Kimkim Trip Reviews

Ali and Said from Original Travel were very responsive in answering questions and adjusting our itinerary to match our preferences.

Our weeklong guide Karim was outstanding and really improved our experience. His spoken English is excellent. More than just a driver, he added a lot of local knowledge about the places we went, and also frequently pulled over at scenic vistas or interesting spots and took pictures of us, as well. Cheerful and outgoing, he seemed to know others at all the stops, and also helped us with calling local places for reservations. He also introduced us to a great guide at Volubilis, and advised at which stops a guide was a good idea versus those where we could go without.

Speaking of local guides, Hanan Edaali was our guide for a walking tour of Marrakech. She was delightful, and showed us some details in the medina that we would have never experienced on our own. We didn’t see hardly any other female guides during our visit—she is worth seeking out.

One of the highlights of the trip was Tiziri camp in Merzouga for our Sahara desert experience. Ahmed the proprietor went beyond the expected experience to offer campfire q&a about Berber culture and Moroccan history. We were so glad we chose to stay two nights there, which allowed us to have a day tour around the region to learn more about local history, culture and geography.

One final highlight was the Palais Sebban riad in Marrakech—what a wonderful lodging experience. Beautiful decorations and furnishings, great location, friendly staff—highly highly recommended.

Hotel Reviews

Tiziri Luxury Camp

Merzouga

Ahmed and his team were incredible. Beyond the hospitality (food, wine, music, accommodations), he offered so much local knowledge and passion. Also we made the wonderful decision to stay two nights, which allowed us to have an outstanding day tour on the region. It also allowed us to pass by a lot of the dozens of other camps in the area. Tiziri is superior with just six tents and some space and dunes between it and the next one. Nearby were larger camps lined up one next to the other—Tiziri’s set-up is so much better.

Authenticity & Character

Beyond just the music by the fire, there was active solicitation of questions about the culture of the region, Ahmed and his team are interested in teaching and providing understanding for their guests who appreciate it.

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Odyssee Center

Casablanca

The location was fine but not great. The food offerings appeared limited (we went out to eat, though breakfast was good). Their bar literally ran out of wine and a local brand of beer while we were there. The staff was very helpful, however.

Riad Salam Fes

Fes

Beware where your room is located. The Salam Fes is one of evidently at least 3 co-owned neighboring properties. For reasons never explained to us, we were instead initially put in one across the street with subpar lodging, a faulty toilet and a lower posted online price than Salam Fes. After complaining (including great support from Original Travel) we were moved to another Riad on the block called Scherezade, which was fantastic.

Palais Sebban

Marrakech

Great location and gorgeous, opulent decorations and outdoor spaces including terraces.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Transfer to Marrakech via Roses Valley, Ouarzazate & Aït Benhaddou

Morocco

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Karim was wonderful for this and all the other parts of our tour.

Transport

Transfer from Fes to Merzouga via Erfoud & Camel Ride

Morocco

Erg Chegaga Desert Adventure

Morocco

Absolutely worth staying a second night not only to enjoy Tiziri, but to experience this tour with Ahmed.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Ahmed from Tiziri made this experience fantastic.

Transfer to Dades Valley via Todra Gorges

Morocco

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Karim was very helpful on this and every other excursion

Transport

Half-Day Guided Tour of Marrakech

Marrakesh

It is 100% worth having a guide, at least if it is Hanan Alaadi. You will learn so much more.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Hanan is worth getting—you should ask for her, including to get a woman’s perspective.

Guided Tour of Majorelle Garden

Marrakesh

Go with a guide if you can—guides get to skip the long ticket line and go straight in.

Our trip to Morocco organised by Sharon and colleagues at Moroccan Immersion was excellent. We booked and paid 2 years ago and Covid intervened. Two years later and Sharon honored our tour and we had the best experience. Excellent tour leader, guides and amazing sights, sounds and food, did I mention the shopping. Well 2 girls will be girls and retail is important!
We felt safe, listened to and always offered options. We definitely would recommend this way of experiencing Morocco and look forward to immersion tours in other countries that we will go on. Thank you Sharon, family and friends.
Cheers Di and Sally

Our trip was fabulous! We enjoyed all of it and felt special with the personalized plan that was paced perfectly for us. My most unforgettable evening was our dinner cruise on the Seine. Thank you for the perfect time in Paris.

Hotel Review

Hotel Le Six

Paris

The accommodations and service were outstanding and the breakfasts were delicious.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Nighttime Seine River Cruise with Dining Experience

Paris

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Cheese and wine tasting in a Parisian cellar in the Marais

Paris

Great fun evening!

Monet House & Impressionism Museum - Half day Tour from Paris

Paris

Absolute beautiful surroundings. Our driver took a scenic way back to Paris…wonderful old villages

What a great experience! Jenny was a perfect coordinator with our plans. She stayed in constant contact, if we had any concerns or questions. 100% recommend to anyone traveling to a new place. Everything was easy to navigate, locations, hotels, car, I could not have asked for anything better. Thank you!!

Activity Review

Skaftafell Ice Climbing & Glacier Hike

Iceland

Our guide, Pascal, was informative and awesome. We learned a lot about the landscape and how to climb safely. 100% recommend!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Our trip was amazing. Starting with a very smooth planning and organizing by Mieke.
Our tour guide , Namgyal was treating us like family. He was very patient, attentive and professional. He was very knowledgeable and we learned a lot about Bhutan’s history, culture and religion. Our team during the trek was excellent. They even baked a birthday cake for my husband.
The only comment I would make is about our accommodation in Paro. It was far away from the town so we could not wander around. We also were surprised that the car was not allowed to drive close to the house.

Activity Reviews

Thimphu - Memorial Chorten

Thimphu

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Paro - Hike to Tigernest Monastery aka Taktshang Goemba

Paro

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Dochu La Pass - Lungchutse Lhakhang hike

Bhutan

Quality of Experience

It

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Punakha - Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal Chorten hike

Bhutan

Amazing views and a close encounter with local village and farmers.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Dagala Trek day 2: from Gur to Labatama

Gur

Wonderful hike with amazing views of Himalayas

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Dagala Trek day 3: Labatama resting day

Labatama

Beautiful hike but be aware of altitude. Take it easy.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Dagala Trek day 4: from Labatama to Panka

Labatama

Views were incredible and autumn’s colours added to great experience.

Quality of Experience

Look

Guides, Drivers and Staff

The trip was great. It was easy to plan and Ashley was very prompt in making the changes we asked for. We had a few hiccups along the way which Ashley sorted out.

Highly recommend using KimKim.

Hotel Reviews

Apricot Hotel

Hanoi

Beautiful hotel. We had a suite with a large balcony overlooking the lake. Best hotel of our two week trip.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Stellar of the Seas

quảng ninh

Really top notch!

Authenticity & Character

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Hanoi Vespa Tour

Hanoi

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Day Trip to Ba Vi Countryside & Cooking Class

Hanoi

Really great tour!

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

I chose to work with KimKim travel based on a recommendation from my sister-in-law. Rachel and her team have been wonderful to work with, and helped me to plan a fantastic holiday for my son and mom, who was celebrating her 80th birthday. We loved the choices and locations of our accommodations - it was so easy to get around and explore the various areas in each city we visited. The attention to detail and quick response to our questions and last minute change of plans were handled so smoothly! Thank you, Rachel, for making our first trip to London and Paris unforgettable! We will definitely use KimKim again!

Amanda was fantastic in helping us identify a trek that met all of our requirements, and answering our many questions. The briefing meeting after we arrived in Kathmandu was also really helpful. We trekked in the Rolwaling Valley and it was beautiful and the hike itself posed a good level of challenge. There were not too many other hikers around so it was peaceful, just what we were looking for. Our guide was nice and helpful but unfortunately didn't know the area so well having only been there twice before, and encouraged us to add a section to our trek that she hadn't previously done and was keen to do, but which turned out to be far too challenging for us - so I suggest checking with Amanda in advance how well your guide knows the area. The porter and drivers we had were very good. Overall a great trip.

It was a very educational trip but we can improve in couple of things. First, the hotel in Santiago was an awful idea. The location was not safe and they were not in the "customer service" business. The 3 flights in one day was brutal and unnecessary. We could have skipped Charten, the tour guide and the bus driver that was insane. Driving too fast and aggressive. And the ultimate, NO penguins. Very disappointing. A very educational trip and adventurous!!!

We only had a week to explore Morocco and we wish we had more time there. We started in Marrakesh and absolutely loved the city. We had Samir, our driver, with us the whole time. Mohammed was our guide in and around the city and he was so knowledgeable. He brought us to hidden shops and was so patient when we got off course to shop and explore. Our only complaint is that we did not have enough time there!
Before we headed to the Agafay dessert for 2 nights, we did a hot air balloon ride just on the outskirts of the city. That is definitely something you do not want to miss.
Next up- we stayed at the Inara Camp in Agafay. The camp was gorgeous and the service was impeccable. Seeing the sunrise on camel back is an experience I will never forget.
Finally- we made our way to the Atlas Mountains and stayed at Kasbah Tamadot. The hotel is one of the nicest ones I have ever stayed in. The grounds are breathtaking, the service was top notch and the people were so nice. They attended to our every need. We had a local guide, Jose take us around the villages with mules. We ate lunch with a local Berber family and were welcomed into their home. It was so wonderful to meet the local people and see into their day to day lives.

Honestly, this vacation was one of the best that we have ever taken. Our driver, Samir, was with us the entire time and he was incredible. Our tour coordinator, Said- made adjustments for us on the fly and was always only a call or text away. We will definitely be going back and we will definitely use this company, Original Travels, again.

The overall trip I had was fantastic. I was paired up with one of the best drivers/translators, Soufian. During the trip he made every possible effort to accommodate me during the trip, and was one of the most kindhearted people I got to know. The sightseeing, the activities, the tour guides that I had encountered were engaging and exciting. I couldn’t recommend this trip enough and strongly encourage you to embark on it.

Hotel Reviews

Riad Ghita

Fes

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Dar Rihana Dades

Douar Aït Ouffi

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Riad les Sources Berbères

Marrakech

Fantastic!!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Akabar luxury desert camp

Merdane

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Oum Palace Hotel & SPA

Casablanca

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Quick Tour of Casablanca with your Driver-guide

Morocco

Absolutely fantastic, Soufian was very knowledgeable and engaging. Could not have had a better experience!!!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Guided Tour of Fez Medina

Fes

Momo was excellent!! Would highly recommend for another tour!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Transfer from Fes to Merzouga via Erfoud & Camel Ride

Morocco

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Horse Riding Adventure in the Desert

Merzouga

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Transfer to Dades Valley via Todra Gorges

Morocco

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Transfer to Marrakech via Roses Valley, Ouarzazate & Aït Benhaddou

Morocco

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Half-Day Guided Tour of Marrakech

Marrakesh

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Guided Tour of Majorelle Garden

Marrakesh

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

The trip itself was excellent with the exception that the tour to see the penguins was not scheduled. In addition we lost paid tours due that we spent one full day traveling from Bariloche to Mendoza ( we took 3 flights that day) and I was offered $250 USD credit to my credit card and as of today, not realized.

Hotel Reviews

Novapark

Santiago

The hotel was good; but the location was on a shady area with no close places to eat. All taxi drivers told us to be careful around the hotel.

Authenticity & Character

Acceptable facilities

Location

More safe area

Staff

Not very helpful when we request a taxi, we’re told to go outside and wait until one passes on the street

Cleanliness & Comfort

Very good bed

Park Inn by Radisson Puerto Varas

Puerto Varas

Good hotel with good location

Authenticity & Character

Charming

Location

Close to restaurants

Staff

Very servicing

Cleanliness & Comfort

Excellent bed

NH Bariloche Edelweiss

San Carlos de Bariloche

Clean and good location

Authenticity & Character

Very nice hotel

Location

Centrally located

Staff

Very helpful

Cleanliness & Comfort

Big room and comfortable bed

Amérian Executive Mendoza Hotel

Mendoza

Beautiful hotel

Authenticity & Character

Very nice hotel

Location

Centrally located

Staff

Very friendly

Cleanliness & Comfort

Big room, nice shower and very good bed

Calafate Parque Hotel

El Calafate

Excellent location and facilities

Authenticity & Character

Nice looking lobby

Location

Close to Main Street; but quiet area

Staff

Super helpful

Cleanliness & Comfort

Clean and comfortable room

Huinid Obelisco Hotel

Buenos Aires

Steps out of the Corrientes avenue. Many restaurants and bars close by

Authenticity & Character

Very comfortable lobby and lobby bar

Location

Quiet street close to action

Staff

Super helpful, all staff was very attentive

Cleanliness & Comfort

Very clean hotel and excellent service

Activity Reviews

San Martin de los Andes along the Seven Lakes route

Bariloche

Beautiful long tour; but it worth the long day

Quality of Experience

We did love the tour

Guides, Drivers and Staff

We felt safe and the knowledge they have of the are kept us awake the whole trip

Transport

Comfortable bus, despite on dirt road, change of buses was very organized including the handling of luggage

Uco Valley Experience - PRIVATE

Mendoza

It was not bad; but the tour in Chile for Concha y Toro y Santa Rita was more real and not a sales pitch intensive. One exception was that they took us to an small winery that was excellent and no sales pitch

Quality of Experience

Beautiful views of the vineyards

Food

Acceptable

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Very knowledgeable of the wine process

Transport

Comfortable bus

Excursion to Osorno Volcano & the Petrohue Falls

Puerto Varas

Very good experience and nice views

Quality of Experience

Nature lovers will enjoy this tour

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Excellent driver and guide

Transport

Comfortable bus

Excursion to Chiloe Island: Ancud, Castro & Dalcahue

Puerto Varas

Very interesting tour

Quality of Experience

Good experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Have a deep knowledge of the area

Transport

Both bus and ferry comfortable

Maipo Valley - Concha y Toro & Santa Rita Wineries

Santiago

Excellent tour, highly recommended

Quality of Experience

Overall excellent tour

Guides, Drivers and Staff

They share the information and it was very interesting

Transport

Very comfortable bus

Minitrekking in "Los Glaciares National Park"

El Calafate

The hike on the Perito Moreno Glaciar was the best tour of the trip.

Quality of Experience

It was awesome

Guides, Drivers and Staff

They accommodated all our needs

Transport

Very comfortable bus

El Chalten Full Day, Free time

El Calafate

It was ok, you can skip this if you’re short on time

Quality of Experience

Nothing to write home about it

Food

Lunch bag, not real lunch. Guide took us to a restaurant and it was average

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Very informed guides

Transport

Driver was not driving safely, seems to be in a hurry to get back home

Half day City Tour - Private service with English speaking guide

Buenos Aires

Good for a quick view of Buenos Aires. You really need at least 4 days to really enjoy the city. Our guide and driver were excellent and accommodating to our requests.

Quality of Experience

Gave us the opportunity to see the city at a glance

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Could not ask for a better team of driver and guide

Transport

Very comfortable minivan

Tango Show and Dinner at Café De Los Angelitos

Buenos Aires

I highly recommend this tour. After the Perito Moreno Glaciar, this was another excellent experience.

Quality of Experience

Highly recommended

Food

Very good and several choices

Guides, Drivers and Staff

. The driver was very nice and efficient

Transport

Small and very uncomfortable car for four adults

Yuri was a fantastic Spain kimkim planner as all of our planned events and tours went extremely smoothly and very timely. Arrived in Madrid with perfect transfers to hotel, Tuk Tuk tour of the city, Tapas tour the following day and a fun Flamenco dance class with Fernando leading the way. We then moved on to Barcelona in the same fashion via train with smooth transfers.
Toured Sagrada Familia with Maria who was an excellent host. Finished the trip with a sunset sailboat ride and a live Flamenco show all in Barcelona.
Have never used kimkim before but would recommend using their service as it helped tremendously with planning. Thank you again Yuri!

Many thanks to KimKim for Raj of Social Tours (Nepal) & Sherab of Bhutan Travel Club & their addressing all of the details of this glorious trip. Leki Tshering, guide (for hiking as well) in Bhutan, was exceptional, full of life, an educator & ambassador. I was immersed in nature, social & religious learning. Our driver, Kim, was always helpful & courteous. In Nepal I hiked from village to village, (all steps) through beautiful farmlands & traveled through different parts of the country, lodging in locally owned home stays, a pleasant experience. Some of the properties for lodging were an oasis…just what is needed after an arduous few days of trekking. & then there was a hiccup in Bhutan which Sherab tended to with care and immediacy. His dedication to providing an over the top travel experience is greatly appreciated. I am so thankful for such a lovely experience.

Jessica was always ready to answer questions and work with us as we changed our original plan to the final one. The private tour guides arranged for us for each area were excellent. Especially notable for mosaics and artwork were;
1. The Duomo in Monreale
2. the Villa Romana Casale

Luis was wonderful in understanding what my daughter and I were looking for in this trip. He found out-of-the-way places and experience that made our first time to Europe an unforgettable one. We will definitely be returning, and when we do, we will contact Luis first and foremost.

I have travelled a lot, with the Can military for 23 years and personally. Without any doubt, the professionalism and courtesy that my daughter and I experienced from Emilie of kimkim was the most helpful ever. Thank you Emilie! You were marvellous and we want you to know how much we appreciated your attention to every detail, and your availability to assure us of worry-free travel every step of the way. The three days of trekking with Joe and Robert were remarkable. Such care, appropriate attention to our needs, always responsive to our own curiosity, and such teaching! We enjoyed every minute. For our final day in Chiang Mai the city guide was Bab - there could be none better. We were so blessed with her generous spirit and her willingness to make our tour tailored to our interests. Each hotel was ideally chosen, and the hotel staff was friendly, courteous and helpful in every way.
The only glitch in the entire trip was the final pick-up from the hotel to the Bangkok airport. The driver was forty minutes late and unapologetic. The only stressful moment of our brilliant trip!
Thank you again, and again!

Activity Reviews

Bangkok - Wat Pho & Grand Palace – Klong Tour and Wat Arun

Bangkok

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Ayutthaya Historical City

Bangkok

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Highlights of Chiang Rai and transfer to Chiang Mai

Chiang Rai

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Jungle Trekking - Day 1/3

Thailand

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Jungle Trekking - Day 2/3

Thailand

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Jungle Trekking - Day 3/3

Thailand

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

City, Temple Tour & Doi Suthep Viewpoint

Chiang Mai

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

I’ve travelled all my life and this was the first one that was curated for me. I loved it! I didn’t have a lot of time but it’s a huge country, so I wanted to see as much as possible without having to figure it out for myself and Rachel got it perfectly. On her suggestion I visited the Lencois Maranhenses on the North Atlantic coast which I never would have discovered on my own and yet I’m so glad she guided me there. I had personal boat trips, nature trips in groups and personally, all my accommodations were set and there were zero flaws in my transfers or my accommodations. My trip through the Favela in Rio with a climb up Two Brothers was excellent. My Eco-lodge on the Amazon was great, and all my adventures on the coast were also excellent. Rachel was always available for questions and I always felt I could reach out at any hour. Brazil is an amazing country and definitely worth a visit

I asked Irene to plan a trip for my family. I wasn´t going to be able to attend & wanted to feel like they would be in good hands and have an easy experience on the ground. Irene planned an amazing trip!! It was perfectly catered to them and their health needs. She was super attentive, even late into the night. And when one of our family members had health issues, she did everything possible to make sure they could still enjoy their experience - helping to adjust our itinerary as needed. They loved their stays, all very lovely with great breakfasts! And I heard rave reviews about their tour guides in the different cities.

Irene estuvo muy atenta a nuestras necesidades lo cual nos dio un sentimiento de seguridad. Los hoteles escogidos x ella estuvieron perfectos para nosotros, muy céntricos principalmente, bonitos y cómodos. Los 4 tours todos muy informativos y amenos. En verdad nos hizo el viaje cómodo y fácil. Todo fluyó fácilmente y sin trabas. Mi rating para Irene es = excelente.

Mónica Muller