Kimkim Trip Reviews

4.8
Based on 17,237 ratings
Read 17,237 verified reviews by travelers who booked their trip on kimkim. You can also read reviews about kimkim on 3rd party sites including Google, TrustPilot and Yelp.

We had a wonderful trip with so many various ...
Patagonia | Jan 10 - Jan 19, 2025

holly
holly k.
Seattle, WA | Reviewed on Feb 07, 2025

We had a wonderful trip with so many various experiences. Jesse did a fabulous job setting up all the tours, transportation , hotels. All of our local guides were amazing and made our trip so special.

Local specialist: Jesse Barrera
Jesse
Jesse Barrera
Local specialist in Santiago | Replied on Feb 07, 2025

Hi Holly,

Thank you for sharing all those amazing pictures of your 10-day trip to Chile 😊 I'm so happy to see that you had good weather during the Base Towers hike and were able to see the peaks! It was my pleasure to plan this friend trip and please don't hesitate to reach out for another adventure to Chile! Maybe next time to the Atacama Desert or even Easter Island? 🌵🗿

All the best,
Jesse

Lorena did an outstanding job all the way aro...
Chile | Jan 3 - Jan 26, 2025

C
Carter M.
Seattle, WA | Reviewed on Feb 07, 2025
Lorena did an outstanding job all the way around. Our accommodations were excellent. Transfers (with one exception) excellent and timely. Lorena always responsive and helpful. This was an epic trip for us and we owe great thanks to Lorena for that! Read more

Lorena did an outstanding job all the way around. Our accommodations were excellent. Transfers (with one exception) excellent and timely. Lorena always responsive and helpful. This was an epic trip for us and we owe great thanks to Lorena for that!

Activity Reviews
Santiago City Tour - Private
Santiago City Tour - Private
Chile

Sole was fantastic! Great tours. Deep and thoughtful knowledge. A pleasure to be with Sole!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Skorpios II - 6 days/5 nights Cruise
Skorpios II - 6 days/5 nights Cruise
Chile

Definitely a trip to do., Small ships. Greater food. Incredible experiences.,

Quality of Experience
Private Dinner Experience
Private Dinner Experience
Santiago

Gloria and Leonids were suggest gracious hosts and it was an honor to have a meal in their home. Highly recommend this to anyone who has the chance. Just an amazing experience. I will never forget the “third flavor”.

Quality of Experience
Food
Gloria prepared an amazing dinner, paired with Leonides excellent wines. What a gift it was to be with them!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Valparaíso & Wine Tour - Private
Valparaíso & Wine Tour - Private
Santiago

Old town Valparaiso was excellent! Highly recommended. Sole took us on an awesome tour.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Montes Winery - Tour Premium
Montes Winery - Tour Premium
Chile

Great restaurant, and great wine.

Quality of Experience
Fly-Fishing Program Magic Waters Patagonia
Fly-Fishing Program Magic Waters Patagonia
Puerto Bertrand
Local specialist: Lorena Huidobro
Lorena
Lorena Huidobro
Local specialist in Houston, TX & Santiago, Chile | Replied on Feb 07, 2025

Dear Jenny and Carter,
Muchas gracias for your kind words! It truly means a lot to hear that your trip was such a memorable one. It was my pleasure to assist and I'm so glad everything went smoothly (well, almost everything!). If you plan another trip to South America in the future, don't hesitate to reach out.
Always the best,
Lorena

A wonderfully memorable Moroccan journey with Majid and Mouad!
Morocco | Jan 21 - Jan 29, 2025

Alen
Alen T.
Chicago, IL | Reviewed on Feb 07, 2025
My wife and I had the pleasure of visiting and exploring Morocco with the help of kimkim from January 21 - January 29, 2025 (9 days). We put 1,318 km (819 miles) on the Mercedes! The following was our itinerary: Arrive in Casablanca; Rabat (1 night); Fes (2 nights); Midelt (1 night); Merzouga (1 night); Boumalne Dades (1 night); and Marrakesh (2 nights). Majid was the local specialist who, from the moment we booked our trip, was instrumental in guiding us along our amazing journey from city... Read more

My wife and I had the pleasure of visiting and exploring Morocco with the help of kimkim from January 21 - January 29, 2025 (9 days). We put 1,318 km (819 miles) on the Mercedes! The following was our itinerary: Arrive in Casablanca; Rabat (1 night); Fes (2 nights); Midelt (1 night); Merzouga (1 night); Boumalne Dades (1 night); and Marrakesh (2 nights). Majid was the local specialist who, from the moment we booked our trip, was instrumental in guiding us along our amazing journey from city to city and across the Moroccan countryside. He was the perfect quarterback who drew up winning plays and called for last-minute changes to ensure all of our needs were met. There were also several tour guides who helped us become intimately familiar with the religiously and historically significant aspects of each city and site we visited, and we appreciated each and every one of them. So, now, for the best part of the trip: Mouad. Mouad was our driver/guide/friend with whom we spent several hours each day, as we traversed the Moroccan shorelines, the High Atlas Mountains and the Sahara Desert (we will, by the way, never forget the sight of the stary night in the desert!). From the moment Mouad greeted us with his big, bright and contagious smile, we knew that we were in for a treat! He greeted my wife with a bouquet of flowers, which was so very thoughtful of him. He was, quite literally, happy, talkative and engaging the entire time. He went above and beyond each and every single day to make sure that every single one of our needs were met, no questions asked--zero hesitation. He then surprised us with a heart-shaped cake to celebrate our 13th anniversary, in the middle of the Sahara Desert no less! We cannot say enough wonderful things about Mouad, and Majid was not kidding when he told us (initially) that Mouad was one of his star players. We left Morocco having made a special friend! I encourage kimkim and Majid to continue to recognize the professionalism and love with which Mouad performs his work (although we're sure he does not even consider it work!) by giving him a call (+212-658-774107) to say Thank You! We sure are grateful to Mouad, Majid and the entire kimkim Team for making our Morocco trip one for the ages!

Local specialist: Majid Mrabti
Majid
Majid Mrabti
Local specialist in Morocco & France | Replied on Feb 08, 2025
Hello Alen,
Thank you so much for sharing your incredible experience with us! I am absolutely delighted to hear that your journey through Morocco was nothing short of amazing. It’s wonderful to know that my expertise played such a key role in crafting a seamless and unforgettable adventure for you and your wife.
And Mouad ; what a star!! Your kind words about his warmth, dedication, and thoughtfulness truly highlight the passion he brings to his work. From the bouquet of flowers to the...
Read more

Hello Alen,
Thank you so much for sharing your incredible experience with us! I am absolutely delighted to hear that your journey through Morocco was nothing short of amazing. It’s wonderful to know that my expertise played such a key role in crafting a seamless and unforgettable adventure for you and your wife.
And Mouad ; what a star!! Your kind words about his warmth, dedication, and thoughtfulness truly highlight the passion he brings to his work. From the bouquet of flowers to the heart-shaped anniversary cake in the Sahara, it’s clear he went above and beyond to make your trip special. I will certainly share your heartfelt appreciation with him and the entire team.
We are grateful to have been a part of your memorable journey and hope to welcome you back for another adventure in the future. Until then, I wish you both many more happy travels and cherished moments together!
Warm regards,
Majid

I loved the choices Valentine made for us, Es...
Germany | Sep 21 - Oct 3, 2024

Rita
Rita Z.
Los Angeles, CA | Reviewed on Feb 07, 2025

I loved the choices Valentine made for us, Especially her recommendations while in the Black Forest.

Local specialist: Valentine Julien
Valentine
Valentine Julien
Local specialist in Lausanne | Replied on Feb 07, 2025

Hi Rita,

Thank you so much for your lovely review. It as a pleasure to organise your trip :)

See you soon in Europe!

Best,
Valentine

Paula & kimkim! What a stellar team! Mahalo...
Australia | Jan 23 - Feb 4, 2025

Marcie
Marcie S.
Los Angeles, CA | Reviewed on Feb 07, 2025
Paula & kimkim! What a stellar team! Mahalo so much to Paula for her patience in coordinating our remarkable trip to New Zealand (Auckland & Queenstown) and Australia (Sydney & Cairns).
Paula's knowledge of both of these amazing destinations truly helped us enjoy our trip to its fullest!
Why choose kimkim:
1. The personal attention that we got from Paula not only allowed us to embark on a trip of a lifetime, but we gained a new friend - Paula!
2. From confirming hotels, booking...
Read more

Paula & kimkim! What a stellar team! Mahalo so much to Paula for her patience in coordinating our remarkable trip to New Zealand (Auckland & Queenstown) and Australia (Sydney & Cairns).
Paula's knowledge of both of these amazing destinations truly helped us enjoy our trip to its fullest!
Why choose kimkim:
1. The personal attention that we got from Paula not only allowed us to embark on a trip of a lifetime, but we gained a new friend - Paula!
2. From confirming hotels, booking flights, to arranging airport transfers, tours and so much more - this was by far, the best way to travel - peace of mind and worry free! Our hotel, M Social was very modern and perfectly located to all activities. The daily breakfast buffet started our days with delicious and healthy options!
3. Our guide Jono for the Auckland Food/Drink City tour was so engaging and very informative as we walked through downtown Auckland and stopped at several eating and drinking establishments! We made new friends along the way and Jono kept us informed and full of joy! The tour and food/drinks and desserts is a must do!
4. Our next stop was Queenstown! My new fave place to visit in the future! Our hotel here was the Millenium - another awesome choice - walking distance to the hub of the town and other activities.
5. Paula arranged for us to take a tour to Milford Sound via coach (Mercedes glass top) and this did not disappoint at all. Our driver was very informative and shared so much about the area and culture along the way, He stopped at some points of interest and the views were absolutely spectacular! We even stood in the field where they filmed the Orcs running through in the movie Lord of the Rings! Arriving at the Sound and journeying on the ferry was surreal. The sound is stunning and we saw dolphins, seals and sea birds. We opted to fly our of Milford Sound at the last minute and THAT was AWESOME! I highly recommend that you do this! The pilot flew us close to the mountain range seeing the glacier tops and lakes too! It was thrilling beyond belief!
6. Our next adventure that Paula booked was the Jet Boat Ride! OK, as a 70 year old, I was a bit weary of this one. However, it was SO MUCH fun and exhilarating - I am ready to go again! Our guide, Dane was Maori and gifted us with his knowledge of the area and its cultural significance. This is another must do....not matter how old you are!
7. We allowed for some free time at our destinations in order to do some spontaneous things and discover things on our own. We rode the Gondola in Queenstown and hung out downtown. The food did not let us down. EVERYTHING was delicious!
8. Next we were off to Sydney where Paula booked us into the Intercontinental. My fave hotel now in Sydney! Breakfast buffet included - clearly the best we have had - ever. Here we did our own things - visiting the Opera House, taking in La Traviata at the Opera House one nite, walking through the Royal Botanical Garden and simply going on adventures in Sydney on our own.
9. Our next stop was Cairns! Flights were all arranged by Paula! We go there, and it was storming. Our snorkel cruise was cancelled due to the weather. As this was pre-paid, the vendor provided a letter for us to receive a refund from our booking agent - kimkim. Upon our return, Paula quickly worked on this and we will receive refunds within a week!
Although our cruise was cancelled, we still found fun things to do while in Cairns. Our hotel, Flynn Crystalbrook booked by Paula, was another winner - centrally located with morning buffet breakfast included.
Paula worked her magic to allow us to have a stress-free, beyond comfortable vacation. Balancing "must see & do" experiences along with free time was perfect. We had SO much fun and learned a lot about the area, the culture and the people.
For all of this Paula, mahalo palena 'ole - with deepest gratitude. Marcie

Local specialist: Paula Adams
Paula
Paula Adams
Local specialist in California and Australia | Replied on Feb 07, 2025
G'day Marcie, I am deeply touched by your exceptional and extensive review. Providing us with detailed feedback about our service helps us design better itineraries for future clients. So, thank you! It truly makes me happy knowing that your vacation was successful (minus the weather) :) and wonderful memories were made. It was truly a pleasure to assist you and I'm grateful to have been the specialist who responded to your trip request. Thank you again for trusting me in helping you book... Read more

G'day Marcie,

I am deeply touched by your exceptional and extensive review. Providing us with detailed feedback about our service helps us design better itineraries for future clients. So, thank you! It truly makes me happy knowing that your vacation was successful (minus the weather) :) and wonderful memories were made. It was truly a pleasure to assist you and I'm grateful to have been the specialist who responded to your trip request.

Thank you again for trusting me in helping you book your trip. Let me know if you plan on traveling to any other South Pacific destination and I will be more than happy to assist you. Take care and keep in touch!

With deepest gratitude and thanks,
Paula
(951) 264 6300

Great trip
Patagonia | Jan 20 - Feb 6, 2025

Larry
Larry G.
Kansas City, MO | Reviewed on Feb 07, 2025
I had a great trip. Everything went as planned, and there were only good surprises. I worked with Jimena and she suggested some excursions that I would not have known about that turned out to be amazing. All of the logistics were great and made traveling from place to place easy. Read more

I had a great trip. Everything went as planned, and there were only good surprises. I worked with Jimena and she suggested some excursions that I would not have known about that turned out to be amazing. All of the logistics were great and made traveling from place to place easy.

Activity Reviews
Ice Hike on Glacier Grey
Ice Hike on Glacier Grey
Chile

It was like being on another planet. Amazing.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Walk with Penguins on Isla Martillo
Walk with Penguins on Isla Martillo
Ushuaia

This was so much fun. Highly recommended.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Jimena Pérez
Jimena
Jimena Pérez
Local specialist in Chile and Colombia | Replied on Mar 17, 2025

Hi Larry!

It's fantastic to hear that you had such a wonderful trip! I'm so happy that everything went according to plan and that you experienced only good surprises.

I'm happy to know that my suggestions enriched your experience and that you found them amazing. I'm also glad the logistics were smooth and made your journey easy and enjoyable. That's always our goal!

Thank you for taking the time to share your positive feedback. It means a lot to us. We hope to have the opportunity to assist you with your future travels.

All the best,
Jimena!

When you're tired of scrolling booking sites...
Spain | Dec 31 - Jan 8, 2025

Jann
Jann E.
Seattle, WA | Reviewed on Feb 06, 2025

We used KimKim to manage one week of a longer trip during which we wanted to visit four cities in eight days and take in a number of popular monuments using local tour guides. While anyone can take care of their own bookings online, we considered it worth the extra cost to turn over the arrangements for four destinations in Spain while we focused on booking the rest of our trip. KimKim steered us to unique hotels (that we might not have stumbled across) within walking distance of attractions and informative tour guides. The communication before and during our trip was superlative.

Local specialist: Coraima Yañez
Coraima
Coraima Yañez
Local specialist in Kimkim HQ | Replied on Feb 10, 2025

Jann, thank you so much for trusting kimkim to help plan the arrangements for your time in Spain! I really enjoyed working with you and Jim throughout the planning process, and was happy to read your stellar feedback on our hotel partners. Location can make all the difference when choosing accommodations! I also appreciate your kind words regarding our seamless communication, as this is one of my priorities when working with travelers. I hope you're able to visit Spain again in the future!
Coraima

Cost Rica 3 wk Hiking, Rainforest and Wildlife Trip
Costa Rica | Jan 13 - Feb 5, 2025

Jim and Susan
Jim and Susan J.
Seattle, WA | Reviewed on Feb 06, 2025
Overall Comments.
We had a fabulous three weeks holiday due very much to the quality of Kim Kim’s itinerary planning, logistics organization, the quality of the operators and tour guides employed and the on-going communication and support to us throughout the trip by Kim Kim.
Trail damage and mud due to heavy rains prior to our trip or on several days during our trip, forced some limited rescheduling of tours but in all cases tour operators (and we) adapted without problems.
Kim Kim... Read more

Overall Comments.
We had a fabulous three weeks holiday due very much to the quality of Kim Kim’s itinerary planning, logistics organization, the quality of the operators and tour guides employed and the on-going communication and support to us throughout the trip by Kim Kim.
Trail damage and mud due to heavy rains prior to our trip or on several days during our trip, forced some limited rescheduling of tours but in all cases tour operators (and we) adapted without problems.

Kim Kim Organization
Kim Kim organization of our itinerary and communication with us was first class. Gustavo was very responsive to our concerns and suggestions in crafting our itinerary. Greg did a fabulous job of attending to the details and building this into our on-line itinerary. The scheduling of a Skype type call with us just shortly before our trip was very helpful in our preparations.

Kim Kim Support.
Greg’s availability throughout the trip to clarify issues was reassuring.

Locations Visited.
We were very happy with all locations visited and, with one exception, the amount of time spent in each. With advanced information on the closure of the Tortuguero Hill trail which evidently had been closed for around two months because of a fallen tree, a day less in Tortuguero would have been appropriate.

Tours.
All the tours organized by Kim Kim and the guides they employed were first class. Of the self guided days that we had built into our itinerary as efforts to cut down on costs or take a break, the Day 1 Cahuita Park trek and the three days in San Jose worked out well. Because of the mud situation with the jungle hike in Gandoca Manzanillo Refuge the Exploradores guide, Rodriguo made an excellent substitute by taking us kayaking. We loved that experience. The Tortuguero Hill trail was closed so we organized our own water taxi to San Francisco and that was perfectly fine. Making a self guided trek to the Arenal Volcano proved impractical because of the isolated location of the Lost Iguana Resort so we took a tour of the Arenal Volcano through the hotel. The English language skills of the guide were nowhere near as good as the other guides we had. In Santa Elena we decided taking a tour for the Curi Cancha Reserve was a good investment both for the guiding services and transport to get there. We booked this through Ocotea, the same company as Kim Kim engaged for the Cloud Forest Reserve, and it was a good tour. The San Pedrillo tour in Corcovado was much better for us than the Sirena tour but this was largely because of the fantastic wildlife sightings we made at the first compared with the second (a tapir and a puma up close) and also because of the shorter trip and easier sand beach access of the first. Our sightings on the second day in Sirena were slim and disappointing by comparison but from what we heard about prevalence of wildlife at each location our sighting experiences could easily have been the other way around. The beach embarkation at Sirena at low tide on large rocks as well as long rock slippery shelves had its difficulties for us and the wet shoes we had didn’t help our experience. Flip flops are not an option particularly at Sirena. Unfortunately for Susan one of her Keens’ water shoes had separated at the sole so weren’t usable so she was making do with flip flops which were not advised.

The zip line experience in Santa Elena turned out to be quite a highlight for us. We were nearly going to pull out but after our two test runs and encouragement from the staff, we went ahead with all five more.

Transfers.
The transfers operated and coordinated by Ride CR (almost all) all went off very smoothly. So did our Sansa flights.
The boat trip from Puerto Sierpe to Drake Bay was an hour and a half later than expected (the boat departs at 4pm as opposed to 3pm) and possibly not with the boat and skipper we were expecting. We are not even sure we even met Captain Licho 😊 But it all worked well in the end and we enjoyed the experience. We certainly were happy to have taken this method of getting to Drake Bay rather than an extra two and a half hours by road.

Accommodation.

Hotel Santo Thomas - San Jose.
This proved a great choice for us. The location relative to downtown, to a number of excellent restaurants and a bank was superb. The room was spacious and comfortable with all the amenities we needed. The breakfast was perfectly adequate. The staff were all cheerful and helpful. The price was also excellent.

Umami Hotel - Puerto Viejo.
This hotel was also excellent. A well appointed and nicely decorated room although the mattress on the main bed was not as firm as I would have liked. The staff were friendly and helpful. The location was great. We really enjoyed Puerto Viejo.

Mawamba Lodge - Tortuguero.
This lodge is well located in reasonable proximity to the village and ocean beach. It is well laid out and the pool is great. The ability to walk into the village of Tortuguero was very good. However the hot water in our room was intermittent. Some of the staff could have been more friendly and enthusiastic.

Lost Iguana- Arenal.
This hotel was excellent and staff were universally helpful, friendly and enthusiastic. The food at the property was good and our room excellent. However it was very isolated from La Fortuna and because we didn’t have our own car it cost us US$40 each way to go to La Fortuna and didn’t allow us to eat dinner anywhere else other than the hotel’s restaurant.

Mar Inn - Santa Elena.
This motel, though modest in services and appointments met our needs very well. It was located close to the centre of Santa Elena village.

Rancho Corcovado- Drake Bay.
This motel was a real mixture. We were in a beautiful and huge room that seemed only partially furnished. It had no chairs or tables (other than recliner chairs on the balcony) and no hangers of any description either for clothes or towels

Possible areas for Improvement might be two or three page printed spreadsheet itinerary that was more easily referenced in off-line locations (we created our own). Also, better information on things like the trail closure on Tortuguero Hill would have been good.

Hotel Reviews
Lost Iguana Resort & Spa
Fortuna

The Lost Iguana Resort & Spa was a fabulous experience with beautiful surroundings and great amenities. However, its location half an hour outside of La Fortuna with no public transport made things a bit difficult. Getting to town required a cab ride, which was quite costly at $40 USD each way, making it less convenient to explore local dining options. It's a great place to stay if you're not planning on heading into town frequently.

Hotel Santo Tomas
San Jose

This proved a great choice for us. The location relative to downtown, a number of excellent restaurants and a bank was superb. The room was spacious and comfortable with all the amenities we needed. The breakfast was perfectly adequate. The staff were all cheerful and helpful. The price was also excellent.

Authenticity & Character
Old tile floors, spacious rooms, high ceilings.
Location
Easily walkable distance to downtown attractions such as the Teatro Nationale and the Museo Nationale, a bank, on the edge of the Barrio Anon district with a number of great restaurants of different cuisine styles and price levels and a number of good souvenir shops.
Staff
Thomas, the owner provided a lot of good advice and all the staff were helpful and friendly.
Cleanliness & Comfort
The bed was firm and very comfortable.
Activity Review
Corcovado National Park Hike from San Pedrillo Ranger Station
Corcovado National Park Hike from San Pedrillo Ranger Station
Drake Bay

The Corcovado National Park Hike from San Pedrillo Ranger Station was an incredible experience. Being in a small group was a significant advantage, allowing for a more personal and quiet exploration of the park. We were extremely lucky with our wildlife sightings, getting up close to a tapir and a puma, which was unforgettable. Despite some wet access on the boats and rocky terrains, this activity was a highlight of the trip due to the amazing wildlife and scenery.

Local specialist: Gustavo Camperos
Gustavo
Gustavo Camperos
Local specialist in Kimkim HQ | Replied on Apr 02, 2025
Dear Jim and Susan, Thanks to your adventurous spirit and openness to new things, this has been one of the most fun trips I have planned. I can tell you that you have experienced Costa Rica like only a few have. Thank you so much for having the confidence in us to allow us to create this adventure for you. Thank you so much for taking the time to provide such a detailed and thoughtful review of your three-week adventure in Costa Rica as well! It truly warms my heart to hear how much you... Read more

Dear Jim and Susan,

Thanks to your adventurous spirit and openness to new things, this has been one of the most fun trips I have planned. I can tell you that you have experienced Costa Rica like only a few have. Thank you so much for having the confidence in us to allow us to create this adventure for you.

Thank you so much for taking the time to provide such a detailed and thoughtful review of your three-week adventure in Costa Rica as well!

It truly warms my heart to hear how much you enjoyed the journey, despite a few bumps along the way. I’m so glad to know that the itinerary planning and logistics met your expectations and that Greg and I were able to support you throughout the trip. I’m also grateful for your patience and flexibility when the weather created a few adjustments to your plans—it sounds like you embraced it all with a positive spirit!

It’s wonderful to hear you had such enriching experiences with the tours and the incredible guides. From the exciting kayak adventure with Rodrigo in Gandoca Manzanillo to the breathtaking wildlife sightings in Corcovado, it’s great that you were able to make the most of your time in Costa Rica, even when things didn’t go exactly as planned. I’m also so pleased that you enjoyed the ziplining experience in Santa Elena—it’s always a highlight! I’ll definitely make sure to improve our communication regarding things like the Tortuguero Hill trail closure so future travelers can plan accordingly.

I also appreciate your feedback on the accommodations, as this will be incredibly helpful for us in the future. We always strive to offer a variety of options that best fit each traveler’s needs, and your detailed thoughts will help guide future recommendations. Rest assured, I’ll keep your suggestions in mind as we continue crafting personalized, seamless trips for our guests.

Once again, thank you so much for your trust in Greg and me. It was a true pleasure working with you both, and I would be absolutely delighted to help you plan another adventure whenever you’re ready!

My trip was based in Mexico City and Puebla. ...
Mexico | Jan 27 - Feb 5, 2025

Kevin
Kevin S.
Los Angeles, CA | Reviewed on Feb 06, 2025
My trip was based in Mexico City and Puebla. Accommodations, transport and guided tours were arranged according to my interests, and all of the tours chosen were perfect. There were wonderful food tours in both Mexico City and Puebla, visits to the Pueblos Mágicos Zácatlan and Chignahuapan, a visit to Teotihuacan, and tours of Talavera factories in Puebla (in one of which I painted my own piece). All of the tour guides (Luis, Yimnah, Lupita, Pablo and Ayleyn) and drivers were wonderful -... Read more

My trip was based in Mexico City and Puebla. Accommodations, transport and guided tours were arranged according to my interests, and all of the tours chosen were perfect. There were wonderful food tours in both Mexico City and Puebla, visits to the Pueblos Mágicos Zácatlan and Chignahuapan, a visit to Teotihuacan, and tours of Talavera factories in Puebla (in one of which I painted my own piece). All of the tour guides (Luis, Yimnah, Lupita, Pablo and Ayleyn) and drivers were wonderful - friendly, knowledgeable, informative and fun to be with. I spent the most time with Lupita (3 separate tours) in Puebla. She is truly a precious resource to have.

Hotel Reviews
Casa Azulai Puebla Hotel Boutique
Puebla

This hotel seems fairly recently renovated, and has lovely decor. It is convenient and modern in comfort, yet retains historic charm. The staff are friendly and accommodating. I had several breakfasts there, which were delicious. The hotel is conveniently located in the historic center, close to places of interest, shopping and restaurants.

Authenticity & Character
Lovely decor which seamlessly blends historic charm with modern convenience.
Location
It is in the historic center.
Staff
Friendly and helpful
Cleanliness & Comfort
The bed was very comfortable, and the shower was great.
Casa González
Mexico City

My room was large and comfortable. The hotel is very conveniently located. The reception staff were extremely friendly and helpful.

Authenticity & Character
Lovely outside patio.
Location
Very conveniently located near restaurants and many places of interest. Safe neighborhood; I felt comfortable walking around as a solo female.
Staff
Reception personnel in particular were helpful.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Discover the flavors and colors of the exotic San Juan Market
Discover the flavors and colors of the exotic San Juan Market
Mexico City

My guide Yimnah was wonderful - friendly, knowledgeable and helpful. She chose excellent food samples so that I could experience many flavors of Mexico, and some foods specific to Mexico City itself. We walked to a local market in an area of the historic center that I would never have thought to explore on my own (not because it was dangerous, just because I didn’t know it was there). Yimnah also shared interesting facts about that specific area of Mexico City.

Quality of Experience
The explanations about the historical significance of some of the dishes and restaurants.
Food
Everything; the torta, the cheese sampler, the mole, the fruit.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Yimnah was so friendly and knowledgeable, and always asked me about my preferences and how I was doing.
Transport
My hotel called a taxi for me.
Teotihuacán Walking Tour - DO Puebla/Cholula - 8h
Teotihuacán Walking Tour - DO Puebla/Cholula - 8h
Mexico City

With my guide Luis, I believe that I was able to visit the areas of greatest significance of Teotihuacán.

Quality of Experience
I learned a great deal about the area, the former residents of Teotihuacán and their lives, and the process of archeological discovery and preservation.
Food
I had a typical lunch (chicken with mole, rice, beans, tortillas) in a local restaurant with a view of one of the pyramids.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Luis was highly informative; he made every detail interesting. He was also very solicitous about how I was doing e.g. if I needed to rest, etc. The driver took me from Teotihuacán to my hotel in Puebla; he was very kind and helpful.
Transport
As above
Puebla City Tour & Talavera Workshop
Puebla City Tour & Talavera Workshop
Puebla

The visit to the Talavera workshop was great. I was a fan of Talavera ceramics before my arrival, and was thrilled to tour the Uriarte factory, one of the most historic and iconic Talavera factories of Puebla. It was informative and after the tour, for better or for worse, I was able to paint my own piece. We later had a fantastic walking tour of the city of Puebla.

Quality of Experience
The experience of trying to paint my own ceramic piece, which is being shipped to me after it has been fired and finished!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Lupita was the guide for this experience. She is truly a treasure - friendly, humorous, knowledgeable, kind and a great teacher. She shared her knowledge of Puebla history in general as well as the history of each individual building we visited. She was always concerned about my welfare, asking if I needed to rest and making sure I didn’t walk into the street when there was traffic. She chose a number of iconic churches for us to visit, as well as the Biblioteca Palafoxiana.
Transport
Kind of N/A; it was a walking tour.
Gastronomic tour in Puebla
Gastronomic tour in Puebla
Puebla

My guide Lupita chose typical dishes of Puebla for us to sample - tacos de canasta, tlayoyos, quesadillas (not like those in the US), and sweets. Although there were other dishes, like cemitas, that we were unable to try (because too much food) Lupita provided background information about those foods. While we were in the street of dulces, she pointed out the former home of the Serdán family, which continues to display bullet holes from the start of the Mexican Revolution on its facade.

Quality of Experience
This tour was as advertised; a true food tour which includes dishes which most people from the US would not know as Mexican. A truly marvelous cultural experience.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
This was my second day with Lupita. I was thrilled to learn that she would be my guide again!
Transport
N/A. Walking tour.
Visit Cholula and a talavera factory
Visit Cholula and a talavera factory
Cholula

We visited a famous Talavera factory, Talavera de la Reyna, on the way to Cholula. The tour was fascinating, and included a thorough explanation of the process of producing the ceramics. We then proceeded to Cholula, where the guide discussed the largest pyramid in the world, located there. We visited the museum and walked around the pyramid, viewing the excavations of previous pyramids. We then climbed to the top to see the famous church of Nuestra Señora de los Remedios. Additionally we visited Templo de Santa María Tonantzintla and La Purisima in San Andres Cholula.

Quality of Experience
It was very well planned to include the visit to the Talavera factory (a special interest of mine), as well as the historic and spiritual sites. The sites are must-see for anyone in the Puebla area.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Pablo was very informative, explaining the significance of the pyramid as well as the cultural significance of the different styles of decor in the churches. His commentary on the exhibits in the museum was invaluable.
Transport
The car was comfortable; the driver arrived for pickup promptly and dropped us at convenient spots for each activity.
Mole Poblano: Market Tour & Cooking Class
Mole Poblano: Market Tour & Cooking Class
Mexico City

This class was very well-organized and incredibly fun. I was the only tourist in this activity, which added to the experience since I felt like I was really able to participate in the cooking. However I think that a larger group would be great as well.

Quality of Experience
In contrast to previous cooking classes that I have taken in other places, I feel that I will really be able to possibly make mole myself after I return home. We also visited a local market where I had the experience of shopping for some of the ingredients we used later. We sampled a sweet breakfast tamale at the very beginning of the experience, just enough to keep me from getting ravenous before the mole was ready!
Food
Aleyn shared her recipe for mole, which was less extensive (in terms of number of ingredients) than I had expected. She encouraged me to taste the sauce at each crucial step to make sure it was going in the right direction. It turned out delicious!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Aleyn, the guide, teacher and chief cook, is an excellent instructor. She was both encouraging with my efforts and also patient with my lack of expertise! She is incredibly fun to be with!
Transport
The little bit of driving that this tour required was done by the tour guide herself.
Discover Zacatlan de las Manzanas & Chignahuapan
Discover Zacatlan de las Manzanas & Chignahuapan
Mexico

To my delight, Lupita was my guide for this day’s experiences. It was a day full of unique experiences; we visited 2 of Mexico’s Pueblos Mágicos, Zácatlan and Chignahuapan, and hiked to a waterfall Cascadas San Joaquin Tomatlán. Zácatlan is a town bejeweled with beautiful and intricate mosaic murals which depict the history of the town, early Mexican history/mythology, and things of cultural interest such as typical clothing from each state of Mexico. To add to the value and interest of this excursion, the actual artists were working as we toured and spoke with us about their work! The hike to the waterfall took place through a cool refreshing mountainous area, and the local guide discussed the indigenous plants of medicinal value. During this tour I sampled some local delicacies such as bread stuffed with an entire apple, elote and a maguey worm (actually very tasty and a good source of protein, no kidding).

Quality of Experience
I loved the opportunity to visit Pueblos Mágicos, places which are not necessarily on the tourist route for folks from the US. Also, it was truly priceless to be able to see the dedication of the mural artists at work, and to meet those amazing women. My memories from this tour will always be cherished.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
As noted before, Lupita is a fantastic guide and I was happy to have her in charge again. I cannot say enough good things about her. She is indefatigable, kind, personable, and a gifted teacher. She was always careful of my welfare, and asked if I was tired or if anything was too much for me. Our driver Miguel is also a very kind man and an excellent, safe driver.
Transport
Miguel was the driver; very comfortable car which was fanatically clean at the beginning of our trip but, unfortunately for Miguel, dusty and/or rain-soaked at the end of the adventure!
Free day in Puebla
Free day in Puebla
Mexico

I visited the forts commemorating the battle of Cinco de Mayo, and the Ex-Convento de Santa Rosa. I wanted to visit the house of the Serdán family but was unable; it was closed for some sort of maintenance.

Quality of Experience
I enjoyed the day, but can’t compare it to the previous stellar guided experiences!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
N/A
Transport
N/A
Local specialist: Rene Rodarte

Just What we Had Hoped For!
Australia | Jan 18 - Jan 30, 2025

Kristen Joy
Kristen Joy A.
Dallas, TX | Reviewed on Feb 06, 2025
Vicky did a superb job of booking accomodations and activities that fit us perfectly. Her attention to detail was spot on. Every transfer, flight, check
In and excursion were perfectly executed. I would 100% recommend Vicky and Kim Kim for any travel needs. Well done!
Read more

Vicky did a superb job of booking accomodations and activities that fit us perfectly. Her attention to detail was spot on. Every transfer, flight, check
In and excursion were perfectly executed. I would 100% recommend Vicky and Kim Kim for any travel needs. Well done!

Hotel Reviews
Hilton Melbourne Little Queen Street
Melbourne

Fantastic service From everyone on the team. Extremely well managed. Loved our stay!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Easy to get everywhere!
Staff
Everyone!
Cleanliness & Comfort
Arajilla Retreat
Lorde Howe

Beautiful spot. Very intimate and quiet. The staff is excellent and the food is incredible!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Vicky Steinhardt
Vicky
Vicky Steinhardt
Local specialist in Noosa, Australia | Replied on Feb 06, 2025

Thank you so much for your kind words! 😊✈️ It makes me so happy to hear that you had such a fantastic trip and that everything went smoothly. Lord Howe Island is such a special place 🏝️🐠, and I’m thrilled you enjoyed it—it’s truly one of those rare gems in the world. And of course, the tennis in Melbourne must have been an amazing experience! 🎾🇦🇺 It was an absolute pleasure planning this journey for you, and I’m so grateful for your trust. Wishing you many more incredible adventures ahead! 🌍💫

Best,
Vicky 😊💙

The entire trip was fantastic! Our tour guid...
Hong Kong | Feb 1 - Feb 5, 2025

Kalyani
Kalyani G.
Kirkwood, MO | Reviewed on Feb 06, 2025
The entire trip was fantastic! Our tour guide, Anna, and her 2 drivers were knowledgeable and friendly! Read more

The entire trip was fantastic! Our tour guide, Anna, and her 2 drivers were knowledgeable and friendly!

Activity Reviews
Driving to Tai Mo Shan and  Tai Po Waterfront Park  Visit
Driving to Tai Mo Shan and Tai Po Waterfront Park Visit
Hong Kong

This is a hidden gem and amazing views for those who hike.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Cultural and Nature Explore of the Kowloon Peninsula and   Lai Chi Kok Park
Cultural and Nature Explore of the Kowloon Peninsula and Lai Chi Kok Park
Hong Kong

The gardens and pagodas were beautiful! A must see for any nature lovers

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Sightseeing in Hong Kong
Sightseeing in Hong Kong
Hong Kong

The viewpoints were lovely

Quality of Experience
P
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Heidi Jiang
Heidi
Heidi Jiang
Local specialist in China | Replied on Feb 06, 2025

Dear Kalyani,

Hope you are doing great.Thank you so much for your kind words! I'm thrilled to hear that you had an amazing time, especially with Anna and the drivers. We would love to welcome you back to China again in the future.

Best regards,
Heidi

KimKim made planning our trip easy!
Costa Rica | Jan 16 - Jan 29, 2025

Barb
Barb S.
Minneapolis, MN | Reviewed on Feb 05, 2025
I was impressed with KimKim from beginning to end. I worked with Olman to plan our itinerary and everything went like clockwork. All our transfers were arranged and on time. Our tours were scheduled and went off flawlessly. We stayed in wonderful lodges/hotels with no issues. We visited three areas of beautiful Costa Rica -La Fortuna, Monteverde and Manuel Antonio. Our itinerary allowed us to experience waterfalls, safari river float and hot springs in La Fortuna, cloud forests, hanging... Read more

I was impressed with KimKim from beginning to end. I worked with Olman to plan our itinerary and everything went like clockwork. All our transfers were arranged and on time. Our tours were scheduled and went off flawlessly. We stayed in wonderful lodges/hotels with no issues. We visited three areas of beautiful Costa Rica -La Fortuna, Monteverde and Manuel Antonio. Our itinerary allowed us to experience waterfalls, safari river float and hot springs in La Fortuna, cloud forests, hanging bridges hike and horseback riding in Monteverde and beach time in Manuel Antonio. In Manuel Antonio, we watched monkeys from our balcony while staying at the Jungle Vista Boutique Hotel. I Gracia from KimKim checked in us while we were in Costa Rica. Because of rain we had canceled one tour and she wanted to see if we were ok. She also answered questions I had about our departure so we felt well taken care of while there. I highly recommend KimKim and am a very satisfied customer.

Local specialist: Olman Romero
Olman
Olman Romero
Local specialist in San Jose, Costa Rica | Replied on Feb 06, 2025
Hello Barbara, Thank you so much for your kind words and for sharing your experience! It was truly a pleasure helping you plan your trip to Costa Rica, and I’m thrilled to hear that everything went smoothly. From your adventures in La Fortuna and Monteverde to your relaxing time in Manuel Antonio, it sounds like you had an amazing journey filled with unforgettable moments! I’m also glad that Graciela was able to assist you along the way—our goal is always to ensure you feel supported and... Read more

Hello Barbara,

Thank you so much for your kind words and for sharing your experience! It was truly a pleasure helping you plan your trip to Costa Rica, and I’m thrilled to hear that everything went smoothly. From your adventures in La Fortuna and Monteverde to your relaxing time in Manuel Antonio, it sounds like you had an amazing journey filled with unforgettable moments!

I’m also glad that Graciela was able to assist you along the way—our goal is always to ensure you feel supported and well taken care of throughout your trip.

We truly appreciate your recommendation and are so happy to have been a part of your Costa Rican adventure. If you ever decide to visit again, I’d love to help craft another incredible experience for you!

Pura Vida,
Olman

Memorable Moroccan experience
Morocco | Jan 17 - Feb 2, 2025

B
Brett J.
South Africa | Reviewed on Feb 05, 2025
Our 17 day trip to Morocco was everything we dreamed of! Yassine and MOBT saw to it that the planning and organization were flawless. There were no hitches at any point. Our driver Said was superb - friendly and helpful at all times. He went out of his way to ensure our comfort and to recommend places and experiences that we would enjoy. The accommodation was of an excellent standard. It was wonderful to experience living in a Riad in the Medina! All the guides provided by MOBT were extremely... Read more

Our 17 day trip to Morocco was everything we dreamed of! Yassine and MOBT saw to it that the planning and organization were flawless. There were no hitches at any point. Our driver Said was superb - friendly and helpful at all times. He went out of his way to ensure our comfort and to recommend places and experiences that we would enjoy. The accommodation was of an excellent standard. It was wonderful to experience living in a Riad in the Medina! All the guides provided by MOBT were extremely knowledgeable and helpful in providing useful recommendations and including experiences that they knew we would enjoy - Abdelgani in Rabat, Rabab in Tangier, Zahra in Fes and Marouan in Marrakech. If/when we return to Morocco, we would not hesitate to use MOBT again and to recommend their services.

Local specialist: Yassine Echcherki
Yassine
Yassine Echcherki
Local specialist in Morocco, New York, Spain | Replied on Feb 06, 2025
Thank you so much for your thoughtful and glowing review! We are thrilled to hear that your 17-day journey through Morocco was everything you dreamed of. It was truly our pleasure to ensure that every detail of your trip was seamless, and we’re delighted that our team met your expectations. We’re especially happy to hear that Said made your travels comfortable and enjoyable—he truly goes above and beyond to create unforgettable experiences. We’ll also be sure to share your kind words with... Read more

Thank you so much for your thoughtful and glowing review! We are thrilled to hear that your 17-day journey through Morocco was everything you dreamed of. It was truly our pleasure to ensure that every detail of your trip was seamless, and we’re delighted that our team met your expectations.

We’re especially happy to hear that Said made your travels comfortable and enjoyable—he truly goes above and beyond to create unforgettable experiences. We’ll also be sure to share your kind words with Abdelghani, Rabab, Zahra, and Merouan, who take great pride in showcasing the beauty and richness of Morocco. Please stay in touch and let us know if you ever decide to return to Morocco!

Foodie tour of Thailand
Thailand | Jan 13 - Feb 1, 2025

C
Carla P.
Atlanta, GA | Reviewed on Feb 05, 2025
Our first guide in Thailand, Mike, was amazing. He quickly understood why we were in Thailand (for the food) and made sure we tried all the local dishes and market treats wherever we were! Read more

Our first guide in Thailand, Mike, was amazing. He quickly understood why we were in Thailand (for the food) and made sure we tried all the local dishes and market treats wherever we were!

Hotel Reviews
Sanctuary Pakbeng Lodge
Pakbeng
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
My Dream Boutique Resort
Luang Prabang
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Athena Cruise
Ha Long Bay

Wonderful room, terrible food

Authenticity & Character
Location
Overrun by other boats. A quiet bay would have been much nicer
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hoian Central Hotel
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Residence Wat Damnak
Siem Reap
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Flower Garden hotel
Authenticity & Character
Êmm Hotel Saigon
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Cherish Hotel Hue
Hue
Activity Reviews
Full Day Lao Cooking Class (join in ) and Night Market Tour
Full Day Lao Cooking Class (join in ) and Night Market Tour
Luang Prabang
 Local Farm Visit, Waterfall & Tat Kuang Si Bear Rescue Centre
Local Farm Visit, Waterfall & Tat Kuang Si Bear Rescue Centre
Luang Prabang

The waterfall is gorgeous but would be best experienced early before the crowds. The bear center is just sad and disappointing

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Discover Mekong Delta: Boat Ride, Local Villages, and Cycling
Discover Mekong Delta: Boat Ride, Local Villages, and Cycling
Ho Chi Minh City
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
So much fun! We took many forms of transport
Transfer to Pakbeng by a boat ride along the Khong River (shared  boat/ Shompoo Cruise )
Transfer to Pakbeng by a boat ride along the Khong River (shared boat/ Shompoo Cruise )
Chiang Khong
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Cooking Class at Red Bridge School & Walking Street Food Tour
Cooking Class at Red Bridge School & Walking Street Food Tour
Hoi An

Fantastic!

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Half Day Cu Chi Tunnels Tour
Half Day Cu Chi Tunnels Tour
Ho Chi Minh City

Too cowded

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Full Day Tour to Angkor Thom and Angkor Wat
Full Day Tour to Angkor Thom and Angkor Wat
Siem Reap
Take the Mekong River Cruise to Luang Prabang (Join-in)
Take the Mekong River Cruise to Luang Prabang (Join-in)
Thailand
Quality of Experience
Mi
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Full Day Hanoi City Tour with Museum of Ethnology
Full Day Hanoi City Tour with Museum of Ethnology
Hanoi

Not our thing.

Explore Angkor Temples: Banteay Srei, Ta Prohm Temple and Prasat Kravan
Explore Angkor Temples: Banteay Srei, Ta Prohm Temple and Prasat Kravan
Siem Reap
Late Afternoon Street Food Tour in Hanoi: Fermented Pork, Grilled Fish, and More
Late Afternoon Street Food Tour in Hanoi: Fermented Pork, Grilled Fish, and More
Hanoi
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Athena Luxury Cruise - Day 1
Athena Luxury Cruise - Day 1
Thailand

This was a bit of a circus. Too many boats and people all doing the same thing. It would be better to cruise longer among the islands on our own.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Hoi An - countryside and ancient town exploration, local food taste
Hoi An - countryside and ancient town exploration, local food taste
Hoi An
Quality of Experience
Athena Luxury Cruise-Day 2
Athena Luxury Cruise-Day 2
Ha Long Bay
Quality of Experience
Food
Full Day  Cooking Class & Dong Ba Market Tour
Full Day  Cooking Class & Dong Ba Market Tour
Hue

Not done because we didn’t get picked up

Half Day Ho Chi Minh City Tour with Dong Khoi Street
Half Day Ho Chi Minh City Tour with Dong Khoi Street
Ho Chi Minh City

Not our thing

Full Day Hoi An City Tour with Thanh Ha Pottery Village
Full Day Hoi An City Tour with Thanh Ha Pottery Village
Hoi An
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Ada Huang
Ada
Ada Huang
Local specialist in Japan | Replied on Feb 07, 2025
Dear Carla,
Greetings from Ada.Thank you for sharing your feedback. We're so glad to hear that you enjoyed your time with Mike in Thailand and that he was able to show you the best local dishes and market treats. We also appreciate your thoughts on the Athena Cruise in Ha Long Bay and we’ll definitely take that into consideration. As for the waterfall and bear rescue center in Luang Prabang, we’re sorry to hear the bear center didn’t meet your expectations.We’ll pass on your feedback about...
Read more

Dear Carla,
Greetings from Ada.Thank you for sharing your feedback. We're so glad to hear that you enjoyed your time with Mike in Thailand and that he was able to show you the best local dishes and market treats. We also appreciate your thoughts on the Athena Cruise in Ha Long Bay and we’ll definitely take that into consideration. As for the waterfall and bear rescue center in Luang Prabang, we’re sorry to hear the bear center didn’t meet your expectations.We’ll pass on your feedback about the Hoi An countryside exploration and the Ho Chi Minh City tour as well. Thanks again for your insights.

Best regards as always,
Ada

10 Day North Sumatra Tour
Indonesia | Jan 21 - Jan 30, 2025

Richard
Richard K.
Australia | Reviewed on Feb 05, 2025
Joe was great and full of excellent information. He made the interactions with our local guides very easy and ensured our trip ran smoothly and we were always taken care of at all times. Our driver ‘Dragon’ Ergon was a very safe and gave us great confidence with his calm nature putting us at ease in the hectic roads. He went above and beyond to ensure we had a comfortable time on the Sumatran roads.
We had several local tour guides and all were great with their local knowledge and always...
Read more

Joe was great and full of excellent information. He made the interactions with our local guides very easy and ensured our trip ran smoothly and we were always taken care of at all times.

Our driver ‘Dragon’ Ergon was a very safe and gave us great confidence with his calm nature putting us at ease in the hectic roads. He went above and beyond to ensure we had a comfortable time on the Sumatran roads.
We had several local tour guides and all were great with their local knowledge and always ensured we were looked after.

Activity Review
Trek in Gunung Leuser National Park
Trek in Gunung Leuser National Park
Bukit Lawang, North Sumatra

We couldn’t have gotten any luckier with our guide and the animals we saw. Our guide had amazing knowledge of the local wildlife was fantastic. His ability to quietly traverse the jungle and spot various animals was an amazing site to see. I’d highly recommend this jungle trek.

Quality of Experience
The guide put the animals before anything, ensuring we were safe but let the animals roam freely.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Our guide was I great source of knowledge and ensured we got to see as much as possible.
Local specialist: Yuqqa Macdalena
Yuqqa
Yuqqa Macdalena
Local specialist in Bali, Indonesia | Replied on Feb 11, 2025
Hi Richard, Thank you so much for your kind words and for taking the time to share your experience! I am very happy to hear that our Sumatra Guide Joe and the other local guides made your journey through North Sumatra smooth and enjoyable. It’s wonderful to know that our driver Ergon's calm and safe driving helped you feel at ease on Sumatra’s roads! 🚗 Your jungle trek in Gunung Leuser sounds absolutely incredible! We are so happy that you had such an amazing guide and were able to see so... Read more

Hi Richard,

Thank you so much for your kind words and for taking the time to share your experience! I am very happy to hear that our Sumatra Guide Joe and the other local guides made your journey through North Sumatra smooth and enjoyable. It’s wonderful to know that our driver Ergon's calm and safe driving helped you feel at ease on Sumatra’s roads! 🚗

Your jungle trek in Gunung Leuser sounds absolutely incredible! We are so happy that you had such an amazing guide and were able to see so much wildlife. There’s nothing quite like quietly moving through the jungle and witnessing nature in its purest form. 🌿🐒✨

It was a pleasure helping you with this adventure, and I’d love to help with any future trips to Indonesia! Wishing you many more amazing travel experiences ahead.

Best regards,
Yuqqa
Travel Specialist for Indonesia

Time in Vietnam
Vietnam | Jan 21 - Jan 27, 2025

R
Robin D.
Ashburn, VA | Reviewed on Feb 05, 2025
My favorite part of the trip was time I spent in Hanoi. I loved my Walking Food tour with Cherry. She was so informative and has a wonderful personality to make the tour so enjoyable. She was knowledgeable and fun. The Chaos of Hanoi was delightful. My jeep tour with Robin was also very good. Loved the train street and the Pagoda. Robin spent time teaching me about the experiences and seemed especially knowledgeable about the Pagoda. Halong bay was such a wonderful retreat from the... Read more

My favorite part of the trip was time I spent in Hanoi. I loved my Walking Food tour with Cherry. She was so informative and has a wonderful personality to make the tour so enjoyable. She was knowledgeable and fun. The Chaos of Hanoi was delightful. My jeep tour with Robin was also very good. Loved the train street and the Pagoda. Robin spent time teaching me about the experiences and seemed especially knowledgeable about the Pagoda. Halong bay was such a wonderful retreat from the city. The overnight cruise was lovely. Accommodation on the boat was very comfortable. The floating market was a marvel. The guide was terrific with bits of information about the markets and how they are diminishing. I totally enjoyed cruising the market and even getting some soup from a floating vendor. Ho Chi Min was a very different flavor than Hanoi. A bit more sophisticated. Rooftop bars and entertainment were aplenty. The war museum and tunnels were sobering. All along the trip accommodations were above my expectations and I was completely impressed with the service and punctuality of the guides. A rather pleasant surprise was all of the decorations for Luna New Year. I was unaware of the start of the celebration but was lucky enough to be there before the actual New Year. Flower markets were bursting with Orchids, Kumquat Trees and Cherry blossoms. It was very special to see.

Local specialist: Ashley Nguyen
Ashley
Ashley Nguyen
Local specialist in Hanoi | Replied on Feb 07, 2025

Dear Robin,

Thank you so much for the wonderful review! I'm thrilled you enjoyed your time in Hanoi with Cherry and had a great Jeep tour with me. It’s fantastic to hear that you appreciated the Pagoda and the peace of Halong Bay. The floating market and its history must have been fascinating, and I’m glad you enjoyed the Lunar New Year decorations!

I’m so happy to hear the accommodations and guides exceeded your expectations. It was a pleasure having you on the tour!

Safe travels and love from Realistic Asia,
Ashley

Overall, the trip was wonderful. We fully en...
France | Sep 18 - Sep 20, 2024

D
Denise J.
Naples, FL | Reviewed on Feb 05, 2025
Overall, the trip was wonderful. We fully enjoyed our excursion to Arcachon from Bordeaux and the wine region as well. The days spend in the Loire Vally were amazing, we could not have asked for more. The time spent in Paris was also exactly what we were looking for. We did have some issues with being taken to the wrong train station by an arranged driver for a day trip to Normandy. Although, Audrey was able to help us regroup and got us there the next day for an abbreviated trip, It... Read more

Overall, the trip was wonderful. We fully enjoyed our excursion to Arcachon from Bordeaux and the wine region as well. The days spend in the Loire Vally were amazing, we could not have asked for more. The time spent in Paris was also exactly what we were looking for. We did have some issues with being taken to the wrong train station by an arranged driver for a day trip to Normandy. Although, Audrey was able to help us regroup and got us there the next day for an abbreviated trip, It took additional arranging on our part also. The next time we would like a few more specific details about where to find drivers so we don't spend time looking and miss. The only other thing we would have liked is to have dinner reservations made for us , instead of spending time figuring that out. We did not make them in advance so we were relying on hotel conceirge and found some to be booked.

Local specialist: Audrey Benezech
Audrey
Audrey Benezech
Local specialist in Montpellier | Replied on Feb 05, 2025

Dear Denise,

I'm delighted to hear from you and hope you're doing well. Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback on your trip to France.
I take note of your comments. We have been working on our travel booklets—beyond the practical details of the itinerary, we now include restaurant recommendations, sightseeing suggestions, and other helpful tips for each destination!

We look forward to welcoming you to France again!
Audrey

Overall it was a great experience.
Chile | Feb 1 - Feb 4, 2025

R
Ron W.
Newark, NJ | Reviewed on Feb 05, 2025
Overall it was a great experience. Just be aware that sometimes things run on time and sometimes pickups run 30 minutes late Read more

Overall it was a great experience. Just be aware that sometimes things run on time and sometimes pickups run 30 minutes late

Activity Review
Bike Tour Laguna Cejar
Bike Tour Laguna Cejar
Chile

Great guide. Good exercise!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Tamer B. Obeid
Tamer B.
Tamer B. Obeid
Local specialist in Quito & Santiago | Replied on Feb 05, 2025

Hi Ron :)
Thank you for your valuable feedback; it is very appreciated.
Yes, in San Pedro de Atacama, the pick-up time can't be exacted when the tours are shared; that's why we were giving you an approximate schedule time. But, otherwise, I am so happy you enjoyed all the tours.
Yours,
Riwal

Amazing Trip to NZ!
New Zealand | Jan 18 - Feb 4, 2025

S
Sichao N.
Ashburn, VA | Reviewed on Feb 05, 2025

Liz was easy to work with and helped me plan my first trip to NZ. She was professional and knowledgeable about the cities I wanted to visit and recommended a few options based on my preferences. The local partner was extremely helpful on the ground to support my tours throughout the 18-day period. They were responsive and provided quick coordination when change was needed. I would highly recommend Liz for New Zealand trips and would love to work with her and the kimkim team again for another trip in the future.

Local specialist: Liz Neal
Liz
Liz Neal
Local specialist in Sydney-Auckland-Los Angeles | Replied on Feb 23, 2025

Thank you Sichao for your lovely review. I am so glad you enjoyed the trip so much !
Thank you for sending wonderful pictures of you smiling everywhere!!
I will be very happy to work with you in the future ! Reach out to us anytime.

Liz

Winter family trip to London & Amsterdam
England | Dec 25 - Jan 1, 2025

J
Jean Y.
Los Angeles, CA | Reviewed on Feb 04, 2025
The tours, attractions, and accommodations that Aleksandra helped us plan were all fabulous. In London, we particularly enjoyed the guided tour of Westminster Abbey, the high tea, and day trip to Oxford. Transportation to Amsterdam (as well as all transfers) went without a hitch. During the one hiccup in Amsterdam, where we went to the wrong location for our canal boat tour, Aleksandra responded immediately and helped us in the moment. It was truly a wonderful and memorable family trip! Read more

The tours, attractions, and accommodations that Aleksandra helped us plan were all fabulous. In London, we particularly enjoyed the guided tour of Westminster Abbey, the high tea, and day trip to Oxford. Transportation to Amsterdam (as well as all transfers) went without a hitch. During the one hiccup in Amsterdam, where we went to the wrong location for our canal boat tour, Aleksandra responded immediately and helped us in the moment. It was truly a wonderful and memorable family trip!

Hotel Reviews
The Athenaeum Hotel & Residences
London

The Athenaeum was a great location for visiting tourist sites, though at night the traffic noises were a bit loud. The food at the restaurant was particularly good!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Pulitzer Amsterdam
Amsterdam

Beautiful hotel with exceptional service.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Aleksandra Shebaltseva
Aleksandra
Aleksandra Shebaltseva
Local specialist in England | Replied on Feb 07, 2025

Dear Jean,
Thank you so much for your kind words! I’m absolutely delighted to hear that you and your family had a wonderful trip. It was truly a pleasure assisting you in planning your journey, and it’s fantastic to know that you enjoyed all activities.
Wishing you many more amazing adventures in the future, and I’d love to help plan your next trip whenever you’re ready!
Warmly,
Aleksandra

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