A dream come true
Peru | Nov 11 - Nov 25, 2023

O
Olga S.
Sweden | Reviewed on Nov 29, 2023

I only have great things to say about the trip and everything about it: the planning and organizing and the people that have been involved to make this experience unforgettable. Jessica has been absolutely amazing providing answers to all - sometimes even silly - questions and making sure every single request from our side has been met and included in the itinerary. I must admit, I was a bit worried at first booking such an expensive trip online like this, no receipts, no "actual" people we're interacting with, it felt a bit uncertain. Also, I was worried about the situation in Peru and whether it would be unstable/turbulent there. None of my fears turned out to have any ground and it was the smoothest trip I've ever been on! Well, apart from constantly being sick, but that had only to do with my own immune system :D So my huge appreciation goes out to Jess! Thanks for all the patience with us while drafting out this adventure! Our first guide on the ground was Maykel and he showed us the wonders of the Puno region. He has such a passion for his work, his country and history - it was a pleasure listening to his stories. Then we met Emilia in Cusco and we stayed with her all throughout the Cusco - Machu Picchu - Rainbow Mountain journey. Also her passion and pride for her country and background has rubbed off :) She is such a wonderful and warm person, it was great being taken care of by her during those days. Lastly, in the Amazon region, we were taken care by Carlos and Jaiver, who once again were so clearly in love with the jungle, the nature and their work! Their ability to feel the forest was absolutely mind-blowing - it felt like they could see right through it, when they knew where to turn to find a tarantula in the complete darkness or to spot an iguana up on a treetop when passing by at high speed on a boat (when we came to a halt, it took me a while to see the iguana and I just kept wondering how on earth did they manage to see it so quickly?) but it's just that it's in their blood - and it's fantastic to know that there are people like them living there and taking such loving care of the "lungs of our planet".
Huge thanks to the entire kimkim team for making my dream come true! You're all fantastic!

Hotel Reviews
Tierra Viva Miraflores Larco
Lima

Nice hotel with good location. Quite noisy as the room was right below the kitchen and all the rattling starting at 5am was pretty loud. Also, no windows going out to the street - but only to the inside of the hotel - was a minus.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
the noise
Amaru
Cusco
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Some of the front desk staff weren't particularly friendly.
Cleanliness & Comfort
The rooms weren't clean, the bathroom floor was covered in sand/dust and hair that didn't come from us.
Treehouse
Iquitos

I have a bit of mixed feelings about this one - I both loved it and felt like it was a huge challenge :D First of all, no one told me there would be these hanging bridges at 20 m height that I'd need to cross to get to and out of the room! I'm afraid of heights so to me it was a huge deal to cross it without any security rope attached to me. But then I took it as a way to face and embrace my fears so I dealt with it and got better at it with time :) Secondly, all the wildlife was both fantastic and scary at the same time :D Waking up to the birds' songs at sunrise is the best medicine for us westerners to calm down our boiling stressed out minds, along with watching dozens of various colorful butterflies float around - to me it was like being in paradise. At the same time, being greeted by buzzing flying monsters and creeping lizards on the walls in the bathroom at night was not something for the sensitive souls :D But once again, i took it as a challenge and made myself proud at the end :D The staff was absolutely wonderful. I got very sick upon my arrival and couldn't eat regular food so they cooked me the most delicious chicken broth and mint tea which I think was what helped me recover so quickly. When i did get to finally enjoy the proper food - it was delicious and so nicely presented, like in the most luxurious resorts. To me, despite the sickness, it was a much needed escape to the heart of the nature which helped me relax and completely recover in just a couple of days from all the stress of everyday life.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Sonesta Posadas del Inca Puno
Puno
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
El Albergue Ollantaytambo Boutique Hotel
Cusco
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Tierra Viva Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Jessica Danker
Jessica
Jessica Danker
Local specialist in New York City | Replied on Dec 01, 2023

What a wonderful time! I am so happy that everything went smoothly, and you made some great memories while in Peru. It was so great working with you and planning this trip. Thanks again!