Kimkim Trip Reviews

4.8
Based on 19,113 ratings
Read 19,113 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.

Perfectly Crafted Honeymoon Adventure!
Iceland | Jan 12 - Jan 19, 2026

J
Jenna C.
Newark, NJ | Reviewed on Jan 23, 2026
Our local specialist, Gummi, created the most amazing itinerary for our honeymoon. After our initial call, he tailored the trip to be perfect for us. Every stop was organized, timed perfectly, and completely worthwhile to see! We can't even pick the most favorite activity or waterfall or site we saw. He also checked in with us during the trip to make sure we were okay, and gave us heads up for the Northern Lights forecasts. We also overslept one morning and he rearranged our activity to give... Read more

Our local specialist, Gummi, created the most amazing itinerary for our honeymoon. After our initial call, he tailored the trip to be perfect for us. Every stop was organized, timed perfectly, and completely worthwhile to see! We can't even pick the most favorite activity or waterfall or site we saw. He also checked in with us during the trip to make sure we were okay, and gave us heads up for the Northern Lights forecasts. We also overslept one morning and he rearranged our activity to give us some more time. We are unbelievably grateful to him for the trip and had the most amazing time.
10/10 recommend Gummi. 10/10 recommend Iceland.

Local specialist: Guðmundur Óli Pálmason
Guðmundur Óli
Guðmundur Óli Pálmason
Local specialist in Iceland | Replied on Jan 23, 2026

Thank you for the kind words Jenna
I am so happy to read your honeymoon was such a success. After all, a honeymoon isn't just any ol' trip.
I do hope we'll see you in Iceland soon again :)
Gummi

Beautiful Scenery and Fun Places to Explore
Morocco | Jan 3 - Jan 11, 2026

Jake
Jake C.
Chicago, IL | Reviewed on Jan 23, 2026
We had a fantastic time in Morocco! Our itinerary was Tangier-->Chefchauen-->Rabbat-->Casablanca. KimKim and our local contacts (Yassine-planning, Soufiane-driving) put together an excellent trip exactly as we envisioned it. Specifically for us we wanted to have time to explore places and not rush from place to place. Our Riad in Tangier was well located for exploring the medina, and we were less than a 5 minute walk from a well known brochette (kebab) place. The coastal views just outside... Read more

We had a fantastic time in Morocco! Our itinerary was Tangier-->Chefchauen-->Rabbat-->Casablanca. KimKim and our local contacts (Yassine-planning, Soufiane-driving) put together an excellent trip exactly as we envisioned it. Specifically for us we wanted to have time to explore places and not rush from place to place. Our Riad in Tangier was well located for exploring the medina, and we were less than a 5 minute walk from a well known brochette (kebab) place. The coastal views just outside of town at the Lighthouse and where the Mediterranean/Atlantic come together are great. In Chefchauen - do the Spanish monastery hike at sunset - you can even get great views only walking part of the trail - and then you can save energy for the Akchour Waterfall hike which was probably our favorite day of the trip! Rabbat is a much bigger city and fun to explore - many of the museums are excellent. One favorite was the Musée National de la Photographie.

Altogether it was a great trip, and all of the planning and guidance we received made it happen!

Local specialist: Yassine Echcherki
Yassine
Yassine Echcherki
Local specialist in Morocco, New York, Spain | Replied on Jan 25, 2026
Thank you so much for sharing your experience and for such a thoughtful review. It was truly a pleasure helping plan your journey through Morocco, and I’m so glad to hear that the itinerary matched exactly what you were hoping for. I’m especially happy that the pacing allowed you to explore each destination without feeling rushed. Tangier, Chefchaouen, and Rabat each offer such different experiences, and it’s wonderful to hear that highlights like the coastal views near the lighthouse, the... Read more

Thank you so much for sharing your experience and for such a thoughtful review. It was truly a pleasure helping plan your journey through Morocco, and I’m so glad to hear that the itinerary matched exactly what you were hoping for.

I’m especially happy that the pacing allowed you to explore each destination without feeling rushed. Tangier, Chefchaouen, and Rabat each offer such different experiences, and it’s wonderful to hear that highlights like the coastal views near the lighthouse, the Spanish Monastery hike, and the Akchour Waterfalls stood out for you. Akchour is a favorite for many of us as well.

Thank you also for your kind words about Soufiane. I’ll be sure to pass along your feedback to him. We’re delighted that the accommodations and overall planning helped make your trip so memorable.

Wishing you many more wonderful travels, and we’d be happy to assist again whenever you’re ready for your next adventure.

Everything Kimkim touched in preparation for ...
Japan | Dec 26 - Jan 8, 2026

Robi
Robi P.
San Jose, CA | Reviewed on Jan 23, 2026
Everything Kimkim touched in preparation for our trip was flawlessly arranged and executed.
Our long standing hotel accommodations, transit connections, and air and rail tickets made for seamless enjoyment and ease of travel flow.
The availability of Shona to assist or answer questions was a given and much appreciated when we received her help managing a luggage transfer between hotels.
The four days of guided excursions were flawlessly executed and so easily accomplished thanks to the...
Read more

Everything Kimkim touched in preparation for our trip was flawlessly arranged and executed.
Our long standing hotel accommodations, transit connections, and air and rail tickets made for seamless enjoyment and ease of travel flow.
The availability of Shona to assist or answer questions was a given and much appreciated when we received her help managing a luggage transfer between hotels.
The four days of guided excursions were flawlessly executed and so easily accomplished thanks to the expert handling of the local guides and professional drivers. Even our day in Kyoto where we relied on mass transit to visit multiple locations on every side of the city were incredibly easy thanks to the excellent transportation infrastructure of the city, prefecture and country.
Shout out to Ayumi and Sochi for insight into both the history and current lifestyle of Japanese culture. Guide Ian’s perspectives provided a good contrast as a western expat living the dream in Japan.
Lastly, we arranged our ski portion of the trip mostly independently and it went really well thanks to the most excellent service provided by Hokkaido Nomad car rental in Sapporo. The camp car service was flawless. We had engine trouble on New Year’s Eve and Suzuki (our rental lead) delivered a brand new camp car to our location in less than an hour, ON NEW YEARS EVE. Amazing.

Local specialist: Shona Zhang
Shona
Shona Zhang
Local specialist in Japan | Replied on Jan 26, 2026

Hi Robi,
Thank you for your feedback. All the best wishes to you and your family .
We really expect to see you next trip
Best
Shona

Liz created the perfect itinerary for this qu...
France | Jan 19 - Jan 22, 2026

Joost
Joost S.
Sunnyvale, CA | Reviewed on Jan 23, 2026
Liz created the perfect itinerary for this quick business trip. She helped select a couple of cool experiences on our free day and found us the perfect boutique hotel. If only every business trip was this smooth, easy and fun! Read more

Liz created the perfect itinerary for this quick business trip. She helped select a couple of cool experiences on our free day and found us the perfect boutique hotel. If only every business trip was this smooth, easy and fun!

Hotel Review
Hôtel Fior d'Aliza
Paris

Loved this hotel. It's small, has a very cozy and nicely designed lobby and the rooms are comfortable, and spotlessly clean. Location is great, with many small local restaurants and coffee shops within a few minutes walk. Metro is around the corner and you can walk to Montmartre and Opera in about 10 - 20 minutes through nice neighborhoods. The best hotel I've stayed in Paris.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Super friendly and helpful front desk staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Iconic Paris Views from Galeries Lafayette Terrace
Iconic Paris Views from Galeries Lafayette Terrace
Paris

Great views from the top of galleries Lafayette the reason i didn't give this 5* is that it feels a little touristy, and the restaurant is a bit of a food court. That said, great stop of you are nearby.

Quality of Experience
Saint Germain Gourmet Food Walk
Saint Germain Gourmet Food Walk
Paris

Very cool food tour. It started a bit slow for my taste with a focus on Paris history and layout of the neighborhoods, but it got progressively better and ended with a very good dinner in a small Basque restaurant. We connected really well with our guide Duniya and shared lots of laughs over food and great wines.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Private Exploration of the Opera Garnier
Private Exploration of the Opera Garnier
Paris

Very engaging tour. Our guide Sylvanie took us through the history of the planning, architect selection and other historic context of the Opera house. It's an impressive building with lots of beautiful spaces.

Local specialist: Liz Chreist

A Worry-free Vacation in Costa Rica
Costa Rica | Jan 11 - Jan 22, 2026

H
Heather R.
Canada | Reviewed on Jan 23, 2026
Just returned from 12 days in Costa Rica. I was overwhelmed trying to plan it on my own and KimKiim was fantastic. We had to make some last minute changes in terms of pick up times and Serendipity Tours, the local Costa Rica team, was super-accommodating and always available through WhatsApp, even after hours and on weekends. Everything went seamlessly. We stayed in four spectacular hotels - Tabacon Resort in La Fortuna, Rio Celeste Hideaway, Korea in Monteverde and Capitan Suzan in... Read more

Just returned from 12 days in Costa Rica. I was overwhelmed trying to plan it on my own and KimKiim was fantastic. We had to make some last minute changes in terms of pick up times and Serendipity Tours, the local Costa Rica team, was super-accommodating and always available through WhatsApp, even after hours and on weekends. Everything went seamlessly. We stayed in four spectacular hotels - Tabacon Resort in La Fortuna, Rio Celeste Hideaway, Korea in Monteverde and Capitan Suzan in Tamarindo. Never thought that we would try zip lining but Treetop in Monteverde was fantastic. We felt safe, the team told us what to expect and we spent more than an hour and a half zip lining with an option to Bungee jump afterwards. Fantastic trip.

Hotel Reviews
Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa
Fortuna

Luxury hotel with free access to stunning natural hot-spring complex.

Authenticity & Character
Modern rooms. Beautiful rainforest setting
Location
Five minute drive to the Arenal Volcano. 10 minute drive to La Fortuna. Manicured path leads downhill to the hot spring resort and they also provide a shuttle.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Rio Celeste Hideaway Resort
Bijagua

One of the nicest hotels we have ever stayed at.

Authenticity & Character
Very Modern hotel with local Costa Rican character.
Location
The Rio Celeste area is a bit isolated but the hotel is in the middle of a rain forest with monkeys and other wildlife on the property. In addition there is a great one hour hike from the hotel directly to the Rio Celeste river.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
The hotel is designed to let guests enjoy amenities - even in the rain if necessary. Each cabin has a covered verandah where you can sit out rain or shine. The pool has discreetly covered loungers with towels always available and you can also sit there comfortably in the rain. Gorgeous Hot tubs and pool area.
Koora Hotel
Monteverde

Incredible views from the suites. Great restaurant on-site.

Authenticity & Character
The resort makes the best of it's location with stunning views, gorgeous suites and beautiful paths around the grounds.
Location
stunning views of the Bay of Nicola. 10 minute walk into town which has plenty of great restaurants. Adjacent to a hiking trail which is accessible for a very nominal fee.
Staff
The front desk walked us through the resort to a back entrance on a lit, paved road into town. They were always available through WhatsApp to organize cabs and answer questions.
Cleanliness & Comfort
We were in a two-story room with two-story picture windows. Completely modern and comfortable.
Capitán Suizo Beachfront Boutique Hotel
Tamarindo

Stunning location. Just a heads-up that the new rooms are completely modern and stunning. We upgraded from a traditional room which was rustic. Well worth the upgrade. Excellent, helpful staff.

Authenticity & Character
Beautiful grounds. Quiet and private.
Location
10 minute walk into town and located at a quieter end of the spectacular beach.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
The modern, new rooms are gorgeous. The traditional rooms seemed a bit "stodgy" and rustic. I understand the philosophy of the hotel but they have a "no tv" policy which is a bit outdated for clientele under age 70.
Local specialist: Bryan Leon
Bryan
Bryan Leon
Local specialist in Cartago, Costa Rica | Replied on Jan 23, 2026

Hola Heather!

Thank you for your wonderful feedback. We're so glad Kimkim and our Serendipity Adventures team could help make your 12 days in Costa Rica seamless and memorable, especially hearing you enjoyed the zip-lining and felt supported throughout. We hope to welcome you back for more adventures soon!

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

Excellent trip
Puerto Rico | Jan 14 - Jan 21, 2026

S
Sara M.
West Saint Paul, MN | Reviewed on Jan 23, 2026
Excellent trip and allowed for us a lot of flexibility. The hotel El Bock in Vieques was excellent and highly recommended for comfort, close to action ie beach and restaurants yet quiet and comfortable with a great spot to relax in the lobby area. Snorkeling was fun. Kim Kim staff were very responsive to questions though we didn’t have many since trip was smooth. The people of PR are ‘muy amable’. Now back in MN awaiting a winter storm. Read more

Excellent trip and allowed for us a lot of flexibility. The hotel El Bock in Vieques was excellent and highly recommended for comfort, close to action ie beach and restaurants yet quiet and comfortable with a great spot to relax in the lobby area. Snorkeling was fun. Kim Kim staff were very responsive to questions though we didn’t have many since trip was smooth. The people of PR are ‘muy amable’. Now back in MN awaiting a winter storm.

Hotel Review
El Blok
Vieques,
Authenticity & Character
It was simply goo and staff were great
Location
Comfortable and excellent staff. Easy to get around
Staff
Very nice and helpful, engaging
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Harry Alvarez
Harry
Harry Alvarez
Local specialist in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic | Replied on Jan 26, 2026

Thank's Sara! Glad you were able to share some time with your parents. We love Vieques too. It's such a magical place.

I cannot say enough good things about Moonika...
Finland | Jan 10 - Jan 19, 2026

Robert
Robert M.
Harrison, NJ | Reviewed on Jan 23, 2026
I cannot say enough good things about Moonika and the trip she planned for us. From the beginning stages, Moonika was engaged and responded quickly to all messages. She really tailored the whole itinerary around the things we wanted to do and see. She also gave great recommendations for activities and accommodations. It was incredibly easy to plan our trip thanks to Moonika. Once we arrived in Tallinn, our first destination, everything ran incredibly smoothly. All of our transfers arrived on... Read more

I cannot say enough good things about Moonika and the trip she planned for us. From the beginning stages, Moonika was engaged and responded quickly to all messages. She really tailored the whole itinerary around the things we wanted to do and see. She also gave great recommendations for activities and accommodations. It was incredibly easy to plan our trip thanks to Moonika. Once we arrived in Tallinn, our first destination, everything ran incredibly smoothly. All of our transfers arrived on time, all our tickets/passes had been pre-loaded in the app and ready to go, it was all so easy. Moonika checked in during our trip to make sure everything was going well and communicated with us about any disruptions or changes. We had such an amazing trip to Tallinn and the Lapland region and Moonika played an integral role in all of it. If you’re thinking of traveling to the Baltics or Lapland, you should definitely work with Moonika. You will not be disappointed and will be rewarded with an awesome trip.

Hotel Reviews
Aurora Village
Ivalo

We really enjoyed our stay at the Aurora Village. The igloo was roomy and comfortable. The staff were all incredibly nice and helpful. They provide you with a set of thick, warm overalls for any activity you might do. The restaurant and bar had great food and service. There is a little lounge area that was perfect for playing games during our down time. The hotel has lots of activities that they are happy to arrange for you. If you want to into town, the hotel has a shuttle available for a small charge or they will call you a taxi. When we were done in town, I called the front desk and they contacted a taxi to pick us up. We will definitely be returning!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Schlössle Hotel
Tallinn

This hotel was incredible! It had a ton of charm and was so nice and cozy. It is conveniently located in the old town and within walking distance to many tourist areas and restaurants. The staff was great, especially Patrick who made us smile every time we saw him. The room was one of the nicest rooms we have ever stayed in, perfectly combined old world charm with modern conveniences. We only ate breakfast at the hotel, but it was very good with lots of options and great service.

Authenticity & Character
Loved the old style combined with modern conveniences
Location
Central to anything you want to do
Staff
Patrick made us smile everyday The entire staff was very helpful
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Long Husky Safari
Long Husky Safari
Finland

This is easily one of the coolest things I have ever done! We loved dog sledding! This location actually raises and trains dogs for actual competition sledding so the dogs are very well taken care of and looked after. We received thorough instructions on how to control the sled prior to heading out. The trails go through some really spectacular scenery and it’s actually pretty quiet and smooth on the sled. The tour stopped at a cozy hut where our guide prepared soup and hot beverages. During the excursion, she gave plenty of guidance on difficult areas of the trail, downhills, uphills, sharp turns, etc. the dogs are also really friendly and you have an opportunity to pet them. This is definitely a must-do activity if you go to the Ivalo area.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Levi Fell Snowmobile Adventure
Levi Fell Snowmobile Adventure
Levi

This was such a fun experience! Emmi was our guide and we had a blast with her. We were fortunate in that the schedule worked out so that it was just my wife and I on the adventure. Emmi tailored the whole experience to us and it couldn’t have been more fun. The scenery was stunningly beautiful and the stop at the cafe was a nice, cozy break. Emmi even talked to other guides about the conditions of the trails for the return and picked what she felt would be the safest and most picturesque way back. Thank you Emmi for a great snowmobile adventure.

Quality of Experience
Emmi was great!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Again, Emmi was great , the driver picked us up from our hotel on time, staff was friendly and made the experience very easy.
Transport
Local specialist: Moonika Apart
Moonika
Moonika Apart
Local specialist in Rovaniemi | Replied on Jan 26, 2026

Hello Robert,

Thank you so much for your kind words. It truly means a lot to hear this, and I’m really happy you had such a great trip. It was a pleasure planning everything for you, and I’m so glad it all came together so smoothly. I really appreciate you taking the time to share your experience. I hope to have you as our guests again in the future!

Bets,
Moonika

Hoa planned Thailand and Laos for a week Superbly
Thailand | Jan 11 - Jan 18, 2026

P
Paul B.
Australia | Reviewed on Jan 23, 2026

Hoa was amazing at putting things together and was very prompt with everything. We did not provide much time to plan and had a great trip. One thing I would change would be the Thailand party if the trip. It would've been good to spend more time in Bangkok and only a few hours exploring the temples in Ayutthaya before heading through to Khao Yi. This was more our personal preference but realised we didn't provide much when we signed up. But my cousin and I agreed how great Hoa did with everything and we were very happy

Local specialist: Hoa Tran
Hoa
Hoa Tran
Local specialist in Hanoi Vietnam | Replied on Jan 25, 2026

Dear Paul and Andrew,
Thank you so much for your kind words! I’m really happy to hear you had a great trip, especially with such limited planning time. I do wish we’d had a bit more time to dive into your preferences, but I’m glad you and your cousin were happy overall.
It was a pleasure planning this trip for you both, and I’d love to help again anytime.
Best wishes from the Land of Smiles😊
Hoa

Excellent northern adventure!
Norway | Jan 10 - Jan 18, 2026

J
John N.
Denver, CO | Reviewed on Jan 23, 2026

Christina was wonderful and planned an amazing experience. We were able to fulfill a bucket list wish and see the northern lights in full splendor. Amazing trip and recommend to anyone wanting to experience Norway and the lights.

Local specialist: Christina Wang
Christina
Christina Wang
Local specialist in Kristiansand, Norway | Replied on Jan 23, 2026

Hi John, I am so happy to read that you had an amazing time here and got to fulfill one tick of your bucket list. That is so great! Thank you for trusting us with the planning of your trip. It was great planning with you. All the best, Christina

Costs rica 2
Costa Rica | Jan 7 - Jan 14, 2026

ashley
ashley f.
Bloomfield, NJ | Reviewed on Jan 23, 2026
Thank you for all the help and making this trip unique for our second trip. Really helped curate a special itinerary. Read more

Thank you for all the help and making this trip unique for our second trip. Really helped curate a special itinerary.

Hotel Reviews
Hotel Boutique Lagarta Lodge
Nosara
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Ti-fakara Boutique Hotel
La Fortuna

Amazing location near the waterfall great customer service and very cute boutique hotel room rooms

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Sunset Party Catamaran Sailing
Sunset Party Catamaran Sailing
Nosara
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Private Isla Chora Private Boat & Snorkeling
Private Isla Chora Private Boat & Snorkeling
Nosara
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Río Balsa Whitewater Rafting Adventure (Class II-III)
Río Balsa Whitewater Rafting Adventure (Class II-III)
Arenal/La Fortuna
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
EcoTermales Hot Springs Experience with Meal
EcoTermales Hot Springs Experience with Meal
Arenal/La Fortuna
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Adam Gomez

We had a wonderful experience working with Sandy
Japan | Dec 29 - Jan 21, 2026

M
Margie W.
Seattle, WA | Reviewed on Jan 22, 2026
We had a wonderful experience working with Sandy to put together our trip to Japan. We had 3 couples traveling both together and separately which made the trip quite complex. Sandy listened carefully to the parts of the trip where we knew what we wanted and then made excellent suggestions for hotels, tours and transportation where we didn't have specific ideas. We had particularly wonderful tours in Kanazawa for the artisan tour and Michico's Sumo Championship tour through Sunrise. The trip... Read more

We had a wonderful experience working with Sandy to put together our trip to Japan. We had 3 couples traveling both together and separately which made the trip quite complex. Sandy listened carefully to the parts of the trip where we knew what we wanted and then made excellent suggestions for hotels, tours and transportation where we didn't have specific ideas. We had particularly wonderful tours in Kanazawa for the artisan tour and Michico's Sumo Championship tour through Sunrise. The trip went perfectly every day, every tour, every transfer, every train ride and every hotel. Sandy was very responsive for the year of advance planning and then she was in touch with us every day of the trip. She answered our questions quickly, sent ongoing information on time and made sure everything went smoothly. This was independent travel at its very best. We were so fortunate to have been able to work with KimKim and Sandy to create our incredible trip to Japan.

Hotel Reviews
BYAKU Narai
Narai

BYAKU Narai was a standout on an international level. It was just an extraordinary place, and it is such a lovely location.

Onsen Ryokan Yuen Shinjuku

The Ryokan Onsen in Tokyo was a fantastic choice, thanks to my son-in-law. The onsen on the roof, despite being only on the eighteenth floor, offered a great view of Tokyo. Watching the sunrise and sunset while in the onsen was an incredible experience.

Gora Kansuiro
Hakone

Gora Kansuiro was a place filled with history as it was the first in the entire area. While a little funky, we really enjoyed it. The people were fantastic, and the food was incredible. Nestled in a garden, it offered a unique experience surrounded by nature and history.

The Gate Hotel Kyoto Takasegawa by Hulic
Kyoto

We absolutely loved the Gate Hotel in Kyoto. The location was terrific, situated in the middle of everything, making it easy to get around. The hotel has a wonderful history as it was an old school before being transformed. Everything is based on the eighth floor, from check-in to the bar and breakfast – offering a spectacular view of the hills with temples. Witnessing the sunrise and sunset from there was magical.

Activity Review
 Private Snow Monkey Tour
Private Snow Monkey Tour
Nagano

The Private Snow Monkey Tour was our first tour and it was utterly charming despite the cold weather. Learning about how the monkeys adapted to use the hot springs from watching humans was fascinating. The area is managed, and the monkeys thrive in a well-cared environment. It's exciting seeing them up close without barriers, and our tour was perfectly timed to witness the monkeys descending for their morning routine.

Local specialist: Sandy Ren
Sandy
Sandy Ren
Local specialist in Japan | Replied on Jan 25, 2026

Dear Margie,

Thank you so much for your kind words!

I’m thrilled to hear that you had such a wonderful experience and that the itinerary met your needs. I’m delighted to know you enjoyed the hotels, transportation, and activities we arranged for you. It is always my goal to make sure everything runs smoothly and that you feel well supported throughout your journey.

If there’s anything I can assist you with in the future, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Take care and warm wishes,
Best
Sandy

Very happy overall with our experience. Regar...
Thailand | Jan 11 - Jan 17, 2026

R
Richard S.
Ashburn, VA | Reviewed on Jan 22, 2026
Very happy overall with our experience. Regarding our trip activities and hotels, the only complaint was that the Chiang Mai hotel was not as we had hoped. Trying to take a shower was rather difficult, as hot water came in waves lasting less than twenty seconds. It was a bit weird and actually seemed like it was a purposeful design to reduce water usage. Normally, once you get hot water, you have it until it runs out, but here it lasted twenty seconds, and then you had to wait like thirty... Read more

Very happy overall with our experience. Regarding our trip activities and hotels, the only complaint was that the Chiang Mai hotel was not as we had hoped. Trying to take a shower was rather difficult, as hot water came in waves lasting less than twenty seconds. It was a bit weird and actually seemed like it was a purposeful design to reduce water usage. Normally, once you get hot water, you have it until it runs out, but here it lasted twenty seconds, and then you had to wait like thirty seconds until it came back, very consistent, like there was a pulse timer or some other hot water control measure. Didn't ruin the trip or anything. Just something I thought worth noting. It will make me do more due diligence when selecting hotels, since I had asked about the quality of the hotels and the possibility of upgrading, but was advised otherwise.

Hotel Reviews
VIC 3 Hotel
Bangkok

Nice, efficient hotel with a good staff.

Authenticity & Character
It was a nice hotel
Location
Fine location, don't really know Bangkok enough to comment.
Staff
I found the staff friendly and engaging.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Very clean and comfortable.
De Charme Hotel
Amphoe Muang, Si Phum, Chiang Mai

Friendly but indifferent staff that smiled occasionally. The hot water situation was abysmal; I would not stay here again for that reason alone. Good location.

Authenticity & Character
It was fine, but the hot water, per above, was a big negative. It almost had a hostel feel.
Location
Staff
They could be more engaging and friendlier.
Cleanliness & Comfort
It was clean and comfortable.
Burasari Phuket
Patong, Phuket, Thailand

Excelent well run hotel

Authenticity & Character
Just a beautiful hotel
Location
Staff
Top notch treatment with a smile
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
A Day trip to Doi Inthanon National Park!
A Day trip to Doi Inthanon National Park!
Chiang Mai

The park was a good time. The highlight of the day for us was the village visit, where our tour guide took us off the beaten track and actually walked us around the village and just went the extra mile. We saw lots of tourists coming to the town and just going to the shop. That would have been disappointing from our perspective. The extra time/effort just made the experience so much better. We really loved of tour guide.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Phuket Half-Day City Tour
Phuket Half-Day City Tour
Phuket

In retrospect, this was not a particularly good tour. You can't get close to the Big Buddha because it was damaged by a landslide, so it's not really worth the time. The view was nice. The time at the market was nice and fun, but part of the tour was described as a visit to a honey and pearl factory, which turned out to be just a honey and pearl store. After going to the honey store, we asked if the pearl factory was just a store, and they said yes. They were accommodating when we asked to skip it and just go to the market. Stores are fine if that's what you want to do, but that's not how it was initially presented.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Half-Day Eco Elephant Care!
Half-Day Eco Elephant Care!
Chiang Mai

Great experience

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Bimon Soodkampa

Sandy was in contact with us almost every day...
Japan | Dec 29 - Jan 21, 2026

K
Ken B.
Seattle, WA | Reviewed on Jan 22, 2026

Sandy was in contact with us almost every day and was very responsive. I would recommend her for sure

Local specialist: Sandy Ren
Sandy
Sandy Ren
Local specialist in Japan | Replied on Jan 25, 2026

Dear Ken,

Welcome back home! I hope you’re settling in nicely.

Thank you very much for taking the time to share your experience with my team and me. I’m delighted to hear that the trip turned out perfectly, as you mentioned, and that you enjoyed all of the experiences. It was truly a pleasure working with you throughout the trip-planning process.

Wishing you many wonderful travels ahead, and I hope to have the opportunity to assist you again in the future.

Warm regards,
Sandy

Rough start and poor communication
Egypt | Jan 10 - Jan 21, 2026

C
christopher p.
Atlanta, GA | Reviewed on Jan 22, 2026
The planning started out well with Gehad, but then there were long breaks between responses (over 1 week at times), and there was also confusion on how we preferred the payments to be provided. We were then put in contact with Khaled. He was much more prompt and assisted in every way possible. The only part that was a challenge was a seeming communication issue between Khaled and the KimKim corporate office. We asked for a detailed pick up times and flight info which the KimKim site says... Read more

The planning started out well with Gehad, but then there were long breaks between responses (over 1 week at times), and there was also confusion on how we preferred the payments to be provided. We were then put in contact with Khaled. He was much more prompt and assisted in every way possible. The only part that was a challenge was a seeming communication issue between Khaled and the KimKim corporate office. We asked for a detailed pick up times and flight info which the KimKim site says would be provided before departure and he seemed confused and only provided the general itinerary.

The rep that picked us up at the airport, Mohammed, was friendly, however we felt rushed and he advised he would return at 10am to go over our trip details and he never showed up. We attempted to contact him multiple times on Whatsapp but got no response. Later that day, our driver for the show was 45 minutes late, and then got lost in Cairo (semi understandable getting lost), which made us arrive exactly at the start time of the show only after we got out of the car and walked the remaining blocks.

The tours with Mohammed Samir and the driver Rafat were amazing and flawless. Best part of the trip without a doubt. The only other glitch in Cairo was that we requested a dune buggy ride which was confirmed by Gehad, but then we were told they only had a 4*4 for fayum. But that driver in the safari and sand board was also amazing.

The arrival and start to Aswan went well. We were very disappointed that the Nubian Village "cultural" experience was little more than a market/tourist trap and not cultural almost at all. There was another communication gap where the itinerary showed Luxor and Karnak on one day with Valley of Kings, Hatshepsut , and Valley of the Nobles on the next day. Due to the Nile cruise timing with the lock, we had to do it in one day. This turned out fine but there was no advanced notice that this could happen which would have reassured us that timing wouldn't be an issue. Ahmed did a great job adjusting and making the experience enjoyable. We the. Were transferred to Hurgada. They booked a small sedan, which was fine aside from not anticipating us having two large suitcases that barely fit (had to have two men forcefully push them into the trunk). The driver was very kind but definitely not a professional driver. The 4 hr drive had several times where it felt like he may have drifted to sleep and jerked the car back to the middle of the road or made very abrupt adjustments, including very late and hard stopping/slowing. This is partially just how Egypt driving is but certainly not what we experienced with our other drivers.

Hotel Review
Steigenberger Pyramids Cairo
Cairo

Great hotel, great room, great food.

Authenticity & Character
Na
Location
Perfect location for most Cairo and Giza sites. Quieter than staying in Cairo proper.
Staff
Very kind and helpful
Cleanliness & Comfort
Very clean
Activity Reviews
Hurghada
Hurghada
Hurghada
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Driver was friendly but the trip from Luxor to Hurgada felt very unsafe.
Hurghada
Hurghada
Hurghada

We booked a room with a single king bed over 6 months in advance and were told on site they only had a room with two single beds available. The drive there was also a little scary even though the driver was friendly and timely.

Quality of Experience
Driver quality and booking the room type requested.
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Quality of driving skill.
West Bank of Luxor (Valley of the Kings, Queens - Hatshepsut Temple - Colossi of Memnon)
West Bank of Luxor (Valley of the Kings, Queens - Hatshepsut Temple - Colossi of Memnon)
Luxor

We thought there would be a little more time to walk the full fally of the kings, but it didn't feel overly rushed. See main comment and Luxor comment for more details.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Ahmed was great. The driver was very nice but not the best at driving (see main comment)
Transport
Quality of driving. Driver was otherwise very nice and timely.
Visit Edfu temple & Luxor temple and Karnak temple
Visit Edfu temple & Luxor temple and Karnak temple
Egypt

Lack of clear communication between the Egypt Promotions company, KimKim, and us about how the potential timing would work due to the locks and time for the boat would have made it much less stressful than it ended up being.

Quality of Experience
Food
The staff on the Dahbiya boat was incredible.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Visit Abu Simbel temple and Kom Ombo temple
Visit Abu Simbel temple and Kom Ombo temple
Aswan
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
 Philae Temple, Unfinished Obelisk & Nubian Village
Philae Temple, Unfinished Obelisk & Nubian Village
Aswan

Nubian Village is advertised as a cultural experience but was little more than a shopping trip to a tourist trap. The boat ride was OK, and the guide did give some info about nubians. No time really provided to walk any of the shops that were in the village. He may have been trying to protect us from haggling, not sure.

Quality of Experience
Be more transparent with what will be experienced
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Visit to Al-Muizz Street & Khan el Khalili bazaar
Visit to Al-Muizz Street & Khan el Khalili bazaar
Cairo
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Over day Fayoum & 4*4
Over day Fayoum & 4*4
Cairo

We were told by Gehad we would have a dune buggy but they only had a 4*4. However, that guide did a great job.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Grand Egyptian Museum tour
Grand Egyptian Museum tour
Cairo
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Pyramids, Sphinx, Sakkara & Memphis
Pyramids, Sphinx, Sakkara & Memphis
Cairo

Mohammed and Rafat were incredible

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Al Tannoura Egyptian Dance Heritage Show at Wekalet El Ghouri
Al Tannoura Egyptian Dance Heritage Show at Wekalet El Ghouri
Cairo

Driver was 45 minutes late and almost made us miss the show. He also seemed to drive like he was drunk or lost. Driving very slow on the far right of the highway, missed turns several times. Even the guide didn't like the driver.

Quality of Experience
Advise guides to be slightly less focused on going to stores that were not asked to go to. If the client wants to just go back to the hotel or go get food, just accept it and go.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Have drivers that will be close to on time (within 5 minutes of planned time)
Transport
Be on time and have better quality drivers
Arrival Cairo
Arrival Cairo
Cairo

Great pick up experience, but felt rushed. Advised we would see our point of contact at 10 Am but he never showed up or answered on Whatsapp. (See main comment)

Quality of Experience
10 am follow up for trip details was a no show
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Make things feel less rushed. Follow through with timing and what is said will happen.
Transport
Great arrival transport vehicle.
Local specialist: Khaled Ali

We enjoyed all the places we stayed, especial...
Costa Rica | Jan 5 - Jan 15, 2026

J
Jane C.
Portland, OR | Reviewed on Jan 22, 2026

We enjoyed all the places we stayed, especially Lomas de Volcan. All the activities were well-chosen and worthwhile. All the transfers were seamless and easy. Great river rafting with Jesus, but really, all the Costa Rican naturalist guides were enthusiastic and knowledgeable. We learned a lot!

Local specialist: Yuliana Valverde
Yuliana
Yuliana Valverde
Local specialist in San José, Costa Rica | Replied on Jan 22, 2026

Hello Jane,
Thank you so much for your kind words. We’re thrilled to hear you enjoyed the accommodations, activities, and seamless transfers, especially Lomas de Volcan and the rafting experience with Jesus. It’s wonderful to know our naturalist guides helped make your trip both fun and educational.
Thank you again for traveling with us. We would love to welcome you back to Costa Rica anytime in the future.
Pura Vida!
Yuliana

SIMPLY THE BEST
Galapagos Islands | Jan 11 - Jan 21, 2026

T
Tomas B.
Los Angeles, CA | Reviewed on Jan 22, 2026
Thank you Paul, Milton and your entire staff for treating us to a very special and memorable time that will last the rest of our lives. Your effort had been truly the best ❣️ Read more

Thank you Paul, Milton and your entire staff for treating us to a very special and memorable time that will last the rest of our lives. Your effort had been truly the best ❣️

Hotel Reviews
Wyndham Quito Airport
Quito

We must go back to stay here, it has everything we enjoy especially the stream room with eucalyptus

Authenticity & Character
Top rated accommodations
Location
Very convenient access to the city and airport
Staff
So kind and helpful
Cleanliness & Comfort
Specious and comfortable
Hotel Cally Galapagos
Puerto Villamil

Great place to stay and close to things to enjoy

Authenticity & Character
Spacious and open
Location
Perfect view and access to the ocean beach
Staff
Very helpful
Cleanliness & Comfort
Pristine
Hotel Fiesta
Puerto Ayora

So nice, beautiful and comfortable

Authenticity & Character
Felt like a resort in paradise
Location
another awesome place to stay
Staff
So very helpful
Cleanliness & Comfort
Super comfortable
Hacienda El Porvenir
Machachi

Perfect experience of true Ecuador

Authenticity & Character
They gave us their best support
Location
The best experience, top quality
Staff
Kind and helpful
Cleanliness & Comfort
We would love to go back for another stay
Ikala Quito Hotel
Quito

Loves our time here

Authenticity & Character
Super location
Location
Great accommodations
Staff
Very helpful
Cleanliness & Comfort
Very clean
Activity Review
Quito City Tour - Middle of the World
Quito City Tour - Middle of the World
Quito

Must do

Quality of Experience
Fun and interesting
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Best guide ever
Transport
Easy access
Local specialist: Paul Cisneros
Paul
Paul Cisneros
Local specialist in Quito | Replied on Jan 22, 2026

Hi Tom!

Thank you so much for your kind words, it truly means a lot to hear that you and Jayme had such an amazing time in our country and that it will leave you with everlasting memories.

Hopefully, you’ll be able to visit us again someday, there are still so many wonderful places left to explore that I’m sure you’ll love.

Sending hugs from Ecuador! 🤗
Paul

An amazing Ecuador trip!We had an amazing trip!.
Galapagos Islands | Jan 11 - Jan 21, 2026

J
Jayme B.
Atlanta, GA | Reviewed on Jan 22, 2026
We had an amazing trip!! Milton made Quito even more special. Mindo was one of my favorite stops for the chocolate experience and seeing the toucans and feeding the humming birds. And going to Santa Cruz and Isabela was spectacular seeing all the wild life especially the blue footed boobies. The guides arrived on time and told us a lot of info. David got us to and from Baltra and was super. Julio took the time to show us around Isabela. Eva did a nice job showing us the tortoises in... Read more

We had an amazing trip!! Milton made Quito even more special. Mindo was one of my favorite stops for the chocolate experience and seeing the toucans and feeding the humming birds. And going to Santa Cruz and Isabela was spectacular seeing all the wild life especially the blue footed boobies. The guides arrived on time and told us a lot of info. David got us to and from Baltra and was super. Julio took the time to show us around Isabela. Eva did a nice job showing us the tortoises in their natural habitat. As mentioned it was an amazing trip. And Paul was always there for us!!

Hotel Review
Hacienda El Porvenir
Machachi

The hotel was so accommodating and welcoming. You felt right at home! They had a spa and the massage was wonderful. They had horseback riding which we didn't have time to do but looked like a lot fun. And the meals were 5 stars. Plus there was turn down service where they even put a few hot water bottles under the covers to keep you nice and warm. A peaceful place surrounded by nature.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Paul Cisneros
Paul
Paul Cisneros
Local specialist in Quito | Replied on Jan 22, 2026

Dear Jayme & Tom,

I’m so happy to hear that you had such an amazing trip to Ecuador and the Galapagos, and that you were able to experience the incredible wildlife both on the mainland and on the islands! Thank you so much for your kind words about your guides. I’ll be sure to pass them along to Milton, David, Julio, and Eva. 🤗

From the very beginning, it was truly a pleasure planning this journey with you, and I really hope we’ll have the opportunity to welcome you back to Ecuador in the future.

Wishing you all the best,
Paul, your friend in Ecuador

The float trip on the Rio Penas
Costa Rica | Jan 9 - Jan 15, 2026

L
Linda P.
Denver, CO | Reviewed on Jan 21, 2026
We really had a great time. RideCR picked us up at the airport and later dropped us up at the airports. It was a long ride but they stopped for a break both ways. Hotel Eco La Fortuna had a great breakfast buffet every morning. The river float was peaceful with juice drinks and cakes afterwards. The Arenal Volcano hike was too physical for us but the another couple was a physical trainer and he was so helpful getting Neil and I through it. To our surprise our hike included a trip to the hot... Read more

We really had a great time. RideCR picked us up at the airport and later dropped us up at the airports. It was a long ride but they stopped for a break both ways. Hotel Eco La Fortuna had a great breakfast buffet every morning. The river float was peaceful with juice drinks and cakes afterwards. The Arenal Volcano hike was too physical for us but the another couple was a physical trainer and he was so helpful getting Neil and I through it. To our surprise our hike included a trip to the hot springs and lunch afterwards. Since we had already booked Ziplining for the afternoon our Jamacar guide arrange for the hot springs and dinner afterwards and picked us up at 8 pm afterwards. We transferred to Nosara the next day. We stayed at Living Hotel in Nosara which was quite quaint. Experience Nosara took on a bird watching tour. It was suppose to to be a hike but he offered us a kayak drift instead which we were thrilled about after the Volcano hike
It was a great trip.

Hotel Reviews
Living Hotel
Nosara

Small comfortable bungalow with an outdoor patio and hammock. Dining and shopping available just outside the lobby. Beautiful and quiet pool with lounges just a short walk from our room.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Eco Arenal
Fortuna

Beautiful flowers and tropical birds in the landscaping , a great breakfast buffet on an open veranda.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Review
Río Peñas Blancas Safari Float Experience
Río Peñas Blancas Safari Float Experience
Arenal/La Fortuna
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Adam Gomez

The whole trip was amazing. We particularly e...
Chile | Jan 10 - Jan 21, 2026

G
Gianmarco S.
Boston, MA | Reviewed on Jan 22, 2026
The whole trip was amazing. We particularly enjoyed some tailored experiences such as the kayaking and the condor watching in Patagonia. Read more

The whole trip was amazing. We particularly enjoyed some tailored experiences such as the kayaking and the condor watching in Patagonia.

Hotel Reviews
Hotel La Casa de Don Tomás
San Pedro de Atacama
NH Ciudad de Santiago
Santiago
Activity Reviews
Hike to Base Torres
Hike to Base Torres
Chile
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Trekking Torres del Paine Active
Trekking Torres del Paine Active
Chile
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Trekking and Condor Watching
Trekking and Condor Watching
Puerto Natales
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Kayaking in Eberhard Fjord
Kayaking in Eberhard Fjord
Puerto Natales
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Biking Tour of Puerto Natales
Biking Tour of Puerto Natales
Puerto Natales
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Hike to the Summit of Toco Mount
Hike to the Summit of Toco Mount
San Pedro de Atacama
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Puritama Canyon Trek
Puritama Canyon Trek
San Pedro de Atacama
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Tour of Tatio Geysers
Tour of Tatio Geysers
San Pedro de Atacama
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Explore the Atacama Salt Flats & Lagoons
Explore the Atacama Salt Flats & Lagoons
San Pedro de Atacama
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Stargazing Experience
Stargazing Experience
San Pedro de Atacama
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Valley of the Moon Tour
Valley of the Moon Tour
San Pedro de Atacama
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Day Trip to Viña del Mar & Valparaíso
Day Trip to Viña del Mar & Valparaíso
Chile
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Santiago City Tour - Private
Santiago City Tour - Private
Chile
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Marcela Huidobro
Marcela
Marcela Huidobro
Local specialist in Puerto Varas | Replied on Jan 22, 2026

Hi Gianmarco,

Thank you so much for taking the time to fill out the trip feedback. It was a big pleasure helping to organize your visit to Chile, and I’m so happy to hear you had a wonderful time and enjoyed the experience.

Thank you again for traveling with us, and I hope Chile will welcome you back someday for another adventure!

Cari saluti a tutti,
Marcela

Last minute, amazing trip to Argentina!
Argentina | Dec 28 - Jan 6, 2026

Judy
Judy R.
Newark, NJ | Reviewed on Jan 22, 2026
While we typically love researching and planning our travel, given the last minute decision to go to Argentina and the country's size and need for domestic flights, off loading the itinerary details to Mery was the absolute best decision we made. Because booking asap was critical - especially given the high season and the holidays - she thoughtfully listened and efficiently considered our itinerary wish list. She compiled one that we all thoroughly enjoyed and will never forget. We know it... Read more

While we typically love researching and planning our travel, given the last minute decision to go to Argentina and the country's size and need for domestic flights, off loading the itinerary details to Mery was the absolute best decision we made. Because booking asap was critical - especially given the high season and the holidays - she thoughtfully listened and efficiently considered our itinerary wish list. She compiled one that we all thoroughly enjoyed and will never forget. We know it was no small feat to book all these flights, accommodations and tours, and we totally appreciate her efforts. Shout outs to Gerado who expertly trekked with us to a glaciar lagoon (Glacier Sur), Hector at Iguazu Falls/Argentinian side, who stepped in last minute and was happy to share every single detail about this incredible World Heritage Site, and also Martin, who enthusiastically escorted us to local tango halls, delivering a true sense of Buenos Aires culture. Still, know that all the guides were exceptionally engaging and knowledgable. Depending on how you like to travel, we'd highly recommend kimkim for your next trip~Thank you!

Local specialist: Mery Morelli
Mery
Mery Morelli
Local specialist in Buenos Aires, Argentina | Replied on Jan 23, 2026

Hi Judy,
Thank you very much for this incredible & complete feedback! I am really happy to know you had a great trip in Argentina. It was really nice to help you with this amazing adventure :)
I hope to see you planning a new trip to SouthAmerica soon.
Warm Regards,
Mery

Why travelers love kimkim

Custom trips for independent travelers who are too busy to plan
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Kimkim has handpicked the world’s top local travel specialists so you will have peace of mind and an unforgettable trip that meets your exact requirements.

Authentic travel experiences

Kimkim’s local specialists ensure that you will have the best experience based on up-to-date local insights. On top of that, the vast majority of your money will go straight to support and grow local economies.

Secure & easy booking

Once you are happy with the trip, you can easily book via kimkim’s secure payment platform.

Local support during your trip

You can always reach your local specialist with a quick message or call in case you hit a snag during your trip, or simply want some great local recommendations.