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Jessica Danker

I have been traveling since I can remember, but no destination was quite as special as when I arrived in Peru. What was meant to be a two weeklong vacation turned into a few years living in and exploring the country!

What places and activities do you specialize in?

"I specialize in all things Peru! I lived in Lima, Peru for over 2 years and have traveled all over the beautiful country. With the coastline, the mountains and the Amazon the opportunities for adventure are endless!"

How did you get involved in travel?

"I was always the travel planner in the friend group, but then I decided to live abroad after college. I fell in love with exploring new places, meeting new friends and trying new foods! As my interest in travel grew so did my ability to plan better more authentic experiences for myself. After a while I found myself settled in Lima, Peru, and decided I wanted to share my experiences and passion for travel with others as a Travel Advisor. "

Please share a unique travel experience you will never forget.

"I will never forget the first time that I traveled to the rainforest. A group of friends and I stayed at an Amazon Lodge in Puerto Maldonado, but it was the edge of rainy season so I wasn't sure what to expect. We saw otters, caimans, macaws, tarantulas (scary!) and so much more up close in their natural habitats. This was something that was really unique to me having grown up in the city. On the last day I woke up early to watch the sunrise over the Amazon River and will never forget how beautiful the sky and all the colors of the jungle looked. "

Jessica is part of the following groups: Bolivia Travel Agents, Peru Travel Agents
Top itineraries and travel advice

Recent trip reviews for Jessica

We were glad we switched the private cusco to...
Peru | May 10 - May 18, 2025

Mariah
Mariah M.
San Jose, CA | Reviewed on May 19, 2025

We were glad we switched the private cusco tour to the first day...

Otherwise trip was great and a good blend of personal and tour time!!

Many thanks for being flexible and working around schedule changes.

Thanks! Mariah

Local specialist: Jessica Danker

Wonderful trip to Peru!
Peru | Aug 26 - Sep 9, 2023

Alina
Alina C.
Alhambra, AZ | Reviewed on Mar 04, 2025
Our Peru trip was INCREDIBLE! It had a wonderful mix of history, hiking, food, and culture. We had some unguided time in the cities (Lima and Cusco) to explore the city, but had a guide with us to travel to different historical sites. I definitely recommend booking a trip as it saved us SO much time and effort especially with transportation. We had a dedicated driver pretty much the entire time (minus to machu picchu + the amazon) and got to explore areas off the main path. I loved hanging... Read more

Our Peru trip was INCREDIBLE! It had a wonderful mix of history, hiking, food, and culture. We had some unguided time in the cities (Lima and Cusco) to explore the city, but had a guide with us to travel to different historical sites. I definitely recommend booking a trip as it saved us SO much time and effort especially with transportation. We had a dedicated driver pretty much the entire time (minus to machu picchu + the amazon) and got to explore areas off the main path. I loved hanging out with the alpacas and getting to see the incredible views. If you are also planning on going to the amazon, get ready to be full off grid and full sweaty. It was definitely worth it but boy is it HOT.

Hotel Reviews
Tierra Viva Miraflores Centro
Miraflores

small but staff was very friendly and it was in a great location

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
San Agustin Paracas
Paracas

We went when it was pretty cold so we did not get full use of the amenities but it was beautiful. The walls were THIN though so be warned

Amaru
Cusco

LOVE this hotel. Great location, great rooms, great environment.

El Albergue Ollantaytambo Boutique Hotel
Cusco

This hotel is amazing! Very beautiful and convenient. We even got a bagged lunch from them that was tasty

Taypikala Boutique Machupicchu
Machu Picchu

Hotel not the best location but not bad. Was clean and comfortable.

Inkaterra Hacienda Concepcion
Puerto Maldonado

BEAUTIFUL place. If I were to come back I would love to stay at a place like this again. Food was delicious and the staff was beyond incredible. One even saved me when a bullet ant was on my leg. Be prepared to be sweaty and DO NOT go if you are scared of bugs.

Activity Reviews
Lima Ultimate Peruvian Food Tour
Lima Ultimate Peruvian Food Tour
Lima

Totally recommend the food tour. It was a wonderful way to explore the city and get a taste of DELICIOUS food. Best food we had on our trip by far

National Reserve & Huacachina: Wildlife & Dune Buggy Adventure
National Reserve & Huacachina: Wildlife & Dune Buggy Adventure
Peru

So fun!!! Definitely worth it even though I was terrible at sandboarding haha.

Ballestas Islands Tour & Return to Lima
Ballestas Islands Tour & Return to Lima
Paracas

If you are in the area I definitely recommend. We got to see penguins and sea lions on the boat tour.

Moray and Maras Tour
Moray and Maras Tour
Peru

Loved seeing the salt mine, and the different Incan historial sites. A must do

Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain
Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain
Cusco

In my opinion, this is so much better than the main Rainbow mountain. Not only did you get to see a rainbow mountain, but an incredible view of the andean glaciers behind it. Not to mention being slightly lower in elevation, a shorter hike, and MUCH less busy.

Lunch at Mountainview
Lunch at Mountainview
Peru

I live laugh love alpacas so this was a dream come true. I would live here forever if I could.

Local specialist: Jessica Danker

Guide was the best the Sonya did a absolutely fantastic jo...
Peru | Oct 2 - Oct 12, 2024

S
Shivanthi R.
Canada | Reviewed on Oct 14, 2024

Guide the Sonya did a absolutely fantastic job

Local specialist: Jessica Danker

Stress free trip
Peru | Sep 11 - Sep 21, 2024

M-J
M-J C.
Canada | Reviewed on Sep 22, 2024
We had a wonderful trip, all because of Jessica’s amazing plan and the service we received with the local guides. I couldn’t recommand Kimkim more!! Thank you very much to Kimkim, I could never have planned such a wonderful trip myself and saved so much time and stress. I will be using Kimkim for my future trips. And thank you for the instant help when our flight was delayed, it made us feel safe and taken care of. Read more

We had a wonderful trip, all because of Jessica’s amazing plan and the service we received with the local guides. I couldn’t recommand Kimkim more!! Thank you very much to Kimkim, I could never have planned such a wonderful trip myself and saved so much time and stress. I will be using Kimkim for my future trips. And thank you for the instant help when our flight was delayed, it made us feel safe and taken care of.

Hotel Review
Tierra Viva Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu
Activity Reviews
Activities-a-la-carte - Refugio Amazonas
Activities-a-la-carte - Refugio Amazonas
Peru

I loved it! We were grouped with 2 other young couples so it made the whole experience really fun. I thought it was one night too long though. In 2 days we had done the best activities. It was so hot that after 2 days we got tired of the heat (no fan or air con)Also, we did not get to choose our activities like it was described on kimkim. I was also having diarrhea the whole time I was there, probably because of the water.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Rainbow Mountain Trek
Rainbow Mountain Trek
Peru

The hike itself is great! Too many people asking to ride a horse and bad toilets but overall reslly great. But I did NOT enjoy the drive. I got scared we were going to fall off the cliff. We did ask our driver to slow down but still, the road is very very dangerous.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
.
Transport
The driver webt way too fast in the mountains. I did tell him to slow down and it helped a bit but they should consider the safety of the travellers instead of just trying to get there as fast as possible
 Short Inca Trail Day 1: Hiking to Machu Picchu via Chachabamba and Wiñay Wayna
Short Inca Trail Day 1: Hiking to Machu Picchu via Chachabamba and Wiñay Wayna
Peru

My favorite activity of the trip, it was magical. The guide was instructive and nice and the lunch was good!

Quality of Experience
Food
The brownie was maybe the best I ever had!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Jessica Danker
Jessica
Jessica Danker
Local specialist in New York City | Replied on Oct 11, 2024

So happy to hear you had such a lovely trip! We hope to welcome you back again!

Amazing vacation
Peru | Aug 6 - Aug 17, 2024

K
Karina M.
Astoria, NY | Reviewed on Aug 18, 2024
We spent amazing 12 days in Perú. We traveled to Lima, Cusco, Valle Sagrado and Puno. We spent the most of the time with Emilia, our guide in Cusco and Valle Sagrado and she was wonderful! Everything was very well planned. Thanks for a great vacation. Read more

We spent amazing 12 days in Perú. We traveled to Lima, Cusco, Valle Sagrado and Puno. We spent the most of the time with Emilia, our guide in Cusco and Valle Sagrado and she was wonderful!

Everything was very well planned. Thanks for a great vacation.

Hotel Reviews
GHL Hotel Lago Titicaca Puno
Lago Titicaca, Puno

Very comfortable pillows!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
El Albergue Ollantaytambo Boutique Hotel
Cusco

Hidden gem right off the train station. Beautiful ambiance and great breakfast. Rooms were big.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
El Mapi by Inkaterra
Cusco

Only spent one night here on the way to Macchu Picchu. The hotel was very busy. Appreciated that they deliver the bags straight to the train station after check out. Room was comfortable.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Abittare Hotels
Cusco

We spent the majority of the trip at this hotel. Good location. The first room we had was small. But the second time we stayed there, out room was bigger. Breakfast could use more options.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Casa República
Barranco, Lima

Comfortable room in a beautiful area. Loved that it had demos and activities everyday. We learned how to make a ceviche and how to prepapre a pisco sour. Staff was very nice.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Walking distance to restaurants and main Barranco area.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Moray and Maras Tour
Moray and Maras Tour
Peru

You get to learn about the Incas and agriculture. The salt mines are very cool. Worth the Trip!

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Cusco Tour
Cusco Tour
Peru

Emilia, our guide, was very knowledgeable. Dont miss this tour!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Historic Center & Larco Museum
Historic Center & Larco Museum
Peru

Wonderful and knowledgeable guide. Larco Museum is incredible. Wish this tour included more about Perú's 2 saints.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Lima Food Tour - (PM Tour)
Lima Food Tour - (PM Tour)
Peru

Our guide was wonderful. We visited some wonderful restaurants and had the best tiradito. Great way to start our 12-day journey and introduce Peruvian cuisine.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Jessica Danker
Jessica
Jessica Danker
Local specialist in New York City | Replied on Aug 19, 2024

Thank you so much for the review! We are glad to hear you enjoyed your time and the guided tours!

The trip was well planned in every aspect.
Peru | Aug 6 - Aug 17, 2024

F
Fernando S.
Los Angeles, CA | Reviewed on Aug 18, 2024
The trip was well planned in every aspect. Read more

The trip was well planned in every aspect.

Hotel Reviews
Casa República
Barranco, Lima
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
GHL Hotel Lago Titicaca Puno
Lago Titicaca, Puno
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Holiday Inn Lima Miraflores
Miraflores
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Abittare Hotels
Cusco
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
El Albergue Ollantaytambo Boutique Hotel
Cusco
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
El Mapi by Inkaterra
Cusco
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Jessica Danker

Amazing time in Cusco, Sacred valley and Machu Picchu
Peru | Apr 6 - Apr 12, 2024

Bjoern Andre
Bjoern Andre E.
Flagami, FL | Reviewed on Apr 15, 2024
Our trip to Cusco, Sacred valley , short Inca trail and Machu Picchu was amazing. The program was very well planned. The hotels included were very nice and perfectly located. We were picked up at the airport and hotels every morning always on time. Our guide for 4 days, Emilia, was perfect; full of knowledge, passion and interesting with a big smile. :-) We can recommend using kimkim for a trip to this region. Thanks! Read more

Our trip to Cusco, Sacred valley , short Inca trail and Machu Picchu was amazing. The program was very well planned. The hotels included were very nice and perfectly located. We were picked up at the airport and hotels every morning always on time. Our guide for 4 days, Emilia, was perfect; full of knowledge, passion and interesting with a big smile. :-) We can recommend using kimkim for a trip to this region. Thanks!

Hotel Reviews
El Mapi by Inkaterra
Cusco

Modern luxury hotel in Macchu Picchu. Very good!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
El Albergue Ollantaytambo Boutique Hotel
Cusco

Unique hotel on the train station to Machu Picchu. Very nice garden around the buildings. Big rooms. Good breakfast!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Casa San Blas Boutique
Cusco

Very nice hotel and perfect location! Very good staff and breakfast!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Clean and comfortable, but you can hear noise from other rooms easily
Activity Reviews
Short Inca Trail Day 2: Machu Picchu Guided Tour and Return to Cusco
Short Inca Trail Day 2: Machu Picchu Guided Tour and Return to Cusco
Peru

Machu Picchu is amazing. Our guide, Emilia was just perfect!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Good car and driver back to Cusco, but we had to wait 1/2 hour before he found us.
 Short Inca Trail Day 1: Hiking to Machu Picchu via Chachabamba and Wiñay Wayna
Short Inca Trail Day 1: Hiking to Machu Picchu via Chachabamba and Wiñay Wayna
Peru

6 hours walk with breaks in a medium demanding trail. Perfect alternative if you don't have time for or want to walk the 4 day trail. 2 impressive Inca sites on the way to Machu Picchu.

Quality of Experience
Food
The lunch box was ok, but it is good to bring some snacks in your backpack.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Lunch at Mountainview
Lunch at Mountainview
Peru

Highly recommended. Excellent view, food, service and meet with lamas

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Sacred Valley Tour: Pisac and Maras  - Lunch at MountainView Experience Lodge
Sacred Valley Tour: Pisac and Maras - Lunch at MountainView Experience Lodge
Peru

Very nice and interesting! We even got a bonus trip to the salt production plant

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Jessica Danker
Jessica
Jessica Danker
Local specialist in New York City | Replied on Apr 15, 2024

Thank you so much for the great review. It was a great experience working together to make this itinerary happen!

The whole trip was seamlessly organised and e...
Peru | Dec 6 - Dec 20, 2023

D
Daniel M.
United Kingdom | Reviewed on Dec 21, 2023

The whole trip was seamlessly organised and executed. It allowed us to efficiently visit most of the country in a relatively short period of time. Edy was an outstanding guide, through his passion, patience and flexibility.

Local specialist: Jessica Danker
Jessica
Jessica Danker
Local specialist in New York City | Replied on Dec 31, 2023

Happy to hear you had such an amazing experience in Peru! We hope to welcome you back again.

We knew this would be an awesome trip but whe...
Peru | Nov 11 - Nov 25, 2023

Sonia
Sonia A.
Sweden | Reviewed on Dec 02, 2023
We knew this would be an awesome trip but when executing it, it turned out to be even more amazing than expected.
I loved the fact that I could cuatomized the trip /design it exactly as per my wishes, and Kim kim just help me with the logistics arouns it.
Everything was arranged perfectly, from transport to accommodation to time slots etc. 6 of 5 points!
Hotels, specially the Tierra Viva chain hoth in Lima and Ollantaytambo, were very nice, with the only exception of the hotel (hostal...
Read more

We knew this would be an awesome trip but when executing it, it turned out to be even more amazing than expected.
I loved the fact that I could cuatomized the trip /design it exactly as per my wishes, and Kim kim just help me with the logistics arouns it.
Everything was arranged perfectly, from transport to accommodation to time slots etc. 6 of 5 points!
Hotels, specially the Tierra Viva chain hoth in Lima and Ollantaytambo, were very nice, with the only exception of the hotel (hostal really) Amaru in Cusco where the sound from the rooms above us in all nights we stayed there didnt help us sleep much, and the cleaning could have been better too. Also ahead of our stay in the Jungle, in the TreeLodge, we should have been give more factual info that there is no mobile coverage, no cashier nor any emergency shop at all, so for example, if you are a woman and happen to get your mens while there, as it happened to me, you rather were mega prepared ahead having bought even female patches/tampongs with you as there is simply no way to get them in the jungle. Prior to pur trip we had understoodd it was ju gle but as we were staying on a 'resort'/'lodge', we thought there'd at least be a survival shop /pharmacy at the premises.

The guides in Puno, Cusco and thr jungle have been very different styles one vs the other, but each od them had its own charm, a lot of knowledge and have made our trip a real joy. Kuddos to Maycol in Puno, Emilia (Cusi travel) in Cusco and Carlos & Jaimer in the jungle.

An advice for other travellers is to do your research thoroughly of what you'll like to visit and only after that design your trip. Peru has far too many things/places to visit, so one cannot leave it only to the typical 'for tourist' tours if one really wants to cover the most 'corners of Peru' possible in the time one has there.

One other suggestion to Kim Kim/advice to traveller is that the INCA Trail hike, even the short one we did, requires higher than standard good condition. 7h and more than 200 staircases, under rain or heavy sun, and even if with stops to drink/grab an energy bite and a breath, is not a trivial challenge. And I say this having grown up hiking the Pyrenees in my home land Basque Country (North Spain).

To visit Machu Picchu and a piece (the Peruvian) of the Amazon River/jungle was my dream since young ago (I am 47 now :)). This trip has not only get me to fullfill this dream, but also to even get to see other fascinating places in Peru like Lake Titicaca or the Rainbow Mountain. The trip is expensive but worth every penny.

Local specialist: Jessica Danker
Jessica
Jessica Danker
Local specialist in New York City | Replied on Dec 04, 2023

I appreciate this lovely review! Peru is an amazing country and there are so many places to visit. I am happy that it left a lasting impression on you. I hope to welcome you back again in the future!

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... Read more

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 Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
El Albergue Ollantaytambo Boutique Hotel
Cusco
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Sonesta Posadas del Inca Puno
Puno
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
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
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.
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
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!