely stay here again when traveling to Kyoto.

Authenticity & Character

Traditional tatami floors, futon beds, shoji doors throughout. The baths were lovely too.

Location

About a 45min-1hour walk from the central shopping area and Gion neighborhood, 20-30 min walk from Kyoto Train Station. It was nice to retreat from the crowds to have a relaxing sleep and leisurely start to each day.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Groove Shinjuku

Tokyo

Nice spot to start and end out trip with. Large, western-style hotel in Shinjuku (busy commercial and transportation hub area). A reliable choice for cleanliness and tasty food.

Authenticity & Character

Fun theme of records and vintage music.

Location

Bang in the middle of a very busy area of Tokyo (Shinjuku). Good if you're happy to be in crowds first thing in the morning with lots of commercial outlets near by.

Staff

Very helpful and attentive staff who managed the chaos of check in and out with ease.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Rooms were quiet and clean. Very comfy beds for an excellent sleep.

Activity Reviews

Sightseeing in Kyoto: Arashiyama & Zen Temples

Kyoto

Fun, quirky and beautiful sites to visit. More crowded but helpful to have a guide to help navigate and cut-down the need for constant decision making on our part!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Wonderful Day in Uji & Nara

Kyoto

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Explore the Spiritual and Tranquil Kyoto with Fushimi Inari (for Laura)

Kyoto

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Kimono Tea Ceremony at Kyoto Maikoya

Kyoto

Quite a touristy experience. Wasn't my favorite of the trip, although not sure if there were other ways of witnessing this special practice.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our trip was wonderful. Planning and booking was easy thanks to Lisa and all her advice was spot on.
We had absolutely no issues throughout the trip - all drivers and guides were excellent - particularly Yestin in Beijing & Betty in Chengdu. Would also like to make a special mention to Chow (Mike) in Zhangjiajie - he went above and beyond to make our visit fun, despite the terrible weather that could not be helped - excellent service and a lovely man!
We loved visiting the Pandas (we love animals!) and Betty was wonderful in navigating us away from the crowds and long line ups. The Zhangjiajie region was spectacular, but we really loved everywhere we visited. Thank you to everyone who made our trip very memorable!

Hotel Reviews

Tibet Hotel Chengdu

Chengdu

Great location and very lovely hotel!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Jolie Vue Boutique Hotel

Guilin

Great hotel for Guilin stay - the location is excellent and view from the bistro is amazing.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Li River Resort

Our favourite hotel on our China tour - very relaxing with a lovely river view!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Sunrise On The Bund

A good location for Shanghai’s Bund!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Beijing Highlights:Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City & Hutongs

Beijing

Excellent way to start our China experience. Our guide Yestin was very good and knowledgeable.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Hiking along the Majestic Great Wall, Summer Palace

Beijing

We had a wonderful day visiting the Great Wall. Our guide, Yestin was excellent, especially at helping us avoid the really crowded areas and lone line ups!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Marvel at the Picturesque Landscape in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park

Zhangjiajie

A highlight of our China trip, the Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is spectacular, we had a wonderful time thanks to Chow, our guide who was a superstar in guiding us through all there was to see!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Revel in the Splendor of Zhangjiajie - Grand Canyon and Tianmen Mountain

Zhangjiajie

Unfortunately the weather was not ideal for our visit to Zhangjiajie’s Grand Canyon & Tiananmen Mountain - but despite this we had an amazing time anyway! Thanks to Chow, our Guide who helped make the day memorable and fun!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Marvel at the Li River: China's Most Picturesque River

Guilin

The Li Cruise was lovely - a relaxing way to see the spectacular scenery along the beautiful river.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Explore Chengdu: Pandas, Wuhou Shrine,Jinli Ancient Street

Chengdu

LOVED, LOVED, LOVED the Pandas! Even though the Panda Centre seemed to be crowded, Betty our guide was able to keep us away from long lines and we had plenty of stress free time to just watch the beautiful animals. One of our favourite days in China.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Yulong River Rafting Experence

Yangshuo

The bamboo rafting experience was a little bit of fun and a great way to see the scenery of the river.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Explore the Scenic Countryside in Yangshuo by Cycling

China

We opted out of this activity due to the weather!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Chongqing City Highlights One-Day Tour

Chongqing

The Chongqing City is pretty cool but this tour was not one of our favourites of China’s city tours. Yudy the guide was nice, but the spots we saw were pretty lame and not really that interesting and we didn’t see everything that was listed (didn’t get taken to Raffles City to do the Sky Bridge or see the Hongya Cave light up at night - only during the day with almost nothing happening). Overall the tour seemed a bit rushed - it would have been better to start in the late afternoon into the evening.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Visit the Highlights in Shanghai

Shanghai

We enjoyed our Shanghai City Highlights tour, with the highlight being the Yu Garden.

Quality of Experience

I

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We enjoyed a spectacular visit to Japan which we could not have had without Eleanor at kimkim. Thank you doesn't begin to express our deep gratitude for how well she orchestrated our experience. From arranging hotel reservations, private guides and drivers, and answering my countless questions about various details, all was handled with grace, patience, humor and skill. Our time in Japan went very smoothly and when we requested a change Eleanor seamlessly made adjustments to suit our needs. We felt very well cared for. We couldn't have asked for a more competent agent and advisor. Eleanor was a pleasure to work with and helped our Japan travel dream come true.

This was my first time using KimKim and first trip to Japan.

Shona is truly amazing! I’m truly grateful for all her help! She was very thoughtful in everything she arranged. She helped ensure I got to do everything I wanted to, in the multiple cities I visited, while staying within budget. The activities, tours and guides were fantastic!

Shona was always there during my trip as well, to ensure an authentic and memorable experience! I met so many great people, made so many memories, and took so many great photos.

Thank you, again!

When I think about this trip, the first thing that comes to mind is the incredible level of planning required for a 12-day trip in China for my wife and I. Planning our trip through KimKim was an incredibly smooth and stress-free experience. The initial setup was simple, and we were quickly connected with our local China specialist, Heidi, who was an absolute pleasure to work with. She was responsive, accommodating, and consistently offered thoughtful solutions that made our itinerary even better. Heidi made me feel like I was her only client, while also going above and beyond to create an unforgettable experience for my wife and I. I was unfamiliar with how accessibility works in China, but Heidi handled every single detail flawlessly. From coordinating transportation between hotels in different cities, to selecting ideal locations to visit, arranging private tours, and ensuring smooth drop-off/pickup at airports and train stations -- nothing was overlooked. We literally felt like royalty the second we got off that plane as Heidi thought of everything. One of the standout aspects of the trip was the thoughtfully designed itinerary. Each day included planned activities, but there was also flexibility built in for leisure time.

What made this trip so special wasn’t just the destination, but was how personal and thoughtfully curated every moment felt. Traveling in a new country can sometimes feel overwhelming, but with KimKim everything was handled so professionally that we could simply relax and enjoy the experience. That level of organization made traveling around the country very easy.

At every step we felt safe, comfortable, and well looked after by the excellent bi-lingual tour guides. The tour guides made this journey extraordinary, especially Emma (Beijing), Kathy (Xi’an), Ethan (Zhangjiajie), and Autumn (Shanghai). Thanks to them, we enjoyed our China adventure and now have very fond memories that will last a lifetime. The tour guides would come and get us from our hotels and bring us back to our hotels. They would check in with us daily to make sure we knew where we were going and had any questions. They were all knowledgeable, warm, and clearly excited to share her culture and stories with us as well as learning about our culture (especially learning about our county’s slang). Their enthusiasm made the experience feel much more personal and engaging. Their warmth and good humor even outshined their obvious depth of knowledge and skill of communication. Every guide made us feel like we traveling with a family member. They selected fantastic restaurants throughout each city where we could enjoy authentic local food without worrying about our dietary needs. Every recommendation was spot-on. They were so much fun to spend time with!

And I would be remiss not to mention the hotels KimKim selected, which elevated the trip even further. Everywhere we stayed, we felt less like guests at a hotel and more like we were being welcomed into someone’s home. Also, all of our drivers were excellent as well—professional, safe, and reliable.

As this was our 2nd trip with KimKim, all the arrangements made by them have always been 100 reliable, including accommodation, transportation and activities. Overall, this trip exceeded every expectation. The itinerary was the perfect blend of city action, historical insight, and natural wonder. Overall, KimKim, especially Heidi, made our China trip feel personalized, well-supported, and wonderfully memorable. Highly recommended them for anyone seeking a well-organized, locally informed travel experience.

Activity Reviews

Full day with Great Wall and Changling Tomb in Beijing

Beijing

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

A Glimpse into China's Imperial Past: the Fobidden City

Beijing

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Peking Duck Experience

Beijing

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Visit the Picturesque Summer Palace

Beijing

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

The Tang Dynasty Show (1hour)

Xi'an

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Chinese dumpling dinner

Xi'an

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Explore Xi'an City: Ancient City Wall and Drum Tower

Xi'an

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Marvel at the Picturesque Landscape in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park

Zhangjiajie

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Day Trip to Zhujiajiao Water Town with Boat Ride

Shanghai

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Explore the Temple of Heaven

Beijing

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

See the Terracotta Army

Xi'an

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Day Trip to Suzhou and Tongli Water Town City Tour

Shanghai

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Full day Tour with Golden Whip Creek&Ten Mile Gallery & Baofeng Lake

Zhangjiajie

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Zhangjiajie Park Tour - Grand Canyon with glass bridge

Zhangjiajie

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Half Day City Tour with the Yu Garden

Shanghai

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Our trip to South Korea with Kimkim was truly the trip of a lifetime—honestly, it exceeded even our highest expectations. We were already passionate about South Korea, its culture, history, food, and of course BTS, so we came with a long “must-see” list. We shared those dreams with Kimkim, and somehow they turned every one of them into reality—and then added so much more.

From the very beginning in Seoul, Kimkim hit the nail on the head. As BTS fans, visiting places significant to their journey to stardom was incredibly meaningful, and Kimkim thoughtfully wove those experiences into our itinerary. But beyond that, they immersed us in Korean culture in the most unforgettable ways. Wearing traditional hanboks while exploring Gyeongbokgung Palace felt like stepping into history. Walking through Bukchon Hanok Village was magical, and visiting N Seoul Tower gave us breathtaking views of Seoul we will never forget.

And then there was Wookie—our guide in Seoul, Andong, and Busan—who was simply exceptional. Wookie was not just a guide; he felt like a friend we were lucky enough to travel with. He listened when we told him one of our biggest wishes was simple: “Take us where you like to eat.” And wow, did he deliver. Our food experiences were beyond anything we imagined—from Korean fried chicken, Andong’s famous jjimdak, and incredible seaweed soup in Busan, to even stopping at a roadside rest area where we had one of the most memorable lunches and tasted warm hodugwaja donuts (still dreaming about those!). Through food alone, Wookie gave us a deeper connection to Korea.

Our journey to Andong was full of surprises and authentic moments. Wandering through the traditional market, interacting with the kind and welcoming shopkeepers, and experiencing the cultural village with its mask performance during cherry blossom season felt like walking through another era. It was one of those places that leaves a permanent mark on your heart.

Then came Busan, and once again Wookie made us feel less like tourists and more like locals. Riding the Busan Sky Capsule was unforgettable and something we highly recommend. From exploring the BIFF district and fish markets to wandering through one of the world’s largest department stores, every day felt alive with discovery.

Just when we thought the trip couldn’t get any better, we arrived in Jeju Island and met Clover—another extraordinary guide who gave us an entirely different, but equally incredible, side of Korea. Clover was warm, knowledgeable, adventurous, and so much fun to spend time with. She made Jeju feel magical.

With Clover, we visited a BTS-themed café, explored the fascinating Jeju Haenyeo Museum, and climbed Seongsan Ilchulbong where we were lucky enough to witness the legendary women divers in action—absolutely breathtaking. She introduced us to foods we never would have discovered on our own, including eun-galchi (silver hairtail fish), which I still crave, and the black pork BBQ experience… honestly, we nearly cried over how delicious it was.

Another unforgettable day was visiting Jeongbang Falls with Clover. For adventurous travelers, this is a must. Sitting by the water eating fresh-caught abalone and conch was one of those spontaneous travel moments you remember forever. We also marveled at the dramatic beauty of Daepo Jusangjeolli Cliff and its stunning hexagonal rock formations.

And I would be remiss not to mention the hotels Kimkim selected, which elevated the trip even further. The Westin Josun Seoul, Signiel Busan, and Grand Hyatt Jeju all had the most welcoming, gracious staff. Everywhere we stayed, we felt less like guests at a hotel and more like we were being welcomed into someone’s home.

What made this trip so special wasn’t just the destinations—it was how personal and thoughtfully curated every moment felt. Kimkim didn’t just plan a vacation; they created an experience full of heart, culture, adventure, and memories we will treasure forever.

And Wookie and Clover… they made this journey extraordinary. Their warmth, humor, knowledge, and genuine care transformed this from a tour into something deeply personal and unforgettable.

We can say without hesitation: Kimkim gave us the trip of a lifetime. South Korea stole our hearts all over again, and thanks to Kimkim, we are already dreaming of coming back. If there is ever a reason to return for another adventure (and we hope there is!), we would book with Kimkim again in a heartbeat.

Thank you for memories we will carry forever.