Kimkim Trip Reviews

We visited Patagonia in Chile and Argentina. Undoubtedly, Patagonia is the most spectacular environment I have ever visited. Biodiversity is still noticeable in that part of the world and I hope it will be forever preserved that way. The Andean Condor, Uppland geese, culpeos and guanacos are still common sight. I wish I had seen the timid armadillo!

It was suggested by Lorena that we rented a car to travel within North Patagonia and then Punta Arenas to Torres del Paine. The roads from Balmaceda Airport to Puerto Guadal and around Torres del Paine were unpaved or filled with craters in the paved roads, which made the driving conditions dangerous and so it became necessary to drive between 20 - 60 km/h. Nevertheless, the scenery in those areas were breathtaking! Also, petrol stations are hard to come by and we needed to make that planning ourselves. We were not given this information beforehand. A bus trip from Puerto Natales to El Calafate was added to our itinerary and it was not the 4 h stated on our itinerary, but 6 h. It was the most uncomfortable part of the trip, as we were crammed in like sardines.

In the plus side, all hotels suggested were excellent. My top picks were Lago Grey Hotel and Mirador Puerto Guadal, plus the food at the Yegua Loca restaurant. The best boat trip was to Spegazzini glacier.

Lorena was always very prompt at helping us when needed, even when we were still in Santiago. We felt safe under her care and she sorted issues very quickly. On the improvement side, the itineraries could have been checked a few hours in advance to avoid some of the issues.

Hotel Reviews

Hotel Kosten Aike

El Calafate

Good location and good facilities. A hotel working towards environmental sustainability.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Lago Grey

Torres del Paine

Incredible location! We could still see the glacier from our room. We saw so many wild animals, like the caracara, culpeo zorro and Magellanic woodpecker. It is a walking distance to easy walks in the forest through Rio Pingo and Grey Glacier. Restaurant staff were very friendly.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Mirador del Guadal

Puerto Guadal

Stephan was an amazing host, always checking in with us to provide us with local tips on what to do or just have a friendly chat. The local chef was excellent and we enjoyed the quality of the breakfast and dinners. The best of all was the superb view from the cabin and the amazing nature surrounding us.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Spectacular nature

Staff

Friendly

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Explore the Brazil Side - Foz do Iguaçu

Argentina

We only spent two hours on the Park and we were hoping for at least 4 h. We felt rushed again and could not enjoy the beautiful sight standing before us for long enough. We stayed in the Argentinian side so had to travel to the Brazilian side and be subjected to passport control, but we stayed inside the van and the guide handled everything. We also stayed in the van to enter the park as opposed to take their double decker bus.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Explore Iguazú Falls (Argentine Side) & Great Adventure

Argentina

The trails were great but we were rushed throghout the whole experience. It was very busy with lots of tourists queuing everywhere. We also did the Great Adventure in the boat where we soaked from being underneath some of the falls! We loved that part of the day. Beautiful place and it would be great to do it without a guide rushing through, so that we can enjoy the natural surroundings. The guide should have also spoken in Spanish to the group member who did not speak English but he ignored her most of the time.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Boat Tour Through The Glaciers

El Calafate

This is a must tour! We loved it! The catamaran was really modern. We loved the iceberg sculptures. It is a real shame that these beautiful glaciers are disappearing as a result of anthropogenic climate change.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Guided Tour from El Calafate to El Chaltén

El Calafate

The guide was wonderful! She had great knowledge of the area and very happy to answer extra questions in English. Before we reached El Chalten, we stopped at the Hotel Las Leonas for a coffee, photo, souvenir opportunity and/or toilet break. And she stopped for two other photo opportunities on the way. There was only one hike going up but not for that long. The second walk was at ground level towards the waterfall.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Perito Moreno Blue Safari

El Calafate

When we reached the National Park, we could view the glacier from the wooden platforms from the yellow and blue trails. This was also during the time allocated for lunch break. After that, we took the boat to enjoy a walk closer to the glacier where we could touch it and even ‘drink’ a piece of ice from it. It is a real shame that these beautiful glaciers are disappearing as a result of anthropogenic climate change.

Quality of Experience

Food

The sandwich was too dry.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Wildlife Photo Safari in Patagonia

Punta Arenas

The guide was exceptional! She knew so much about the birds in the area. We observed several species and watched several condors fly!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Penguin Colony on Magdalena Island

Chile

The guide was excellent at covering the information in both Spanish and English. It was good to see the park rangers on watch on the island to protest the welfare of the animals. We saw other bird species, like the Upland Geese and Seagull. The trip to the Marta island was shorter than to observe the penguins, because we needed to stay on the boat not to upset the sea lions, which was sensible.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Marble Caves Boat Tour

Chile

The marble caves are really worthwhile a visit! The guide gave some good basic scientific background as to how they were formed and those not listening could still take some amazing photos of the beautiful geological formations.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Guide was knowledgeable and had good sense of humour. Staff back in the office were a bit rude.

Transport

Our trip was spectacular, but what made it especially so, were the fine people we had the pleasure of being with in Morocco. So it will be them that I speak about.

Our right hand man, Soufian was an exceptional driver, tour guide, problem solver, and friend. He was personable, attentive, knowledgeable, and always punctual. When unexpected issues arose in our travel plans (beyond his control), he handled them with grace and efficiency. On the rare occasions when someone else had to take over driving, we found ourselves missing Soufian’s lighthearted and playful banter. By the middle of our week-long trip, he felt more like a member of the family than a hired guide. The Moroccan people, in general, impressed us with their genuine warmth, friendliness, and quick smiles, but Soufian truly embodied these qualities in the best way possible. Our time with him felt far too short, and we’ll cherish the memories we created together.

Additionally Sharif was an outstanding tour guide, and our visit to Fez was truly enhanced by his expertise and thoughtful approach. From the outset, he impressed us with his extensive knowledge and passion for the city’s history and culture. When he outlined the detailed itinerary for our four-hour tour, I expressed concerns about whether it might be too challenging for my 83-year-old mother, who has mobility issues. The itinerary included significant walking, particularly through the bustling Medina. However, Sharif immediately adapted to our needs with remarkable patience and understanding.

Throughout the tour, he was incredibly attentive to my mother, always ensuring she felt comfortable and supported. He found creative ways to navigate the sometimes-difficult terrain of the Medina, and his kindness and care did not go unnoticed. His background as a university-trained linguist shone through, making the experience enjoyable and accessible even for us, as English-only speakers. He communicated complex historical and cultural details with clarity, making the tour both educational and engaging.

The tour itself was exceptionally well-organized, taking us to a variety of fascinating sites while offering deep insights into the vibrant history and traditions of Fez. Sharif’s ability to balance an ambitious schedule with a personalized touch truly stood out. Thanks to him, we were able to complete the entire tour without feeling rushed or overwhelmed, despite the physical challenges.

I wholeheartedly recommend Sharif to anyone visiting Fez. His professionalism, expertise, and genuine care for his guests make him a truly exceptional guide. I am confident that you, too, will have an unforgettable experience in his capable hands.

Thanks so much to both of these men.

Sara did an amazing job planning my 30th birthday trip!!! From the beginning to the end she was with my mom and I every step of the way!! I appreciate you curating this trip exactly how we wanted it to be!! My favorite part I would say was the cooking class and going to see Christ the Redeemer and Sugar Loaf Mountain that was an amazing experience! Shout out to Hyza from Cooking in Rio you were great!! I also really enjoyed the samba experience, next time I will have to come back for some samba classes!! Shout out to all the drivers/ service workers/ maids/ cleaners!! Special shout out to Ismael and Jonathan from the Windsor hotel and Isabella and Kaüo from Pousada do Ouro!!! You guys were awesome and I thank you for all the birthday love. Everyone was so so helpful and kind I appreciate everyone.

Thank you for a memorable 30th birthday!!! I will definitely be back to Rio for Carnival!! My mom and I really enjoyed the trip!!

All the best,
- Jonette

Hotel Reviews

Windsor California Copacabana Hotel

Rio de Janeiro

Good hotel!! Ismael and Jonathan were great!!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Central on the beach!!

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Pousada do Ouro

Paraty

Beautiful colonial hotel!!!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Central!!

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Recipe Brazilian Cooking Class in Rio de Janeiro

Rio de Janeiro

Hyza was excellent!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Rio in a Day: Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf, Selarón Steps and More*

Rio de Janeiro

Must see!!! Get there early!!

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Behind the scenes of the carnival

Rio de Janeiro

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Rio: Little Africa Unveiled: Vibrant Afro-Brazilian Heritage

Rio de Janeiro

Was okay wish I learned a little more but was interesting

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

All you can eat dinner in the best meat and fish churrascaria in Rio

Rio de Janeiro

Wow!!!!! AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING buffet style authentic Brazilian experience what more can I say all you can eat!!!

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

The whole trip was great! Every hotel was beautiful and welcoming. Our guide Joao was knowledgeable and fun to be with. He adjusted our excursions as needed for weather and went out of his way to show us around and accommodate our interests. He made Portugal special for us.

I recommend that Mua Cave to have been included in the trip. The photos of the Ninh Binhb area on the itinerary show the Mua Cave viewpoint hike, but I later realized it was not on the itinerary. This wasn't very clear, and when I brought this up, I was told by the guide there would be a ticket cost and additional cost for the car and driver. After I complained about this, KimKim waved it.
We enjoyed the hike and think it should have been included in the itinerary. Please don't include photos of places not on the itinerary.

The guide and driver were excellent

Everything was very good. Flor was very responsive with the planning and changes. I appreciate the service via whatsapp while we were in Argentina-- people responded very quickly.

Hotel Reviews

Hosteria Senderos

El Chalten

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Design Suites Calafate

El Calafate

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

CasaSur Recoleta

Buenos Aires

Great location and nice staff!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Loi Suites Iguazú Hotel

Puerto Iguazú

very nice!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Cristina Estancia Discovery

El Calafate

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Perito Moreno Glacier Excursion 🗻

El Calafate

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Tango Show and Dinner at Café De Los Angelitos

Buenos Aires

great dancing but started late-- past our bedtime!

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

CATAMARAN RIDE: SUNSET

Puerto Iguazú

not very scenic-- not good food

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

driver was great!

Transport

Argentinean Falls - Full day

Puerto Iguazú

very nice but super crowded

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Leisure Day in Puerto Iguazú

Puerto Iguazú

with flight changes we had very little time

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Personalized City Tour 🏛️ ⭐

Buenos Aires

Guides were great!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We had an awesome trip and a phenomenal guide!

Michelle was great. Helped make the cotipaxi trip fun even though we were not aclimented to the altitude. Andreas was excellent. Had great knowledge and was always enthusiastic.

We had a great time in Columbia and everything being organized by David worked 100 procent. All the guides did a super job, the same as the drivers we had. We will of course do promotion for you in our neighborhood and will certainly come back to you for our next trip to Columbia. All our thanks go to David and his team.

Hotel Reviews

Hacienda Venecia Coffee Farm

Manizales

The next highlight on our trip. What can one do better. The owner lives together with the guests in the same house. Very personal situation. Staff and family very friendly.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Very special in the middle of a coffee farm with a lot of animals.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Quinta Ladera

Medellin

Good little hotel, quiet although the situation in a very lively neighborhood.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Bantu By Faranda Boutique

Cartagena

The highlight of our trip. Super crew, nice food, situation in the city absolutely super.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Camino Verde

Tolú

Very good hotel, problems with the wifi, street from Tolu to the hotel deserves to be reconstructed from the beginning to the end.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

La Gloria

Mompox

Good hotel, nice crew, good food. Sometimes a bit loud at night from the neighborhood.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Visit to the Bogotá Botanical Garden

Bogotá

José Luis know such a lot about plants. It was a fantastic visit.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Visit the Salt Cathedral at Zipaquira

Colombia

We are very glad to have seen the Salt Cathedral finally (Third visit of Bogotá!)

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Bogota's Essentials (City Tour & Monserrate)

Bogotá

José Luis is a very accurate and friendly guide who did a great job with us. His German is very good.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Fruits of Colombia at a Local Market

Bogotá

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Biking in Bogotá

Bogotá

Very special experience in this enormous city with two very engaged guides.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Charming Towns and Special Coffees Córdoba / Pijao / Buenavista - Sustainable Destination in the Quindío Mountain Range

Colombia

Wonderful experience on a very long tour.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Coffee Tour in Venecia Coffee Farm

Manizales

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Hydrangea Tour in La Ceja and Pottery Workshop in Carmen de Viboral

Medellín

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

City Tour Medellín

Medellín

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Danna is a very nice person with a good knowledge of all the important points of this fantastic city.

Transport

Rosario Islands Day Trip

Cartagena

I would not send guests to this Island any more. Two hours of boat trip to wait three hours for the trip back on a very small beach without any possibility to walk about on the island.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Walking tour in Cartagena's Historic Center

Cartagena

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Boat Ride: The Ciénaga de Pijiño

Mompóx

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Walking Tour in Mompox

Mompóx

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We had an incredible experience with KimKim! I loved our 2 day kayak trip. We got to see amazing wild life and camp on Yolanda's property. An unforgettable experience!

Well over a year of planning with Dalia enabled us to experience a once-in-a-lifetime, fabulous, unforgettable family adventure to celebrate our 50th wedding anniversary. Traveling with a group of 14, including children ranging in age from 2 to 14, who have a variety of past travel experiences (and opinions) was challenging, but met more than satisfactorily in every way. Details were anticipated and planned, and Dalia was always available and responsive to handle any changes or special requests. Our personalized itinerary to fully explore Andalucia included windmills, great food (a cooking class which was a highlight for all), castles and palaces, fishing (a must for this family and another highlight), interesting museums (music and art!), a National Park, wading in the Mediterranean, and a fun New Year's Eve. The local guides were knowledgeable, interesting, and engaged well with the kids. Grandma and Grandpa were very pleased, and we are certain all our children and grandchildren were not disappointed after all the anticipation!

Activity Reviews

Fishing boat trip

Málaga

Oscar was a great Captain and this excursion was a highlight for our multigeneration group.

Market tour & Sevilla group cooking class

Seville

This was a highlight for our multigenerational group.

This trip was amazing! I personally like to research/plan my travels but life was hectic beforehand and having someone assist with our travel planning based off our preferences was amazing. The fact it was not much more expensive than doing it ourselves is always a plus. Also, the itinerary layout and portal for KimKim was very straightforward and was always helpful to look at when referring to travel events/timing. I loved how flexible your company is as well, accommodating to our “budget” travel style and self guided events so we could do what we wanted at each location without having to worry about booking timing/tour guides.

We really enjoyed the assistance Sandy provided, she booked domestic travel, checked us in, sent our boarding passes/tickets to us, and provided clear descriptions of where to meet our private transfers at each location! She was even helpful of providing information for where to meet family friends and websites that can help with reserving tables. Sandy was also very responsive the whole trip, helping us get our questions answered as well as being prompt with rescheduling/refunds as our trip changed.

A few points I think Kaelyn mentioned internally, but worth noting here:
-we had to ask Sandy for times of private transfers, reservation #’s, and timing of domestic travel. We didn’t have this info very close to our departure date, and it may have been provided around that time, but I’m sure other people would feel the same of wanting this info a bit beforehand.
-originally, when Sandy booked the Sapporo beer museum tour it said food was included, but the day that we booked it the food was closed all along, not sure how Sandy missed it, but we had to eat lunch somewhere else. Not a huge deal, our local guide Kana was very helpful with this and recommended a great soup curry restaurant that was probably our favorite meal of the trip. Also, Sandy/Kana figured out the refund for the Sapporo beer museum to be applied to our lunch which was great to not have to worry about.

Overall, I would recommend KimKim to most people. This was mine/my wife’s first experience with a travel agency as well, so there were some things that were confusing to us, but overall the trip ran very smoothly and a lot of stress was eliminated because of KimKim’s/Sandy’s assistance! I would definitely consider doing a trip through KimKim again. Thank you!

Hotel Reviews

The TOURIST HOTEL AND CAFE AKIHABARA

Tokyo

Amazing breakfast, and delicious coffee. We would stay here again.

Authenticity & Character

Very modern and clean.

Location

Right near electric city, great central location.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Niseko Northern Resort Annupuri

niseko

You could tell it was an older building, but still a great vibe, good rooms, amazing that it had restaurants/breakfast on-site! It was a bit farther away from everything else in Niseko, almost an hour bus ride to the main village which we didn’t know. It would be nice if this place had a free shuttle to the village as the local bus took a while and was honestly expensive (so was the taxi service), which added up over the couple days. The fact that it was ski in/ski out was the highlight, also each room had their own ski locker which was amazing!!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Nothing, it is just far away from the main village/restaurants.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

They made our beds everyday and gave us fresh towels, awesome!

Activity Review

Half-day Sapporo City Discovery with Genghis Khan BBQ and Sapporo Beer Tasting

Sapporo

We thought this was a brewery tour not museum tour. And the food was closed. This may have been our fault for not researching when booking, but was fun to learn the history nonetheless.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We are so happy we chose to work with kimkim and Mint! We flew 12 time zones for an 8 day trip to Thailand (too short!). One of the best experiences of my life! Everyday was packed with amazing well-rounded day trips with well-coordinated transportation from each event and domestic transfers. Amazing food and quality of the excursions and private guides. Anytime we had even a small concern about being in the right place at the right time Mint was on it and dealing with our needs quickly. The process of customizing your trip for your needs was easy and worked out perfectly. Simply tell them what you want and it will happen without you managing any of it. Well worth working with a group like this versus piecing all of this together yourself at a minor cost savings.

This trip was a reminder/proof that even a small 8 day trip can be monumental for anyone, dont be afraid to wander.

Leave this life with memories, not dreams.....

Hotel Reviews

Oceanfront Beach Resort

Phuket

Nicer end for this region, very good location, great pool bar area, a bit noisier being right on the street but your in Patong so you cant expect quiet.

The Park Nine Suvarnabhumi

Bangkok

Looks pretty, mosquitoes were an issue for us. Good location to shopping and food and airport.

The Quarter Hua Lamphong by UHG

Bangkok

Basic nice safe with good spa services, harder to get a drink when you want one. Food good.

Activity Reviews

John Gray's - Hong by Starlight

Phuket

ditto amazing

A visit to Elephant Jungle Sanctuary in Phuket

Phuket

1 of a kind experience anywhere on the planet

Phi Phi island, Bamboo Island, Pi Leh lagoon & Maya bay by speedboat

Phuket

life changing beauty

A visit to Mae Klong Railway market and Damnoen Saduak Floating Market!

Bangkok

Fantastic planning assistance from Audrey. She helped put together a custom itinerary that was exactly what we wanted and none of what we didn't want. She patiently worked with us as we explored different options for different days even when we changed our minds, made recommendations when asked, carefully planned out logistics and timing, and then executed all of our bookings. Polite, professional and friendly. Only constructive feedback I'd say is for days where our itinerary is known to start before a hotel serves breakfast, to not include breakfast with the hotel booking on those days.

Helen with ultimate Sydney was wonderful. Very knowledgeable and such a fun city food activity. The Sydney fish market was fascinating and all food stops were enjoyable. Charlie with aea luxury was also fantastic. Very personable and accommodating. Our time at thala beach was unique but a bit too isolated. Interesting, but would likely not return or recommend. Too far from any activities and not enough offerings on site. The calypso reef tour and the wildlife habitat tour were both spectacular. Absolutely loved both!! The sail away evening tour was quite average. No info, basically sailed out and slow return. Advertised as drinks and snacks. Snacks were limited and only the first drink was included and then they started a tab. Boring and overcrowded. Seating was uncomfortable and limited. We were happy to return to the wharf.

Hotel Reviews

Sydney Harbour Hotel

The Rocks

Yuck just yuck. Old, musty, offers nothing - would not recommend unless a brief stay to be close to harbor and decent walk around area. Staff was bored, uninterested and overall unhelpful. We lucked into the roof top area with Australia Day fireworks but, sorry, would not ever stay here again or recommend. Room felt moist and muggy. We felt as if we got ill staying there.

Authenticity & Character

Everything. It’s old and it shows. It had an old holiday inn or Howard Johnson’s feel. Overpriced.

Location

Nice location, but please chose a different hotel.

Staff

Personality, helpfulness, attitude, outlook. They seemed bothered we were even there.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Again, everything needs improvement. Grimy, dusty, musty, dank. Uncomfortable and also loud.

Thala Beach Nature Reserve

Oak Beach

Interesting and unique, but far too isolated with not enough activity at the resort. Only one restaurant and food was average. Wait times long for meals and quite overpriced for what is offered. Couldn’t even get a cup of coffee without someone asking for our room number. Pool area and beach felt unkempt and zero activity or anything of interest. Transportation to port Douglas was late - we almost missed our planned tour - and very limited. We lucked out by grabbing an uber back from town one evening. Staff was helpful and tried their best, but perhaps a bit understaffed or maybe it was the time of year??

Authenticity & Character

Very interesting location. Plenty of nature. Many frogs, toads, and can hear much wildlife st night from your tree house/jungle hut. Walking at night, not for the feint of heart. Golf cart shuttles are available but allow for extra time.

Location

Too far from everything. Nothing offered on property.

Staff

Helpful, tried their best. Seemed a bit understaffed maybe???

Cleanliness & Comfort

Room was mostly clean. Pool area and beach both needed some attention/love.

Four Seasons Sydney

Sydney

Fantastic!!! Beautiful with top notch service. Well located for activities.

Authenticity & Character

Clean, classy, beautiful!!

Location

So close to everything!!

Staff

Derek was the best! Everyone was helpful And accommodating.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Comfortable, clean rooms. Beds were so inviting after our long travel day.

Activity Reviews

Private Blue Mountains Day Trip

Sydney

We learned a lot about the blue mountain region. Several great stops. The botanical gardens and lunch at boiler house were also great. Charlie with aea luxury was wonderful and accommodated a drop off at Manly Beach.

Quality of Experience

The views were incredible.

Food

Lunch at boiler house was delicious. Charlie provided champagne for one of our stops.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Charlie was warm, knowledgeable and incredibly accommodating.

Transport

Comfortable vehicle, on time pick up

Private Wildlife Habitat Experience

Port Douglas

This was a fantastic experience. Our guide Enrique was personable and knowledgeable. The interaction with wildlife was spectacular. Very much enjoyed this day.

Quality of Experience

Up close and personal with birds, kangaroos and koalas. Learned so much!!

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Enrique was wonderful. Answered all of our questions and was very knowledgeable about Australian wildlife.

Transport

Our transportation was over an hour late. This was booked through our hotel, so no fault of the travel agent.

Sunset Sailing Cruise on the Coral Sea

Port Douglas

Just a very average trip. We went out, made a turn and did a very slow return. Boring. No info. No music. No conversation or engagement. Advertised as food and drink - average and limited light snacks and one drink per person before they offer “to start a tab”. Limited and uncomfortable seating. Wanted this to be great - it wasn’t.

Quality of Experience

Ship was pretty. Everything else was lacking.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Zero interaction with anyone from the company or crew. Boring.

Transport

We were already on port Douglas so no transport was needed.

Great Barrier Reef Snorkeling Excursion

Port Douglas

Beautiful trip!! We had perfect weather. 3 perfect stops. Fascinating views and snorkeling. Thank you for an amazing adventure. Bucket list item!!!

Quality of Experience

Boat was clean, crew was organized and professional. Well informed. A lot of fun!!!

Food

Food was great! Make sure to get in line early as everyone is hungry. Fresh air and swimming help work up an appetite!!!

Guides, Drivers and Staff

everyone was helpful. Make sure to do a guided snorkel with one of the crew.

Transport

Pick up at our hotel was on time. Return trip left right after outing. Perfect!!

Private Taste of Sydney Experience

Sydney

Helen was incredible. So knowledgeable and willing to share info. A fun day of learning and traveling around Sydney. We learned a lot, tried a lot and thoroughly enjoyed our day.

Quality of Experience

Just a great assortment of food and parts of the city coupled with a fantastic knowledge of the Sydney area and history!!

Food

So fun to try a nice variety of food items.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Helen felt like a family member from the start. Her knowledge and willingness to share history with us was very appreciated.

Transport

Comfortable, large, great visibility.

The planning was good although there were some things that my husband and I thought could have been improved. Regarding the tour, our time in Quito was great and we had a fabulous bike tour with Jonathon. However, some of our group went to Cotapaxi, and to go to that altitude the first day of the trip seemed risky for a group of seniors. The hotel in Quito was great, transfers were seamless, and the trip itself was excellent. Mathias was very responsive but several times did not answer all of our questions and we had to ask them multiple times. A packing list could have been sent out early in our planning to allow us to purchase any items we might have been lacking. Payments should have included the items we were paying for and our names on them without us having to request it. Information on baggage restrictions could have been given to us as part of the information package. Overall, we were pleased with our trip and would recommend booking a trip through kimkim to others.

I was concerned about investing in the Kimkim service. It was perfect for us. The planning and execution were exactly what we needed.

We had an excellent trip to Vietnam, and we were extremely happy with the organization and support provided by Doris. She was very responsive, during all phases of our trip, and very helpful as well. She was a great travel resource for us. The guides she picked for us in every location were very good, spoke very good English, and were friendly, knowledgeable, informative, and fun. Doris was the reason we had such a good experience in Vietnam. She set us up with an excellent itinerary, which allowed us to see much more than we initially expected. Vietnam is a country with lovely warm people, excellent food, and really fun adventures. We highly recommend it, and we highly recommend Doris.

Hotel Review

Peridot Grand Luxury Boutique Hotel

Hanoi

This was our favorite hotel, among many very good hotels. Their breakfast buffet was astounding. Excellent helpful staff.

Location

Activity Reviews

Ho Chi Minh City - Mekong Delta, Explore Ben Tre - Ho Chi Minh City

Vietnam

Brian was an excellent guide. Very much enjoyed this experience. Guests should be given a heads-up about the traffic and resultant length of the car trip back and forth.

Hoi An - Ho Chi Minh - XO Saigon by Night - Experience Vietnam on Two Wheels (Group tour)

Ho Chi Minh City

The motorbike night tour of Saigon on Two Wheels was a very unique and wonderful experience.

Lan Ha Bay - Hanoi - Fly to Hue

Vietnam

HaLong/LanHa Bay: total winner. Great experience.

Explore Hoi An Ancient Town and Street Food Tour

Hoi An

Hoi An was terrific. Very much enjoyed.

Ninh Binh - Bai Dinh Pagoda - Mua Cave

Ninh Binh

Very much enjoyed the Mua Cave and the Bai Dinh Pagoda was incredible.

Tomb of Emperor Tu Duc - An Hien Garden House - Enjoy some local specialty cakes in Hue 

Hue

Very much enjoyed the Garden House and the Tomb

Hiking in Mai Chau, Explore local villages (Xom Kha, Ban Te and Na Meo)

Mai Chau

Loved biking thru the local villages

Hue: Thuy Bieu Ecovillage, Cooking Class & Imperial Citadel

Hue

This was a very fun boat ride and Cooking class. Highly enjoyable.

Ninh Binh - Lan Ha Bay, Overnight on Indochine Lan Ha Cruise

Vietnam

Our time on the Indochine, cruising the really amazing HaLong Bay, was a wonderful experience.

Morning Free - Afternoon Half-Day City by Legendary Russian Jeep GAZ69 Or USA Army Jeep (VBTJ1)

Hanoi

We loved this half day tour, and we loved our guide, Brian. We saw and tasted and experienced so much, and he was really fun. Total thumbs up.

Quality of Experience

Very well planned and executed by KimKim. Super well organized by Doris.

Food

Everything. So tasty, so rich in flavor

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Guides and drivers were excellent.

Transport

Super easy, super helpful, super efficient

We just completed a trip and had such a wonderful experience! Elana and Wilman were tremendous and so pleasant to interact with. I definitely felt that they really cared about our experience. Elana put together an incredible itinerary and my dad and I had so much fun. Each activity was awesome and our schedule was thoughtfully put together so everything flowed. It always felt like we got the very best rooms at each property. The people working at the zip line at Selvetura Park were so awesome, as we’re the river rafting crew. We had a blast and also felt very safe. Our drivers were consistently kind, fun and informative. The only change I would make is to not stay at L Establo. The property was too large and spread out and the breakfast was a cattle call with tour bus attendees. I would absolutely tap into this entire team on a future trip and refer kim Kim and serendipity to any and all of my friends and family!

Hotel Reviews

Holiday Inn Express San Jose Airport

San Jose

We were extremely surprised by how nice of a stay it was here. They had a beautiful hotel with lush environment. The rooms were very basic, but nice with comfortable bed and great shower and very clean. There is a Denny’s adjacent to the property and we were extremely close to the airport with a free shuttle. I would absolutely stay here again for proximity to the airport.

Authenticity & Character

It is what it is and it does practical well

Location

Close to airport! Beautiful sunset as well

Staff

Friendly and prompt

Cleanliness & Comfort

The bed and linens were very nice. The room was extremely clean. There was a comfortable chair in the room to lounge in.

Hotel La Mariposa

Manuel Antonio

I wish I could give it six stars. The hotel is in the most beautiful setting with incredible views There are lots of good restaurants that someone can walk to from the hotel. They make amazing food and drinks, and the breakfast was spectacular I loved that they had a resident cat! The air conditioners worked great, and the rooms were spacious and well designed. There were macaws flying around in the trees on the property! This was my favorite hotel

Authenticity & Character

It’s incredibly charming and beautiful

Location

The views! It’s also close to a lot of things and desirable places to walk to, including a mini grocery store and ATM.

Staff

Everyone we spoke to was wonderful

Cleanliness & Comfort

The rooms were very beautiful inside and outside, and the views were epic

El Establo Mountain Hotel

Monteverde

The design is very modern and clean and it is a huge and beautiful property. It is so steep and large that moving from place to place requires a shuttle even for people who love physical activity. We had to pay $20 each, just to take a walk on the trails above the property And this seems odd to me The breakfast was also chaotic and stressful with tons of people from tour buses. We did not find it, relaxing at all

Authenticity & Character

It’s very nature oriented with beautiful views

Location

The location is walkable to downtown and in a beautiful setting with tremendous views. It’s just such a steep and spread out footprint.

Staff

The front desk staff were wonderful and the shuttle drivers were very nice

Cleanliness & Comfort

The rooms were pristine

Arenal Springs Resort

La Fortuna

Very friendly and wonderful service. Pristine property that has a lot of nice walking and animal viewing right from the property. Delicious food and amazing Hot Springs

Authenticity & Character

It is well laid out and thoughtfully designed

Location

The view of the mountain is so beautiful and the property is lush. There’s a lot of fun things to do for couples or families.

Staff

Amazing service

Cleanliness & Comfort

The rooms were pristine

Activity Reviews

{{start_location}} to {{end_location}} - Visit La Paz Waterfall

Costa Rica

This was better than I expected. The waterfall walk and walk around the animal habitats was really fun. We loved the hummingbirds so much. It’s very lush and beautiful. It can be really chilly with the strong mist so bring a good jacket and definitely a raincoat.

Quality of Experience

Food

It was nice that lunch was right there so we didn’t have to go somewhere else, but I would opt out of eating there next time.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

We were lucky to have this driver twice and he was so kind and knowledgeable. He took us to great stops along the way and made the drive fun. We really enjoyed the smoothie and such that he pulled over for us. He was a very safe driver.

Transport

Savegre Whitewater Rafting

Costa Rica

We had such a good time. This was my dad’s favorite activity.. The river was so beautiful and our boat guide was super knowledgeable about the environment and birds. He handled the river with strong mastery of the currents and made us feel extremely safe. The other guys on the team were hilarious and so fun to be around. We saw the sunset from the river and it was gorgeous!

Quality of Experience

I wish that dinner was not included in this event. The meal afterwards was awkward because everyone just wanted to go home.

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Manuel Antonio National Park Guided Nature Hike

Manuel Antonio

Our guide was amazing and taught us so many things. We saw an incredible variety of plants, animals, and reptiles. Including a Ferdinand’s (sp?) snake! The activity was tailored to suit our time commitment, which was perfect.

Quality of Experience

It’s a national park for a reason. It’s stunningly, beautiful and not too large. You will see a huge variety of animals.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Catamaran Tour with Meal

Costa Rica

We were pleasantly surprised by how nice of an experience this was. There weren’t a ton of the people on the boat and the people joining us were so fun to talk to. The team manning the ship played great music And yummy food. We saw a gorgeous sunset and snorkeling was a blast!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

All Day Adventure at Selvatura, including Zipline, Hanging Bridges, and Fauna Exhibitions

Costa Rica

The zip line guides were incredible! They made us feel so safe and they were very attentive. I loved spending the time with them. The guy who took us around the butterfly reptile area was wonderful as well.

Quality of Experience

O

Food

Beautiful setting, nice service and delicious food!

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Night Walk in the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve

Monteverde

I really enjoyed this experience and the guide was very knowledgeable. It was fun to see a tarantula and scorpion and many other critters and learn about the background of the forest

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

I’m

Transport

Hanging Bridges, La Fortuna Waterfall, and Arenal Volcano

Arenal/La Fortuna

This was an enjoyable day, but I wish we had only done two of the three activities. The hanging bridge tour took far far longer than was expected and went on too long. We did like our guide though. The waterfall was beautiful and I’m glad we saw it. I would pass on the hike because the visibility is often so poor and the hike was really just a steep short walk.

Quality of Experience

Food

The food was delicious and it was fun to talk to the other guest

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We originally planned a bucket list trip to Norway to see the northern lights, Alex was our first connection to kimkim and was fantastic to work with he helped change and tweek things to our interests, while in Norway carina was right on it when I needed her assistance for a booking! Norway in a nutshell was an unexpected delight because it seemed like it was going to be so complicated but turned out so easy with every ticket for train bus and boat all going perfectly! I would highly recommend using this team of travel experts , one added bonus was every driver picking us up at airports and hotels were 100%on! Thanks for my epic trip of a lifetime