Kimkim Trip Reviews

Our fifth trip with Kimkim was again a success! Everything went smoothly and according to the plan, so we like to praise everybody involved! Here are some more details:
- planning phase went quite quickly and smoothly: we started with one existing template on Kimkim and Steve was really helpful and flexible by tuning final trip plan to our preferences. The only problem was that we did not find space on internal flight for the preferred day, so we have to prolong one day in Siem Reap and shorten one day in Phnom Penh. At the end this change was not so bad at all.
The pace of the trip was more relaxed, but trip still was really attractive; this is what we like when we travel with Kimkim.
We liked quality and locations of all hotels involved. When we travelled with Kimkim in some other countries, description of hotels in Trip plan usually included also links to hotel's web pages; we recommend that in future this would be included also for hotels in Cambodia.
All activities were well picked and we liked them all. If we have to highlight few, the most memorable were: temples and Vespa foodie tour in Siem Reap, Waterfall excursion in Koh Kong and Sunset cruise in Phnom Penh.
There were no mistakes on execution level of the trip: all local guides were very knowledgeable, passionate and helpful; all events and transfers were on time and according to Trip plan.

We loved everything about this trip from start to finish. Working with Eleni was a real pleasure with such a personable connection from the very first phone call. Eleni understood our requests and presented the most efficient itinerary to see all the ancient Greek sites we requested with so many options layered in based on local knowledge that we never would have figured out by ourselves. Highly recommend giving her a call and working with her within your budget to have the trip of a lifetime. The administration and organization of the whole Kim Kim experience were flawless. The guides were passionate and highly knowledgeable.

Hotel Review

Kontokali Bay

Corfu

The setting is idyllic, overlooking the Ionian Sea watching the sail boats. Great food options. Clean, well maintained rooms, beach and pool. Nice spa. Friendly staff. Loved the inspiring yoga teacher. Great place for R&R with good proximity to Corfu town.

Authenticity & Character

Location

15 mins cab ride from Corfu town for great restaurants and authentic atmosphere for a little escape from the heavenly oasis

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Loved the welcome basket and treats, fresh towels and general pampering offered at the hotel such a treat!

Activity Reviews

Explore the Smart Home of Ancient Greeks

Athens

Unexpected fun afternoon spent in this little unique museum.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Sea Kayak above sunken Epidaurus

Nafplio

So fun to spend a morning kayaking over ancient ruins. Made special by a birthday cupcake treat at the beach picnic from the guides for a birthday we were celebrating.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Sword making was amazing. So neat to meet a 5th generational sword artist.

Self guided tours were a great resource.

Kimkim allowed us to do our own venturing while still having the support of a travel agent and tours.

Hotel Review

Overland Suites Catedral

Seville

Authenticity & Character

Location

Walked everywhere and so charming on cobblestone roads

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Review

Toledo Family Experience & Sword-Making Workshop

Madrid

Such a hands on experience to learn about sword making and its history.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Truly a unique experience - Sangita had everything organized perfectly from pick-ups to transfers and even checking in on us during the trip to ensure we were ok.

The trekking route (Pikey-Peak) was amazing, with Himalaya views most of the time. Mitra guided us safely from teahouse to teahouse and knew all the people to interact with so well. We enjoyed delicious Nepali food in all locations, and bottled water was available everywhere as well.
Our porter Buan was reliable and always ready to assist with the luggage :)

While trekking was not always easy, it made for a wonderful experience with amazing sights!!!

We spent 9 days learning about history and culture!
Prague, our first spot was Amazing! What a city! We started with an evening river cruise and spent the next couple of days touring the Old Town Prague and the Jewish Quarter. Dana, or tour guide was wonderful! Lots of history and interesting facts for sure. Our driver John was also super polite and very nice. Then we went with Yakra, our guide to Kutna Hora, a UNESCO site and had a very nice meal at the end of the day. The next day we went to the Nuclear Bunker tour and we had Lada, a wonderful guide that shared his personal stories about that time. It was very historical and interesting. We ended the city with a nice Classical Concert in the Spanish Synagogue. It was magical.
Our second stop was Dresden and after arriving we took a scenic boat cruise in the Elbe River. Nice views and great sunset! Then we met laura, our personal guide and toured the city and its main landmarks. She was wonderful! I was very impressed with the beauty of the City. Our final stop was Berlin, and even though it welcomed us with rain, Klaus, our personal guide made it very interesting (although was very dark). The next day we took a day trip to Potsdam and Sanssouci Palace with Klaus and it was wonderful! We learnt about history and was very impressed with his knowledge. The last day we had Hilke as our guide and she made it worth it! We went to all the main buildings, the hidden streets, while she was teaching us history and culture. She was really good! This trip was another one for the books for sure!

Activity Reviews

Sightseeing Evening Cruise

Prague

Nice but short

Privately Guided Tour Old Town Prague & Jewish Quarter & Prague Castle

Prague

Dana was great! Very knowledgeable and super easy to be with. John our driver was super nice and polite.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

From Prague: Kutna Hora UNESCO Site Tour with Bone Chapel

Prague

Yakra was great! Very interesting place. We would have prefer to leave earlier so that we could have had more daylight coming back.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Cruising the Elbe River: A Scenic Boat Trip Experience

Dresden

Nice but short.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Historical Berlin Walking Tour

Berlin

Klaus was excellent but unfortunately it was raining and dark and we could not enjoyed as we wanted.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Day Trip to Potsdam & Sanssouci Palace

Berlin

Wonderful! Klaus make it up for the night before!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Discovering Kreuzberg's Lively Culture: Small Group Tour

Berlin

This was a wondeful day! Hilke spent 5 hours with us going thru buildings, history, small streets and lots of history and culture!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Nuclear Bunker tour

Prague

AWESOME!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Our recent trip to Morocco, organized by Original Travels Co via KimKim, was absolutely fantastic. From start to finish, the experience was seamless, personalized, and stress-free. The team truly listened to our specific requests and tailored the itinerary to fit our interests, even accommodating special activities like a relaxing hammam experience. They also made sure to remove any activities that didn't appeal to us, which made the trip even more enjoyable.

One of the standout features was how the trip took our health conditions into account. KimKim was thoughtful in ensuring that all activities were accessible and manageable, so we could focus on enjoying the experience without any worries. We also loved the balance between guided excursions and free time for exploration. Having the flexibility to explore on our own was perfect, while the local guides provided insightful and enriching tours when needed.

The safety aspect was also a top priority. We always felt well-informed and secure, knowing what to expect each day. This made the trip truly worry-free, which was especially valuable in a country where navigating remote areas could otherwise be challenging.

What really set this trip apart, though, was the Moroccan guide, Tayeb who took us around and was highly knowledgeable about all the parts of Morocco we went to (Casablanca, Marrakesh, Fez, Merzouga, Chefchaouen, Ouarzazate). He helped us experience Moroccan culture in a way we wouldn't have been able to on our own, from hidden gems to authentic experiences. This local perspective added depth to our understanding of the country and made the journey even more memorable.

Overall, Original Travels Co via KimKim Travels provided incredible value for the cost. It's an investment that was absolutely worth it, especially in a destination like Morocco where the logistics of travel can be complex. I highly recommend KimKim for anyone looking for a stress-free, customized adventure with a personal touch. They even gave us a free upgrade in our stay in Marrakesh for when we were celebrating our wedding anniversary.

I am a kimkim employee traveling with family, and Paola went out of her way to make sure we were taken care of, and every one of our needs were met! She set us up with a knowledgeable driver/guide who showed us all the best places and introduced us to authentic food choices and experiences. We couldn't have asked for anything more.

Hotel Reviews

La Casona de La Ronda

Quito

Great location, safe, clean, nice accomodations

Authenticity & Character

Location

very centrally located

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Celebrity Flora

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Quito City Tour - Middle of the World

Quito

This activity was so interesting and informative. It was worth the drive south.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Airport transfer to Quito City

Ecuador

Nice clean car with safe driving!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Ride the Cable Car to Pichincha Volcano

Quito

We enjoyed the hike, the swing, and the views from the cable car.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Our adventure to Norway was driven by us wanting to see the northern lights . When we started researching how to do this , we came upon a cruise option that was quite pricey and we weren’t sure in November if that was the best way to travel given the increased nighttime hours and colder temps . We found Kimkim and sent them the cruise itinerary we were entertaining. Our specialist Christina took the cruise itinerary and curated a trip for us based on our desire to see the northern lights and what were the best things to do in Norway in November . And the cost ended up being a couple thousand dollars less per person than the cruise. She ended up going on maternity leave prior to our trip and we were then assigned to work with Katie who was amazing!!!
When our trip finally came … Katie called us a couple weeks before and went over everything we would be doing and how to get around. She also recommended popular highlights in each city and booked us for extra activities and a porter to help with luggage from Oslo to Bergen … which was well worth the money!
This trip was literally planes , trains and automobiles lol. We were on the move every 1-2 nights
She basically created the road map for our trip and we followed it . She was always available on the app to answer questions and kimkim has an emergency number also to help while on the trip . This trip was absolutely epic !!! The hotels were amazing. The local tour guides were amesome . We saw the lights not once but twice. King crab fishing, sea eagle expedition, fjord cruises, historic cities … you name it …we did it !!
Our trip however, was not without complications. We did have some weather that forced us to reroute one part of the itinerary. Katie was there immediately to help us with that. She was on the phone with us, guiding us as to how we can reroute and what our options were. She was absolutely awesome.
We also got a flight cancellation leaving Kirkenes because of a snowstorm. She was on the phone with us, helping us find the best options.
Even though we had the roadmap of the trip to do it on our own, she was always there with us to help us guide us along the way.
I can’t say enough amazing things about the Kim Kim team.
Thank you Katie for helping us have an unbelievable trip!!! We will never forget it !!!
Highly recommend kimkim for future vacations!!!!

I had a great experience working with Habiba! They were very responsive and always willing to be flexible when it came to adjusting plans, which I really appreciated. It made the entire process much easier and less stressful. However, there were a few moments where the itinerary seemed to lack some details, and I had to reach out for clarification. Despite that, the agent was quick to respond and provide the information I needed. Overall, I would still recommend their services for their responsiveness and adaptability.

Activity Reviews

Trip Hot Air Balloon Ride in Luxor, Egypt

Luxor

The hot air balloon ride over Luxor was absolutely breathtaking and magical - the stunning views of the Nile River, ancient temples, and the Valley of the Kings below were simply unforgettable. Watching the sun rise over such a historic and beautiful landscape was an experience like no other. I highly recommend this experience to anyone visiting Luxor – it’s truly a once-in-a-lifetime adventure that will leave you with memories to treasure forever.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Bedouin Safari and Star Gazing Tour

Sharm el-Sheikh

The Bedouin safari did not meet expectations. It wasn’t quite as advertised, and several aspects of the tour were lacking. The majority of the tour was an ATV ride, so if you choose to do this, be sure to bring a scarf or wear something you don’t mind getting dusty. The camel ride was only about 5 minutes long, just a quick trip towards the mountain and back, and the person taking photos for you will ask for a tip even though the pictures weren’t particularly great. The stargazing was pretty interesting, the astronomer discussed a few of the constellations and pointed out a few planets that we then used the telescope to look at - Saturn was the best. The dinner was as expected, but the show felt more like a random collection of acts. After the dinner and the show, you then drive the ATV back to where you started. Most importantly, it definitely didn't offer that romantic "under the stars, tent" Arabian night feeling we were hoping for. While you can still appreciate the experience for what it is, it didn’t quite live up to the magical atmosphere we envisioned. Overall, I would suggest managing expectations for the Bedouin safari.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Ada was excellent in setting up all our transportation and activities from start to finish and was easily accessible throughout our trip. All our transports were roomy and the drivers were incredibly friendly. Our tours were also top notch and I would highly recommend Ada and kimkim for travel to Thailand!

Activity Reviews

Explore Phuket

Phuket

Our tour guide was incredibly knowledgeable and it was interesting to learn about numerous sights in Phuket!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Full day Bangkok City Tour with Canal tour

Bangkok

We loved the city tour and learning so much about Bangkok!

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Half Day Chiang Mai Temple Hopping with Doi Suthep afternoon tour

Chiang Mai

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Full Day Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai Tour with White Temple

Chiang Mai

We loved the white temple and visiting the northern most point in Thailand! Lolita cafe is also a must!

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Mahanakhon Skywalk in Bangkok

Bangkok

My husband had been wanting to go to Iceland since we first met. We decided to go for his 40th birthday and worked with Rinolda to plan the trip. It was amazing. She took all of our feedback into account and really thought about the details. We had a redeye flight so didn't sleep much and basically started our activities as soon as we landed. The first stop on our itinerary was the Blue Lagoon which was really refreshing and helped to wake us up. We had just the right amount of things to do each day and got to see so many beautiful places and do so many unique things on this trip.

Hotel Review

Comfort Category Accommodation With Private Bathroom

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Blue Lagoon

Iceland

The facilities were very nice and it was a nice, relaxing experience overall.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Crystal Blue Ice Cave

Iceland

Our guide was very knowledgeable and funny. The experience itself was really cool and definitely something I'd recommend.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Our guide and driver Oussama is superb. He is considerate, responsive, pragmatic, knowledgeable, has a good sense of humour, and he goes extra miles to be helpful. We have enjoyed his company over the journey and are thankful for his presence and assistance throughout the trip.

The organizers Said and Hazma are both excellent, indeed impeccable.

The place they chose for us to stay, Riad Le Pèlerin, was both modern and beautiful. The staff—Abdul Karim, Rashid, and Ismael—were incredibly hospitable and accommodating, helping us with our luggage through the long alleyway to the riad.

We had a wonderful female tour guide, Hanan, who showed us around Marrakesh, including the Bahia Palace, Jemaa el-Fna, and the vibrant market. Although there was a lot of walking, Hanan provided us with insightful historical and cultural knowledge. Her restaurant recommendation, Hajd Mustafa, was excellent, and the lamb was particularly delicious. A highlight was the stop at Koutoubia Herbal, where they introduced us to their own beauty products, which was a nice touch for us ladies.

Our decision to take a hot air balloon ride turned out to be a fantastic one; the views were breathtaking. The overnight stay at Inara Desert Camp was also a memorable experience, especially the camel ride.

Riad As Salam was equally beautiful, with its vibrant decor and warm hospitality. The staff was very helpful, assisting with carrying our large bags to our rooms.

In Fes, our tour guide Sherif took us through the souks and intricate alleys, sharing fascinating stories about the different family artisans who have been practicing their crafts for generations and along with it, we had the chance to shop for unique treasures. We had a lot of fun, especially during our laugh-filled exploration of the "hug me" alley.

Throughout our entire journey, Sameer was an excellent driver. He was always accommodating and ensured we felt safe, especially as we were all women traveling together. He was also knowledgeable, providing explanations and answering our questions during the road trips.

It was truly the trip of a lifetime! Our guide in Tokyo, Alan, was spectacular—knowledgeable and engaging, making every moment unforgettable. Simon, our trip planner, was amazing, maintaining excellent communication throughout the entire experience. The hotels, activities, and recommendations were outstanding, enhancing our adventure. I highly recommend this travel service for anyone looking to explore Japan in a unique and memorable way

The trip was flawless and everything planned went smoothly. Hamza and Said were extremely helpful in helping us decide on the route and stops. Illyas was our driver and was extremely friendly and a very safe drive. Local guides were all very good as were the hotels.

Our favourite stop was our overnight in the Sahara as well as the spectacular drive the following day through the Atlas Mountains.

We thoroughly enjoyed our trip to Peru, visiting Arequipa, Colca Canyon, Puno, taking the train from Puno to Cusco, touring the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu. All the tour guides were knowledgable, friendly, and informative. The hotels and their locations were comfortable, included meals, and centrally located. The transfers made the daily travel very easy. Our local specialist offered great advice and incorporated the elements that were key to us and our visit. The travel was easy and seamless because of her planning.

Lynn and Sokin were superb guides. They were passionate about their country and provided a lot of highly interesting stories and facts. They clearly spent a lot of time studying their history, architecture, and culture. We could not have asked for better local guides. They were both friendly, curious, and professional. They engaged in real conversations with us.

Hotel Reviews

Treeline Urban Resort

Siem Reap

One of the best hotels I have ever stayed at. The aesthetic was divine, as was the service. The food was also outstanding. Great coffee in the room too.

Authenticity & Character

The hotel was designed by a Cambodian architecture and was sublime.

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Palace Gate Hotel & Resort

Phnom Penh

The location could not have been better. It was an oasis in the busy city. The pool was beautiful!!! The food was also outstanding, especially the breakfast!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Soriyabori Resort

Koh Trong

Staying on the island of Koh Trong was a superb experience. We biked around the circumference of the island, which only got electricity five years ago. The agrarian practices appear to be very traditional from what we saw, and the homes were also traditional. Felt very local. The resort was very pretty, and also quite an oasis. The pool was refreshing and very much needed as there is no A/C. I wish the resort put more effort into flavoring their food, as it was the blandest food on our trip. The staff was young and inexperienced. It was hard to get a clean towel for the pool and the basket overflowed with dirty towels most of the day. The one area where improvement would be most welcome is to upgrade the mattresses and pillow in the rooms. The mattresses were very hard and our bodies ached during the night. The mosquito also need felt dirty. The tone of the resort was cool, but the comforts were lacking, especially for the price.

Authenticity & Character

The resort had an authentic feel, but it could have been much more comfortable. Please add A/C, better mattresses, more flavorful food, and it would be perfect!

Location

The island of Koh Trong was magical!

Staff

They were young and inexperienced.

Cleanliness & Comfort

There were cobwebs in our room and the mosquito need was dirty. Very hard to get clean towels for the pool, which was essential because it was so hot!

Activity Reviews

Champey Academy of Arts

Phnom Penh

Do not miss this activity. The kids were adorable. It was a very authentic local experience. We were the only people in the audience. The kids invited us to dance with them, after dressing us in the sari-like pants.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Koh Trong to Siem Reap with kayaking to see dolphins (shared tour)

Cambodia

This was the absolute highlight of our trip. Our guide, Ben, was superb. The river was gorgeous. We saw the Irrawaddy dolphins, who can very close to our kayaks multiple times, and Ben know how to find them.

Quality of Experience

The Mekong is an amazing river! Loved every minute of it.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our guide Ben was superb! He was professional and fun and knowledgable.

Transport

Central Market

Phnom Penh

The market was cool, but not one of the greatest. I would recommend going to the wholesale market, Orussey, for a more local experience.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Royal Palace & National Museum

Phnom Penh

Definitely a must see.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Phnom Penh to Mekong Island of Koh Trong via Kompong Cham

Cambodia

Super cool island. Go for a day trip, if you are staying in Kratie, to ride around the island. The ferry is a super local experience. We were the only "barang" on our return trip to Kratie.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

The ferry was unpredictable and smelled of fumes. But it was very memorable and local.

Historic Rickshaw (pedicab) tour

Phnom Penh

Not to be missed!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Angkor Wat morning visit by remork

Siem Reap

One of the wonders of the world!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We enjoyed our travel with KimKim as we explored the temples tour, the markets in town, the floating market and the railroad market.We did Bangkok for a few days and Phuket the remainder of our time, where we visited phi phi island , an elephant adventure and booked a dinner in the sky. The staff made sure our needs were met and did every thing they could to make the trip fun and memorable. We appreciate your time and dedication on our vacation. Thank you!

Excellent experience with Kim Kim. Audrey was always responsive in a timely manner, and we worked together to plan a great trip to Paris. She listened to my needs and planned the trip accordingly, My granddaughter loved the experiences , It was perfect! Our guide , Solene, was excellent and flexible to our needs. We all enjoyed our time with her. I will use Kim Kim again and refer my friends.

Activity Reviews

Full day guided visit of Paris

Paris

It was very helpful having our guide meet us at our apartment in the Marais. Solene was frienfly, knowledgeable , on-time, and professional. We enjoyed her company and was very helpful snd flexible to meet our needs,

Quality of Experience

Communication was exellent with Audrey, our guide Solene, and the drivers. Everyone was professional and approachable.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

High level of communication and professionalism.

Transport

Good communication with emergency numbets. Drivers were in contact with me snd were very reliable.

Visit of the Eiffel Tower with access to the summit

Paris

Cabaret show at the Moulin Rouge

Paris

Such a fun evening. Kimkim! A mistake was made with tge cate of tge fessrvstion, but Audrey handled fhat immediately.

Notre-Dame de Paris

Paris

Visit of Arc de Triomphe

Paris

Visit of Orsay Museum with audioguide

Paris

Visit of Sainte-Chapelle

Paris

Afternoon tea at Mariage Frères

Paris

Very expensive for what we received , would go back there gor fhe gift shop but not have tea there again..

The most memorable experiences were: Black Abyss, Waitomo, Black Water Rafting Co. abseiling into caves to see the glow worms.
46km Timber Trail bike ride.
Tongariro National Park 20km alpine crossing, across sleeping volcanoes.
Kaiteriteri: Cruise on tiny Aqua Taxi and hike between bays. Saw a pod of orcas close by.
Climbed Ben Lomond near Queenstown. 1010m elevation gain, Total huke 11km.
Good choice of small friendly places for accommodation .Good breakfasts.