Kimkim Trip Reviews

My son and I took a trip to Japan and planned it through kimkim. Our local agent Angel was amazing to work with and connected us with the best tour guides in Tokyo and Kyoto. She stayed in touch with us throughout the trip and made sure we had all the information we needed to travel efficiently. We could not have asked for a better experience. I definitely will use kimkim again when booking a custom luxury vacation.

Hotel Review

Courtyard by Marriott Shin-Osaka Station

Osaka

Authenticity & Character

Could tell it was an American brand

Location

Near train station

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Drive to Hakone from Tokyo

Japan

This was one of my favorite days. Motoki was once again very accommodating and made sure we got to see everything we wanted. Our driver was also very accommodating and there to pick us up whenever we were ready to move on to the next stop.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Vehicle was extremely comfortable

Tokyo Night Foodie Tour in Shinjuku

Tokyo

Minnie was a great guide and the food was incredible. Loved that it was a small group and we got to know our guide and the other couple in the tour.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Tokyo Highlights Day Tour - East & West

Tokyo

Our tour guide Motoki was fantastic. He made sure that we got to see and do all that we wanted in addition to what was on our itinerary. He also shared stories of the Japanese culture that added to our experience.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Motoki was the BEST!

Transport

We visited Morocco in October 2025 and had an amazing experience from Marrakech to Casablanca. Our car was clean, comfortable, and air-conditioned, and our driver Mostapha was fantastic. We had excellent local guides at every stop and stayed in beautiful Riads in Marrakech, Dades Valley, Fez and Chefchaouen, plus an unforgettable night in a desert camp in Merzouga–Erg Chebbi. Our local contact was Said from Original travels and he was very responsive. He offered us upgrades and other benefits throughout the trip. Great service, reasonable prices, and truly a 5-star experience. Highly recommend!

Hotel Reviews

Riad Fes Maya Suite & Spa

Fès

An old palace converters into a riad. Has old world charm but very dimly lit, sheets have musty smell and very noisy. We also didn’t have good experience with the dining staff

Authenticity & Character

Location

Very noisy, far from center of Medina

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Tiziri Luxury Camp

Merzouga

We didn’t get to stay here but was send to another camp, which was disappointing.

Authenticity & Character

We didn’t stay here, so don’t know

Location

We didn’t stay here, so don’t know

Staff

We didn’t stay here, so don’t know

Cleanliness & Comfort

We didn’t stay here, so don’t know

Dar Rihana Dades

Douar Aït Ouffi

Family run hotel at Dades valley, attentive service. On the bank of a river but not much of a view.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Riad Diamond of Marrakech

Marrakech

Central location at the heart of the Medina. Newly renovated. Great service. Great food options nearby

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Guided Exploration of the "Blue City" Chefchaouen

Chefchaouen

Blue city in the mountains views are spectacular from the top. Fun to walk in the alleyways.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Guided Tour of Fez Medina

Fes

Must do tour of Fez, Fez Medina is much more authentic. Best chance to look at local handicrafts up close

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Merzouga to Fes via Rissani, Midelt, & the Atlas Mountains

Morocco

Very comfortable car, great drive Mustapha made all the difference in these long trips

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

ATV Ride in the Dunes of Merzouga

Merzouga

Very fun, our first time on the ATV and throughly enjoyed, even did tight turns along the way. Exhilarating to climb a duns, race down and repeat.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Drive from Boumalne Dades to Merzouga via Tinghir & Rissani, Sunset Camel Ride

Morocco

Definitely highlight of the tour, camel ride to the camp and stopping on the way to watch spectacular sunset

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Marrakech Evening Food Tour

Marrakesh

Fun way to explore local food

Quality of Experience

All good except little late for the lamb place, they almost ran out

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Visit Majorelle Gardens

Morocco

We went here next morning. Was not too busy. We didn’t find much to see. Having a guide would be great.

Quality of Experience

Transport

Half-Day Guided Tour of Marrakech

Marrakesh

Knowledgeable local guide, took us to all local spots, gave us time to explore. Also good conversation.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Our drivers Rui and Carlos were super friendly and knowledgeable. Carlos was especially entertaining. Our food tour guide in Lisbon, Alex, was terrific as well. We learned a lot from her and the food experience at the Lisbon Winery was excelllent.

Hotel Reviews

Hotel Cascais Miragem

Cascais

Older, dated hotel. The breakfast was "meh". Staff was not friendly at check in. The weather was bad and we couldn't even walk outside to the pool even when the weather improved. Several areas were closed. We just wanted to go sit outside and admire the ocean but it wasn't an option.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Wine & Books Porto Hotel

Porto

Excellent location, modern hotel.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

PortoBay Liberdade

Lisbon

Clean, nice location. There was a lot of construction in the area which was a little noisy in the mornings. They acknowledged by birthday verbally and with a bottle of champagne and cake in the room.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Exploring Porto's Rich History on an Exclusive Gastronomic Tour Through Time

Porto

I'm rating this experience lower as our guide didn't offer as much history and stories as our guide in Lisbon. Also, one of our stops was a sales pitch, which I didn't appreciate at all. We felt pressured to purchase something from the shop. This should not happen on a private food tour.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Unveil the Fairytale Villa of Sintra with a Private Driver Service

Portugal

Our driver was very friendly and accomodating. We enjoyed the tour of the palace and gardens and then a visit to Sintra.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Flavors of Lisbon in a Premium & Gastronomic Private Walking Tour

Lisbon

Alex was amazing! She taught us a lot about Lisbon and the food choices were very good.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

To Eat Suggestion: Cervejaria Trindade

Lisbon

We just had a snack and beer but the environment was cool and the beer and good was good.

Quality of Experience

Angel did an awesome job curat the iternerary for us and suiting it to our interests. All of the guides and activities were excellent. The accomodations were also great. We had a perfect mix of planned experiences and free-time. Angel also did a really good job with the pacing of our trip between cities. Will probably use kimkim again!:)

Hotel Reviews

Mercure Tokyo Haneda Airport

Tokyo

Nice place to stay for our final night in Japan.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Candeo Hotels Osaka The Tower

Osaka

Fancy hotel; enjoyed our stay here.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Vischio Kyoto by GRANVIA

Kyoto

Overall nice place to stay.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Easy to get to town from here.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hakone Hotel Kajikaso

Hakone

This hotel was such a memorable experience -- it is in a beautiful area and there is so much to do in the hotel. They also give you yukatas to wear and free tea / juice. One of our favorite things was around 9PM we were exploring the hotel and there was a small spa area where we were able to just walk up and schedule a massage before sleep. Loved that we did not need a reservation or anything and that it was open at night-- super cool! The hotel also had a game room and kareoke room and late-night ramen bar. One thing is that the dinner was very traditional, so that part would not suit everybody's taste; during the dinner there were Geisha performances which was cool. Also, there was a cute store in the hotel with a lot of Hakone-specific items; I took back several different things as souvenirs.

Authenticity & Character

Very traditional.

Location

Pretty in a mountain area.

Staff

Kind and accomodating.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Comfortable and clean.

Asakusa View Hotel Annex Rokku

Tokyo

Amazing location; great hreakfast; clean and spacious room. Loved this for our Tokyo time!

Authenticity & Character

Location is perfect.

Location

Asakusa is a really fun part of Tokyo with a lot of cool shops and restaurants and history -- glad we stayed here and got to see a lot of it.

Staff

Attentive; kind.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Everything was clean and neat.

Activity Reviews

Full Day City Tour with Osaka Castle

Japan

So happy to have Hiro again for this tour -- getting the same tour guide for Kyoto and Osaka was really cool and added to our experience because it was like we were traveling with a friend!:) He also gifted us polaroids of the day as a parting gift -- so nice and I am keeping them forever!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Again, Hiro is awesome.

Transport

Osaka Local Foodie Tour in Dotonbori and Shinsekai

Japan

Loved trying the different foods Osaka is known for; would do again!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Kyoto Cooking Class

Japan

So much fun and turned out delicious!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Kyoto's Cultural Treasures: Fushimi Inari-Taisha, Nijo Castle and Kinkaku-ji

Japan

Super fun day; we learned and saw a lot! Also loved our guide Hiro -- he was so nice and funny and knowledgable and REALLY good at taking photos. It was like we had a perfect two in one guide and photographer.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Full Day Mt. Fuji with Lake Kawaguchi with Oishi Park

Japan

So beautiful and such a fun day! We enjoyed the boat ride, and we really loved the gardens in giew of Mt. Fuji. Our driver was very nice.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Authentic Sumo Experience in Tokyo : Enter the Sanctuary ( join in, small group )

Tokyo

Super fun; the sumo wrestlers had really great / funny personalities.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Full Day Tokyo City Tour with Shinjuku Gyoen (cherry blossom)

Tokyo

Our tour guide was so nice and knowledgable! Loved her! Got to see a lot of different places in Tokyo and she took us adjusted the trip to suit what we wanted like if we saw something along the way that was not scheduled she let us check it out and get pictures. She gave us cute paper cranes as a goodbye gift.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Loved Ikuko!!

Transport

Adrian was wonderful and lovely to work with. He listened and did his very best to make our experience exceptional. Also, if getting a driver, I highly recommend Ken Smyth - he was incredible! Five star!

Gummi organized an absolutely amazing trip for us in Iceland. We decided on the road-trip as a babymoon fairly last minute, and he quickly jumped in to help us. After sending an initial itinerary, we then did a zoom call, made a few adjustments, and then had the perfect trip plan.

The trip was the perfect mix of hitting the "hot spots" (i.e. the Golden Circle), as well as visiting and staying in some slightly more remote places (would highly recommend spending two nights on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, that was our favorite stop!). Although the schedule was packed, we never felt overwhelmed or like we were rushing from attraction to attraction - it would have been impossible for us to have planned something like this ourselves.

This is my second time using Kimkim and we will absolutely be using it again!

Our 10-day trip to The Netherlands was outstanding. We stayed in Amsterdam, The Hague and Rotterdam and took day trips to Haarlem, Delft and Kinderdijk (UNESCO site). The trip was perfectly balanced between busy places and quiet, museums and walking tours, structured time and free time, and old and new. We achieved our primary goal of savoring the Dutch painting masters, but also learned so much about the absolutely amazing history of the country and its people. We took a private car from the Amsterdam airport to our hotel on the day we arrived, and that was the last time we used a private car or taxi. Of course, these are available if this is your preferred mode of travel, but we loved the convenience of the broad array of public transportation—trains, trams, buses, water shuttles, and subways. Each of these options was easy to figure out, easy to find and access, and offered a very pleasant way to get around.

Bas Naus and the KimKim team were definitely the key to our whole trip. The itinerary Bas developed was fully responsive to our interests, the hotels he booked for us were great (The Pulitzer in Amsterdam is especially noteworthy), the tours and guides were exceptional, and all of the supplementary dining and site suggestions were helpful. Everything was so well organized and explained that we only needed to contact Bas once during the trip—to let a guide know we might be a few minutes late for a scheduled walking tour—and his response was almost immediate, which we took as comforting confirmation of readily available help in the event of any serious travel issue.

We strongly recommend making a trip to The Netherlands and we fully endorse using KimKim for help in planning that trip, or any other adventure you might consider. This was our second time using KimKim (first was for a family trip to Norway) and the product we have received has been consistently outstanding, from assessing options and building the itinerary to booking the right hotels and activities to all sorts of other little things that allowed us to have a great trip.

Ashley was with me every step of the way as this was a trip that was planned almost three years in the making as life kept lifing. Ashley was patient, and we collaborated on an excellent vietnam trip with no blips. I will use her again

Hotel Reviews

Hotel Novotel Ha Long Bay

Authenticity & Character

Location

K

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Amazing Sapa

Sa Pa

Great staff, room was a little Old but great views

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Northern Charm Hotel

Staff was great and in the heart of district 1. Everything was in walking distance

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Capella Cruise

Halong

This was such a great experience for a cruise, staff was really helpful and hospitable, rooms were to die for

Authenticity & Character

Location

M

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

La Siesta Classic Ma May

Hanoi

Excellent hotel and staff, with a french vibe. Food was great, location was perfect for me

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Walk To The Love Waterfall And Heaven Gate

Sapa

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Hanoi Street Food Walking Tour

Hanoi

Only bad thing was that i could not finish the food

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Cu Chi Tunnels & Ho Chi Minh City Tour

Ho Chi Minh City

Great information of the past, got to do shooting range

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

This was an outstanding experience from start to finish. Mieke and KimKim were responsive to all my requests to tailor the trip to my interests; the price was reasonable; and the time on the ground there was truly unique and enlightening. My guide Ugyen was highly knowledgeable about Bhutan and Buddhism, and flexible to changes, and my driver/porter Karma was highly skilled and dedicated to my comfort and care.

I had many eye-opening and scintillating days, including my hike in the Himalayan foothills near Laya; the black-neck crane festival and lovely walk in the foothills in Phohibjka; the Madman's temple and the rafting ride; the climb to the Tiger's Nest; a number of spectacular temples and fortresses; and overall, feeling the hospitality and warmth of the Bhutanese people.

As long as one does not expect the same creature comforts as in the West (e.g., the condition of the roads, lack of central heating in some hotels), and tries to relate to be an immersive traveler rather than a tourist, you can have an awesome time. Dress in layers, and revel in the balance that Bhutan is trying to strike between development and tradition.

I would highly recommend using KimKim for those considering an authentic Bhutan trip.

Planning a vacation has never been easier, thanks to having true experts to guide us (the KimKim team). We were especially pleased to learn that our travel planner, Èric, actually lived in Iceland. His familiarity with the country—its culture, terrain, and hidden gems—gave us complete confidence that we were in excellent hands.

We shared with Èric the kinds of activities we enjoy, the cultural and natural sights that were important to us, and the pace we wanted for our 22-day trip. With so much time to explore, we chose to rent a 4-wheel-drive vehicle so we could occasionally go off the beaten path and linger at our favorite places. Èric fully understood this style of travel and tailored everything beautifully.

Over the course of a year, we worked with Èric casually but consistently, and we deeply appreciated his prompt and easy communication. He is an excellent listener and wonderfully tactful as he guided us through unfamiliar territory. He created an initial itinerary as a baseline—never pushy—giving us all the time we needed to review and make thoughtful decisions. We kept the heart of his plan but added our own ideas and research, and he was always accommodating. When he had a better suggestion, he presented it diplomatically and with clear reasoning.

Throughout the planning process, it truly felt as if Èric were sitting right beside us, helping shape our journey. Once everything was finalized, he delivered a beautifully detailed and well-organized itinerary where every piece of information we might need was right at our fingertips.

Our time in Iceland was an amazing, fun, once in a lifetime trip. The accommodations chosen for us, the country’s natural beauty, the history and culture we learned about, and the wonderful Icelandic people we met made the experience truly exceptional. We couldn’t have asked for anything more—except perhaps a little more time!

We couldn’t have asked for a better planning experience and highly recommend working with Èric for an unforgettable Iceland adventure.

Activity Reviews

Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon Kayaking Tour

Iceland

When we first arrived at Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon the sun was shining and it was an absolutely stunning sight! The color of the water and different shades of blue coming off the floating icebergs took me by surprise-such beauty with the Vatnajökull glacier as the backdrop. It made me excited about kayaking the lagoon-a first for me to paddle amongst icebergs! But within the hour clouds took over and a light steady rain began. Suddenly the tour didn’t seem like it was going to be much fun. But our small group suited up and braved the walk with paddles in hand to where the kayaks waited. Instructions were given on safety while kayaking the lagoon and how to paddle. And I should mention that the outfitter had appropriate waterproof and warm gear for us during this wet and cold paddle trip. The weather deterred the majority of the visitors that were there earlier so we had the lagoon to ourselves. It was quiet and serene on the water and the rain stopped the moment we started our paddle. The clouds remained but didn’t take an ounce of beauty away from the experience. I had goosebumps paddling around the looming icebergs. They were pieces of artwork. Our guides were fun and informative and made safety a priority. The equipment was in very good condition, kayaks are sturdy. Our suits were a Godsend. The experience was unique and memorable. This is a good trip for people with any level of kayaking experience. I loved this experience. After our excursion we crossed the road to see Diamond Beach. Another amazing surprise!

Quality of Experience

Outstanding natural beauty, great equipment, terrific guides.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Care about paddler’s safety, did a great job of making sure we all had a fun experience.

Katla Ice Cave Superjeep tour

Iceland

My husband and I loved this tour! Our group of 8 others were friendly and fun. Our guide (sorry I don’t remember his name) was upbeat, funny, and so informative. He’s a skilled off road driver and really took us on a fun, scenic ride. For us it was all about the Super Jeep. It’s soooo cool! Once we were at our location we were suited up and had a nice moderate walk to the ice caves. It wasn’t a very extensive cave but it was a great example of an ice cave and beautiful inside. Throughout the tour we didn’t feel rushed. Our guide answered every question we had for him without hesitation. We couldn’t wait to get back into the Super Jeep for the ride back!!!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Reykjavik Food Walk

Iceland

It wasn’t quite what I expected. Our guide, sorry, I don’t remember his name, was an unforgettable character and spent a lot of time talking about local history, culture, and had some great jokes to share as well. But I was there to experience some delicious unfamiliar exotic local fare and thought this would be a great cultural food introduction of Iceland as we navigated to different eateries throughout downtown Reykjavik. I’m not a foodie, but it was not a good introduction as I shortly learned throughout my travels in Iceland, having meals at small local cafes in other towns and villages. What was offered on the tour was completely subpar to what I experienced elsewhere so I have to say that the food tour failed as an example of how delicious the traditional dishes really are. The food in the country including stops at some of the fuel stations were much better and delicious. But don’t let my opinion of the tour discourage you. Walking the city, enjoying the camaraderie of our group of 10, and getting a good idea of the lay of Reykjavik under the guidance of our big burly host was worth the time in itself. And you may have a completely different opinion of the food offered on this tour. Not all taste buds are alike!

Christine (from Kimkim) was very responsive and friendly, she had good suggestions for things for us to do. She didn’t always have the best attention to detail. It took several attempts to explain our situation, that we were combining a self paid trip with a hotel stay covers by the conference that invited me to Korea. After a couple of rounds she eventually got it right.

She failed to consider that our arrival at the hotel was going to be before check in time and did not suggest alternatives such as the option of paying for an early check in. She offered us one option for hotel— the L7 in Myeongdong. It was a nice hotel, well run, clean, with an excellent breakfast. However, for people our age, staying in Myeongdong got tiresome after a couple of nights. It would have been helpful to have been warned about the noise and crowds and offered a possible alternative.

We were directed to excellent activities and connected with an outstanding guide, Christine Lee and her husband Young. Christine was knowledgeable, warm and friendly. We got an excellent picture of Korean history talking with her and she showed us around Nami island and the garden of morning calm as an expert. These two experiences were outstanding!

Hotel Review

L7 Myeongdong by LOTTE

It’s a well run hotel, very clean, and the breakfast is excellent. Myeongdong is a central location with easy access to subway, the byeongbokgung palace. Myeongdong is where one of the major night markets with street food is located. However, it is harder to find quieter restaurants or easy places to walk around without crowds.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Central and close to subway.

Staff

Staff were great in the restaurant. They were unsure how to handle our early arrival straight from the airport.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Spotless and great maid service daily.

Activity Review

Discover K-drama Locations in European Villages & Nami Island

Seoul

The best parts of this trip was the visit to Nami Island and the garden of morning calm. The Italian and French villages are a bit tired and run down. Christine Lee and Young did an amazing job showing us around and teaching us about the history and flora of the area.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We just completed an incredible trip to Spain and Portugal with KimKim. We have traveled internationally before, both with structured small group tours (through Odessey) and with trips we planned on our own (relying heavily on Rick Steve's books). This time we read the reviews and decided to try out the KimKim program, as we knew what we wanted and had no time to plan it out. They did a great job!

We liked that Coriama arranged a Zoom meeting before we left, to ensure that all questions and plans were clear. We opted for their "middle" tier hotels - which were superb and very boutique. The locations were always in the center of town, and the hotel staff were wonderful without exception. Rooms were European small, but comfortable, and the "full or double" beds were at least queen-size. Breakfast were mostly European buffets and fantastic, and we enjoyed the other guests. Having drivers assist us with our connections was a real bonus and whenever we had an issue, a KimKim representative quickly and efficiently responded. When we had a transportation snafu after a delayed flight, Kim Kim was quick to reimburse us. We will definitely use KimKim again.

Jane planned a trip that was just what we wanted. Every detail was covered and we had no mishaps with our transportation or lodging or tours. I have recommended Kimkim to all my friends that are planning trips.

Hotel Reviews

Leonardo Royal London St Paul's

London

A large hotel in the city so a bit more impersonal than some of the other hotels but still very comfortable and convenient.

Authenticity & Character

My

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

The Grand, York

North Yorkshire

Very luxurious hotel and large comfortable rooms. Bigger than the other hotels we stayed in and newer too but we still really enjoyed it.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Eight

Bath

Such a cute place and comfortable too and right in the middle of everything. Next door to Sally Lund’s Buns. The staff were so friendly and helpful. The breakfast was excellent. Only slight negative was the metal spiral staircase which make carrying our bags down interesting.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

The Merchant's House

Salisbury

Delightful historic hotel with a chef who prepares authentic Indian dishes and more conventional dishes as well. Only slight negative was that we had to carry our bags downstairs ourselves.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Centrally located close to the market center and the cathedral.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Review

Dark Tales of York Private ghost tour

York

We had a one on one tour with the most fabulous entertainer and host. I don’t remember his name but I loved watching his face while he told us stories.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

My husband and I recently had the incredible opportunity to visit China, and it truly exceeded all expectations. From ancient history to breathtaking natural landscapes, this trip had everything we could have hoped for and more. I want to thank Lisa for helping us put this amazing trip together through KimKim. She was so helpful and patient with us.

Highlights of the Trip

The Great Wall of China was nothing short of awe-inspiring. Walking along this historic wonder, we couldn’t help but be amazed by its sheer scale and beauty. The panoramic views from the top were unforgettable, and standing on such an iconic piece of history was an emotional experience.

We visited Chengdu to see the adorable pandas—and they definitely lived up to the hype! Watching these playful creatures in their natural habitat was a highlight of the trip. The conservation efforts here are truly impressive, and it was a joy to witness their charm up close.

In Xi’an, we were fortunate enough to see the Terracotta Warriors, a monumental archaeological discovery. The sheer number of life-sized statues and the detail in each one was staggering. It’s amazing to think that this army was created over 2,000 years ago to protect China’s first emperor in the afterlife.

One of the most stunning natural attractions was Zhangjiajie National Forest Park—the inspiration for the floating mountains in the movie Avatar. The towering sandstone pillars surrounded by mist create an ethereal, almost otherworldly landscape. It’s a photographer’s dream and a must-see for nature lovers.

Finally, Guilin was a peaceful escape, with its surreal limestone karst mountains and tranquil Li River cruises. The views were unlike anything I’ve ever seen and felt like something out of a dream.

Cultural Immersion

One of the aspects of the trip that stood out was the incredible cultural immersion. We had numerous opportunities to experience China’s rich traditions and daily life. Whether it was a calligraphy lesson, a traditional tea ceremony, or learning about the history behind local markets, we were able to connect with the culture in meaningful ways.

The people of China were warm, welcoming, and eager to share their stories. Our guides were exceptional—they were incredibly knowledgeable, personable, and made sure we felt comfortable and engaged every step of the way. They took the time to answer all our questions and ensured we had a smooth and enjoyable experience.

We want to thank all our guides: Zhang Yaping (Amy - Beijing), Ma Jun (MJ - Xian), Xiao Tuanming (Nancy - Zhangjiajie), Lin Xue (April), Owen (Guilin) and Vivian (Shanghai). You were all wonderful to get to know and helped make the trip memorable.

Food: A Culinary Adventure

The food in China was another highlight of the trip. Every meal was a delightful adventure! We had the chance to try authentic dishes that we’d never seen in the U.S. The flavors were bold and varied, from the spicy Sichuan cuisine in Chengdu to the savory dumplings in Xi’an. I particularly loved the Peking duck in Beijing—crispy, tender, and simply delicious. The variety of textures and flavors in Chinese cuisine was incredible, and I came home with a newfound appreciation for their culinary traditions.

Overall Experience

All in all, this was a once-in-a-lifetime trip that I will never forget. The sights, the food, the culture, and the wonderful people I met along the way all made this an unforgettable adventure. The expert guides and well-curated itinerary ensured that we didn’t just see China—we truly experienced it.

If you’re considering a trip to China, I wholeheartedly recommend it. Kimkim can help you design the best trip. I can’t wait to return someday!

Activity Reviews

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

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

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

Zhangjiajie

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Explore Chengdu: Pandas, Wuhou Shrine,Jinli with a Hot Pot Lunch

Chengdu

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Discover the Beauty of Longji Terraced Fields and Learn to Make Bamboo Tube Rice

Guilin

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Explore the Scenic Countryside in Yangshuo by Cycling and Rafting

China

We didn't get to cycle but the rafting was very fun!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Marvel at China's Most Picturesque River - Li River

China

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Cooking Class in Yangshuo

Yangshuo

This was extemely fun! Well worth it

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Highlights of Shanghai with Yu Garden and the Bund

Shanghai

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Discover Xi'an: the Terracotta Army and Muslim Quarter

Xi'an

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Visit a Local Family and Learn to Cook Homemade Dishes

Xi'an

This was an enjoyable experience. The family opened their home and we had a lovely time.

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Hiking along the Majestic Great Wall, Summer Palace

Beijing

We had a great day to visit the wall.

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Beijing – Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City,Temple of Heaven with Peking Duck Lunch

Beijing

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My husband and I looked at several tour agencies to help us plan a trip to the Lake District of Chile. KimKim came out of the gate with quick, helpful replies. Lorena was awesome as she helped tailor a 2 week visit with accommodations that met our needs and then some, as well as activities and tours . She was flexible as we went back and forth, as we did not a cookie cutter tour, but one that met our interests. One of the many experiences she recommended was an adventure cruise on the Skorpios 2… probably the highlight of our trip. If anyone gets the chance to take this cruise… do it. The service and sights were outstanding.
Lorena stayed in communication with us from start to finish… she deserves a big bonus!
We were also very happy with Vaale who was our local KimKim contact. The Whatsapp chat was very helpful and always answered quickly. There wasn’t one hiccup on this trip… all drivers, guides and accommodations were perfect. We will definitely be using KimKim again in the future. Thanks for making this a memorable trip.
Teri and Rob

Hotel Reviews

M/V Skorpios II Cruise

Santiago

If you get the chance… book this adventure cruise. The attentive service is outstanding. They sat us at a dining table of other English speaking people, as we were definitely the minority. But they made sure they provided English translations for any announcements or lectures. We soon became fast friends with the people at our dining table. The stops and sights along this cruise were memorable, with the visit to the San Raphael glacier being the highlight. Often we needed to take a smaller boat to visit the sights. The ship and its rooms were very comfortable and clean. The food was plentiful and delicious. A couple of our dining partners had food allergy issues that the staff were mindful of and provided good alternatives as needed. We loved that the cruise was small… we had only 70 people on board on our cruise in early November. We all dressed for an active trip. We didn’t want the typical large cruise experience and you won’t find it here, as it is geared to getting out and exploring the area along the route. We would highly recommend this cruise.

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Hotel Wyndham Puerto Varas Pettra

Puerto Varas

This hotel is situated on a hill above the huge lake and if you get a room with a view… which I highly recommend…you can sit on a balcony looking at the 2 different volcanoes across the lake. It is a 5 minute walk to center of Puerto Varas… a cute town with many good restaurants nearby and shops. The rooms were spacious, clean and comfortable. The breakfasts were typical Chilean breakfasts and more than fueled you for a busy morning exploring the area and national parks. It was a perfect place to stay to explore the Lake District.

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Hotel Eco Boutique Bidasoa

Santiago

Wow… a beautiful boutique hotel that was reasonably priced. The breakfasts were outstanding and included. The staff was attentive and friendly. The rooms and beds were comfortable and clean. The hotel is not close to the center of Santiago, but Uber is easy and quick to use and less expensive than in the US. There are plenty of good restaurants nearby if you don’t eat at the hotel’s restaurant. It is very safe to walk around the area of the hotel.

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Activity Reviews

Skorpios II - 6 days/5 nights Cruise

Chile

Please see my detailed review of our KimKim experience in the first review in the list of reviews, as I gave specific information about this outstanding adventure cruise.

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Trekking in Alerce Andino National Park

Puerto Varas

A great all day experience hiking about 5 miles on mainly flat terrain through an old growth forest. There are several steps at end to the waterfall, but it was safe and well maintained. Our guide was very knowledgeable about the park and we enjoyed may conversations with him on a variety of subjects .

Quality of Experience

Food

This was no fault of our guide, it just wasn't the best meal, as we are not big sandwich eaters. Perhaps a list of potential food options could be given to tailor a box lunch to our tastes.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Fly fishing on the Río Maullín

Chile

My husband wanted to do this activity as he is an avid fly fisherman. He raved about how accommodating the guide was to meet his specific interests and needs. It was a fun experience that allowed him to catch several big lake trouts.

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Day Trip to Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park

Puerto Varas

Beautiful national park with easy paved trails. It was a time of year the schools are winding down before their big break , so it was filled with alot of very happy teenagers . They were well behaved, but made it a bit crowded to stand at the over looks at times. The highlight was when our guide drove up to the big inactive volcano where we took a chairlift up to the bottom of the snow covered part of the volcano. You could hike around the area. We were lucky to have clear skies so we could take lots of pictures of the views. The lunch we stopped in as part of the tour was delicious and loved that it was a local spot.

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City Tour in Puerto Montt & Puerto Varas

Puerto Varas

After a quick flight from Santiago to Puerto Montt we were met by a great guide arranged by KimKim and its affiliate LS. He took us around Puerto Montt and Puerto Varas, pointing out the local history, interesting sights and giving us helpful suggestions for our stay.

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Maipo Valley Wine Experience

Santiago

We enjoyed seeing both a small winery and one of the biggest ones in Chile. The tour guides were excellent and well informed. The lunch was very good. Our driver was very nice, always early and fun to be with.

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Claire was the absolute best with planning our trip. She curated it perfectly to what we wanted and had the best excursions planned. She really paid attention to detail and made the whole process seamless. She was also quick to respond and available with any questions we had along the way.

I loved this trip. The planning and communication by my agent, Uma, was outstanding. I was on my own & she was communicating with me day & night, whenever I needed her. She would always answer me. When there was a cancellation for a tour she provided me with an alternative. Her suggestions for restaurants & activities was outstanding. I would definitely recommend her for a customized trip to New Zealand.
Hanna, our guide from Cheeky Kiwi Tours was over the top. Personable, patient, knowledgeable, & made us feel like we were the most important people in the world.
Thank you, Kim Kim for an amazing experience 😊

Hotel Reviews

Copthorne Hotel Greymouth

GREYMOUTH

Spacious & luxurious. Being on the top floor was great!

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Staff

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Bella Vista Queenstown

Queenstown

Very nice. Walking distance to everything you need.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Walking distance to everything you need.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Explore Punakaiki Pancake Rocks

New Zealand

The guide, Linda, was funny & entertaining. Unfortunately we had such windy & rainy weather that day we couldn’t stay out long. But the drink & snack at the end was a nice gesture.

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Queenstown to Franz Josef Tour via Wanaka (One-Way)

Queenstown (NZ)

Hanna the driver & guide gave us highlights along the way & took care of all of our needs. She was wonderful.

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Milford Sound Coach - Cruise from Queenstown

Queenstown (NZ)

Comfortable coach. Plenty of stops along the way.

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Planning: Sharon was great. As we were planning, she was very patient with us as we made modifications to our plans and wishes. She also helped us navigate a couple changes that were required during the trip and made sure we were always aware of what we needed to do.

Tokyo: Blair was an incredible guide. We loved getting a feel for the city and Blair helped us find a couple smaller eateries in addition to doing everything "touristy" we had planned. She also gave us a really good feel for modern Japanese and Tokyo culture.

Kyoto: We enjoyed visiting the temples and appreciated Ellie's knowledge as she showed us around. She helped us understand the differences between cultures in Tokyo and Kyoto and helped us find a couple items outside of our planned tour (a restaurant and a limited-time exhibition) that we enjoyed.

I connected with Kim Kim and Ruth only a mere month and a half before our scheduled trip to New Zealand. Despite the late notice Ruth stepped up, got some preliminary information on our interests, and curated an amazing two week self guided tour of the North and South islands. Every single event, from group tours to picking up our rental cars with driving directions in tow, went off without a single hitch. We had so many amazing experiences along the way it’s hard to choose the best, but I will say if you get the chance to kayak at night in the glow worm caves in Rotorua: DO IT! Amazing. Even in the rain. Thank you so much Ruth for the attention to detail, the quick availability and the amazing organization. We will definitely be in touch for our next adventure.

Activity Reviews

Queenstown Private Transfer Hotel to Airport

New Zealand

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Full Day Milford Sound Glass Roof Van/CruiseVan

Queenstown (NZ)

Quality of Experience

Everyone should take the time for this beautiful part of the world.

Food

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Skyline Gondola Ride

Queenstown (NZ)

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Glacier Boat Trip -

Aoraki / Mount Cook Village

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Private transfer - Christchurch Railway Station to City Hotel

Christchurch

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Interislander Ferry - Wellington to Picton

New Zealand

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Afternoon/Evening Twilight Wine and Craft Beer Tour

Queenstown (NZ)

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Wellington Private Transfer Hotel to Ferry Terminal

New Zealand

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Zealandia by Night Tour

Wellington

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Introducing Te Papa Tour and Museum visit

Wellington

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Mitai Cultural Experience & Dinner

Rotorua

The host of the evening was absolutely amazing. Sharing his culture and knowledge was truly a passion for him and it translated into an amazing evening.

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Waimangu Valley Nature Walk & Lake Rotomahana Boat Cruise

Rotorua

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Hobbiton - Shared Tour

New Zealand

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Twilight Glow Worm Kayak Experience - 3 hour guided

Rotorua

The guides were absolutely amazing. Clearly very excited to share information and the beauty of these amazing creatures and their amazing habitat.

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Welcome to Rotorua

Rotorua

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Auckland Private Transfer International Airport to Hotel

New Zealand

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Ngima no doubt is the most experience tour specialist for Nepal. He is friendly, responsible & will meet us frequently to arrange & meet trekking guide before hand to make sure things are going well. Frequently checking on us to make sure we are safe & sound. Ensure the suitable trekking guide & porter to make our trekking exp personal, flexible & fun. Please do recommend Ngima to others for making sure Nepal is a wonderful place for travel, trekking, hiking, culture, food & people.