Kimkim Trip Reviews

We had a great experience in Korea! Our local guides, Sebastian, felt like a host! He was so kind and knowledgeable, both about Korea and about the logistics we needed to get where we were going with great views. The food was so fun, our cooking class with Hello K was amazing upstanding and street food was so fun we did it for dinner several nights! Jessica was helpful and easy to work with. We went to 2 countries on our trip and Jessica helped make sure we had what we needed when, to make things easy! The logistics all went very smooth which is a real benifit for big trips!

Hotel Reviews

L7 Myeongdong by LOTTE

A lot to love about location, getting there was a journey but once there you are in the heart of it all! Not 5 star because it’s a very busy hotel with only 3 elevators, it was quite common to have an elevator arrive already over full and having to wait for 2 or 3 rounds. There are not accessible stairs so there were times we needed to factor 10min into transit time just to get though the elevators!

Authenticity & Character

Fun place, nice beds! The roof top access was fun!

Location

Staff

Overall staff was helpful and kind. Needed help with laundry and one staff members was unkind and unhelpful. Not a language barrier just unhelpful and ultimately we went to 7-11 to get change as the machine was broken.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Not every room has carpet but we stayed in 2 that did and it was visibly gross and stained. Slippers were provided and used!

Cassia Sokcho

Sokcho

What a unique place! The views were so unique! The hotel was huge and expensive. Pool access was an extra charge, as were most of the unique features. The finishes to the hotel were interesting, there was a leak in our bath tub and one of the other rooms the tub didn’t fully drain and was wet upon check in, like it wasn’t level so water pooled on one side. Our stay was safe and we had a lot of fun, but there was a premium cost for anything beyond just the room and the resort style location was not ideal to explore beyond the property, even to eat.

Authenticity & Character

The views were unique, the food was good. It was a resort and felt like one!

Location

Not near anything, a pro and a con. Nice if you want the feeling of exclusivity and being on a reesort, con if you want to explore or see a new area.

Staff

Staff was helpful, we needed to have the early breakfast even though it was already full and they worked to get us settled, even bringing the tickets to our room after check in.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Everything was clean and comfortable.

Activity Reviews

Korean Full-Course Meal Cooking Class at Local Home with Local Market Experience

Seoul

This was son outstanding experience! The host was so kind, the tour through the market was fun, we got a few snacks to try! The cooking itself was an introduction in language and culture as we got to connect with authentic cooking with the idea that we could do this in our own homes later!

Quality of Experience

Outstanding! It was fun and accessible, even if you don’t normally cook

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Host was outstanding! Kind, fun and upbeat! Her passion was clear!

Transport

Transport was self arranged and harder to navigate than expected. We had planned an hour to get there, all predictions said 30min and we got there 3min late! No one’s fault and it was not ideal.

Visit the Picturesque Seoraksan National Park with Shinheungsa Temple

Sokcho

This was outstanding! Beautiful park, we loved the views and the cultural experience at the temple.

Quality of Experience

We. Pyle the used another 1/2 a day here! We only hit the highlights of the park with little extra time to explore.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Sebastián knew when we needed to be where so we we had a great time!

Transport

All the logistics went very smoothly!

Explore Nature on the Way to Sokcho: Garden of Morning Calm, Nami Island, Gangchon Rail Park

South Korea

These should all be separate reviews! We had a great day! Garden of Morning Calm: This garden was a delight! We could have used more time here to explore and enjoy the garden! Lots of great spots to appreciate the garden with benches and lovely paths to walk down! Nami Island: What a fun and unique place! We didn’t know much before going, just there for the nature and it was so nice! We needed more time to explore. The ferry ride over was nice but for logistics we were only able to spend about 90min actually looking either. Lots of lovely nature spots, statues, art and of course little shops and restaurants. Rail park: this was our least favorite of the 3 activities. We had fun, lots of laughter and smiles. It was a little hokey and we would have preferred more time in our other spots but it was fun and I would recommend the experience! Overall a great day!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Korean Folk Village, Suwon Hwaseong Fortress, Icheon Ceramic Experience Tour

South Korea

We had a great time and this day was not what we thought it would be. Fortress . The fortress was a nice piece of haired and gave context to Seoul. Glad to have seen it and enjoyed the tour but was more of an extension of the previous tour where we had gone to the palace. Village: The village was nice, it was during October so there were ghost decorations and lots of kids and families there enjoying the day. Lines were long and crowds were high. Our guide did a great job of finding less busy spots to share about the history and show unique things.I had not realized this was more of a historial theme park, part entertainment part history. Reminded me of a renaissance festival. Nice but not what I had in mind, probably should have done more research. Ceramics: this was great fun and it felt like we were a last minute addition. We enjoyed making our clay pieces and we’re disappointed to learn they were going to be broken down, you don’t get to take it home (or ship it home) so it was just the experience of creating, fun, worth doing and not what we had expected. We also did not learn much about pottery or ceramics or the significance of pottery to the region. Just made clay art! We had a great time, would recommend it and you don’t get to keep the piece you make and the experiment is all about making the piece.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Sebastián was great! Took us to a great BBQ place! The pottery people were kind and accommodating! We had some laugh out loud lunate barrier moments that everyone managed with grace!

Transport

Explore Seoul Highlights

Seoul

This was a busy day! We saw so much and still feel like we only scratched the surface! We had been told we might not go up the tower but we did and I would highly recommend going up!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Soleil really took the time to hear what our heart’s desire were for our trip to Japan. Thank you Soleil, for your sensitivity, charm, attention to detail and professionalism. Soleil and her colleagues prompt d us every step of the way so we knew what was next in our itinerary, which was comforting.

In northern Okinawa Aoka created an oasis of calm. I have been reflecting on our time together particularly the discussion with the Shaman and our profound discussion of being in the moment, praying to our ancestors and reflections in the window of the villa. Fascinating how we are in the moment and at the same time our moments because our memories. Will always have fond memories of Aoka and the restorative, peaceful, nurturing time we spent together. Thank You, Thank You, Thank You🙏🏾 For the peace….

Thank you Ayumi for you patience and understanding with our late start. We really lucked out with having you as our guide; the sensitivity, creativity, and flexibility made our day with you serene. As a Mother you can understand how profound it is that Victoria wanted to hold hands with you. ❤️

I recommend and endorse KimKim wholeheartedly for your travel sojourns and expeditions.

Warm regards,
Dr and Mrs Bayley

We had a wonderful time with our Yogyakarta guide and driver, Dilla &Parlan. Seeing Borobudur and Prambanan was a highlight of our trip and they made getting to both fun and easy to see.

The travel from Yogyakarta to Bromo and Ijen could have been overwhelming given the distance but our guide/driver Aldo was the best. His excellent English, sense of humor and being an all around fun person made the time go quickly. The hotels and regions we stayed at for the hikes were beautiful. Our Bromo guide Teguh was the best guide we had during the trip. We’d heard about the possible crowds at Bromo but with his guidance felt like we had the mountain to ourselves. And he always knew how to get the best photo to capture the beauty. The region around Ijen is stunning filled with terraced rice fields and coffee plantations.

Snorkeling in northern Bali at Menjangan Island was spectacular- incredible corals, endless fish and sea turtles. The drive from north Bali to south was fascinating and possibly some of the steepest roads I’ve ever seen. Pecatu (Uluwatu) is beautiful being high up on the cliffs with amazing views. Really enjoyed relaxing and recharging here.

Hotel Reviews

Teras Hotel Ijen Banyuwangi

Banyuwangi

Beautifully designed building in a lovely setting.

Authenticity & Character

Location

The terraced rice fields surrounding the hotel are beautiful.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

The Phoenix Hotel Yogyakarta - MGallery Collection

YOGYAKARTA

Great location, well appointed with a lovely pool and helpful friendly staff. Breakfast was great and one of the most extensive we’ve very seen. Our room overlooking the pool was perfect.

Authenticity & Character

Historic character

Location

Near Malioboro Street and great coffee options in walking distance.

Staff

Very nice and friendly

Cleanliness & Comfort

Jiwa Jawa Bromo

Beautiful location and grounds. The gallery was also lovely.

Authenticity & Character

The grounds are very well maintained and nice to wander in.

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Menjangan Dynasty Resort

Lovely beach setting with great snorkeling access. Buildings are beautiful and the layout of the space is great.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Front desk staff were lovely and helpful. The food service staff were a bit forgetful.

Cleanliness & Comfort

VANARA Resort & Spa

Pecatu

Incredible buildings with beautiful designed rooms/ villas and the view is spectacular. The restaurant and breakfasts were some of the best food we had in Indonesia- I’m still thinking of the lovely breakfasts. Staff were incredibly kind and thoughtful- always helpful and anticipating your needs. We had an early checkout and they offered breakfast to go which was so perfect.

Authenticity & Character

Villas are designed to capture the views and with great attention to detail. The afternoon snacks in the room are also lovely.

Location

The view over the cliff to the ocean was incredible during the day but even better at sunset. Don’t be surprised by the drive in- it is a bit out of the way but completely worth it.

Staff

The staff were always kind, attentive and helpful. The resort uses texting rather than landline phones - which I didn’t know how I’d feel about but it works great and isn’t at all obtrusive. Also, because the restaurant is so highly regarded and the location so amazing people come to have drinks and dinner but the staff quietly gives preference to those staying at the hotel- which is lovely.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Visit Taman Sari Water Palace

Yogyakarta

Interesting to see but small and not much information. Did also enjoy the shadow puppet makers stall outside the exit- truly incredible to see the process.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Dilla explained the space well but there isn’t much left to the building.

Transport

Cliffs of Majesty : Visit Uluwatu Temple & Watch Kecak Dance

Indonesia

A Royal Evening at Prambanan : Visit Prambanan & Watch Ramayana

Yogyakarta

Go on a Sunrise Hike to Mount Bromo

Indonesia

Such an amazing morning- to be able to watch the sunrise over volcanoes then hike and look into the caldera was truly incredible. Cannot say enough good things about our guide, Teguh, who knew just where to we should be for the best views and how to miss the traffic. Incredible!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Witness the Blue Flame of Ijen Crater

Indonesia

No blue flames for us but fun to hike into a caldera. We hiked in quickly without much of a crowd but the single path into the caldera was hard to navigate with so many people going both directions.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Snorkeling in Menjangan

Indonesia

Incredible snorkeling environment- so much wildlife, including sea turtles!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Visit Borobudur Temple

Indonesia

Best tour was the ice cave tour with local guides.is. Micheal our guide was excellent and gave us a lot of great info.
All places we stayed at were very nice.
Kimkim app and info provided by Emanuel were awesome and very useful.

Our trip guided by Florin and driven by Bogdan exceeded my expectations by far. It couldn't have been better.

Activity Reviews

Transfer from Bucharest to Brasov with Peles Castle

Romania

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Zarnesti Cliffs and Bear Watching

Romania

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Viscri and Sighisoara

Romania

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Sighisoara to Bucovina with the Red Lake and the Bicaz Gorge

Romania

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Discover Bucovina

Gura Humorului

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Visit Suceava

Romania

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Free time in Bucharest

Bucharest

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Visit Mihoveni

Suceava

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Bucharest city tour

Bucharest

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

My wife and I had a spectacular Italy trip and much thanks is due to Caterina and her team at YCJ. She was super helpful in planning a trip that met the dream we had and gave great advice along the way. The trip itself went off without a hitch, the drivers and guides were all first class and it really let us focus on just enjoying our time in Italy. There was one particular winery I very much wanted to visit and she was able to contact them and arrange it for us and the experience there was incredible. Overall, I can’t say enough good things. I highly recommend them and will use them again.

Kate was amazing yet again!!! We had the most wonderful time on our adventure that she planned for us. She is attentive and always plans the best vacations. We hope to use her again in the future.

A beautifully planned trip with amazing activities that showed us a different side of Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast. Puerto Viejo and its surroundings are such a stunning region with so much to explore. It was a wonderful and memorable experience!

We can’t say enough good things about Ravi and the whole team from Active India. From the minute we landed until we flew out, we were looked after extremely well. Our driver Satnam was excellent along with each and every guide we had. Being greeted at the airport & also escorted to the airport at the end was a nice touch. Highly recommend!

Hotel Reviews

Samode Haveli

Jaipur

We absolutely loved this hotel. Everything about the hotel was first class. We wished we could’ve stayed longer.

Authenticity & Character

Beautifully and peacefully decorated

Location

Staff

Extremely pleasant and approachable staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Extremely hard-working staff kept hotel spotless

RAAS JODHPUR

Jodhpur

Gorgeous setting for hotel. Jodphur was our favourite place to visit and the hotel accommodations made it even better.

Authenticity & Character

Beautifully decorated

Location

Located at the base of the fort

Staff

Extremely friendly and approach

Cleanliness & Comfort

Spotless

Activity Review

Taj Mahal Sunrise Visit

Agra

Highly recommend completing the early morning tour of the Taj Mahal. Well, worth it to wake up early.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We really enjoyed the itinerary that Eleanor created for our visit to Japan. She was friendly, responsive to our preferences and full of ideas. Our transfers, drivers and guides were all professional and friendly.

My wife and I The planning and booking process was so smooth and easy via Kimkim. We weren't sure what to expect, as this was our first time using Kimkim, or even with a travel agent. We were connected with Robi, who asked some clarifying questions, and was quick to respond to each correspondence. We had a LOT of back-and-forth here, uncertainties, and waffling, entirely on our side - the reason we used Kimkim was that we were both under a lot of work and personal stress at this time, so it was difficult making timely responses and decisions. Robi was so patient and helpful during this time, even as we pushed up against the 60-day deadline for booking.

We started by flying in to Pula, where Robi had arranged for a rental car to be ready for us. There was some confusion with the handoff, but it was quickly solved by messaging Robi.

Our first hotel was the Grand Hotel Brioni Pula, which was gorgeous! We especially loved the infinite pool with pool-side bar, the saunas, and the relaxation rooms, which were all included in the stay. Breakfast was delicious, and we were on our way. Robi sent us a list of recommended locations, including sights, restaurants, best places to park, etc - this was a constant throughout our trip, and very helpful! Pula was great, the amphitheater is a must-see, and the Olive Oil Museum "Oleum Histriae" was fun and informative.

We had originally planned to move on to Poreč, but the Istria 300 bicycle race was taking place there during our planned dates. Robi instead recommended us to stay in Rovinj at Hotel Lone, and we were so glad he did. This hotel was just as lovely as the last, the room he got us was even more spacious and comfortable, again we had included pool/sauna/relaxation areas, and breakfast was even better than the last. We spent a few days here exploring Istria, including the city of Rovinj, Motovun (breathtaking) with a highly recommended truffle hunting experience, Poreč, the smallest town in the world Hum, and our favorite - Grožnjan. We also stopped at Cattunar Winery, which Robi recommended to us - wow! Excellent wines, a lovely spread was included in our tasting, and the views were beautiful. We loved it; if you enjoy wine at all, you must try their varieties of Malvazija (Malvasia)!

Next on our itinerary was traveling south to Plitvice Lakes. We stayed overnight at Hotel Degenija, another beautiful spot. As the above, included sauna (though we didn't have time to enjoy it) and delicious breakfast. We took a couple bananas along with us after breakfast to enjoy in the park during our hike. We woke up early to get to the National Park as close to opening as possible per Robi's recommendation, and arrived at 0815. This was perfect, as the crowds were very light and with a little effort/timing we had much of the park to ourselves. Plitvice Lakes are amongst the most beautiful places I have ever seen. This was the highlight of the trip for me, though it truly speaks to the overall beauty of Croatia that I had a hard time deciding that.

After Plitvice, we moved on to Zadar. We stayed at Hotel Bastion in the middle of the Old Town, built into the remains of an historic fortress. Again, the room and grounds were excellent, though a slight disappointment that neither parking nor sauna/jacuzzi were included unlike previous stays, both incurring separate charges. That said, they didn't end up charging us for parking when we checked out. Robi had arranged for a city tour with a guide named Sonja, whom we absolutely loved. She was extremely personable, so thorough, and excited to answer all of our questions.

Our final location was Split, and we stayed there at Hotel Marul. The hotel didn't measure up to the prior hotels' standards. I don't blame Robi for this; sounds like there was a recent change in ownership/management and the quality has lapsed since. Split was otherwise amazing. Again, Robi had arranged for a tour of the old town and Diocletian's Palace with a local guide named Ivica, and again the guide was excellent. Finally, Robi also arranged for transportation to the airport from our hotel, which was smooth and easy.

Overall, we were very pleased with our experience, and wouldn't hesitate to recommend Robi most highly. Robi was always available via WhatsApp and was quick to provide help, advice, or suggestions as needed, which really made the trip feel effortless. Thank you, Robi! Hvala!

For complete transparency, here is what was included at $7831 for two adults:
Accommodations
1 night stay at Grand Hotel Brioni Pula (Pula)
3 nights stay at Hotel Lone (Rovinj)
1 night stay at Hotel Degenija (Plitvice Lakes)
2 nights stay at Bastion Heritage Hotel—Relais & Châteaux (Zadar)
2 nights stay at Hotel Marul (Split)
Other details
Rental car from day 1 to day 8 with delivery and pick up
All accommodations with breakfast
Entrance tickets for Plitvice Lakes National Park
Private city tour in Zadar
Private city tour of Diocletian's Palace in Split
Local tax and fees
Sojorun tax
VAT
Departure airport transfer
Planing and coordination along the way
Daily communication and support through WhatsApp

Sonia and the Kimkim team curated a perfect Italian vacation for me and my sister. Our trip included a cooking class, wine tasting in Chianti, museums, and guided tours of several cities. All of the tour guides, (Paola in Bologna, Alessadro in Pisa, Belinda in Lucca) were very knowledgeable and delightful. They made our visit to these cities so much more enjoyable. Our prearranged transfers to each city made for a carefree trip. Despite Sonia's very clear instructions, we got a little turned around in Florence on our first day in the city. As a result, we missed our first walking tour but Sonia was able to reschedule the tour on another day, which we really appreciated. She was also able to schedule a last minute tour with Valter to Pietrasanta, Viareggio, and Forte dei Marmi. This was an unexpected and really fun outing for us. Valter provided insights into these cities along with information about the town near Lucca where our grandfather was from.

We could not have planned such a wonderful trip ourselves. Thank you Kimkim for a trip we will never forget.

I planned this trip to Nepal to celebrate my 52nd birthday, experience the country’s incredible landscapes, connect with local people, and create meaningful memories. I spent considerable time working with the travel planner through multiple itinerary revisions, explaining what mattered to me and what kind of experience I wanted. While there were some genuinely wonderful moments, I left disappointed with several important aspects of the service provided by Kimkim and the local travel planner, particularly the planning process, the lack of transparency about the trekking accommodations, and the failure to deliver some of the experiences we had discussed.

I want to distinguish my experience with the travel service from my feelings about Nepal and its people. I am grateful for the people who made my trip special, and I had some beautiful experiences. However, I also believe that a customer who invests time, money, and trust in a customized trip deserves accurate information, attentive planning, and an itinerary that reflects the preferences discussed before departure.

1. The travel planner did not fully listen to or deliver on my preferences

One of my priorities was to immerse myself in the local culture and spend time with local people in a meaningful way. I specifically communicated that I wanted an opportunity to stay with a local family or experience family life rather than simply visit tourist sites. My understanding from the discussions with the planner was that this type of experience would be included.

Unfortunately, this did not happen during the Himalayan portion of the trip. I believe there may have been a misunderstanding about what I meant by staying with a family and what the planner considered a cultural experience. Visiting a village is not the same as staying with a local family, sharing in their daily life, and having the opportunity to connect with them.

This distinction was important to me, and I had communicated it in advance. Had I understood that the itinerary would not provide the experience I requested, I could have discussed alternatives or chosen a different arrangement.

The contrast with my experience in Chitwan was significant. There, I was invited to participate in a traditional celebration in a nearby Tharu village, where the community leader welcomed me and offered rice wine. I also had the opportunity to feed rescued elephants by the river and participate in planting a tree that would eventually provide food for elephants. These experiences felt authentic, meaningful, and connected to the local community. They were exactly the kinds of experiences I had hoped to have more of during my trip.

The fact that I experienced this type of cultural connection in Chitwan makes the absence of the experience I requested for the Himalayan portion particularly disappointing.

More broadly, after multiple rounds of itinerary discussions, I expected the planner to understand my priorities and make recommendations accordingly. I do not expect every detail of a trip to go perfectly, but I do expect a customized itinerary to reflect what the client has explicitly communicated. In this case, I do not feel that happened consistently.

2. The Annapurna trek was the most disappointing part of my trip

The four-day Annapurna trek was one of the most disappointing birthday travel experiences I have had in decades. I understand that trekking in the Himalayas involves physical challenges, basic facilities, changing conditions, and circumstances that cannot always be controlled. I was not expecting luxury in the mountains, and I was prepared for a challenging trek.

My disappointment was not simply that the trek was difficult. It was that I did not feel adequately informed about the conditions I would encounter, the actual distances involved, or the standard of the accommodations. With more accurate information before departure, I could have made a more informed decision about the trek, the route, and the level of comfort I was willing to accept.

Accommodation conditions and lack of transparency

The conditions at Dobato were particularly concerning. The information provided about the accommodation indicated that hot showers and Wi-Fi would be available 24 hours a day. In reality, electricity and Wi-Fi availability were extremely limited, with electricity available for approximately one hour.

The bathroom and shower facilities were in such poor and unhygienic condition that I found them extremely unpleasant to use. The shower was essentially an option only for someone exceptionally brave, and I did not feel comfortable using it. The issue was not simply that the facilities were basic or that I had to share a bathroom. It was the condition and cleanliness of the facilities themselves.

I understand that remote mountain accommodations cannot offer the same amenities as hotels in cities. However, there is a difference between basic facilities and facilities whose actual condition is not adequately disclosed before booking. If I had known what to expect, I could have considered other routes or accommodations, or decided whether this particular trek was right for me.

There were also limited electricity facilities at Ghorepani. Combined with the poor conditions at Dobato, this made it difficult to recharge devices and recover comfortably after long hiking days.

The planner and local operator should provide realistic, accurate descriptions of mountain accommodations, including electricity availability, Wi-Fi limitations, shower conditions, and general cleanliness where that information is known. Clients should be able to make informed decisions before committing to a trip.

Trekking distances were not accurately communicated

The trekking distances and expectations also differed from what I had been told. On one of the trekking days, I was told that the distance would be no more than approximately eight kilometers. In reality, I walked around 11 kilometers, with substantial uphill and downhill sections.

My approximate daily distances were:

Ghandruk to Tadapani: 8 km

Tadapani to Dobato: 8 km

The following day toward Ghorepani: approximately 11 km

Ghorepani to Ulleri: approximately 10 km

That is approximately 37 kilometers in total.

I am not complaining about having to walk or about being challenged physically. Hiking was one of the reasons I chose this trip. My concern is that distances, elevation changes, estimated walking times, and the difficulty of each day should be communicated accurately. These details matter when someone is planning a multi-day trek, particularly when the conditions for sleeping, eating, and recovering are already challenging.

Accurate expectations would have helped me prepare mentally and physically and understand what I was committing to.

Food and recovery

Food during the trek was another disappointment. Approximately half of my food experiences were poor, with meals that were bland and unappealing. When combined with the long hiking days, limited electricity, uncomfortable accommodations, and inadequate opportunities for recovery, this affected my overall experience.

I recognize that food options are limited in remote mountain locations. Nevertheless, the overall experience could have been better managed, and I wish I had received a more realistic picture of what to expect.

My birthday breakfast

My birthday, October 1, was supposed to include breakfast at the top of a mountain or scenic viewpoint in Mulde, which was meant to be a special moment during the trek. Unfortunately, the person delivering the breakfast arrived more than an hour late, and the breakfast itself was very poor and bland.

I understand that unexpected things can happen in the mountains, but this was a particularly disappointing experience because the birthday breakfast had been presented as a special part of the itinerary. Given the significance of the occasion and the amount of planning that had gone into the trip, I had hoped this moment would be handled with more care.

Taken together, these issues significantly affected my enjoyment of what should have been a memorable birthday experience. I cannot recommend the Annapurna trek as it was arranged and delivered to me.

3. Feedback about the guide

I want to acknowledge that my guide, Gyaljan, had positive qualities. He was attentive to details, was nice to me, and made thoughtful efforts to look after me. For example, he arranged sleeves for me and provided snacks. These gestures showed that he paid attention to my needs, and I appreciated them. I do not want the negative feedback to overshadow the things he did well.

However, there were also areas where I believe improvement is needed.

First, as mentioned above, the trekking distances were not always communicated accurately. A guide should be familiar enough with the route to provide realistic estimates and prepare travelers for the physical demands of each day.

Second, I sometimes felt that the guide's anxiety was transferred to me rather than helping me feel reassured. While I was paragliding in Pokhara, he repeatedly contacted the paragliding operators. I understand that he may have been concerned about my safety, and I appreciate that safety matters. However, I had entrusted the activity to the operators responsible for it, and the repeated calls made me feel more anxious rather than more secure.

Similarly, during the journey from Chitwan back to Kathmandu, he sent repeated messages and appeared anxious about the situation. I value communication and appreciate genuine concern, but I also expect a guide to remain calm and communicate in a way that reassures the traveler, particularly when a situation is outside the traveler's control.

Third, managing limited electricity was important during the trek, but I did not always receive the guidance or follow-through I needed. For example, the guide said he would charge one of my backup batteries the following day, but that did not happen. Given the extremely limited electricity at some accommodations, practical advice about when to charge devices and reliable follow-through were important.

Overall, I appreciated the guide's kindness and thoughtful gestures, but I believe there is room for improvement in route communication, managing anxiety, professional reassurance, and practical preparation for remote trekking conditions.

4. The porter deserves special recognition

I want to make a point of recognizing the person who carried my bags during the trek. Pram was excellent. He seemed very knowledgeable about the area and the mountain trails, was efficient and fast, and appeared to know the quickest routes through the terrain. He also seemed like a genuinely nice person.

His work made a positive impression on me, and I appreciated his competence and contribution to the trek. I would like this feedback to be shared with him and his employer, because good work deserves to be recognized.

5. Promised trekking gear was not delivered as expected

During the meeting with the planner at my hotel in Kathmandu, I was told that a hat and raincoat would be provided. In the end, I had to purchase my own raincoat and a down jacket. I never used the down jacket, so I will now have to give it away.

I did receive a hat from Responsible Trekkers, but the overall arrangement was not clearly explained to me, and the promised items were not handled as I had expected.

If the equipment was unavailable, if the arrangement changed, or if I misunderstood what was included, I would have appreciated a clear explanation before the trip. Instead, I ended up spending additional money and purchasing equipment that I did not ultimately need.

This is another example of why clear communication during the planning stage matters. Travelers should know exactly which items are included, which items they need to purchase themselves, and whether any arrangements have changed.

6. The $100 returning-customer benefit was never explained

I also expected to receive a $100 benefit for being a returning Kimkim customer. However, I never received a clear explanation about why it was not applied.

If there were conditions that I did not meet, I would have appreciated someone explaining those conditions. If the benefit should have been applied, I would have expected it to be reflected in the booking.

My concern is not only about the $100 itself. It is about transparency and customer service. As a returning customer, I should not have to chase an explanation for a benefit I reasonably expected to receive. I would appreciate a written explanation of the eligibility requirements and why the benefit was not applied to my trip.

7. The positive experiences deserve recognition

Despite these disappointments, I did have some wonderful experiences, and I want to recognize the parts of the trip that were handled well.

Hotel Tibet in Kathmandu was an excellent choice. I loved its cozy atmosphere and the warmth of the staff, who made me feel welcome and almost like family. I was very happy with that accommodation.

Sapana Village Lodge in Chitwan provided some of the most memorable experiences of my trip. The invitation to the traditional Tharu village celebration, the welcoming attitude of the community leader, the opportunity to feed rescued elephants by the river, and the tree-planting experience were meaningful and memorable. I also appreciated the lodge's connection to community initiatives and the work associated with the Sapana Project.

The Nanee in Bhaktapur, where I stayed on my final night, was another excellent choice. I enjoyed the quieter atmosphere, exploring Durbar Square in the rain, discovering a local coffee shop, and experiencing a side of Bhaktapur that felt less hectic and more personal. I was also touched by the gift of a white Ganesha in a little lucky paper box. It was a lovely final memory of Nepal.

These experiences demonstrate that the trip had real strengths. I am grateful for the people who welcomed me, the thoughtful gestures I received, and the opportunities I had to learn about local culture and communities.

8. My broader concern about Kimkim's planning and service

This trip has also made me reflect on my experience with Kimkim over the past couple of years. I have become increasingly concerned about the consistency of the service and whether the local planners are truly listening to customers and translating their preferences into suitable itineraries.

I understand that Kimkim works with local travel specialists and that local knowledge is an important part of the service. That is one of the reasons I have used a platform like this. However, the planning process should result in an itinerary that reflects the customer's priorities, with realistic information about accommodations, activities, distances, and costs.

In this case, I spent considerable time discussing and revising my itinerary. I explained the type of cultural immersion I wanted, yet the family experience I requested was not delivered in the Himalayan portion of the trip. I was not adequately prepared for the actual conditions at the mountain accommodations, and I received information about distances that did not match what I experienced. There were also unanswered questions about promised gear and the returning-customer benefit.

Had I known the actual conditions of the trek and the accommodations in advance, I might have chosen a different route or a different level of trekking comfort. The issue is that I was not given the information I needed to make that choice.

There were good moments during this trip, but I also feel that I made the best of circumstances that could have been prevented or better managed through more attentive planning and transparent communication. A traveler should not have to discover important limitations only after arriving at a remote destination.

I would encourage Kimkim to review how the local planner handled my preferences, how the itinerary and accommodation descriptions were communicated, and how promised arrangements and returning-customer benefits are tracked and explained.

9. What I would like Kimkim to address

I would appreciate a response addressing the following points:

Why my request for a meaningful stay or cultural experience with a local family in the Himalayan portion of the itinerary was not fulfilled, despite discussing this preference during the planning process.

Whether the descriptions of the mountain accommodations, including the stated availability of hot showers, Wi-Fi, and electricity, accurately reflected the conditions that travelers could expect.

How the trekking distances and daily physical demands were estimated and communicated, given the discrepancy between the distance I was told to expect and the distance I actually walked.

What happened with the promised hat and raincoat arrangements and why the equipment expectations were not clearly explained.

Why the $100 returning-customer benefit was not applied or explained, and whether I was eligible for it.

Whether this feedback will be shared with the local planner, guide, porter, and relevant local operator so that both positive contributions and areas for improvement are acknowledged.

I am not writing this review to suggest that every part of a trip can be controlled or that mountain travel should offer the comforts of a city hotel. I chose Nepal because I wanted its landscapes, culture, people, and trekking experiences. I understand that travel involves uncertainty, and I am willing to adapt when circumstances change.

What I expect, however, is honest information, thoughtful planning, and a genuine effort to deliver the experience that was discussed and agreed upon. When a customer communicates preferences in advance and invests in a customized itinerary, those preferences should guide the recommendations and the final arrangements.

I am grateful for the beautiful memories I made in Nepal, especially in Kathmandu, Chitwan, and Bhaktapur, and for the individuals who went out of their way to help me. At the same time, the shortcomings in the planning and the Annapurna trek were significant enough to affect my overall experience and my confidence in the service.

I hope Kimkim takes this feedback seriously, provides clear answers to the outstanding questions, and uses it to improve the quality, transparency, and consistency of the service it provides to future travelers.

Amazing journey to Turkey prepared by Berat Ornek of Trail Travel. During the course of 14 days Berat had us visiting Istanbul, the Aegean coast and Cappadocia and selected excellent guides, transportation and hotels for each destination.. Her recommendations were not only memorable but perhaps the best we have experienced in visiting more than 70 countries to date. Thank you Berat for a great experience.

This was a beyond wonderful trip to Japan… Memories will last the remainder of my life.
The guides were professionally excellent, always punctual, pleasant, flexible, and very informative.
I would not hesitate for a second to recommend kimkim. We will definitely use your services for our next international trip.

Hotel Reviews

the b asakusa

Tokyo

Great location and excellent service.

Authenticity & Character

Darken floors

Location

Asakusa convenient neighborhood

Staff

Everyone

Cleanliness & Comfort

Everything

Hakone Yumoto Fujiya Hotel

Hakone

Authenticity & Character

Best hotel onsen

Location

Surrounded by natural beauty

Cleanliness & Comfort

Everything

Hotel Vischio Kyoto by GRANVIA

Kyoto

Great hotel. Public bath and breakfast buffet in particular.

Authenticity & Character

Loved the toilet and shower

Location

Located a few hundred feet from Kyoto Station

Staff

Everything

Cleanliness & Comfort

Wonderful amenities… Even a pull down privacy screen.

Osaka Excel Hotel Tokyu

Osaka

Great hotel, and even better breakfast

Location

Centrally located

Activity Reviews

Full Day Mt. Fuji with Lake Kawaguchi with Oshino Hakkai

Japan

Great day in Mount Fuji vicinity with boat ride on lake.

Quality of Experience

All good

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Wonderfully professional guide

Transport

Vehicle luxury

Full Day Kyoto City Tour with Kinkaku-ji Temple, Nijo Castle, and Fushimi-Inari Taisha

Kyoto

Amazing castles, and shrines. Kinkaku-ji shrine amazing

Quality of Experience

Amazing history

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Knowledgeable and pleasant

Transport

Great subway system

Sightseeing in Arashiyama - Boat Ride , Bamboo Grove & Monkey Park

Kyoto

Park is beautiful. Loved the monkeys.

Tokyo Highlights Day Tour with Tsukiji Outer Fish Market

Tokyo

Fish market is amazing. Could have spent more time there.

One Day Miyajima Island and Hiroshima Tour (Kyoto Return Trip)

Japan

Miyajima island is wonderful with Shinto shrines and a great shopping area. Hiroshima is a sobering experience

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Great guide as usual

Kimono Tea Ceremony at Kyoto Maikoya

Kyoto

Very enjoyable, getting dressed in authentic Japanese kimonos for the ceremony. Fun learning how to make authentic Matcha tea.

Full Day City Tour with Osaka Castle

Japan

Amazing castle and surrounding grounds.

World Heritage Himeji Castle & Kōko-en, Kobe tour

Japan

Castle is amazing. Not enough time allotted to Nunobiki Ropeway.

All our guides were great.all very knowledgeable friendly and outgoing

Hotel Reviews

Hotel Gravina 51

Sevilla

Beautiful boutique hotel located in great area.loved the rooftop.nicely decorated room comfortable bed .items in mini bar were complimentary.staff were friendly and helpful

Authenticity & Character

Location

Walk to everything

Staff

Helpful recommended great places to eat

Cleanliness & Comfort

Bathroom bedroom immaculate

Hotel NH Collection Granada Victoria

Granada

Loved the shower great location.could hear the church bells

Authenticity & Character

Location

Central location near restaurants and bars

Staff

Helpful friendly

Cleanliness & Comfort

There is a bit of street noise as there is a night club across the street open until six AM

Activity Reviews

Private Visit to Seville's Cathedral & Alcázar

Seville

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private History & Culture Walk

Seville

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Jorge was very helpful and responsive while planning our trip! Our guide, Julio, in Peru was very dedicated and knowledgeable, it was a pleasure spending time with him. In Bolivia, our guide Frans, and driver Ivan, were great! We really enjoyed both of them for our tours of La Paz and the Bolivian side of Titicaca. All of our guides, including the daytrip guides, were good.

Hotel Reviews

Sonesta Posadas del Inca Yucay

Urubamba

Very beautiful grounds, nice breakfast. Unfortunately we stayed only one night and left first thing in the morning

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Casa del Sol

Machu Picchu

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Novotel Cusco

Cusco

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Mitru Sur Hotel

La Paz

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel de Sal Luna Salada

Uyuni

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

GHL Hotel Lago Titicaca Puno

Lago Titicaca, Puno

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Pisac Archaeological Site & Village Tour

Peru

the archaelogical site was interesting, beautiful setting. The town of Pisac was in a beautiful area, I wish we could have spent more time in the town. I don't always love when we're taken to a particular store but hopefully it's for good reason.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Machu Picchu Exploration

Aguas Calientes/ Machu Picchu

Of course Machu Picchu is an amazing place, which is why it is so popular. Despite the number of tourists there it didn't feel too crowded. The transport to and from was pretty well organized and ran smoothly.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Free day in Cusco

Cusco

We really enjoyed having a leisurely morning and exploring the town on our own

Quality of Experience

We found a small family-run restaurant in San Blas neighborhood where we had coca tea and amazing ceviche. Hiking up the steps in the San Blas area gave us an amazing view of the city

City tour & Valley of the Moon

La Paz

We enjoyed seeing La Paz and the Valley of the Moon was beautiful. We really enjoyed the cable cars

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Lake Titicaca 1/2: La Paz to Sun Island via Copacabana

Bolivia

It was all beautiful. Unfortunately we had to rush this excursion because of being stuck in Uyuni the day before

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Lake Titicaca 2/2: Sun Island, Copacabana & Puno

Bolivia

We really didn't have much time, just enough to arrive in Puno and spend the night there. Beautiful view from our hotel

Sillustani tombs

Puno

Beautiful setting, and pretty drive to the tombs. Perfect stop to occupy us since we had time before our flight. The tombs are interesting

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Uyuni Salt Flat Adventure

Bolivia

The salt flats are very unique. I have mixed feelings about traveling so much just to see the area for one day, but it was a beautiful day and interesting scenery. There isn't much else to see or do in the area. The guides fixed us a nice lunch on the flats. We took the popular silly pictures. The hotel we stayed at, (The Salt hotel) was amazing. Unfortunately I was sick and didn't get to enjoy the hotel much.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

The trip was great. The guides worked with our preferences very well. The only adjustment I would make was the seven hour walking tour in Lisbon on our last day was too much. Four hours would have been much better and would have allowed us some free time.

Kim Kim and Liz did a wonderful job planning and executing our trip to France. From the first planning discussion to the final run through of our itinerary we felt that Kim Kim understood our needs and would provide a wonderful travel experience. We weren't disappointed. Highlights of our days in France were visiting the Avignon area of France. What a beautiful place with lots of varied things to do and see. We especially liked the day channeling Van Gogh through St. Remy and Arles.

We probably over booked ourselves during our two days in Paris. It was quite a marathon but we did and saw so many wonderful sights including Versailles, the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Orsay Museum. Wish we could have spent more time in Paris but now we are motivated to return.

Traveled as a group of four friends to the Andalusia area of Spain. Our travel specialist Raquel worked with our group and put together 12 day itinerary that met all of our needs perfectly. We loved the kimkim app which had ever detail of our day to day plan, tours, tickets, recommendation , etc and we referred to it non-stop.

Our trip was seamless, from our airport pickup in Seville, car rental, hotels, tours, tickets…through to the end. As per our request, and of course with Raquel’s assistance we were able to hit all the places on our wish list. We visited Seville, Cordoba (day trip), Cádiz, Grenada, Rhonda, Malaga and day trip to Nerja.
Our hotels in each location were in excellent locations for walking in the historic districts and meeting locations for tours. All accommodations exceeded our expectations with attentive staff, beautiful rooms, and delicious breakfasts included. We particularly enjoyed the H10 hotels that we stayed at in Seville and Malaga.
Our arranged private tours were exceptional with local knowledgeable tour guides. They all had educations and backgrounds that enhanced the experiences. We had a great variety of history, culture, food, and fun with lots of laughs along the way.

Hotel Reviews

H10 Casa de la Plata

Sevilla

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

H10 Croma Málaga

Málaga

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Review

Monumental Seville on Foot & Visit Real Alcázar

Seville