Kimkim Trip Reviews

4.8
Based on 18,469 ratings
Read 18,469 verified reviews by travelers who booked their trip on kimkim. You can also read reviews about kimkim on 3rd party sites including Google, TrustPilot and Yelp.

A great memorable trip
Morocco | Nov 15 - Nov 23, 2025

ojesh
ojesh b.
Nepal | Reviewed on Nov 24, 2025
Our Morocco trip? Absolutely chef’s kiss perfection. We were welcomed at the airport by Ousamma—a big man with an even bigger heart. He basically knew everything about everything, and he kept an eye on us the whole trip… not because Morocco wasn’t safe, but because he treated us like VIPs who occasionally forget where they left their sunglasses. The itinerary was so smooth, we still can’t believe we covered nearly 2,000 km by road without once questioning our life choices. The hotels... Read more

Our Morocco trip? Absolutely chef’s kiss perfection.

We were welcomed at the airport by Ousamma—a big man with an even bigger heart. He basically knew everything about everything, and he kept an eye on us the whole trip… not because Morocco wasn’t safe, but because he treated us like VIPs who occasionally forget where they left their sunglasses.

The itinerary was so smooth, we still can’t believe we covered nearly 2,000 km by road without once questioning our life choices. The hotels and riads were charming, comfortable, and perfectly located—like someone had planned the trip using insider secrets.

And the funniest part? Everywhere we went, people were amazed to meet Nepalis for the first time. We felt like rare Pokémon wandering through Morocco.

Hotel Review
Lina Ryad & Spa
Chefchaouen
Authenticity & Character
Location
Right in the heart of city
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Mohamed El Asely

Excellent
Sri Lanka | Nov 17 - Nov 23, 2025

Mark
Mark F.
the Netherlands | Reviewed on Nov 24, 2025
Pramith, our main driver and guide, was abs terrific! Friendly and always smiling Read more

Pramith, our main driver and guide, was abs terrific! Friendly and always smiling

Activity Reviews
Free Day at the Beach
Free Day at the Beach
Sri Lanka

Liked the beach. Didn't liove the hotel

Galle Dutch Fort Visit
Galle Dutch Fort Visit
Sri Lanka

Pretty Fort, albeit a little touristy

Visit Lipton's Seat & Tea Estate
Visit Lipton's Seat & Tea Estate
Sri Lanka

Beautiful spot. Also enjoyed the Tea factory

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Hike to Diyaluma Waterfall
Hike to Diyaluma Waterfall
Sri Lanka

Really fun experience

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Discover Ella
Discover Ella
Sri Lanka

Beautiful town in the mountains. Really enjoyed the Ella Rock hike. One of my few criticisms of Dhanushka was he didn't fully brief us on the hike. Called it a walk.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Local guide was terrific
Transport
Visit to Elephant transit home in Udawalawa
Visit to Elephant transit home in Udawalawa
Sri Lanka

Really interesting place

Quality of Experience
Safari in Udawalawa National Park
Safari in Udawalawa National Park
Sri Lanka

Fantastic. Being so close to the animals was amazing

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Guide was very good at spotting animals
Transport
Local specialist: Dhanushka Wijeyekoon
Dhanushka
Dhanushka Wijeyekoon
Local specialist in Sri Lanka | Replied on Nov 24, 2025

Hello Mark,
Thank you so very much for the wonderful review & comments!
I am glad that you enjoyed the vacation in Sri Lanka & truly honored to be your local travel expert who planned your holiday.
Sri Lanka has so much to offer & I invite you to visit Sri Lanka again to discover & explore the beautiful island.

Stay tuned & connected with Kimkim travel !
See you soon in Sri Lanka again !
I remain at your disposal.
Thanks again,
Dhanushka

Memorable trip to Japan - thanks to Greg at KimKim.
Japan | Nov 7 - Nov 22, 2025

E
Edward C.
Mill Valley, CA | Reviewed on Nov 23, 2025
It was a pleasure working with Greg, Japan specialist with KimKim. He was flexible and accommodating. Based on our discussions, he put together a full itinerary packed with great activities and excellent hotels. Except for a couple of minor snafus and delays which prevented us from doing everything, the choices Greg made were generally excellent. At our request, Greg arranged for private tours in Tokyo, Kanazawa, Kyoto, and Hiroshima. The hotels selected were generally excellent. He... Read more

It was a pleasure working with Greg, Japan specialist with KimKim. He was flexible and accommodating. Based on our discussions, he put together a full itinerary packed with great activities and excellent hotels. Except for a couple of minor snafus and delays which prevented us from doing everything, the choices Greg made were generally excellent. At our request, Greg arranged for private tours in Tokyo, Kanazawa, Kyoto, and Hiroshima. The hotels selected were generally excellent. He prearranged all train tickets between cities and provided good guidance in explaining how to navigate local transportation. The best guided tours were the Shinjuku food tour (absolutely top notch sushi (I think the guide's name is Takeshi)) and in Kyoto ( our guide Pam was one of the best guides we've ever had - highly engaged, great sense of humor and extremely accommodating). The private tea ceremony and small group session with a geisha (who conversed with us, played a game and performed a traditional dance) in Kyoto were very special and particularly memorable. We found crowds somewhat overwhelming in popular spots in Kyoto and the Hiroshima peace museum (absolutely packed and could not really see the exhibits well). But all-in-all the planned activities were well worth it, and the package was very well organized. One piece of advice - do as much research on your own in advance so that you can make sure any particular items of places of interest will be included in the agenda which can be custom tailored to your interests, and leave some free time in order to relax, explore on your own, etc.

Activity Reviews
Private Tokyo Night Food Tour in Shinjuku
Private Tokyo Night Food Tour in Shinjuku
Tokyo

Guide took us to a relatively obscure sushi restaurant featuring a private session with a sushi chef who explained and prepared everything before us. Sushi was fresh. Probably the best I've ever had!

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Sumo Show with special, sumo nabe lunch included
Sumo Show with special, sumo nabe lunch included
Tokyo

Entertaining and educational. But not a true sumo match. Still worth it.

Quality of Experience
Local specialist: Greg Varga

Two Week Trip in Morocco Met Our Expectations
Morocco | Oct 28 - Nov 11, 2025

Anne
Anne U.
Portland, OR | Reviewed on Nov 23, 2025
Our experience with KimKim and the local company we worked with was very high quality and met our expectations. We would like to particularly highlight our tour manager/driver Ali for his unfailing politeness, his exceptional driving skills, his problem solving approach, his flexibility and the pride he had in his home country. Sharon’s company provided us with high quality guides in the places we visited. Our guides were fluent in English and had in depth knowledge/expertise to share. We... Read more

Our experience with KimKim and the local company we worked with was very high quality and met our expectations. We would like to particularly highlight our tour manager/driver Ali for his unfailing politeness, his exceptional driving skills, his problem solving approach, his flexibility and the pride he had in his home country. Sharon’s company provided us with high quality guides in the places we visited. Our guides were fluent in English and had in depth knowledge/expertise to share. We did learn that one must be flexible in Morocco and understand that the culture offered us opportunities to be less driven by strict timelines and more by the opportunities in the moment.

Hotel Reviews
ONOMO Hotel Casablanca Airport
Nouaceur

Perfect location for overnight before flight.

Authenticity & Character
a hotel near an airport. Did what it needed to do.
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
AC needed improvement. Did not work well.
Hôtel & Ryads Barrière Le Naoura
Marrakech

Another treat. Very upscale and lovely hotel. Buffet was exceptional.

Authenticity & Character
Felt more European than Moroccan but what a lovely stay.
Location
Could walk anywhere.
Staff
Concierge went extra mile.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Tin Joseph
Ouarzazate

Comfortable and big rooms. Quiet.

Authenticity & Character
Nicely decorated with the movie theme.
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Kasbah Tiziri
Kelaat Mgouna

This was a lovely property; well run with lovely spaces to hang out. Spotty wireless which was the only drawback.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Far from town but provided a wonderful
Staff
Enjoyed Michelle very much and the history of the hotel.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Rooms were nicely decorated and very clean.
Riad Madu Premium Camp
Merzouga

Such a lovely desert camp for our overnight.

Authenticity & Character
Drumming at night was great. Rooms were comfortable.
Location
Staff
Very attentive and helpful for everything.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Palais Faraj Suites & Spa
Fès

Our fav. Lovely, classy, great location.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Able to access Medina quickly.
Staff
Attentive, kind, helpful.
Cleanliness & Comfort
This hotel was a treat for all of us.
Riad El Palacio
Chefchaouen

Great location. Rooms were a bit noisy. Seemed a bit weary.

Authenticity & Character
Riad was a bit noisy; darker curtains perhaps?
Location
Could get to everywhere easily.
Staff
the young man at the front desk was EXCEPTIONAL.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Riad Kalaa
Rabat

Lovely place to stay. Fun to get to through the Medina.

Authenticity & Character
Lovely rooms on the roof. Nice place to relax after a long day.
Location
Fun to be in Medina.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Club Val d'Anfa Casablanca
Casablanca

Good hotel for our night in Casablanca; nice view of the ocean; adequate breakfast buffet; rooms were adequate for an overnight.

Authenticity & Character
A bit old and dated
Location
Staff
helpful; good service.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Orientation Walk & Free Afternoon in Chefchaouen
Orientation Walk & Free Afternoon in Chefchaouen
Chefchaouen

Loved Chefchaouen. Loved our guide. This should be a must see for anyone traveling to Morocco.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Our guide was amazing!
Rabat to Chefchaouen
Rabat to Chefchaouen
Morocco

Ali provided good information about the drive. We stopped for breaks. We also stopped at an olive processing plant which was so interesting. Loved the stop when we entered the city for the view and photos.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Afternoon Guided Tour of Rabat
Afternoon Guided Tour of Rabat
Rabat

Superb quide. I really appreciated the attention the team paid to having diverse quides—including women guides.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
See comments about our van.
Driving Tour of Casablanca
Driving Tour of Casablanca
Casablanca

The mosque was really special and enjoyed seeing it. See comments below. Our time in Casablanca was more of a drive through than a tour.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Our van for the whole time was comfortable. AC worked very well.
Local specialist: Sharon Louthian

Trip to Thailand
Thailand | Oct 30 - Nov 20, 2025

H
Hunter R.
Denver, CO | Reviewed on Nov 24, 2025
Elena was amazing throughout the whole planning process. She was able to incorporate everything we wanted out of the trip into well planned itinerary and made sure we got the most out of our stay in each city. Provided insight guides and made sure everything was smooth for us along the way. Will definitely book through them again when the opportunity arises. A big thanks to Elena and her team for an amazing vacation! Read more

Elena was amazing throughout the whole planning process. She was able to incorporate everything we wanted out of the trip into well planned itinerary and made sure we got the most out of our stay in each city. Provided insight guides and made sure everything was smooth for us along the way. Will definitely book through them again when the opportunity arises. A big thanks to Elena and her team for an amazing vacation!

Hotel Reviews
Aava Resort And Spa
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Smile Lanna Hotel
Chiang Mai
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Elena Nguyen

A hearty mix of tourist traps and great experiences
Japan | Nov 15 - Nov 22, 2025

J
Josh V.
Ashburn, VA | Reviewed on Nov 23, 2025
A lot of the events on our itinerary felt like tourist traps or promotional items that KimKim is paid to advertise. For example, on one occasion, we grabbed lunch at a random hotel, and did a food tour where one of the restaurants was staffed by people who barely spoke Japanese. Our tour guides were great; locals who were much more skilled at Japanese than English, for better and for worse, and offered us amazing recommendations for places to go and restaurants to eat at... only to take us to... Read more

A lot of the events on our itinerary felt like tourist traps or promotional items that KimKim is paid to advertise. For example, on one occasion, we grabbed lunch at a random hotel, and did a food tour where one of the restaurants was staffed by people who barely spoke Japanese. Our tour guides were great; locals who were much more skilled at Japanese than English, for better and for worse, and offered us amazing recommendations for places to go and restaurants to eat at... only to take us to the restaurant booked by KimKim, which they had very little to say about. However, on one occasion, KimKim let us pick the restaurant we ate at, which was pretty amazing. That same tour hit a bunch of authentic temples, which while deeply over-commercialized, were great to see. I'm biased toward that tour because we saw more nature than shops. If there's a tree on Mount Fuji, we didn't drive anywhere near it... but Kiyomizu was breathtaking.

The reason for the stars off is primarily the amount of tour that felt like a cookie-cutter, copy-and-paste operation. We adjusted our itinerary to be close to family and friends, but the parts that we moved made me question our guide's experience. Because we were further away from the usual events, our typical day began a little after 7AM with an hour or more of transit. Sure, we incurred that when we asked to be further from some of them... but as an example, we were closer to Mt Fuji than her normal tour. She had us leave our hotel at 6AM sharp to be to Tokyo station in time to catch the shuttle... right back to where we started. Literally we drove past our city on the way back to Mount Fuji. This is the sort of thing I paid a planner *specifically* to prevent, and it wasn't an isolated incident: We had to leave the very next day at 7:25 AM to catch a bullet train between our two hotels... which allowed us to arrive *over two hours* before we were able to check in. After we were back in the city from the copy/paste itinerary, things smoothed out. But basically, just look up someone else's itinerary! KimKim won't do a good job on customizations.

My group had a lot of fun on this trip. The rating is because I genuinely believe we'd have had *more fun* if we just planned it all ourselves.

Hotel Reviews
Kyoto Tokyu Hotel
Kyoto

This hotel was pretty amazing, but it was more of a roller coaster. The breakfast bar was great; I'd have been blown away had I not just been at a Keio Plaza that set my expectations sky-high. This hotel's breakfast had most of the same stuff, though our other hotel literally had a soft serve ice cream machine... how do you compete with that? Additionally, this hotel's restaurants had very weird hours. Some were only open alternating Tuesdays/Thursdays, for example. The dinner restaurant required reservations... at a hotel. Otherwise, the amenities were on point, and I particularly appreciate the hotel shuttle to Kyoto Station. The rooms had a good deal of floor space but were short on furniture, meaning there weren't many places to set things, so luggage just had to sit on the floor. At least doing so left plenty of walkway. The fixtures (showers and toilets) were all great, there were no problems with water temperature or pressure, and the hotel had blackout curtains and other lighting control. The hotel paid a lot of attention to aesthetics; the lobby was stunningly beautiful. However, there was only one set of elevators in the whole hotel, so we managed to stop on every floor on our descent from level 6, just to watch people elect to wait for the next elevator.

Authenticity & Character
Stunning lobby, good Japanese breakfasts
Location
Very close to a cool temple, and within a comfortable commute of Kiyomizu and many others.
Staff
Helpful and friendly staff, very accommodating for English speakers
Cleanliness & Comfort
Beds were comfy and the whole hotel was very clean, neat, and pretty. More room to set stuff would have helped.
Keio Plaza Hotel Hachioji
Tokyo

This hotel's breakfast bar is carrying it. It was that wonderful. The hotel had water pressure problems and the shower flailed wildly between unpleasantly cool and painfully hot. But I worked around that by drawing a bath, and I'd do that every day for the breakfast bar, which blew the other hotel from our trip out of the water. The beds were comfortable, though on the firm side, which I believe many will appreciate. Beyond that, our experience was perfect. The rooms were small but there was space to put our stuff under tables and on a shelf above the beds' headboards, so we did better here than at our other hotel which had more floor space but no furniture to put things on.

Authenticity & Character
Features fancy Japanese toilets and modern lighting fixtures. Blackout curtains, good lighting control with multiple color temperatures. American hotels could learn a thing or two.
Location
We wanted to be in Hachioji specifically, so this was convenient for us. If you're vacationing mostly in Tokyo, this will not be convenient for you.
Staff
Very friendly and accommodating to English speakers.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Everything was neat and tidy. Housekeeping did great.
Activity Reviews
Full Day Kyoto City Tour with Fushimi Inari-Taisha
Full Day Kyoto City Tour with Fushimi Inari-Taisha
Kyoto

This experience really made the trip for me. Kiyumizu was breathtaking; a real must-see among the temples. We actually hit multiple on this tour, and our guide was so friendly and accommodating; she made plenty of time for all the stuff we wanted to do. Dinner selection was on us, which was also stunning. If I ever book through KimKim again, I'd just tell them I want more of this. It was night and day in so many respects. We met the guide at our hotel, at an hour we set; she provided us bus passes so that we didn't have to worry about transit for these events (or anything else that day), we did everything we wanted at the temples, had a great meal, and left ecstatic.

Quality of Experience
Everything about it. The places, the guide, the pacing, the meetup.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
She was fantastically accommodating; beyond what I'd ever expect, especially given our other tours.
Transport
Transport was provided; everything was included.
 Kimono Tea Ceremony at Kyoto Maikoya
Kimono Tea Ceremony at Kyoto Maikoya
Kyoto

Experience oozed authenticity; any deviation from that was carefully noted by our hostess. Good for tourists as there was time for photo shoots in our kimono, which was strongly encouraged. The place featured a small "zen garden" kind of structure for it, and while said garden was pretty much in the heart of the city where I'm not sure grass can actually grow, they made it work. Sitting on my knees is hard, but the hostess was very accommodating in that respect.

Quality of Experience
The authenticity of the experience, along with how sharable a moment it is (from a tourist point of view).
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Friendly and informative, with good English skills.
Transport
We brought ourselves, so N/A
Mt. Fuji & Arakurayama Sengen Park Standard Lunch Course (Round Trip from Shinjuku  or Tokyo Station)
Mt. Fuji & Arakurayama Sengen Park Standard Lunch Course (Round Trip from Shinjuku or Tokyo Station)
Japan

The tour guide was friendly, spoke great English, and took us through some basic Japanese language and culture lessons, which was cute. These stops were over-commercialized tourist traps that managed to be all about Mount Fuji while exhibiting surprisingly little nature (our final stop was better, as it was a shopping center located next to a very scenic lake). The stops on Fuji itself were just tourist traps that charge you (separately and individually) to so much as use the restroom (there *is* a free one on site, as well). I was told to avoid Mount Fuji because it's a tourist trap, and I accepted the risk because hey, I'm a tourist. What I didn't expect is some extremely poor planning on the part of KimKim that made the whole day a huge pain. We had to leave our hotel before breakfast opened (which would have been at 7AM) to make it to the meetup point on time (a bit after 8 AM). To add insult to injury, the bus we boarded in Tokyo passed within a few hundred meters of said hotel an hour later. I was livid. My party constituted three of the five individuals on this tour, and the other two were from a separate stop; KimKim should have arranged a stop for us. Breakfast was not provided on the tour, nor did we have time to catch any before departure. Lunch was some sad prepackaged meal offered at a random hotel along the way. I enjoyed our time by the lake, though.

Quality of Experience
Better scheduling with our existing itinerary.
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Guide was wonderful; friendly, informative, helpful, patient.
Transport
We were on a bus most of the time. How much walking we did was up to us, and we didn't need to worry about rail.
Master Tokyo's Must-Sees: 5-hour Tsukiji, Akihabara & Asakusa Highlights Tour
Master Tokyo's Must-Sees: 5-hour Tsukiji, Akihabara & Asakusa Highlights Tour
Tokyo

A lot of good sights, especially the thunder temple, and a good guide to tell us about them. Japan has largely over-commercialized these temples, but it doesn't feel so bad because it's all cheap, all done on the honor system (within the temples; stands around them are pretty touristy), and all deeply rooted in their culture (even most of the local shops and food stands). Some of the pacing could be improved; I'd rather walk and talk when possible, but this tour still left some wiggle room so we could do what we wanted in the area, and the guide made time for photos and helped us out with them. The tour also left us plenty of time to structure the rest of our day around it.

Quality of Experience
Flexible schedule, friendly guide, and good food at a quality restaurant.
Food
Food quality was good, quantity was acceptable, and timing was such that we could do what we liked in town afterward.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Guide was very friendly and helpful, spoke English pretty well, and did his best to make the experience great for us.
Transport
Guide told us where to go, we just had to provide bus fare
Tokyo Night Foodie Tour in Shinjuku
Tokyo Night Foodie Tour in Shinjuku
Tokyo

Our guide was great. The choice of eateries was questionable. The food selection was predetermined, rather than just setting a budget, so some members of our group left after eating very little (of the 8 pieces of sushi and 3 tempura that were offered at the first joint). The second joint seemed to be higher quality and was far more impressive. We actually bailed on the third place because it was just some type of ice cream and our group was falling asleep, nearly out of phone battery, by that point in the day.

Quality of Experience
Restaurant selection, food variety
Food
Variety, selection... these were two of the three worst restaurants we ate at on our whole trip. They weren't *bad,* there were just *better,* all around.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Our guide was very friendly and informative. We learned a lot from him.
Transport
Most of this experience was just walking somewhere to eat two fistfuls of food, the pacing of meals and stops was terrible, and we had no time to adjust for things the group was actually enjoying.
Local specialist: Sandy Ren
Sandy
Sandy Ren
Local specialist in Japan | Replied on Nov 24, 2025
Hi Josh and friends, Thank you for sharing your detailed feedback. We genuinely appreciate your insights as they help us improve our services. We're glad to hear that you enjoyed certain aspects of the trip, especially the recommendations from your local guides and the breathtaking sights like Kiyomizu and Mount Fuji. However, we're truly sorry to learn that some parts of the itinerary felt less personalized and more like standard tourist experiences because they are join in group and have... Read more

Hi Josh and friends,

Thank you for sharing your detailed feedback. We genuinely appreciate your insights as they help us improve our services. We're glad to hear that you enjoyed certain aspects of the trip, especially the recommendations from your local guides and the breathtaking sights like Kiyomizu and Mount Fuji.

However, we're truly sorry to learn that some parts of the itinerary felt less personalized and more like standard tourist experiences because they are join in group and have the meeting points and they are far away from your hotel. I will pay more attention on the distance beteen hotel and meeting point. Thanks so much for your feeback about it. We strive to create unique journeys that cater to our travelers' specific interests, and it's disappointing to hear that we fell short in your case. It sounds like there were some frustrating logistical issues as well, and we understand how that can detract from the overall experience.

Your comments about the restaurant choices and the journey planning are noted, and we will address these concerns with our team to ensure we enhance the customization process in the future. We appreciate your honesty and hope to have the opportunity to create a more tailored experience for you or others in the future. Thank you again for your feedback, and we’re glad to hear your group had fun overall!

Best regards
Sandy

Our guides Phil, Ricky, Victor, and Duong did...
Vietnam | Nov 1 - Nov 17, 2025

Roy
Roy O.
Seattle, WA | Reviewed on Nov 23, 2025
Our guides Phil, Ricky, Victor, and Duong did a great job. All the drivers did good too. Lucy helped a lot with my Visa application error. We would be happy to use Kimkim to help plan our return trip to Vietnam. Read more

Our guides Phil, Ricky, Victor, and Duong did a great job. All the drivers did good too. Lucy helped a lot with my Visa application error. We would be happy to use Kimkim to help plan our return trip to Vietnam.

Hotel Reviews
Silverland Mây Hotel

Unluckily there was construction going on in front of hotel, completely out of their control, but it did take away from the general atmosphere

Authenticity & Character
Very French, not what I would call Authentic for Saigon, but very pleasant.
Location
Easy access
Staff
Very attentive
Cleanliness & Comfort
The bath tube arraignment was strange, cumbersome to get in and out of
Tu Lan Lodge
Phong Nha

All the staff at the hotel were very attentive and happy. The hot water did not last very long for a shower.

Authenticity & Character
It was More modern which is fine, I don’t think they were going for authentic.
Location
Quite
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hot water didn’t last very long for a shower
Local specialist: Lucy Do

Overall, had a good experience with Kimkim. ...
Morocco | Nov 8 - Nov 15, 2025

A
Ashok K.
Miami, FL | Reviewed on Nov 23, 2025
Overall, had a good experience with Kimkim. I had good experience with our guide Mustapha. He had good understanding about what we wanted and that made a difference. Accommodations were overall good, except in one place where we had to walk a lot as vehicles were not allowed. Hopefully, they can get a place closer to where vehicles are allowed. Food was also good except in one place, Boumalne Dades at Rihana Dades which appeared to be expensive for the dinner and choice was not good;... Read more

Overall, had a good experience with Kimkim. I had good experience with our guide Mustapha. He had good understanding about what we wanted and that made a difference. Accommodations were overall good, except in one place where we had to walk a lot as vehicles were not allowed. Hopefully, they can get a place closer to where vehicles are allowed. Food was also good except in one place, Boumalne Dades at Rihana Dades which appeared to be expensive for the dinner and choice was not good; breakfast was also average here. We were able to see everything we wanted and happy to recommend to our friends. The only glitch we had was during the final plan, when we were told that Marrakech was not inour tour itinerary. this is the most important place. During planning, on Sep 26th there was a half day tour of Marrakesh. When they updated the trip plan to include Rabat instead of Chefchaouen, I thought other sections were not changed. Anyway, after landing , we decided to leave later in the afternoon the next day allowing for us to see Marrakech and in the end it worked out. Glad that we went to several cities within a week and Mustapha helped to achieve that.

Hotel Reviews
Barceló Casablanca
Casablanca

Usual city hotel.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Riad Kalaa 2
Rabat

Nice Riad.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Dar Rihana Dades
Douar Aït Ouffi

Could be better. there was water dripping from the sink. dinner choice was not there and cost was higher than expected. Breakfast was average. It was away from the main route and we have to drive further to reach this place.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Riad Braya
FesfE

Nice place to Stay. Beautiful living area.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Bathroom needs a curtain as others can see when a person is having bath, and the rest have to be outside the room.
Tiziri Luxury Camp
Merzouga

Great experience in the camp

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Riad Diamond of Marrakech
Marrakech

Amazing Riad.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Guided Tour of Fez Medina
Guided Tour of Fez Medina
Fes

Guided tour was good. the guide explained well.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Private Transfer From Merzouga to Fez
Private Transfer From Merzouga to Fez
Morocco
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Transfer from Dades to Merzouga via Todra Gorges & Erfoud
Transfer from Dades to Merzouga via Todra Gorges & Erfoud
Morocco
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Hamza EL Asely

Perfect 2 week trip to Japan
Japan | Nov 9 - Nov 22, 2025

Charlotte
Charlotte B.
Atlanta, GA | Reviewed on Nov 24, 2025
This is was a trip of a lifetime. Every city was different and memorable. All of our guides were knowledgeable and timely. We are not big shoppers so they were able to accommodate our extra time with additional sights. Shona, our local specialist, was able to help us adjust a train ticket within an hour and helped us navigate minor bumps during our trip. Read more

This is was a trip of a lifetime. Every city was different and memorable. All of our guides were knowledgeable and timely. We are not big shoppers so they were able to accommodate our extra time with additional sights. Shona, our local specialist, was able to help us adjust a train ticket within an hour and helped us navigate minor bumps during our trip.

Hotel Reviews
Shibuya Tokyu REI Hotel
Tokyo

This hotel was very basic but location could be a huge draw for some people because it is right off of shibuya crossing and near the large train station.

Authenticity & Character
Pretty basic hotel.
Location
For us the location was very loud and busy which we do not love. But some people might like how busy it is.
Staff
When checking on the computer the staff brought me to I told the staff member helping me I had paid for breakfast already. She said I did not and so I bought 2 additional breakfast vouchers. Our local guide had to call the front office and ask for a refund which they did but seems like a situation that could have been avoiding.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Clean but basic
Miyako City Osaka Hommachi
Osaka

Best hotel we stayed in while on our trip. Room was by far the biggest out of any location. Very nice lobby with a great luggage locker and coffee/drink machine.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Not as close to any metro station but easy walk to main tourist spots
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Very comfortable bed
Daiwa Roynet Hotel Hiroshima-ekimae
Hiroshima-shi, Hiroshima

Very new hotel. Breakfast selection was great. Very convenient to the train station and local train cars.

Authenticity & Character
Beautiful views of the mountains and the city for our room
Location
So close to the major train station with lots of food options
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Park Hotel Kyoto
Kyoto

Hotel was nice. They had a fitness room and a coin laundry facility. Location was good near a metro

Authenticity & Character
Location
Right near a metro station
Staff
Kept rooms clean and friendly in lobby
Cleanliness & Comfort
Bed was comfortable and rooms were clean.
Hakone Hotel Kajikaso
Hakone

This hotel has potential to be a great place to stay for the right people. The onsens are great but there is no tattoos allowed so my husband could not enjoy. The rooms are outdated with peeling wall paper and old bathrooms. The dinner and breakfast was included which in theory sounds great but the menu is fixed. The food is definitely for a particular person who values presentation over taste. I would be surprised if a kid would enjoy any of the food because it is heavily raw fish.

Authenticity & Character
This is hotel is authentic. When going to meals you were encouraged to wear a yukata provided by the hotel. Beds were comfortable but room did not have properly working AC.
Location
Hotel is on the river in Hakone which is nice. Easy to get to town and right near a 7-11
Staff
The person who checked us in did not mention we were supposed to wear the yukata to each meal so we showed up in our normal street clothes which was awkward. Also, we had to cancel a dinner due to a reservation which led to multiple confusing phone calls from various staff and we even had someone enter our room despite having a do not disturb sign on the door.
Cleanliness & Comfort
AC did not function properly
the b ginza

Overall a nice hotel. Rooms were small but that is standard in Tokyo. The breakfast was good but the sitting area could only accommodate a certain amount of people so most mornings there was a 5-15 minute wait to get in.

Authenticity & Character
They had a coffee machine and pancake machine in the lobby which was nice
Location
Near a metro and a lot of great shopping
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel was clean but bed was pretty firm.
Local specialist: Shona Zhang
Shona
Shona Zhang
Local specialist in Japan | Replied on Nov 24, 2025
Thank you for taking the time to share your wonderful feedback with us. Reading that this was "a trip of a lifetime" is the highest compliment we could receive—it’s exactly what we strive to create for every traveler. We’re delighted to hear that each city left a unique and memorable impression, and that our guides’ expertise and punctuality enhanced your experience. It’s especially rewarding to know that we could adapt the itinerary to your preferences, replacing shopping time with extra... Read more

Thank you for taking the time to share your wonderful feedback with us. Reading that this was "a trip of a lifetime" is the highest compliment we could receive—it’s exactly what we strive to create for every traveler. We’re delighted to hear that each city left a unique and memorable impression, and that our guides’ expertise and punctuality enhanced your experience. It’s especially rewarding to know that we could adapt the itinerary to your preferences, replacing shopping time with extra sightseeing opportunities—that’s the true essence of personalized travel. A special shout-out to Shona for her swift resolution of your train ticket and her support throughout the trip. Our local specialists take great pride in turning potential hurdles into smooth transitions, and we’ll be sure to share your kind words with her,hope our paths will cross again in the future.

Our trip was amazing and everything went acco...
South Korea | Oct 16 - Nov 18, 2025

Annie
Annie A.
Ashburn, VA | Reviewed on Nov 23, 2025
Our trip was amazing and everything went according to plan.
We interacted first with Jones with whom we spent 11 days from Seoul to Gwangju. Jones is very reliable and has a very good knowledge about his country. If he does not know the response to a question, he will make sure to look for it. He advised us about good places to eat. We definitely recommend him especially for several days like we did with Jones.
Luke in Busan was very nice and very open about the culture of Busan....
Read more

Our trip was amazing and everything went according to plan.
We interacted first with Jones with whom we spent 11 days from Seoul to Gwangju. Jones is very reliable and has a very good knowledge about his country. If he does not know the response to a question, he will make sure to look for it. He advised us about good places to eat. We definitely recommend him especially for several days like we did with Jones.
Luke in Busan was very nice and very open about the culture of Busan.
Christine is very professional and though we spent only one day with her, it was very interesting to discuss about the past and the present of Korea. She has a lot of knowledge and experience.

Hotel Reviews
Golgulsa Temple Stay
Gyeongju

The accommodation is so-do especially because it was raining during our stay.

Authenticity & Character
For the authenticity and character , we gave 4 , not for the accommodation but for the atmosphere and the activities the temple stay offer. It was an experience for us.
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Rakkojae Hahoe Hanok Hotel
Andong

Best hotel we stay in during our 5 weeks trips. Everything was perfect and we wish we could have stayed longer.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Sea Cruise Hotel
Sokcho

Cold atmosphere and huge hotel

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
NINE TREE BY PARNAS SEOUL MYEONDONG 2
Seoul

Nicely situated. Has a business feel. It was very busy during stay with students groups . Very good breakfast.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Jessica Wang

Our trip to Nepal was memorable for many reas...
Nepal | Nov 12 - Nov 18, 2025

Meenakshi
Meenakshi B.
South Old Bridge, NJ | Reviewed on Nov 23, 2025
Our trip to Nepal was memorable for many reasons. Sangita's planning and execution of the trip was very well organized. In the middle my husband caught a cold and cough and so he was not able to walk around as much. Sangita and the other guides were very supportive and understanding. They brought the car as close as possible to the tourist sites so he would not have to walk as much. She set up a chat group so we could communicate and she was very quick to respond to our questions and... Read more

Our trip to Nepal was memorable for many reasons. Sangita's planning and execution of the trip was very well organized. In the middle my husband caught a cold and cough and so he was not able to walk around as much. Sangita and the other guides were very supportive and understanding. They brought the car as close as possible to the tourist sites so he would not have to walk as much. She set up a chat group so we could communicate and she was very quick to respond to our questions and concerns.

All our guides, Bipin at Kathmandu, we had many different guides at Chitwan, Indra at Pokhra, Suhail at Lumbini were very good. In addition the car drivers were also very considerate of mine and my husband's comfort and helped everywhere they could. Personally I enjoyed the historical aspect of Lumbini and Kathmandu. Sangita herself provided a two hour walking tour of old Kathmandu. The ancient homes, temples and streets seemed right of history.

Hotel Reviews
Buddha Maya Garden
Lumbini

The hotel is easily accessible by car from the airport. The staff was very helpful and friendly. The room was spacious but furniture needs updating. The bathroom was small and the shower stall needs updating. The breakfast was ok but the choices were limited. They did make us fresh omelettes and toast.

Authenticity & Character
Location
close to airport and sightseeing places.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
the rooms needed much updating
Barpeepal Resort

The hotel is on a hill. Not a problem if you have a vehicle but is a problem if you are thinking of walking to town. The lake is at the bottom of the hill. It was clean and comfortable. The breakfast was good. We also had dinner at the hotel and it was good. The staff was very helpful.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Hotel at the top of a hill - not easily accessible by foot.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Landmark Forest Park
Sauraha

This is a good resort hotel specially for those who want to experience the nature i the Chitwan National Forest.

Authenticity & Character
The room were rustic and garden were pretty.
Location
Easy to get to from the airport
Staff
Very helpful and courteous. A quick call to the front desk and they took care of everything.
Cleanliness & Comfort
The room was a little small. Some of the hardware needs updating. The bathroom was also small.
Barahi Kathmandu

The rooms are clean and comfortable. The breakfast had a lot of choices and a live station too. The staff was helpful and courteous.

Authenticity & Character
Has modern amenities but with a local flair.
Location
Close to the Airport
Staff
Very helpful
Cleanliness & Comfort
Bed was comfortable and bathroom was clean
Activity Reviews
KTM Market walk(about 2 hrs)
KTM Market walk(about 2 hrs)
Kathmandu Int. Airport (KTM)

The market walk seemed like I was transported to an ancient time when life was simpler and wants were fewer. The houses are more than a hundred years old and have withstood the passage of time. Some are being renovated but others still had the ornate carved windows and doors. Each square has its own temple which the community looks after. This was an amazing experience.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Visit Historical Site of Ramgram
Visit Historical Site of Ramgram
Kathmandu

Not a popular tourist site but I did like the historical aspect and the quiet, serene atmosphere of the place. Many devout Buddhist were paying their respects in one of the most ancient stupas of Buddha.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Explore around Lumbini
Explore around Lumbini
Lumbini

It was amazing to visit the actual site where Buddha was born. A temple has been built on the site and we had a very good view. We also had the opportunity to walk around the grounds and get a feeling of what it may have been like in 5th Century BCE.

Quality of Experience
Food
Local cuisine was available and we enjoyed it.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Visit Sarangkot
Visit Sarangkot
Pokhara

This a must-do if you are visiting Pokhara. The sunrise over the mountains is a magnificent view.

Quality of Experience
We got lucky with a clear day and the best view of a beautiful sunrise.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Our guide was very helpful to my husband who was having trouble climbing so many stairs.
Transport
The car dropped us off at the closest spot and picked us up from there too.
Visit Davi's fall , Gupteswor Cave and Bindabasini Temple
Visit Davi's fall , Gupteswor Cave and Bindabasini Temple
Pokhara

The three places were very close to each other. The Temple was on top of a hill and provided beautiful views of the surroundings. To see the rites carried out at the ancient temple was awe inspiring. The Davi's fall was ok but to hike down to the Gupteswar cave and see the waters of the Davis fall flow in the underground caverns was incredible.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Full Day Jungle Activities in Chitwan
Full Day Jungle Activities in Chitwan
Chitwan National Park

In the morning we went for the river boat ride. We saw many birds, crocodiles and gharials. In the afternoon we went for the jungle safari. We saw many deer and rhinos. It was a great experience.

Quality of Experience
Food
The breakfast was good with live stations of warm egg omelette and toast. Traditional Nepalese food at lunch and dinner was good.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Trip Briefing. Evening Tharu Cultural Program
Trip Briefing. Evening Tharu Cultural Program
Chitwan National Park

The Tharu cultural dance was outdoors in the evening which was a perfect setting.

Quality of Experience
The natural landscapes and wild life of the are was amazing.
Food
local Nepalese cuisine was very good.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Visit Pashupatinath Temple
Visit Pashupatinath Temple
Chitwan National Park

This is a must see. An ancient temple that withstood time and earthquakes too.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Visit Swoyambhunath(Monkey Temple)
Visit Swoyambhunath(Monkey Temple)
Kathmandu

The history and architecture of the temple is amazing to behold. Located on a hilltop, you can climb the steep stairs or ask your cab driver to take you to the back entrance where you have to climb fewer stairs. The place is a conglomeration of Hindu as well as Buddhist rituals. A beautiful view of the city and of course monkeys that gambol around are the special hallmarks of the place.

Quality of Experience
The unique architecture, ambiance and historical aspect of the place.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Knowing that we are senior citizens, our guide and driver took us through the less steep and fewer stairs entrance.
Transport
The cab was clean and our driver's knowledge of the roads made the journey easy and comfortable.
Patan Tour- Explore Newari culture, history, architecture and many untold stories
Patan Tour- Explore Newari culture, history, architecture and many untold stories
Kathmandu

Our guide for this trip was knowledgable and helped us understand the underlying history and culture of each of the sights we saw. The walk though the palace and the museum was very interesting.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Trip Briefing
Trip Briefing
Kathmandu

Sangita was in contact with us and from the beginning and welcomed us at the Airport in Kathmandu. She came with us to the hotel and helped us check in. All information was provided at that time. She also set up a WhatsApp chat group so we could communicate in real time. This is very important since flights can be delayed and traffic can be bad.

Quality of Experience
Sangita was very clear with her directions and had all the flights and print out ready for the rest of the trip. She also had a spreadsheet where all the information for each part of the trip was included.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
The friendliness and eager to provide us with any help and information
Transport
All cabs were clean and the drivers were helpful and on time.
Local specialist: Sangita Bajracharya

Adrian 10/10
Ireland | Nov 1 - Nov 7, 2025

Kyle
Kyle D.
Newark, NJ | Reviewed on Nov 23, 2025
Adrian and the team at KimKim were fantastic to work with. Friendly, professional and extremely knowledgeable especially about our destination. We had a basic idea of what we wanted to explore during our time in Ireland, but Adrian helped bring it all to life… not to mention, he asked us about our interests in general and was able to add excursions that we would have never known about that made our trip even more memorable. Any questions that came up over the course of our trip were... Read more

Adrian and the team at KimKim were fantastic to work with. Friendly, professional and extremely knowledgeable especially about our destination. We had a basic idea of what we wanted to explore during our time in Ireland, but Adrian helped bring it all to life… not to mention, he asked us about our interests in general and was able to add excursions that we would have never known about that made our trip even more memorable. Any questions that came up over the course of our trip were immediately answered and the customer service was second to none. Since we visited later in the season some of our initial plans had to be adjusted, but it didn’t take away from a once in a lifetime visit! Thank you Adrian!

Hotel Reviews
Menlo Hotel
Galway

The Menlo Hotel is conveniently located right on the edge of downtown Galway. The staff were friendly and added a special touch for birthday celebrations. The hotel was undergoing additional construction, but it did not impact our trip in the least. The downtown area was a quick taxi ride in the rain and the Shannon airport was an easy drive as well.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Riu Plaza The Gresham Dublin
Dublin

We had a nice stay at The Gresham. Its location made it easy to walk to museums, restaurants and shopping. Everyone we interacted with was kind and accommodating.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
The Lake Hotel
Killarney

An experience all to itself! A fantastic home base for all of our excursions in Killarney. The staff were incredibly kind and added a special touch to make our birthday celebration truly memorable. The newly renovated wing was beautiful and the views were outstanding. From our balcony we could see deer, ducks, and the most breathtaking view!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Ballea Castle
Cork

Louise and her family provided a fantastic stay at Ballea Castle. Everyone, including the animals, were warm and kind. Our room was wonderful and dinner at Mabel Lane was top notch. We enjoyed walking the grounds with Daisy, Prince and their two lovely cats. A worthwhile stay during our journey through Ireland.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Waterford Castle
Waterford

The Waterford Castle was an experience second to none. The grounds and estate were beautiful. All of the staff were welcoming, especially Alisandro who crafted fantastic cocktails for us. The food was delicious and the bread pudding was the star of the show!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Falconry Adventures
Falconry Adventures
Killarney

Don’t miss an opportunity to meet Mark and his birds! Mark’s passion and knowledge make this a great stop in your travels. We learned a lot about the birds of prey, including how they are trained, how they hunt, and got to hold / feed them too!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Waterford Crystal Factory Tour
Waterford Crystal Factory Tour
Waterford

The Waterford tour was enlightening and we had a great guide (Caroline) who was super friendly. We saw every step in the process and even some of the famous pieces on display. Hit the gift shop at the end and get something special!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Viking Triangle - King Of The Vikings
Viking Triangle - King Of The Vikings
Waterford

Very informative and fun way to learn about the Viking history in Ireland. Knowledgeable guide and cool VR experience.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Pearse Lyons Distillery: Dublin's Unique Church-Converted Spirit Haven
Pearse Lyons Distillery: Dublin's Unique Church-Converted Spirit Haven
Dublin

Hidden gem located right next to Guinness. The church was beautifully restored and our tour guide was both friendly and knowledgeable about the Distillery’s history and the whiskey making process. If you’re looking for a smaller / local distillery feel, not to mention some pretty good whiskey, this is your place!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Local specialist: Adrian Murphy

Argentina and Chile Trip: Amazing
Argentina | Nov 2 - Nov 22, 2025

Rory
Rory B.
Coney Island, NY | Reviewed on Nov 23, 2025

We had a wonderful trip to Argentina and Chile. KimKim’s travel assistance made things easy. The waterfalls at Iguazú are mind blowing! Bariloche, El Chaltén and El Calafate were beautiful places in Patagonia.

Local specialist: Camila Plat

Wonderful and out of the ordinary
Colombia | Nov 7 - Nov 21, 2025

rebecca
rebecca t.
San Jose, CA | Reviewed on Nov 23, 2025
Very pleased with the itinerary and complete reliability of all the bookings and arrangements. Tayrona bird guide, Wilson, was amazing and it was wonderful to learn about the partnership between the sites (both indigenous and ecological) we visited and the protection do they natural and cultural resources. It was fabulous Read more

Very pleased with the itinerary and complete reliability of all the bookings and arrangements. Tayrona bird guide, Wilson, was amazing and it was wonderful to learn about the partnership between the sites (both indigenous and ecological) we visited and the protection do they natural and cultural resources. It was fabulous

Hotel Reviews
Hotel Madre Sierra

Beautiful hotel at the dela Of two rivers with a swinging bridge. Very friendly staff and pleasant accommodations. Disappointed at the bright lights kept on all night long….but maybe that was for the safety of the guests.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Senda Koguiwa
Santa Marta

Beautiful pool and grounds. We found the meals limited and not the best value for the price. It was not easy to walk to nearby restaurants. Getting a to go breakfast for early morning hikes was possible but it was packaged peanuts, banana and cheese slapped on bread. I think they could have done better. All of the staff were great b

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Punta Faro
Isla Mucura

Wonderful location and excellent foo and staff. Very relaxing. Also some trails to walk around the island were fun to explore. 2 hour boat ride was a bit bumpy so be prepared. Great that no music was playing and loved the environmental ethic including glass instead of plastic bottles

Authenticity & Character
Location
lol
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Casa Tere
Cartagena

Very pleasant family run business in an excellent location. They were extremely friendly and place was clean and had a rooftop area for seeing th city. Only drawback is the breakfasts were very limited.

Authenticity & Character
Location
L
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Michael Gold
Michael
Michael Gold
Local specialist in San Agustín, Huila, Colombia | Replied on Nov 23, 2025

Hi Becky,
Thank you so much for this wonderful review — it truly means a lot. I’m very happy to hear that the itinerary worked so well for you and that you had such memorable moments, especially in Tayrona.
And thank you as well for sharing the beautiful photos — they really capture the spirit of the trip. :)
I appreciate your honest feedback about the hotels, too. This helps us continue improving and refining our recommendations. It was a pleasure planning your journey, and I’d be delighted to help you explore more of Colombia whenever you’re ready.
Warm regards,
Michael

Greg planned an amazing 11-day trip for us in...
Japan | Nov 5 - Nov 15, 2025

Debbie
Debbie H.
South Plainfield, NJ | Reviewed on Nov 22, 2025
Greg planned an amazing 11-day trip for us in Japan. We got to see a lot of Japan, do a whole range of activities, eat a bunch of local foods (often via food tours), and travel around the country like locals on Japan's awesome public transportation. Some of Greg's instructions on how to get places, and what our timing was, were a bit confusing, but he offered to get on a call with us, which we did, and were able to clear up the confusion. So make sure you're clear on all of the details and... Read more

Greg planned an amazing 11-day trip for us in Japan. We got to see a lot of Japan, do a whole range of activities, eat a bunch of local foods (often via food tours), and travel around the country like locals on Japan's awesome public transportation. Some of Greg's instructions on how to get places, and what our timing was, were a bit confusing, but he offered to get on a call with us, which we did, and were able to clear up the confusion. So make sure you're clear on all of the details and know where to find what you need either on the KimKim app or from other source given to you by the travel agent.
One of the real highlights was that the company Greg used for our tours (Magical Trips) keeps the groups very small and uses local guides. We got to ask all sorts of questions of the guides and really connected with them, as well as the other person or people who were in our group. Through those conversations we learned the most about Japan's culture and daily life and this really made our trip.

Activity Reviews
Kyoto Arashiyama Bamboo forest & Garden Half-Day Walking Small Group Tour
Kyoto Arashiyama Bamboo forest & Garden Half-Day Walking Small Group Tour
Japan

The store was excellent because it took us off the beaten path so that we got to see some temples and gardens that we never would’ve seen. It also got us away from the crowds in the bamboo forest. We learned a lot and and really enjoyed talking to our guide Ayuri.

Sushi Making Cooking Class near the Tokyo Tower
Sushi Making Cooking Class near the Tokyo Tower
Tokyo

We thoroughly enjoyed this class! We had taken a sushi making class at home, but this one blew it away. Not only did we learn how to make sushi like a pro but the sushi we made was some of the best we’ve ever had. Our instructor was great and fun and knowledgeable and spoke English perfectly. Definitely recommend!

Quality of Experience
The instruction, the instructor, the food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Local specialist: Greg Varga

We had never used a travel company before, so...
Galapagos Islands | Oct 31 - Nov 9, 2025

D
Devon B.
Chicago, IL | Reviewed on Nov 22, 2025
We had never used a travel company before, so didn’t know what to expect, but were so happy we did! Milton served as our personal guide for almost three days in Quito, and he was a huge reason our experience was so positive. He was always punctual with a clean car, and offered great conversation, allowing us to learn about life in and history of Quito. We’d love to work with him again! Our time on Santa Cruz was also wonderful, with knowledgeable and friendly guides at each activity. We... Read more

We had never used a travel company before, so didn’t know what to expect, but were so happy we did!

Milton served as our personal guide for almost three days in Quito, and he was a huge reason our experience was so positive. He was always punctual with a clean car, and offered great conversation, allowing us to learn about life in and history of Quito. We’d love to work with him again!

Our time on Santa Cruz was also wonderful, with knowledgeable and friendly guides at each activity. We particularly loved the excursion to North Seymour island and all of the wildlife we had a chance to see up close and personal. The catamaran for the trip was very nice and it made the trip even more special, with a chef on board who cooked a delicious lunch. Our guides for El Chato tortoise reserve and the Darwin museum were friendly and very knowledgeable, answering all of our questions. Every meal accommodated our vegan diet and the food exceeded expectations. The Acacia Hotel was also beautiful with 10/10 service. We spent no time waiting or figuring out transit or logistics, allowing us to fully relax and make the most of our time in Galapagos.

Isabela was also a wonderful time, very different from Santa Cruz as it is more remote and quiet. Our first day itinerary included a 2 pm trip to Los Tintoreras with snorkeling, kayaking and hiking. However, we weren’t picked up until 3 pm and only had a chance to kayak that day as it was getting late. We weren’t given a chance to walk on the Tintoreras or see the reef sharks, which was a bit disappointing. Luckily we rescheduled snorkeling for the next morning, but without a guide, didn't get to snorkel at Los Tintoreras.

A big highlight was the Sierra Negra volcano hike. The guide was very knowledgeable and the trip was well timed with a small group, and absolutely gorgeous.

Overall, we had a great experience and would recommend this adventurous yet relaxing trip!

Hotel Reviews
Albemarle
Puerto Villamil

Great location right on the beach and walkable to restaurants and shopping. It was a noisy being next to a soccer field and with the pool in the middle of the hotel, and felt a bit run down as it was an older space. Overall, good service with recommendations on local restaurants and activities.

Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Noisy with soccer field next door and could hear other guests. Some stains on curtains and felt a little run down.
Acacia Galápagos Boutique Hotel
Puerto Ayora

Amazing location, attentive and accommodating service, clean and pretty. Great breakfast tailored to dietary needs.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Ikala Quito Hotel
Quito

Nice and modern with great service and breakfast. Overall, would recommend!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Would have been nice to be more directly close to restaurants.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Hiking Sierra Negra Volcano
Hiking Sierra Negra Volcano
Galapagos Islands
Cuicocha Lagoon
Cuicocha Lagoon
Ecuador
Visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station
Visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station
Puerto Ayora
Transfer to Quito Airport, Arrival to Galapagos & Highlands of Santa Cruz
Transfer to Quito Airport, Arrival to Galapagos & Highlands of Santa Cruz
Ecuador

Great guide, beautiful tortoise reserve with upscale lunch!

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Kayaking & Snorkeling at Las Tintoreras
Kayaking & Snorkeling at Las Tintoreras
Galapagos Islands

The kayaking was great, but we were not given an opportunity to walk on the island or snorkel as Los Tintoreras.

Quality of Experience
Excursion to an uninhabited island
Excursion to an uninhabited island
Galapagos Islands
Quito City Tour - Middle of the World
Quito City Tour - Middle of the World
Quito
Local specialist: Paul Cisneros

Loved the kayaking in Puket. Felt like being in an imaginary world.
Thailand | Nov 7 - Nov 21, 2025

Karen
Karen S.
Alhambra, AZ | Reviewed on Nov 22, 2025
Loved the kayaking in Puket. Would suggest to stay at a hotel closer to where you get the boat. Driving way down to the party town of Puket doesn't appeal to older tourists. All of our guides were outstanding. Was amazed at how everyone showed up on time and always welcomed us at the airport with our name on a sign. Providing bottled water and cool towels on our van rides were greatly appreciated. May want to communicate that bottled water is provided and only 1 type of outlet C is in all... Read more

Loved the kayaking in Puket. Would suggest to stay at a hotel closer to where you get the boat. Driving way down to the party town of Puket doesn't appeal to older tourists. All of our guides were outstanding. Was amazed at how everyone showed up on time and always welcomed us at the airport with our name on a sign. Providing bottled water and cool towels on our van rides were greatly appreciated. May want to communicate that bottled water is provided and only 1 type of outlet C is in all the hotels and a converter will be needed.All the temples and Halong Bay were amazing. There were a few details lacking for the guides that we had in our trip itinerary. Overall this was a fantastic trip for us and we would use KimKim again!

Hotel Review
The Charm Resort Phuket

Pool had amazing views of the city.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Tina Oo
Tina
Tina Oo
Local specialist in Thailand | Replied on Nov 23, 2025

Hi Karen,
Thank you so much for the feedback.
I am glad that you would use kimkim again for future after the trip with us.
Thanks for enjoying the trip and traveling with us.
Best,
Tina

We have traveled around the world, and up unt...
Costa Rica | Nov 9 - Nov 18, 2025

Trish
Trish G.
Newark, NJ | Reviewed on Nov 22, 2025
We have traveled around the world, and up until now did all the planning ourselves. This was the first time we used a travel agent and Kimkim was AMAZING. Every detail was prearranged. We had a very active trip with four stops, six excursions and transportation with planes, buses, boats and a rental car. Everything worked exactly as planned. Our tour guides were all prompt, friendly, knowledgeable and spoke English. We had a great time doing things I would not have thought of arranging. The... Read more

We have traveled around the world, and up until now did all the planning ourselves. This was the first time we used a travel agent and Kimkim was AMAZING. Every detail was prearranged. We had a very active trip with four stops, six excursions and transportation with planes, buses, boats and a rental car. Everything worked exactly as planned. Our tour guides were all prompt, friendly, knowledgeable and spoke English. We had a great time doing things I would not have thought of arranging. The total price was very reasonable for everything we experienced. It was my favorite trip ever, and that says a lot. We will definitely use Kimkim again.

Hotel Reviews
Hotel Bosque del Mar
Playa Hermosa

A lovely boutique hotel with the most friendly staff ever. The ground consist of beautiful mature trees with the rooms integrated into the landscape. The ocean is steps away and visible from the restaurant and upstairs bar. There is one smallish pool and a hot tub. The rooms are beautiful with a separate sitting room with a comfortable sectional sofa. The restaurant was very nice. The food was delicious but a little pricey. We found the upstairs bar menu a little less expensive but still delicious food. The staff were all very accommodating and made our stay extra nice. A massage by Angie was a perfect way to end our stay. She is a spectacular massage therapist and highly recommended

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Los Lagos Spa & Resort
La Fortuna

Wow! Absolutely gorgeous grounds and a series of hot springs to die for. You have several choices of hot springs with varying temperatures, a swim up bar, swimming pools and water slide. We spent so much time on the property and it was so relaxing. The rooms are HUGE and clean with lovely covered porches on the front and back. The food in the restaurant was very good. The breakfast buffet was included and a terrific variety of food, both traditional and local dishes. Even the gift shop had a nice selection of souvenirs with reasonable prices.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Mawamba Lodge
Tortuguero

A rustic all inclusive hotel in the Rain Forest. You are immersed in the tropical jungle environment. There is no A/C, no TV and very limited WiFi, but honestly it was nice being unplugged. The in house tour guide was very knowledgeable and taught us about the flora and fauna of Costa Rica. The food was fair. The wait staff were ok. They did their job, but were not particularly friendly, expect for a couple of staff that stood out. A couple of days here is enough.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Presidente
San José

A modern urban hotel in the city of San Jose. Very clean, fabulous, friendly staff. Delicious breakfast Buffett included with our room. The rooftop restaurant was a very nice atmosphere with spectacular food so we ate there twice. I highly recommend this hotel.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Morning Sailing and Snorkeling Adventure
Morning Sailing and Snorkeling Adventure
Costa Rica

A beautiful boat and lovely adventure. The captain and first mate were very attentive and made this a favorite tour of our trip.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Visit to Maleku Indigenous Reserve
Visit to Maleku Indigenous Reserve
Arenal/La Fortuna

A terrific experience learning about the history of this tribe, eating an authentic lunch, archery, a mock wedding and description of the plants they use for medicinal purposes.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Tortuguero Village Visit
Tortuguero Village Visit
Tortuguero

A walk through a local village. The day we went it was pouring rain which did not stop us. They are proud people. Bring cash because you will not find an ATM in this village

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Private San José City Tour
Private San José City Tour
San José

Our tour guide Manu was a delight. He taught us a lot about the history of Costa Rica during this walking tour. He spoke English well and had a great personality.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Bryan Leon
Bryan
Bryan Leon
Local specialist in Cartago, Costa Rica | Replied on Nov 23, 2025

Hola Trish!

Thank you so much for your incredibly kind words. Reading this truly made my day!

Hearing that this was your favorite trip ever, especially given your extensive travel experience, is the highest compliment we could ever receive. I'm thrilled that everything flowed smoothly and that our team could introduce you to experiences that made your journey so special.

We would be absolutely delighted to help you create more unforgettable memories on your next adventure.

Pura Vida!
Bryan Leon,
Serendipity Adventures | Costa Rica 🌴

I had a 14 day tour with Jeab as our tour pla...
Thailand | Nov 7 - Nov 21, 2025

Alison
Alison B.
Australia | Reviewed on Nov 22, 2025
I had a 14 day tour with Jeab as our tour planner
Jeab was very friendly and helpful, I could contact her anytime for assistance, she included all of the activities I was interested in, it did not dissapoint
My trip was fantastic I travelled all over Thailand and everything went like clockwork.
I liked The tour with a local guide in Kanchanaburi where we went to Erawan waterfall and Hellfire pass was my favourite places
The Thai people are very friendly, considerateand beautiful.
Jeab our
Read more

I had a 14 day tour with Jeab as our tour planner
Jeab was very friendly and helpful, I could contact her anytime for assistance, she included all of the activities I was interested in, it did not dissapoint
My trip was fantastic I travelled all over Thailand and everything went like clockwork.
I liked The tour with a local guide in Kanchanaburi where we went to Erawan waterfall and Hellfire pass was my favourite places
The Thai people are very friendly, considerateand beautiful.
Jeab our

Hotel Reviews
Kantary Hotel Ayutthaya

Great hotel Beautiful pool spa and steam room Friendly helpful staff

Felix River Kwai Resort
kanchanaburi
4 Monkeys Hotels Bangkok
Bangkok
The Opium Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai
Local specialist: Jeab Kwanchanok
Jeab
Jeab Kwanchanok
Local specialist in Thailand | Replied on Nov 22, 2025

Hi Alison,

Thank you so much for your kind words and thoughtful review! It truly made my day to hear how much you enjoyed the experiences I curated for your trip. It was an honor for me and my team to have you both as our travelers.

Wishing you all the best, and I hope we have the pleasure of welcoming you back to Thailand again soon!

Khob Khun Ka and All the Best,
Jeab

There were many issues of miscommunication th...
Patagonia | Nov 2 - Nov 17, 2025

E
Eddie Z.
Costa Rica | Reviewed on Nov 21, 2025
There were many issues of miscommunication throughout the course of the trip. Firstly, after waiting over half an hour for driver at El Chalten I called the service and person stated they were trying locate driver. After an hour we were on our way. Since it was hour one way to town and a 120 USD fare. It was impracticle, if not impossible, to take meals anywhere else. Furthermore, there was only a set offering at meal. I felt that by adding the mandatory meal serivce the provider was... Read more

There were many issues of miscommunication throughout the course of the trip.

Firstly, after waiting over half an hour for driver at El Chalten I called the service and person stated they were trying locate driver. After an hour we were on our way.

Since it was hour one way to town and a 120 USD fare. It was impracticle, if not impossible, to take meals anywhere else. Furthermore, there was only a set offering at meal. I felt that by adding the mandatory meal serivce the provider was attempting to present a different cost than we were actually going incur.

The tour of Palermo and Soho were not as advertised. One of the main reasons of this tour for taking this tour was to visit the Recoleta cemetery. We only were notified upon arrival very disappointing.

The beef and wine tasting Fogon Asodo carried an extra charge for wine.

Lastly, I do not remember the name a place the that hosted the Tango show. But food was AWFUL.

My wife I travel several months a year. This is first and last time using Kimkim.

Hotel Reviews
Refugio de Glaciares
El Chalten
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Alto Andino Hotel
Ushuaia
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Blanca Patagonia Boutique Inn and Cabins
El Calafate, Santa Cruz
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Asado tasting with wine pairing
Asado tasting with wine pairing
Buenos Aires

the wine pairing was an extra charge

Food
Bike tour: Palermo & Recoleta
Bike tour: Palermo & Recoleta
Buenos Aires

Tour was not as stated in writing.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Tango & cena show at El Viejo Almacen
Tango & cena show at El Viejo Almacen
Buenos Aires

The show was good but the dinner was awful.

Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Estancia Harberton & walk with penguins
Estancia Harberton & walk with penguins
Ushuaia
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Day trip to Tierra del Fuego National Park
Day trip to Tierra del Fuego National Park
Ushuaia
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Kayak Experience Perito Moreno glacier
Kayak Experience Perito Moreno glacier
El Calafate
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Glaciar Sur Aventura, an immersion in the Glacier National Park
Glaciar Sur Aventura, an immersion in the Glacier National Park
El Calafate
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Estancia Cristina Upsala
Estancia Cristina Upsala
El Calafate
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Juan Ignacio Pissareff

Why travelers love kimkim

Custom trips for independent travelers who are too busy to plan
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