Kimkim Trip Reviews

Let me start by saying this, and i said this to my partner at least once a day during our trip, I will NEVER plan another trip WITHOUT KimKim ! I have been the trip planner for all of our vacations for years, every flight, transfer, transport, adventure, experience and meal, and of course , I then felt completely responsible for their success or failure! This is the first time in years that I have felt like I was actually completely on vacation and in the moment! I know that I did the planning with KimKim and chatted with Gustavo and Jessica and set up the plans, but I was totally along for the ride this time! We were never disappointed, absolutely AMAZING!
The KimKim team, Gustavo, and Jessica (thank you Jessica for handling things in real time !!) really listened and heard what we were looking for in out Costa Rican experience. Thank you to Christian at Relax for the best start to our trip, what a wonderful host and amazing place to stay! Thank you to Jorge and Diego at Jacamar for our adventures in La Fortuna! Thank you to both Hugos (great driving and sharing) and Alex (Tortuguero). Also, all boat rides were incredible, and the snorkeling in Cahuita and surfing in Puerto Viejo (best surf instructor Misael!!!! )I could gush all day! I know i have forgotten some names but not the experiences!!! Thank you for making our trip Absolutely Unforgettable!

Hotel Review

Relax Natural Village

Puerto Viejo

Cristian , thank you so much for making our stay so wonderful! You have created a magical place to stay in Puerto Viejo! Thank you for your hospitality, comfy beds and rooms, the delicious breakfast and coffee every morning and for every suggestion you made! We will only stay with you on any future trips to Puerto Viejo! Absolutely fabulous !!

Authenticity & Character

Cristian is just the best host and the cabins are absolutely beautiful !!

Location

Walking distance to everything we wanted to do and see!!

Staff

Breakfast was delicious every morning and staff was kind and attentive !

Cleanliness & Comfort

Cabin was spotless and comfy, outstanding!!

Activity Reviews

Coffee Experience and Nighttime Nature Walk

Monteverde

Junior is the best ! We learned so much and had an amazing time! We have a new friend in Monteverde for sure!!

Quality of Experience

Junior's passion for coffee makes this the best experience! He is a coffee expert and a great teacher!

Guides, Drivers and Staff

thank you, Junior! for taking so much time to share your world with us!

Transport

Junior picked us up and dropped us off at our lodge and shared his love of coffed with us from start to finish!

Private Surf Lesson at Salsa Brava

Puerto Viejo de Talamanca

Great lesson !! so patient ! great instruction , we really learned a lot and enjoyed every moment!! Thank you Misael!! and the lunch suggestion was one of our favorite meals of our entire trip !!

Quality of Experience

Great lesson, Misael really understood how to explain body mechanics so that we could make progress and make adjusments ! thank you !

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Unnecessary for us, we could have walked and instead paid two cabs we did not need , but we did not know final meet up so now that we know we would have walked instead of taking cab to school and then back tracked to beach

Horseback Riding on the Beach

Costa Rica

We loved this day !!

Quality of Experience

Saw so much more than we expected!! Jungle and beach !!

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Guide was so great ! we learned a lot!

Transport

On time and kind!

Our guides and driver were great!

Overall wonderful arrangement by Kim Kim. . We had a great trip. Cape Town hotel and sightseeing was excellent. The Safari experience at Tambamati reserve was outstanding, Khaya Ndhvu was very good, and Rhinopost was OK.
All Vooma Transfers and drivers were outstanding.

Hotel Reviews

Khaya Ndlovu Manor House

Hoedspruit

The facility is an interesting lodge, combining traditional features with modern touches. The rooms were somewhat faded and earned in my opinion 3 stars, not 4 stars. A standout was the food which was excellent.

Authenticity & Character

The food

Location

Staff

Very accommodating.

Cleanliness & Comfort

The infrastructure needs updating and in some cases repairs.

Rhino Post Safari Lodge

Facility Not well maintained. Staff was very average Rangers was good Food was great Overall experience- just Ok. Would not recommend to friends

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Cabins need major update and maintenance

Thabamati Luxury Tented Camp

Kruger National Park

Outstanding facility. Warm hospitality and Great game viewing really up close.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Southern Sun The Cullinan

Cape Town

Authenticity & Character

Location

Near convention center

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Full Day City Tour, Robben Island & Table Mountain

South Africa

Excellent driver and tour guide, Henryk.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Henryk

Transport

Game Drives at Rhino Post

Kruger National Park

Andrew and Marika were good.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Sunset Game Drive in Kruger National Park

Kruger National Park

Andrew and Marika were good. But not going into the bush diminishes the overall game viewing experience

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Full Day Panorama Tour

South Africa

Guide and Tracker were very good.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Fly from Hoedspruit to Johannesburg

South Africa

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Thabamati Luxury Safari Camp Safari Days

Timbavati Game Reserve

Excellent in every respect. ranger Charlie and Tracker Oscar were outstanding and a delight and a wealth of information and knowledge.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Cape Peninsula Tour

Cape Town

Guide and Driver Hendricks was excellent.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

A++ - A Trip Beyond Expectation... We owe a heartfelt 'Thank You" to KimKim & Ms. Kelly Lu our coordinator and specially to our many local expert tour guides in Thailand and Japan:

Our recent three-week trip to Thailand and Japan, was planned and executed flawlessly by KimKim and Ms. Kelly Lu, and exceeded every expectation at very reasonable price. From the initial consultation to the final farewell, the experience of visiting multiple cities in each country was flawless and fun and a testament to KimKim's professionalism and Kelly's exceptional attention to detail and responsiveness to our last second changes during out trip.

Kelly listened carefully to our desires, and the places we wanted to visit and why.... She then crafted different distinct itineraries that captured the essence of our interests. Her knowledge of both countries and ability to hire exceptional local tour guides was impressive, and her suggestions were invaluable in shaping what turned out to be an almost perfect adventure that my daughter and I will never forget.

Once we chose our itinerary, Kelly took care of everything. All you need to do is arrange your plane fare there and back. They tale care on everything else. For example, plane and train tickets inside Thailand & Japan that she seamlessly coordinated, Kelly, thru the local agent Kate, secured access to sold-out events like the enchanting Chiang Mai Light Festival, which my daughter will remember all her life adding magical moments to our trip.

Kelly meticulously curated a complex comprehensive timetable, including hotels, transportation, and chose exceptionally talented local guides local guides. like "Kate" (Whose Thai name is Por-kaew Limlimtrakul) in Chiang Mai who was able to get tickets to the sold out and coveted Chiang Mai Light Festival. Kate also arranged for a private visit to an elephant sanctuary where my daughter interacted with the rescued elephants and their keepers. Lastly Kate arranged for my daughter to take a Thai cooking class from a respected Thai chef. Mr. Luk in Phuket who took us in one of his new speedboats to dive, snorkel and tour the PiPi Islands where many scenes in the James Bond films were shot. Each guide was a delight: knowledgeable, engaging, and passionate about their respective fields, be it sushi-making or history of their country or religion, local customs, local delicacies, out of the way restaurants where we had exquisite meals. The drivers were also talented and we felt very safe in their large new vans that we were transported in. They enriched our experience with fascinating insights and genuine hospitality. I wont forget any guide; Kate in Chiang Mai, Mr. Noon in Bangkok, Ryoji in Tokyo who took us on a wonderful all day trip to Mt. Fuji and found a tiny country restaurant with only four tables, run by an elderly local grandma, who prepared an exquisite "Hoto" pot for our lunch, Yakuso Nagal who found out of the way shops, with unique, fascinating clothing for my daughter to sample and buy, The knowledgeable and funny Mr. Son in Kyoto who was a senior executive at a large hotel chain before retiring and becoming a guide, Ms. Yumi Takahasiin in Tokyo who knew the lay of the Tokyo extremely well and was flexible and fun to be with, Hiroko in Kyoto, who was knowledgeable and explained things extremely well and last but not least, Mr. Patrick Noon in Bangkok, who taught us much about the history of the many temples we visited and the history and customs of Thailand.

Throughout the trip, Kelly remained a constant presence, via email or text, ensuring our comfort and satisfaction. Her responsiveness and proactive approach were truly remarkable. She anticipated our needs and addressed any concerns promptly and efficiently.

The trip itself was a journey into wonder. We explored bustling cities, serene temples, and breathtaking landscapes, all with a sense of ease and enjoyment. KimKim and Kelly's meticulous planning, and their indispensable local guides, ensured that we didn't miss a single beat, maximizing our time and allowing us to truly immerse ourselves in the local culture.

Beyond the impeccable logistics, the most significant impact was the genuine care and dedication Kelly demonstrated throughout the process. She treated us not just as clients but as valued guests, crafting a personalized experience that we will cherish forever.

We wholeheartedly recommend KimKim and Ms. Kelly Lu and the guides mentioned (and any I may have forgot to mention) above to anyone seeking an exceptional and unique travel experience. Their expertise, professionalism, and genuine warmth transformed our dream vacation into an unforgettable reality.

Mariano was Amazing!!!

Hotel Reviews

Hotel Costa Verde

Manuel Antonio

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel & Spa Poco a Poco

Monteverde

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Los Lagos Spa & Resort

La Fortuna

Authenticity & Character

Location

Everything was perfect here!

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Review

Arenal Volcano & La Fortuna Waterfall Hike with Lunch

Arenal/La Fortuna

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We had such enjoyable experiences on our trip to Chile with our family and cousins spending the first 8 days in Santiago attending the 2023 Parapan Am Games to watch our son and his team 🇨🇦 athletes compete and medal in Goalball 💕and touring around an amazing city. From there we coordinated 6 days of tours and transfers with Angel and greatly appreciated the personalized service he provided us with from boating out to see the Penguins in Zapallar, visiting the Vina Del Mar beaches, watching a beautiful sunset (thanks to Alex) as well as Sandboarding on the Dunes in Concon, next we visited Valparaiso with Magdalena on an awesome food and wine oriented Gastronomic tour. We then ventured on our first ever Traditional Cooking class with Sebastian that we so very much enjoyed and also fit in a wine tour in the Casablanca Valley that also included lunch. And last but not least have rave reviews for Eduardo our driver who was fantastic and as we made our way back to Santiago enjoyed a few stops including to check out a 1.4km (I believe) pool that is oceanfront and to another locale (the name escapes me) for a fantastic lunch and some last minute shopping in the village shops!

Thanks so very much Angel, Eduardo, Alex, Magdalena, Sebastian (and his sous chef) for creating such awesome experiences for us to remember for years to come!!

Activity Reviews

Valparaiso and Viña del Mar Half Day Tour - Transfer to Airport

Valparaíso

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Wine Tasting and Optional Lunch at Casablanca Valley - Transfer to Valparaiso

Chile

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Sandboarding at Dunas de Concon

Chile

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Gastronomic Route

Chile

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Traditional Cooking class in Valparaiso Private group

Valparaíso

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Visit the Penguin Island in Zapallar Private Tour

Chile

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

It was an amazing experience !
Our tour guide John and driver Mike were so accommodating , excellent trip planning . They went above and beyond my expectations. Kudos to this team in Kimkim. I highly recommend them !

We are beyond grateful to Kim Kim for connecting us to Sharron, an incredible trip planner, and to Sallam, our remarkable tour manager. This dynamic duo made our journey an unforgettable experience.

Sharron's role in planning our trip was nothing short of brilliant. Her attention to detail, understanding of our preferences, and ability to create a seamless itinerary set the stage for an extraordinary adventure. She curated a journey that perfectly balanced adventure and relaxation, ensuring we experienced the best of each destination.

Sallam, our tour manager, was the embodiment of professionalism and warmth. His impeccable management skills and profound knowledge of the locales we visited enriched our journey immensely. He was always attentive to our needs, ensuring each day was comfortable, enjoyable, and hassle-free. Sallam's personal touch and dedication to our well-being truly made us feel cared for and safe.

This experience has not only left us with memories to cherish for a lifetime but also set a new standard for what we consider exceptional travel planning and management.

In conclusion, a heartfelt thank you to Kim Kim, Sharron, and Sallam. Your combined efforts made our trip not just a vacation, but a series of unforgettable experiences. We eagerly look forward to our next adventure with your team!

Our trek in the Himalayas arranged by Sangita and her team was AMAZING. Everything was coordinated really well and we had a terrific experience overall. The guides she set us up with, Bhim and Mahn, we excellent. They were really kind, funny, knowledgeable and provided great service. We were impressed by all of the tea houses and lodges that we stayed in along our trek and the route was well planned based on our groups needs. Sangita and her team were very professional and made sure we had everything we needed and answered all of our questions. We had 2 meetings with them before the trek so that we could hash out all the details and they made sure we were 100% set. I would definitely recommend booking with Sangita for any Nepal adventures whether it is a trek, a Chitwan jungle tour, or anything else that they offer.

This was my first time using KimKim and it will not be the last!

My friend Howard and I decided to make Morocco our destination. We decided on a date but neither of us really had time to plan a trip. KimKim to the rescue!

We looked at the various itineraries. I was impressed with the varied options. Options include how many days you want to visit as well as the kind of trip you want to take. One can choose active, historical and many others.

Once we decided on the amount of days and what kind of trip we wanted, that's when Saīd came into the process. I definitely could not have done this without Saīd and I am very grateful for all his work. Saīd is incredibly patient and thoughtful. He is clearly driven to make sure that each and every traveler has the experience they desire. My questions were often answered immediately or because of the 6 hour time difference, by the next day. As you get closer to the date, Saīd will give you his WhatsApp number so you can contact him for anything.

We were given an excellent driver. Neither of us wanted to deal with driving in Morocco. If you are planning to do your own driving, the main roads and highways are excellent. I live in New York City and I thought the driving in Casablanca and Marrakech seemed very chaotic. We were very happy with the choice to have a driver, and Lahcen was wonderful. His driving is flawless. In addition to his professionalism, he is incredibly kind and thoughtful. We were in great hands!

We had a guide in Chefchaouen, Abdessalam. I enjoyed his tour of the Blue City. I definitely learned quite a bit. You will test your fitness going up and down the steps and hills of Chefchaouen. Our tour included two nights in a Riad there. The Riad was a lovely place. Keep in mind that the “star” system there is a little different than in the States. These Riads are great, one really gets a flavor of the country there. However, the amenities may be a little more rustic than you expected. The rooms have full bathrooms, but towels might be a little scratchy. I found the beds to be very comfortable, and I am usually hard to please on that matter.
Overall, I think Chefchaouen is done in one day, maybe one overnight. I didn’t need to stay two nights.

Off we went on the road to Fes! I had forgotten that we were going to see the ruins at Volubolis. If you like ruins, think Pompeii, then you will love Volubolis. Howard and I had a great time walking around. The weather was picture perfect. Keep in mind that people might come up and offer their services as a guide. We declined.

Meknes is the next stop. First lunch. I wasn’t crazy about the lunch spot. It’s a bit too touristy, but the food was fine, service was fine. If you like dining on terraces Morocco is the place for you! Keep your eyes open for storks! Also, kitty cats are all over the place. Do not be surprised if they come right up and sit in your lap. Cats are not abused, but are not particularly well cared for. Some cats will beg for food.
The mausoleum in Meknes is lovely.

We reached Fes around time for an early dinner. The Riad there was also all that you hope a modest hotel to look like. Gorgeous lights, tiles, table and sofas. November is a little cool in Morocco, so bring your winter jammies! The area where this Riad was situated didn’t feel very welcoming. So we decided to eat dinner at this Riad both nights. The food there was very good and the service was very kind and friendly.
In the morning we met our guide for the Medina in Fes. Sharif was fantastic. He was incredibly knowledgeable, friendly, FUNNY and patient. I learned so much from that experience. I don’t know how anyone could go to the Medina without a guide. It is an endless and chaotic maze! As promised in the itinerary, you will see the food stalls, tanneries, copper and brass stalls and so much more!

Next day, off to Marrakech. That was a long driving day. We took the highways. Lahcen always knew the best places to stop. Keep in mind that it is appropriate to tip the bathroom attendant- so hold on to your coins for that! The Riad in Marrakech was my favorite. The staff was particularly friendly. The Riad itself was beautiful. They have a lovely sunken circular sofa, a mini pool (too cold for us to swim in November), breakfast on the terrace and even a little jacuzzi. This Riad is also well located for visiting the old city. Keep in mind that sadly the earthquake in the lower Atlas mountains did have some toll in Marrakech.

We declined the guide in Marrakech because I have a friend who lives there. If we had stayed for an extra day there a guide would have been wonderful. We did visit the Yves St. Laurent museum, which was lovely. If you think you might like it, go!

We had a visit to a Hammam. If you like saunas, enjoy! There are other spa services available as well.

I recommend the restaurant OTTO. It is very close to the Riad where we stayed. This was the most elegant place we ate. Expensive by Moroccan standards, but well worth it.

Next day, a short drive to Essaouria. Finally a sea-side area! This area is an enjoyable change from the other cities. It feels more open. We took a long walk on the beach. If you want there are horses and camels to ride. Do your souvenir shopping here! If this is of interest, Essaouria is one area where you can find alcohol. In fact, it is the area where wine was produced for centuries. Another thing I noted was a lot of cigarette smoking. I am not a smoker and at times I found this to be unpleasant. Two nights there and then off to Casablanca to stay overnight and then leave.
I believe most people will say that from a tourist’s view there is not much of interest in Casablanca. We did see the Hassan ll mosque. It’s lovely and near the ocean. We didn’t do anything else in Casablanca. The hotel we stayed in is called a five star hotel. The rooms are clean and new. Again, there is something that feels a little disheveled about this hotel. Rooftop dining, pool there is even a gym. This hotel made me miss the Riads we stayed in during the trip.

Overall, this was an excellent trip. I got a taste of many places. Saīd was so helpful. I am sure that if there had been any kind of medical emergency Lahcen and Saīd would have jumped into action. Both Saīd and Lahcen made our trip a huge success and we wouldn’t have met them without KimKim!

Hotel Review

Riad Ghita

Fes

Lovely experience! This Riad is beautifully decorated. The rooms are clean and attractive. The service was lovely! Food was excellent in this Riad. The location is close to the Medina and a little chaotic. Beds were comfortable, bring your warm jammies if you are traveling in November!

Authenticity & Character

Lovely decor

Location

Staff

Very good food, friendly and professional service

Cleanliness & Comfort

Was a little chilly in November

Activity Review

Guided Tour of Fez Medina

Fes

Sharif was an excellent guide. I learned a lot and I could not have enjoyed the Medina without his help.Take your time

Quality of Experience

Food

Food at the Riad was very good

Guides, Drivers and Staff

So knowledgeable, friendly and professional

Transport

Excellent driver!

We had a great trip to Costa Rica. The highlight was the Monteverde Cloud Forest - very pretty and great guides. One of the best parts of this trip was simply not having to worry about any of the details - all of our transportation was pre-arranged to pick us up at our hotels and they always arrived on time or a few minutes early. The transportation was also comfortable and the drivers friendly and helpful. Erwin, who helped us with planning, made good suggestions and was also flexible to meet our specific desires. Overall, would recommend using KimKim for planning your trip if you want to be able to not worry about the details and just enjoy your time in Costa Rica.

Activity Reviews

Day Trip to Corcovado and Hiking at the San Pedrillo Ranger Station

Uvita

Good trip to a really remote area that many people don't get to visit. We had good guides who helped us see wildlife. We saw many monkeys and a sloth, also some really cool birds. (We hadn't seen these elsewhere in Costa Rica.) Only 2 drawbacks: at the start we were in a pretty big group which made it difficult to hear the guide; it's a 90 minute boat ride each way, which makes for a long day. Instructions said to bring bathing suit and towels, but we didn't actually swim on this trip. (There was a very short opportunity to swim in a pool in a stream, but nowhere to change from hiking clothes to swimwear.)

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Cloud Forest Reserve Hike

Monteverde

Great experience. Our guide taught us a lot about both the animals and plants/trees in the cloud forest. We saw many cool birds and trees, and even a couple of monkeys. Moved at an appropriate pace and got a good sense of the forest.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Night Walk

Monteverde

Fun way to see the rainforest. Our guide did an amazing job of finding wildlife we would have never found on our own.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Coffee, Chocolate & Sugar Cane Experience

Monteverde

Fun to learn about 3 different products in a single tour. This was informative and interactive - we got to actually press sugar cane and crush/mix chocolate ingredients. The guide was fun and informative. The only downside was that we had a pretty big group (10-12), so sometimes there was side chatter and people who seemed to distract or slow down the group.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Traditional Cooking Class with Dinner

Arenal/La Fortuna

We didn't really learn anything here. It was a big group (~20 people) and really just 1 big cooking station, so we ended up watching a lot and not doing much cooking ourselves. Everyone helped chop some vegetables and made our own tortilla, but not much else in the way of cooking. The menu.. Rice - we measured some rice and water into a rice cooker Vegetable saute - chopped a few vegetables, but that was it Beans - cooked ahead of time Chicken (main course) - cooked ahead of time. No information about how it was made, ingredients/seasoning, etc Tortillas - we got to make these, which was good Fried plantains - a couple of people (on the other end of the kitchen) fried these without the rest of us knowing/seeing anything about it. The food was decent, but overall we just really didn't learn much about the local cuisine and we didn't actually do much cooking for ourselves. (We've taken classes in other countries where we each had our own cooking station and made everything ourselves.) May be an okay activity for college-aged people or people just looking to fill an itinerary, but really not good for people know love to cook and want to learn.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Sky Walk & Sky Tram in Arenal Volcano (hanging bridges and aerial tram)

Arenal/La Fortuna

Great tour. We were in a small group (1 guide, 4 guests), which made the walk really interesting - we had time to ask questions and have personalized experience. (guide told us that sometimes the have groups of 20... that may not have been as enjoyable.) We was coati, snakes, spiders, and learned a lot about the plants and trees in the rainforest. One downside - there were only 2 hanging bridges on our walk. Given that it was called a "sky walk", we expected that there would be more bridges than that.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

our guide for the walk (Reinaldo) was fantastic. He found so many snakes and things we wouldn't have found for ourselves, and was very knowledgable.

Transport

Arenal Volcano Hiking Tour & Paradise Hot Springs

Arenal/La Fortuna

Good overall. We were the only people on the tour, which gave us personalized attention. The hot springs were nice, but it would have been good to have more instruction about which pools to visit in what order. Dinner here was just okay - nothing wrong with it but also nothing special.

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We just completed our trip to Iceland and we must say that our local specialist Adam went above and beyond in planning our trip. From day one, Adam showed enthusiasm in planning our trip and it carried over while we were in Iceland, as he checked in a few times to see how things were going. (I must apologize to Adam for not responding as we were too busy enjoying the trip to be on the internet!) I had previously traveled to Iceland with my son and he had used KimKim with a different specialist. I am glad I had decided to use KimKim for the return trip to Iceland with my wife this time. Adam did such a wonderful job planning our itinerary down to the last amazing detail with helpful suggestions and additional insights/places to check out along our routes. Everything, I mean everything, was stress-free and hassle-free from the minute we landed to the minute we boarded our return flight home. Rental car, hotels and our excursions were taken care of with ease. Iceland is such a beautiful country with so much to see and do. Adam was able to break down our journey into bits and pieces so we didn't feel overwhelmed. Unfortunately with the seismic activity and volcano threat, we weren't able to visit the Blue Lagoon as they were closed. Adam was very helpful in finding replacement activity and made sure we were refunded for our tickets. Thank you very much Adam, you made this trip very enjoyable and memorable for my wife and I. Your enthusiasm in planning our trip was a blessing and much appreciated. I sure hope to have you as a specialist again in the future when I make a return trip to the Land of Fire and Ice. Overall, for those of you that are on the fence about using KimKim for trip planning, I have had KimKim involved twice on trips and both times I have had a wonderful and hassle-free experiences. This company is great at what they do and I have/will recommend KimKim to family and friends that are planning trips.

We just returned from a wonderful 3-week trip in Ecuador that included Quito, Amazon jungle, touring down the Andes to Cuenca, and Galapagos cruise. Our travel agent Alvaro did an excellent job helping us plan our trip - he was very knowledgeable, patient, and kind. All our guides were excellent, special shout-out to Christian, Sergio (aka Mike Tyson), and Pablo. Our favorite experiences were the Napo Cultural Center in the Amazon, biking/hiking at the Cotopaxi and Chimborazo volcanoes, and cruising the Galapagos.

I cannot rate KimKim’s involvement highly enough. First of all Cami who helped develop an itinerary for a group of people of varying ages and abilities, with the added complication of internal flights being cancelled late on in the preparations. The hotel selections, transportation and local drivers and guides were all fabulous and knowledgable people. We felt safe and looked after throughout and couldn’t have covered so much ground so quickly, in a such a stress-free way without all the steps being put in place for us. Out thanks go out to Ana and Jhon especially, and also to Jody. I would certainly recommend to friends.

Hotel Reviews

Banaue Hotel and Youth Hostel

Banaue

Huge, state owned hotel . We were only there for a night so didn’t get to explore the pool area etc. great evening buffet, welcome drink of warm ginger tea (delicious), comfortable rooms although trying to find a socket to charge phones that wasn’t falling out the wall was tricky. The most amazing views from the balcony and perfectly situated. There was a conference of actuaries on whilst we were there (who were having tremendous fun) so a local dance and costume exhibition was put on. There are shops in the hotel which have a great range of gifts - best we saw in the Philippines - but be prepared for the unwanted badgering you get if you step within 20m of the shop entrance. They would get more sales if they let you browse in peace!

Authenticity & Character

It was one of the weirdest hotels I’ve stayed in . Hard to explain why . It felt like it had been designed in Russia and lifted up and put in the Philippine mountains!

Location

Amazing views

Staff

Desk staff were very helpful . Our packed was half an hour late and you needed a magnifying glass to find the chicken in the chicken salad sandwich.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Rooms has seen better days but we’re clean and adequate including tea and coffee making facilities.

Misty Lodge and Cafe

Sagada

Basic but friendly place .

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Luna

Vigan

Beautiful hotel. It was very quiet when we were there so we had the pool to ourselves. Local food. Clean , comfortable rooms and very smiley staff.

Authenticity & Character

Beautiful old building that was wonderfully restored.

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Belmont Hotel Manila

Pasay City

Great recommendation if travelling from T2 Manilla airport . Very busy hotel with lots of security but clean, well appointed rooms and comfy beds, great breakfasts and lovely roof top pool.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Batad Rice Terraces

Banaue

We chose not to walk down to the terraces beyond and on to the waterfall but the younger members of our party did and loved it - although a hard, hot walk. Views from the cafe were amazing . Guides were helpful and considerate - always safety first and patient.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Banaue, Hapao and Bangaan Rice Terraces

Banaue

Fabulous to see the different rice terraces, here about the history and farming practices.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Unbelievable driving by Jhon on wet, dark and rock strewn roads. Views were amazing in daylight and he took less used routes so we would get the full experience.

Sagada's Echo Valley

Sagada

I was really keen to see this and understand more about it . Involved a short hike to get there . I found this interesting but was a little underwhelmed in that there is no more to see than this.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Knowledgeable and friendly - and concerned for well-being and safety

Transport

Sagada caving

Sagada

I didn’t go on this trip but the younger members of my party did and had a great time . The guides were excellent.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Great fun to be with

Transport

Wow, what a great trip. Very well organized. Gave us exactly what we were looking for... observatories, archaeoastronomy sites, food tours, etc. Thanks so much to Liz and Lisbeth. Our tour guide, Wayra Eloy, was totally amazing for the Temple of the Moon, Inca trail, Llama farm and Pisaq/Sacred Valley tour. He covered all the sites in depth, gave us the astronomical significance, shared cultural and spiritual stories, sooooo wonderful.

We had a great time on our trip. The guides and drivers are vey courteous, punctual, and helpful. All hotels are nice and located centrally so very convenient for us to explore the town. They all include breakfast except the Metal in El Chalten. However, they have a kitchenette which worked out great. The tours were nice. We enjoyed the Torres del Paine tour, the Nativo tour El Chalten, the trek to Esmeralda Lake in Ushuaia the best as we like outdoor activities. The highlights of our trip were the hike to Laguna Torres and Laguna de Los tres. Over all we glad we booked the tour

Hotel Reviews

Meraki Lofts

El Chalten

Nice hotel near center of town. Helpful staff Kitchenette is great

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Quijote Hotel

Argentina

Nice hotel near center of town. Helpful staff Elegant decor

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Lady Florence Dixie

Puerto Natales

Nice hotel near center of town. Helpful staff

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Two Hotel Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires

Nice hotel near center of town. Helpful staff

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Mil 810 Ushuaia Hotel

Ushuaia

Nice hotel near center of town. Helpful staff

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Diego de Almagro Providencia Hotel

Santiago de Chile

Comfy room. Nearby center

Authenticity & Character

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Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Trekking to Emerald Lagoon 🚶‍♀️🏕️

Ushuaia

Guide was very knowledgeable and gave us lots of details about the area. Lake view at end was beautiful. Very enjoyable

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Perito Moreno Glacier Excursion 🗻

El Calafate

Great view from below. When we hike on top, we thought the views on top as just as impressive, so doing both give you a better perspective, if you are short on time, just do the hike

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Neighborhoods Tour

Buenos Aires

Guide was funny and gave us lots of details about the locals. Very enjoyable

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Guides, Drivers and Staff

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🔎 General Information about Ushuaia 🔎

Ushuaia

Interesting info on Ushauia

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Tango Show and Dinner at Café De Los Angelitos

Buenos Aires

Show was great and food/wine made even better. The dancers were great

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Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Tierra del Fuego National Park (Half day visit) 🌲🌿

Ushuaia

Beautiful views and great guide. Train ride was fun. Wished had more time to explore the park via hiking if had more time

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Navigation to Balmaceda & Serrano Glaciers

Puerto Natales

Fantastic views and also grilled lamb was great

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Panoramic excursion to the Torres del Paine National Park (with Box Lunch)

Puerto Natales

Great view, very knowledgeable guide. Had a blast with the different views

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Panoramic City Tour

Santiago

Very nice tour. Only thing that was not so good was the guided jewelry store.

Quality of Experience

Transport

Nativo Experience

El Calafate

Lake view was superb. Did not expect lunch in a fancy cave and loved the bread soup inside a cave with a beautiful view.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Paul was amazing!

This trip was more than I ever dreamed it would be. Top notch tour guides that truly loved their jobs. They brought to life the history and culture of Cambodia … In Phnom Penh we saw the Royal Palace, the Killing Field, Russian Market. On our trip north we spent several hours at the Pre-Angkorian temple ruins Sambor Prei Kul. Our guide Sreylen was so knowledgeable. Then onto Siem Reap and Angkor Wat. Amazing place. Evening hike to a hilltop ruin to watch the sunset. Sunrise over Anghor Wat. Great interpretation by our guide Sokin. You could tell that she really loves being a tour guide…Awesome guide. We loved every minute if this trip!! Thanks Steve for putting it together:)

We recently spent 15 days in Ecuador, our son's country of birth. Tamar went to great lengths to insure that this was an extraordinary experience for our family. We met with Tamar on numerous occasions. He approached each call with enthusiasm and many helpful and informed ideas. Our trip began with 5 magnificent days in the Galapagos, followed by a number of exciting adventures on the mainland. Tamar's attention to detail and love of Ecuador made this a trip we'll always remember. We highly recommend Tamar as a tour consultant and look forward to working with him again.

I only have wonderful things to say about Lareine - I have extensive travel experience having been in more than 60 countries, I am not exaggerating when I say that working with Lareine was my best experience so far.
She is extremely efficient, she gets everything done in a little time, she immediately understands your needs and customizes an incredible journey for you. Not only the planning was impeccable, but she also followed up with me throughout our trip in Egypt to ensure everything was going as planned and taking care of additional activities that were not originally planned. She is a smart, hard working and caring travel specialist, I strongly recommend working with her.
Egypt is a truly wonderful countries, it is breathless to stand in front of temples and pyramids that are more than 4000 years old - this is a must go destination at least once in your lifetime! So much to learn and enjoy.