Kimkim Trip Reviews

We had an amazing experience in our trip to Egypt and Jordan. The pyramids, the Petra, the White Desert, a cruise on the Nile, and scuba diving in Sharm el Sheikh were truly unforgettable. Ibrahim and the Kimkim team put together the perfect itinerary for us and were able to quickly resolve any issues that arose during our trip. They handled all of our lodging and transportation and made sure we were always comfortable.

Both of our tour guides, Mohammad Kamal and Noor, were respectful, professional, and extremely knowledgeable about the various sites we visited across Egypt. They answered any question that we had and we learned a lot about Egyptian and Jordanian history and culture from them.

One of the highlights of our experience was when we visited a small village along the Nile river. We met some of the families there and enjoyed their hospitality. Additionally, the night we spent camping and star gazing in the White Desert was an experience we enjoyed very much.

Overall, this was a phenomenal trip and we will definitely be planning more trips through Kimkim in the future!

We have never had a travel advisor like Loreena with KimKim. We had many issues with government forms and procedures and Lorenna went way beyond the call of duty for us. Her itinerary for our trip to Chile belongs in the travel hall of fame. 10 stars for her and Kimkim.

Norm and Lynda
Colorado

I would like to give my highest recommendation to both Guatemala as a country and to KimKim/Old Town Outfitters. My wife and I have travelled quite a bit and this was one of our favorite destinations that we have been to. From the inception of our idea to travel to Guatemala, Eduardo was incredibly responsive, receptive and flexible in creating an itinerary that matched our desired level of adventure and relaxation. In traveling to Guatemala we missed our connecting flight which altered our arrival time significantly. After contacting Eduardo he sorted everything out and changed our itinerary to accommodate this unforeseen issue.

While in Guatemala, our guide Oseas, was also incredible. His local knowledge, flexibility and overall joy and passion for showing visitors his country enhanced our experience in a wonderful way. He was easy going but also a go getter with no hesitation in driving many long hours often starting early in the morning. We truly feel that Oseas has become a friend and would love to show him around our neck of the woods.

As far as highlights of the trip go, it is hard to nail down just one. That being said, we absolutely loved our time in the Lanquin/Semuc Champey region. The 7 hour drive from Guatemala City is absolutely worth it for those who are seeking a little adventure. Lake Atitlan surpassed its extensive reputation and Antigua was truly a city that we feel we could live in long term.

I speak Spanish which was helpful but absolutely not necessary as both our guide and everyone we interacted with from Old Town was fluent in English. The people of Guatemala are welcoming and friendly, rarely did I feel out of place or unwelcome. As a seasoned traveler, both Guatemala and Old Town Outfitters/KimKim come with my highest recommendation. Please consider a trip here and with them if you are looking for a Central American destination with all the natural and cultural beauty you can imagine.

We had the best trip to the Galapagos Islands with Jackeline's help! She helped us decide between a few types of trips and was always available to answer questions. We picked an 8-day cruise through the Galapagos and it was definitely a once in a lifetime experience. Jackeline called ahead to let the crew know it was a special trip for us. Our cabin on the boat was upgraded and the chef baked us a surprise cake (no easy task on a small yacht!). We realized we needed a covid test to re-enter the states and Jackeline had someone meet us at the airport to administer. It was so easy and seamless - we had results within one hour. I highly recommend Jackeline, KimKim and the Galapagos Islands for future travel!!

The trip was well organised and everything was as expected - thanks to Erin's thoughtfulness and preparation. Gothe was excellent as our day guide - she was sharing interesting information about the landscapes, geology and the animals . Hotels were comfortable.
I will definitely recommend Erin & Dittmar as a travel agent for Patagonia.

Diego did an amazing job arranging a babymoon vacation to Costa Rica for us. Everything went seamlessly and all transfers/tours were on time. Would recommend highly!!

We had the best time! All of our guides and transfers were amazing. Thank you Marina for helping us book an amazing trip. You were the best.

John and Donna

Our trip to Peru was simply amazing!! We've never been to South America and we decided that the first country we should visit would be Peru after doing some research. We are so happy that we went with Peruvian Soul because it made logistics in the country really easy and we visited places that we would have probably never thought to go to. Not to mention that we met amazing people in Peruvian Soul that treated us like friends. We never used a travel agency for trips since we typically do all the planning, but this time it was nice to have some help with planning the entire trip from accommodations, covid testing, flights, and setting an itinerary that was both adventurous, cultural, fun, and relaxing.

The trip was to celebrate a birthday and everything was great! Our accommodations were nice and Nicholas was so helpful and communicative from start to finish. He picked us up from the airport and gave us a nice welcome package which consisted of hand sanitizer, a face mask, snacks, and a cool tote bag. We only got to see Nicholas once, but we were in constant contact with him during our trip via What's App.

We started in Lima and stayed in a cute boutique hotel (Casa Republica) in Barranco for 2 nights. The service there was great and it was cool to be in a historic mansion right near the water (seriously it was steps away). We were able to catch the sunset which was beautiful. There is also a cool rooftop bar at the hotel and we received complimentary Pisco Sours which were so good! When we left, the staff gave us Coco tea because they knew we were flying to Cusco which was very thoughtful. They also gave us breakfast to go in addition to the tea.

When we arrived in Cusco, we saw Julio who is such a genuine and nice person. He is incredibly knowledgeable of Cusco and could tell us anything about Cusco. We did many tours with Julio which included seeing Moray Terraces, Maras Salt Mines, and Ollantaytambo. In Ollantaytambo, we were able to experience a traditional meal cooked in the ground using stones which was awesome! The restaurant has food that comes straight from their garden and it was so good and cool to have that experience. We also tried different types of Piscos and coffee and the owner was quite the character!

After Cusco, we were finally in Aguas Calientes to prepare for Machu Picchu the following day. We met Eddy from Peruvian Soul who gave us the rundown for Machu Picchu. Eddy is funny and super nice. The hotel we stayed in was near the water and it was really nice. Again, the staff was so helpful and accommodating during our stay. Their breakfast was also really delicious! Eddy was our guide for Machu Picchu and it was cool to learn about the mystical place that is Machu Picchu. We went during rainy season, but luckily it was a clear day for us! It was also very peaceful because we went really early in the morning and not too many people were there.

After Machu Picchu, we were going back to Cusco for a night and we were met by our awesome driver. We thought we were going back to the hotel, but we made a surprise stop in Chinchero in the Sacred Valley. We saw Julio there, and went with the flow of the trip. We met some women there that explained how they make and dye their items for sell which was cool and informative. After that, Julio came out with a birthday cake and candles and everyone was singing Happy Birthday which was so thoughtful and unexpected! The women also blessed us with yellow flowers and it was such a special moment. The women also sang a song in their native language which we greatly appreciated. What a great way to spend a birthday! It was a great experience and probably one of the more memorable moments of the entire trip. Before we left Cusco, Julio gave us two bulls which represent good luck which was soo nice of him!

Our final location was Tumbes so we could relax at the beach. We were met by our driver Gaston who gave us water and was really nice (everyone in Peruvian Soul is soooo nice!!). We had a long drive so we talked and got to know more about him as a person. We stayed in Punta Sal resort and had a bungalow right on the beach! The bungalow, food, staff, and view were amazing! We are so grateful that Nicholas added Tumbes to our trip! We truly enjoyed the beach and the food!

All in all, Peru is such an amazing country and there is something for everyone! Peruvian Soul made the trip very memorable and we feel like we can always reach out to them whenever we are back. We had so much fun and the team was so thoughtful and helpful. We recommend Peru to everyone we know now, and we definitely suggest Peruvian Soul as agency if need be. We had such a great time and we definitely want to come back!!!

Olman went beyond the scope of his duties to help us have the best trip possible. Also, so responsive and friendly. You can tell that he really enjoys helping people and wants the best for you. He also checked in on us during the trip which I've never experienced with any other agency.

Hotel Review

Tifakara Boutique Hotel

La Fortuna

We loved everything about this place, especially Fernando and Daniella and the kitchen staff. It was quaint, clean, had a lovely little night tour where we saw a ton of frogs (including the poison dart frog), nice breakfast, outdoor shower which was covered so no debris was in there. Saw birds and monkeys outside our room. Walked up the street to the waterfall attraction. Our favorite spot out of the 4 places we stayed in and would definitely go back.

Tips for future travelers

Don't think twice about this place. It's a must-stay kinda place.

Authenticity & Character

Authentic food, local decor, locals working there.

Location

Walking distance to waterfall. Free night time tour on premises.

Staff

The sweetest staff we met over our 2 weeks in the country.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Felt like new

Activity Review

El Silencio Hike & Visit to Ecotermales Hot Springs

Arenal/La Fortuna

On time, friendly tour guide.

Quality of Experience

Ease, accomodating tourguide - we wanted to leave earlier and they made arrangements,

Food

Buffet

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Friendly

Transport

Flexible to our schedule

My triplet sisters and I had a wonderful 40th birthday trip to Argentina. We wanted to prioritize Patagonia, so Emilce arranged for us to visit Buenos Aires, El Calafate, and Ushuaia. Some highlights included the stunning Perito Merino Glacier, El Chalten hiking, and sailing the Beagle Channel. We had one mishap where a driver didn't show up to take us to the BA airport and one of us almost got bumped from the flight, but Emilce, Clementina, and Fernando were all very apologetic and refunded the difference for the transportation. After that incident, Clementina sent us our boarding passes ahead of time so that we wouldn't get bumped again - a thoughtful gesture! All of our guides were great and the team was very responsive. Even though food poisoning took us out for one day, we were overwhelmed and amazed by the beauty, food, culture, animals, and people. I hope to be back one day!

Hotel Review

Huinid Obelisco Hotel

Buenos Aires

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Review

Minitrekking in "Los Glaciares National Park"

El Calafate

Absolutely once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We had a *wonderful* time in Costa Rica- many thanks to Yenyi!

Yenyi helped us curate an itinerary that fit our travel style, adventure level, and budget. We felt supported and equipped with all the necessary resources every step of the way (confidence in every transfer ride, guidance on tipping expectations, a clear list of country entry requirements- nothing was missed!).

We loved our self-guided tour of La Fortuna Waterfall alongside our own independent exploration of downtown La Fortuna. Our tour guides on the Sloth Tour, Hanging Bridges Tour, and Volcano Tour were wonderfully passionate and knowledgeable. And even though it was a small group, we really enjoyed getting to know the culinary instructor and one other tourist who joined the local cooking class. But our favorite had to be the evening pass and dinner reservation at Tabacon Thermal Resort!

Can't wait to come back! Thank you, Yenyi!

Hotel Review

Arenal Paraíso Resort, Spa & Hot Springs

La Fortuna

This hotel has an unbeatable view of the volcano and a few nice pools to lounge in on lazy days. Staff was incredibly friendly and accommodating. And the breakfast buffet will fill you up for a day of activity. The location is also great- no more than a 15 minute drive from most activities. Room quality, food and drink quality, and poolside amenities do not have quite the same level of "wow" factor. So this hotel is a great "home base" for travelers hoping to get out and explore every day, but perhaps might not be a top choice for a resort-only stay.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Review

Arenal Volcano Hike & Tabacon Hot Springs & Meal

Arenal/La Fortuna

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

My husband and I enjoyed our trip to Costa Rica very much! We originally scheduled the trip pre-covid and were able to reschedule the trip with Olman when we were ready. Olman was kind, patience and accommodating. His guidance and recommendations were exactly what we were looking for. Thanks Olman! When we plan on another trip to Costa Rica, we will definitely be working with Olman again.

Hotel Review

Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa

Fortuna

The Tabacon resort and spa was the perfect escape for my husband and I. We enjoyed our luxurious suite, spa and thermal hot springs.

Tips for future travelers

No

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Review

Zip Lining - Hanging Bridges & Aerial Tram

Arenal/La Fortuna

This was such an amazing experience. We had Ray as our guide and he was such a cool guy with an eye and ear for all things in the jungle. He showed us a lot of wild life and made the hike interesting and fun. The hanging bridges were really cool and the zip lining adventure was a heart-racing, memorable experience. My favorite one was the second to the last zip line which was 1/2 a mile long with beautiful views of the landscape and lake. Highly recommend!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

This trip was one to remember! Anne planned the best itinerary for us! We spent about 3 days in Lima, 2 days in Tambopata, and 4 days in Cusco/Machu Picchu. The days were early and long so if you're able to have a longer trip, do so. But we saw everything we wanted to see in Peru anyway!

Everyone throughout our trip (guides, drivers, hotel staff) were wonderful. Carlos, our driver, and Julio Quispe, our main guide, were highlights! We would recommend the Casa San Blas Boutique hotel (Cusco) and Posada Amazonas Lodge (Amazon). Both were fantastic! Hotel Casa Republica (Lima) was our least favorite. A bit loud with construction and the rooftop bar and outdated. Good breakfast though!

We enjoyed booking through KimKim for such a complex trip and are planning to use KimKim to book our trip to Israel! Thank you so much Anne!

Hotel Review

Posada Amazonas Lodge

Puerto Maldonado, Madre de Dios

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Review

Hands on Cooking Class at a Chef's house

Lima

Such a fun experience learning how to cook some authentic dishes and visiting local markets. Would recommend this activity!

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Adriana was there for my family whenever we needed advise or a change in our schedule. We had a great time

Our Costa Rica experience was amazing and I thank Kimkim in assisting us with our journey. The transportation was great with wonderful drivers. The accommodations were very nice and comfortable. We did have bad experience with one hotel. I'm not totally faulting Kimkim. It was a mis communication between parties. We didn't stay at our arranged hotel and found another one on our own. The main thing I would like to see in the future is a breakdown of the expenses. Didn't see one even after requesting it. Even with the issue we would use Kimkim again.

Hotel Review

Hotel Heliconia

Monteverde

Excellent friendly comfortable great views!

Authenticity & Character

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Monteverde - Hanging Bridges Guided Hike & Zip-lining tour

Monteverde

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Monteverde - Hanging Bridges Guided Hike & Zip-lining tour

Monteverde

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

I (we) couldn't have been happier with the whole experience. Linda was receptive, warm, excited for us, and wanting nothing but the best experience in Ecuador we could possibly have! I have been waiting a long time to see/visit Ecuador and what Linda set up for us was simply amazing!

After finally meeting her our first night it just confirmed to us we were going to be onto something special. My traveling companions are absolutely what we experienced along the way. The food, accommodations and the guide ... @SebastianCarrera ... Linda recommended was beyond anything I could have expected. An adventure of a lifetime! I Can't wait to go back and see what I missed this first time!

So ... if you're curious of Ecuador, nervous of planning it yourself, hesitant to travel to this beautiful, beautiful country drop everything and contact Linda through KIMKIM and know that she has you best intersts in mind.

Absolutely 10 stars!!!! Thank you Linda and I hope to see you in Deutschland soon!

Our driver Roy was outstanding, knowledgeable about the areas visited, very good driver, spoke English and Spanish well, and friendly. One of the big things that stood out for me was how friendly the people of Costa Rica are. All of hotels that we stayed at were unique and very nice. The hotels that really stood out were Jardin del Eden Boutique Hotel in Tamarindo, Hotel Arenal Springs Resort and Spa in Arenal/Fortuna, and El Establo Mountain Hotel in Monteverde. All of the excursions were great. Our favorite areas visited were Tamarindo, Arenal/La Fortuna and Monteverde.

We enjoyed the entire trip and will return again soon.

Absolutely perfect!

Didn’t have to worry about any arrangements. The hotels were exactly what we wanted. Every single hotel was more beautiful than the next. Truly a dream holiday!

Our 14 day trip to Colombia was great and we owe it all to our wonderful local specialist, Andrea.
Not only did she patiently help the 3 of us plan and customize of trip (we must have changed our plans 10 times!), she was with us (virtually) every step of the way while we visited 4 locations in this stunning country. We traveled from Bogota (loved the Gold Museum!) to the coffee region (highlight: Cocora Valley hike in the Andes to see Wax Palms) to Medellin (highlight: visiting Communalist 13 at night) and last to Cartagena (highlight: Street Foodie Tour). Accompanied by lovely guides in each location who shared stories of their community with us. Lodging in each location was top notch too.
While we had a few disappointments, Andrea was quick to make sure we could do something to make up for it later on. I was a bit nervous booking such a big and expensive trip on an online platform, I would now not hesitate to use Kimkim to help us plan our next adventure.

Hotel Reviews

Bio Habitat Hotel

Quindío, Armenia

This was such a unique and relaxing place to relax. Each guest "nest" is a glass box perched in the trees. Quite amazing! The food was also quite nice here. I loved the breakfasts. The view at sunset from the pool deck (or in the hot pool) is spectacular!

Tips for future travelers

If you are mobility challenged, be sure to ask for a room close to the top near the reception building! The route to our room was steep and at this altitude, we needed to rest walking up! Oh, and wear your bug repellent that they provide!!!

Authenticity & Character

Loved the guest room and the public areas

Location

We had a day here just to enjoy the resort. it was great. Very relaxing

Staff

very helpful staff - especially if your Spanish is good!

Cleanliness & Comfort

what you'd expect from a 5 star property

The Click Clack Hotel Medellín

Medellín

This was a nice hotel but a bit too trendy. For my taste. My least favorite on the trip. The rooms were quite small and the corridors so dark, it was spooky! Nice bar and great breakfast . Loud music playing somewhere at night.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Traditional Farmers Market

Bogotá

We enjoyed this activity and our guide made it special by introducing us to special Colombian pastries, cheeses, coffee and fruits! I tried several that I had never seen or heard of!

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Smaller more comfortable Van

Cartagena’s Street Food: The Soul of a City in Every Bite

Cartagena

This tour was a great introduction to Cartagena! We recommended it to several other travelers. Andrea was our chef guide and she was terrific and the food was awesome!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We walked!

Covid Test

Colombia

The lab came to our hotel the day before our flight. So easy. Quick results. No problems

We had an incredible trip! Wonderful guides, amazing stays and great food were all set up for us.
Joseph, our local specialist, communicated well with us and was easy to work with, he answered all our questions promptly and made our requests reality. Richard was our driver in Nairobi and he was welcoming and informative. Our guide in Kenya was Andrew and he was knowledgeable and wonderful, going above and beyond in helping our Dad, and find for us some incredible animals, especially the 4 cheetahs hunting in the Maasai Mara. Our guide Mansour in Tanzania was patient and well informed, we had the opportunity to see a bunch of cats in the Serengeti and the surrounding conservation area. We also had the opportunity to meet Susan at the Maji Moto camp, which was a unique experience during which we enjoyed getting to spend time with some of the Maasai, who taught the tween boys to throw spears and shoot atraditional bow and arrows. We had an amazing time and can't wait to go back!