Kimkim Trip Reviews

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

Hotel Reviews

BYAKU Narai

Narai

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

Onsen Ryokan Yuen Shinjuku

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

Gora Kansuiro

Hakone

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

The Gate Hotel Kyoto Takasegawa by Hulic

Kyoto

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

Activity Review

Private Snow Monkey Tour

Nagano

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

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

Hotel Reviews

VIC 3 Hotel

Bangkok

Nice, efficient hotel with a good staff.

Authenticity & Character

It was a nice hotel

Location

Fine location, don't really know Bangkok enough to comment.

Staff

I found the staff friendly and engaging.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Very clean and comfortable.

De Charme Hotel

Amphoe Muang, Si Phum, Chiang Mai

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

Authenticity & Character

It was fine, but the hot water, per above, was a big negative. It almost had a hostel feel.

Location

Staff

They could be more engaging and friendlier.

Cleanliness & Comfort

It was clean and comfortable.

Burasari Phuket

Patong, Phuket, Thailand

Excelent well run hotel

Authenticity & Character

Just a beautiful hotel

Location

Staff

Top notch treatment with a smile

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

A Day trip to Doi Inthanon National Park!

Chiang Mai

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

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Phuket Half-Day City Tour

Phuket

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

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Half-Day Eco Elephant Care!

Chiang Mai

Great experience

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

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

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

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

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

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

Hotel Review

Steigenberger Pyramids Cairo

Cairo

Great hotel, great room, great food.

Authenticity & Character

Na

Location

Perfect location for most Cairo and Giza sites. Quieter than staying in Cairo proper.

Staff

Very kind and helpful

Cleanliness & Comfort

Very clean

Activity Reviews

Hurghada

Hurghada

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Driver was friendly but the trip from Luxor to Hurgada felt very unsafe.

Hurghada

Hurghada

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

Quality of Experience

Driver quality and booking the room type requested.

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Quality of driving skill.

West Bank of Luxor (Valley of the Kings, Queens - Hatshepsut Temple - Colossi of Memnon)

Luxor

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

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Ahmed was great. The driver was very nice but not the best at driving (see main comment)

Transport

Quality of driving. Driver was otherwise very nice and timely.

Visit Edfu temple & Luxor temple and Karnak temple

Egypt

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

Quality of Experience

Food

The staff on the Dahbiya boat was incredible.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Visit Abu Simbel temple and Kom Ombo temple

Aswan

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Philae Temple, Unfinished Obelisk & Nubian Village

Aswan

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

Quality of Experience

Be more transparent with what will be experienced

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Visit to Al-Muizz Street & Khan el Khalili bazaar

Cairo

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Over day Fayoum & 4*4

Cairo

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

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Grand Egyptian Museum tour

Cairo

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Pyramids, Sphinx, Sakkara & Memphis

Cairo

Mohammed and Rafat were incredible

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Al Tannoura Egyptian Dance Heritage Show at Wekalet El Ghouri

Cairo

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

Quality of Experience

Advise guides to be slightly less focused on going to stores that were not asked to go to. If the client wants to just go back to the hotel or go get food, just accept it and go.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Have drivers that will be close to on time (within 5 minutes of planned time)

Transport

Be on time and have better quality drivers

Arrival Cairo

Cairo

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

Quality of Experience

10 am follow up for trip details was a no show

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Make things feel less rushed. Follow through with timing and what is said will happen.

Transport

Great arrival transport vehicle.

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

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

Hotel Reviews

Wyndham Quito Airport

Quito

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

Authenticity & Character

Top rated accommodations

Location

Very convenient access to the city and airport

Staff

So kind and helpful

Cleanliness & Comfort

Specious and comfortable

Hotel Cally Galapagos

Puerto Villamil

Great place to stay and close to things to enjoy

Authenticity & Character

Spacious and open

Location

Perfect view and access to the ocean beach

Staff

Very helpful

Cleanliness & Comfort

Pristine

Hotel Fiesta

Puerto Ayora

So nice, beautiful and comfortable

Authenticity & Character

Felt like a resort in paradise

Location

another awesome place to stay

Staff

So very helpful

Cleanliness & Comfort

Super comfortable

Hacienda El Porvenir

Machachi

Perfect experience of true Ecuador

Authenticity & Character

They gave us their best support

Location

The best experience, top quality

Staff

Kind and helpful

Cleanliness & Comfort

We would love to go back for another stay

Ikala Quito Hotel

Quito

Loves our time here

Authenticity & Character

Super location

Location

Great accommodations

Staff

Very helpful

Cleanliness & Comfort

Very clean

Activity Review

Quito City Tour - Middle of the World

Quito

Must do

Quality of Experience

Fun and interesting

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Best guide ever

Transport

Easy access

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

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

Hotel Reviews

Living Hotel

Nosara

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

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Eco Arenal

Fortuna

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

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Review

Río Peñas Blancas Safari Float Experience

Arenal/La Fortuna

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

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

Hotel Reviews

Hotel La Casa de Don Tomás

San Pedro de Atacama

NH Ciudad de Santiago

Santiago

Activity Reviews

Hike to Base Torres

Chile

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Trekking Torres del Paine Active

Chile

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Trekking and Condor Watching

Puerto Natales

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Kayaking in Eberhard Fjord

Puerto Natales

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Biking Tour of Puerto Natales

Puerto Natales

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Hike to the Summit of Toco Mount

San Pedro de Atacama

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Puritama Canyon Trek

San Pedro de Atacama

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Tour of Tatio Geysers

San Pedro de Atacama

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Explore the Atacama Salt Flats & Lagoons

San Pedro de Atacama

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Stargazing Experience

San Pedro de Atacama

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Valley of the Moon Tour

San Pedro de Atacama

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Day Trip to Viña del Mar & Valparaíso

Chile

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Santiago City Tour - Private

Chile

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

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

Doris is the most professional and proficient travel representative to work with. Her suggestions, attention to detail, and follow through are perfect.

Hotel Reviews

Pullman Phu Quoc Resort

Phu Quoc

Wonderful Hotel with a great pool. Right on the beach!

Authenticity & Character

Newer modern design.

Location

The Hotel is a bit isolated however only 20 minutes from other attractions

Staff

Everyone was great

Cleanliness & Comfort

Very clean and house keeping did a wonderful job!

The Reverie Saigon

This is one of the most beautiful hotels we have ever stayed in. Book a corner room on a high floor and enjoy the magnificent views! Wow!

Authenticity & Character

The granite floors are simply a piece of art! The check in process is personal!

Location

Right in Times Square. Perfect lication

Staff

From the front door, to breakfast and beyond every staff member is professional, charming, and helpful!

Cleanliness & Comfort

The beds are amazing!

Indochine Premium Cruise

This boat is authentic and beautiful! I can’t imagine visiting Ha Long Bay on any other vessel.

Authenticity & Character

Beyond Compare!

Location

Staff

Wonderful in every way!

Cleanliness & Comfort

The beds are amazing.

Emeralda Tam Coc Resort

By far the best hotel in Tam Coc!

Authenticity & Character

Beautiful room with wood floors!

Location

Right on the water!

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

The Oriental Jade Hotel

Hanoi

The location is great. The staff is very helpful and attentive. The rooms are beautiful! The breakfast was superb.

Authenticity & Character

Love the boutique feel!

Location

Staff

Everyone works with a smile and is helpful!

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

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

Vietnam

This is a very interesting area! Worth the visit but a bit far from Ho Chi Minh City

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Halong Bay - Hanoi - Fly to Ho Chi Minh City

Vietnam

Flight was on time and good!

Visit Cu Chi Tunnels & Ho Chi Minh City Tour

Ho Chi Minh City

This is a very historic place to visit! So interesting!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Ninh Binh - Halong Bay, Overnight on Cruise

Vietnam

Ha Long Bay is a must do while in North Vietnam!

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Hanoi - Ninh Binh - Hoa Lu, Ancient Capital - Mua Cave - Tam Coc Boat Trip

Ninh Binh

Beautiful Day overall! So happy we did this!

Quality of Experience

Rural Area

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Everything was on time and our guide was very knowledgeable with good english skills.

Transport

Car could have been a little newer and nicer but our driver was excellent. Loved his smile!

Hanoi Culture & Walking Tour

Hanoi

The sites visited were a great introduction to Vietnam

Quality of Experience

Food

All the food was great

Guides, Drivers and Staff

It was great to have the same guides throughout North Vietnam.

Transport

This was the only location where the vehicle could have been a bit nicer. Our driver was fantastic.

Maria Jose was available when we needed her. Christian was excellent. Great personality, historical knowledge and wildlife identification. He knew how to match our pace for the itinerary.

Activity Reviews

Devil’s Nose Train Ride & Ingapirca Ruins Exploration

Ecuador

Spanish only commentary during trip. Having Chris along would have been helpful

Pailón del Diablo: The Charm of Baños and Transfer to Riobamba

Ecuador

Quito - Cotopaxi National Park

Ecuador

Hike was good. No bathroom at the lagoon!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have used other travel companies in the past, but never again. KimKim makes travel so much more enjoyable and less stressful. We don’t like to travel with groups, so they are perfect for us. We provide them a wish list of things we want to do and see and voila, the wish comes true. We just returned from a 2 week tour of Patagonia and Ushuaia. It was amazing. They were in constant contact with us every step of the way. My wife is planning a girls trip this spring and is already in contact with them. A very big shout out to Lorena and her team. You guys are the best. Now time for me to start planning our next trip!🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

I want to especially mention all the tour guides and drivers .
Santiago: Eliseo our driver, and Soledad our tour guide. What a wealth of information. A welcoming experience to a beautiful city.
Punta Arenas: Juan Francisco with Fiordos del Sur whom we wanted to go home with. We also wanted to adopt a baby
penguin.
Porto Natales: Jhon Pineda with Patagonia Planet, who is very entertaining and very knowledgeable. Also George , the driver who was also taking photos. Some of his photos are the best.
Perito Moreno Glaciers with Turismo Zaahj. Wow what a great experience
Tierra del Fuego Ntional Park: Trekking and Canoeing in Park. Juan and his counterpart made this an awesome experience. Turismo Isla de los Fuegos did an outstanding job.
Beagle Channel & Penquins: Turismo did an excellent job. We were able to see plenty of wildlife including seals, whales, and of course penguins
Buenos Aires: What a beautiful city. We will have to come back

Hotel Reviews

Alto Andino Hotel

Ushuaia

This was a very nice hotel, although we had to go to the breakfast area to see the water.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hosteria El Puma

El Chalten

This was our favorite hotel. It is small and cozy. The staff are engaging and a pleasure to visit with.

Location

Staff

They treated us like family

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Kosten Aike

El Calafate

We were only here for one night, but enjoyed our stay.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Costanera

Puerto Natales

The hotel is very new and modern. The staff is exceptional. The street out front is a little noisy at times, but the view is wonderful.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Ilaia

Punta Arenas

We loved this little hotel. Easy walking distance to everything and great staff.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Eco Boutique Bidasoa

Santiago

Great location. Quiet and easy to walk to nearby parks Very nice hotel

Authenticity & Character

Location

Quiet and safe

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Buenos Aires Walking Short Tour

Buenos Aires

We were both coming down with a bug this day and just dragging.

Quality of Experience

Transport

Beagle Channel & Penguins

Ushuaia

The experience was nice, but if we had to do it all over again, we would have skipped this. We had already seen penguins. We did get to see some whales, so that was a big plus. I think we were getting a little burned out by this time.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Trekking & Canoeing in Tierra del Fuego National Park

Ushuaia

We didn't quite know what to expect on this tour. We were not disappointed. We started off in a raft down the river and started seeing all kinds of birds and wildlife. A seal popped up right in front of us. Baby chicks, beavers, it was teaming with wildlife. It was an experience working with a team to paddle the raft. When we went on shore for lunch, we were ushered into a huge dome in the forest for a great bowl of soup and bread. Then off for a 4 mile trek through the woods. Beautiful scenery. It ended all too soon.

Quality of Experience

It made me feel young again

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Best meal ever

Transport

Explore Perito Moreno glacier in Argentina

Puerto Natales

We didn't realize how big this glacier is. Wow! As you are watching it, you either see or hear ice calving off.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Hike from Sarmiento Lake to Amarga Lagoon

Patagonia

Unfortunately my wife caught a stomach bug and we were not able to go on this tour.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Boat Tour to Balmaceda & Serrano Glaciers

Patagonia

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Full-Day Tour of Torres del Paine National Park

Patagonia

The trip just kept getting better! We had good weather and awesome scenery!

Quality of Experience

The quietness and open space

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Jhon and George were great! They were very engaging and a pleasure to talk to

Transport

Penguin Colony on Magdalena Island

Patagonia

We were able to walk among the penguins and all the babies. What a way to start the day.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Juan Francisco was like a jovial Santa Claus

Transport

Santiago City Tour - Private

Patagonia

Elisio and Soledad were amazing. She is an encyclopedia of knowledge. What a great way to start a vacation.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Very knowledgeable and engaging

Transport

Nice transport and very punctual

My husband & I had a fabulous 40th Wedding anniversary with our KimKim trip in Australia ( Sidney and Cairns) during the New Year Holiday (2026). The local guides and experiences were outstanding, personable, educational & full of memorable adventures (wine tasting, rainforests, animal sanctuaries, local cultural events (painting class/food instruction), Great Barrier Reef, etc). Special shout out to the KimKim US ( Seine) & Australian planning representatives --they truly are a quality team with high performance. One small glitch transfer issue was discussed immediately by team members and solved. True team work! I recommend KimKim to family and especially seniors -- this is a trusted and 5 star travel experience (our 3rd trip & planning other trips).

Hotel Reviews

Rydges Sydney Airport Hotel

Mascot, Sydney, NSW

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Crystalbrook Riley

Cairns

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Little National Hotel Sydney

Sydney

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Michaelmas Cay Cruise

Australia

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Daintree Rainforest & Aboriginal Culture Day Trip

Australia

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Atherton Tablelands & Paronella Park Exploration

Cairns

Guide & small group and wonderful sights

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Blue Mountains Day Trip with Hike

Sydney

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Superb

Transport

Sydney Harbour Sunset Dinner Cruise

Sydney

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Firstly Beatriz was great to work with as she created and planned our trip.
Travelling from Rome through to Portugal our whole experience was very smooth with such an amazing app with all the details of flights , tickets and recommendations so easily accessible. We had an amazing holiday full of tours and tastings without any effort of organising it so a big cheers.

Hotel Reviews

PortoBay Marquês

Lisbon

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel OFF Paris Seine 4*

Paris

great view great food - amazing pastrys

Condominio Monti Boutique Hotel

Rome

Amazing staff comfy beds great breakfast

Staff

so friendly and naturally interested

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Culinary Highlights of Porto: Food Delights & Bolhão Market

Porto

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

An Evening of Flamenco

Portugal

Quality of Experience

Taste Barcelona: Authentic Tapas & Neighborhood Walk

Barcelona

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

A Sweet Walk Through Montmartre

Paris

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

A Taste of Rome: Espresso, Tiramisu, & Gelato

Rome

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our guides were wonderful and very responsive when we needed them

Activity Review

Birdwatching Tour at CATIE Botanical Garden

Turrialba

It was great but had a little hiccup with getting picked up.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Best guides were Viviana and Marcos. Both interacted with us as well and had energy and loved what they were doing. For most part all activities went without issue and were better than expected. Only issue was that Alvaro assured us we would fish and obviously he didn’t understand the rules of fishing in the Galopagos. Jacquie was great. Responded well and would get details when asked. Brought energy and good communicator

Hotel Reviews

Finch Bay Galápagos Hotel

Puerto Ayora

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Indigo Galápagos

San Cristóbal

Authenticity & Character

Location

Oh

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

EB Hotel by Eurobuilding Quito

Quito

Only stayed there 2 hrs due to delayed flight

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

O

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Santa Fe Fishing Experience

Galapagos Islands

Didn’t fish! Don’t call it a fishing experience. It’s a snorkeling trip. Great snorkeling. Good guide

Quality of Experience

Food

Great sit down meal on boat

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Kayaking Adventure in Tortuga Bay

Puerto Ayora

Guide was not into it walk distance was not communicated very well. Kayaked for 40 mins and didn’t hang around when something interested encountered. Guide always in a hurry to be someplace else

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Speedboat to Santa Cruz Island; Charles Darwin Station, Highlands & Planting a Tree

Galapagos Islands

Great guide. Darwin center not that interesting. More interesting seeing turtles in wild

Quality of Experience

Food

Fun restraunt at ranch

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Embracing Nature: Discovering Wildlife on Española Island

Isla San Cristóbal

Johan was a good guide

Quality of Experience

Uninhabited and unowned of wildlife on island

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Welcome to San Cristóbal Island! Visit the Interpretation Center, Tijeretas Hill, or La Lobería

Galapagos Islands

La Liberia is best part. Lots of aquatic life.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Our trip was incredible - the experiences Angel planned were amazing, including an authentic Asado BBQ meat tasting with the best steak I've ever had, a Tango Show, some incredible hikes with excellent local guides and stunning views, and a tour to interact up close with penguins. I learned so much about the areas we visited, and it was the perfect activity level for our group. We had regular communication with our local experts throughout the trip, which was very helpful. Thanks so much, Angel!!

Hotel Reviews

Hotel Alma Sur

Punta Arenas

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Carlos was wonderful, but otherwise many of the staff were not friendly or accommodating.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Clean but the walls were paper thin - you could hear EVERYTHING from other rooms, the lobby... I could even hear the treadmill from the fitness center from my room (on a different floor).

45 by Director

Santiago

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Mirador del Lago Hotel

El Calafate

Authenticity & Character

Location

beautiful view of Lake Argentina

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Lennox Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Natalino Hotel Patagonia

Puerto Natales

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Visit to Santa Rita Vineyard + Optional Lunch at Doña Paula Restaurant

Chile

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Magdalena Island - Penguin Encounter Half Day Tour

Chile

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Hike to Mirador Base Torres del Paine - Full Day Tour

Chile

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Condor lookout Horse riding - Laguna Sofia & Cerro Benitez

Chile

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Full Day El Chalten - Trekking Fitz Roy View Point

Chile

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Visit Perito Moreno Glacier - Full Day Tour

El Calafate

Dany was the best!!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Native Experience- Lakes and Caverns

El Calafate

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Live Cooking & Meat Tasting Menu

Buenos Aires

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Visit the most Famous Neighborhoods in Buenos Aires - City Tour

Buenos Aires

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

San Telmo Tango Show and Dinner.

Buenos Aires

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

There was a bit of a snafu with the driver, but Angel and the local experts were quick to remedy.

We had an amazing trip! I really cannot thank Liz and Dilliana enough, other than to publicize that I and my family could NEVER have done all the planning, all the follow-up, all the canceling and rebooking (flight & personal issues!), all the scheduling and buying of tickets, and lining up absolutely the BEST, most personable and knowledgeable tour guides I have ever experienced in my life’s travels!! Really, without hesitation or doubt, KIM-KIM delivered without a single disappointment…even when a few plans couldn't work out last-minute because of our schedule conflicts. Kudos to Liz Kate and Dilliana…I /all of us…there were 8 girls…Mom, daughter, daughter-in-law, and 4 granddaughters! All of us are so grateful for the efforts (above and beyond!) you made on our behalf. In spite of not the most pleasant of weather, it was simply a perfectly planned trip that every single one of us will remember for a lifetime. And, P.S…they were so accessible that we felt they were almost right along with us the entire week!

Hotel Review

Aparthotel Quartier Libre Saint Georges

Paris

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Private Exploration of Le Marais District

Paris

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Exploration of Rodin Museum

Paris

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

❌ Eiffel Tower : Reserved Access to the Summit + Audio guide

Paris

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

The Phantom’s Lair: A Mystical Journey Through the Opera Garnier For Families

Paris

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Notre-Dame & Sainte-Chapelle Visit with Priority Access

Paris

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Seine River Cruise

Paris

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Learn about the History of Impressionism with a Private Musee d’Orsay Tour

Paris

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Self-Guided Champs-Elysées Discovery Walk

Paris

Quality of Experience

Unlock the Secrets of Perfume-Making!

Paris

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private French Pastry Class

Paris

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Louvre Museum Visit

Paris

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Palace of Versailles Day Trip with Priority Access – Half-Day Tour

Paris

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

La Défence Christmas Market

Paris

Quality of Experience

At leisure: The Covered Passages of Paris

Paris

Quality of Experience

Leisure time at Luxembourg Garden

Paris

Quality of Experience

Eiffel Tower Summit Tickets

Paris

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Photoshoot in the Heart of Paris - Eiffel Tower

Paris

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

This was our 6th trip with KimKim, and while we had an AMAZING time, it was not the level of KimKim professionalism and/or efficiency that we have come to expect. We started with Augustina as our trip advisor, then she moved on and we had Juan. Juan left the company just as we started our trip, so Justo took over (and while he did an excellent job, there was obviously some lack of communication/coordination in the pass-off. Also, we ended up with 2 itineraries (one from KimKim, the other from Mater). While they were mostly identical, there were a few times where there were some inconsistencies that caused confusion (and honestly, it was annoying to have to go back and forth to determine which itinerary to use, more details below). An example of this was our trip to the Estancia where the itinerary indicated in one place that we had a 45-minute horse-back riding experience, while in another it indicated 3 hours. We were sure it would be 45- minutes so we booked a dinner reservation only to find out that it would be a 3 hour ride and we wouldn't get back in time for our reservation. Thankfully, the staff at the ranch called the restaurant and arranged for a late dinner (for my husband's birthday), otherwise it wouldn't have been a big deal. Another time, the itinerary for KimKIm indicated one activity, while the Mater itinerary repeated what we had already done a few days prior. items: In Ushuai, our itinerary indicated we should arrange for the hotel to take us to the National Park and back to hike. However, there was a public bus going to/from the park multiple times a day right across the street from our hotel--this should have been an obvious notation on the itinerary (as the bus was inexpensive, efficient and very helpful!). In El Calafate, it would have been nice to know that the established "pick-up" times for the experiences are "rough estimates" and the bus pick up can be as much as 45 minutes later given the number of pick-ups to different hotels that they make. Had we known this, we would not have worried that we had been "missed" or forgotten (we did call, and they let us know they were on their way. Also, our itinerary had indicated that the hotel could provide lunch for us for our "glacier walk", but they do not do this. Thankfully the hotel staff helped us find an alternative caterer who could have a box lunch ready for us in the early morning before we departed. In El Chalten, it would have been helpful to know that tickets to the park should be purchased in cash; aditionally, had I not had a trail "app" on my phone, the directions provided to get to a couple of the hikes were not particularly helpful/useful or accurate. For the day at the private reserve, though we were able to get in, we were the "lucky" ones, as we were supposed to have made reservations in advance (which we wrongly assumed KimKim or Mater had done since this was on our itinerary). Others were turned away. Had we been turned away, given that we had taken the bus to get there, we would have been out of luck and sitting in the rain for 6 hours waiting for the return. Justo was our point of contact from Mater, and he was very helpful/personable, though there was a bit of a language barrier in translating some of our requests. In Torres Del Paine, Juan had mentioned the need to get Park tickets right away, though this turned out to be easy, and nothing to stress over. FInally, while it would not have changed anything, it would have been nice to know that the roads between El Calafate and Torres Del Paine are often gravel, rough and slow, and that you need to download Google maps "offline" to ensure you have map service. So again, we had a phenomenal trip, there were just these little inconsistencies, omissions and/or annoyances that we have not been used to on prior KimKim trips.

Hotel Reviews

Hotel Poincenot

El Chalten

We loved the hotel in El Chaltén because of its fantastic location, just a few minutes' walk from the trailheads, which was perfect for our hiking adventure. The hotel was comfortable, and while it wasn't fancy, the staff were amazing and made our stay exceptional.

Pampa Lodge Quincho y Caballos

Torres Del Paine

The views from our hotel in Torres del Paine were simply breathtaking, making our stay truly memorable. The hotel was comfortable, adding to the overall experience of the surrounding natural beauty.

Koi Aiken

El Calafate

We stayed here the longest, and though it was by far the most humble of accomodations, the staff were incredibly helpful in (1) helping us find box lunches for our glacier walk; and (2) reaching out to the Glacier Walk experience provider to figure out if we had been forgotten or if they were just running late. The room had a nice view, though the furnishings and bathrooms are quite dated and in need of repair. Staff made up for any issues with the room.

Authenticity & Character

Location

It's a long walk from town though taxi service is easy.

Staff

Amazing and helpful staff.

Cleanliness & Comfort

The hotel furnishings in our room (drapes, bedspreads etc) were all falling apart; and the bathroom tub did not drain, but the helpfulness of the staff made up for any deficiencies we experienced.

Activity Reviews

Estancia Nibepo Aike

El Calafate

while the experience was wonderful, it's a long day, informative and enjoyable, but it's a long way to go w/not alot of "action". The gauchos were very friendly...the food was "OK" (mostly fat, though the 2nd serving was better). Our itinerary was not clear as to whether we had a 45-minute horse-back ride or 3 hour ride, and we tried to reschedule to 45-minutes (given our impending dinner reservation), but were unable to. THankfully, the ranch staff called our restaurant and let them know we would be very late (for my husband's birthday celebration!)

Quality of Experience

Food

Everything except the meat was exceptional. Felt like we received the "cheap" cuts of meat that they could effectivey serve a large group.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Transportation was HOT and long.

Trekking on Perito Moreno glacier

El Calafate

One of the best experiences of the trip. Awesome guide, great hike, spectacular views and wonderful people we met along the way.

Quality of Experience

Dramatic scenery, and experienced guides

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

It's a long day, and the only thing I recommend is that the drivers or transport company let you know ahead of time that it might take time to pick everyone up (depending on where your hotel is along the route).