Kimkim Trip Reviews

Jacquie, trip was amazing.
Jacquie stayed on top of our itinerary the entire time from booking til we got back on the plane out of Ecuador! It was such a seamless process, there was a joke that our luck would have to run out, it didn’t. We had one mishap the week before the trip, a flight issue, Jacquie took care of it without us getting involved. She guided us to the tribute yacht and they sure didn’t disappoint! Will definitely us Kim Kim again
And we love the cute Ecuadorean gift we received at our final hotel.
Thank you so much for giving us the amazing bucket list Galápagos trip we will remember for a lifetime

On the Kim Kim side Jacquie was so helpful and kind from start to finish. We really appreciated her accessibility and thoughtfulness. She even went through the trouble of dropping us a thank you gift at our hotel.

The Oniric team on Freddys legacy was fantastic. Roberto, Fernando, Jose Luis and Hansel were the most front facing guides/crew and did an amazing job making everything seamless. There were so many little details that did not go overlooked. The rest of the crew was also amazing. They were always smiling and easy to interact with. They kept the boat spotlessly clean and always had nice touches ready for us like warm towels when we arrived back from a snorkel. They were so knowledgeable and passionate about the Galapagos and really went the extra mile to share their experience and the place with us in a way that was unique. This is hands down the best service, environment and trip I have been on. I cannot recommend it enough. Really every detail was considered and thought of.

Our trip included all of the things I wanted to do and see. Lucie planned things so well! We knew where we were staying and how to get there. The reservations for hotels, a chauffeur, trains, and tours were all lined up with no problems. We knew when we had to pay for things and what was already covered. We had a great visit to Germany! I have shared my experience and high praises with friends and family. I recommend this personalized service highly! I will definitely use KimKim again.

Hotel Reviews

Platzl Hotel - Superior

München

Authenticity & Character

I loved the Bavarian uniforms.

Location

Right next to a main square, and right around the corner from Hard Rock Cafe!

Staff

Very kind, helpful, friendly, and smiley staff!

Cleanliness & Comfort

Park Plaza Wallstreet Berlin Mitte

Berlin

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial

Munich

I don't know if calling the Dachau activity 'amazing' is quite the right term. The history of such a place was so disturbing, but I am glad we were able to go and experience history firsthand. We need to remember how insane humanity can be when following the crowd.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Hein knew a lot! He was a little bit difficult to understand because he talked fast and with an accent that I am not used to, but there was so much to say. I think it would have been a better experience if we had more time to see and read all of the exhibits and not feel so rushed.

Transport

Just public transportation.

Welcome to Stuttgart!

Stuttgart

I was so grateful to have time to spend with my brother in Stuttgart! I love that Lucie could make this happen for me. It has been years since I had seen him and his wife, so it was a treat.

Berlin Introduction

Berlin

Forrest was amazing! He knew so much history, and being American like us, he could give us the perspective of how the US was impacted and part of the history of Berlin. He was flexible and could answer questions we had, making the experience very personalized.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Neuschwanstein Castle Full-day tour

Munich

Quality of Experience

I was expecting to see a lot more of the castle, but what we saw was interesting. I don't think KimKim could do better, but my expectations of the castle were higher.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Freiburg Walking Tour!

Freiburg

Very knowledgeable guide! Walter knew history and was passionate about Freiburg. We did a lot of walking and learned a lot.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Vicky gave us lots of options to choose from when planning our excursions and we were happy with every one of them.
She was quickly responsive while we were in the planning phase, but also during the trip. We had multiple flights within the country and she was on top of them when changes were made by the airlines. She answered innumerable questions we had while we were traveling, always very quickly. It was quite amazing, really.

Hotel Review

The Henry Jones Art Hotel

Hobart

Great location - easy walking to food and central business district. You are on the wharf and in the center of most activities. The hotel is worth "touring" itself - full of art, and there is a free art tour provided. Room was very comfortable and the breakfast was very generous.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Foodie Discovery Walking Tour

Melbourne

Dave was great! Yum on the food picks!

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Auckland Maori Luxury Tour

Auckland

Donna was our guide and spent the entire day with us - never tiring and allowing us options on what we did. Being Maori herself, and very open to questions, she made this and enlightening and engaging day.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Blue Mountains Wildlife Full-Day Sights and Hiking from Sydney

Sydney

Paul was our tour guide and was full of information without us feeling that he was just reeling out a bunch of facts. He had a breadth of knowledge about Australia that made this a good trip with which to start our time in the country. I especially appreciated his explanation of the wildlife and its evolution. We had a lot of tours in the month that we traveled, and his information about the animals, and why what is there, was the most enlightening.

Quality of Experience

Food

we ate a lot of fish and chips - our choice!

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

we had lots of transfers and tours, everything flowed smoothly

Overall: Our trip to Thailand was an incredible experience with many once-in-a-lifetime experiences. I gave the trip 4 stars out of 5 mainly because the Ko Phi Phi portion wasn’t for us and if we had it to do over again we would have spent time at a different location. This is not a reflection of KimKim and the outstanding service provided, but our lack of research. We would use KimKim again and highly recommend KimKim without hesitation. KimKim did an excellent job coordinating a great itinerary and logistics were excellent with a couple of minor issues - one pickup was delayed substantially and required calling KimKim. Tina, our itinerary coordinator was exceptional - always available to answer questions and help with any issues that came our way. We will definitely use KimKim for future trips.

This review will cover each of the itinerary items in detail. But overall the itinerary was a great collection of activities. We really appreciated having all the airport transfers organized ahead of time-this relieved a lot of stress. A couple of issues to point out: the itinerary was probably too fast paced for us - in one case we had to cancel an activity because we needed a bit more leisure time to recover from travel. Also, scheduling a 3 hour tour of temples, in the heat of the day, immediately after arriving at our hotel after a morning of travel was not desirable. We understand there is a desire by KimKim to fit in as many activities as possible.

Day 1 - Arrival in Bangkok
Pickup at the airport was without issue. The airport was quite busy (as expected!) with many groups being picked up. However, we were connected with KimKim and transported to our hotel relatively quickly. Our hotel, the Quarter Ari, was quite nice and our suite fit our family well. Pickup required meeting multiple family members at the airport at different times and KimKim’s flexibility in supporting multiple pickups was nice.

Day 2 - Walking Tour of Bangkok
We were greeted by our tour guide, Betty, in the morning (right on time). Betty was fantastic, one of the best tour guides we’ve had, not only on this tour but any. Betty took us on tours of temples, the recently opened Grand Palace, and the flower market and weekend market. The tours were great and Betty was a fount of knowledge, explaining many historical and contemporary facts relating to Bangkok and Thailand.

Day 3 - Floating Market, Railway Market, and Chinatown
We met Betty and our driver in the lobby of our hotel in the morning right on time to drive to the Floating Market and Railway Market. The Floating Market was great. The Railway Market was a bit cramped for what we wanted at the time.

One note: with Floating Market and Railway Markets back-to-back we didn’t have time for lunch so got a late lunch (~3:00pm) when we were back at the hotel. However, when it came time to eat in China town we weren’t hungry - fitting in time for a lunch meal earlier would have been better.

China town was very interesting, but probably too crowded for us after a long day (and the day before), and as mentioned we weren’t hungry for the dinner Betty bought for us. We got our first taste of mango sticky rice which was delicious!

Day 4 - Travel to Chiang Mai and Temple Tours and Flower Market
Travel to Chiang Mai went perfectly. Our driver met us at the hotel and transported us to the airport on time. Pick up at the Chiang Mai airport was also seamless. However, when we arrived at our hotel we were immediately greeted by our guide to take us on tours of the historic Chiang Mai temples. It would have been much better to provide an open afternoon after our arrival to adjust to Chiang Mai and our hotel the Phra Singh - which was excellent (probably the best hotel of all that we stayed at). One of our group decided to skip the tour because they needed to rest. Also, to be honest our guide was not good for the temple tour. He was a very nice man, but his English was difficult to understand, and he often didn’t respond to our questions because it seemed he had difficulty understanding us. The Flower Market was nice, but not much compared to the one in Bangkok, so maybe this could have been skipped.

Overall, Chiang Mai was incredible. Great laid back vibe, with a lot of art and culture. Could have stayed an extra day.

Day 5 - Grandma’s Cooking Class

Met our driver and departed for the cooking class on time. Grandma’s cooking class was excellent. The Chef/Instructor was great - spoke great english and was very enthusiastic and effective at managing and teaching the class. When my daughter burned her finger he was very attentive. Highly recommended.

In the afternoon, because we were quite tired we canceled the Temple and Hill Tribes tour.

Day 6 - Elephant Sanctuary

Met our driver on time for a nice drive to the Elephant Sanctuary. The tour of the sanctuary was great. The guide was excellent, introducing us to the elephants, their behavior, and the philosophy of the sanctuary. Recommended.
In the afternoon, several of us had wonderful massages at the spa across from the hotel.

Day 7 - Travel to Phuket

Travel to the Chiang Mai airport for our flight to Phuket was uneventful. Tina helped us check in to our flight and provided all necessary booking information. Pickup at the Phuket airport was a bit delayed requiring us to call Tina to inquire about who would be meeting us. The Novotel Hotel was nice. It would have been nicer had we requested a room with a view. We also would consider upgrading hotels in the future.

Day 8 - John Gray’s - Hong By Starlight

To be honest we were dreading the fact that this event was scheduled to go from 10:00a - 9:00p. But this activity was fantastic - probably the highlight of our trip. The islands were incredible, John Gray’s did an outstanding job as tour guides and navigating the sea kayak’s. Food was some of the best on the trip, and the sunset, starlight tour with bioluminescence was absolutely magical. Highly, highly recommended.

Day 9 - Leisure day

It was great to have a leisure day.

Day 10 - 12 Ko Phi Phi

I’ll review Ko Phi Phi overall as there weren’t many separate activities other than the Scuba Diving which was excellent. Although, to be honest other than the diving, Ko Phi Phi wasn’t really for us as we were looking for more of a beach experience.

Travel to Phi Phi via ferry was on time. Tina provided us with the booking information, check in and travel went without incident with our hotel reps picking us up at the pier. ChaoKo PhiPhi had a couple of issues. While the hotel grounds and facilities were nice if spartan, our rooms faced trashy alleyways and one room smelled to the point that we needed to change rooms, which took over a day. It didn’t appear there were any hotels on the island that were any better - so were we to do it again we would probably find an alternate destination rather than Phi Phi.

The scuba diving was exceptional. Blue Water Divers was excellent, friendly, safe, thorough. Highly recommended.

Day 13 - Travel to Bangkok

Travel on day 13 was long - speed boat to Phuket pier, pier to airport, flight to bangkok, ride to Hotel, all of which took the entire day. Travel was uneventful and well coordinated by Tina. One note: we took a speed boat from Phi Phi to Phuket which was very rough (in part due to the weather). But the speed boat might not be for everyone, especially those who get sea sick.

Day 14 - Shopping in Bangkok, Traveling back to the U.S.

It was nice to explore Bangkok a bit more and do some shopping. Travel to the airport was uneventful. The departing flight was on time.

Hotel Reviews

ChaoKoh Phi Phi Hotel and Resort

Krabi

Nice hotel in a great location. However our room had a view of a trashy alleyway and our second room had a smell that required moving rooms. Staff was not particularly friendly.

Authenticity & Character

Reflected the culture of Phi Phi

Location

Right in the center of Ko Phi Phi

Staff

Could have been nicely and more responsive, required two days and multiple complaints about a bad smelling room for any response.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Clean except for the smell.

Novotel Phuket Kamala Beach

Phuket

Very nice hotel on a great beach location. Great service, in hotel restaurant. But we would have liked a room with a view.

Authenticity & Character

Seemed to capture Phuket nicely.

Location

Great beach, not too far from shopping.

Staff

Friendly, attentive

Cleanliness & Comfort

We would have liked a room with a view.

Phra Singh Village

Chiang Mai

We loved this hotel. Great staff and service, great location. Tucked away in a private alley for privacy.

Authenticity & Character

Historic character

Location

Right in the heart of old town Chiang Mai

Staff

Very friendly and attentive.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Very clean

The Quarter Ari by UHG

Bangkok

This was a great hotel in a great location. Very friendly service.

Authenticity & Character

Great modern Thai character.

Location

Great shopping and restaurants in vicinity

Staff

Very friendly and attentive.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Very clean

Activity Reviews

2 Fun Dives for Certified Divers

Ko Phi Phi

The diving was amazing and diving company and divemaster/guide was amazing. Unfortunately one of the two diver opted not to dive. Also, there was no need to pay for the park fees ahead of time.

Quality of Experience

Amazing diver with a great diving company

Food

Great lunch of fried rice.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Staff was very friendly. Divemaster was great. Orientation was thorough.

Transport

Great boat ride out to dive site.

John Gray's - Hong by Starlight

Phuket

This was the highlight of our entire trip to Thailand.

Quality of Experience

Amazing experience - staff and guides were amazing. Food was equally good.

Food

Some of the best Thai food we had during our entire Trip.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Amazing guides.

Transport

Perfect

Elephant Nature Park Visit

Chiang Mai

Great visit to the Elephant Nature Park. It was amazing to interact with the Elephants.

Quality of Experience

Elephant guide/driver was great. Interacting with the elephants and learning about the nature park was amazing.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Guide was great, communicated well

Transport

Perfect

Grandma's Home Cooking School

Chiang Mai

This was an amazing experience. Cooking class was great with a great chef/instructor at a very nice farm. The only unfortunate thing was my daughter burning her finger during the cooking class - the instructor was very attentive.

Quality of Experience

Aside from the finger burning the class was perfect!

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Chef was great!

Transport

Perfect

Welcome and Temple Treasures of Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai

The temples were incredible. But it was very difficult to go on this tour immediately after traveling from Bangkok to Chiang Mai in the heat of the day. Our guide was not good and transport was delayed.

Quality of Experience

Better guide and transport, not scheduling it right after arrival in Chiang Mai

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Guide did not speak English well enough to communicate.

Transport

Pickup was delayed by about a half hour.

Enjoy Food Tasting in Chinatown!

Bangkok

Very interesting but crowded.

Quality of Experience

Very interesting - eating bugs!!

Food

Bugs were a bit over the top. Other food was amazing especially the Mango Sticky Rice.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Amazing guide

Transport

Perfect

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

Bangkok

The floating market was amazing. The Railway market was a bit crowded and hot.

Quality of Experience

Great experience.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Tour guide was incredible.

Transport

Perfect

Exploring Bangkok by local transfers and walking tour

Bangkok

Great tour of historic temples and sites was the perfect start to our vacation.

Quality of Experience

Historic sites

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Tour guide was one of the best we've had.

Transport

Perfect

I had the most incredible journey to the Amazon rainforest and the Galapagos Islands, all thanks to Tamar! As a single mom traveling with my six children, I needed someone who was reliable and could handle all the logistics, and Tamar exceeded my expectations along with his assistant Ariel.

From the very beginning, Tamar made himself available 24/7 ensuring that every detail of our trip was meticulously planned. With six kids, each having their own opinions, I didn’t have the time to manage transfers to and from airports, activities, hotels, and the like. Tamar took care of everything, allowing us to focus on making memories together.

I also wanted an action-packed itinerary, and he delivered! We were out of our rooms nearly every morning by 5 AM and going strong until 6 PM, exploring the breathtaking beauty of the jungle and islands. Each day was filled with adventure, which kept my kids entertained and happy.

Whenever I had questions about dress attire or other travel concerns, Tamar was just a phone call or text away, always ready to assist. His responsiveness and attention to detail made all the difference.

Overall, this trip was a fantastic experience thanks to Tamar’s dedication and expertise. I highly recommend him to anyone looking to explore South America!

First-time KimKim customer. Won't be my last. Organizer Tina with CK41 Tours From Thailand handled everything efficiently and perfectly. She was very patient with our many questions. Great communication throughout the process. During the trip, everyone showed up as promised (guides & drivers). No problems at the hotels. This allowed us to relax and enjoy our vacation to Thailand, Vietnam, & Cambodia. We packed a lot of activities & major sites into our 17-day trip; everything went smoothly.

Hotel Reviews

Miracle Transit Airport Hotel

Bangkok

No complaints. Friendly staff. They welcomed us at our late check-in and were very helpful with our early check-out. Room was clean and comfortable. Would stay there again.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Phka Chan Hotel

Siem Reap

No complaints. We were welcomed at check-in. Friendly staff. Room was clean and comfortable. Location was great. Breakfast was great. Would stay there again.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Athena Cruise

Ha Long Bay

No complaints. Well-organized from check-in to check-out. The cruise director is amazing. Friendly staff. Activities & sites visited were great. Room was clean and comfortable. Food was delicious & plentiful. Would go on this cruise again.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Grand Cititel

Hanoi

No complaints. We were welcomed at check-in. Friendly staff. Room was clean and comfortable. Location was great. Breakfast was great. Would stay there again.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Happy Life Grand

No complaints. We were welcomed at check-in. Friendly staff. Room was clean and comfortable. Location was great. Breakfast was great. Would stay there again. Some rooms have walk-in showers, some have tall bathtubs with shower head; contact staff in advance if you have a preference.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

The Charm Resort Phuket

No complaints. We were welcomed at check-in. Friendly staff. Room was clean and comfortable. Large bathroom. Location was great. Breakfast was great. Would stay there again.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Bodhi Serene Chiang Mai Hotel (SHA Extra Plus)

Chiang Mai

No complaints. We were welcomed at check-in. Friendly staff. Room was clean and comfortable. Location was great. Breakfast was great. Beautiful gardens & nice lounge areas. Would stay there again.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

The Quart Ruamrudee

Bangkok

No complaints. We were welcomed at check-in. Friendly staff. Room was clean and comfortable. Location was great. Breakfast was great. Would stay there again.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Hidden temples in the Angkor Wat

Siem Reap

One day at Angkor Wat is not enough. We visited new sites on our 2nd day. There was time available to see another site that I requested. Guide was very knowledgeable.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Exploring the Famous Angkor Wat

Siem Reap

It was just as magical as I remember from my first visit 23 years before. Must-do activity. So much to see and learn. Having a private guide is worth it. Can't imagine being part of a 20-50 person tour group on headsets.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Overnight Cruise at Halong Bay!

Thailand

Very enjoyable. It felt like a luxury cruise. The cruise director is beyond amazing. Everything was well-organized, from check-in to meals to activities to island visits to check-out. Highly recommended. Meals were great. Nice cabins.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Hanoi City Tour!

Thailand

It was a very nice day of touring Hanoi. We saw a lot but it was relaxing.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Trying Vietnamese Local Foods & Enjoy Puppet Show

Hanoi

Great walking tour of Hanoi. We visited places that were not touristy at all. We ate at places that were 95% locals. We tried new things (fried fermented pork rolls were a favorite; avocado ice cream was interesting). The water puppet show was fun. The views along the river across from the puppet theater are pretty.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Ho Chi Minh City Tour

Ho Chi Minh City

Worthwhile tour. Much to learn and see.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

John Gray's - Hong by Starlight

Phuket

A must-do activity! I had taken a boat cruise to the same area 8 years ago. This tour involves kayaking from the boat into caves which reveal lagoons that look like Avatar or Jurassic Park. Truly incredible adventure that would never know if you took a regular boat ride. We enjoyed every minute. They had great food for us and a special activity (decorated float). Highly recommended.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Half-Day Eco Elephant Care!

Chiang Mai

It was a fun, relaxing visit to DooDoi Elephant Home. Staff there are great. Had a lunch there before visiting the elephants. The guides are friendly and have everything well-organized and prepared in advance. It is worth doing the elephant washing. We had smiles the entire time. Beautiful scenery. Highly recommended.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Temple and Hill tribes in Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai

We enjoyed the drive up to Doi Suthep. Beautiful forest mountain. The temple was great (my 2nd time there). We skipped the hill tribe visit, which allowed us more time at the temple and the little shops at the base of the temple compound, plus a quick visit to a jade showroom.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Welcome and Temple Treasures of Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai

Very enjoyable.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Enjoy Food Tasting in Chinatown!

Bangkok

Sights, sounds, smells of busy Chinatown in Bangkok. It is one very-long street with a few side streets. Food carts every 20 feet. Many options.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Exploring Bangkok by local transfers and walking tour

Bangkok

We enjoyed the Temple of Dawn and the Reclining Buddha. The Royal Palace was temporarily closed. We went to Jim Thompson House Museum instead. The Chatuchak Weekend Market was fun to see.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Welcome to Bangkok!

Bangkok

Great guide & driver. We really enjoyed the canal boat ride, the marketplace, and the Golden Mount. Khaosan Road was not enjoyable, however.

Quality of Experience

5-star for the overall trip. 1-star for Khaosan Road portion.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

It was just a short vacation at the end of a working trip but a lot of fun! Our guide, Anna, was terrific and Margoth and her team were very attentive.

Although the guides for the tours (tapa tasting tour, Montserrat & winery tour, chocolate & Sagrada familia were excellent) I didn’t like my hotel accommodations nor its location. The Hotel Majestic or the La Casa Fuster are more my style.

Hotel Review

Andante Hotel

Barcelona

This hotel isn’t my style.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Small-Group Montserrat & Penedès Region Winery Excursion

Barcelona

Excellent tour & excellent guide.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Sweet Adventures: A Family Chocolate Experience

Barcelona

My guide is so knowledgeable about Spanish chocolate & the best locations in Barcelona to taste it.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We walked for this tour.

Barcelona Highlights: Montjuïc, Gothic Quarter & Sagrada Familia

Barcelona

Well organized tour & excellent guide!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Taste Barcelona: Authentic Tapas & Neighborhood Walk

Barcelona

Excellent tour guide & delicious tapas & drinks!

Quality of Experience

Food

All of them

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We walked so we got night time glimpse of Barcelona

We had a wonderful experience in Egypt at all planned locations. Our airport representatives and driver in Cairo were welcoming and helped us smoothly through passport checks and to our hotel. The hotel staff were also kind and accommodating. Our Cairo guide, Mohamed, was very knowledgeable and shared valuable insights into Egypt’s sites, culture, and history.
In Aswan and Luxor, the staff were equally helpful. Zane and Michael welcomed us warmly, and Michael was our favorite guide for keeping our children engaged and being especially attentive to their needs.

Overall, we absolutely loved our trip and are grateful to everyone who helped make it happen. We hope to return in the future and would be thrilled to have Michael as our guide again.

Working with Rene and Eduardo, the local specialists, we were able to tailor and broaden our itinerary. They were prompt, friendly, helpful, and alert to our needs. The arrangements once we arrived in Mexico unfolded smoothly and highly satisfactorily, and the local guides were most engaging, professional, and informative. Communication with Eduardo was regular and helpful. During our visit there were a number of political protests and blockades. Eduardo and his colleagues kept in touch and were amazing in the way they figured out work-around solutions. Altogether, this was an exceptional holiday, and we have nothing but praise for the local team.

Hotel Reviews

Camino Real Aeropuerto Mexico

Mexico City

This is what it says it is -- an airport hotel. It is comfortable, one can get a decent meal, and above all it is very conveniently located. There is a shuttle service, but if you are flying from Terminal One, all you have to do is walk across an enclosed bridge.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Boutique Marqués del Ángel

Puebla

This hotel is housed in a beautifully restored and furnished 17th Century building. It oozes charm and character and provides easy access to the sites of the Old City. Just along the road you can find Numi, a restaurant where we had the finest modern-style Mexican meals of our holiday, along with some great Mexican wine.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Zócalo Central

Mexico City

Rather stylish, comfortable, very conveniently located, fabulous views from the rooftop restaurant. Great breakfasts.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Between markets and corn in the magical town of Cholula

Mexico

A visit here is highly recommended. Cholula is an attractive living community and is very rich in history, both colonial and pre-Columbian.

Quality of Experience

Food

Removing kernels from the maize bob, grinding them the traditional way, rolling and cooking the resulting tortillas was one of the features of our visit. It was a lot of fun -- and hard work, in a cheerful sort of way.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Lupita has a passionate interest in this place, which is infectious, and she is a delightful companion.

Transport

Most of the tour was on foot, but a minibus got us here from Pueblo and onwards to Mexico City Airport with the maximum of efficiency.

Walking in Teotihuacán "The City of the Gods" & Overnight in Puebla

Mexico

An absolutely incredible experience. The sheer scale of the site is breathtaking.

Quality of Experience

Food

The food here is fairly traditional, and often features nopal and Prickly Pear blossoms.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Angeles is a skillful driver and seasoned tour coordinator. She proved amazingly calm and resourceful in navigating the blockades the country experienced on the day of our visit. Our young tour guide, Zazil was not only well informed, but also passionate about the site. She was a delight to be with.

Transport

Angeles was amazingly skillful and resourceful.

Get to know the neighborhood of San Angel

Mexico City

This is an oasis of calm and style, with tree-lined streets, delightful old buildings, quality curio stores, and, during weekends, outdoor art shows and sales. It provides a lovely breather from the hustle and bustle of the downtown.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Once again, Pablo proved to be a knowledgeable, kind, and attentive guide.

Transport

Ciudad Universitaria: Visiting this Impressive University

Mexico City

The UNAM library, designed and decorated by Juan O'Gorman, is a masterpiece that definitely warrants a visit.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Explore the Casa Azul Museum

Mexico City

This is a beautiful place, and unexpectedly moving.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Be amazed by the pre-hispanic beauty of the chinampas in Xochimilco

Mexico City

Xochimilco is in large part a place of parties and soccer matches, but once you get deeper into the labyrinth a wholly different world is revealed. The organic chinampa we visited we visited was an oasis of peace and balance.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Again, Pablo proved patient, knowledgeable, and very attentive.

Transport

Pablo is a very skilful and reassuring driver.

Culinary Heritage Tour: Mercado Jamaica Exploration & Cooking Experience by Garuda

Mexico City

If you want to learn more about Mexican cuisine and to get a richer sense of how Mexicans go about their daily lives, this is an absolute must!

Quality of Experience

Food

It was excellent!

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Rene was the perfect guide, knowledgeable about cuisine, but more than that, part of the local community. Esther, our chef and cooking instructor, definitely knows her stuff and is delightfully kind, warm, and cheerful.

Transport

Uber is both very convenient -- and the drivers are amazingly skillful in coping with Mexico City's crazy traffic!

Museo Rufino Tamayo

Mexico City

The collection here is very modern. If that is to your taste, you will love it.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Visit to the National Museum of Anthropology

Mexico City

This is a magnificent building and an unbelievable treasure trove.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Pablo has an encyclopaedic knowledge of the treasures of this place, but is adept at select the highlights, and is highly attentive to the needs and interests of his tour group.

Transport

Pablo is highly skilful at threading his way through the hectic road traffic!

Visit the MUNAL, an impressive Art Museum

Mexico City

An excellent complement to the Templo Mayor, offering another perspective on on Mexican history and culture.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We got there by foot, which was both interesting in itself and easy.

Templo Mayor Museum

Mexico City

Absolutely fascinating!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Fermin has an archaeological background, so was a perfect match.

Transport

Again, we went everywhere by foot.

Walking tour through the historic center of Mexico City

Mexico City

A great way to start your visit to this teeming, lively and fascinating city.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Fermin, an archaelogist and long-time resident, was a lively, knowledgeable, and perceptive guide.

Transport

We went everywhere by foot, so transport was not an issue.

​My recent trip to Morocco was, without a doubt, the most incredible travel experience my partner and I have ever had. From the ancient medinas to the stunning Atlas Mountains and the endless Sahara dunes, every single moment was pure magic. This seamless adventure was made possible by the truly outstanding service provided by Orion Trek Voyages.
​We must start by giving our immense gratitude to our driver, Adil. Adil was much more than just a driver—he was the calm, knowledgeable, and reliable backbone of our entire journey. Over the 12 days, he expertly navigated the long roads between cities like Fes, Merzouga, and Marrakech, always ensuring our safety and comfort. His professionalism, warm smile, and willingness to stop at every picturesque vista made the extensive travel feel like part of the adventure, not just a transfer. He is a genuine treasure and a stellar representation of Moroccan hospitality.
​The highlight of our guided tours was absolutely our time in Marrakech with Laghrib. Laghrib is an extraordinary tour guide! He brought the chaotic beauty of the Red City to life, guiding us through the labyrinthine souks, historical palaces, and the vibrant Jemaa el Fna square with expert knowledge and infectious enthusiasm. His deep understanding of the city's history, culture, and local secrets gave us insights we could never have found on our own. Our 6-hour historical sightseeing tour felt like a fascinating journey through time. If you find yourself in Marrakech, request Laghrib—he is simply the best in the business!
​Thank you to Orion Trek Voyages for crafting an itinerary that provided both adventure and luxurious comfort (the Hammam experience on Day 11 was the perfect end!). This was a bucket list trip that surpassed all expectations and will hold a special place in our memory forever.
​
Highlights:
​Driver: Adil (5/5 stars - the ultimate professional and companion)
​Marrakech Guide: Laghrib (5/5 stars - brilliant, passionate, and knowledgeable)
​Desert Camp Experience (Day 7)
​Historical Marrakech Medina Sightseeing (Day 10)

Hotel Reviews

Dar Baraka & Karam

Marrakech

Clean and cozy, great location.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Riad Tamdakhte

Ait Ben Haddou

Friendliest and most personable staff during our entire trip. Beautiful location!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

I can't remember his name, but the guy running the show was the best!

Cleanliness & Comfort

Riad Madu Desert Camps

Merzouga

I know this sounds crazy, but the tent was probably the nicest room we stayed in the whole trip. Not to discredit any of the riads, I'm simply talking in terms of amenities and size far exceeding expectations. The food, the staff, the clear night sky all amazing. There were 2 things we did that my wife and I said we would never do, but we did. 1. Dance at the drum circle. 2. Play the drums at the drum circle. Both made possible by the friendly and encouraging staff.

Authenticity & Character

Location

The Sahara desert!

Staff

We're grateful they got us out of our comfort zone to participate in the dancing and drumming.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Riad la Perle de la Médina

Fès

Have to admit, we were skeptical at first when we checked in about the staff (sorry I can't remember their names). But they grew on us and are now core memories of our trip. If you know, you know.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Kenzi Basma Hotel

Casablanca

Good first night place to stay. Highly suggest paying for their dinner after a long day of travel.

Authenticity & Character

I mean, it's a hotel so it's hard to rate authenticity and character.

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Traditional Hammam & Massage

Morocco

This was a unique experience and a great way to end the day after a long hike in Imlil.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Full-Day Hike in Imlil Village, Return to Marrakech

Morocco

We thoroughly enjoyed this hike. Stunning views all around and lunch at a Berber house was delicious! Little did we know that it was going to be 7 miles, however I suspect the guide can cater to those not looking to put in that much mileage.

Quality of Experience

Food

The tagine at the Berber house was delicious!

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Guided Tour in Marrakech

Marrakesh

Have to admit, this tour was on the tail end of our trip, so it was becoming hard to see and experience new things. Our guide, Laghrib, made that a non-issue. He had so much knowledge about everything. It was unlike every other tour we had where the guide had a preset of what to see/do. Laghrib was able to pick up on what we wanted to see and took us there. We could have listened to Laghrib talk all day as he had a very unique perspective on everything.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Ask for Laghrib!

Transport

Morning Hot Air Balloon Experience

Marrakesh

Very professional tour operator. Timely transportation, friendly staff, yummy breakfast, and the views from the balloon!

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Food Tour & Local Gastronomy

Morocco

This was one of my favorite tours. Our guide, Laghrib, was the best. We tried so much food and pushed us to try things we never would have done on our own. ✅ Random street food ✅ Snails ✅ Back alley soup ✅An abundance of yummy food

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Ask for Laghrib!

Transport

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

Morocco

It was one of a kind. From the camels, the tents, the staff, the night sky. All of it was amazing.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Cooking Workshop & Local Food

Morocco

Souad, our chef for the class was top notch! She was very knowledgeable and had a good relationship with the people working in the local market. Highly recommend doing this!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Guided Tour in Fes

Fes

Very cool to see the tannery and understand how a lot of different products come to be.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Morning Guided Tour in Rabat

Morocco

Beautiful city and our second favorite tour guide of the entire trip.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Morning Guided Tour in Casablanca

Morocco

Despite being a newer city, the architecture is still amazing.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Trusting Monika with my trip was the best decision I could have made, she was so helpful throughout the planning process and during the trip. She picked excellent excursions that we throughly enjoyed and made all the arrangements necessary for the trip to go so smoothly. The was wise enough to pick hotels that were in walking distance to great restaurants and activities and was very helpful in accommodating my travel partner, who had a lot of allergies. I would absolutely recommend her for planning a trip to New Zealand.

Activity Reviews

Glowworm Tour Nocturnal Adventure

Rotorua

Stephen was incredible. His knowledge of the landscape and local flare and fauna was top notch. We had an absolutely incredible time and he takes beautiful pictures if you at a waterfall that he promptly emailed to us the next morning, do not miss this!!

Quality of Experience

you are in a small group and it does not feel touristy or commercial, its intimate and fun

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Stephen is an incredible tour guide, he's is so knowledgable and respects the environment and his patrons

Transport

he took us to see the sunset, looking over the lake before we went to see the glowworms

Te Pā Tū - Maori Cultural Experience

Rotorua

Do not skip the experience, it's so educational, entertaining and the food was the best we had the entire trip!! The love, care and welcoming attitude that the performers have for visitors is unparalleled. The knowledge they provide leaves you deeply interested in Maori culture and the performances and food were excellent. The staff is so talented!! I would absolutely go back and do this again.

Quality of Experience

Food

best meal we had the whole trip

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Hell's Gate Experience (Geothermal site and Mud Bath and Sulphur Spa)

Rotorua

It was raining but that didn’t detract from the experience

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Skydive Taupo Tandem 12000 feet

New Zealand

Staff was friendly and knowledgeable

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Swim with dolphins

New Zealand

I didn’t end up swimming and they arranged for us to take a boat ride instead where we still got to see dolphins

Christchurch Tramway Restaurant

Christchurch

Excellent food and amazing service

Quality of Experience

The quality and food portions were excellent

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

The staff was so friendly and professional

Coach and Cruise to Milford Sound / Piopiotahi

Queenstown (NZ)

I wish I caught the name of our bus driver, he was so friendly and entertaining and took some great photos of me and my friend!

Quality of Experience

The views and the driver

Guides, Drivers and Staff

He was so friendly, funny and informative

Transport

The bus had some problems on the way back but that’s not anyone’s fault

From arrival to departure this trip was divine! We were able to to relax and take in the history in Venice. Hands down, one of the most amazing guides I've ever experienced took us through St. Mark's Basilica and Doge's Palace. She left us with so many jewels of history we were in awe. It was a great start. Accomodations in Venice were exactly what we were looking for.
The food and wine tour in Florence was truly a highlight! We even went back the next day to purchase more bottles 🥴.
Our guide for the Uffizi & Accademia tour was nothing short of amazing as well.
The following day our day trip to Tuscany and San Gimignano took our breath away. The commute was filled with knowledge, history, and a light chat. Our driver couldn't have been more perfect. He was our absolute favorite!!!!!
Rome personally stole my heart, the Vatican in particular, and our guide was *chef's kiss*. I cried like a baby in the Sistine Chapel and the tears continued as we walked through the holy doors and experienced St. Peter's basilica during Jubilee!

Thank you Irene! This trip was EXACTLY what we were looking for.

Hotel Reviews

Argentina Residenza Style Hotel Rome

Rome

Great location

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

I appreciate them soooo much for helping with a last minute reservation

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Santa Maria Novella

Florence

Great location

Authenticity & Character

Great breakfast

Location

Easily accessible to everything

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Palazzo Morosini Degli Spezieri - Apartment hotel

Venice

This was the best accommodation of our entire trip! I would recommend this place to anyone traveling to Venice.

Authenticity & Character

Right on the canal

Location

Staff

Over and beyond with maintaining the surprise for my mom

Cleanliness & Comfort

No complaints

Activity Reviews

Private Tuscany Day Trip to Siena and San Gimignano

Italy

Highlight of out trip! Our guide was a delight. He quite literally made this long commute a beautiful excursion filled with charm, storytelling, and attention to detail. Give this man a raise!!!!!

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Uffizi & Accademia Galleries Tour

Florence

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Florence Food & Wine Tour

Florence

Wonderful guide

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Gondola Ride

Venice

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Sunset Grand Canal boat tour in Venice

Venice

Great guide!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Doge's Palace & St. Mark's Basilica Tour

Venice

Ahhhhmazing guide! We were blown away by the history.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Our Thailand trip was absolutely amazing! We visited Bangkok, Krabi, Phi Phi Island, and Phuket, and every stop was unforgettable.

In Bangkok, our guide Annie (Wat Arun) was incredible. She was knowledgeable, friendly, and made the experience so special.

In Krabi, we also had Jo Pur as a guide and she was amazing. The Koh Klan cultural tour was a highlight — engaging, authentic, and so much fun.

In Phi Phi Island, we did the Sunrise Tour with Simba Sea Trips, and our guides Joseph, Ann, and Film were phenomenal. Their energy, hospitality, and attention to detail made the day perfect.

Thailand itself is breathtaking — beautiful places, amazing food, and some of the most polite and accommodating people we’ve ever met.

A special thank you to Sunny from Kim Kim, who curated our entire trip. Sunny checked in with us throughout our stay to make sure everything was going smoothly. Sunny did an excellent job!

Hotel Reviews

My Beach Resort

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Varana Krabi Hotel

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Mode Sathorn Hotel Bangkok

Bangkok

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Sunrise Phi Phi Island Joining Tour

Phuket

Food

Everything was great. Had accommodated my allergies in the meals. Very thoughtful

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Joseph, Film and Ann from Simba Sea Trips were amazing guides

Transport

Discover Local Island Life: Koh Klang Culture

Krabi

An unforgettable visit!! Our guide was so knowledgeable and fun!!! We were sad to say goodbye!

Thank you, Sangita, for an amazing one-month trip through Nepal. It was the first time we booked a journey through a travel agency, we normally organise everything ourselves, but choosing Sangita was the best decision we could have made. The preparation before the trip was perfect, every detail thought through, and all our questions answered immediately.

What truly surprised us, though, was the incredible support once we were in Nepal. When our plans changed, Sangita reorganised everything seamlessly and incredibly fast. Thanks to her, we could simply relax and enjoy our holiday without any stress. We also appreciated the personal touch: a warm welcome cooking class, meetings before and after our trek, and even a private tour through Patan. And because this was our honeymoon, she surprised us with a beautiful gift — a sound healing session that we will never forget.

She also organised our entire trek, including an amazing guide, Bhim, who made the experience even more special.

If you are looking for someone who is thoughtful, responsive, and genuinely cares about your experience, Sangita is the person to trust. We cannot recommend her highly enough.

My wife and I arranged a hiking trip to visit the rice terraces in Ifugao and Sagada. We worked with Cami at KimKim and she always answered our many pre-trip questions promptly and accurately.

Our trip followed the devastating 2025 typhoons that greatly impacted the roads and hiking trails in the region. Though people were still digging out and repairing the damage, our trip was still a success. We had to adapt to some minor changes in the itinerary, follow different hiking trails, and stay at a couple of guest houses that still did not have electricity and water. Still, things worked well. Our guide, Jody, and the rest of guides/drivers were very professional. We would highly recommend this trip to other adventure- minded travelers.

We had an overall wonderful trip to Ireland in Nov 2025. It was a short trip, built around attending a concert in Dublin on 11/12. First, I want to say that I have used KimKim for several prior trips to S and Central America and have nothing but amazing things to say about those experiences. Which was why it was a no brainer for us to use KimKim for this trip. We didn't have as great an experience this time. We initially met via zoom with Joe to discuss the trip, our interests, want to do's for the trip etc. The initial itinerary Joe gave us was pretty confusing and just had very general info, like from a pre-written template which did not take into account specifics that we had talked about. I wrote a long chat to Joe expressing my confusion and pointing out some of the discrepancies and/or flat out errors. We planned another call which did take place with Joe and he said that the issues with the itinerary would be corrected after we finalized our payments. But then we were informed Joe was no longer working there so we were handed off to Dean. It was a little frustrating trying to get the corrected itinerary that had revisions away from the "template" they use for this excursion or that activity. We also didn't have near the customer service and one:one attention that I was used to from my previous trips with KimKim. When we got the app and our itinerary, it was not user friendly (this was the first time with Kim kim that we used this app). Again, the itinerary was using very rote (not individualized) descriptions. I was told not to look at that part of the app but to look at the documents and "driver notes." those were more helpful for sure.
In terms of hotels, we stayed at the Ashling Hotel in Dublin and the Galmont in Galway. Both were nice places, however, when we first talked to Joe, he knew we were going to a concert in Dublin (at the 3 arena) and I had said I wanted a gym in the hotel. The Ashling was nice as I said, but there was no gym and it was about as far away from the concert venue as you could get. I had also told Joe none of us were drinkers so going to Guiness or Jameson were not on our list of things we wanted to do. The Ashling is super near to Guiness and Phoenix Park and the bus station and that's about it. So I did not like the location personally and it made me feel like the trip folks had some deal with the hotel so they just funnel as many people there as possible rather than listening to the specifics of what i wanted. the Galmont was good location and it had a gym, no so complaints with that. Both had great breakfasts so that was nice. Our one group excursion to Belfast was a highlight. we opted for a black cab tour (which Dean did help us get corrected as somehow, that was not the tour we were booked on even though that had been communicated to Joe from the start as well). The tour was by Wild Rover and the woman on the bus with us was fantastic as was our black cab driver. high praise for both of them and for the experience overall. We did have a walking tour of dublin as well which was also wonderful. our guide for that was great. we also did the Viking splash tour (duck boat tour) which was fun and touristy.
Everything else was on our own, planned on our own. We enjoyed Ireland very much and we agreed we would all love to go back for longer and to explore more of the country. However, this time around, I didn't feel I received the support, suggestions, individualization and individual attention I have received from previous Kim KIm trips. Thanks very much for letting me review.

Hotel Reviews

The Galmont Hotel & Spa

Galway

good location, great breakfast, good gym

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Ashling Hotel Dublin

Dublin

great breakfast and restaurant, location was not good for us, no gym which was important to me

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Book of Kells and Trinity Campus Tour

Dublin

we didn't have a guide for this, we just did it on our own. fascinating, beautiful and interesting.

Quality of Experience

Dublin Guided walking tour tour

Dublin

Our guide, whose name i am forgetting, was GREAT. we learned a lot and he shared so much info, answered questions, made suggestions ...very helpful!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

na

Belfast & Giants Causeway Day tour from Dublin

Dublin

loved the history of the black cab tour, made us all want to know more about The Troubles Giants Causeway was good too although the weather made it rough (windy and rainy), still was interesting to walk around

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Viking Splash tour

Dublin

It's fun and touristy. it may or may not be your thing. I like duck boats tour in general.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

As a Costa Rica expert on behalf of kimkim, this was a trip to reconnect with some of the regions I know and love. A complete circuit visiting highlights such as La Fortuna and Monteverde, as well as more off-the-beaten-path destinations like Rincon de La Vieja and Drake Bay. This way, I can stay up to date with locations travelers love, as well as guide them in navigating destinations that require deep knowledge.

It was also a great way to connect with guides, drivers, and hotels that help bring the kimkim experience together, and ensure that each step of the trip is working correctly in connecting the traveler to locals and creating the correct impacts in the communities they visit.