Kimkim Trip Reviews for Ecuador

Had a great time (10 days) at various location along the Andean highlands in Ecuador with our guide, Cristian, organised by Iveth. What a gorgeous, scenic country and friendly people!!
Iveth took to time to tailor the itinerary to hit all the places we selected. And even helped us out with a couple of issues along the way. Cristian was with us the whole trip and his assistance was exemplary and invaluable. He was willing to accommodate changes, make suggestions and was not stuck to a set checklist. His input about local customs, traditions, etc., added to experience.
In retrospect, I would've liked to have had two days in Quito and vicinity and skipped Guayaquil; and definitely would've added a couple of visits to the museums to learn about pre-Inca settlements/history.
Will come back again to visit Yasuni and Galapagos the next time. Thank you, Iveth and Cristian, for making it a memorable trip.

Our 5-day adventure to Ecuador was terrific. Highlights: historic Quito, Cotapaxi, Banos, the avenue of waterfalls, the eco-lodge in Tena and rafting! Everything made easy on the booking end by Linda and on the ground by guide extraordinaire, Marco.

My mother and I really felt like we were being looked after and had a great experience from start to finish in Ecuador.

Marcelo and Iveth greeted us at the airport on our first day and went the extra mile to make sure we felt welcomed.

A real highlight of the trip was the two nights we spend at the Amazon lodge-- the staff there, including Sabino, our guide, were incredible. It made for a great adventure.

Then, we were again put into good hands with Chrisitian, our guide through the Waterfalls route.

Overall, the trip was unforgettable and Iveth and company made it really easy on us.

Our guide, Patricio, was among the best parts of the trip. A native with 22 years experience as a guide, Patricio took time to ask specifically how we would like to be guided, and what we would like to do. That meant our experience was tailored to our specific expectations and abilities. Old town Quito, Cotapaxi, Qiletoa, and Banos were all unique experiences not to be missed. Although the Galapagos portion of the itinerary featured several guides, each were experts who provided deep insight into the one-of-a-kind wildlife and environment of the islands. Be sure to include snorkeling in your itinerary! The up- close encounters with sea turtles and sea lions were are among the most extraordinary portions of the experience. Truly, this was the trip of a lifetime!

The guide, Cristin was amazing! He made my trip special and unforgettable. I have memories that will last a lifetime. The trip was perfectly organized. The food and stay were well orchestrated. I would recommend this group to anyone visiting Ecuador!

Pedro was great and shared lots of interesting facts. He was very accommodating with some of the changes we made at the beginning of the journey. He picked us up at the airport and then the next morning arrived to take us to Otovalo and the leather town and a good place to eat On the way back we stopped to buy roses on the side of the road. What a treat. On Monday, Santiago was on time to pick us up. His car was also very clean and he was interesting to talk to. We drove to the Cotopaxi park to walk 5 km around a lagoon. It was a nice hike. We noticed that the volcano top was storming and it has turned to snow within the hour around the lake. It started to sleet just as we got to the car. We headed up the volcano road which was very slippery for his car. I suggested if he was not comfortable we could skip the hike. He drove us up to the parking lot of Cotopaxi to walk the 400m to the refuge. The weather was extremely bad with snow and sleet. I trusted his judgement since he is a local guide. However, he should never have let us hike up Cotopaxi in an electrical snow storm. I didn’t realize the danger and he did not seem concerned. We got up halfway to the refuge in the storm and my husband and I immediately started to pick up an electrical charge which I did not understand at the moment what was happening. I knew it was bad and as I was being shocked and in pain he ignored these dangerous signs of an imminent sign of being struck by lightning. I immediately turned to run down the mountain screaming help me. Then I got a shock or was actually struck by lightning. My husband then got to me and rushed me down the mountain as fast as we could. I don’t know how I survived. Everything I’ve read about this situation that I now understand this to be is that it is rare to survive this type of electrical phenomenon and most people do not survive to tell their story. I know I would not survived if I’d had a heart problem because there was no phone signal or medical training by our guide. After my horrifying experience we drove to the hacienda and enjoyed the rest of our journey as much as we could. El Porvenir was awesome. The last day was supposed to be hiking on Quilotoa. In addition to not feeling well and the fear of hiking in the rain again, we asked to change our journey and went to the cloud forest to see hummingbirds and at lunch at Papallacta. We stopped at an amazing Rose plantation I found a brochure for in Papallacta. We appreciate all the last minute changes but my experience prompts me to ask a lot of questions about the knowledge of safety that these free lance guides are expected to have. We never knew the risks of hiking at high altitudes while it is snowing and with poor weather but our guide should have. When I did some research on the internet and mentioned to my guide that we shouldn’t have gone and that I was lucky to be alive he blew it off and said I should’ve unzipped my jacket? What? I expected an apology and for him to do additional research into this subject of hiking in an electrical storm. For the 2 days we stayed after, I remained in a short of shocked state unsure of my emotions and physical well being although I felt mostly well. We were so far from anywhere and I didn’t want to go to an Ecuadorian medical facility. I pushed the incident to the back of mind so as to enjoy my life since it was spared and the rest of our trip. I visited my doctor a few hours after my arrival home and have been given a bill of health which I am grateful for. My doctor had only seen a few patients who have been electrocuted/shocked/struck by lightning and told me how lucky I was to not have had any damage or death. most don’t live to tell the tale.

Linda was amazing. My travel plans were fluid early on and she gave me numerous options and updated along the way as I finalized the details, with regular communication. I couldn’t have asked for more.

I am so thankful for all the help that Kimkim has provided for my trip. The trip was booked at the very last minute and had a lot of twists and turns. I don't think our family enjoyed the trip as much as we did if we haven't have Isabel and our trusted guide, Christian. Isabel worked before and after her normal working hour to help me when a national strike by transportation works paralyzed the country for a couple of days. Christian educated our family on food, custom, history and geography with his kind manners and excellent knowledge. I would definitely consider working with Kimkim for our next adventure. Thank you!

It was an absolute pleasure working with Mathias:

1. He listened carefully to our special areas of interest (birding photography) and designed a fantastic itinerary for us.
2. The accommodation and guides that he set up for us exceeded our expectations.
3. His personal input and support when we needed urgent medical assistance was invaluable.
4. He was always available and responsive throughout the whole 4 week trip

In Mindo, Mathias set us up with Edison from http://www.swordbilledexpeditions.com/about-us/ . Ed’s bird knowledge was remarkable, his photographic skills superb, he was able to get us into unusual and remote locations, he introduced us to fascinating people and was just a wonderful person to spend time with. We stayed at the Septimo Paraiso and the Bellavista Cloudforest Lodge, both of which were stunning

My research showed very mixed feedback between Cuyabeno and Yasuni, and so based on Mathias’s recommendation we did both – and in hindsight he was completely correct. They are very different, unique and special in their own distinct ways. In Cuyabeno we stayed at the Nicki Lodge for 5 nights and I loved it. We met a couple of travelers who had had bad experiences at some of the other local lodges, but the service and friendliness from our staff was fantastic. The lodge is more casual and low key but I felt closer to the environment and with the narrower rivers the forest seemed to be more intimate. We had a young guide called Jefferson who was from Quito - he had fallen in love with the natural environment and was passionate about sharing it with us. Through his share dedication we managed to see a young family of endangered otters, the beautiful fresh water dolphins, birds, insects, caiman, spiders and flora (as well as lots of very muddy walks – well worth the effort). The lovely lodge chef cooked up tasty local meals shared at one long table which allowed us to meet backpackers through to seasoned international travelers.

Sacha Lodge, on the other hand, was truly spectacular and upmarket. Mathias organized a “master” ornithologist for us (a local Kichwe called Osca) who managed to help us identify 130 bird species in 3 days (including a great sighting of a juvenile Harpy Eagle), over and above the 5 monkey species, stick insects, frogs, parrots at the clay lick, and quiet moments in the canoe simply enjoying the environment.

There is no way we could have put together a trip like this without the local knowledge, experience and expertise of Mathias and his team. Mathias provided us with a level of service, professionalism and personal input that I have never experienced before. Kudos to him and his team.

Ecuador, the essentials. Quito, Yasuni National Park Amazon, and Galapagos!

Our 14 day vacation was exceptional from start to finish. Our trip advisor, Isabel Perez, worked with me in the months leading up to our holiday to ensure we were able to visit our 'must see' places, and also find relaxation time. Her recommendation of the Napo Cultural Centre in Yasuni was the perfect choice for us. Not only is this first class eco-lodge located in a beautiful part of the Amazon, but it is also home to the local indigenous community school, doctor's office, and cultural events. So you can interact with the local people as well as the parrots and monkeys!

Then after a few days visiting more of Quito we spent 6 unforgettable days on Santa Cruz and Isabela islands. Kimkim arranged for our door to door transportation, great hotels, and unforgettable activities.

We highly recommend partnering with Kimkim to ensure you have the best, seamless, and unforgettable experience in Ecuador!

The trip was amazing. Isabel did a wonderful job of planning the trip and Christian, our tour guide was unbelievable. He took us everywhere on the itinerary and even included extra stops along the way that he thought would interest us. He was very knowledgeable and we had a fantastic time on the trip. We would definitely recommend that anyone traveling to the Quito area use KimKim and request Christian as your tour guide!

Everything about the trip exceeded our expectations. Ecuador was a perfect destination for a week’s trip—so much to see, beautiful, charming old cities, spectacular and diverse landscapes, perfect weather. Safe, friendly, and you get a lot for your money.

Gabor was so kind and thorough in working with me to plan the trip. Every day of the trip brought new delights. The itinerary and the accommodations were all perfect. I was especially grateful that after 3 attempts to take the trip he hung in there with patience and understanding until we were finally able to go. He never wrote us off or figured we were wasting his time. It was a pleasure to finally meet him in Quito. We felt really well taken care of.

We felt similarly about the wonderful guide, Fernando, who was assigned to us. He was knowledgeable about history, local cultures, and the best insider places to take us. He was kind, thoughtful, and a pleasure to spend a well with. The chemistry was perfect.

This was definitely one of the best trips we have ever taken (and we have been all over the world). We will definitely look to Kimkim for future travels.

Isabel was phenomenal. She promptly responded to all messages and was so helpful along the way. Thank you!

Our trip to Ecuador booked through kimkim was incredible! Isabel made sure that everything was dealt with in terms of accomodations, activities, and logistics which took a lot of the planning off of our hands! The itinerary put together and the welcome packet at the first hotel made sure we never were confused about any meeting points or activities.

In terms of the trip itself, Ecuador is amazing in its diversity of climates and the two that my girlfriend and I wanted to experience (Volcano and rainforest) were both unforgettable experiences! From biking down Cotopaxi and the surrounding park to spotting monkeys, birds, caimans, and pink dolphins in the rainforest we couldn’t have asked for a better trip. Thank you to Isabel and our guides for the two portions, Ricardo (biking) and Diego (rainforest). I would highly recommend kimkim for any travel plans and will 100% be using them again in the future!

All drivers and guides were very professional and friendly, they listened and steered us to aspects we told them we were interested in (in my case it was local foods and sighting as many wild birds as possible). The entire LaSelva experience was extremely well organized and fulfilling. Transportation was clean and comfortable. We appreciated having water available for us for every leg of the journey. The hotels in Quito and the Hacienda Cusin were all enjoyable. We loved the local fruits and Ecuadorian dishes for breakfast. All in all just a wonderful trip!

Everything was well taken care of. No significant glitches. Good guides provided, who were knowledgeable, helpful and attentive. Superb experience. Communication and responses from Linda were prompt and clear.

Our Ecuador adventure was amazing due to the excellent support from Linda and Kimkim. Linda helped us pull together a diverse itinerary for the relatively short amount of time we had in a country we knew nothing about. She was very responsive to emails and patient with our questions and worked within our parameters that kept changing. We loved all the accommodations recommended by Linda, in particular the Inti Sisa Art Guesthouse in Guamote and Hosteria Mandala at the coast in Puerto Lopez - both so amazing and gorgeous, and each supporting important social and environmental projects in their communities which was important to us. And in our price range! We appreciated Linda’s recommendation to have a driver/guide traveling from Quito to Banos, and enjoyed a full day with Annibal V learning about Ecuador, and seeing the sites. A more expensive transportation option, but but well worth it and balanced off with the super inexpensive (and more adventurous!) buses we took at other points in our travel. Another highlight was our day trip to Isla de la Plata with Machalilla Tours - again recommended by Linda and we felt confident in the quality and safety of their equipment, services and guides. Thanks Linda for helping to create such a memorable trip for three Canadian gals, we would not hesitate to highly recommend your services to others.

Our planing with Edwin the trip adviser was very good. communication was flowing and his follow up on our demands were excellent.
Our guide Daniel Maldonado was amazing. from the moment he picked us up at the airport through the walks in the jungles and at the restaurants and hotels on the way. He was very resourceful. spoke fluently English and was a charm.
Also our driver Ceasar was very helpful. with our long distance drives and sometimes into the night because of change in plans. Was there on time, helping with the luggage and watching over us at all times.

Had the most wonderful time. Patricio and our driver did a marvelous job in taking care of us. Everything was catered for and this is not the last time I book with kimkim. Indonesia is next...

Overall this trip was fun. The planning processes was relatively straight-forward with Linda though there was a bunch of back and forth that I think may have been solved by being more forth coming with "this is the company we normally go with" or "these will be stops on XYZ."
For the actual trip, I don't think the airport transfer went smoothly. The person who was supposed to pick us up, sent someone else into the airport, spelled our name wrong, and were holding a sign not associated with KimKim or any service I'd heard from. It was only because I speak some Spanish I decided that sign was the only one remotely close to our name we ended up with the right person.
Our guide, Marco, while very nice and resourceful I would have put in the category of "driver," not a true "guide." I frequently found myself at the edge of other tour groups in order to learn more history/background/context of what we were seeing. Marco effectively got us from place to place, but he might spend 3-5 minutes telling us about a centuries old church and then leaving us to our own devices. This is fine, but had I known, I would have hired a private tour guide for Quito at least.
We LOVED our experience mountain biking with Biking Dutchman down Cotopaxi. Despite the fact is was raining and cold, it was so cool and our guide/transport were great. Heads up that transport isn't super comfy/questionable seatbelt safety, but probably fine.
Banos was fun, there were some small issues with the group who did our rock climbing/ Via Ferrata tour, but they were easy to work with and responsive in handling mistakes.
I honestly normally do all of our trip planning myself, but do to cost of renting an automatic vehicle and my middling at best Spanish, thought this might be a good opportunity to test out a tour guide company. As I said above, this was a fun trip and parts were really very cool, but the parts we most enjoyed was stuff I specifically researched and suggested, so I'm on the fence about whether I would do this again.
It's probably a great service if you don't have time/desire to do the research, but I think TripAdvisor and Google will continue to be my go-tos.

Thanks for helping have a fun time in Ecuador!