Reviews

Timbuktu made our Honeymoon! From all of the excursions, guides, transits and stays, the attention to detail was incredible. I felt safe, relaxed, and in good hands -- while planning the trip, and in Thailand! Jess is a superstar, and we'll definitely be working with her again soon. Thanks!

Highly recommend! For our trip, we wanted to just be able to enjoy the experience together. We literally spent zero time each day worrying about logistics (how to get places, where to eat, what to do next) because everything was planned, confirmed, and flowed seamlessly. Jessica did a great job providing overviews and links ahead of time, so that I could get the rest of my family excited and on board too. We are already planning our next trip with Timbuktu!

Great to work with and very knowledgeable regarding the places we want to visit.

We have loved the trips which Timbuktu have arranged for us to South Africa, Laos and Cambodia and are now looking forward to another trip later this year to Japan.

Jess has been super attentive and patient as we plan our first trip to Asia (Malaysia and Thailand). We are looking forward to the trip and the adventures she planned for us.

Absolutely loved our experience with Timbuktu. Working with Jess was an amazing process and our honeymoon wouldn’t have been half the trip it was without the support and guidance of Timbuktu. They really made our trip a trip of a lifetime.

Being our first international trip i was very needy and lots of questions. The timbuktu staff was responsive and helped me feel more at ease at every transaction! I would recommend this agency to anyone and will definitely use for our next trip! They are very knowledgeable about all the places they plan and customize trips very well!

The Timbuktu team did an amazing job putting together an itinerary that got better every day. All the places I visited and journeys I went on were not ones I could have found myself. The schedule had me stopping and enjoying where I was now and looking forward to those to come. Your execution of the trip was outstanding and flawless. I was always met when I disembarked from whatever mode of transportation I was on by a friendly and smiling face. Each guide in every location was professional, knowledgeable, and friendly! Each time we parted, I felt like I was leaving a new friend. The accommodations were also amazing. First class with a local feel. All the hotels had wonderful staff and service, and no room disappointment. The mahogany room in Chiang Khong overlooking the Mekong was truly an experience. My time in northern Thailand with my guide and driver was fascinating. Stopping at the White Temple was inspiring. The boat trip down the Mekong was certainly a highlight. What an experience to visit the villages and the Buddha Temple cave. Luang Prabang was so interesting and full of history. The trip to the falls and the villages made for a wonderful day. I made new friends on the boat trip, and I celebrated Christmas in the night market. And I was up at 5:30 am to watch and offer offerings to the monks. Flying into Hanoi was easy thanks to the airport guide, who got me through customs quickly, and the local guide, who whisked me through the city to the train station. On her advice, we stopped, and I bought sandwiches and drinks for the overnight train trip. I had seen a documentary on this north-to-south train, and it turned out to be another highlight of my trip. In the morning, I was having coffee with my suitemates from India and Vietnam. Although we did not have a common language, we still found a way to laugh. The stop in Hue was mystical on a grey, rainy day, making it the perfect setting for the visit. The guide was extremely knowledgeable, and the driver was fantastic. Overnighting in Da Nang, a 5-star hotel on the beach, was a real treat. And allowed for a morning run along the water, As always, the guide and driver were on time to take me to the train station and pick up a few more sandwiches for the long daytime train ride that day. This was a great way to experience the countryside as it rolled by for many hours. Nha Trang was a perfect rest stop for a few days near the beach with no itinerary. A beautiful hotel with a great gym and an ocean view. Dalat was also amazing. Staying high in the mountains in a beautiful colonial hotel added to the overall experience. My guide was amazing, and after I had New Year's Day to myself to explore, there were so many things I would have missed without the local knowledge. To top off a fantastic trip, the luxury bus ride in my suite just put a big exclamation mark on everything. And just so you made sure I made it, my trip was wrapped up with a local guide in HCMC, who picked me up and delivered me to my hotel. Thank you again for putting together an amazing experience. Everything you did was perfect, and I will certainly be reaching out again soon for more experiences!

Jess K was very helpful to me from beginning to end and *during* the trip. She was great about scheduling; offered solid advice about itineraries; coordinated nicely with the local travel organization; and was very responsive to problems that arose during the trip. I had read a lot about Vietnamese history and geography in advance and still wasn't well prepared for the weather (cold and wet in Hanoi; almost deadly heat in Con Dau Islands), or how totally sleek and modern Ho Chi Minh City is. The Vietnamese partner was great. I would highly recommend most/all of the guides; liked the itineraries; and loved seeing the various regions by motor scooter, car and boat -- a huge advantage to traveling alone. I would happily use Timbuktu again and recommend to others.