Kimkim Trip Reviews for Indonesia

4.8
Based on 129 ratings
Read 129 verified reviews by travelers who booked their trip to Indonesia on kimkim. You can also read reviews about kimkim on 3rd party sites including Google, TrustPilot and Yelp.

Little bit cheaper, ten times easier than DIY!
Indonesia | Aug 6 - Aug 15, 2024

Uriah
Uriah C.
Seattle, WA | Reviewed on Aug 19, 2024
I could never have made these arrangements at these prices, and I would have been flying blind if I tried. I’ve put together big family trips without agents, and it does not feel like vacation when you have to worry about all the logistics. I’m a worrier, but Kim Kim made Indonesia nearly care-free! Transfers, accommodations, tour bookings… plus they provided a SIM card, a pre-trip briefing, and were always available on WhatsApp if questions arose. I’ll be using them again and worrying... Read more

I could never have made these arrangements at these prices, and I would have been flying blind if I tried. I’ve put together big family trips without agents, and it does not feel like vacation when you have to worry about all the logistics. I’m a worrier, but Kim Kim made Indonesia nearly care-free! Transfers, accommodations, tour bookings… plus they provided a SIM card, a pre-trip briefing, and were always available on WhatsApp if questions arose. I’ll be using them again and worrying even less!

Hotel Review
Private cruise trip in Komodo National Park
Labuan Bajo, Indonesia

If it had been half as cool, it would have still been one of the best experiences! Bali is friendly, but this Komodo cruise was ridiculously friendly! I was stressed about that lack of particulars going in, but now I’d say just do it and know that you’d do it all over. The guide and crew are all doing their best to show you what the bigger tour groups just won’t be able to experience.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Ana Bicanic
Ana
Ana Bicanic
Local specialist in Bali | Replied on Aug 23, 2024

Hello dear Uriah,

Thank you so much for your review and your trust!

I am so happy to hear you and your family enjoyed the trip and hope to welcome you once again in this part of the world!

All the best!
Ana

A Truly Authentic Taste of Indonesia
Indonesia | Aug 5 - Aug 16, 2024

Vanessa
Vanessa B.
Manhattan, NY | Reviewed on Aug 19, 2024
Pricilla was an excellent trip planner and provided me a very professional tour manager and tour guides. I feel that I received an authentic cultural tour and I was able to experience so many different excursions during my stay in Indonesia. It was a great experience being matched with guides who were actually from the local towns that I visited. They all went above and beyond to show me the sights and assisted in me interacting with the locals. This agency offered me a seamlessly planned... Read more

Pricilla was an excellent trip planner and provided me a very professional tour manager and tour guides. I feel that I received an authentic cultural tour and I was able to experience so many different excursions during my stay in Indonesia. It was a great experience being matched with guides who were actually from the local towns that I visited. They all went above and beyond to show me the sights and assisted in me interacting with the locals. This agency offered me a seamlessly planned trip experience and I highly recommend!

Hotel Reviews
Samboja Lodge
Balikpapan

Food was so good! Lots of vegetarian options!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Horison Rahaya Resort Banten
Banten

I didn't like the Horison Rahaya Resort. The place was dirty, and I even shared pictures for feedback. It was definitely not up to the mark.

Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Visit the Baduy People
Visit the Baduy People
Jakarta

Visiting the Baduy people was a unique experience. We did a bit of hiking to get to their village, and it was fascinating to see how they live in such a natural state. The Baduy have an inner and outer tribe; while I couldn't visit the inner tribe due to special permissions, the outer tribe was still very traditional but slightly more modern. It was great meeting the people and interacting with the kids.

Ziplining at Tegallalang Rice Terrace
Ziplining at Tegallalang Rice Terrace
Ubud, Bali

I wouldn't do the ziplining again. It turned out to be just one short zipline that goes back and forth, which wasn't as exciting as I had hoped. I was expecting multiple long ziplines, but it was quite underwhelming.

Local specialist: Priscilla Puteri
Priscilla
Priscilla Puteri
Local specialist in Jakarta | Replied on Aug 19, 2024

Hi Vanessa,

Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful story about your trip. It means the world to us to know you enjoyed your time here in Indonesia. We hope the experiences and memories you made will bring a smile to your face whenever you think of them :D

Stay happy and healthy! And know that you always have friends here in sunny Indonesia :) We are always ready to welcome you back and help you discover even more of what our country has to offer.

With warmest regards,
Priscilla

Beaches & Nature - Bali & Sumba
Indonesia | Jul 19 - Aug 3, 2024

Anne
Anne P.
Australia | Reviewed on Aug 11, 2024
Proposed Kimkim review Big thanks to Ana from Shanti Travel for an excellent itinerary, which perfectly captured our request to focus on beaches and nature of Bali & Sumba. The selected accommodation were also great choices aligned with those themes. Really took the hassle out of planning a holiday. Ana & Theresa were also available for support during the trip. Thank you to Putra for providing comfortable & reliable transportation in Bali. And we were very lucky to have Jhon as our very... Read more

Proposed Kimkim review Big thanks to Ana from Shanti Travel for an excellent itinerary, which perfectly captured our request to focus on beaches and nature of Bali & Sumba. The selected accommodation were also great choices aligned with those themes. Really took the hassle out of planning a holiday. Ana & Theresa were also available for support during the trip. Thank you to Putra for providing comfortable & reliable transportation in Bali. And we were very lucky to have Jhon as our very experienced & knowledgeable guide in Sumba, who helped us to appreciate the island’s beautiful scenery & interesting culture & history.

Local specialist: Ana Bicanic
Ana
Ana Bicanic
Local specialist in Bali | Replied on Aug 12, 2024

Hello dear Anne and Luke,

Thank you so much for your review and your trust!

I will also pass your praise for the drivers and guides.

It was my pleasure planning this trip for you and I hope to welcome you to some of the other Indonesian islands in future!

All the best!
Ana

Anna was amazing, she guided us through every...
Indonesia | Jul 25 - Aug 2, 2024

G
Giorgos P.
the Cyprus | Reviewed on Aug 09, 2024

Anna was amazing, she guided us through everything and ended up making the ideal itinerary for us.

Local specialist: Ana Bicanic
Ana
Ana Bicanic
Local specialist in Bali | Replied on Aug 12, 2024

Hello dear Giorgos!

I trust you are well!

Thank you so much for your review and your trust!

I hope to welcome you as my guest again in future!

All the best!
Ana

If you are considering using Kimkim... DO IT!!! :)
Indonesia | Jul 19 - Jul 24, 2024

Caroline
Caroline M.
Newark, NJ | Reviewed on Aug 05, 2024
We were so pleased with our trip to Indonesia organized by KimKim. I appreciate Marc and the itinerary he created. He listened to our requests and really tailored the trip to what we wanted. Our guide was hands down the best part of the whole experience. Lucy was FANTASTIC. She was knowledgeable, pleasant to be around, and made us feel so welcome. We cannot express our gratitude enough!! Overall, a wonderful trip! Read more

We were so pleased with our trip to Indonesia organized by KimKim. I appreciate Marc and the itinerary he created. He listened to our requests and really tailored the trip to what we wanted. Our guide was hands down the best part of the whole experience. Lucy was FANTASTIC. She was knowledgeable, pleasant to be around, and made us feel so welcome. We cannot express our gratitude enough!! Overall, a wonderful trip!

Hotel Review
Ecolodge Bukit Lawang
Bukit Lawang

Beautiful lodge nestled in the jungle. We loved the views, the food and everything the lodge stood for (sustainability). Highly recommend!!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Nestled right in the jungle. Perfect for those doing day trips/trekking in the jungle.
Staff
Everyone was so welcoming, warm and polite.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Review
Long trek in the jungle - Meet the Orangutans
Long trek in the jungle - Meet the Orangutans
Indonesia

Lucy (our tour guide) and our jungle Ranger were fantastic guides. They led us on a beautiful trek though the jungle where we saw orangutans. They provided lunch and snacks and had lots of interesting information to share with us about the jungle/animals/plants/ etc.

Quality of Experience
Food
delicious!!!!!!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Safe and comfortable!!
Local specialist: Marc Urban
Marc
Marc Urban
Local specialist in Bali | Replied on Aug 06, 2024

Hi Caroline and Pedro,

Thank you for your review! It was a joy to help plan your trip, especially since Sumatra is one of my favorite islands in Indonesia.

We can’t wait to welcome you back to Indonesia soon!

Warm regards from all of us,
Marc

Great holiday
Indonesia | Apr 24 - May 4, 2024

G
Guido A.
Italy | Reviewed on Aug 03, 2024

Great holiday. We visited Bali and the Komodo archipelago in a three days boat tour. Boat trip in Komodo the highlight of the trip. Ana took care of the driver in Bali and of the cruise in Komodo. Palquda in Bali and Mikel in Komodo looked after us perfectly. Other than a small initial hicchup (make clear if you just booked a driver or also a guide), everything was perfect. Ana was very receptive and quick to answer us about any question/problem. Highly recommended.

Local specialist: Ana Bicanic
Ana
Ana Bicanic
Local specialist in Bali | Replied on Aug 12, 2024

Hello dear Guido,

I trust you are well!

Thank you so much for your review and your trust!

I hope to welcome you again in future!

All the best,
Ana

Great time
Indonesia | Jun 29 - Jul 20, 2024

Robert
Robert F.
Allentown, PA | Reviewed on Jul 28, 2024
We had lots of "moving parts" in our custom vacation that was well coordinated with only some minor glitches. I don't think anyone could have done it better. Read more

We had lots of "moving parts" in our custom vacation that was well coordinated with only some minor glitches. I don't think anyone could have done it better.

Hotel Reviews
Santika Premiere Dyandra Hotel & Convention - Medan - CHSE Certified
Medan

Centrally located. Large functional rooms. Great breakfast with the best coffee in our 22 day Indonesian trip.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Terrario Tangkahan
North Sumatra

Best in the area, at least according to our trusted guide.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Food was made locally. Very authetic but a little sparse for us.
Camping Tent Bukit Lawang
Sumatera Utara
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Its camping.
Ecolodge Bukit Lawang
Bukit Lawang
Authenticity & Character
Seemed like production line for European visitors.
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Small room. With such a modern design, one would expect air conditioning.
Sinabung Hills Berastagi
Berastagi
Authenticity & Character
Resort for Indonesian travellers. Good place to relax. We did not use its potential, so probably not the best for an intermediate stop betweem Bukit Luwang and Lake Toba.
Location
Staff
Lack of English made getting meals challenging.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Tabo Cottages
Sumatera Utara

Wanted to stay another day to unwind.

Authenticity & Character
Well balanced clients
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Anara Kualanamu
Sumatera Utara

Marginal airport hotel

Authenticity & Character
Meals boring.
Location
In the airport, fine. I would have preferred a nicer hotel 10-20 away.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Loud airline announcements through the night.
Meliá Purosani Yogyakarta
Authenticity & Character
Location
Wish that we could have walked around. I think that it is in a good location, but not sure.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Great restaurants.
Ndalem Kartowikoro 1835 Coffee & Eatery Hotel
Jawa Tengah

Why is this a "Coffee" place? My wife had to specially ask for a cup of coffee.

Authenticity & Character
Nice to get away from the hustle of the big hotels.
Location
Staff
Manager did not speak any English.
Cleanliness & Comfort
One of the few places with good TV and working WIFI.
Jiwa Jawa Bromo

It gets cold up there.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Close to Bromo
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Kunang Kunang Tent Resort
Banyuwangi

For Glampers. Not a real outdoor experience.

Authenticity & Character
Location
A hotel in town would be better. This is hidden down some backroad. Only thing close is a mosque that loudly plays prayers at 4:30 in the morning. Ruins any outdoor vibe.
Staff
Room check when leaving took way too long.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Air conditioning good. Good amount of mosquitos. Restaurant food was surprisingly good, but the humid outdoor air and mosquitos detracted from the experience.
Mimpi Resort Menjangan - CHSE Certified
Pejarakan

Hot springs are a nice twist to the resort experience. Went on the Menjangan snorkel tour from their dive shop. A bit disappointed how short it was with no visit to the island. I would pick another resort that is closer to the island with a better tour.

Authenticity & Character
The cleanest (and probably best) way to do hotsprings in Indonesia.
Location
Felt isolated. Everything onsite so that is okay.
Staff
Restaurant is very well managed with great food.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Large room with semi-outdoor bathroom was the best setup that we experienced. Complements to the archetect.
Adiwana Bisma
Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali

Centally located. With our program, a driver picked us up and its location was a negative. Traffic in Ubud was terrible, so a hotwl outside of town would be better.

Authenticity & Character
No charm. Confusing room layout.
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hilton Garden Inn Bali Ngurah Rai Airport
Denpasar

Predictable quality.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Sudamala Resort, Komodo, Labuan Bajo
Labuan Bajo

A bit isolated on the south side of town with very little withing walking distance. Needed to take the hotel shuttle to the downtown area. If you want to stay at a resort (with a respectable restaurant) and only go on day trips to the island, it is fine. I would have preferred a hotel in town to get more variety in restaurant options and have some shopping opportunities.

Authenticity & Character
Solid resort.
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Take A Jungle Taxi in Bohorok River
Take A Jungle Taxi in Bohorok River
Bukit Lawang, North Sumatra

A much better tubing experience. The rapids were perfect: fun but not really dangerous.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Visit Lumbhini Park
Visit Lumbhini Park
Berastagi, North Sumatra

Beautiful. Worth an hour visit

Visit Gundaling Hill
Visit Gundaling Hill
Berastagi, North Sumatra

Nice view. We had lunch at Acala Adhum Cafe on hill which was a very nice restaurant and good place to take in the view.

Visit Fruit Market
Visit Fruit Market
Berastagi, North Sumatra

Did not do this. Annual Flower festival in town clogged all the roads. We got stuck in traffic and did not have time.

Sunrise Hike to Sibayak Volcano and Debuk Hot Spring
Sunrise Hike to Sibayak Volcano and Debuk Hot Spring
Berastagi, North Sumatra

Nice relatively easy hike. Sunrise and view was okay. A bit crowded.

Visit Sipisopiso Waterfall
Visit Sipisopiso Waterfall
Indonesia

Great looking waterfall and the most iconic ones in Indonesia. We went only halfway down since it was the afternoon and very hot. We don't know if it would be worth it going to the bottom because there are alot of steps and he view halfway is magnificent. Lots a tourist shops and the touristy selfie stations.

Visit Ulun Danu Beratan Temple
Visit Ulun Danu Beratan Temple
Indonesia

Like a Disney Epcot site which is interesting, but is polished ultra-clean. Very kid friendly. Lots of places to take selfies. Temple is seen on all the Bali brochures.

Guides, Drivers and Staff
Guide took us to Mentari Buffet Restaurant. It seems that all the tourists go there for an efficiently run generic lunch. There must be more interesting places to eat.
Transport
Kuala Namu International Airport (KNO) Arrival Airport Assistance
Kuala Namu International Airport (KNO) Arrival Airport Assistance
Indonesia

Airport arrival was pretty obvious, so help was probably not needed.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Visit Tjong A Fie Mansion
Visit Tjong A Fie Mansion
Medan, North Sumatra

Great place to visit. Moderate crowds,

Quality of Experience
Visit State Museum of North Sumatra
Visit State Museum of North Sumatra
Medan, North Sumatra

Not very crowded but definitely worthwhile. Great overview of the cultures in Sumatra. Our guide was a great compliment.

Quality of Experience
Visit Maimun Palace
Visit Maimun Palace
Medan, North Sumatra

Building is obviously important. Important site with many Indonesian visitors. Throne room was crowded and main thing to see inside with not much more.

Visit Al-Mashun Mosque
Visit Al-Mashun Mosque
Medan, North Sumatra

Went early in morning and pretty much only visitors. Only mosque that we saw from the inside in all on Indonesia, so important because of that, but most mosques are usually empty inside. The burial area was a nice plus. Glad that we went.

Visit Chinese Temple
Visit Chinese Temple
Medan, North Sumatra

Interesting, but small.

Visit the Elephant Sanctuary
Visit the Elephant Sanctuary
Tangkahan, North Sumatra

Fun washing the elephants and then going on a short trek through the jungle. The reason to go to Tangkahan.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Great local guide
Experience Tubing and Visit the Buluh Waterfall
Experience Tubing and Visit the Buluh Waterfall
Tangkahan, North Sumatra

Saw a small waterfall near the river before having lunch on the river. Waterfall was okay but loaded with visitors, so not so special. Tubing ride on river was boring because the river was slow.

Jungle Trekking in Bukit Lawang National Park
Jungle Trekking in Bukit Lawang National Park
Bukit Lawang, North Sumatra

Orantatangs. Park guides are top notch and lead you straight to the wildlife.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Very helpful and knowledgeable.
Overnight in A Camping Tent in Bukit Lawang National Park
Overnight in A Camping Tent in Bukit Lawang National Park
Bukit Lawang, North Sumatra

Camping was great experience.

Quality of Experience
Visit Efrata Waterfall
Visit Efrata Waterfall
Indonesia

Saw this from the distance. Looked okay. We wished that the driver stopped to get a nice view of Lake Toba. Seeing the Patung Yesus statue would have been nice. We saw it only from a distance.

Visit The Execution Site of Ambarita
Visit The Execution Site of Ambarita
Samosir Island

Saw the Batak houses several places. This site was the most touristy and was fairly crowded. Guide showed the execution area was very knowledgeable. Other tourists listened in.

Guides, Drivers and Staff
Having our personal guide made a big difference.
Watch Sigalegale Puppet Dance
Watch Sigalegale Puppet Dance
Samosir Island

Very touristy, but very entertaining. Seeing Indonesian tourists dancing with the puppets is priceless. Only one puppet was working, the other just shaked with no arm motions, so a minor let down. Everybody posing for selfies at the two puppets before the dance detracted from the overall vibe. They needed more puppets for selfies.

Visit the Ancient Tomb in Tomok
Visit the Ancient Tomb in Tomok
Samosir Island

Nice tomb. Guide also went to another tomb on the island (Museum Huta Bolon Simanindo) which was nice

Guides, Drivers and Staff
Adding a little more makes a big difference.
Visit Silimalombu Eco Village
Visit Silimalombu Eco Village
Samosir Island

Did not go to this place. Read about it online: it was a farm, mostly selling stuff with a tourist (Western food) buffet. We went to Sigurgur Beach for a nice relaxing lunch instead.

Visit Borobudur Temple
Visit Borobudur Temple
Indonesia

One of the big 3 must-sees in Jogja. Climbing up the temple is a must. The flow of people was well managed and you could get some alone time with the temple.

Guides, Drivers and Staff
Park guide was fine, but then we got lost from the group when climbing up. Maybe that was the point to explore on your own.
Free Time in Menjangan
Free Time in Menjangan
Indonesia

Stuck at the Mimpi resort. Nice place to relax. Not really a place to explore like a local beach would be.

Visit Pawon Temple
Visit Pawon Temple
Yogyakarta

Did not go. Driver did not take us there. Went to Medut Temple instead. Did not have enough time to do everything on itinerary.

Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Visit Mendut Buddhist Monastery
Visit Mendut Buddhist Monastery
Indonesia

A great complement to Borobudur temple. Mendut temple is smaller but the environment and statue inside was nicer.

Guides, Drivers and Staff
Guide took us there but was hurried. He always felt like he was checking the box. Friendly and professional, though.
Transport
Visit Keraton Yogyakarta (Yogyakarta's Palace)
Visit Keraton Yogyakarta (Yogyakarta's Palace)
Indonesia

A must see. Park guide was awesome.

Guides, Drivers and Staff
Our guide was knowledgeable, but very slow moving and tired. Later we had health concerns about him.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Our guide was knowledgeable, but very slow moving and tired. Later we had health concerns about him.
Visit Taman Sari Water Palace
Visit Taman Sari Water Palace
Yogyakarta

Part of the Joyja palace area. Probably the best part. See palace review for more details.

Snorkeling in Menjangan
Snorkeling in Menjangan
Indonesia

Snorkeling was great but it was a short tour (9am-3pm). Only two snorkeling events, which was plenty for the day, lasting 30-45 minutes each. Lunch on boat, boring. A much better tour would have include an island visit to stretch our legs and have lunch. Make it an 8am-4pm tour or start the tour from a closer hotel.

Guides, Drivers and Staff
Nice folks. Prefitting the equipment the day before was a nice, well organized, touch.
Transport
Start tour closer, or get a bigger and faster boat.
Visit Madakaripura Waterfall
Visit Madakaripura Waterfall
Indonesia

Motocycle ride to site was fun. The hiking past the splashing water of the falls was unique (at least for our trip). The 360 degree waterfall canyon makes it impossible to capture the awesome experience with a camera.

Guides, Drivers and Staff
Local guides great.
Kota Gede Walking Tour
Kota Gede Walking Tour
Yogyakarta

Went to burial area, but it was closed. Put on traditional clothes just to see the few (very average) things that were open. Stetched out to 30 minutes with no real walking. Waste of time.

Guides, Drivers and Staff
I think we stopped here so the guide could drop us off and rest.
Visit Prambanan Temple
Visit Prambanan Temple
Indonesia

Like this even better than Borobodur.

Go to Mountain Pananjakan Point
Go to Mountain Pananjakan Point
Indonesia

Did not do this at sunrise. There was a traffic jam going to the site and the jeeps were not moving. Instead, we went to King Kong hill later in the morning to see the panarama view. With only a few people on the platform it was much more personal. Worked for us and view still awesome.

Guides, Drivers and Staff
Driver/Guide was flexible. Definitely motivated to give us the best experience.
See Caldera of Semeru Tengger
See Caldera of Semeru Tengger
Indonesia

Went here in the dark to see the sunrise. Only a few people on the rim, so very nice. Since it was dark, we could see the red glow on the lava.

Guides, Drivers and Staff
I think it was his plan to switch the order. Great move. I would formalize this order as a tour option.
Witness the Blue Flame of Ijen Crater
Witness the Blue Flame of Ijen Crater
Indonesia

Ijen was closed. Driving there the day before, it was impressive to see from a distance. Driving through the coffee plantation on mountain was fun. You need a tour of a coffee plantation in the area (or just a stop at a very nice coffee resto). Make sure people have a backup plan for sites to see that day.

Visit Banyu Wana Amertha Waterfall
Visit Banyu Wana Amertha Waterfall
Indonesia

Did not go here. Went to Labuhan Kebo Waterfall instead which was awesome and was 5 stars. Less crowded, not touristy and you could go swimming. More famous Red Coral waterfall nearby (but didnt see). I recommend getting a hotel in the area and spending an entire day hiking the Munduk waterfalls and the surrounding clove farms.

Guides, Drivers and Staff
He was flexible enough to change to this excellent choice.
Experience Coffee Plantation Tour
Experience Coffee Plantation Tour
Indonesia

Cancelled this.

Visit Ubud Palace
Visit Ubud Palace
Indonesia

Interesting but the Jogya palace was better

Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Visit Agung Rai Museum of Art
Visit Agung Rai Museum of Art
Ubud, Bali

Nice restful museum with some local and european transplants artists. Owner was there and was very passionate adding interesting stories. Grounds were nice too.

Visit Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary
Visit Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary
Indonesia

If you want to see monkeys, go here. They are well fed, so not really very aggressive. Grounds and temples created a nice scene. Touristy, but worth it and definitely a highlight.

Guides, Drivers and Staff
Guide really made it easy for us. So many people there.
Visit Tegallalang Rice Terrace
Visit Tegallalang Rice Terrace
Indonesia

If you like a manicured garden trails, ziplines and selfies, this place is for you. Not a realistic coffee plantation or a rice terrace farm. Go to a real rice terrace and coffee plantation and avoid this overly crowded place. Doesn't check any of my boxes.

Guides, Drivers and Staff
Guide should have known we would not have liked it.
Watch the Sunset at Tanah Lot Temple
Watch the Sunset at Tanah Lot Temple
Indonesia

Did not go since it would be high tide for our visit. Instead went to Goa Gajah Temple which was very interesting.

Guides, Drivers and Staff
Flexibity and knowledge.
Visit Mirror Stone Cave
Visit Mirror Stone Cave
Indonesia

Great dry cave. Its a small cave but fun since you need to put on a helmet and crawl a little. The local guide made it extra special.

Guides, Drivers and Staff
Local guide made it a custom experience.
Visit Amelia Sea View
Visit Amelia Sea View
Indonesia

Good if you are a goat and love to climb every hill that you see. Very windy and dry. View was nice but nothing compared to the Komodo island views. I would skip unless you want to see a sunset.

Guides, Drivers and Staff
Nice guy. Drove very slow making this seem even more like a waste of time. Driver did take us to the seafood restaurant which was excellent choice.
Visit Rangko Cave
Visit Rangko Cave
Indonesia

More of a beach destination that is great for kids. Local boat ride takes you to the dock and a nice small beach with a stand selling food. Nice to hang out there and have a picnic. Going to the cave was pleasant, but an average experience. Its a short hike with sandals. Cave floor has been changed to "an ampitheater" with steps so that everyone (it was crowded) has space to leave their towels and shoes. Kids love it and splash around constantly in the salty water. The entrance is large enough that the cave pool is adquately lit. Humid and stuffy air. We limited ourselves to a 5 min swim but could not get a cave picture without a kid or a swimmer trying to get a selfie.

Sunset in Kalong Island
Sunset in Kalong Island
Indonesia

Millions of boats waiting for the bats to come out. A party atmosphere.

Visit Pink Beach
Visit Pink Beach
Indonesia

Really pink. Your photos will appear photoshopped.

Trekking at Rinca Island
Trekking at Rinca Island
Indonesia

Best place for dragons. We went in late afternoon and they were active. Watchout.

Visit Komodo Island
Visit Komodo Island
Indonesia

We went two days to the islands at various stops. Nonstop A+ sites. Everybody is going out to the same places so get a big boat that is fast to allow you to spend more time at each site. The group from your boat will be mixed with 100 people from other boats when snorkeling, on the beach. Still it is possible to get a personal experience.

Guides, Drivers and Staff
Our DTour guide was the best. Everyone on our 25 people boat felt special.
I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS) Departure Meet and Greet
I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS) Departure Meet and Greet
Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS)

Very crowded airport. Took us straight to correct areas.

Guides, Drivers and Staff
Local specialist: Jessica Soenandar
Jessica
Jessica Soenandar
Local specialist in Jakarta | Replied on Jul 29, 2024
Hi Bob, Thank you so much for taking the time to write us a very detailed feedback, it is highly appreciated! It is unfortunate that in remote parts (or less visited areas) of the country, lodgings are still very basic and the use of English is limited, even for people working in the hospitality sector. To answer your question about the Ndalem Kartowikoro Hotel in Solo, it is a local bed and breakfast (or in this case, cafe) type of lodging, where you didn't have to order a coffee. Perhaps... Read more

Hi Bob,

Thank you so much for taking the time to write us a very detailed feedback, it is highly appreciated!

It is unfortunate that in remote parts (or less visited areas) of the country, lodgings are still very basic and the use of English is limited, even for people working in the hospitality sector. To answer your question about the Ndalem Kartowikoro Hotel in Solo, it is a local bed and breakfast (or in this case, cafe) type of lodging, where you didn't have to order a coffee. Perhaps the lack of English skills that the manager had made it confusing. I had initially offered you another hotel as I was concerned, but it didn't give the Javanese vibe and architecture that you wanted. However, I'm glad that you enjoyed the authenticity and the quietness of the area.

I would like to thank you once again for trusting us and kimkim for your trip to Indonesia, I hope you had a great trip throughout :) We hope to meet you again some time in the future!

Warm regards,

Jessica

Overall, we had a fantastic trip to 4 differe...
Indonesia | Jul 4 - Jul 19, 2024

Sandy
Sandy P.
Cheshire, CT | Reviewed on Jul 26, 2024
Overall, we had a fantastic trip to 4 different islands in Indonesia. We visited Flores, Bali, Java, and Sumatra. Our activities were diverse and our drivers, especially Bagus in Bali, Faisal in Java (Bromo), and Anwar in Sumatra were amazing and knowledgeable and courteous. Our trip had relatively few problems but the one real problem we had, when they wouldn’t let us on a ferry, Ana jumped in immediately and fixed the problem. She was very attentive and checked in with us frequently on the... Read more

Overall, we had a fantastic trip to 4 different islands in Indonesia. We visited Flores, Bali, Java, and Sumatra. Our activities were diverse and our drivers, especially Bagus in Bali, Faisal in Java (Bromo), and Anwar in Sumatra were amazing and knowledgeable and courteous. Our trip had relatively few problems but the one real problem we had, when they wouldn’t let us on a ferry, Ana jumped in immediately and fixed the problem. She was very attentive and checked in with us frequently on the trip. I will say that 3 of our hotels changed after our trip was already booked, making me think our hotels weren’t actually booked. The main one we were disappointed in was the Heritage Hotel in Sumatra. We were booked to the Ecolodge which was a lot nicer but when we arrived we were told the Ecolodge was full and we had to stay at the Heritage. My point with this story is that I would advise asking for confirmation numbers for your hotels to avoid confusion while you are there. We fell in love with Indonesia and would definitely go back!!

Hotel Reviews
Wae Rebo Lodge

This was our first night in Indonesia. It was very basic but absolutely fine. Bring earplugs though-the night sounds of frogs, geckos, cats, and birds are very loud all night long!

Family Friendliness
Local's Cone-Shaped House
Waerebo

A fantastic experience but so crowded with tourists. There were at least 40 other tourists with only 3 basic toilets to share. You sleep on mattresses on the floor with no mosquito nets side by side with 25 other people. The meals are very basic-one egg and rice and some watery greens. I advise taking some snacks along. It was a great experience, but just be aware that it’s an experience, not a relaxing vacation!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Bayview Gardens Hotel

Great hotel with gorgeous views! And they bring breakfast to your room!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Private cruise trip in Komodo National Park
Labuan Bajo, Indonesia

The highlights of the Komodo trip for me were seeing the fruit bats fly out of the mangroves at night, seeing the Komodo dragons and other wildlife on the island, and snorkeling. Our boat, the Mutiara Flores, was average. There were comfortable accommodations and a place to sit at a table out of the sun. The cook made so much food that we felt guilty we had so much left over. Overall a good experience, despite me getting sick with diarrhea on the trip.

Artini 2 cottage

The Artini 2 was well located and comfortable. The breakfast was not great but it was a very interesting hotel. The rooms, however, are SO dark. Where there should we windows, there are intricate wooden carvings!

Dusun Jogja Village Inn
Yogyakarta

Fantastic little oasis in crowded Yogyakarta! Loved the pool, the room, the hotel staff!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Lava View Lodge Hotel

The views from the Lava Lodge are great, but the rooms are dank and the bathroom was very stinky with a sewage smell permeating the room. The cleanliness of the restaurant is atrocious as well with stains all over the tablecloth and the dinner gave my daughter food poisoning so that she was vomiting all night and had to miss the Bromo hike the next morning. The staff was friendly and the beds were comfortable though and we survived the night. If you go, just be prepared with a good jacket (the nights are very cold) and keep the bathroom door closed!

Activity Reviews
Experience Ubud VW Safari Car Tour
Experience Ubud VW Safari Car Tour
Ubud, Bali

This was a blast! It was fun to see the countryside and my daughter and I stood up in the back of the car for a long time holding on to the roll bar. Very fun and perhaps not so safe to stand up but the driver was careful.

Ebike cycling in Ubud
Ebike cycling in Ubud
Ubud, Bali

This was one of my favorite activities of the trip. We rode through rice paddies and villages and our guides were so knowledgeable and informative. I learned so much about Bali culture on this trip!

Experience Balinese Cooking Class
Experience Balinese Cooking Class
Ubud, Bali

So amazing! We made 6 different dishes and ate them all! I can’t wait to try out my new cookbook when I get home! Truly a stellar experience.

Travel from Denge to Wae Rebo
Travel from Denge to Wae Rebo
Indonesia

They say the hike takes about 4 hours but anyone with any athleticism at all can get there in 1 1/2-2 hrs even with stopping for photos. It’s a beautiful hike and quite muddy so wear some sturdy shoes. I also recommend not starting out too early. We got there by 11am and really had nothing to do all day except wander around and talk to the other tourists. Some of the young people played soccer with the local kids, which looked fun. So start your journey later in the day-and bring snacks because every meal is the same-one egg, rice, shrimp crackers, and a watery vegetable. It’s fine for a day, but we were rather hungry for nearly 24 hours and wished we had some snacks.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Ana Bicanic
Ana
Ana Bicanic
Local specialist in Bali | Replied on Jul 29, 2024

Hello dear Sandy,

Thank you so much for your review! I take these very seriously and they help me improve so I really appreciate it!

I hope that you went home with memories you will cherish forever!

Hope to welcome you again in this part of the world!
Ana

A Truly, Wonderful Experience.
Indonesia | Jul 1 - Jul 14, 2024

Kim
Kim L.
Canada | Reviewed on Jul 22, 2024
We had the most amazing trip to Indonesia. Priscilla put together a perfect itinerary that incorporated our wishes of balancing historical, adventure, cultural and scenic aspects. My husband and I took the trip with our 11-year-old grandson. We hopped between 4 Islands and had 5 inter-Indonesian flights in 11 days. We wanted to see as much as we could but knew two weeks would be our limit if travelling with a younger person. We experienced the Borobudur & Prambanan Temple in... Read more

We had the most amazing trip to Indonesia.

Priscilla put together a perfect itinerary that incorporated our wishes of balancing historical, adventure, cultural and scenic aspects.

My husband and I took the trip with our 11-year-old grandson. We hopped between 4 Islands and had 5 inter-Indonesian flights in 11 days. We wanted to see as much as we could but knew two weeks would be our limit if travelling with a younger person.

We experienced the Borobudur & Prambanan Temple in Yogyakarta, Java with a private guide.

Balikpapan was another wonderful stop. Our primary goal of the trip was to see the Orangutans. Our itinerary made the most of our time in Borneo. We saw the Orangutans, Sunbears, climbed the Canopy Suspension Bridge, trekked the rain forest, took a boat down the Sungai Hitam/Black River, and saw Proboscis monkeys, a couple of Pythons, and thoroughly enjoyed the tranquil and beauty of the various mangroves and palms. We were so fortunate to have had one of the caregivers of Samboja Lestari as our guide.

We then flew to Bali and enjoyed the beautiful cities of Ubud & Seminyak. We had a relaxing massage at our hotel and then kicked it up a notch to explore the area with our most amazing guide (Budi). Budi is a wonderfully kind, respectful, knowledgeable man who paid extra special attention to our grandson. I am sure he is the perfect father to his sons, and we LOVED him and LOVED having him as our guide!
We saw the Tegallang Rice Terrace, Sacred Monkey Forest, Ubud Palace, Bathed the Elephants, took a Farm to Table cooking class and visited the Uluwatu Temple where we were able to watch a traditional Balinese (Kecak Dance).

Our last stop before making our way back to Jakarta and home was spending some time in Labuan Bajo, Flores. We wanted to see the prehistoric looking, large lizards - Komodo Dragons. Priscilla arranged for a hotel pick up, boat group tour, to see, the incredible views of Padar Island, Pink Beach, and Taka Makassar Island. We were fortunate enough to have seen two Komodo Dragons and thoroughly enjoyed our two stops that allowed us the opportunity to enjoy snorkeling.

Priscilla looked after every little detail of our trip. She tapped into our needs and executed them perfectly. She coordinated the tours, guides, transfers, and flights within the country, and the whole journey was seamless. We had an on-ground support person (Janice,) through WhatsApp, which worked out flawlessly for communication if needed.it was our first-time using Kim.Kim but will definitely not be our last. Our experience was FANTASTIC!

Hotel Reviews
Anara Airport Hotel
Jakarta

A hotel right in the airport. Perfect, beautiful and a wonderful breakfast.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
The Phoenix Hotel Yogyakarta - MGallery Collection
Yogyakarta

Built in the 1918's, once a mansion now a gorgeous hotel. The decor is stunning. Staff is wonderful and the breakfast is scrumptious.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Samboja Lodge
Balikpapan

Very friendly staff. A perfect location to see the orangutans. Nothing fancy but it suited our needs completely.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
The Kalyana Ubud
Ubud

Very pretty grounds, amazing spa treatments, friendly and helpful staff and very convenient restaurant. Clean and lovely.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Kanvaz Village Resort Seminyak
Bali

A beautiful, clean hotel, very nicely located. The breakfast were wonderful and the pool was really nice to relax and enjoy some down time. Lovely staff.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Sudamala Resort, Komodo, Labuan Bajo
Labuan Bajo

Beautiful ocean view. Very friendly staff.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
The Grove Suites
Jakarta

This hotel was quite dated. The lobby was beautiful, breakfast was good, staff was friendly and helpful. I think the rooms could use an update and I didn't feel the room cleaning was up to my standards.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Visit Prambanan Temple
Visit Prambanan Temple
Indonesia

We were a little late in the day to see this up close but even from a distance it looked incredible.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Visit Ubud Palace
Visit Ubud Palace
Indonesia

Nice to see this modest Palace in the heart of the city. Worth a stop.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Soekarno-Hatta International Airport (CGK) Arrival Airport Assistance
Soekarno-Hatta International Airport (CGK) Arrival Airport Assistance
Jakarta International Airport (CGK)
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Bathe the Elephants
Bathe the Elephants
Ubud, Bali

Our grandson loves this. The elephants are very well looked after and seem very happy.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Visit Tegallalang Rice Terrace
Visit Tegallalang Rice Terrace
Indonesia

Beautiful views and really interesting.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Visit Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary
Visit Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary
Indonesia

Loved this. The monkeys were cheeky and super active. Very fun!!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Visit Borobudur Temple
Visit Borobudur Temple
Indonesia

This temple is amazing and a must see. The size is incredible and knowing that it is the largest Buddhist Temple in the world is fascinating.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Transfer from Yogyakarta (YIA) to Balikpapan (BPN) via Orangutan Island and Sunbear Sanctuary
Transfer from Yogyakarta (YIA) to Balikpapan (BPN) via Orangutan Island and Sunbear Sanctuary
Indonesia

We stayed at the Samjoba Lodge which was walking distance to Orangutan Island. So much care is taken to look after the Orangutans and try to rehabilitate them. The Sunbears are much smaller than we thought. A beautiful experience!!

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Visit Sungai Hitam
Visit Sungai Hitam
Balikpapan

We really enjoyed the tranquil small boat ride down the Sungai Hitam. We were so fortunate to see a family of Proboscis monkeys and a couple of Pythons.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Canopy Bridge and Trekking
Canopy Bridge and Trekking
Balikpapan

Great view from the Canopy Bridge and we really enjoyed the trekking. Not that difficult but a lot to see.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Afternoon Visit to Orangutan Island and Sunbear Sanctuary
Afternoon Visit to Orangutan Island and Sunbear Sanctuary
Balikpapan

Never seen Sunbears. The are much smaller than what we thought.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Farm to Table Cooking Class
Farm to Table Cooking Class
Indonesia

This was one of our favorite experiences. They instructor was fun and funny and we learned a lot and had a wonderful feast. Loved this!!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Visit Uluwatu Temple
Visit Uluwatu Temple
Indonesia

Very pretty views. The temple is quite far away but pretty spectacular.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Watch Kecak Dance Performance
Watch Kecak Dance Performance
Indonesia

Very interesting watching this. All acapella chanting. Definitely worth seeing.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Visit Padar Island
Visit Padar Island
Indonesia

The view from the top was probably the most spectacular view I have ever seen. A little bit of a hike but definitely worth it.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Visit Pink Beach
Visit Pink Beach
Indonesia

I have never seen red coral before that turns a beach pink.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Visit Komodo Island
Visit Komodo Island
Indonesia

Very cool that we were able to two Komodo Dragons.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Visit Taka Makassar
Visit Taka Makassar
Indonesia

Beautiful!! The depths of the water were incredible with all the different colors.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Priscilla Puteri
Priscilla
Priscilla Puteri
Local specialist in Jakarta | Replied on Jul 22, 2024

Hi Kim,

Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful story about Indonesia. It was nice meeting you, Frank, and Lukas in Jakarta :) We really hope you had a great time here in Indonesia and that the experiences and memories you made will stay with you forever.

Stay happy and healthy! And know that you always have friends here in sunny Indonesia :) We are always ready to welcome you back and help you discover even more of what our country has to offer.

Warm regards,
Priscilla

Ana's insight into Indonesia was the key to a memorable Indonesian adventure!
Indonesia | Jul 4 - Jul 9, 2024

C
Carole F.
San Francisco, CA | Reviewed on Jul 16, 2024
Our trip to Indonesia was fantastic, thanks to Ana! We visited Mt. Bromo, Borobudur, and Prambanan in quick succession. The trip required careful consideration for transportation between these locations, and all transfers were made easily. Our guides spoke enough English so that we could communicate most of the time. Our hotel in Borobudur had the best customer service we have ever experienced, anywhere around the globe. There were a few stumbling blocks along the way, but overall the trip... Read more

Our trip to Indonesia was fantastic, thanks to Ana! We visited Mt. Bromo, Borobudur, and Prambanan in quick succession. The trip required careful consideration for transportation between these locations, and all transfers were made easily. Our guides spoke enough English so that we could communicate most of the time. Our hotel in Borobudur had the best customer service we have ever experienced, anywhere around the globe. There were a few stumbling blocks along the way, but overall the trip was excellent. Thank you, Ana, for your insights and hard work!

Hotel Reviews
Dusun Jogja Village Inn
Yogyakarta

Great location, loved the decor, comfortable.

Authenticity & Character
Loved the South American/Mexican decor.
Location
Walk to ATMs and eateries.
Staff
Restaurant staff especially helpful.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Room was spacious and comfortable.
Plataran Borobudur Resort & Spa
Borobudur

The staff at Plataran were nothing short of exceptional! I cannot overstate how superlative the customer service was. Every person, every day, went out of their way to make sure we had an unforgettable experience. I wish we could have stayed longer.

Authenticity & Character
The staff makes this hotel exceptional.
Location
Views of Borobudur!
Staff
Polite, friendly, helpful and always respectful and courteous. They went out of their way to help us.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Our room was spacious and well appointed. The A/C worked very well, thank goodness!
FM7 Resort Hotel Jakarta
Tangerang, Banten

Basic and gets the job done. Closer to the airport would be better.

Location
Closer to airport would be better.
Staff
Very basic. Good enough.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Lava View Lodge Hotel

Very basic but can't beat the location!

Authenticity & Character
Bare bones but it worked.
Location
Great views of Mt. Bromo. Visit late afternoon and go to lookout point (short walk).
Staff
Restaurant waitstaff especially pleasant.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Cleanliness.
Activity Reviews
Sunrise Trek to Mount Bromo
Sunrise Trek to Mount Bromo
Mount Bromo, East Java

Get up early and go go go to sunrise! You'll see the light change on Mt Bromo, exposing the layered look of the ridges, etc. Gorgeous!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Guide was adequate but not exceptional.
Transport
Good jeep driver. Not an easy task.
Kota Gede District, Plaosan and Sewon Temples, Prambanan Temple and Ramayana Show
Kota Gede District, Plaosan and Sewon Temples, Prambanan Temple and Ramayana Show
Yogyakarta

Do not miss Prambanan! Rent bikes or walk to all the other smaller temples as well. Worth it! Reminiscent of Angkor WAt.

Quality of Experience
No crowds at the temples on the perimeter--very special.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Borobudur Temple, Pawon Temple, Mendut Temple, and Yogyakarta Market
Borobudur Temple, Pawon Temple, Mendut Temple, and Yogyakarta Market
Indonesia

Must experience. But be sure to visit Prambanan.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Ana Bicanic
Ana
Ana Bicanic
Local specialist in Bali | Replied on Jul 17, 2024

Hello dear Carole,

Thank you so much for your review! I am so happy to hear you've had a wonderful time visiting Java!

Wish you all the best and hope to welcome you again to this part of the world!

Best,
Ana

Indonesia family vacation
Indonesia | Jun 24 - Jul 6, 2024

Saima
Saima L.
Poway, CA | Reviewed on Jul 13, 2024

Vy did a great job creating an itinerary for my family. She transitioned her responsibility to Monika, who seamlessly picked up managing my trip. Monika was responsive within minutes to any question I asked of her during our trip, and made changes whenever we needed adjustments. All guides and drivers were superb! We felt well cared for, safe, and comfortable with the entire team. Would use KimKim again and strongly recommend to anyone considering a repair e for a memorable and stress-free vacation.

Local specialist: Vy Pham
Vy
Vy Pham
Local specialist in Vietnam | Replied on Jul 31, 2024

Hi Saima,

This is Monika. I am happy that you enjoyed your trip with us, thank you so much. You and your lovely family are wonderful guests, we love to assist you creating and making your holiday memorable.

I hope this trip will be the beginning for the next trips to explore more about another part of Indonesia.

Send my best regards to your lovely family!
Monika and Vy

The trip to Bali was amazing! Saw some beauti...
Indonesia | Jun 6 - Jun 18, 2024

A
Audrey D.
Flagami, FL | Reviewed on Jul 08, 2024
The trip to Bali was amazing! Saw some beautiful sights and experienced wonderful adventures! Our accommodations were fabulous (though some had problems with the air conditioning which was frustrating). Marc provided amazing service and professionalism. He organized some great outings, along with drivers and upgraded at several of the hotels. He was responsive at all hours and made sure everything ran smoothly! Read more

The trip to Bali was amazing! Saw some beautiful sights and experienced wonderful adventures! Our accommodations were fabulous (though some had problems with the air conditioning which was frustrating). Marc provided amazing service and professionalism. He organized some great outings, along with drivers and upgraded at several of the hotels. He was responsive at all hours and made sure everything ran smoothly!

Hotel Reviews
Ecozy Dijiwa Canggu
Canggu

Comfortable and clean hotel Situated walking distance to shop and restaurants. It was my boyfriend’s birthday and the travel agent and staff arranged an incredible arrival with Blake and flowers on the bed! So nice after a long travel day!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Sang happy birthday upon our arrival and presented a cake! So nice!
Cleanliness & Comfort
Wapa di Ume Ubud
Ubud, Gianyar, Bali

Incredible room. Marc was able to upgrade us to a 1 bedroom pool suite at no extra charge which was so awesome! Although the hotel was located a bit far from anything, we enjoyed our time here immensely.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Pearl of Trawangan

After a smooth boat transfer, we arrived at Pearl and it was beautiful! Our room was great though was surprised that the entire washroom was outside. Although private, of course, it was odd to use the facilities in the open air. With the hot temperatures, was a bit uncomfortable. But had an incredible time and loved that there were no cars o the island! We biked all around and enjoyed every moment on Gili T! !!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Mahagiri Villas Sanur

Although we were upgraded to a beautiful pool suite, the air conditioner worked on and off for our entire three nights was very annoying. It was fixed and then broke again in the middle of the night several times. The staff was very responsive and came immediately to fix it which was appreciated because the temperatures were very high when we were visiting. One night we had to sleep on the couch in the kitchen area because it was too hot in the bedroom.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Not having a properly functioning air conditioner really put a damper on out visit.
Activity Reviews
Free Time in Gili Trawangan
Free Time in Gili Trawangan
Gili Trawangan

We LOVED Gili T!!

Explore Nusa Penida Island - Full day trip
Explore Nusa Penida Island - Full day trip
Indonesia

Had a ton of fun visiting Nusa Penida and snorkeling!! Great way to spend a day!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Marc Urban
Marc
Marc Urban
Local specialist in Bali | Replied on Jul 09, 2024

Thank you for the review, Audrey! I appreciate it.

Ensuring comfort and organizing memorable outings is a top priority for me. I apologize for any inconvenience caused by the air conditioning issues at some of the accommodations.

I'm glad that Tommy and Jess enjoyed their trip to Bali and the Gili Islands.

Looking forward to assisting you with your next adventure in Indonesia!

Best wishes,
Marc

Bali adventure with family of 8
Indonesia | Jun 21 - Jul 2, 2024

D
December G.
Chicago, IL | Reviewed on Jul 05, 2024
We had a great guide with Waylan throughout Bali. He made our experiences personal and emphasized the cultural perspective of the Balinese. Our car and drivers were always on time and new where to go. Having a family group of 8 was never challenging for our planners and we were able to be flexible with adding things in our itinerary like coffee tasting, plowing the rice fields and elephant rides. Read more

We had a great guide with Waylan throughout Bali. He made our experiences personal and emphasized the cultural perspective of the Balinese. Our car and drivers were always on time and new where to go. Having a family group of 8 was never challenging for our planners and we were able to be flexible with adding things in our itinerary like coffee tasting, plowing the rice fields and elephant rides.

Hotel Review
The Melaya Villas
Bali

A beautiful, private resort. The villas were gorgeous, large and very private. One of the best beaches we saw on Bali!

Authenticity & Character
Location
A remote area that offered a chance to relax away from crowds.
Staff
Very attentive staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Telaga Waja Rafting
Telaga Waja Rafting
Indonesia

It was beautiful and the guides were very experienced. We did not paddle once, which was a disappointment for our family.

Quality of Experience
Would like more participation from the attendees
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Experience Cooking Class
Experience Cooking Class
Indonesia

This was an amazing experience with our large family. The food was top notch and the location and beauty of the resort was amazing. We even hiked to a rice field and plowed a field with some oxen. A highlight of our entire trip!

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Snorkeling in Menjangan
Snorkeling in Menjangan
Indonesia

Our best snorkeling adventure. We felt very safe with a mix of swimming expertise in our family group. The guide was fantastic with doing small training swims first. Excellent!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Island Hopping in Komodo Island
Island Hopping in Komodo Island
Indonesia

We felt that the beauty of the islands was amazing. The island hopping and snorkeling wasn’t communicated as well as it could have been. And the snorkeling was dangerous and not safely led.

Quality of Experience
Better trained guides for snorkeling
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Jessica Soenandar
Jessica
Jessica Soenandar
Local specialist in Jakarta | Replied on Jul 08, 2024

Hi December,

Thank you so much for taking the time to give us a thorough feedback, it is highly appreciated! As we strive to improve our products and services, we will take your feedback on the snorkeling in Komodo Island and Telaga Waja rafting into account. I'm glad that you had a great time throughout and we would also like to thank you for trusting us with your big family's trip to Bali and Komodo Island. It had been a pleasure to work with you :)

I hope you are all settled back home and we hope to see you again in Indonesia!

Warm regards,

Jessica

Ana did a great job of creating a trip for us...
Indonesia | Jun 14 - Jun 22, 2024

G
George N.
Los Angeles, CA | Reviewed on Jul 04, 2024
Ana did a great job of creating a trip for us that fit our needs. We went through several iterations to get it right and it was worth it. Komodo Island and the snorkeling in that area were world class. The Bali beaches are probably best for younger groups (20 somethings), but our guide, Eka, quickly figured out an alternative, the GWK statue, which was fantastic. The best part was that we were the only clients; we weren't part of some larger group that had to complete a pre-programmed... Read more

Ana did a great job of creating a trip for us that fit our needs. We went through several iterations to get it right and it was worth it. Komodo Island and the snorkeling in that area were world class. The Bali beaches are probably best for younger groups (20 somethings), but our guide, Eka, quickly figured out an alternative, the GWK statue, which was fantastic. The best part was that we were the only clients; we weren't part of some larger group that had to complete a pre-programmed itinerary. The flexibility made a huge difference. I strongly recommend Ana and our driver Eka for your Indonesian trip.

Local specialist: Ana Bicanic
Ana
Ana Bicanic
Local specialist in Bali | Replied on Jul 08, 2024

Hello dear George,

Thank you so much for your feedback and your trust to plan the trip!

I hope to welcome you again in this part of the world!

All the best,
Ana

Vy and Monika were amazing to work with. My g...
Indonesia | Jun 20 - Jun 29, 2024

Lisa
Lisa G.
Bethesda, MD | Reviewed on Jul 02, 2024

Vy and Monika were amazing to work with. My group had a wonderful time and I really appreciate all of the time spent helping plan the itinerary, transportation, accommodations, etc. I will be using Kimkim again and again!

Local specialist: Vy Pham
Vy
Vy Pham
Local specialist in Vietnam | Replied on Jul 31, 2024

Hi Lisa,

Nice to talk with you again. I am happy that you enjoyed your trip with us, that is our aim when we deliver our service.

Yes, please you can contact me or my colleagues for your further trip to Indonesia or any Asia countries, I'd be happy to assist you for your trip plan.

Have a great day and see you again, Lisa!

Cheers from Bali,
Monika

Amazing local experience
Indonesia | Jun 15 - Jun 20, 2024

A
Aneal R.
Denmark | Reviewed on Jul 01, 2024
My wife and I had an incredible experience in Flores with our guide Sergio and driver Eto. Both gave us a lot of good local insights into the culutre, people and food. We were treated to beautiful scenery in the form of canyons, waterfalls and unique rice fields. And the last 2 days were on a boat which was a once in a lifetime experience. Thanks to Marc and his team for creating the itinerary and giving us a great local experience mostly away from the tourist crowds in Laboan Bajo. Read more

My wife and I had an incredible experience in Flores with our guide Sergio and driver Eto. Both gave us a lot of good local insights into the culutre, people and food. We were treated to beautiful scenery in the form of canyons, waterfalls and unique rice fields. And the last 2 days were on a boat which was a once in a lifetime experience. Thanks to Marc and his team for creating the itinerary and giving us a great local experience mostly away from the tourist crowds in Laboan Bajo.

Hotel Reviews
Mbeliling Mountain Ecolodge
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Liveaboard in Komodo
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Puri Sari Beach Hotel
Labuan Bajo
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Spring HIll Bungalow Ruteng
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Golo Hill Top
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Rangko Cave
Labuan Bajo

Unique experience of swimming in a cave with bats. Highly recommended

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Cunca Wulang and Spiderwebs Rice fields
Indonesia
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Ruteng Town
Indonesia
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Liveaboard Cruise: Discover Flores & Komodo
Liveaboard Cruise: Discover Flores & Komodo
Komodo Island
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Liveaboard Cruise - Departure Day
Liveaboard Cruise - Departure Day
Indonesia
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Marc Urban
Marc
Marc Urban
Local specialist in Bali | Replied on Jul 02, 2024

Hi Aneal,

Thank you for your review!

I'm thrilled that Sergio and Eto could share their insights and make your trip special. We're passionate about showcasing the best of Flores while keeping our travelers off the usual routes.

It was a pleasure creating the itinerary for you, and we're delighted to have been part of your memorable adventure. If you ever plan to visit again, we would love to help you explore more hidden gems.

Best regards,
Marc

Bane the main driver was wonderfully helpful;...
Indonesia | Jun 18 - Jun 27, 2024

M
May H.
Seattle, WA | Reviewed on Jun 30, 2024
Bane the main driver was wonderfully helpful; we appreciated his smiles and cultural insights. He taught us a few Balinese phrases. Sunrise at Mt Batur was great- really helpful and frendly guide for the hike. The coral off Nusa Penida was great, as well as turtles at Gilli Meno. The home was so beautiful as were the cultural insights that came with cooking class. Read more

Bane the main driver was wonderfully helpful; we appreciated his smiles and cultural insights. He taught us a few Balinese phrases. Sunrise at Mt Batur was great- really helpful and frendly guide for the hike. The coral off Nusa Penida was great, as well as turtles at Gilli Meno. The home was so beautiful as were the cultural insights that came with cooking class.

Hotel Reviews
Tebesaya Cottages
Ubud

Convenient quiet beautiful friendly place with nice amenities

Authenticity & Character
Location
can walk to ubud central. good bbq place across the street that is open late
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Liked the electric teapot for boiling drinking water, aswell as the balcony overlooking the pool/ gardens
Manta Dive

Private and quiet with pool and very good breakfast. Lovely stone outdoor shower. And private deck. Across from ocean and convenient walking to pier, sunset, restaurants. Snorkel boat and guide came to us.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Large clean bathroom. Nice bed and A/C. Shaded deck seating.
La Joya Balangan Resort
Jimbaran

Great view from hilltop over beach. Nicely shaded and quiet. Nice pool. Beautiful architecturally interesting private villas. Nice beds and A/C. Doors in the room are somewhat awkward. Nice upscale restaurant with good service and good food.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Slightly difficult to get to. Slightly difficult to get down to beach
Staff
prompt and professional
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Experience Ubud VW Safari Car Tour
Experience Ubud VW Safari Car Tour
Ubud, Bali
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Ride around Ubud with an e-bike
Ride around Ubud with an e-bike
Ubud, Bali

Friendly guide/ staff were very helpful in getting newbie ebikers started and in guiding the group thru traffic. Path in the rice patties is somewhat narrow and bumpy. They helped explain Hinduism/ Village Temples/ process to cremation while stopping by a local ceremony.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Experience Balinese Cooking Class
Experience Balinese Cooking Class
Ubud, Bali

Beautiful home/ courtyard/ gardens with insights into Balinese family life. Well- appointed outdoor kitchen with friendly private instructor that uses some traditional Balinese technique/ tools. Wonderful traditional feast. Provided copy of recipes.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Sunrise trek to Mount Batur
Sunrise trek to Mount Batur
Indonesia

Great smiling guide who was helpful in setting our pace. Saw the nearly full moon en route. Appreciated his hand up when it was steep at the end. Could see the next mountain and Beautiful working farms near base.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Gili Islands Snorkeling
Gili Islands Snorkeling
Indonesia

Appreciated the private boat and friendly guide. Saw several large turtles. Did run into some sea nettles and some motionsckness personally

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Pura Luhur Uluwatu and Ketcak Show
Pura Luhur Uluwatu and Ketcak Show
Indonesia

Nice views. Very crowded and hot, and hard to get tickets for show at sunset. Somewhat aggressive monkeys compared to the Ubud Monkey Forest.

Quality of Experience
Transport
Experience Nusa Penida snorkeling- Manta Point + Mangrove tour
Experience Nusa Penida snorkeling- Manta Point + Mangrove tour
Indonesia

Very private snorkeling with spectacular live coral and multitude of fish; guide was great. Not crowded. Nusa Penida people at first glance didnt seem quite as friendly or interested in tourists. We didnt do mangrove trees, and they let us flex this portion to get lunch and return to Bali sooner. Driver -slight language barrier and not very friendly.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Ana Bicanic
Ana
Ana Bicanic
Local specialist in Bali | Replied on Jul 01, 2024

Hello dear May,

Thank you so much for your wonderful feeback! I’ll make sure to pass it to the driver as well!

Hoping to welcome you again to this part of the world and wishing you all the best!
Ana

Bali: Better experience and time than I ever expected!
Indonesia | May 17 - Jun 1, 2024

Jay
Jay L.
New York, NY | Reviewed on Jun 18, 2024
I want thank Jessica, Janice, Wayan, Oki and Asink enough for making it such a great trip!
Firstly, Jessica for organising my itinerary, took onboard everything I wanted and was patient with me as I decided on what I wanted to do and experience on my trip to Bali, my first time in there!! She was absolutely briliant, as we say in East London the Dog's Bollocks! ( meaning GREAT!!)
Janice my on the ground contact, always checking in on me every so often, making sure I was enjoying my time... Read more

I want thank Jessica, Janice, Wayan, Oki and Asink enough for making it such a great trip!
Firstly, Jessica for organising my itinerary, took onboard everything I wanted and was patient with me as I decided on what I wanted to do and experience on my trip to Bali, my first time in there!! She was absolutely briliant, as we say in East London the Dog's Bollocks! ( meaning GREAT!!)

Janice my on the ground contact, always checking in on me every so often, making sure I was enjoying my time in Bali and having a great time and experience!!

NOW, Oki and Wayan, my guide and driver. Think I've made mates for life!! same goes for Jessica and Janice! I spent most of the time with these two geezas! Diamond Geezas! Great chats while driving to places and joking me around constantly, with my dark British humor! HA!!

Every place I went was great, time in Ubud, tours of the Hindu temples, waterfalls, experience Sebatu Soul
purification ritual. The best and toughest was Hike to Mount Agung to see the sunrise! Absolutely breathtaking!! Learning about Bamboo construction and visiting the Green Village, as a part-time woodworker, this was especially great to see!!
Cycling tour in Kintamani was great as I got to visit local villages, this felt a little awkward as I felt like the western tourist, gawping... but being of Indian decent I was aware enough to take too many photos.

Lombok was very chill compared to Bali, slower pace which was nice, mount Rinjani was beautiful even though I had to cancel the hike as my legs and knees were a bit messed up from the Agung hike. The Gili Island, were beautiful, did some
snorkeling, my first time!

Coming back to Bali and spending a night in Menjangan, in hotel in the forest was well deserved rest!! Watching the sunset from the Bali Tower from the hotel lobby! Brilliant!! No matter where I was the sunset were just unreal! No building impending the view, just nature, tree, mountains and hills.

My last few days were in Seminyak and a day visit to Nusa Penida Island, again breathtaking views! Waves crashing into cliffs, out of this world but not!! Seminyak is a lot more busier than Ubud, great shops and restaurants. Like any other small city which is also a tourist attractions.

Overall, I had a better time than I ever expected!!! And this alldue to Jessica, Janice, Oki and Wayan! AND all the hotel staff along the way, 5 hotels in all! I'll chat to anyone, more of those peeps! HA!

Hotel Reviews
Adiwana Svarga Loka
Ubud

Great location and staff!! Friendly staff!

Authenticity & Character
overall feel, very welcoming!
Location
Close to main streets on Ubud.
Staff
Friendly, able to answer any questions I had.
Cleanliness & Comfort
The Menjangan - CHSE Certified
Pejarakan

Secluded! Away from all the hustle and bustle, tucked away in the forest!! Great for a peaceful, chill getaway

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
IZE Seminyak by LifestyleRetreats
Bali

Amazing staff! Clean, had a gym and pool.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Sheraton Senggigi Beach Resort
Lombok

What a location, very close the beach!

Authenticity & Character
Location
What a location, very close the beach! Nightly walks along the beach and having drinks at the hotel bar. Watching the sun set while enjoying it. What I liked the most was there were local and tourist on the beach!
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Review
Hike to Mount Agung
Hike to Mount Agung
Indonesia

It was a tough hike and ultimately worth it to watch the sunrise!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Jessica Soenandar
Jessica
Jessica Soenandar
Local specialist in Jakarta | Replied on Jun 19, 2024

Hi Jay,

Glad to see that you are all well rested and settled back home! Thank you so much for your time to write such a thorough review. Your kind words and appreciation to the whole team made my day and I will pass it on to everyone :)

All in all we are grateful that you had a great time in Bali and Lombok, and we are looking forward to welcoming you back for a proper vacation to relax hahaha! Your energy and warmth is surely missed by the whole team and we wish you all the best in everything you do!!

Warm regards,

Jessica

Labuan Bajo is growing fast but not yet spoiled
Indonesia | May 30 - Jun 2, 2024

Albert
Albert B.
Ossining, NY | Reviewed on Jun 18, 2024
Speed boat tour was excellent. If we had more time I’d do the overnight boat trip. We also visited a local village and waterfalls. Inexpensive. Friendly. Amazing reefs and snorkeling. Read more

Speed boat tour was excellent. If we had more time I’d do the overnight boat trip. We also visited a local village and waterfalls. Inexpensive. Friendly. Amazing reefs and snorkeling.

Hotel Review
Sudamala Resort, Komodo, Labuan Bajo
Labuan Bajo

Very nice rooms. Super friendly staff. Good food. Sadly, the beach and water just off the hotel is not nice. Most guests use the pool or stay on the lounge chairs just on the beach but not near the water.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Vy Pham
Vy
Vy Pham
Local specialist in Vietnam | Replied on Jul 31, 2024

Hi Albert,

Thank you for the good review, I appreciate it.

I am happy that you enjoyed your trip to Indonesia and hope you will be back again with us for your future trip to Asia.

Take care of you and your family!

Cheers,
Vy and Monika

The best trip to Indonesia EVER
Indonesia | May 18 - Jun 2, 2024

Nicholas
Nicholas D.
Holt, MI | Reviewed on Jun 15, 2024
All of the guides, the drivers, and the hotels were absolutely amazing. We enjoyed every single activity and meal that was pre-planned for us; and above all we loved the places around Indonesia that Marc had us staying in. Marc is the absolute best and we would do this trip all over again. Read more

All of the guides, the drivers, and the hotels were absolutely amazing. We enjoyed every single activity and meal that was pre-planned for us; and above all we loved the places around Indonesia that Marc had us staying in. Marc is the absolute best and we would do this trip all over again.

Hotel Reviews
Ecolodge Bukit Lawang
Bukit Lawang
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Qunci Villas Hotel
Senggigi

hands down nicest place i've ever stayed in, best staff and food in all of indonesia.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Boat trip and snorkeling around Gili Layar & Gili Renggit
Boat trip and snorkeling around Gili Layar & Gili Renggit
Indonesia
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Long trek in the jungle - Meet the Orangutans
Long trek in the jungle - Meet the Orangutans
Indonesia
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Sumatran jungle by 4x4, from Bukit Lawang to Tangkahan
Sumatran jungle by 4x4, from Bukit Lawang to Tangkahan
Indonesia
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Munduk & Tamblingan Lake Exploration
Munduk & Tamblingan Lake Exploration
Indonesia
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
A morning with Tangkahan Elephants
A morning with Tangkahan Elephants
Indonesia
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Cycling from Kintamani to Ubud
Cycling from Kintamani to Ubud
Indonesia
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Marc Urban
Marc
Marc Urban
Local specialist in Bali | Replied on Jun 17, 2024

Hi Nick,

Thank you for your review! Getting to know you and planning the trip together was an absolute pleasure.

Looking forward to welcoming you back to Indonesia!

Best regards,
Marc

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