Kimkim Trip Reviews

4.8
Based on 18,907 ratings
Read 18,907 verified reviews by travelers who booked their trip on kimkim. You can also read reviews about kimkim on 3rd party sites including Google, TrustPilot and Yelp.

Couple's Adventure in Portugal
Portugal | Nov 6 - Nov 22, 2022

Lorne
Lorne B.
Canada | Reviewed on Nov 23, 2022
We were first time visitors to Portugal traveling to Porto, Lisbon and Madeira. The guides we had were all educated, knowledgeable and fun to spend the day with. In Porto we had the best day with Renata hiking the national park and visiting a small village that has remained mostly unchanged for hundreds of years. A day we will remember for a long time. In Lisbon we had a magical day with Nuno in Sintra. He surprised us with sweets from his favorite local bakery and also treated us to lunch... Read more

We were first time visitors to Portugal traveling to Porto, Lisbon and Madeira. The guides we had were all educated, knowledgeable and fun to spend the day with. In Porto we had the best day with Renata hiking the national park and visiting a small village that has remained mostly unchanged for hundreds of years. A day we will remember for a long time. In Lisbon we had a magical day with Nuno in Sintra. He surprised us with sweets from his favorite local bakery and also treated us to lunch at a roadside diner that only the locals eat at. In Madeira, George guided us on our hike from Pico Arieiro to Pico Ruivo. It can best be described as walking on clouds for seven hours. All were awesome experiences.

Hotel Reviews
Pestana Promenade Ocean Resort Hotel
Funchal

This hotel was a disappointment for us. The common areas of the hotel looked to be upgraded recently. The rooms were tired and in desperate need of upgrading. The sofa looked to be old, it was stained and it had lost its shape. The hotel decor was probably in style back in the 90's but it looked like nothing had been done to keep it fresh. The beds were two single beds pulled together and they were not comfortable. Each bed was made up as its' own bed and pushed together. We stayed four nights. On our second night I phoned down to the front desk as our wifi was terrible for both nights. I asked that I be moved to a new room and was told that the hotel's wifi was knocked and nobody in the hotel had wifi so changing rooms would make no difference. On our third night, I went down to the front desk to again ask abut the wifi. I was told that it should work in the living room but probably not in the bedroom. I told them this was unacceptable. This was the third day in a row that we were required o use our own data packages rather than the hotel wifi. I asked if the hotel was able to resolve its wifi outage...the clerk had no idea what I was talking about. We managed to get our room changed and lo and behold the wifi was wonderful. This was a terrible customer service experience. The breakfasts were well done with plenty of choice. The outdoor grounds of this hotel are very nice with infinity pools, walking trails, etc..

Authenticity & Character
This hotel is tired and in serious need of upgrades to their rooms
Location
The hotel would be a 50 minute walk to the old town and most tourist attractions.
Staff
Please see comment above on how wifi inquiry was handled.
Cleanliness & Comfort
The room was clean. Comfort was lacking.
Vincci Baixa
Lisbon

Centrally located one block outside the main tourist area down town. Most attractions, subways, streetcars are within walking distance. Rooms were comfortable, clean and spacious. I found the staff to be friendly and helpful when asking for directions or recommendations on restaurants, etc.. An awesome breakfast buffet with a broad range of choices to satisfy anyone. This is also the only place in Portugal that we were able to have a cup of filtered coffee ala North American style. This added a nice little taste of home to our trip.

Authenticity & Character
Spacious rooms with awesome showers.
Location
Good proximity to most tourist attractions including old town. Most things you can walk to.
Staff
Friendly and helpful.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Very clean with comfortable beds.
Exe Almada Porto
Porto

Hands down the friendliest staff of any hotel I have ever stayed in. The breakfast buffet was delicious and had plenty of choice to satisfy most travelers. The hotel also took cleanliness seriously as it was spotless. Well situated close to many amenities and tourist attractions. I would not hesitate to stay here again.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Proximity to restaurants, subway and attractions.
Staff
Friendly, helpful and efficient.
Cleanliness & Comfort
The rooms and common areas were spotless.
Activity Reviews
Lisbon Fado Dinner Experience
Lisbon Fado Dinner Experience
Portugal

This was first hand experience in appreciating this music style native to Portugal. The meal served at the Clube de Fado restaurant was exceptional. When the music started, all waiters exited the restaurant putting the focus solely on the Fado performers. The songs are sung in Portugese and my wife and I were wondering if anyone in the restaurant was able to understand the lyrics. At this point the singer said "everybody" and the entire restaurant (with the exception of 3/4 tables) sang the rest of the song for her in Portugese. We were not expecting that. This was a nice cultural experience, with great food and entertainment. Well done.

Quality of Experience
See comment above.
Food
Amazing.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
The wait staff was very efficient and professional.
Transport
We walked to this venue.
Private Day Excursion: Sintra, Cascais & Estoril
Private Day Excursion: Sintra, Cascais & Estoril
Portugal

A wonderful experience with our guide Nuno. The weather did not cooperate and we were unable to got to the Pena Palace due to the heavy fog. We adjusted our plans and visited Quinta da Regaleira. This was a spectacular estate complete with water falls, tunnels and many things you will not be expecting. Our guide surprised us when we exited with sweets from his favorite local bakery. He took us to a small road side diner where the locals eat. We visited several small towns on the coast line, saw awesome scenery along the way. All in all a great day.

Quality of Experience
See comment above.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
See comment above.
Transport
See comment above.
Hiking & Cultural Excursion in Peneda-Gerês National Park
Hiking & Cultural Excursion in Peneda-Gerês National Park
Porto

This excursion for us was our most favorite excursion we have ever done. Our guide Renata was exceptional. She was educated, knowledgeable on this park specifically and she was a pleasure to spend the day with. We hiked to two water falls. Had lunch in a local village where every serving was sourced from the local village (grown or raised in the village) and prepared in a traditional Portugese style. My wife and I were presented with 15 different dishes to eat. We later walked through he village and saw first hand their gardens/crops, the animals they raised, etc.. We thought this was a wonderful day.

Quality of Experience
See comment above.
Food
See comment above.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
See comment above.
Transport
See comment above.
Local specialist: Karenina Steinbach
Karenina
Karenina Steinbach
Local specialist in Madrid, Spain | Replied on Nov 30, 2022

Thank you so much for taking the time to write this review!
I'm so glad to hear you had a great time overall. I will pass on your kind words to all the guides and hotels you mentioned. I was really surprised to read your comments about the Pestana Hotel in Madeira, this hotel always has quite good reviews and we have never received any negative comments thus far. I have forwarded your comments to the hotel.
Personally, for me, it was a pleasure planning this trip for you and Ellie and I hope we can work together again in the future!

An amazing trip!
Jordan | Oct 24 - Nov 1, 2022

Marianne
Marianne W.
Canada | Reviewed on Nov 22, 2022

An amazing trip! Thank you Raisa for accommodating all my requests from start to finish. (it was a long time in the making) A special shout out to our guide Sayel who ensured that our safety, comfort and our every need was addressed from day one through to day five. His handpicked guides were outstanding. As with any trip there will be minor hiccups along the way, however Sayel addressed it masterfully. Thanks to all who made this a wonderful experience.

Local specialist: Raísa Jorge

Good help in planning, but at high cost
Japan | Nov 10 - Nov 16, 2022

Vadim
Vadim L.
Sunnyvale, CA | Reviewed on Nov 22, 2022
1. Use Kimkim only if you have no idea about the country, like I did with Japan. Irish was very helpful and suggested Hakone, which was a lovely place.
2. Be prepared to pay almost double for your trip, compared to doing it yourself. I saw the price and there was a sticker shock, but I decided to still let Irish have her pay since she did a lot of work already.
3. Give them a lot of time! For example time difference between Japan and US is 13 hrs. So it takes 1/2 a day for the email to be...
Read more

1. Use Kimkim only if you have no idea about the country, like I did with Japan. Irish was very helpful and suggested Hakone, which was a lovely place.
2. Be prepared to pay almost double for your trip, compared to doing it yourself. I saw the price and there was a sticker shock, but I decided to still let Irish have her pay since she did a lot of work already.
3. Give them a lot of time! For example time difference between Japan and US is 13 hrs. So it takes 1/2 a day for the email to be answered.
4. Be careful in choosing your "price range". Select "mid-range" only if $300 a night hotels are ok with you.
Overall I appreciate the help in initial planning. Irish was very meticulous and tried hard to meet all our special requests. The support "on the ground" was spotty though. The "limo taxi" that was supposed to meet us at the airport never connected with us and it took Kimkim an hour to answer our call. By that time we were already in the taxi that we hired ourselves. It took them 1/2 hour to an hour to answer our calls each time. So this is not an emergency service. They may have the same problem as everybody else - not enough people willing to work?
Local knowledge was still worth it. Irish suggested JR pass (a weekly bullet train ticket) which was very convenient to have. The Suica card for local trains, subway etc. was also a great suggestion.
Our local guide in Hakone, Mr. Shigeo Ishibashi (a retired engineer) is a great person and we enjoyed talking to somebody local and asking all the "cultural difference" questions!

Hotel Reviews
SAKURA TERRACE THE GALLERY
Kyoto

3 minute walk from Kyoto Station! Great open air modern "lobby". Welcome drinks.

Authenticity & Character
Ver nice modern design.
Location
3 minute walk from Kyoto Station!
Staff
Helpful in all respects.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Very clean and comfortable
Ajisai Onsen Ryokan
Hakone

Great property in a tiny "park" of it's own! Next to an antique "museum".

Authenticity & Character
A real traditional Japanese ryokan with onsen. Real Japanese food for breakfast, if you want it.
Location
Beautiful if small property on a quiet street.
Staff
Very helpful and nice!
Cleanliness & Comfort
In our traditional Japanese room there were extra futons that I used to be more comfortable sleeping on the floor. Very clean.
Hotel Sunroute Ginza
Tokyo

Don't choose the smallest room unless you're traveling alone! Or unless you're newlyweds and don't mind VERY close quarters! :)

Location
It's in Ginza about 15 min walk from Tokyo station.
Staff
Very helpful. The breakfast "hostess" helped us with directions and answered all questions despite of being VERY buisy!
Cleanliness & Comfort
VERY clean!
Activity Reviews
The Sumida Hokusai Museum
The Sumida Hokusai Museum
Tokyo

A must see for any Hokusai art lover. The exposition itself may not have all the originals, but it's so well organized! His life's timeline, different periods in his art. They even animated some of his "dancing" cartoons. There's "find the Fuji" activity for kids (great fun for adults too)!

Hiking at Fushimi Inari Shrine
Hiking at Fushimi Inari Shrine
Kyoto

The "tunnels" made up of thousands of tori gates are amazing. So are the shrines and the gardens!

Hakone Museum of Art
Hakone Museum of Art
Hakone

The art museum itself is ok for a small town, but hard to compare to big city museums. But the park around it is wonderful. Japanese come there in November to admire the beautiful colors of autumn. Many dress in kimonos which they rent for the occasion. They even dress up their kids, very cute!

Quality of Experience
Beautiful traditional Japanese garden.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Mr. Shigeo Ishibashi san was great pleasure to talk to.
Local specialist: Irish S.
Irish
Irish S.
Local specialist in Tokyo | Replied on Nov 28, 2022

Konnichiwa Vadim!

Thank you so much for taking time to provide a detailed review! I am glad that I still have been of great help despite a few setbacks especially with your taxi limo upon arrival, but I can see that nevertheless you were able to enjoy your time in Japan and I’m glad to hear about it. It was my pleasure to plan and assist you and Tatyana! Take care and keep traveling!

Highlights of Morocco
Morocco | Nov 6 - Nov 15, 2022

Sarah
Sarah P.
France | Reviewed on Nov 22, 2022
Our driver Mhammed was really great, he was already on time, lots of great chats, learned a lot about Morocco through him and especially loved our time in the Sahara with him, where he is from! Megan was very quick to respond in messages when planning the trip. Would have appreciated knowing approximately how long driving was going to be on each day to be ready for some travel days being completely in the car. Didn't feel like we needed a driver for the 4 days in Marrakech, we could have... Read more

Our driver Mhammed was really great, he was already on time, lots of great chats, learned a lot about Morocco through him and especially loved our time in the Sahara with him, where he is from!

Megan was very quick to respond in messages when planning the trip. Would have appreciated knowing approximately how long driving was going to be on each day to be ready for some travel days being completely in the car. Didn't feel like we needed a driver for the 4 days in Marrakech, we could have organised taxi's separately for these days. Some of the driving routes didn't quite make sense, for example driving 2 hours to get to mountains biking each way and then another 4 hours to get to Ouarzazate was a bit excessive in terms of driving and missed a couple sites because of the sunset.

The activities overall were great, (woodworking, cooking class, tour of Marrakech/Fez, mountain biking, hiking, camel riding, atv in sand dunes). The cooking class has room for improvement.

The accommodation we also very much enjoyed.

Hotel Reviews
Dar Victoria
Fez
Riad Tama & Spa
Ouarzazate
Paradis Du Sahara
Merzouga
Activity Reviews
Atlas Mountains Hike
Atlas Mountains Hike
Morocco

This was one of our favorite activities. Continue to see the monkeys in the forest at the top of the waterfalls it is worth it! Also really enjoyed our lunch on the river, even if it was a very touristy kind of place.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Too long driving that day.
Woodworking
Woodworking
Morocco

This was a fun experience in getting to appreciate what goes into the wood carving in the architecture and furniture in Morocco.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Tour Marrakech with a private guide
Tour Marrakech with a private guide
Marrakesh

We really enjoyed our guide, who was quite funny and very knowledgeable.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Cooking Class
Cooking Class
Morocco

There is a lot of room for improvement with this particular cooking class. First of all, all of the knives were very dull and made it hard to cut tomatoes or any vegetable. It seemed as if the cook and the translator were both very uninterested in being there, and they were arguing amongst themselves in Arabic. There was zero explanation about spices as mentioned in the class description. Also no explanation about what we were cooking or instruction. Just sort of copy what the chef was doing and hope for the best. We got to eat our meal on the nice terrace afterwards. The setting was very nice at this very posh luxury hotel, however the beautiful setting kind of took away from the authenticity of cooking a meal. I believe there are better more authentic cooking classes in Marrakech for better value.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Megan Lower

The kindest people in the world surrounded by breathtaking nature
Indonesia | Oct 20 - Nov 4, 2022

Judith
Judith D.
Belgium | Reviewed on Nov 22, 2022
When thinking back on our adventures in Indonesia only superlatives come to my mind.
First attempts to make the itinerary were done via local Belgian travel agents. Very soon I found out that these lead to the same things over and over again. But then after googling some more I found KimKim. Never heard of them before but as huge US travel fans attracted by the fact they are HQ-ed in Chicago. after indicating our preferred destination and wishes we came in contact with Marc. oh gosh, this...
Read more

When thinking back on our adventures in Indonesia only superlatives come to my mind.
First attempts to make the itinerary were done via local Belgian travel agents. Very soon I found out that these lead to the same things over and over again. But then after googling some more I found KimKim. Never heard of them before but as huge US travel fans attracted by the fact they are HQ-ed in Chicago. after indicating our preferred destination and wishes we came in contact with Marc. oh gosh, this was a winner!! From the first moment Marc "listened" to our wishes and was thinking with us. The connection was there from the beginning and step by step he managed to set out the lines for our itinerary. I suppose there were times when he was pulling his hair because we wanted another change, another hotel ..... He never gave us the idea he was done with it, always there to adapt and to help.
We could reach him at any time before, during and after the trip. He is a true diamond for any organization so KimKim I can only advise you to take care of this one! Good team members don't come in easily and frequently.
along our trip we were in contact and taken care of by many locals. We have talked to them for hours as we love to meet the true culture and spirit of a country. They were all good and very helpful. the most knowledgeable was definitely Lucy how thought us many things and was always a nice company.
One person stood out of the many! Jerry, our guide and driver in Bali definitely deserves to be mentioned in person. He is a true jewel to the world. To us he was one of the reasons that our time in Bali will never be forgotten! He pampered us as if he knew us for years! He was always there to lean a helping hand and go the extra mile. He handled according to every of our wishes. Even after getting back home, he asked if we arrived safely. I'm sure we will stay in contact with him and hear about his lovely family.
Reflecting today there were so many things that stood out. Our main focus was nature. We were impressed every day by what each island has to offer. from Oeran-outangs over elephants to stunning sunrises, pink beaches and sunset dances by flying foxes!
We are more than grateful that we were among the happy people having the chance in life to discover this true paradise on earth.
Though our eyes and ears were spoiled on a daily basis what will stay forever as the deepest impression was the friendliness and kindness of the Indonesian people. No matter the island, no matter the religion .... they can teach the world on how to live together. We will never forget those smiles and helping hands.
Thanks to all that made this trip a memory for life!
For those that would love to see some pictures feel free to look on instagram/ judithdebrus

Local specialist: Marc Urban
Marc
Marc Urban
Local specialist in Bali | Replied on Dec 09, 2022

Dear Judith,

Thank you very much for your feedback and all the details; it was my pleasure to prepare the itinerary together and talk about it during your trip, but mostly it was great to get to know you and your family!

Keep in touch, and hopefully see you soon!

Best wishes,
Marc

A truly 'Unforgettable Iceland' trip!
Iceland | Oct 1 - Oct 15, 2022

V
vivian y.
Taiwan | Reviewed on Nov 22, 2022
Before the trip, to be honest, within the family, we have been debating whether or not we should use the Kimkim service as it is not cheap at all. After the trip, I have to say we are very glad that we did! Halldór and Silvia have saved me enormous research time to customize a trip that fits the very different needs and interests of 4 family members. My mom, brother, husband and I all had a great time in Iceland. Everyone’s wishes were fulfilled. They have also saved me a lot of time and... Read more

Before the trip, to be honest, within the family, we have been debating whether or not we should use the Kimkim service as it is not cheap at all. After the trip, I have to say we are very glad that we did!

Halldór and Silvia have saved me enormous research time to customize a trip that fits the very different needs and interests of 4 family members. My mom, brother, husband and I all had a great time in Iceland. Everyone’s wishes were fulfilled.

They have also saved me a lot of time and headaches readjusting the hotel and tour bookings when our plan changed. Indeed they were the reason why I could focus on the journey and experience instead of logistic chores.

They have recommended the best ice cave + lagoon + whale tour in each area during the season. We compared ours with the others and were happy that they'd chosen the best for us. They’ve also warned us in advance when a severe snowstorm was about to hit and readjusted the route and hotel accommodation right away. It was life-saving!

If there is anything that can be improved, I will say I wish we had more transparency in the fee and also what to expect from their service right at the beginning. That would have made our initial communication much smoother.

But overall, I am very happy with Halldór and Silvia, and I would highly recommend any first-time Iceland visitors to use their service.

Hotel Reviews
Eldey Airport Hotel
Reykjanesbær

A clean comfortable hotel that is super closed to the airport. Good enough for your last night in Iceland before you catch the flight back home.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Reykjavík Lights by Kea Hotels
Reykjavík

Located in the commercial district of Reykjavik with not much to see around for tourists. But if you have a car, this hotel is perfect. It is modern, tasteful and spacious. Plenty of parking space (it is impossible to find a parking space in downtown Reykjavik!) and it is just 10 mins drive to almost everywhere you want to go in Reykyavik.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
B59 Hotel
Borgarnes

It comes with a basement gym which is a rare thing in Iceland. Plenty of parking space. Nice decent hotel rooms. Their breakfast was quite underwhelming though.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Laugarbakki
Laugarbakki

A nice, clean and comfortable hotel for en route stop. The dinner of its restaurant was surprisingly impressive. One of the best dinners we had in Iceland indeed!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hótel Kea by Keahotels
Akureyri

We were stuck in a snowstorm in Akureyri, and we were glad that we have been sheltered from this hotel for 3 days. It is a corporate hotel but the room is spacious and comfortable. There are parking spaces nearby, and the location is convenient. The only thing that takes one star away is its restaurant and its okay food.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Gistihúsið - Lake Hotel Egilsstadir
Egilsstöðum

A beautiful classic hotel with an amazing restaurant that served one of the best dinners we had in Iceland. The room is spacious and it comes with a lake view.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Höfn
Hofn

A decent clean hotel, good for a short stay. The room is a bit too small for a couple though. And I wish we stayed in the main building, not the extension blocks. The main building is much more stylish. Also you don't need to walk in the freezing wind to get your breakfast.

Authenticity & Character
The extended building isn't as cool as the main building :(
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
I wish the room is slightly bigger!
Hótel Kría
Vík

Beautiful hotel with a beautiful view. The restaurant and its food were remarkable.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
The Hill Hotel at Fludir
Fludir

The mattress was worn out and was too soft to hold my body. But besides that, this hotel is clean and nice and comfortable.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Room With A View Apartment Hotel
Reykjavík

The location is great. But the room in reality is not as cool and as comfortable as the photos in their website! It was relatively worn out and old-fashioned. The shower was not functioning properly. Also it is impossible to find a parking space near the hotel. So don't choose this hotel if you are driving.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
The broken shower and the dirty jacuzzi
Local specialist: Halldór Haraldsson
Halldór
Halldór Haraldsson
Local specialist in Sweden | Replied on Nov 23, 2022

Vivian

Thank you for your positive feedback, as unforgettable Icelands first ring road collaboration with kimkim there is definitely room for reflection, especially regarding selected accomodations.

Our goal is to provide hands on quality support to all our clients. It was our pleasure to help with logistics during on of the worst blizzards to hit north Iceland in a decade.

Best
Halldór

Our trip was fantastic. Every tour guide we h...
Chile | Nov 11 - Nov 19, 2022

C
Carmen P.
Houston, TX | Reviewed on Nov 21, 2022
Our trip was fantastic. Every tour guide we had was great. From Evelyn in Santiago who took us around downtown and gave us great insights about Santiago and Valparaiso.
To our guides in Atacama (Pablo, etc).
The hotel cumbres was great!. People were super helpful.
To our tour guides in Patagonia Camp. This hotel was great!!!! What an experience. I would go back in a heart beat. Barbara, Marcelo and Pauline were great!!!. A wealth of knowledge and extremely accommodating. This place is...
Read more

Our trip was fantastic. Every tour guide we had was great. From Evelyn in Santiago who took us around downtown and gave us great insights about Santiago and Valparaiso.
To our guides in Atacama (Pablo, etc).
The hotel cumbres was great!. People were super helpful.
To our tour guides in Patagonia Camp. This hotel was great!!!! What an experience. I would go back in a heart beat. Barbara, Marcelo and Pauline were great!!!. A wealth of knowledge and extremely accommodating. This place is amazing and the excursions were great.
I have nothing but praises for the whole trip.
Honestly… every hotel and excursion.. fantastic!.
I would book future trips with Kim Kim. This was my first experience with them and would definitely repeat.

Local specialist: J K
J
J K
Local specialist in Peru | Replied on Nov 27, 2022

Hi Carmen,
Thanks for taking the time to review your trip experience. I am glad you had such a wonderful time discovering the mega diverse land of Chile. It is true that the guides along the way make or break a trip. They provide the stories and and the human elements to add to a beautiful landscape. I am glad our team performed admirably. We look forward to welcoming you to Latin America in the future.
Best Regards,
Jason.

Where is the 10 star button?
Jordan | Nov 11 - Nov 18, 2022

Nisha
Nisha S.
Queens Village, NY | Reviewed on Nov 21, 2022
The service from Samir and our Guide Nader was absolutely outstanding!!! Samir was so accommodating and listened to all our requests for hotel changes and itinerary changes. He recommended the Petra Guest House, and after trekking throughout the ancient city, this was the best decision to stay here because the location was so great, right outside the visitors center! The Citadel at sunset was breathtaking looking over Amman. We spent two nights glamping in Wadi Rum and the jeep safari was... Read more

The service from Samir and our Guide Nader was absolutely outstanding!!! Samir was so accommodating and listened to all our requests for hotel changes and itinerary changes. He recommended the Petra Guest House, and after trekking throughout the ancient city, this was the best decision to stay here because the location was so great, right outside the visitors center! The Citadel at sunset was breathtaking looking over Amman.

We spent two nights glamping in Wadi Rum and the jeep safari was terrific. Wadi Rum was my favorite part of the stay. I hope to spend more time there in the future. You have to enjoy nature and silence to spend more than one night here.

My family loved every second of our stay in Jordan. We really did feel like family. Our guide Nader was not only informative, he made us feel safe. He gave us advice on places to eat, he helped us out when it came to bargaining while we shopped.

Nader made our trip one we will never forget. He was kind, caring, and patient with my family. My father got sick on our first day and he was very attentive, he got my father some tea and medicine to ease his stomach. Nader is a terrific driver as well, the Kings Way is absolutely beautiful but also a bit scary. He eased my mom's fear of heights.

My family said this was one if the best trips we ever had and the process was seamless. We would definitely recommend booking with Samir.

Hotel Reviews
Hilton Dead Sea Resort & Spa
Sweimeh
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Crowne Plaza Amman
Amman

The breakfast was amazing!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Omar was very nice and attentive. He made us feel welcomed at breakfast.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Full Day Petra (With Site local Guide or private guide)
Full Day Petra (With Site local Guide or private guide)
Petra
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Rum Valley SUNSET TRIP
Rum Valley SUNSET TRIP
Wadi Rum
Quality of Experience
This was amazing time.
Quality of Experience
This was amazing time.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Driver Qusai was great!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Driver Qusai was great!
Transport
Transport
Local specialist: Samir Bishara
Samir
Samir Bishara
Local specialist in Jordan | Replied on Nov 22, 2022

Hi Nisha , Wow , What an outstanding kindness of you.
Was our honor to host you really. thank you so much and indeed we are looking forward to see you again in Jordan.

Be well and safe.
Samir

Great experience start to finish!
Australia | Oct 25 - Nov 4, 2022

A
Anne S.
Palm Desert, CA | Reviewed on Nov 21, 2022

Liz was a gem to work with. She was very attentive, responded immediately, and the chat system that all members of the tour participated in was wonderful. We had a great tour and loved all the excursions.

Local specialist: Liz Neal
Liz
Liz Neal
Local specialist in Sydney-Auckland-Los Angeles | Replied on Nov 21, 2022

Hello Anne!!!
Thank you so much for your review ! I am very pleased that you all enjoyed the trip! It was so fun to work with all of you. I would do it again in a heartbeat so if I can help in the future, please don't hesitate to reach out.

Liz

Moroccan Bliss!
Morocco | Nov 14 - Nov 20, 2022

Vandana
Vandana N.
Tysons Corner, VA | Reviewed on Nov 21, 2022
We first started dealing with Ali in the planning phase of our trip. We communicated our desires in terms of budget, accommodations and itinerary. Ali came back with a great plan and then handed us over to a local contact Said and our driver for the week Sukhaina. From the minute we stepped off the plane we were attended to personally. Sukhaina was beyond wonderful! She is professional, well informed, attentive and so very personable! We felt so comfortable and pampered with her the whole... Read more

We first started dealing with Ali in the planning phase of our trip. We communicated our desires in terms of budget, accommodations and itinerary. Ali came back with a great plan and then handed us over to a local contact Said and our driver for the week Sukhaina. From the minute we stepped off the plane we were attended to personally. Sukhaina was beyond wonderful! She is professional, well informed, attentive and so very personable! We felt so comfortable and pampered with her the whole week as we explored Morocco by car. I would say Sukhaina was one of the highlights of the trip! Can’t say enough!
I highly recommend a road trip method of exploring the country as you see the beautiful countryside and towns and can stop anytime for comfort or photo ops. Morocco has stunning natural beauty and it well exceeded our expectations. The accommodations in each town were superb and exactly what we like. The food was delicious everywhere.
I would highly recommend KimKim travels and I fact we will be using them again for our next adventure!

Local specialist: Ali Moujane
Ali
Ali Moujane
Local specialist in Atlas Mountains | Replied on Nov 22, 2022
Hi Vandana, Thank you for taking the time to review your stay in the Moroccan Kingdom. I’m so glad to hear that our staff were able to make your experience with us a memorable one and that you enjoyed all of the activities and the accommodations we offer. We take pride in the quality of our service and hope to continue delivering the best service possible to our guests and keep on the same track. I have shared your feedback with the team and Soukaina in particular, they are thrilled to... Read more

Hi Vandana,

Thank you for taking the time to review your stay in the Moroccan Kingdom.

I’m so glad to hear that our staff were able to make your experience with us a memorable one and that you enjoyed all of the activities and the accommodations we offer. We take pride in the quality of our service and hope to continue delivering the best service possible to our guests and keep on the same track. I have shared your feedback with the team and Soukaina in particular, they are thrilled to learn that you had a great time in our gorgeous country.

Looking forward to seeing you again in Morocco.

Best,
Ali

Absolutely amazing country. I would highly re...
Morocco | Nov 13 - Nov 20, 2022

J
James F.
Ashburn, VA | Reviewed on Nov 21, 2022

Absolutely amazing country. I would highly recommend a longer stay or fewer stops ro ensure your driving is minimized. However, the driver we had and each stop was Absolutely perfect.

Local specialist: Sharon Louthian
Sharon
Sharon Louthian
Local specialist in US and Morocco | Replied on Nov 29, 2022

Hi James,

Thank you for your great review. We are so happy that we were able to accommodate your last minute trip and we hope that it was a special birthday trip! And yes, you did choose to cover quite a bit of ground during your relatively short trip, but we know that having Abdessamad (Abdou) as your driver and tour manager likely made the long drives a bit more tolerable!

Thanks for trusting us with your trip.
Take care and keep in touch!
Sharon, Abdessamad, and the rest of the Morocco Immersion family

Cambodia review
Cambodia | Nov 7 - Nov 11, 2022

M
Manjit B.
United Kingdom | Reviewed on Nov 21, 2022
This is the second time I have used KimKim, and have been extremely impressed with the whole process of how the itinerary is managed and customised to my requirements .
I found the whole booking process managed very smoothly .
Secondly the guides were exceptionally , knowledgeable and flexible and made it very comfortable for us .
Steve was amazing he ensured we were kept informed , meticulous administration and also put together a list of restaurants that would be suitable to our...
Read more

This is the second time I have used KimKim, and have been extremely impressed with the whole process of how the itinerary is managed and customised to my requirements .
I found the whole booking process managed very smoothly .
Secondly the guides were exceptionally , knowledgeable and flexible and made it very comfortable for us .
Steve was amazing he ensured we were kept informed , meticulous administration and also put together a list of restaurants that would be suitable to our palate.
The whole trip was excellent and I will definitely be using KimKim again

Thank you Steve and your team for organising and executing this trip for us

Hotel Reviews
Borei Angkor Resort & Spa
Siem Reap
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Palace Gate Hotel & Resort
Phnom Penh

The front desk were not so accommodating

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Full day temple free and easy exploration by remork (with lunch)
Full day temple free and easy exploration by remork (with lunch)
Siem Reap
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Monk blessing
Monk blessing
Siem Reap
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Banteay Samre & Banteay Srei
Banteay Samre & Banteay Srei
Siem Reap
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Tuol Sleng & Russian Market
Tuol Sleng & Russian Market
Phnom Penh
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Wat Phnom
Wat Phnom
Phnom Penh
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
National Museum
National Museum
Phnom Penh
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Steve Lidgey
Steve
Steve Lidgey
Local specialist in Cambodia | Replied on Nov 21, 2022

Dear Manjit,
Thank you for the wonderful review and also the excellent feedback. I am so happy you are pleased with the whole process. Also, it's especially encouraging that we chose the correct guides for you. We love to customise trips according to your needs. Thanks for choosing Kimkim and we very much look to giving you a memorable journey in another part of the world!

Good itinerary planning and timely support on...
Cambodia | Nov 5 - Nov 19, 2022

A
Ann G.
United Kingdom | Reviewed on Nov 21, 2022

Good itinerary planning and timely support once we are on the holiday in Thailand and Cambodia. Dean and Linda did a great job helping us with this holiday, thank you both!

Local specialist: Dean Hallworth

Amazing experience for our Vietnam trip
Vietnam | Nov 6 - Nov 19, 2022

J
Jeremie L.
Luxembourg | Reviewed on Nov 21, 2022
Great experience overall, from A to Z (with both KimKim and our local specialist from Realistic Asia). Before the trip: I have to say, I was not comfortable at first because I had never heard of KimKim before and reviews on Realistic Asia were good but not numerous.
For everyone reading my review and having the same lack of comfort : get over it and book with these guys without any hesitation.
Hien was my contact since the very beginning. Great and pro-active communication, she was... Read more

Great experience overall, from A to Z (with both KimKim and our local specialist from Realistic Asia).

Before the trip:

I have to say, I was not comfortable at first because I had never heard of KimKim before and reviews on Realistic Asia were good but not numerous.
For everyone reading my review and having the same lack of comfort : get over it and book with these guys without any hesitation.

Hien was my contact since the very beginning. Great and pro-active communication, she was attentive to our needs and our expectations. It took time (mainly/only because of me), but she made us a tailor-made itinerary, ticking all the boxes with transparency (i.e. what was feasible or not in the given time frame, what would be a waste of time, providing alternative solutions when necessary, ... but all that always conscious of the budget and of our constraints).
We only paid when everything was confirmed and in line with what we wanted, and then again we experienced a smooth and good process through KimKim (everything was clear and user-friendly, secured paiement, no hidden fees nor other surprises, ...).
Once validated and paid, you get all the information you need about your trip on the platform, everything centralised and easy to read/access.

We were ready for an amazing 2 week trip around Vietnam.

During the trip :

Hien and her team were fantastic throughout our journey. Very friendly and always with a bright smile, every one of them made our trip special. Very knowledgeable, they shared their passion and the love about their country/region, happy to give everything they can to increase the quality of our experience.

There are countless of aspects that I could highlight, but one of them stands out : the perfect logistics.
No waste of time, no uncertainty, everything was perfectly clear and coordinated so we can make the most of our vacation. Every step was communicating on time with the relevant level of details. Airport transfers, cars, planes, trains, but also activities, visitis, bookings, ... not a thing went wrong - Bravo Hien!

After the trip :

Hien's professionalism and follow-ups carried on until the very end (sending message to make sure we went home safely, asking unofficial feedback to keep improving services, ...).
I would highly recommend Hien and Realistic Asia if you plan a trip to Vietnam, and we will definitely reach out to her to organise our upcoming trip to Laos and Cambodia in the coming months/years.

On a side note, you may find KimKim and all these services quite pricey (and they are in fairness), but you pay for high quality services and for your peace of mind above all. Totally worth the price!

Hotel Reviews
Mekong Lodge
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Stellar of the Seas
quảng ninh
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Review
Hanoi Vespa Tour
Hanoi Vespa Tour
Hanoi
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Hien Do
Hien
Hien Do
Local specialist in Vietnam | Replied on Nov 21, 2022

Dear Jeremie,
Thanks so much for your review! I am very thrilled to hear your kind words about the holiday. It was a great pleasure for me and our team to organize this trip, and we are very happy to know that you enjoyed it.
Your feedback is highly appreciated, as it enables us to further develop our services and organize memorable holidays for our future clients.
Thanks again for the review and for being such a great customer.
Hien

Our guides were for our tours were great. Th...
Spain | Nov 9 - Nov 19, 2022

Suha
Suha M.
Manhattan, NY | Reviewed on Nov 21, 2022
Our guides were for our tours were great.
They were very knowledgeable and efficient.
The hotels we chose from the list were amazing.
Great choices to chose from. The wine tour to Rioja was wonderful. Iker did a great job as our guide for the day.
All the drivers were on time and we felt very organized the whole trip.
Read more

Our guides were for our tours were great.
They were very knowledgeable and efficient.
The hotels we chose from the list were amazing.
Great choices to chose from. The wine tour to Rioja was wonderful. Iker did a great job as our guide for the day.
All the drivers were on time and we felt very organized the whole trip.

Hotel Reviews
Hotel The Principal
Madrid
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Mercer Hotel Barcelona
Barcelona
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist:
Yuri
Yuri I.
the Netherlands | Replied on Nov 22, 2022

Hi, Suha!
It was a pleasure helping you have a great trip to Spain! Thank you for your kind words about our activities and guides.
Hope to see you soon on kimkim, planning your next trip to one of 60 destinations in the world.

We had the most incredible experience from st...
Argentina | Nov 11 - Nov 20, 2022

E
Erica F.
Philadelphia, PA | Reviewed on Nov 21, 2022

We had the most incredible experience from start to finish. Jason was helpful, responsive and planned the most amazing trip! I will never go on a trip again without using kimkim. We felt like VIPs!

Local specialist: J K
J
J K
Local specialist in Peru | Replied on Nov 21, 2022

Hello Erica,
Thank you for your kind words, they make our work worthwhile, to leave fond memories into the future. We look forward to seeing you again in Latin America with us.
You are VIP's!!
Jason.

Peru with Aspiring Adventures
Peru | Nov 6 - Nov 13, 2022

Kathy
Kathy T.
Palm Springs, CA | Reviewed on Nov 20, 2022

Patty and her team at Aspiring Adventures in Peru took care of every detail for our 9-day journey. From airport transportation to our guide/driver team of Aldo and Paul (a.k.a Paul-do), we were shown the incredible history of the Inca civilization through hiking, climbing, and food. Aldo encouraged us to keep climbing to the very top of Waynupicchu, and we're so glad that we did. What an amazing accomplishment and view!

Local specialist: Aspiring Adventures
Aspiring
Aspiring Adventures
Local specialist in Cusco, Peru | Replied on Nov 29, 2022

Hi Kathy,
We're happy to see that you had an excellent time in Peru. We will share your feedback with the tema! Thanks again for travelling with us, and we hope to share another adventure with you someday :)

Best

Patty

An amazing Nepal experience!!!
Nepal | Nov 6 - Nov 13, 2022

Joan
Joan P.
Spain | Reviewed on Nov 20, 2022
My trip to Nepal was great.
Sherpa Ngima was all the time ofering me all I needed douring my stay there. He was very friendly and profesional. He's a reliably person. All his tourus guides and drivers were exelent too.
Pemba, my sherpa douring my trekking from Lukla to Namche Bazaar and back to Lukla was great, we made a good team together, he's a trustworthy man, and even more importantly a very good person. I learned a lot about your whanderful country and people. It was a... Read more

My trip to Nepal was great.
Sherpa Ngima was all the time ofering me all I needed douring my stay there. He was very friendly and profesional. He's a reliably person. All his tourus guides and drivers were exelent too.

Pemba, my sherpa douring my trekking from Lukla to Namche Bazaar and back to Lukla was great, we made a good team together, he's a trustworthy man, and even more importantly a very good person.

I learned a lot about your whanderful country and people. It was a pleasure for me to be able to share those incredible moments with all of you!!!

Activity Reviews
Trek from Phakding to Namche
Trek from Phakding to Namche
Namche Bazaar

The landscape couldn't be better. What a an amazing place! Pemba, my sherpa douring my trek was great, we made a good team together, he's a trustworthy man, and even more importantly a very good person.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Free Day and Evening Trek Briefing
Free Day and Evening Trek Briefing
Kathmandu
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Trek from Namche to Lukla
Trek from Namche to Lukla
Nepal

The landscape couldn't be better. What a an amazing place! Pemba, my sherpa douring my trek was great, we made a good team together, he's a trustworthy man, and even more importantly a very good person.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Acclimatization day in Namche Bazaar
Acclimatization day in Namche Bazaar
Namche Bazaar

The Himalayan views were the best!

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Fly from Rammechap to Lukla, Trek to Phakding
Fly from Rammechap to Lukla, Trek to Phakding
Phakding
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Ngima Dorji Sherpa
Ngima
Ngima Dorji Sherpa
Local specialist in Kathmandu | Replied on Nov 22, 2022

Hi Joan P.
Thank you so much for your wonderful review. Glad to hear that you had a memorable trip and that you are happy with the services provided by our staff. I hope you see you again for your next adventure soon. :)

Best regards,
Ngima ( NMMT family)

Amazing Iceland self-drive
Iceland | Oct 23 - Oct 30, 2022

D
Daniel C.
Charlotte, NC | Reviewed on Nov 20, 2022
Trip was amazing! Eva did a great job scheduling out all the activities for each day…never felt rushed on any day and each day had the perfect amount of activities. It was a great mixture of active, fun, and more leisurely things to do. Each excursion went off without a hitch and it was a great time! Read more

Trip was amazing! Eva did a great job scheduling out all the activities for each day…never felt rushed on any day and each day had the perfect amount of activities. It was a great mixture of active, fun, and more leisurely things to do. Each excursion went off without a hitch and it was a great time!

Hotel Reviews
Fosshotel Stykkishólmur
Stykkishólmur
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Alda Hotel Reykjavík
Reykjavík
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Stracta Hotel
Hella
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon
Hnappavellir
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hótel Kría
Vík
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Reykjavík Saga
Reykjavík
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Explore the Lóndrangar lava formations
Explore the Lóndrangar lava formations
Iceland
Gerðuberg Basalt Cliffs
Gerðuberg Basalt Cliffs
Iceland
Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon
Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon
Iceland
Black Sand Diamond Beach
Black Sand Diamond Beach
Iceland
Lava Tunnel Activity
Lava Tunnel Activity
Iceland
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Zodiac Boat tour
Zodiac Boat tour
Iceland
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Solheimajokull Glacier Hike
Solheimajokull Glacier Hike
Iceland
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Ice Cave Expedition
Ice Cave Expedition
Iceland
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Langjokull glacier snowmobiling
Langjokull glacier snowmobiling
Iceland
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Reykjavík Culture and Food Walk Tour
Reykjavík Culture and Food Walk Tour
Reykjavík
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Cliffside walk at Arnarstapi
Cliffside walk at Arnarstapi
Iceland
Djupalonsandur Black Sand Beach
Djupalonsandur Black Sand Beach
Iceland
Local specialist: Eva Sigurðardóttir

Milton was our guide and he was always attent...
Ecuador | Nov 12 - Nov 19, 2022

Andrea
Andrea R.
Baltimore, MD | Reviewed on Nov 20, 2022
Milton was our guide and he was always attentive, informative , and patient. Was an absolute pleasure to be around and always made us feel comfortable i cannot praise this guide enough he really is an amazing human being who is passionate about his work and gives beyond what is expected. We visited quito, quotopaxi and banos. We were a group of three with different tastes but we absolutely loved every place and every single activity. My personal favorite (if i had to choose) was the middle of... Read more

Milton was our guide and he was always attentive, informative , and patient. Was an absolute pleasure to be around and always made us feel comfortable i cannot praise this guide enough he really is an amazing human being who is passionate about his work and gives beyond what is expected. We visited quito, quotopaxi and banos. We were a group of three with different tastes but we absolutely loved every place and every single activity. My personal favorite (if i had to choose) was the middle of the earth( the real one) and the huge swing in banos and the hot springs and pavilion del diablo and the canyoning.

Hotel Reviews
Vieja Cuba
Quito
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Breakfast
Isla de Baños Hosteria y Spa
Baños
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Breakfast
Activity Reviews
Quito Cooking Class
Quito Cooking Class
Ecuador
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Explore Cotopaxi National Park
Explore Cotopaxi National Park
Ecuador
Quality of Experience
No
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Visit Quilotoa Crater Lake, Transfer to Baños
Visit Quilotoa Crater Lake, Transfer to Baños
Ecuador
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Visit the Pailón del Diablo Waterfall, Explore Baños
Visit the Pailón del Diablo Waterfall, Explore Baños
Baños
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Ride the Cable Car to Pichincha Volcano
Ride the Cable Car to Pichincha Volcano
Quito
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Canyoning in Baños
Canyoning in Baños
Baños
Quality of Experience
As
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Visit the "Middle of the World"
Visit the "Middle of the World"
Ecuador
Quality of Experience
Food
Salsa de aji was the best here
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Quito City Tour
Quito City Tour
Ecuador
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Linda Schulz
Linda
Linda Schulz
Local specialist in Quito | Replied on Nov 21, 2022

Hi Andrea,

I am very happy to hear that the three of you have enjoyed your time here in Ecuador! I will forward your excellent review to Milton, he will also be very happy to hear that you liked the places you visited and the activities you participated in.
I hope that one day you can come back and discover more regions of Ecuador!

All the best for you, Rozzey, and Katherine,
Linda

Why travelers love kimkim

Custom trips for independent travelers who are too busy to plan
Customize your trip with the help of a local travel specialist

Kimkim has handpicked the world’s top local travel specialists so you will have peace of mind and an unforgettable trip that meets your exact requirements.

Authentic travel experiences

Kimkim’s local specialists ensure that you will have the best experience based on up-to-date local insights. On top of that, the vast majority of your money will go straight to support and grow local economies.

Secure & easy booking

Once you are happy with the trip, you can easily book via kimkim’s secure payment platform.

Local support during your trip

You can always reach your local specialist with a quick message or call in case you hit a snag during your trip, or simply want some great local recommendations.