Profile photo for Ariel Chasi
1434 messages
active 1 day ago

Ariel Chasi

Born and raised in Quito, I’ve always had a deep love for my country and for travel. Traveling around Ecuador and living near the historic center of Quito have shaped my appreciation for nature, culture, and history. These experiences have inspired me to share the richness of Ecuador with others. I enjoy helping travelers create memorable trips and make the most of their time exploring this beautiful destination.

What places and activities do you specialize in?

"I craft personalized trips for all types of travelers, whether it’s exploring the Andes with its breathtaking mountains, volcanoes, vibrant culture, and historic cities; discovering the magic of the Galápagos Islands with their stunning landscapes and unique wildlife; or venturing into the Amazon rainforest to experience its incredible biodiversity. I'm willing to show you the best of Ecuador."

How did you get involved in travel?

"Since I was a little kid, I’ve traveled throughout Ecuador with my family, exploring its diverse landscapes, cultures, and natural wonders. These experiences deeply shaped the way I see my country and sparked my interest in traveling. That’s why I later decided to study Ecological Tourism at university, to contribute to the development of this industry and to be better prepared to offer meaningful experiences to travelers."

Please share a unique travel experience you will never forget.

"I’ve had many special travel experiences in my life, but one I will never forget is exploring the Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve in the Amazon rainforest. During a boat ride, I had the rare opportunity to see a group of pink dolphins swimming in the river. I felt incredibly lucky and grateful to witness these unique animals. It’s an experience that has stayed with me, and I’m always eager to return there one day."

Ariel is part of the following groups: Galapagos Islands Travel Agents, Ecuador Travel Agents
Top itineraries and travel advice
Family itineraries
Luxury itineraries

Recent trip reviews for Ariel

This trip was a dream come true.
Galapagos Islands | Feb 16 - Feb 22, 2026

Vinay
Vinay K.
Miami, FL | Reviewed on Feb 26, 2026
Tamer and Ariel helped plan what we wanted to do on this trip. We were able to specify what kind of activities we were interested in, what animals we wanted to see etc. The recommended itinerary met our requirements very well. It was easy to communicate with them. They responded promptly to our queries.
Liz Arboleda was in charge of the logistics locally. She met us and gave us her number and responded promptly to our queries. When we were going to Isabela, she personally got our boarding...
Read more

Tamer and Ariel helped plan what we wanted to do on this trip. We were able to specify what kind of activities we were interested in, what animals we wanted to see etc. The recommended itinerary met our requirements very well. It was easy to communicate with them. They responded promptly to our queries.
Liz Arboleda was in charge of the logistics locally. She met us and gave us her number and responded promptly to our queries. When we were going to Isabela, she personally got our boarding passes for the boat trip and held our spot in the queue. We requested a change in the itinerary (we wanted to return from Isabela in the afternoon rather than morning) and she accommodated our request.
Astrid Friere was our guide to see the tortoises and the Darwin Center as well as kayaking another day. She was a pleasure to be around and was extremely well informed about what we were seeing.
Marcelo Friere was our driver for the transfers. Always on time, courteous and efficient.
Rodolfo was our guide on the highlight of the trip, the visit to Los Tuneles in Isabela. We were extremely inexpert snorkelers and he ended up having to tow us around in order not to delay the other snorkelers. He showed us Blue Footed Boobies, including their courtship dances, sea turtles, sting and eagle rays, sea horses. Just an awesome experience.

Hotel Reviews
La Casita de la Playa
Puerto Villamil

The location is excellent. Right on the beach. The staff were friendly and efficient. The room was comfortable. Plenty of restaurants nearby.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Right on the beach. You fall asleep to the sound of the ocean.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Comfortable rooms. Wi-Fi was better than in Puerto Ayora.
Hotel Cucuve
Puerto Ayora

Friendly staff. Perfect location. Lots of restaurants nearby.

Authenticity & Character
Sea Lions and Marine Iguanas on the streets.
Location
Plenty of restaurants nearby. Pier nearby.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Very comfortable. The Wi-Fi was not great but that may be a systemic problem. Maybe they should invest in a Starlink connection.
Local specialist: Ariel Chasi
Ariel
Ariel Chasi
Local specialist in Quito | Replied on Mar 01, 2026
Dear Vinay, Thank you so much for taking the time to share such a thoughtful and detailed review of your trip! It was truly a pleasure working with you to tailor an itinerary that matched your interests and wildlife goals. I am especially glad to hear that the local team made such a positive impact on your experience. Liz is indeed a star when it comes to the logistics, and I’ll be sure to pass along your thanks to her, as well as to Astrid and Marcelo. It’s wonderful to know you felt... Read more

Dear Vinay,

Thank you so much for taking the time to share such a thoughtful and detailed review of your trip! It was truly a pleasure working with you to tailor an itinerary that matched your interests and wildlife goals.

I am especially glad to hear that the local team made such a positive impact on your experience. Liz is indeed a star when it comes to the logistics, and I’ll be sure to pass along your thanks to her, as well as to Astrid and Marcelo. It’s wonderful to know you felt well-supported every step of the way, even when making last-minute adjustments to your schedule.

Wishing you all the best,
Ariel

This was a terrific trip.
Galapagos Islands | Feb 2 - Feb 13, 2026

D
Debbie E.
Canada | Reviewed on Feb 16, 2026
This was a terrific trip. From a logistics perspective, everything ran very smoothly. The transfers were arranged and happened as they should. People met us when they were supposed to meet us. Everyone was friendly and lovely. Ariel answered all of my (many) questions quickly, accurately and with great patience. It never took more than 30 minutes to hear back from him no matter what time of day I sent my message. (I never expected him to answer at any time of day or night - I was just... Read more

This was a terrific trip. From a logistics perspective, everything ran very smoothly. The transfers were arranged and happened as they should. People met us when they were supposed to meet us. Everyone was friendly and lovely. Ariel answered all of my (many) questions quickly, accurately and with great patience. It never took more than 30 minutes to hear back from him no matter what time of day I sent my message. (I never expected him to answer at any time of day or night - I was just sending my questions as I thought of them). The only slight issue was that I have food restrictions and the chef on the boat didn't seem to know that. Once I brought it to their attention, he made sure that I had something to eat at every meal.

Jose was our guide in Quito and he was a pleasure - very knowledgeable and flexible. His English is excellent.
After Quito we were on the ship Anahi for a week in the Galapagos where Luis was our guide. I cannot commend the crew of the Anahi enough. Happy and friendly and very hard working. The boat was always sparkling clean, there were ample towels, they were snacks waiting for us when we would return from a hike or a snorkel. Everyone was very knowledgeable about the wildlife in the Galapagos and went above and beyond to ensure that we got the most out of our experience there.

Luis was a great guide - like everyone on the ship, he's local and that makes a big difference. He was also very knowledgeable and energetic. He did all the hikes and dives with us, even when he wasn't feeling well one day. He was available any time we needed him for anything and always smiling.

I would highly recommend using KimKim and sailing on the Anahi

Hotel Reviews
Patio Andaluz
Quito

The hotel was clean and lovely. It included breakfast which had lots of options. The staff were friendly and helpful and the location was very good.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Very central in the city - allowed for easy walking
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
It was very clean, the bed was comfortable, the shower was good. I was uncomfortable with the rosary and cross above the bed. Not all tourists are catholic.
M/C Anahi
Quito

Everything about this ship was great. It holds 16 passengers which is a great number for a trip like this. We were on and off the boat frequently so there was no waiting in line for a tender ever. We had 2 zodiacs and were able to embark and disembark in no time. There was a dining area for our meals, an indoor 'living room' near the dining area, an outdoor partially covered bar and sitting area as well as a lounge area up top. The lounge area could get very hot so we weren't up there much. The food was plentiful and good.

Authenticity & Character
Location
It's a boat. No location
Staff
If I could give the staff ore than 5 stars I would. Happy, helpful. hard working. I can't say enough
Cleanliness & Comfort
The whole boat and our rooms were cleaned multiple times each day. We even saw the bartender Roberto taking down the dinner bell he rings to give it a good shine
Activity Reviews
Visit the "Middle of the World"
Visit the "Middle of the World"
Galapagos Islands

This was very fun. All the 'experiments' on the equator. We also learned a bit about the indigenous population. Our guide spoke English fairly well but she spoke quickly and was hard to understand at times because of the accent.

Isabela Island: Las Tintoreras
Isabela Island: Las Tintoreras
Cruise Ship

The itinerary changed and we didn't actually go here.

Isabela Island: Wetlands
Isabela Island: Wetlands
Cruise Ship

We hiked to Sierra Negra volcano which was amazing to see. The hike wasn't hard at all but it was about 6 km.

Isabela Island: Moreno Point
Isabela Island: Moreno Point
Cruise Ship

The panga ride to the nuke was amazing - we saw so many birds and lizards - marine iguanas, penguins, flightless cormorant, blue footed boobies, pelicans. The hike itself was a bit challenging. It was all irregular lava rock with lots of cracks and crevices. It was also very very hot up there

Isabela Island: Tagus Cove
Isabela Island: Tagus Cove
Cruise Ship

Great snorkelling - awe saw sea turtles, penguins, sardine balls and a ton of fish. It rained very hard after the snorkel so our afternoon hike was cancelled as it was very steep and slippery after the rain and wouldn't have been safe, We watched a Disney movie about sea ions instead!

Santiago Island: Egas Port
Santiago Island: Egas Port
Cruise Ship

The walk in the morning was fine. e saw a couple of fur seal pups but not much else. The snorkeling after that was amazing, Warm calm waters, tons and tons of fish - it was like swimming in an aquarium. We also saw sharks, sea turtles, flightless comerants swimming, marine iguanas eating.

Chinese Hat Islet
Chinese Hat Islet
Galapagos Islands

More of the same amazing things - penguins, sea ions, giant sardine balls, blue footed boobies from the panga. We also went kayaking and snorkling. Again it was like being in an aquarium - so many fish, sharks, star fish etc

North Seymour Island
North Seymour Island
Cruise Ship

This island houses several icons Galapganian bird as well as many many sea lions. It did small a it like kitty litter because of that but there was so much to see

Isabela Island: Arnaldo Tupiza Breeding Center
Isabela Island: Arnaldo Tupiza Breeding Center
Cruise Ship

It was interesting to see but I feel like it was all things we could have learned while seeing the tortoises out in the wild

Fernandina Island: Espinoza Point
Fernandina Island: Espinoza Point
Cruise Ship

this was a long walk over lava fields. The main attraction here was the marine iguanas although there were some seal ions and lots of Sally lightfoot crabs. There were hundreds and hundreds of marine igunanas and we learned a lot about them. We did some terrific snorkeling that same morning too

Quito City Tour
Quito City Tour
Galapagos Islands

Very interesting and it's always fun to learn about a new city and culture. There were just too many churches in the tour - lots of amazing architecture but too many

Isabela Island: Elizabeth Bay
Isabela Island: Elizabeth Bay
Cruise Ship

We did a panga ride around the mangrove lagoons which was great. We saw a ton of wildlife there and the weather was perfect.

Isabela Island: Vicente Roca Point
Isabela Island: Vicente Roca Point
Cruise Ship

Zodiak ride was great - saw some cool cliffs, caves and birds, The snorkelling was good too but to as good as some other spots. Later in the day we crossed the equator and got to go to the bridge to watch the latitude change to 0.0.0

Otavalo Market & Cuicocha Crater Lake
Otavalo Market & Cuicocha Crater Lake
Quito

The market was fun as was seeing and learning about the cities and villages along the way. We had a short boat ride around the lake.

Rabida Island
Rabida Island
Galapagos Islands

Beautiful island with red sand. We saw pink flamingos, did a fairly easy hike to a beautiful view. Sea lions playing at the shore line.

Day trip to Cotopaxi National Park
Day trip to Cotopaxi National Park
Quito

This was amazing but hard. The views are spectacular and it's a great sense of accomplishment to make it to base camp. But the air was thin for someone coming from sea level, even though we'd been in Quito for a few days by then. The walk u to base camp was hard work

Isabela Island: Urbina Bay
Isabela Island: Urbina Bay
Cruise Ship

We did a short walk around the area - lots of giant tortoises and land iguanas. We learned a lot about both species. we also did a quick snorkel at the beach. There wasn't a ton to see in the water but it was nice and refreshing. There were some sea Lions, pelicans and iguanas on the beach

Bartolomé Island
Bartolomé Island
Cruise Ship

Amazing snorkling - swam with sea lions

Quality of Experience
Santa Cruz Island: Highlands
Santa Cruz Island: Highlands
Cruise Ship

So many Giant tortioses! And they're really big! The lava caves were also very cool

Local specialist: Ariel Chasi
Ariel
Ariel Chasi
Local specialist in Quito | Replied on Feb 16, 2026
Dear Debbie, Thank you so much for such a kind and detailed review! It was truly a pleasure helping you navigate those questions. I’m just glad I could be there to make the planning process feel seamless for you. I’m glad to hear that Jose and Luis took such great care of you and that the crew on the Anahi made your Galapagos experience so special. They really are the heart of these trips. I’ve also taken note of the initial communication regarding your food restrictions; I'm so glad the... Read more

Dear Debbie,

Thank you so much for such a kind and detailed review! It was truly a pleasure helping you navigate those questions. I’m just glad I could be there to make the planning process feel seamless for you.

I’m glad to hear that Jose and Luis took such great care of you and that the crew on the Anahi made your Galapagos experience so special. They really are the heart of these trips. I’ve also taken note of the initial communication regarding your food restrictions; I'm so glad the chef was able to pivot quickly once you spoke up, and I’ll ensure to double-check the communication with the boat team for the future.

Wishing you all the best,
Ariel

Incredible Experience!
Galapagos Islands | Feb 7 - Feb 14, 2026

H
Harry S.
Miami, FL | Reviewed on Feb 15, 2026
Ariel was incredible - always responsive, helpful, and there when we needed. Everything was well organized, from the pick ups at the airport or hotels, to the excursions themselves. Ariel created the perfect itinerary for my family based off what we were looking for. Would highly recommend using kimkim (and Ariel!!) if you’re looking for the perfect trip to the Galapagos! Read more

Ariel was incredible - always responsive, helpful, and there when we needed. Everything was well organized, from the pick ups at the airport or hotels, to the excursions themselves. Ariel created the perfect itinerary for my family based off what we were looking for. Would highly recommend using kimkim (and Ariel!!) if you’re looking for the perfect trip to the Galapagos!

Hotel Reviews
Old Town Quito Suites
Centro Historico, Quito

Great location and super unique hotel. Very nice and large rooms with a cool authentic feel.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Acacia Galápagos Boutique Hotel
Puerto Ayora

Beautiful hotel with a great breakfast. Perfectly located. Super clean with nice bathrooms and very comfortable beds. Staff was extremely nice! Would recommend!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Albemarle
Puerto Villamil
Activity Reviews
Snorkel at Los Túneles
Snorkel at Los Túneles
Galapagos Islands

We snorkels in two locations - both were great. The first was through the tunnels themselves which was so cool and in the next we saw a TON of sea turtles, as well as a sea horse and reef shark. Darwin was an incredible guide. We also had a delicious lunch on the boat. My family’s favorite activity we did while in the galapagos. It was also nice because we left at 11:30 and returned by 5:30, so it didn’t take the whole day!

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Darwin was awesome and super knowledgeable!
Transport
Excursion to an uninhabited island
Excursion to an uninhabited island
Galapagos Islands

All day experience but so worth it! You will be on a very cool sail boat for about a 2.5 hour ride (both there and back). We were served a delicious breakfast and lunch. Snorkeling was great, as were the views from the top of the hike!

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Ariel Chasi
Ariel
Ariel Chasi
Local specialist in Quito | Replied on Feb 15, 2026
Dear Harry, Thank you so much for your wonderful words. It truly means a lot to me! I’m delighted to hear that everything ran smoothly and that your family enjoyed such a special experience in the Galapagos Islands. It’s wonderful that the uninhabited island excursion and the snorkeling at Los Túneles became such special memories, especially with the incredible wildlife and great guiding. Your feedback means a lot, and I’m so glad the trip turned out to be such a meaningful adventure for... Read more

Dear Harry,

Thank you so much for your wonderful words. It truly means a lot to me! I’m delighted to hear that everything ran smoothly and that your family enjoyed such a special experience in the Galapagos Islands.

It’s wonderful that the uninhabited island excursion and the snorkeling at Los Túneles became such special memories, especially with the incredible wildlife and great guiding. Your feedback means a lot, and I’m so glad the trip turned out to be such a meaningful adventure for all of you.

It was a real pleasure helping you plan this journey through KimKim, and I’m so grateful for your recommendation.

Wishing you all the best,
Ariel

This was our second trip to the Galápagos, an...
Galapagos Islands | Nov 24 - Nov 29, 2025

R
Rasika R.
Kyle, TX | Reviewed on Dec 03, 2025
This was our second trip to the Galápagos, and Ariel made it absolutely amazing. The MC Treasure was perfect, and the crew was exceptional—warm, professional, and always a step ahead. They made us feel so well cared for, and every detail on board was flawless. Hector, our guide, was fantastic and brought every island to life with his knowledge and enthusiasm. Ariel’s planning, communication, and thoughtful touches made the whole experience smooth and unforgettable. We can’t wait to plan... Read more

This was our second trip to the Galápagos, and Ariel made it absolutely amazing. The MC Treasure was perfect, and the crew was exceptional—warm, professional, and always a step ahead. They made us feel so well cared for, and every detail on board was flawless. Hector, our guide, was fantastic and brought every island to life with his knowledge and enthusiasm.

Ariel’s planning, communication, and thoughtful touches made the whole experience smooth and unforgettable. We can’t wait to plan our next adventure with Kim Kim!

Hotel Reviews
Wyndham Quito Airport
Quito
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
M/C Treasure
San José de Conocoto Quito

Our time aboard the MC Treasure was outstanding from start to finish. The yacht is beautifully maintained, comfortable, and designed for an amazing Galápagos experience. The cabins were spotless and cozy, the common areas were spacious, and everything felt both welcoming and luxurious. But what truly sets the MC Treasure apart is the crew. Every team member was warm, attentive, and incredibly professional. They anticipated our needs before we even asked, made us feel completely at home, and added so many thoughtful touches throughout the trip. The food was fantastic, the service was flawless, and the atmosphere on board was relaxed and friendly. Combined with the remarkable Galápagos landscapes and our excellent guide, this yacht made the journey unforgettable. Highly recommend the MC Treasure for anyone seeking a first-class experience in the islands.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Ariel Chasi
Ariel
Ariel Chasi
Local specialist in Quito | Replied on Dec 03, 2025

Dear Rasika,

Thank you so much for your wonderful review! It was truly a pleasure helping you plan your second adventure in the Galápagos. I’m thrilled to hear that the MC Treasure, its beautifully maintained spaces, and its exceptional crew made your experience so special.

I’m especially glad to hear that the planning process went smoothly and that you enjoyed all the details along the way. It was my pleasure to help you :)

Wishing you all the best,
Ariel

Incredible experience to the Amazon jungle and Galapagos Islands
Galapagos Islands | Nov 18 - Nov 25, 2025

C
Court R.
Los Angeles, CA | Reviewed on Nov 28, 2025
I had the most incredible journey to the Amazon rainforest and the Galapagos Islands, all thanks to Tamar! As a single mom traveling with my six children, I needed someone who was reliable and could handle all the logistics, and Tamar exceeded my expectations along with his assistant Ariel. From the very beginning, Tamar made himself available 24/7 ensuring that every detail of our trip was meticulously planned. With six kids, each having their own opinions, I didn’t have the time to... Read more

I had the most incredible journey to the Amazon rainforest and the Galapagos Islands, all thanks to Tamar! As a single mom traveling with my six children, I needed someone who was reliable and could handle all the logistics, and Tamar exceeded my expectations along with his assistant Ariel.

From the very beginning, Tamar made himself available 24/7 ensuring that every detail of our trip was meticulously planned. With six kids, each having their own opinions, I didn’t have the time to manage transfers to and from airports, activities, hotels, and the like. Tamar took care of everything, allowing us to focus on making memories together.

I also wanted an action-packed itinerary, and he delivered! We were out of our rooms nearly every morning by 5 AM and going strong until 6 PM, exploring the breathtaking beauty of the jungle and islands. Each day was filled with adventure, which kept my kids entertained and happy.

Whenever I had questions about dress attire or other travel concerns, Tamar was just a phone call or text away, always ready to assist. His responsiveness and attention to detail made all the difference.

Overall, this trip was a fantastic experience thanks to Tamar’s dedication and expertise. I highly recommend him to anyone looking to explore South America!

Hotel Reviews
Wyndham Quito Airport
Quito
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Napo Cultural Center
Quito
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Fiesta
Puerto Ayora
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Ariel Chasi
Ariel
Ariel Chasi
Local specialist in Quito | Replied on Nov 29, 2025
Dear Court, Thank you so much for your wonderful review. It was a real pleasure to support you and your family throughout your Amazon and Galapagos adventure. Traveling with six children is impressive, and I’m glad our planning helped make everything smooth, fun, and focused on creating great memories together. I’m also happy to hear that the full days of activities kept everyone excited and that our assistance was helpful whenever you had questions or needed support. I do regret that... Read more

Dear Court,

Thank you so much for your wonderful review. It was a real pleasure to support you and your family throughout your Amazon and Galapagos adventure. Traveling with six children is impressive, and I’m glad our planning helped make everything smooth, fun, and focused on creating great memories together.

I’m also happy to hear that the full days of activities kept everyone excited and that our assistance was helpful whenever you had questions or needed support.

I do regret that Hotel Fiesta wasn’t at the same level as the other accommodations. Your feedback is very valuable, and we’ll make sure to improve this aspect for future travelers.

Thank you again for your trust and recommendation. It truly means a lot, and I’d be delighted to help you with any future adventures in South America.

Warm regards,
Ariel & Tamer

Beautiful vacation
Galapagos Islands | Jul 12 - Jul 18, 2025

Paul
Paul L.
Portland, OR | Reviewed on Aug 03, 2025
Everything worked out very smoothly. Great communication, putting something together for us. Last minute was pretty miraculous. Highly recommend! Beautiful place and saw and did almost everything we wanted to do.. Read more

Everything worked out very smoothly. Great communication, putting something together for us. Last minute was pretty miraculous. Highly recommend! Beautiful place and saw and did almost everything we wanted to do..

Hotel Review
Casa Pimampiro
Puerto Baquerizo Moreno

Extremely friendly and helpful owners. The Wi-Fi was not very good at all.

Authenticity & Character
Older but authentic
Location
Quite a steep hill to climb to get back to the hotel
Staff
Always helpful and always friendly. I don’t think you could ask for a better staff.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Just an older place and I never had hot water in the bathroom
Local specialist: Ariel Chasi
Ariel
Ariel Chasi
Local specialist in Quito | Replied on Aug 04, 2025

Dear Paul,

Thank you so much for your kind words! I'm glad everything came together smoothly and that you enjoyed exploring the Galapagos Islands. It was a pleasure helping you plan this adventure, especially on short notice. We always do our best to assist, even for last-minute trips. Thanks again for trusting us to organize your vacation. 😄

Wishing you all the best,
Ariel