Jacquie Granda

Marcello, our guide at the Napo Culteral Center was amazing. He was very knowledgable of the native culture, language and the jungle animals and plants. We saw red Macaws gather to a clay link, the jungle from both the river and a tower above the trees

Jorge, our guide through the Andes was fantastic. Offered many sites and activities in addition to the itinerary. Although the 4 hour drive over the bumpy dirt road was unpleasant, Jorge and our driver Winston were always positive and personal. Again, I was impressed by the range of Jorge's knowledge of the landscape, culture, language and politcal/history of Ecuador. I felt we did too much driving in the Andes and would have enjoyed taking walks in the foothills.

We did not have a specific guide in the Galapagos. I would have appreciated a detailed itinerary to better plan for the days. The boating days to the other islands and snorkeling were definitely a highlight. The crews were very helpful, kind and great cooks

Hotel Review

Hotel Deja Vu Galapagos

Pto. Ayora

It was so nice to spend 3 nights in one hotel, very relaxing. It was a short walk to restaurants and shops. The staff were very helpful. Answered our questions about the the area. Since our group were in 3 different rooms, we utilized the setting area as a meeting point. It was like having a private living room .

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Free Morning - Afternoon Boat Tour

Galapagos Islands

We were ready for the free morning. This boat tour to yhe trail did not offer anything new that we had seen on a previous trip. Also, we were unaware of the opportunity to snorkle on this trip

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Welcome to Santa Cruz Island: Highlands & Charles Darwin Research Station

Puerto Ayora

The farm with great tortoises was exciting, beautiful scenery.

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Quito - Coca - Napo Cultural Center

Ecuador

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Quito - Cotopaxi National Park

Ecuador

The walk around the lake was lovely

Colonial City Tour, Cooking Class & the Middle of the World Monument

Quito

Lots of fun

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Thanks to Iveth for organizing a wonderful 13-day trip and to Cristian for making it special. Cristian was very personable and was knowledgeable about local history and customs. He also made great adjustments to our itinerary when appropriate. Iveth stepped up and visited when one of us did not feel well for a couple of days.
Highlights included horseback riding at Cotapaxi; Rose Success rose plantation; Hacienda Las Cuevas (a lovely place to stay carved out of the rock); Casa Gangotena Hotel on an historic square in Quito (great rooms, lovely food, and craft cocktails); the weaving demonstration and people at Peguche Wasi; and our days at Napo Wildlife Center in the Amazon basin. The people were great everywhere we stayed. Cristian’s suggestions for local lunch stops were wonderful and we enjoyed our time with him. We also thought the Cultura Manor Hotel was a nice introduction to the ambience of Quito. We particularly enjoyed our leisurely lunch at La Plaza Restaurant in the Hotel Mama Cuchara (which is by ArtHotels who also have locations in Otavalo and Cuenca). It has a great rooftop bar with views of the historic center and of the Virgin Mary statue on the Mirador de Panecillo. The bar was tended by Juan Pedro who crafted his own cocktails and had virgin versions for the kids.
Being in Ecuador at New Year’s was a treat. In many places, we saw groups of men and even kids clumsily dressed as women who sang and danced amusingly in front of our car. For a couple of coins, we could pass through. Some of them kept us laughing. Cristian explained the tradition and even confessed to having done the same as a young man. The atmosphere for our NYE dinner in the monastery at Hacienda Cusin was wonderful as were the folk dancers would performed in the garden. Although, the rooms there were very tired, the service was great and we loved getting the hot water bottles as part of the turn-down service. And yes, we did find the secret stair in the monastery.
The Amazon was a fabulous part of the trip. The lodge was very well done, the excursions were well planned, and the service was very nice. We saw three species of monkeys, macaws, parrots, a toucan, a young and a full-grown anaconda, caimans, giant river otters, tarantulas, and many other beautiful birds. Our canoe crews were excellent. The visit to the village was a bit touristy but we danced their dance and bought a few hand-made things from their shop.
Our transfers with Alejandro upon our arrival and the day of our departure were excellent. He was flexible and helpful in making our last day in Quito a great day. We had 10 hours between our arrival from the Amazon and the time we needed to return to the airport. So, we went on our own unplanned excursions. We spent two hours at the home and museum of Ecuador’s famous artist, Oswaldo Guayasamín. This is an absolute must and we highly recommend going there. We then went to the historic Quito area where we came across numerous street performers and an entertaining parade. Alejandro held onto our luggage while we toured. So, it really helped make it a great day.
We do have a few suggestions noting that some of the drives were tiresome and it was cramped being in a small SUV. Skip the Thermae at Papallacta. The cabin was fun, the treatments were fine, and the hike was nice, but the hot springs were filled with locals who stand in line to get in. The place lost its charm with so many people there so it was not worth the drive. White water rafting would have been more fun.
The little village at the middle of the earth was very touristy. The egg demonstration, walking the line, and the water draining demonstration, were all pretty hokey. The monument next door was fine and the relief map in the French pavilion was helpful. The nearby Le Crater Restaurant was fogged in so we did not have a view but even so, the service and the food were disappointing. We do recommend a stop at the Quitsato equator. Their explanations and materials were very well done and it was good that Cristian had us stop there.
In Napo we would have preferred to have one of their naturalists (which is usually included) instead of hiring and paying for our own directly which was apparently due to holiday scheduling difficulties. Pedro was not very engaging, even at meals. He could have made it more fun for us and our teens. Our indigenous community guide Jorge was good at spotting animals and we even heard Pedro asking Jorge for information about the animals. We still enjoying Napo and would recommend it.
We had a great trip to the Galapagos prior to having kids and would have worked that it if we had more time.

Had a great time in Ecuador. Kimkim team - especially Iveth - was very helpful and went out of their way to make sure that we had a good trip. Thank you!

Our trip to Ecuador was wonderful. I feel we experienced as much as we could in our 7 day adventure. Iveth was lovely and I found it very special that she met us at the airport and joined us on the trip to Huasquila Lodge in the Amazon rainforest. I enjoyed her insight, information into our travels and advice when we were on own.. It was such a pleasure to have Marcelo drive us. I learned alot from him, enjoyed his knowledge, he was patient with our lack of spanish, its was fun to hear of his family, and very thankful for our late night drives and that he gave up so much of Christmas holiday to be with us. Christian who was our driver from the rainforest to Banos taking in so many sites and waterfalls, he was so kind as he helped me to navigate the trails to waterfalls ( I have to admit I was not prepared for terrain) and taking video and pictures of our adventures. I so enjoyed his company and learning of his big family, traditions, and his recommendations for Banos, we did take his advice on eating Guinea pig (Cuy).
It was memorable and so fun to spend time with my son Denver, he tries to keep me young and challenge of my comfort zone. You all helped with that.
Iveth, Marcelo, and Christian will remain in my heart with a SMILE.
Thanks so much,
Ann Collins

Our trip to Ecuador was incredible and surpassed all expectations! Iveth put together the perfect trip based upon on interests and budget. She was extremely communicative in the months and weeks leading up to our trip, and was in regular contact with us and our guides throughout our trip. Thanks to Iveth we were able to see and learn about so many different parts of the country. We spent 18 days traveling through mainland Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands. We spent half of our trip journeying through the highlands, the Amazon rainforest, Cotopaxi, Quilotoa, and Quito; the second half we spend in the Galapagos Islands. She arranged for us to have a private guide/driver while on the mainland - Christian. He was one of the best guides we've ever had, in any country! He was kind, caring and funny. He was so knowledgeable about Ecuador's history, culture, and especially the nature! Thanks to Christian, we feel like experts on Ecuador. His love and passion for his country shined, and it truly made our experience extra special.

Our vacation to Ecuador was unique for a number of reasons, but mostly because Iveth was instrumental in coordinating and executing our marriage proposal. She assisted my fiance with planning every detail of his proposal, including ensuring that eleven 'love notes' were received by eleven different hotels. The proposal took place overlooking the spectacular Lake Quilotoa, and it will be one of our most cherished memories. She also assisted my fiance with planning a very special hotel stay at the beautiful and romantic Hotel Rumiloma. Iveth was always there for us; we had some issues with our airline tickets and she was immediately available to assist. When we both felt sick one day in Quito, she came to our hotel first thing in the morning with Pediasure and medicine. She was extremely attentive to all of our needs, and she went above and beyond to make sure our time in Ecuador was well spent. She is extremely organized and we never had to worry about our itinerary, pick ups, transfers, etc. Her positive energy and love for her country radiates, and we could not have imagined this trip without her playing a part in it. I plan to tell all my friends and family to work with Iveth when planning their Ecuador trips, and we will certainly work with her again on our next visit to the wonderful Ecuador!