Kimkim Trip Reviews

Our guide Marino was amazing. He added so many details that we would have walked right by. He was flexible to our needs.

Activity Review

Private Guided Hike in Arenal Volcano Park 1968

Arenal/La Fortuna

Weather was very bad which hampered the experience.

Our 5-Day Puerto Rico Adventure

We recently used KimKim to help us plan a 5-day trip to Puerto Rico, and the experience was exceptional. While we handled our own flights, accommodations, and car rentals, we turned to KimKim specifically to curate the "what to do" portion of our trip—and they delivered exactly what we needed.

Expert Itinerary Design with Harry
The process started with Harry, who did a fantastic job crafting a customized itinerary. He really listened to what we were looking for and managed to pack the perfect amount of activity into a 5-day window without it feeling rushed. His knowledge of the island ensured that we saw the best of Puerto Rico while focusing on high-quality experiences that matched our interests.

Flawless Execution with Isabel
Once the itinerary was finalized, Isabel took over the project management side of things, and she was a total pro. She ensured every booking and activity went smoothly, providing us with peace of mind throughout the trip.
Beyond just managing the logistics, Isabel’s restaurant recommendations were absolutely spot-on. Every meal she suggested was a highlight, giving us a true taste of the local culinary scene. Her attention to detail and responsiveness made the entire process stress-free.

Final Thoughts
If you are looking for a way to elevate your travel experience with local expertise and reliable project management, I highly recommend this team. Even if you prefer to book your own logistics like we did, having Harry’s vision for the itinerary and Isabel’s execution on the ground made our Puerto Rican getaway truly memorable.

My husband & I just returned from an AMAZING 3 week trip to Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. Truly, the trip of a lifetime! Our local specialist , Tina, left the company literally weeks before our trip and I was concerned about the impact it would have on our experience. There was nothing to worry about! Bella, picked up the ball and was there to help us every step of the way. Drivers and guides met us as scheduled. We had 5 flights within our trip and 7 different hotels. There were lots of moving parts and KimKim did an incredible job! We felt safe and well taken care of. We saw beautiful temples, visited busy markets, ate delicious food, sea kayaked, and went on multiple boat trips including a mini cruise. It was a very comprehensive trip. The only challenge we encountered was a couple of times the room description/pictures did not match what we received. Also, I would say the floating village in Cambodia is not worth visiting. Our guide said that things have changed a lot there since COVID. If you have an opportunity to visit this part of the world, please do. You will not be disappointed!

Hotel Reviews

The Park Nine Suvarnabhumi

Bangkok

Great hotel near the airport! Beautiful hotel lobby and pool. Delicious on site restaurant.

Authenticity & Character

Clean, comfortable , good sized rooms. GREAT pool!

Location

Close to the airport!

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Athena Cruise

Ha Long Bay

Wonderful way to experience Ha Long Bay! Ha, the general manager, is doing a fabulous job running this cruise experience. He has a warm demeanor and is engaging with both the guests and the staff. Unfortunately, our first room we stayed in did not look like the pictures of the room we had booked. It was incredibly disappointing and uncomfortable. Ha was able to move us to a suite for our second night which changed our whole experience. If this had not happened, I would have been very disappointed. It was a game changer. The common spaces on the boat - the dining room and the top deck - were very nice and comfortable. LOVED the cooking class on how to make spring rolls. So fun! Food was plentiful and tasty. Breakfast leaned more towards serving an Asian palate than an American one. I just can't eat soup for breakfast! But, if you asked for something different they were quick to make whatever you requested. I am happy we did the 2 night experience - especially once we got a nice room! - but also, we had the opportunity for the day trip on the Sunshine boat to kayak and explore. The lunch on that boat was INCREDIBLE! The best meal we had on Ha Long Bay and the tour guide was terrific! I am really glad we had this opportunity to explore this beautiful part of Vietnam. The only sad piece was all of the plastic trash in the water. Truly shocking!

Authenticity & Character

The room I booked was NOT the room I was initially placed in. Had I not been moved the second night, this would not have been a good experience. The pictures I was sent and the information about the room I booked was incorrect!

Location

Staff

Ha was terrific

Cleanliness & Comfort

Be ware of the rooms on the bottom of the boat. The mattress is a killer!

GRAND HOTEL du LAC Hanoi

Wonderful hotel in Hanoi! VERY welcoming staff, especially Quan Hong! He was like a ray of sunshine every time we saw him. So warm and friendly. Our first room (while clean and bright) was very small and he kindly found us a little larger room when we returned. The breakfast was very delicious and our waitress always had a big smile - I am sorry I don't remember her name - and was warm and welcoming. Great location. While walking in Hanoi is a challenge, this hotel is accessible to both the old quarter and the lake!

Cleanliness & Comfort

Very clean, great bed, sound proof!! Rooms are a bit small.

Amatak Boutique Hotel

Comfortable little hotel outside crazy Siem Reap! Room was simple, very clean, with a comfortable bed. Customer service was top notch. Breakfast was basic.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Away from the craziness of the town but, easy to catch a tuk tuk into the city!

Staff

They went out of their way to welcome us. Had a personalized message - laid out in flowers - on our bed when we arrived!

Cleanliness & Comfort

The Shore at Katathani Resort, Adult Only

This is the nicest hotel room we have ever had!!! Truly exceptional. Big beautiful bed in an enormous bedroom with sliding glass doors to our private pool and patio. Gorgeous bathroom with claw foot free standing tub and enormous shower. Wonderful bath products and fabulous slippers. The common areas were very nice too. Beautiful outdoor pool that over looks the beach. But be aware that there are no beach chairs at this hotel. Beach chairs are available from a public offering. Gorgeous sun sets each day!! Delicious breakfast. And "buggy" rides available from your room to anywhere you need to go on the property. This hotel is set vertically up a major hillside. So not very walkable.

Authenticity & Character

While my room was WONDERFUL the information about the room (and what I thought I had booked) said expansive ocean view. That is NOT the room I got. There was NO sea view and I remember specifically asking to have the sea view. While it was a shock and a disappointment, the room itself remained top notch.

Location

Very quiet end of Phuket with beautiful sunsets!!! BUT it takes 2 hours to get there from the airport because of traffic.

Staff

Buggy drivers were so friendly!

Cleanliness & Comfort

GORGEOUS room and bathroom!! AMAZING bed.

Phra Singh Village

Chiang Mai

Really nice boutique style hotel located in the old city. The rooms are very comfortable and spacious. Great bed! The hotel offers free 10 minute massages everyday and a local activity - ie flower arranging - which is a nice experience. The breakfast offering was pleasant , just not exceptional. LOVE the spa which is located just around the corner. AMAZING place!!!

Authenticity & Character

Very pleasant and comfortable place. Pretty courtyard.

Location

Right in the old town so you can walk to restaurants. Also, there a great laundry spot (around the corner)where you can drop off your laundry (very affordable) and they will deliver it back to the hotel when it is done. Finally, GRAB cars are very easy to get and therefore you can go anywhere you need to in the city!

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Great bed!

Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort

Bangkok

Beautiful hotel in a wonderful location! The overall tone of the Anantara Riverside is very peaceful. It is a large size property with buildings only about 6 stories high - So doesn't feel like an urban hotel but, you are in the city - and has a gorgeous pool. Their sister property is right behind the hotel and is 27 stories high with a wonderful rooftop bar/restaurant (SEEN) that is a great way to get an aerial view of the city. The hotel boat shuttles are so nice (and included) and are a great way to experience life on the river and they provide transportation to ICONSIAM and the boat ferry station. The customer service at the hotel is top notch. EVERYONE from the bellman, concierge, housekeeping, and people in the restaurants was warm and attentive. We did have a little challenge when we first arrived and the manager, Hana, was quick to help us resolve the issue and was so understanding. Her level of service was much appreciated. Also, they serve THE BEST breakfast in Thailand!! In addition, the evening show with dinner was delicious and entertaining. The rooms are incredibly comfortable and the bed is heavenly! Would definitely recommend this hotel!

Authenticity & Character

Lobby is beautiful. Landscaping and view of the water.

Location

Right on the river!

Staff

EVERYONE was so warm and kind. Hana was incredibly helpful and attentive when we had to deal with an issue at the hotel.

Cleanliness & Comfort

The bed was so comfortable! The hotel was very clean!

Activity Reviews

Cruising at Ha Long Bay: 3 Days 2 Nights (Day 3)

Ha Long Bay

Cruising at Ha Long Bay: 3 Days 2 Nights (Day 2)

Ha Long Bay

LOVED going out on the Sunshine boat! The food was exceptional and the guide was fantastic. Nice to get away from all the other boats and enjoy the beauty of the area. Our room was upgraded and the room was so much better!!!

Quality of Experience

The Sunshine boat

Food

Best meal - at lunch - we had on Ha Long Bay

Guides, Drivers and Staff

The main guide on the excursion was great!

Transport

Boat shuttles were good.

Cruising at Ha Long Bay: 3 Days 2 Nights (Day 1)

Ha Long Bay

The Athena was NOT the level of boat we expected. We were placed in a room at the bottom of the boat with the worst mattress I have ever experienced and without a deluxe balcony. The pictures I was sent of this booking did not match what I got. I kept thinking I must be on the wrong boat. I wasn't . The food was okay. Not great. Ha Long Bay is beautiful, despite all of the plastic floating in the water. Shocking. But, visiting the caves was very interesting and seeing the oyster farm. Also, it was just nice to be out on the water and have a chance to relax. Find another cruise line.

Quality of Experience

The boat

Food

Breakfast needed more Western options.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Staff was very nice and attentive

Transport

Hanoi City Tour with Food Tasting!

Vietnam

Learning about Ho Chi Minh was very interesting! Also, nice to get to drive around Hanoi. Busy city with some beautiful architecture. Really enjoyed walking around the lake at well. We did not do a food tour with this guide.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Guide was very knowledgeable and communicated well. Driver was good too!

Transport

Exploring the floating villages of Cambodia

Siem Reap

This area was very depressing. While I understand that these are families of refugees, there was really nothing to see but clusters of homes floating on disgusting brown water. Do not go!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Exploring the Famous Angkor Wat

Siem Reap

Absolutely fascinating to see these incredible Temples! A privilege to be there.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Great guide

Transport

Welcome to Siem Reap!

Cambodia

It was nice to have a guide meet us and give us some information about the area on our drive to the hotel.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

John Gray's - Hong by Starlight

Phuket

GREAT experience! Well organized. Very clean boat. Food was delicious and plentiful. Guide was incredible. This is a great was to get on the water and see the islands.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Elephant Nature Park Visit

Chiang Mai

Really enjoyed visiting The Elephant Sanctuary. Well organized and informative experience. Although, after speaking with other travelers who visited different Elephant sanctuaries. They were able to get closer to the elephants and touch them. I feel like maybe we didn't get the best elephant park.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Temple and Hill tribes in Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai

I thought this was just okay. There wasn't much to see of the hill tribe. But, the white Temple was amazing! And a welcome relief from the heat.

Quality of Experience

Wonderful guide!

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Welcome and Temple Treasures of Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai

Beautiful Temples and interesting city! I am so glad we went to this part of Thailand. Chiang Mai has a more rustic feel.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Mui was a fantastic guide! Knowledgeable and communicated with us very well.

Transport

Enjoy Food Tasting in Chinatown!

Bangkok

What an experience! The area is absolutely chaotic and it is wonderful to have a guide show you different foods to try.

Quality of Experience

Food

The idea of eating street food as an American is a bit daunting. It was great to have someone guide us through China Town. Especially for our first visit.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Leo was very good in the food department!

Transport

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

Bangkok

Interesting experience to get outside of Bangkok. Our guide did add a stop at a Coconut Farm which he added and was appreciated.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Leo was better suited to this experience! He did a good job exposing us to different foods.

Transport

Exploring Bangkok by local transfers and walking tour

Bangkok

The Temples in Bangkok are AMAZING! Didn't care for the Chatuchak market. It wasn't a nice quality market. Big and junky. Again our guide, while very nice, but not great. He did encourage us to try different foods on the street. Taste different fruits and treats. That was wonderful!!!

Welcome to Bangkok!

Bangkok

Seeing Bangkok was exciting! Our drawback was our guide. Leo was very nice but, not very good at explaining Bangkok and Thailand as a country. We wanted to know and understand more about the culture and the history.

Quality of Experience

The guide

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Better Guide

Transport

Mr Bett was fantastic! Always ready for us. Very attentive with a clean air-conditioned car and water,

Please thank your whole team, US and Costa Rica, for taking such good care of our group of four when we had car trouble. Everything about the trip was FANTASTIC. Our favorites by far were the Manuel Antonio National Park tour and the Selvatura Hanging Bridges. The hotels were fabulous, esp. Issimo Suites, in the treetops! We plan to use KimKim for every trip out of the country! Thank you again!

Our trip to Bangkok and Phuket was a wonderful introduction to Thailand, and the KimKim team did a great job accommodating our timelines and preferences, while ensuring that we hit the highlights in both of those places. The guides we had in both places were energetic, knowledgeable, and a pleasure to spend time with. We spent several days with Monica in Bangkok, and she not only showed us the sights, but made sure to introduce us to a wealth of great, local Thai food. In both Bangkok and Phuket we were always in good hands. Minah was very responsive as the overall coordinator of the trip, and followed up with us right back to the airport on the way out. This is our second KimKim trip, and we're big fans!

Activity Reviews

Bangkok: Ayutthaya’s Glorious Ruins & Bang Pa-In Summer Palace

Bangkok

Another amazing day, highlighted by the summer palace. We also really enjoyed spending some time with some monks at one of the temples later in the day. Monica led us through another great day with great food.

Bangkok Spiritual Encounter

Bangkok

Amazing and serene temples, and mind-blowing palace grounds make this a must-do excursion. We loved the food as much as the sights.

Quality of Experience

Food

Our driver was an absolute wizard with the van, in spite of the lack of parking and tight roads in Bangkok

Guides, Drivers and Staff

The trip was incredible! A wonderful experience. The KIMKIM team were always there to answer any of our questions. We particularly enjoyed the Panorama glass lodge and were fortunate enough to see the Northern lights. The App is easy to use and a welcome addition. We highly recommend using them to plan unique one of a kind adventures.

Hotel Reviews

Silica Hotel

Grindavík

Extremely helpful and friendly staff.

Location

A unique site

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Panorama Glass Lodge West Iceland

Authenticity & Character

well thought out. beautiful setting

Cleanliness & Comfort

They thought of everything! Loved the heated floors

Activity Review

Reykjavík City Walk

Reykjavík

Lots of insight and friendly guide

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Great job planning and putting together this very challenging trip. We had a lot of ‘moving parts’ to this journey and Erin, Samantha, and crew did a GREAT job putting all the pieces together. This was a long 4+ week trip with two people traveling on different schedules. Great experiences - I’d recommend this trip and this company to anybody really interested in exploring this area of the world!

Activity Reviews

Self-Guided Day Hike to the French Valley

Chile

The self-guided day hike to the French Valley was another highlight of the trip. Again, all the transportation logistics worked out seamlessly. The hike was scenic and provided great viewpoints. As someone who enjoys nature, it was a beautiful experience, and the added infrastructure like renting a tent and food services made it even more convenient.

Self-Guided Day Hike to the Base of the Towers

Chile

The self-guided hike to the base of the towers was outstanding. Everything lined up perfectly. The hike itself was challenging with a 3,000 feet elevation gain but incredibly rewarding with amazing views. I would recommend this hike for more experienced hikers, as the terrain can be challenging, but the experience is incredibly rewarding.

Perito Moreno Boat & Walking Tour

El Calafate

The Perito Moreno Glacier tour was outstanding. The glacier itself was breathtaking, and the overall experience was well-organized. Highly recommended for those visiting El Calafate!

Puma Observation at Reserva Leona Amarga

Chile

The Puma Observation at Reserva Leona Amarga was really cool. Although we didn't spot a puma until later in the evening, it was worth the wait. There's no guarantee to see wildlife, but we felt lucky and thrilled when we did. It's a unique experience to try if you're interested in observing nature.

Admire Glacier Grey, Round Trip Day Hike from Paine Grande

Chile

The day hike to admire Glacier Grey was wonderful. The coordination with the bus, shuttle, and catamaran went smoothly. Both the hike and the scenery were impressive, and I enjoyed the majestic views. It was an excellent experience, complemented by good facilities and a friendly atmosphere with other hikers. I would recommend this hike for moderate hikers, as the terrain provides a satisfying challenge without being overly strenuous.

Throughout our family's experience planning our trip to Portugal and Spain, Raquel our travel agent, and the teams at both Espiritu Travel and KimKim were so attentive and helpful! We first contacted KimKim in September, and even though we were slow to finalize plans due to the busyness of our personal lives, Raquel especially did a phenomenal job routinely checking in, updating our sample itinerary, and seeing if we had any remaining questions.

In terms of planning our itinerary they were incredibly receptive of our input regarding the types of activities people in our family enjoyed. Be it cultural excursions, museums, food recommendations, hotels and more, they were responsive and asked pertinent follow up questions to guarantee we got the most out of our trip. We highly encourage anyone booking to follow the travel agent's recommendations/bookings to guided tours. The walking tour in Madrid and guided excursion to Toledo were some of the best experiences my family talked about. The main reason my family planned this trip was to visit me in Galicia, and although I personally planned the itinerary on those days as someone that currently lives in the north even I found Raquel's restaurant recommendations in Santiago de Compostela incredibly helpful. If anyone stays in the city we also heartily recommend the Hostal de Reyes Catolico Paradores---it was the best hotel of the trip according to my family.

During the trip, the travel agency was also responsive to cancellations/last minute changes on our end to the itinerary. This was especially helpful because of the transport that they arranged for us. Additionally, they advised us on the appropriate travel insurance before the trip was booked and because of this my Mom was able to get some much needed medication from a doctor when she unexpectedly became sick. Overall we simply cannot recommend this service enough! They made our trip so much easier to enjoy, and relax. Thank you!

Hotel Reviews

Dear Hotel Madrid

Madrid

The staff was very attentive at this hotel and the rooms were pristine.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Parador de Santiago de Compostela

Santiago de Compostela

This was our family's favorite hotel! Between the comfort of the rooms, the quality of breakfast, and the history behind the building's construction it was an incredibly special stay. It is also conveniently located diagonally from the Cathedral of St. James---we loved hearing the pilgrims finish their walk in the square, especially with singing.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Riazor

A Coruña

The rooms were a bit small, but they had a gorgeous view of the beach and ocean! The staff of the hotel was attentive, and the laundry service was swift. We had a poor experience eating in the hotel restaurant (the meal took hours, and everyone in the restaurant went large portions of the night unattended). I believe this was because of low staffing, and we took it in stride in the moment, but something for the management to consider moving forward.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

BessaHotel Liberdade

Lisbon

This was a beautiful hotel, with spacious rooms and an incredibly welcoming, helpful staff. The breakfast selection was wonderful. The only frustration was the slow elevator, but we don't think that could be helped.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Fátima: A Spiritual Pilgrimage

Portugal

Our guide to Fatima was so eloquent, respectful of the spirituality of the experience and knowledgeable. Transport to and from Lisbon was also incredibly smooth.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

The Soul of Lisbon: Fado Dinner Experience

Portugal

The food was delicious, and came with very generous portions. There was also plenty of variety on the menu, and the waiter was attentive. The musicians were absolute showstoppers, and we felt like everyone who visits Lisbon must experience fado live.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Toledo Highlights Day Excursion

Madrid

The train journey to Toledo was easy, especially with the transport arranged by the team. The guide was again very knowledgeable and enjoyable to listen to.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Walking Madrid’s Old Town

Madrid

The guide Geza was phenomenal! The tour was a wonderful opportunity to learn more about the history of Madrid, as well as information about current life in the city.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We were already happy with the excellent communication w/ActiveIndia before our trip to India Jan.-Feb. 2026. Our confidence was reinforced when we met our local guide in Mumbai, Mr. Suraj and driver, Mr. Sunder and checked into the Suba Palace hotel. Our half day tour of Mumbai, which included seeing the Gate of India, the Victoria Terminus Rail Station, the Gandhi Memorial Museum (Mani Bhavan) on Laburnam Rd. and beautiful city parks, was just enough for us. The Suba Palace hotel was comfortable and accommodating. The next day we were taken to the airport on time & efficiently for the next leg of our India trip, in Delhi. Our IndiGo flight (arranged by ActiveIndia) was also comfortable and efficient. At the Delhi airport we were met by the Delhi ActiveIndia office representative, Adarsh, and our driver for the next week, Mr. Rajesh. Both were friendly and accommodating. We met our local Delhi guide, Nadim Akhtar, at our Delhi hotel, The Colonel’s Retreat, for a quick tour of the Lodi Gardens. Due to the very heavy traffic & our limited time, it appeared we did not see all the planned Delhi highlights, but we did see the most impressive Mahatma Gandhi memorial. As a gardener, I was most touched by the beautiful pollinator gardens and the thousands of bees and butterflies as much as the monuments!
We liked that all our hotels provided a delicious breakfast and most had a restaurant on site. The Colonel’s Retreat was able to accommodate our request for dinner even tho’ we returned from sightseeing after 8 pm.
The next day we got to know our driver Mr. Rajesh, as the trip to Agra was long. We appreciated his skilled driving and he and ActiveIndia selected the perfect places for refreshing rest stops (often with fun shopping opportunities!) In fact, we appreciated the quality and atmosphere of all the places our ActiveIndia guides took us to shop.
In Agra we met our local guide, Mr. Ajay Gupta, there at the hotel, Da Bungalow. Da Bungalow was a quiet and relaxing place to stay, even tho’ we stayed only one night. Mr. Gupta took us to the impressive Agra Fort first, from which we got our first breathtaking glimpse of the Taj Mahal. Mr. Gupta was a premier guide, showing us the detail of the artwork & craftsmanship with local pride and insight. Thanks to him we got lovely “sunset” photos at the Taj to send home to friends & family.
After breakfast the next morning we left Agra for The Abhaneri Stepwell. There, Mr. Rajesh handed us off to a cheerful and knowledgeable local guide for about an hour and we were mesmerized by both the well and the Harshat Mata temple a few steps away. The well, also called the Chand Baori, it was truly a wonder to behold. Then we continued on to Jaipur! In Jaipur we stayed for 2 nights at the most charming Traditional Haveli, but as soon as wee checked in, our Jaipur guide, Mr. Sanjay Safaya, whisked us away to the Laxmi Narayan temple to witness the Aarti ceremony. It was well worth the the rush! In fact, everything Mr. Safaya showed us and introduced us to was marvelous. We especially loved the Jaipur Flower and Vegetable Market in the old part of Jaipur, as well as the City Palace and the Jantar Mantar solar observatory. At the end of a marvelous day of incredible sightseeing, we said a fond “good-by” to Mr. Safaya. We ended our day with a cooking class & dinner with Usha & IV Inder Vigi Singh, a local family. It was really special to learn about their family history and current life in Jaipur.
Our drive to Jodhpur was long, but Mr. Rajesh was very capable and guided us to a good place for lunch! In Jodhpur we enjoyed the lovely Pal Haveli even if only for one night. Our guide there, Mr. Raghunath, was also personable, knowledgeable and easy to communicate with.
The next day we set off for Udaipur and another day & a half of wonderful sightseeing. We stayed 2 nights at the beautiful Karohi Haveli near Lake Pichola, and met our Udaipur guide, Mr. Gajraj there late Sunday afternoon. He & Mr. Rajesh were able to get us to the 6pm show of the Dharohar Dance company at another haveli, Bagore Ki Haveli. That was colorful, but I would have liked to see more of the dancers & marionettes and less of tourists dancing with them! The highlight of our next day in Udaipur was their City Palace & Museum, plus the Courtyard of the Maidens garden . We also liked the Jagdish Temple, where we could take photos & record a short segment of the worship service.
Finishing off our 2nd day in Udaipur, we took a boat ride on beautiful Lake Pichola. It was wonderful to view the city’s skyline from the water.
All in all, we really appreciated all our guides and ESPECIALLY our driver Mr. Rajesh from Delhi to Udaipur (Mon. Feb. 2 through Tues. Feb. 17). We thought all our hotels were a very good value and the personnel at each place were kind and super-hospitable. I appreciated having the written materials ActiveIndia provided. The only negatives we experienced were the heavy traffic and VERY long distances between Delhi-Agra-Jaipur-Jodhpur-Udaipur. But that was our ignorance of India, not your agency’s fault. In fact, ActiveIndia provided us with a well-curated and sanitized journey overall. Please convey our appreciation to all your staff and participating businesses. We will refer our friends and family to ActiveIndia and hope to return to India someday, ourselves.

Activity Reviews

Explore Agra Fort in the afternoon and see sunset at the Taj Mahal.

Agra

We really loved seeing the Taj Mahal with a local guide who could take us to good spots for fantastic photos. His knowledge and pride in the workmanship was inspiring.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

AC & USB charging capacity.

New Delhi Sightseeing

India

I really liked the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial. The pollinator gardens there were a moving tribute to Gandhi’s work with rural honey production.

Quality of Experience

Getting to spend thoughtful time at the memorials.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Ac & USB charging capacity.

Old Delhi Sightseeing

Delhi

We only wish we had more time to view monuments and less rime in traffic!

Cooking Class, and Dinner with Local Family

Jaipur

Very gracious welcome by a local family who shared both their home and family lore/history in Jaipur.

Quality of Experience

Listing to IV’s family stories!

Food

Really enjoyed watching Usha in her kitchen and asking her questions about the ingredients and cooking methods.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Guided Half Day Tour of Mumbai

Mumbai

Standing on the balcony where Mahatma Gandhi stood, at his friend’s house on Laburnum Rd., was quite profound.

Quality of Experience

Great local guide. Very knowledgeable and fun.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Driver was skilled and made us comfortable.

Transport

Good AC!

Jaipur Sightseeing Tour

Jaipur

Really enjoyed the Jaipur Flower (& Vegetable) Market.

Quality of Experience

Local guide’s perspective, knowledge & warm enthusiasm.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Very patient with heavy traffic. Selected great places for rest stops.

Transport

Comfortable car w/ AC and USB for charging our phones!

Doris was really wonderful. The overall planning and attention to detail was just amazing. She also checked in on us along the way to make sure everything was running smoothly (which it always was). There were so many things along the way that were so efficient that you might not even notice them. Getting picked up and driven all over Vietnam and Thailand, on time over a period of 30 days is really incredible.

The Giza Pyramids, Valley of the Kings tombs, Abu Simbel Temple and the other historical sites were just phenomenal. Anyone who is remotely interested in history or archeology will be filled with wonder and awe at the size and beauty of these structures, and marvel at how an ancient civilization was able to build them. We came to see the splendor of these structures, and our high expectations were more than met. Egypt’s monuments are unlike anything else in the world. The only existing Ancient World Wonder lived up to its billing. If you have the opportunity to visit the Seti I tomb at the Valley of the Kings, do it! We also very much enjoyed our visit to Hurghada on the Red Sea. Hurghada is a small, beautiful and calm city which offered a nice 2-day respite from the hustle and bustle of Cairo and the packed itinerary of the Nile cruise from Aswan to Luxor.

Unfortunately, the very positive experience of the splendors of the sites was diminished by suboptimal planning and communication. This is our third international trip through KimKim and we had come to enjoy and expect detailed itineraries and useful and timely communications. This trip did not meet those expectations. While always pleasant and appropriate, our planner often required repeated prompting to answer what should be straightforward questions and made multiple errors of omission and commission in the itinerary. We agreed upon a draft itinerary and booked over 2 months before trip. We asked for a detailed itinerary at the 1-month mark and was told we would get the itinerary 1 week before departure. We got the PDF “final” version one day before our flight, which had us getting picked up at 12:10 PM. Since our flight arrives at 12:10 AM, that prompted a frantic series of messages to the local planner. Important details of tours of the Nile cruise were frequently lacking, and we often found out the departure time of specific tours the day before the tour. This is especially challenging when there is a late night tour followed by an early morning (4:30 AM departure) tour. I specifically asked during the booking process to NOT book a hotel room for our last day in the country as we had a late evening departure flight. When we checked into our final hotel of the trip, we were informed that the booking was for 2 nights instead of the 1 night we requested. So, we paid for an extra hotel day that we specifically requested to not book. While we ultimately got the transportation we needed and saw the sites we agreed upon, the whole process should have been done more smoothly and efficiently without evoking a level of anxiety that persisted throughout the trip.

Our Egyptologist expert guides were by and large knowledgeable and professional, with one notable exception. Hamid was very kind and worked with our preferences very well. Despite the Unfinished Obelisk in Aswan being a very minor site in our itinerary, I very much enjoyed the visit and Hamid’s explanations. We did have a guide who was not a good fit for our needs. My wife felt belittled by his comments and we did not appreciate being told to not take pictures of the monuments/temples until he finished his overly detailed presentation to lay the “proper foundation” for us. I recognize that he was knowledgeable and passionate about Egyptian history, but we are paying for the experience we want to have and we have a limited time frame to do so.

Our experiences with the guides were mixed. Youssef in Aswan was super attentive and helpful. He is warm, empathic and a very good listener. He worked hard with his Customer Service team to help arrange a new Egyptologist guide for us. He is an excellent communicator and helped “fill in the blanks” on the itinerary that we should have had all along. He very much allayed our anxieties in our time of need. He is a 5+ star guide, and we wish we could have had someone like him the entire trip.

The counterbalance to Youssef was our guide on the trip to Hurghada. He clearly did not know our itinerary well, and needed me to tell him which hotel we were staying at. Another example is when a scheduled lunch was missed when the guide team was not aware.

A special acknowledgment of Amany at Sun Pyramids Customer Service is needed. Once we indicated our concerns about the guide, she stepped in and went above and beyond to try to maximize our trip experience. She checked in regularly with us throughout the remainder of our trip and likely intervened behind the scenes to make things as smooth as possible. She was able to get us an upgrade to our Nile Cruise cabin, and arranged a special romantic dinner at a rooftop restaurant overlooking the Giza Pyramids (spectacular view!!). She provided a level of service that showed competence, attention to detail and follow-through, and we very much appreciated her efforts in helping us.

We recognize that our tour guides are shaped by their culture and society. We came to sadly recognize that the tourism infrastructure in Egypt is below average compared to the rest of the world and that there are many systemic problems that make the job of the tour operators and tour guides difficult. Still, for the traveler looking for a great experience, the deficiencies in communication, attention to detail and interpersonal behavior (in a small but memorable select few) were disappointing.

In summary, we went to Egypt to be awed by its ancient past, and we were. We left with priceless memories. We just wished that the experience of getting to these amazing sites was more smooth and enjoyable.

Hotel Reviews

Nile Style Nile cruise

Aswan

The ship is dated. Lobby is 1970s bland. We had to walk through other cruise ships to get to port, and if the lobbies are a reflection of the cabins and service, other ships are 4 or 5 stars while ours is a 3-star. We had an upgraded suite which had the advantage of more space but did not feel like the amenities one expects in a suite. We were also woken up on several occasions by the crew's robust shouting as the ship landed in ports. Showerhead did not work well. Carpets were not well cleaned, and the door keycard entry system needed multiple swipes to work. Food was average. A couple of the meals were excellent, but most of the meals were only passable to the extent that we went to eat for sustenance rather than pleasure.

Authenticity & Character

Location

A ship sailing on the Nile River. What more to say?

Staff

Average service. For the dining services, when they saw that we were not ordering drinks (a la carte), they left us pretty much alone. The exception was when they wanted written feedback and kept interrupting our meal to ask if we completed the survey.

Cleanliness & Comfort

JAZ Elite Casa Del Mar Beach

hurghada

Beautiful grounds on the beach in Hurghada. Attentive service. Well appointed room. Fabulous view of the beach. This is an all-inclusive resort and provided everything we needed. Food was fabulous (loved the lox, which was the high quality smooth and fatty version). We enjoyed the evening shows in the pool area from our balcony. 5-star resort. Definitely a pick me up after the Nile Cruise experience. Would definitely stay here again.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Movenpick Aswan

Aswan

Beautiful property on an island on the Nile River in Aswan. Need a boat to get to. Expansive grounds with nice landscaping and multiple walkways to stroll. Very peaceful. 5-star amenities. Would definitely stay here again.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hyatt Centric Cairo West

cairo

Great location if wanting to stay closer to the Pyramids and avoid the chaos of downtown Cairo.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Located in Giza and closer to the Grand Egyptian Museum and Pyramids

Staff

There is no sign available to hang on the door for Do Not Disturb (stayed on two occasions during our trip and neither time had the sign...also never saw a sign on any of the other doors). We requested no service for our room only to come back and see the room serviced.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Day Tour To The Grand Egyptian Museum “GEM”

Egypt

Loved the GEM. Smaller than the British Museum or Louvre or Hermitage, but the GEM only exhibits Egyptian artifacts so I suspect this is the most comprehensive and complete collection in the entire world. The GEM houses the King Tut exhibit, which actually has over 5000 artifacts and is really a small museum in and of itself. The GEM contains a remarkably well preserved 40-foot statue of Ramses II and an ancient cedarwood ship un-earthed near the Khufu Pyramid. If you are a fan of museums, this should be on your short list of ones to visit.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Snorkeling at Mahmya Island from Hurghada

Egypt

Loved the city of Hurghada. It's a small and quaint city on the Red Sea with a European feel. After the hustle and bustle of downtown Cairo, and the undisciplined feel of the Nile Cruise, Hurghada was a welcome respite. We took the snorkeling trip out to Mahmya Island, which is part of the Giftun Island complex. The snorkeling was fabulous from even the shore. We saw many colorful fish in protected reefs located within 40-50 feet of the beach and often at depths of 4-5 feet. I also took a short boat ride from Mahmya to the Sabena Reef, and the coral formations there were amongst the most colorful that I've ever seen.

Quality of Experience

Food

The food (buffet-style) at the Jaz Hotel was top notch. We just immensely enjoyed every meal there. The lunch on Mahmya Island was ok; standard BBQ type of food.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

We took a 3.5-hour drive from Luxor to get to Hurghada. The driver had to stop midway for a smoke, and I understand 3 hours is a long time to go without a smoke for certain people. However, we had to smell the smoke from his clothes for the remainder of the drive and we are not fans of cigarette smoke. In addition, the guide for this drive did not know which hotel we were staying at in Hurghada, and I had to tell him the name and address. For the following morning, the driver who picked us up from the hotel to take us to the boat to Mahmya Island was late because he went to the wrong Jaz Hotel first. Not sure that it was his fault; he intimated that his dispatch gave him the address for the wrong Jaz Hotel. We appreciated him getting us to the boat in time for departure, but the ride was a little hair-raising.

Transport

Check out to Luxor West Bank

Luxor

The visit to the Valley of the Kings rivaled the Giza Pyramids as our two most favorite sites to visit. You get to visit 3 tombs as part of the regular entrance ticket. We also wanted to see King Tut's tomb and the Seti I tomb, which required separate tickets. IMO, it was well worth the extra cost (700LE for Tut and 2000LE for Seti I). If I had to pick my favorite activity for the entire trip, it would visiting the Seti I tomb. The variety and intricacy of the wall carvings, the surprisingly preserved vibrant colors and the multitude of chambers to explore made me frequently just pause and stand still to enjoy that warm feeling you get from sheer happiness.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Trip Hot Air Balloon Ride in Luxor, Egypt

Luxor

A hot air balloon ride with fabulous views of temples below and the sun rising in the horizon! We loved it! We had a perfect morning, with a clear cloudless sky and not too cold and not too windy. Just spectacular views! The highlight was seeing the sun rise over the horizon, which even left our rather expressive and chatty group watching in silent awe for a few minutes. The balloon captain was outstanding. He was clearly experienced and exuded an air of confidence that helped settle any fears or trepidations in the group. The ascent and descent were both smooth. He expertly slowly rotated the balloon so everyone in the group (over 30 people) could get the same view without having to look over or around other passengers. He pointed out landmarks in the distance, threw out a few interesting factoids, and threw in a few jokes to keep the atmosphere festive.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Luxor East Bank

Luxor

The East Bank tour consisted of the Luxor Temple and Karnak Temple. Both of these temples were from the Greco-Roman period of Egyptian history and showed the interplay of the Greek and Roman influences with Egyptian architecture. Both Temples were magnificent in their unique ways - we marveled at the huge columns with colorful and intricate designs. Because the grounds of these temples were much larger than the ones at Kom Ombo and Edfu, the negative effect of crowd sizes on the tour experience was minimized. 5-stars for the beauty of the temples. As with other aspects of this trip, the logistics of visiting these sites lessened the overall experience.

Quality of Experience

Amazing monuments which we thoroughly enjoyed seeing! We cannot help but admire the grandeur that this ancient civilization built.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We were supposed to visit both temples in one afternoon. However, the ship arrived late in Luxor port as Karnak Temple was closing, so we had to see it the following day. This made for a very long and tiring day after. I believe the delay was due to prolonged wait time to transit a lock system on the Nile. Of course, this was not the fault of the ship or crew. As we watched ships transiting through the lock, we could not help but wonder if the process we saw on the Nile was equally inefficient through something like the Panama Canal (TBD for another trip!).

kom Ombo, and edfu Temples

Egypt

The temples were very interesting and likely had more to offer than what we experienced. Our experience was significantly diminished by the massive crowds at both places. This is the product of poor tourism infrastructure -- all boats arriving at the same time with multiple tour groups descending on relatively small temples all at once. There was a fair amount of pushing and jostling as people tried to cram into small areas to catch short glimpses of interesting structures or hieroglyphics. Not really enough time or space to make these an enjoyable experience, which is a shame as I suspect the Temples themselves would have been a 4 or 5-star visit. This is a systemic problem that the Egyptian tourism ministry should regulate better.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Hamid was excellent at Kom Ombo, again. He did a great job to hitting the highlights of the Temple and navigating to avoid the most dense concentrations of tourists.

Transport

We were able to walk to Kom Ombo from the Nile cruise ship. We took a horse carriage ride from the cruise ship to Edfu, which was a new and interesting experience for us. The only down side was that given the large numbers of tourists needing transport from multiple boats to Edfu, the horses were worked pretty hard.

Abu Simbel Temple

Aswan

A phenomenal structure that is well worth the 6-hour drive to visit.

Quality of Experience

Phenomenal temple built by Ramses II to celebrate himself. This is a structure that exudes power and grandeur, with an unapologetic air of narcissism. Look past the personality traits of the pharaoh and enjoy the splendor. Well worth the 6-hour round trip drive.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

We asked for a new guide after our Aswan Dam experience. Hamid filled in on short notice and was excellent. He gave us a nice presentation on Abu Simbel with the right balance of historical detail, palace intrigue and interesting factoids and then gave us the freedom to roam through the Temple.

Transport

It was a 3-hour each way drive from Aswan to Abu Simbel. We were not looking forward to spending 6 hours in a car. Our driver had a car that was comfortable and designed for long trips. He also knew the road very well and took care to avoid the major dips and potholes and gravel portions. It was obvious that he took pride in providing a comfortable experience for his passengers.

Aswan full day tour

Aswan

The Aswan Dam and Philae Temple were great sites to visit. The story of how the Nile River was "tamed" was fascinating. The story of how the Philae Temple was moved to avoid being submerged by dam water was interesting and inspiring. Unfortunately, our interactions with the guide very much detracted from the overall experience.

Quality of Experience

The Aswan Dam and Philae Temple were both interesting and impressive sites to visit. We would have given this a 5-star experience if not for the guide.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our guide to Aswan Dam and the Philae Temple was inpatient with the crowds and hurried our visit. While at the Dam, he jumped from exhibit to exhibit out of order in order to avoid crowds. While that sounds good in principle, that tactic made for a confusing and discombobulated narrative. He also told us to not take pictures of the monuments/temples until after he finished his overly detailed presentation to lay the “proper foundation” for us, which led to several missed photo opportunities as multiple tour groups inundated the locations shortly afterwards. My wife felt belittled by some of his comments, and he displayed a lack of cultural and gender sensitivity.

Transport

Trip to Pyramids, Memphis, and Sakkara with riding a camel

Egypt

It was an amazing feeling to see the Giza Pyramids, and experience the rush of being in the presence of the only standing Ancient World Wonder. The views were phenomenal. We took the camel ride and really enjoyed that experience. We were very specific that we would cancel the camel tour if we felt the animals were abused. We were heartened to see the camels being appropriately cared for and looking healthy and relaxed. Memphis and Sakkara were interesting sites to visit, but the Pyramids were the highlight of the day.

Quality of Experience

Food

Went to a lunch buffet, which was excellent.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Our driver Mary was excellent. The traffic in Cairo can be best described as chaotic, and she navigated the traffic challenges efficiently and was entirely in control the whole time.

Cairo food and walking tour 4 hours

Egypt

Got to experience the famous Khan El Khalili Bazaar and El Moez Street. Also saw how the local population lived.

Quality of Experience

Seeing Khan El Khali bazaar and El Moez Street, which are iconic parts of Old Cairo. Our guide took us to an authentic Egyptian restaurant and we tried and enjoyed several authentic local dishes. Food did take over 25 minutes to arrive and the guide had to keep reminding the restaurant staff. But once the food arrived, it was delicious!

Guides, Drivers and Staff

We appreciated Mostafa taking us to experience the "real" Egypt, as we mingled with the locals in addition to seeing some of the more touristy areas.

Transport

Everyone we met, including our drivers were exceptionally friendly and helpful. We were driven around towards the end of the trip by Hamid from Afghanistan and he was a delight. Another driver that we had in Finland, who took us to Sena was I believe he spells his name TOME but I could be wrong. The activities that were set up for us were great and the people affiliated with each activity were also exceptional. All of us thoroughly enjoyed the food and meeting the local people in each destination. All of my family also recognizes that we did not plan this trip until only a few weeks before and I know that complicated Emerson‘s job trying to coordinate everything and lineup accommodations and activities so he deserves special credit. At the end of the trip, during our stay in Tromse there was apparently a mixup with our two rooms in the hotel that I had hoped would have been resolved differently, but other than that, no issues or problems during our two week adventure in Finland and in Norway. I would strongly recommend Emerson of Kim Kim for trip planning especially in Scandinavian countries. Thank you.

Rajat, thank you very much for the trip!
Everything was planned perfectly, making our India experience truly impeccable!
Your travel services were outstanding, and the entire team — including the guides, drivers, and support staff — was professional, responsive, flexible, and exceptionally polite throughout.
The overall level of service was exemplary!

Activity Reviews

Arrival at Mumbai Airport – Transfer to Hotel

Mumbai

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Transfer from Hotel to Goa Dabolim Airport

Goa

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Arrival at Goa Dabolim Airport – Transfer to Hotel

Goa

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Jaipur City Tour

Jaipur

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Visit Amber Fort & Palace

Jaipur

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Visit Agra Fort

Agra

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Half Day Mumbai City Orientation Tour

Mumbai

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Visit to Taj Mahal at Sunrise

Agra

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Mina was a crucial part of planning a week-long visit to Japan with my two teenage kids. She was responsive to feedback, made changes at our request and was extremely thorough going over all the details, especially in the days leading up to our trip. We particularly enjoyed her recommendation for a casual dinner on our first night after arriving at a wagyu beef-centered restaurant. Kudos as well to our guides Franziskus (Tokyo), Seika (a delicious Shibuya food tour) and Zef (Kyoto).

One note for U.S. travelers: a "double" room doesn't necessarily mean two beds in international hotels -- so if you definitely need a room with two beds, make sure you specify it clearly before booking.

Olman worked quickly following up on our initial inquiry to put ideas into a plan. The drivers we had were courteous and professional, getting us safely to and from destinations. Our initial drive from the airport to our lodging was a bit too long after a full day of travel and made more difficult by standstill traffic, dark and rain. In general, I was not prepared for some of the winding, bumpy roads and switchbacks and was grateful not to be trying to find our way driving a rental car. The lodging, restaurants and staff in Arenal all were excellent. The hike to the volcano was more challenging than the photos of the trail indicated but our guide was very patient and kind. All accommodations were very clean with attentive, polite staff. The river safari, coffee and chocolate plantation, organic farm and cooking class, swinging bridges and night hike were all great activities. If anyone could help us obtain the recipes from our cooking class, that would be much appreciated. Attempts to connect with them online have not been fruitful. Our guide at Manuel Antonio Park was very good but the park was very crowded and busy, taking away from the beauty somewhat. Some tourists in surrounding groups were excessively loud and as a result some of the wildlife were driven away by their noise unfortunately. It seemed to take awhile for groups to be connected with guides on the night walk, but once that happened we were pleased with the guide we had as well as the small group size. The beach in Guanacaste was beautiful and we enjoyed walking there. There were many roving "vendors" trying to sell their merchandise on the beach but we didn't encounter anyone being overly aggressive and most usually moved on quickly. Costa Rica is a beautiful country and the people we met were proud and happy to share the country with us. My hope is that development and commerce can be managed so the many beautiful spots we visited are preserved for the future.

We had an incredible time in the coast of Colombia. Our driver Edgar, tour guide Katherine and our chaperone in Baranquilla were top notch and amazing. We are sincerely grateful and appreciative of the attention they provided us and they made our trip extra special

Hotel Reviews

Hotel Isla del Encanto

Cartagena

Authenticity & Character

The room decor fit the location. It has the feel of a campsite which is something I like.

Location

Other than the hotel is in a private location and very difficult to get to without a boat. It was very secure and secluded so that was good.

Staff

Everyone was very friendly. Many staff members remembered my name and always inquired how we were doing.

Cleanliness & Comfort

The room was always cleaned every day and the hotel was always cleaned. The only thing was the room lacked more light or brighter lights.

Alfiz Hotel

Cartagena de Indias

Authenticity & Character

The room was really nice, hammock balcony and two bathrooms and two full bathrooms. The bathroom in the second level the shower had low pressure so we all showered in the other bathroom.

Location

The hotel is located in the center of the historical area. So many great historical sites are within walking distance plus some really good restaurants and street food. It does get noisy but that's part of being in the middle of a lively place.

Staff

The staff were super friendly and helpful.

Cleanliness & Comfort

The room was cleaned each morning and the hotel looked spotless.

Activity Reviews

Sunset Drum & Dance Safari at the Beach of La Boquilla

Colombia

The musicians and dancers were amazing. The attention and service provided was great. The tamboleros provided us with lessons on how to play the different types of tambores which I thought was great. They also were very welcoming and encouraged us to participate in both traditional dances and playing the tambores.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Boquilla Mangrove Tour

Cartagena

We had an amazing time in the Boquilla Mangrove tour. It was educational, relaxing and beautiful experience.

Quality of Experience

One of a kind experience. Absolutely loved it.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Provided great detail regarding the preservation of the Mangrove trees and the natural habitat of the different birds found in the area.

Transport

Horseback-Riding on the Beach

Cartagena

We all enjoyed riding the horses, especially my children. This was my daughter's favorite activity of the trip.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Salsa Experience

Cartagena

We all had a wonderful time during this experience. My children enjoyed it so much, the salsa instructors were extremely nice and made this activity fun for all of us.

Quality of Experience

It was high energy and a lot of fun.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

The salsa instructors were extremely friendly and fun.

Walking Tour & Street Food

Cartagena

Our guide Katherine was super friendly and had great explanations of the different places we visited. Very engaging and informative. She picked out some great places to eat.

Quality of Experience

Really appreciate our guides explanations of the historical sites and it's significance plus our guide bringing us to different street food places to try different foods.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our guide was incredible, really enjoyed our time.

Carnival: Batalla de Flores

Barranquilla

It was an awesome experience. We met our guide in a mall where many go for the "pre game". That was a great meeting place because we saw many people who were going to attend and the traditional clothing they were wearing to the carnival. Once we arrived at the carnival we were at a lively location. Super appreciative that we were located where it was covered overhead so to block the sun/heat to a certain degree.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

The guide and driver were really friendly and accommodating. It was challenging to navigate the closed streets and the driver did a great job navigating the closures.

Transport

The transportation was very comfortable and again happy how the driver navigated the closures.

Flawless trip! All the arrangements were perfect. Maria kept us informed every step of the way. She went above and beyond to add a side trip we requested at the last minute. She gave us such personal service. We felt confident Maria was always available to help if needed.

All tour guides were great, especially Sara in Venice for history, walking tour of city. The mask making class was a highlight! It far exceeded our expectations. The last minute addition of a trip and tour of Murano glass factory was Amazing!

The hotel Bembo and staff were wonderful. Perfect location, great breakfast, very attentive staff.

Kelly was not only knowledgeable, but personable as well. We were in contact for months creating the perfect package for Thailand that would fit my budget and Kelly managed to put together every activity I wanted. Not only that, each activity was unique and special and tailored just for us.

Kelly was readily available whenever I had a question or concern m, and if I needed to change something at the last minute, even while in Thailand, she made it happen.

Her service went far and beyond. For example, I requested a ride to the airport, not only was our driver early, but he also came with an escort who helped us navigate our way through the airport and VAT, making sure we were checked in and at the right gate. That is A+ service.

I’ve used Kimkim 3 times now for my trips to Nepal, Thailand, and soon Vietnam/Cambodia. This is an excellent company and Kelly for Thailand was simply exceptional.

Hotel Review

BYD Lofts Boutique Hotel & Services Apartments

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Morning/Afernoon Visit to Elephant Jungle Sanctuary (Join-in) (No Riding)

Phuket

Bucket list activity and it’s humane. Make sure to only visit places like this that rescue and save this beautiful creature.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private City Tour with Rum Tasting in Phuket

Thailand

Loved the tastings and especially the cocktail class. Don’t need the oral tour. Staff is amazing.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

The locations that were selected for our journey hit everything we were looking for: spectacular views, gorgeous waterfalls, incredible landscapes, lots of water, and of course - amazing views of the Northern Lights. All of the tours planned were fun and had knowledgeable, friendly guides that really set the tone. Our hotels and cottages were unique, had amazing views, and were in great locations. And the whole team at KimKim was really thoughtful and easy to work with.

Taylor worked with me to plan our trip to Norway. She was always available and was more than knowledgeable about the not only our wish list but other equally intriguing side trips.
I never waited more than 24 hours to get a response to any questions I had. Her recommendations rounded out our incredible itinerary.. while we were able to give her a sizable budget, she never deliberately exceeded or sought out activities and housing at the very top of the budget.
Overall, I enjoyed working with Taylor and have no suggestions for her performance.
My only recommendation relative to KimKim and this trip is to provide a less congested program for gathering and delivering information. This is relative to easier/clearer information regarding venues and for obtaining traveler information. Everything became clear once we could access the app. By the way, wonderful app!
We will use your agency again and will look forward to interacting with Taylor again.

Hotel Reviews

Scandic Ishavshotel

Tromsø

Authenticity & Character

Location

Cleanliness & Comfort

Thon Hotel Rosenkrantz

Bergen

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Northern Lights Hunt by Boat

Tromsø

Quality of Experience

Reindeer Feeding & Sámi Culture Experience

Tromsø

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Lyngen Alps Snowmobile Excursion

Tromsø

Staff was extremely helpful. Scenery exceptional.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Northern Lights Dinner Cruise

Tromsø

Dinner was ok, not special but ample. Once the aurora showed up, we were outside. They offered a couple of related lectures inside that were interesting. Overall, well worth the price.

Quality of Experience

Kvaløya Husky Sledding Excursion

Tromsø

Staff know what they’re doing and will make you comfortable doing it. They assisted me in getting from the bus to the dog sled. Made my experience much easier. Our trip was 10 kilometers and the scenery was gorgeous.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Norway in a Nutshell Day Trip

Bergen

The highlight of our Bergen visit! Seamless transfer between bus, train and boat. The only way to see all the wonders of Norway! We had a bit of trepidation about not having a guide to assist in transfers. Totally not needed! Bring a camera.

Quality of Experience

Fløibanen Funicular Ticket

Bergen

Cultural Walk with a Local

Bergen

Guide was an excellent historian.

Self-Guided Bergen Exploration

Bergen