Kimkim Trip Reviews

Andrea was very responsive and quickly set up an itinerary that met our needs. Her team kept in touch with us during the trip, making adjustments due to two delayed flights. The local guides were informed of the delays . All local guides were very professional, arrived on time or early, spoke good English, were very knowledgeable and took good care of us. Most of the accommodations were good. One jungle lodge was very remote, difficult to reach, had no hot water so we would have preferred only one night there. Another hotel, in Santa Marta, was very nice but we arrived late and left early so didn't have time to enjoy the facilities. Plus the hotel was near the main square and music blared until the early hours of the morning. The hikes were quite challenging but we were fit enough, though tired.

Hotel Reviews

Casa La Fe

Cartagena de Indias

Great location in the old town and on a square with restaurants nearby. The staff members were all very helpful. The breakfast options were wonderful. We enjoyed the courtyard. The room was small but perfectly adequate. The area was quiet. There was a nice pool upstairs. The Wifi worked well.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Quiet area in the old town

Staff

Very helpful

Cleanliness & Comfort

Room was small but comfortable

Miraflores Boutique Hotel

The hotel is on the west side of the island and doesn't have a beach. It is about 15 minutes by taxi into the town. We had a lovely room above the reception with a big balcony. The room was spacious with a narrow but nice bathroom. Breakfast was good and they have a restaurant (limited choices) for dinner. There are some local restaurants in walking distance with better food choices. The grounds are big and there's a pool but we didn't use it as the weather was wet. The only downside was the constant traffic noise as we were in Room 2 close to the road.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

When we arrived, there was no one in reception and it took about an hour to find someone to check us in. Once we were settled, the staff was nice and helpful.

Cleanliness & Comfort

The beds in Colombia tend to be firm.

Reserva Natural Tierra Adentro

Santa Marta

Gorgeous setting in the jungle with birds, rescued animals and great views. The room was basic with a concrete floor and thatched roof, a small bathroom and a balcony. There was no hot water in the shower but the Wifi was strong. There is an outdoor open eating area with restaurant. Getting to the lodge is an adventure in itself. First a winding mountain road from Santa Marta to Minca, a small village. Then another 40 minutes on some of the worst roads I've ever seen (and I travel a lot). The remote setting was lovely but it would not be a place to have a medical emergency as it's so far from help. We had two nights here, one would have been enough.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

It's such a remote location so probably hard to get hot water. It was wet so we were damp and a bit chilled at times.

Ecohabs Tequendama Parque Tayrona

Cartagena

The location is right out of a travel magazine. We stayed one night in Room 4 perched high on the hill with a view to the ocean. However, there were a lot of inconveniences. First, it was a long walk from the reception to the restaurant, then 106 steps up to the room. Luckily we were fairly fit but it would have been strenuous for people older than us. Secondly, the bedroom was upstairs in the cabin. The lighting in the room was poor and I needed to use a flashlight to get things out of my suitcase. To use the bathroom, you have to go outside and downstairs (avoiding any rain). Not ideal for an older couple who need to go to the bathroom at night. Bring a flashlight. There was a coffee maker tucked away in a dark corner next to the bathroom, but no complimentary coffee, only sugar was provided. There were good breakfast choices in the impressive restaurant but service was slow and we waited about 40 minutes to get our breakfast while other guests who arrived after us got their food, ate and left. It was definitely an experience to stay in such a gorgeous place but it is better suited to younger people.

Authenticity & Character

Architecture of the cabins and restaurant

Location

Views of the ocean

Staff

Restaurant staff didn't speak English which lead to incorrect orders. I asked for tea with milk and got a cup of tea and a glass of milk. Service was slow.

Cleanliness & Comfort

The lodge is in the jungle so expect mosquitos and cockroaches in the room. The bathroom had hot water though it did run out.

Casa de Isabella, a Kali Hotel

Santa Marta

Lovely hotel. Our room was large and on the third floor. There is no elevator/lift. Unfortunately we arrived late and left early so didn't have an opportunity to use the pool or have breakfast. The bathroom was spacious and had hot water.

Authenticity & Character

It appeared to be built from old houses so was interesting

Location

Close to a main square in the old town. Walking distance to restaurants. We stayed on a Saturday night and the music from the square blared until about 2:00 AM. No sleep for us.

Staff

Receptionist spoke limited English. But in the morning a young lady helped us with our bags as we had an early start.

Cleanliness & Comfort

All good. There were even robes in the bathroom.

Hotel De La Opera

Bogotá

Fabulous hotel in the old city. The staff were very helpful. The hotel has three courtyards with rooms around them. Our room was comfortable with a nice bathroom. The location was quiet. It's very close to the main square and I felt very safe walking around the square early the next morning. It was also a quick walk to several museums. The hotel has a restaurant on the fourth floor with good food for dinner Breakfast is served in the courtyard and was an amazing buffet, the best breakfast of our trip. I had an omelet made to order. I wish we had more time here as the hotel was so nice.

Authenticity & Character

The hotel appears to be made from three adjacent houses so has lovely interior courtyards.

Location

So close to the square and museums, easy to walk around the area.

Staff

Very helpful

Cleanliness & Comfort

Nice room, good wifi, hot water in the shower

Activity Reviews

The Double Waterfall in Minca

Colombia

We ended up going to two waterfalls within walking distance of our lodge. Cesar was a great guide. The hike was easy. You could swim at the waterfalls. The Marinka Falls had bathrooms and a restaurant where we had lunch.

Quality of Experience

Cesar was a great guide

Food

We had a nice lunch at the Marinka Waterfall

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Afternoon-Night Walking Tour

Cartagena

Our guide gave us a good overview of the old city.

Quality of Experience

Guide spoke good English, very nice woman

Guides, Drivers and Staff

On time, helpful. took good care of us.

Transport

No waiting, nice vehicle

Nature Walk and Wildlife Spotting Adventure in Matute

Cartagena

Luis was a wonderful guide and really knows and loves birds. We also saw an iguana and many howler monkeys. The visit to the house of the owners of the reserve was a great experience too. Luis had a good camera and shared the photos he took. The whole tour was quite an adventure walking through this area of regenerated jungle.

Quality of Experience

Luis is so knowledgeable about wildlife

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Great guide

Transport

Comfortable car

From La Popa’s Heights to San Felipe’s Walls, Icons of Cartagena’s History and Beauty

Colombia

We did this tour by car and went beyond the old city. The monastery on the hill provides great views. Unfortunately we couldn't get into San Felipe Castle as it was closed for a private event. That was a bit disappointing. But the guide took us to see some other fortification instead.

Quality of Experience

The monastery

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Friendly and helpful

Transport

On time, comfortable car

Snorkeling in the San Andrés Coral Reef

Colombia

I wanted to go to San Andres for the snorkeling. I've been lucky to have snorkeled all over the world. The guide, Miguel, was very nice and safety conscious. But the snorkeling itself was disappointing. There was some hard coral but no soft coral nor much color. There were some fish but not what I was hoping for. Also, it had rained the day before so visibility was low and the ocean was rough so we got bounced around a lot of the time. Perhaps a different location or day would have been a different experience.

Quality of Experience

Coral bleaching but that is happening worldwide.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Miguel was good, interesting to talk to

Transport

We went on Miguel's little boat. Don't bring anything of value as things may get wet. Miguel had a dry bag.

Discover the treasures of San Andrés Island

San Andrés Island

The guide took us around the island with three stops - a museum, Baptist church and historic house.

Quality of Experience

Guide was interesting. Carolina is a diver as well as a guide.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Knowledge of the island

Transport

Comfortable car

Hiking in the Tayrona National Park

Colombia

A fairly tough 10 mile hike along the coast of the National Park. It is an out and back hike on the same trail. Lovely views. Lots of people and lots of mud. Wear boots or sturdy shoes. Bring water, sunscreen and a hat. It was very hot and humid. We had a break for lunch and a swim at a beach. For lunch we had fresh fish. Cesar was a considerate guide who knew how to avoid the worst of the mud. Along the way we saw capuchin monkeys, a crab, frog, bats and lots of leaf-cutter ants.

Quality of Experience

This is a place I wanted to see.

Food

Fresh fish on the beach.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Cesar was excellent. Very considerate and safety conscious.

Transport

Four wheel drive from the mountain lodge to the National Park. The driver took our bags to the hotel

Bunkuany: The Heart of the Wold

Colombia

An amazing experience to see this archeological site in the jungle. We were the only people there. It exceeded our expectations. The hike was somewhat strenuous but seeing Bunkuany was worth it. Also we enjoyed a simple but delicious lunch with a farmer and his wife. Cesar and the local guide took good care of us. The drive to the trail was long and very bumpy but we got to stop and see some interesting rock carvings.

Quality of Experience

Great guides who took care of us.

Food

Nice lunch with the farming family.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Very interesting people

Transport

Alex drove in very challenging conditions

Paloquemao Farmers Market | Colonial Downtown & Monserrate

Colombia

Luis was an enthusiastic guide and a very interesting person. We loved the market, seeing the fruits and vegetables and tasting some of the food. Luis knew many of the vendors and introduced us. Then we went to Monserrate and appreciated the fast pass tickets as it was very busy. We had a lovely lunch there and enjoyed the views. Luis also provided a walking tour of the old town, taking us along narrow streets and past street entertainers. The next day he arrived on time and accompanied us to the airport.

Quality of Experience

It was all great.

Food

The food at the market and lunch up on Monserrate

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our driver, also called Luis, was very professional.

Transport

Great driver

Andrea was great! Everything she planned went off without issues. She was also very flexible with planning.

Hotel Reviews

Quinta Ladera

Medellin

Great hotel! Close to bars and restaurants but still secluded. The coffee/breakfast place downstairs had some of the best coffee we had in Columbia.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Terasu

Lovely place. Tucked away from town and overlooking the Andes. Restaurant/bar staff was very friendly and kind. Food was really good.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Punta Faro

Isla Mucura

Great hotel - but important to know that it’s a resort with nothing significant outside of the hotel grounds.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Island itself is small and remote.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Very clean rooms with daily service! One thing to note is that it’s an open hotel - so no door locks. Each room does have a safe deposit box and at no point were we worried about our stuff.

Nacar Hotel Cartagena, Curio Collection by Hilton

Cartagena

Authenticity & Character

Great roof top

Location

In a good part of town away from street vendors!

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Biking Adventure in Guatapé: Nature, Culture, and the Iconic Peñol Boulder

Colombia

Great day tour! We left super early to avoid crowds. Had the boulder to ourselves. Bike tour way great - what’s good for traveler's to know is that it is on mountain bikes and VERY hilly. The lunch and boat rides were highlights.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Juliana was AWESOME. She was very knowledgeable and thought on her feet whenever a plan went sideways.

Transport

Great driver!

Hiking in the Cócora Valley up to "The Hummingbird House" & Explore Salento

Colombia

The hike itself was AMAZING from a views standpoint. We struggled with our guide (Juan Camilo) at times.

Quality of Experience

The beauty of the area was stunning. At the base there was a market for locals which made it feel less touristy.

Food

Trout was a bit raw. I had to pay out of pocket for my beer despite it being on 50 cents more than a lemonade. Felt cheap given how much we paid. Tree planting ceremony felt a little hokey.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Juan Comilo struggled with us. He is starting his own agency and used a significant time on the hike to take photos as part of that pursuit. This took time away from his focus and felt inappropriate. At some point I just started walking ahead of him out of frustration.

Transport

Punta Faro at Múcura Island

Colombia

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Liz was amazing!

Transport

It’s crazy driving in Cartagena - and these drivers are insanely good at navigating that craziness.

El Paraiso Coffee Farm: Where Coffee and History Unite in a Sensory Journey

Colombia

Quality of Experience

Loved hearing the personal story of the farm owner! We learned so much from him.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Sangita did an excellent job putting our trip to Nepal together. Everything worked like clockwork from the airport pick up to the drop off. She listened to our ideas and concerns and came up with the prefect trek for us (Pikey Peak). Throughout the entire planning and travel period she was always friendly, available and answered our questions without any delay. You could feel how much she cared about us and made sure we were ok both in Kathmandu as well as . She came and visited us in Kathmandu and even gave us a private walking tour in Thamil showing us some insider locations. THANK YOU Sangita.
The Pikey Peak trek was a spectacular hike along the Himalayans with stunning views of Mount Everest. Our guide, Mietra, was a local and knew the area very well. He also knew the owners of the Tea Houses and made sure we were very well taken care of. The warm breakfasts, lunches and dinners were delicious everywhere.
Our porter Buan always had a big smile on his face, despite the heavy bag he had to carry. Also a shoutout to our driver, who managed to drive us safely to/from the trails despite the very bad road conditions (most roads were washed away in September).

Everything was really good and fun, very organized. The tour guides also speaks good english and very knowledgeable with history of Peru, they are also patient with us. The hotels we stayed at were also really good and very unique! Overall, I would recommend Kimkim to my friends next time they travel. We would definitely book again for our future trips to kimkim seeing as they also provide travel guides to other countries!

Hotel Reviews

Quinta San Blas by Ananay Hotels

Cusco

This hotel’s location is in the heart of Cusco with the old city feeling. They also provide good service and good breakfast!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Tierra Viva Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu

The staff were good and kind! Great breakfast food, the hotel is clean and organized. It’s also close to the bus and train.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Antigua Miraflores

Lima

Very cute! They also have really good services and good food in the restuarant.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Discovering the Treasures of Machu Picchu

Aguas Calientes/ Machu Picchu

The very reason I booked a trip to Peru! It didn’t dissapoint! The Machu Picchu is very charming and amazing, our tour guides, Emilia is also very knowledgeable with the history and patient with us and provided us with ample amounts of rest breaks especially with the stairs part!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Rainbow Mountain Trek

Peru

Breathtaking literally and figuratively.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

My wife and I travelled for 16 days around Morocco. We had an excellent time throughout. Kimkim did a great job in every way.

1) The overall design was a very fruitful collaboration between the Kimkim lead Hakim Alibouche and ourselves. We had a fairly clear idea of the destinations we wanted to visit. We used one of the pre-existing Kimkim itineraries as a guide to what seemed a reasonable sequence and pace. We then worked with Hakim to turn that outline into a detailed trip plan. This exceeded our expectations. Hakim answered all of our questions promptly and thoughtfully and addressed all issues, both throughout the planning, and during the trip itself.

2) The strategy used was to have a single driver, who took us all over the country. We then had a local guide at each destination. Our driver, Abdellatif Iggui, was absolutely outstanding in every way. He was first of all an excellent, safe driver, who knew every inch of the country and of every city. He was always on time, and always knew just how long any of our journeys would take. He made sure we were comfortable throughout, he was happy to stop for pictures or a rest as needed, he was able to share a lot of information about his country, and overall made the journeys very pleasant.

3) Our itinerary follows:
- Arrived Casablanca, went via Rabat (where we had lunch, actually quite a nice brief stop), then to Chefchaouen, where we stayed 2 nights
- Chefchaouen is amazing - one of the prettiest towns we have ever seen, and a great introduction to Morocco; we toured the city in the morning, and in the afternoon hiked to waterfalls and the "Pont de dieu" natural rock bridge
- We then went to Fes for 3 nights (most people seem to stay for 2 nights), via Volubilis (fabulous ancient Roman town), with brief stops in Moulay Idriss (pleasant small city with a climb to a nice view) and Meknes (ancient capital, beautiful walls)
- Fes is very nice - the medina, the medresas, the Mellah, the palace, the gates - all quite amazing; we had the same guide for 2 days, which was useful
- We then had a long drive (~ 8 hours) to Merzouga (beautiful drive, with terrain reminiscent of the Grand Canyon), which is the staging point for the Erg Chebbi desert, which was the highlight of the whole trip; we stayed 2 nights (most seemed to stay for just one). We rode camels (~ 1 hour to the tent camp), the stargazing at night was extraordinary, then did a 4x4 tour of the desert the next day including visiting a nomad camp, climbing sand dunes, African music show, and visit to a lake in the desert
- We then drove via Todra Gorge (amazing place) to Boumalne-Dades, where we stayed 2 nights; we had a long hike in the mountains, and a walk through another gorge; beautifl scenery
- We then drove to Marrakesh, where we stayed 4 nights; 2 days for seeing the city, which is amazing - the medina with the souks, the mellah, various tombs, the central square - one day would not have been enough; for the third day, we took a day trip to hike in the Atlas mountains in a town called Imlil
- We then drove to the coast for one night stay in Eassouira, which is really lovely and a nice change of pace; we had an excellent tour of their medina
- We then drove to Casablance for our last night's stay; Casablanca is also very nice, much more modern than Fes or Marrakesh; the highlight was the Hassan II Mosque, the only one we were able to enter, which is a stunning structure in every way

4) We had very good guides in every location. In every case, they were extremely knowledgeable and enthusiastic. They ensured we were well looked after, making sure we got to our destinations safely, with good recommendations for restaurants, that we found toilets when needed, and they helped us manage issues such as finding an ATM that would take Canadian VISA cards.

5) The accommodations were all excellent. They all served excellent included breakfasts. The property in Boumalne-Dades provided supper, which was excellent and a nice treat. The accommodations were actually for the most part somewhat more luxurious than we would have needed and if we were doing the trip over again, we would likely have reviewed the details of the recommended properties a little more closely and opted for less opulent rooms.

Overall, this was a 5-star holiday with a 5-star company.

Hotel Reviews

La Petite Chefchaouen

Chefchaouene

This was a very pleasant stay right in the middle of the Chefchaouen medina. The breakfast was excellent. The room was small but very comfortable. The hosts were very kind.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Sahara Stars Dades

Boumalen Dades

This was a great place to stay. The room was very comfortable. The restaurant, which served breakfast and supper (both included in the stay) was excellent - the best meals we had in our whole trip to Morocco. The servers were exceptional.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Heure Bleue Palais - Relais & Châteaux

Essaouira

This was a nice hotel, well-situatied, comfortable room, very friendly staff.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hôtel & Spa Le Doge

Casablanca

This is an absolutely beautiful hotel with so much character. The room was a little small, but still very comfortable. The staff were very helpful. The breakfast was very good.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Riad Fes - Relais & Châteaux

Fes

This was a luxurious and very comfortable accommodation right in the middle of the Fes Medina. The breakfast was excellent. The staff were very pleasant.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Riad Madu Desert Camps

Merzouga

This was the highlight of our trip. The staff were extraordinarily nice and helpful. The food in their restaurant was amazing, both breakfasts and dinners. The tents were very comfortable.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Les Jardins De La Koutoubia

Marrakech

The location is amazing - right in the medina, steps from Jemaa el Fna, and just down the road from the main mosque. The room was very nice, the breakfasts excellent, and the staff were most helpful.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Morning Guided Tour in Chefchaouen

Morocco

The city is beautiful, and the guide did a good job of taking us around.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Guided Tour in Fes

Fes

The tour was excellent. The guide was highly knowledgeable, made sure we efficiently got around this complex town, and explained things well. The restaurant recommended was excellent.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Guided 4x4 Desert Adventures in Erg Chebbi

Morocco

This was a really great tour. The guide was very nice, and made sure we had an excellent experience at each stop - the sand dunes, the nomad camp, the lake, the African music performance.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Guided Walk in Dades Gorges

Boumalne Dades

This hike was fantastic. The guide was excellent - he made sure we walked safely, and explained things very well.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Guided Tour of Aït Benhaddou

Morocco

Excellent guide, very nice place.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Full-Day Hike in Imlil Village, Return to Marrakech

Morocco

The hike in Imlil was beautiful. The guide was very good at ensuring we hiked safely and saw the surroundings and explained very well what we were seeing.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Afternoon Guided Tour in Casablanca

Morocco

The visit was very good. We enjoyed seeing both some of the highlights of Casablanca and the Hassan II mosque. We would have appreciated maximizing the time at the mosque as this was a unique opportunity during our trip.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Transfer to Fes, Volubilis & Meknes

Morocco

The driver (Abdellatif Iggui) was excellent. He made sure we got everywhere we needed to get safely and efficiently.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Fes to Merzouga Sunset Camel Ride and Overnight in the Desert via Ifrane, Azrou, Midelt & Erfoud

Morocco

Again, Abdellatif was an excellent driver, and made sure we stopped at appropriate places periodically for a rest and for picture taking,

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Camel trek to your camp

Merzouga

So much fun!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Guided Tour of Volubilis

Morocco

The guide was excellent - so knowledgeable, intersesting, through, but not rushed at all.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Guided tour of Meknes

Meknes

This was a fine tour.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Merzouga to Boumalne Dades via Tinghir & Todra Gorge

Morocco

The drive was again really great - we were able to enjoy views and stops as we did throughout the journey.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Boumalne Dades to Marrakech via Ouarzazate & Aït Benhaddou

Morocco

The two stops were fantastic. The trip to the movie studios in Ouarzazate was so much fun. The visit to Ait Benhaddou was amazing with an excellent guide.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Guided Tour in Marrakech

Marrakesh

This was a very good day. The guide was extremely knowledgeable and kind, and made sure we saw the major highlights. He identified a great restaurant for us.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Afternoon Guided Tour in Essaouira

Essaouira

This was an unexpectedly good hike. The medina was really interesting, as was the Casbah, and the guide did a great job showing us everything.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

I am dividing this review into three sections: 1. Realistic Asia and their agent Ha; 2. The tour guides and drivers who we met on our trip; 3. The KimKim web site and the information that is communicated there.

1. Realistic Asia (Ha)
We greatly appreciated Ha's hard work in customizing the trip to our requests. My wife and I have been through a hard year with many major life events and had no time to plan something ourselves. Ha provided us with a clear and thoughtful menu of options to choose from. We went through 7 or 8 versions of the itinerary and in the end, I think it was probably 85% to our liking. That is an excellent match to our desires and expectations and far better than the outcome if we had planned it ourselves. I think the areas where it could have improved include fewer destinations/more time in each location (we already did a lot of editing, but this was hard to accomplish with our time table.). More time outside of Hanoi would also have been enjoyable, but we were very jet lagged on arrival, so the time in the city was useful for recovering from travel. Nothing is perfect, but this was very close!
I think the only point where things could be improved would be in the communication. When we arrived on Cat Ba island, there was a transfer from the driver (who spoke no English) to the guide who took us on the hike in the national park. From what I could tell, this information was not in the itinerary and it was a bit worrying to be driven down back roads (damaged by the recent typhoon) without knowing where we were going and why (I thought we were headed to the hotel first.). In any case, this was minor and quickly solved once we met our guide.
2. Guides and drivers
I would rank these mostly excellent, with some variability. First the good: Hieu (Cat Ba) was great to travel with (for the hike). He was relaxed and adjusted quickly to our pace. We didn't feel like he made anything too easy for us (we like some challenge), and took us to places in the park that were quite memorable. He also provided us with good information about what to do during our day off.
I would say the same about Mr Narong (Cambodia). Although we only spent a day with him, I would recommend him to friends and family if they want to visit Siem Reap. He was informative but also easygoing. When we visited Angkor Wat at dawn, he understood that we wanted to take photos and he left us to explore, telling us where we would meet up for the next stage of the tour. The information he provided during our transfers between sites was also informative and thoughtful. We appreciated his honesty about his experiences growing up in Cambodia, which was a privilege to hear.
Finally, Thanh, our main guide in Vietnam (for the first week), was helpful, very knowledgable and took us to many places that we enjoyed. That said, I would like to offer some (hopefully) constructive feedback. It was clear to us that she had a hard time understanding what we needed and sometimes she was providing too much information. This was mostly a challenge on the first day of our tour in Hanoi, when we were still jet lagged and adjusting to the temperature and humidity. We had a feeling that she was reciting a long list of information, almost from a script, concerning the history of modern Vietnam. (I began to wonder if this information was a requirement for tour guides in Vietnam.) After the first day, we settled into a better routine and she began to understand what we wanted. My suggestion (for the future) is that she ask more questions at the outset to see how much information and talking is desirable and that she pause to allow the tourists to ask questions (or simply to look around and absorb the beauty without talking.). Not everyone wants all of the information in a constant stream; some people just want to look around and absorb the beauty of the environment.
I want to emphasize that, after the first day, she adjusted to our pace and travel style. She knows a lot about the places we visited and we enjoyed all of the people we met through her, including the local guides, the families who served the food during our hikes and the history of the various locations. She is very talented and will become, I think, much better at her job with some minor adjustments to her approach.
Finally, I want to thank all of the drivers and local guides, most of whom spoke little or no English (I wish I spoke some Vietnamese to thank them in person.). They were a wonderful group of people. In particular, our driver from Hanoi, up into the mountains and then down to Cat Ba, was exceptional at his job!
3. Some feedback about the KimKim web site. Although it is detailed and elegant, some parts did not work as I might have hoped. In particular, the exported version of the itinerary (the one I printed out and carried with us) lacked a lot of details that were present on the web site. Additionally, it would be helpful if the information could be exported as a table, not just a PDF, to make it easier to edit (to add information that is not there, like our plane reservations.) The itinerary is something that we share with family, and that was difficult (or of limited value) with the PDF from KimKim. Finally, the web site seemed to have some times that were inaccurate, including the departure times for flights. These were listed by the pick up times for the driver, not the departure or boarding time. It is confusing to know that the plane is leaving at 3:15pm, but to see that line listed at 11:30 am (the pickup time). This could be a lot clearer.

Otherwise, this was an amazing experience overall. We thank everyone involved for helping us experience both of these beautiful countries.

Hotel Reviews

Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi

Hanoi

Truly exceptional. Expensive, but worth it, in our opinion.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Avana Retreat

This was a wonderful experience. I would have added a day here, just to relax, if we could.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Pu Luong Eco Garden

This was less enjoyable. Not bad, but certainly the least enjoyable of the places we stayed.

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hidden Charm Ninh Binh

Ninh Thang, Hoa Lu, Ninh Binh

This was OK for one night. Clean and comfortable. Very convenient.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hôtel Perle d’Orient Cat Ba

Beautiful hotel with an incredible view!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Mon Cheri Cruise

Ha Long city

Clean, comfortable, well run. My only complaint was the day trip to the village on Cat Ba. The village seemed to exist only as a stopping point for tourists. That part of the day trip was not very enjoyable. However, the kayaking and boat ride itself was great.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Ducky, our waiter/concierge was fantastic!

Cleanliness & Comfort

Some odd flies (about the size of fruit flies) in our bedroom the first night. They didn't bight, but there were a lot of them. I believe they came from the house plant in the bathroom and disappeared when I put the plant out on the balcony.

May De Ville Luxury Hotel & Spa

Hanoi

Clean, well run and good location in the old quarter.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Saem Siem Reap Hotel

Siem Reap

A truly beautiful hotel. We would have stayed an extra day if we had time.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Cat Ba National Park Trekking

Vietnam

Great guide! Thank you Hieu!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Explore the Complex of Angkor

Siem Reap

Mr. Narong was a wonderful guide. This is a place of exceptional beauty and he provided us with valuable information to enhance our experience. He was also responsive to our requests in real time, making it easy to modify our plans (like starting out before dawn to see the sunrise at Angkor Wat, which was not in our original plans.). Thank you Mr. Narong!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Explore The Beauty of Hanoi - Full Day Sightseeing

Hanoi

Too much time visiting the Mausoleum. The afternoon at the Temple of Books was wonderful.!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Walk The Mountain Trails in Xa Linh Village

Mai Chau

Our guide was great. He spoke no English, but he took us on a beautiful walk.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Mai Chau - Pu Luong - Trekking to Kho Muong and Uoi Villages

Vietnam

Hanoi Evening Walking Street Food Tour

Hanoi

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Our 2 week trip to Southeast Asia was incredible. The itinerary that Huyen set up with us met or exceeded our expectations. Our local guides and drivers took care of us completely. The 2 night Indochine cruise on HaLong Bay was beyond exceptional. The suite featured an enormous bathroom with soaker tub and the room provided a king sized bed! Service was 10+.
We REALLY enjoyed our countryside adventures in Vietnam and the 3 days in Cambodia were amazing. Our guide - Chansip - was very knowledgeable and also so accommodating to tweak our itinerary once he got to know us. Chang Mai was the highlight of our journey and the morning at the elephant sanctuary rates as one of our top lifetime experiences.
Huyen was ultra supportive throughout the trip. She always stayed connected, assisted with flight info and boarding passes and anything else we needed help with.
We would recommend KimKim and their services to travellers of all experience levels. We could just sit back and enjoy our holiday with the personalized: service that was offered.

Hotel Review

Bodhi Serene Chiang Mai Hotel (SHA Extra Plus)

Chiang Mai

This hotel is perfectly located in Chiang Mai. Our room was spacious and the bed super comfy The bathroom was lovely. Lunch was one of the best meals we enjoyed while in Southeast Asia.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Friendly and accommodating staff.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Arrive in Bangkok - Dinner cruise Chao Phraya Cruise (D)

Bangkok

The dinner cruise in Bangkok on the Chao Phraya was not a great experience for us. It was quite crowded with a big lineup for the buffet food. After the incredible service and smaller towns in Cambodia, the big city atmosphere in Bangkok felt like a bit of a culture shock. We would not have chosen to do this activity in hindsight.

Siem Reap - Tonle Sap lake- Kampong Khleng floating village - Crocodile Farms

Siem Reap

Visiting the floating village in Cambodia was excellent! It was such a cool and interesting experience, learning about the lifestyle of locals who switch between fishing and farming depending on the season. Being on the water was really neat, and our guide was exceptional, providing us with a lot of insightful information.

We had the most amazing experience during our trip to Vietnam and Cambodia. Realistic Asia helped us plan and execute the trip with utmost care. Hien was regularly in touch with us throughout the trip to ensure that everything progressed smoothly to our full satisfaction. The drivers and guides were punctual and professional. Overall thanks to Hien and her team that we had a memorable trip.

Excellent! We shopped around for our recent vacation to Japan and got multiple quotes from various companies. They weren’t the cheapest or the most expensive and I was actually a bit reluctant since the price was very reasonable. I have to say I was pleasantly surprised by the service and the accommodations they selected as well as the excursions selected. Angel was excellent, she listened and expertly tailored our trip to our needs. Her knowledge gave us ample time to transfer to our next destination and with very little effort. She was reasonably available when needed or had any questions. There was also an emergency contact to the company is anything should come up. We are definitely using them again for our next vacation. Kim Kim made our vacation amazing and stressless, as a vacation should be. Thank you KimKim and Angel for a wonderful trip.

The only cons are that the prices are not transparent nor is a breakdown given. The price was very reasonable so it didn’t matter so much. At times if you have an urgent question it may take a while to get back. They got back to us on every occasion though and answered any question we had. As first time travelers to Japan we were a bit confused with the surroundings but with a little time and effort we were able to figure it out on our own so most of the questions were just panic being in a foreign environment.

Thank you Margaux for making this such a memorable trip for our family. All of your help with the lodging, excursions, dining recommendations, and transportation made this the trip of a lifetime.

Our Lesbifriends Travel trip to Portugal and Spain this October was nothing short of phenomenal! The planning and execution were flawless (thanks, Beatriz!), making this an unforgettable journey for our group.

The tours were perfectly curated to showcase the beauty and culture of both countries. From exploring the historic streets of Lisbon and tasting traditional pastel de nata, to marveling at the Alhambra in Granada and the vibrant energy of Barcelona, every stop felt like a new discovery.

Our guides were beyond amazing—knowledgeable, friendly, and passionate. They brought the history and culture of each destination to life and made us feel truly connected to the places we visited.

The food was an experience in itself—delicious local cuisine at every turn, with memorable highlights like a traditional Fado dinner in Portugal and tapas hopping in Spain.

Every activity, from the Douro Valley wine tour to a flamenco performance in Seville, was thoughtfully planned and exceeded expectations. The balance of structured tours and free time was perfect, allowing us to explore and relax.

Lesbifriends Travel outdid itself with this trip. It was seamless, enriching, and packed with memories we’ll cherish forever. Can’t wait for the next adventure!

Activity Reviews

Get to Know Lisbon with a Local

Lisbon

The "Get to Know Lisbon with a Local" tour was a great way to explore the city’s rich history and hidden gems. Our guide was incredibly knowledgeable and passionate, offering fascinating insights into Lisbon’s culture and landmarks. However, the pace felt a bit slow for our group, and there was a lot of walking, which might not be ideal for everyone. That said, it’s a wonderful experience for history buffs or anyone looking to dive deep into Lisbon’s story. Overall, an informative and enjoyable tour, but best suited for those who appreciate a slower, detailed exploration.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Portugal Scenic Trails: Sintra Coastal Hike

Spain

The Portugal Scenic Trails: Sintra Coastal Hike was an absolute highlight of our trip! Our guide was incredible—thoughtful, attentive, and adaptive to our group, which included both older and younger travelers. They ensured the pace was comfortable for everyone while keeping the adventure exciting. The scenic views along the Sintra coast were breathtaking, and the guide’s insights into the area’s natural beauty and history made it even more special. The picnic was the cherry on top—a delicious and relaxing moment surrounded by stunning landscapes. This hike was the perfect balance of adventure, relaxation, and connection with nature. Highly recommend for groups looking for an unforgettable outdoor experience!

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Tapas & Flamenco Experience in Seville

Seville

The Tapas & Flamenco Experience in Seville was just okay. The tapas were just a light snack, but not particularly memorable, and we felt the selection could have been more diverse. The flamenco performance was passionate and authentic, but the venue felt a bit cramped and didn’t quite capture the vibrant energy we were expecting. Overall, it was a decent way to spend an evening, but it didn’t stand out compared to other experiences on our trip.

Quality of Experience

Private Lisbon Culinary Food Experience

Lisbon

The Private Lisbon Culinary Food Experience was absolutely amazing! We savored authentic Portuguese dishes, explored local markets, and learned about Lisbon’s rich food culture from our fantastic guide. The highlight was a hands-on cooking session where we made traditional dishes and enjoyed them together. It was delicious, fun, and truly immersive—a must-do for food lovers in Lisbon!

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Guided Visit of Seville

Seville

The Private Guided Visit of Seville was a pleasant experience that gave us a great overview of the city’s rich history and stunning architecture. Our guide was knowledgeable and shared fascinating stories about landmarks like the Alcázar and the Seville Cathedral. The pace was comfortable, and the guide tailored the experience to our interests. While it wasn’t the most exciting tour we’ve done, it was well-organized and provided valuable insights into the city. A solid option for those looking to explore Seville with a local expert!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Local Market Visit & Cooking Class

Barcelona

The Private Local Market Visit & Cooking Class was hands-down the highlight of our trip! This experience was the perfect blend of culture, cuisine, and connection. Exploring the local market with our guide was so much fun—learning about fresh, regional ingredients and selecting the items we’d use later was an adventure in itself. The cooking class was equally incredible! The hands-on experience of preparing traditional dishes under the guidance of a skilled and personable chef was both educational and entertaining. Everyone in our group, from seasoned cooks to beginners, had an amazing time. The best part? Sitting down together to enjoy the delicious meal we created—it felt like a true celebration. This activity brought us closer as a group and gave us memories (and recipes!) that we’ll cherish forever. A must-do for anyone visiting and looking for an authentic, interactive experience!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

I recently organized a trip to Thailand through Kimkim for a group of seven travelers, and it was an unforgettable experience from start to finish! As the founder of Lesbifriends Travel, I’m always looking for reliable platforms to help me create meaningful and well-organized group trips, and Kimkim exceeded my expectations on the fourth trip we have taken with them.

The itinerary was meticulously curated by Kelly who I worked with for several months. It included incredible activities that perfectly balanced adventure, culture, and relaxation. We explored the bustling streets of Bangkok, visited the awe-inspiring Grand Palace, and enjoyed a serene boat ride along the Chao Phraya River. Chiang Mai was a highlight, where we had a magical experience at an ethical elephant sanctuary and visited the vibrant Night Bazaar. The cooking class in a local Thai village was a group favorite—learning to make authentic dishes was so much fun!

Our guides were absolutely fantastic—knowledgeable, friendly, and always willing to go the extra mile to ensure we had the best experience possible. They shared fascinating insights into Thai history and culture and gave us great local tips for food and shopping.

Kimkim made the planning process so easy, and their support team was attentive and responsive throughout. Every activity was well-coordinated, and we felt completely taken care of.

This trip to Thailand was truly a transformative experience for everyone in our group, and I can’t wait to use Kimkim again for our next adventure. Highly recommend!

Activity Reviews

Dinner Cruise at Wonderful Pearl Cruise on Chao Phraya River

Bangkok

The Dinner Cruise on the Wonderful Pearl was a highlight of our trip! The views of Bangkok’s illuminated landmarks from the river were stunning, especially Wat Arun and the Grand Palace at night. The buffet featured a great variety of delicious Thai and international dishes, and the live music added to the elegant atmosphere. The service was pretty good. It was a perfect mix of relaxation and sightseeing, and our group left with unforgettable memories. Highly recommend for anyone visiting Bangkok!

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

The guide was not the best; could have been more engaging.

Transport

Full Day Maeklong Railway Market and Damnoen Saduak Floating Market

Bangkok

The Full-Day Maeklong Railway Market and Damnoen Saduak Floating Market tour was an unforgettable journey into Thailand’s vibrant market culture. Watching the train pass through the Maeklong Railway Market was such a thrilling and unique experience! The floating market was equally captivating—gliding through the canals, shopping from boats, and tasting delicious local snacks was so much fun. Our guide made the experience even better with insightful stories and tips. This tour was a perfect mix of adventure and culture, and it’s a must for anyone visiting Bangkok!

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Khantoke Traditional Northern Thai Dinner

Chiang Mai

The Khantoke Traditional Northern Thai Dinner was a delightful way to immerse ourselves in the rich culture of Chiang Mai. The food was flavorful, showcasing authentic Northern Thai dishes, and the traditional dance performances were mesmerizing. The setting was beautiful, with a cozy, communal atmosphere. However, the service felt a bit rushed at times, and it was hard to hear the explanations of the performances from our table. Overall, it was a memorable experience with great food and entertainment, but a few small adjustments could make it even better.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Create and Release Floating Lanterns & Riverside Dinner

Chiang Mai

The Create and Release Floating Lanterns & Riverside Dinner was a beautiful and serene experience. Releasing the lanterns into the night sky was magical and felt so special—it was definitely a highlight of the evening. The riverside setting for dinner was lovely, and the food was delicious. However, the activity felt a bit rushed, and there was some confusion during the setup for the lantern release, which took away from the otherwise peaceful atmosphere. With better organization and more attention to detail, this could easily be a standout experience. Overall, it was enjoyable but left room for improvement.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Full day Bangkok City Tour with Canal tour

Bangkok

The Full-Day Bangkok City Tour with Canal Tour was an incredible experience that truly showcased the city’s vibrant history and culture. We started the day exploring iconic landmarks like the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew, both absolutely breathtaking. The highlight was the serene canal tour, offering a unique perspective of local life along the waterways. Our guide was fantastic—knowledgeable, engaging, and attentive to every detail. The day was perfectly paced, with plenty of time to soak in each site. It’s a must-do activity for anyone looking to fully immerse themselves in Bangkok!

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Full day with visiting local school & paper umbrella painting

Chiang Mai

The Full Day Tour visiting a local school and paper umbrella painting was the absolute highlight of our trip! This experience offered such a meaningful connection to the local community. Visiting the school and interacting with the children was heartwarming—our group loved learning about their daily routines and sharing smiles and stories. The paper umbrella painting workshop was pure magic. Tapping into our creativity, we painted beautiful designs under the guidance of talented local artisans. It was both relaxing and inspiring, and everyone walked away with a one-of-a-kind souvenir to cherish. Our guide was exceptional, seamlessly blending cultural insights with engaging activities. This tour was more than just sightseeing—it was a hands-on, heart-filled day that left a lasting impression on all of us. Highly, highly recommend for anyone looking to dive deeper into the heart of Chiang Mai!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We had a great 2 weeks in China, with the highlights in Beijing, Xian, Guilin, Yangshou and Zhangjiajie.
Our guides in each city were great. All had excellent knowledge of the history and culture. The guides took my vacation from a standard foreigners visit to an experience.
I appreciated that each guide warm transferred us onto the next guide and city. We had started to develop the relationship with the next guide even before we arrived.
All logistics went well. It’s an awesome benefit having the personalized touch. I experienced China in the moment as I didn’t need to think ahead on timing or logistics. I’m thankful for Tina, Mervyn, William and Bree. William went well beyond our expectations, he was my favorite guide.

There was a breakdown in communication with Carol and I. In hindsight I should’ve changed specialist as the dissatisfaction was felt immediately.
I would’ve liked to have been presented a wider selection of activities. At times I felt that I was on a ‘vanilla’ packaged tour (Yuk); Hot air balloon flights, motor bike, seats at the front with the 270 degrees view on the Li River cruise are a couple of examples which I would’ve been very happy to spend additional $$$. I was cost focused with Carol so to remove the 5 star hotels. I will always pay extra to for the experience, this wasn’t qualified as a necessity.
I booked 1 activity using GetYourGuide as it wasn’t an option thru KimKim which was weird.
Whilst I signed off on the itinerary, I failed to notice an activity we requested to be removed was still there, caves visit in Guilin. We didn’t do this activity, rather went on the search for antiques. Summer Palace boats activity was included in the itinerary, as it turns out the boats only available in the summer months, our visit was in November.

As I’ve used KimKim previously I know how great it is to have an online catch up with the specialist so the itinerary can be customized. Whilst my wider family and I will continue to use KimKim, I truly understand the criticality of the local specialist relationship. I feel disappointed that we had the plan and simple itinerary rather than something tailored to us. Of course this wasn’t known until we were in each city.

Our guides all made a difference!

We’ll be making the next booking or the next vacation; same time and place as this year.

We had the most fantastic trip to Norway! Anna made the planning process so easy and when it came time to travel, everything was seamless with all of our booking information in one place. Anna gave great suggestions and advice for our trip!

Oslo was such a neat city and we loved everything we did there! We visited Stavanger which was such a unique and cozy city. The fjord cruise was absolutely beautiful.

In Bergen, we did a walking tour with a local, John, who was phenomenal. He was informative and continually checked that we were okay to keep going. John asked about our interests and gave us suggestions of places to visit. This walking tour was easily the most memorable part of the trip!

Our train ride to Flåm and our fjord cruise to the Viking Valley were breathtakingly beautiful! We enjoyed the Viking Valley, however due to being the off season, there was a 3 hour gap between the closing time of the valley and the shuttle ride back to Flåm.

We created memories to last a lifetime and I’ve already recommended KimKim to numerous friends and family! Thank you!!

Hotel Reviews

Clarion Hotel The Hub

Oslo

The Clarion Hotel The Hub in Oslo was fantastic. Everything was great, and it was definitely my favorite hotel during the trip. The location was perfect, making it easy to explore Oslo.

Scandic Stavanger Park

Stavanger

Scandic Stavanger Park was decent. We initially didn't have towels in our room, but the staff quickly resolved the issue. The location was great, which made up for any minor inconveniences.

Zander K Hotel

Bergen

Zander K Hotel in Bergen was fantastic. The location was very walkable, and the flexibility and service were great.

Activity Reviews

Explore Bergen with a Local

Bergen

This was easily the most memorable part of our trip. John was informative and knowledgeable about the city and gave us great suggestions based on our interests. We thoroughly enjoyed our time with John!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Nærøyfjord Cruise & Viking Valley Tour

Norway

The fjord cruise was absolutely breathtaking. The Viking Valley was interesting and I’m glad we visited.

Quality of Experience

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

A shuttle near closing time of the valley

Transport

Fjord Cruise to Lysefjord & Pulpit Rock

Stavanger

The Fjord Cruise to Lysefjord and Pulpit Rock was beautiful. Despite being a bit tired from the overnight train, the cruise itself was an amazing experience.

Many things were not made clear during this trip. While everything was perfect from the local company Route360 in St Pedro de Atacama, arriving there and leaving from there to go back to Santiago was not very well organized.
First, no one explained us what to do in the morning we left Santiago. The driver came to pick us up from the hotel, but he knew nothing. We arrived at the airport to fly to Calama, but without any instructions and no one speaks English to explain where to go, what line to take, what register. Anyway, we were left by ourselves.
Same, even worst happen on the morning from the hotel in St Pedro to the airport. It was not clear who will pick us up from the hotel, what time and where. The hotel knew nothing. The itinerary says that the pick up will be confirmed one day in advance, but no one confirmed anything until 2 am, 3 hours before. So we had to stay whole night and wonder what will happen and will we be picked up.
The worst of all is the WhatsUp notification. The company uses Whatsup, but for every useful message from them we receive 100 spam messages, and who knows which is good and which is not. Searching through the spam to see whether we received any message became a day-long activity for both my wife and me. No serious company communicates with its clients through Whatsup. In fact, we deleted Whatsup from our phones 4 years ago for the same reason: the huge amount of spam we get from the USA
In overall, we are dissatisfied with how Kimkim organizes their trips

Australia was AMAZING!! Liz helped with every aspect of our trip and making it customized to our needs. I will break down each section with my pros/cons for future planning help!
Sydney:
1. The harbour dinner cruise was a nice ease in to Sydney and an intimate setting. I will note we thought the dinner was on the cruise and not a ride to a restaurant on land so that was a bit of a surprise but nonetheless dinner was delicious.
2. Blue mountains hike was nice although wish there was more hiking. The tour had a mix of people hiking/people just going for the ride to the mountains and then having lunch while the others hiked. The tour seemed a bit more catered to the non-hikers and since we are quite active people more hiking would have been ideal. nonetheless the views during the hike were gorgeous and it was a nice day.
Cairns/port Douglas:
1. The calypso company was our preferred out of the two scuba/snorkel days we had (quicksilver was the other). Well organized trip.
2. Kuranda sky rail and train-Brett's outback tours was excellent. Brett was a great guide and we had a lovely day. Lots to do in the village of Kuranda and the views were great.
Hamilton Island:
This was our absolutely favorite stop. Hamilton Island is an absolutely special place. My husband and I had a great time with the cruise whitsundays charter for scuba/snorkel. Reef View hotel was superb. Clean, good free breakfast, and beautiful views.
Melbourne:
1. Phillip Island tour: We had a great day going here and seeing all the wildlife and the penguin parade. Tour guide was informative and efficient. I will say I would not recommend including dinner as the stop they chose wasnt great and there is alot in town you can choose from on your own.
2. Great Ocean Road: Again a great tour with Oceania tours. A long day but fully worth it. this tour group is great.

All hotels booked via Liz were great. Airport transfers were quick and on time.

Hotel Reviews

Niramaya Villas and Spa

Port Douglas

beautiful property with stunning, spacious villas. a bit bare bones in the rooms themselves i.e no room phones, not many outlets, but i think that's part of the charm. be prepared to walk or have a buggy/car as it is a large property. The front desk staff is absolutely amazing and accommodating. they provided excellent recommendations for local dining and excursions. unfortunately we had no hot water for 2 days due to a gas outage in the town but that was not their fault and they had the gas team come out as soon as it was up and running to get us our hot water again. property is about 2 miles from center of town but lots of shuttles.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Rydges Melbourne Hotel

Melbourne

great location to CBD. modern, clean room. included breakfast was a plus.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Reef View Hotel

Whitsunday Islands, Queensland

Not a complaint at all about this spot. Room was clean and spacious. beautiful views. central location. yummy included breakfast

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Sydney Harbour Long Dinner Cruise

Sydney

Nice, intimate harbour cruise. the cruise takes you about 1 hr to a local spot on land for dinner, followed by a pre set dinner menu which was delicious and then a cruise back. definitely bring a jacket! crew on the boat was informative and very personable

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Great Barrier Reef Snorkeling Excursion

Port Douglas

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Full Day Dive the Great Barrier Reef

Hamilton Island

we had a great time on this excursion. my husband and I both ended up with essentially private scuba/snorkel tours and my husband raved about his dive. there is alot to do on this tour with multiple options including scuba, snorkel, submersible viewing boat.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Blue Mountains Day Trip with Hike

Sydney

nice day but not enough hiking. not a kimkim issue but the tour guide was not the friendliest

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Full Day Kuranda Rail GOLD and Skyrail - Early Start 8am-4:30pm

Port Douglas

Bretts tours was great! he was super friendly, informative and it was a nice small group. the sky rail and train are a must do with great scenic views. the stop for a drink at a local spot in palm cove was a nice touch

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Great Ocean Road Day Trip

Melbourne

our tour guide was amazing. sara was involved and informative. it is a long day but absolutely recommend

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Melbourne City & Phillip Island Day Trip with Penguin Parade

Melbourne

the little penguins are the best!! this was such a great experience. our guide stopped many times throughout our day to spot wildlife

Quality of Experience

Food

i dont recommend including the dinner stop. you can choose on your own in town for a local spot to eat

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We absolutely loved our trip to Vietnam and Long planned it perfectly. Our rides to and from airports, hotels, flights, and tours were all taken care of. Thank you, Long!! We would definitely use Kimkim again.

Amazing trip to the Maldives - Radisson Blu property was beautiful and serene while the service was incredibly kind. And the dive shop Ocean on site made seeing all the wildlife possible while also being knowledgeable and full of good people. Highly recommend.

Wow, what can I say about our magical trip in Finland?!? Moonika did an absolutely stellar job of planning the most epic trip around Rovaniemi and Levi. Throughout the planning process, she was quick to respond and catered the itinerary to meet every "wish list" activity. Our hotels were 5 stars and all the excursions were perfect. I truly feel that Moonika booked us with the "best of the best" tour guides. On our arrival to Rovaniemi, Moonika met us at our hotel with a welcome bag full of local goodies to start our trip off right. 

The Arctic Lights Hotel is beautiful, the staff are warm and friendly, and I can not rave more about the restaurant. It was on par with a Michelin rated restaurant with the best food we've had! 

Our aurora hunting tour guide, Antti-Emil was possibly the best in the business! He searched out the perfect spots to view the northern lights and an absolute professional at capturing the best photographs. He knew how to light us perfectly against the beautiful aurora backdrop and his editing skills are exceptional, a true master! 

Our reindeer adventure with Eanan was amazing! It's an indigenous, reindeer herder female owner business and her story of building and running it was fascinating. The reindeer ride and feeding the smaller reindeer will be something I'll always remember. While telling us stories inside the hut, Janita shared her delicious homemade cake with fresh picked berries that she had made that day and hot cocoa. What a dream! 

We stayed in a glass cabin at the Northern Lights Ranch and on our last night, the northern lights danced above us for one last show and a perfect end to an amazing adventure! 

Hotel Review

Arctic Light Hotel

Rovaniemi

The Arctic Lights Hotel is beautiful, the staff are warm and friendly, and I can not rave more about the restaurant. It was on par with a Michelin rated restaurant with the best food we've had! The sauna is free to use as a guest, just book a time spot with the front desk. Perfect location to walk around Rovaniemi.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

So friendly and welcoming!

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Flexible Northern Lights Hunting

Rovaniemi

Our aurora hunting tour guide, Antti-Emil was possibly the best in the business! He searched out the perfect spots to view the northern lights and an absolute professional at capturing the best photographs. He knew how to light us perfectly against the beautiful aurora backdrop and his editing skills are exceptional, a true master! 

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Antti-Emil was absoultely amazing!

Transport

Reindeer Adventure

Levi

Our reindeer adventure with Eanan was amazing! It's an indigenous, reindeer herder female owner business and her story of building and running it was fascinating. The reindeer ride and feeding the smaller reindeer will be something I'll always remember. While telling us stories inside the hut, Janita shared her delicious homemade cake with fresh picked berries that she had made that day and hot cocoa. What a dream!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Husky Sledding Safari

Rovaniemi

Such a fun experience! After the ride, we warmed up in the hut with sausage and cider!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Levi Fell Snowmobile Adventure

Levi

So much fun! The warm donuts and hot coca hit the spot after a cold ride through the wilderness!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Aurora Tour by Van

Levi

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

In Kathmandu we met Raj and Bipin, both excellent always on time and spoke excellent English. No language misunderstandings and always accommodated our needs. Food recommendations were great and we enjoyed a wonderful Nepalese experience in Kathmandu.
We went to Pokhara and Rabin did a great job accommodating all our activities such as paragliding, Sunrise Zipline, Canoeing and light trekking. Once again Rabin could not have been more helpful. Always on time or early and helped us enormously.
We went on to Chitwan at Tiger Tops, looking for Tigers. Sam was our guide, once again, as with all guides, communication was perfect and he thought outside the box to help us. In particular when I had trouble getting into the back of the jeep, he provided a crate as a stepping stool for me. Most helpful and helped make the ride more enjoyable without worrying about getting in and out of the jeep.
Food has been incredible and plentiful. All staff most accommodating and polite. Such an amazing experience.
Last we went to Bhutan and met our guide BJ and driver Mr Supra. BJ gave us a wonderful history of Buddhism and the History of Bhutan. He gave us a perfect view and taste of Bhutan. He even managed to give us a free room upgrade in one of the hotels when we wanted to be close to the dining area, as we were so happily tired from sight-seeing and needed an early morning departure to get to the start of the trek to Tigers Nest. BJ and Mr Supra could not have been more helpful in assisting us safely up to Tigers Nest Monastery and then the long trek back down to the parking lot.
What a wonderful vacation. So thankful for Social Tours help in organizing this trip, always available and always helpful and always waiting patiently at every airport to assist departures and arrivals with ease and happiness.