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Johanna Fabian

I enjoy slow travel, ideally being in one country for a month where I can really get to know the local people, their way of life and of course their food! I am Peruvian-American and have traveled through many of the beautiful countries LATAM has to offer.

What places and activities do you specialize in?

"I specialize in all things South America! You can count on me to recommend the best cafés and restaurants in town specially in Lima, the gastronomical capital of Latin America. "

How did you get involved in travel?

"Back in 2011 I joined a study abroad culinary program in Peru. Here, my curiosity began to burst. Not only did I want to travel everywhere In Peru but I wanted to learn about different cultures and different food and techniques the world has to offer. Now no matter where I travel, making a stop at a local market is at the top of my list! "

Please share a unique travel experience you will never forget.

"In 2012 I went to Iquitos with a couple of German friends, we camped out in an indigenous community in the middle of the Amazon, it was not at all glamorous, but one of the most memorable trips. I got to learn so much about how the community lived, their culture, their food, and their reality. It was both eye-opening and life-changing. "

Top itineraries and travel advice
Family itineraries
Luxury itineraries

Favorite experiences

Peruvian Amazon Nature Tour

The southern Peruvian Amazon region is a veritable wonderland of natural attractions. The best way to experience as many of them as possible is on a series of short, guided adventure treks. The home base for this tour is a jungle lodge near the border with Bolivia, and the first mini-trek is...

Recent trip reviews for Johanna

Peru and Bolivia - a great first visit
Peru | Jan 22 - Feb 1, 2024

Gail
Gail G.
Singapore | Reviewed on Feb 02, 2024
All in all we had a great trip. Everything was well organised and ran very smoothly.
Our guide Emelia in Cusco was so good and when Machu Picchu was shut down she handled the new itinerary etc very well. Also a big thank you for the refunds processed so quickly. The highlight of the trip for us was the train between Cusco and Puno. 5 star service and amazing scenery.
The guides who helped us through the land border Peru/Bolivia were amazing as was the guide who assisted me with getting...
Read more

All in all we had a great trip. Everything was well organised and ran very smoothly.
Our guide Emelia in Cusco was so good and when Machu Picchu was shut down she handled the new itinerary etc very well. Also a big thank you for the refunds processed so quickly. The highlight of the trip for us was the train between Cusco and Puno. 5 star service and amazing scenery.
The guides who helped us through the land border Peru/Bolivia were amazing as was the guide who assisted me with getting the Bolivian visa. We would have struggled to do this all ourselves.
We loved the personal service and private tours and being able to connect with KimKim any time via the email link was excellent.
All the hotels were great, just to our liking especially Antigua Casona San Blas in Cusco.
Thank you.

Local specialist: Johanna Fabian
Johanna
Johanna Fabian
Local specialist in Lima, Peru | Replied on Feb 13, 2024

Hi Gail,
I'm so glad you had a great time in Peru and Bolivia though we are terribly sorry you weren't able to visit Machu Picchu after all. We hope to welcome you in South America again!

Best,
Johanna

Joanna planned a great trip for us to Peru.
Peru | Dec 29 - Jan 7, 2024

Larry
Larry G.
Kansas City, MO | Reviewed on Jan 13, 2024

Joanna planned a great trip for us to Peru. The hotels were great. The activities were great and the prearranged driver was amazing. We really got to like Alex. The sky Lodge was an amazing recommendation, and a once in a lifetime adventure.

Local specialist: Johanna Fabian
Johanna
Johanna Fabian
Local specialist in Lima, Peru | Replied on Jan 18, 2024

Hi Larry,
I'm so glad to hear you had a great time in Peru and that you enjoyed the Sky Lodge!

We hope to welcome you again in South America,
Johanna

Good trip to Machu Picchu. Thanks Kimkim.
Peru | Dec 24 - Dec 30, 2023

P
Praveen P.
Chandler, AZ | Reviewed on Jan 08, 2024
We had an overall positive experience with KimKim travel on our recent visit to MachuPichu. Our main contact was Johanna. We made plans just a few weeks before actual travel. Johanna was very helpful in helping us plan out our 6 day vacation to Machu Piche, the sacred valley, Cusco and Lima. We had a detailed phone call with Johanna prior to travel and also got good advice about travel to Peru ( our first visit). Kristy was also given as a contact for our trip. During the trip, everything... Read more

We had an overall positive experience with KimKim travel on our recent visit to MachuPichu. Our main contact was Johanna. We made plans just a few weeks before actual travel. Johanna was very helpful in helping us plan out our 6 day vacation to Machu Piche, the sacred valley, Cusco and Lima. We had a detailed phone call with Johanna prior to travel and also got good advice about travel to Peru ( our first visit). Kristy was also given as a contact for our trip.

During the trip, everything also worked out great / as planned. Our guides - Richard in Machu Picchu, Jose in Sacred Valley and Sonya in Cusco were all excellent. They were knowledgeable and friendly.

I would have given this review 5 stars had it not been for a scheduling issue. Our final day was supposed to be a nice culinary tour in Lima. We were flying in from Cusco to take that tour. At the last minute, our tour was changed to a different one - more of a city tour, because of a realization that we may be short on time to catch the original tour. Since all the planning was done by KimKim, we feel this change could have been avoided by asking us to take an earlier flight from Cusco. Not sure why this was a late realization. When we expressed our dissatisfaction , they promptly refunded us for this part of the tour. Until this time, we were having a flawless trip.

I do appreciate the good support from the Kimkim team. Both Kristy and Johanna were extremely responsive throughout. Thanks ! Overall excellent communications throughout. Johanna even took a phone call from me on the evening of Christmas Day. She was proactive in advising us to go to the Ministry of Culture on our arrival in Aguas Calientes to check for tickets on a different circuit that we were interested in. All hotels and transfers were great and overall planning was superior.

Local specialist: Johanna Fabian
Johanna
Johanna Fabian
Local specialist in Lima, Peru | Replied on Jan 09, 2024

Hi Praveen,
It's great to hear you overall had a great experience. We're terribly sorry for the hiccup on the last day, I have shared your feedback with my team to ensure better experiences for the future.

We hope to be able to assist you with your future trips in Latin America!

Best,
Johanna

Hello Johanna did a great job of pulling toge...
Peru | Dec 25 - Jan 4, 2024

K
Karthik V.
Tampa, FL | Reviewed on Jan 07, 2024
Hello Johanna did a great job of pulling together our amazing trip to Peru and the Galapagos. There were some small snafus in terms of timings but overall it was a great time. We would definitely go again. Our local guides were amazing and we learnt so much from our experience. Read more

Hello Johanna did a great job of pulling together our amazing trip to Peru and the Galapagos. There were some small snafus in terms of timings but overall it was a great time. We would definitely go again. Our local guides were amazing and we learnt so much from our experience.

Hotel Reviews
JW Marriott El Convento Cusco
Cusco
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
El Mapi by Inkaterra
Lima
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Solymar
Galápagos
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Iguana Crossing Boutique Hotel
Galápagos
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
The rooms facing the ocean are gorgeous. But the internet leaves a lot to be desired. But that’s the Galapagos for you. ❤️
Activity Reviews
Puerto Villamil: Day 2
Puerto Villamil: Day 2
Isla Isabela
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
 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
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Fly to Santa Cruz Island & Tour Charles Darwin Station
Fly to Santa Cruz Island & Tour Charles Darwin Station
Peru

The tortoises are just amazing

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Puerto Villamil: Day 1
Puerto Villamil: Day 1
Isla Isabela

This was ok would have been good to know that this was a hike tour in high heat. Would Likely not have done as heat intolerance

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Johanna Fabian
Johanna
Johanna Fabian
Local specialist in Lima, Peru | Replied on Jan 09, 2024

Hi Karthik and Sonu,
It was great to help you plan another trip for your family. We're glad to hear your overall trip was great. Will be sharing some of your feedback with my team to ensure better trips in the future.

We hope to assist you again in your future travels!
Johanna

Hi my name is Jeanette I reach on to Johana ...
Peru | Dec 4 - Dec 12, 2023

Jeanette
Jeanette C.
Camden, NJ | Reviewed on Dec 31, 2023
Hi my name is Jeanette I reach on to Johana to help me to make my husbandJulio big 50 birthday very special .we wanted to know Peru and their culture and people .johanna went beyond my expectations ❤️she listen very carefully all the special details I request to make this birthday memorably.from the people that pick us up from the airport and all the staff from each hotel and our tour guide Franklyn we felt welcome ,secure,and very inform and especially lots of fun .I recommend with my eyes... Read more

Hi my name is Jeanette I reach on to Johana to help me to make my husbandJulio big 50 birthday very special .we wanted to know Peru and their culture and people .johanna went beyond my expectations ❤️she listen very carefully all the special details I request to make this birthday memorably.from the people that pick us up from the airport and all the staff from each hotel and our tour guide Franklyn we felt welcome ,secure,and very inform and especially lots of fun .I recommend with my eyes close kimkim to help you book your tours .I highly recommend our Franklyn as your tour guide ..i also want to say thank you to Kimkim and Franklyn for the surprise cake 🎂 up in matchu pichu ❤️❤️❤️❤️ here I live you some picture of our adventures Peru until then

Hotel Reviews
Hotel Antigua Miraflores
Lima

Is amazing is so beautiful from inside out .very clean the staff very welcoming very attentive.i love it

Authenticity & Character
Location
Is a beautiful place.is located it in a very secure area you can walk around to learn about Lima and also know the history of the area
Staff
Staff is very welcoming and very humble
Cleanliness & Comfort
El Albergue Ollantaytambo Boutique Hotel
Cusco

El albergue located at the sacred valley you waked up in the middle of this two huge mountain with the birds sound everything they serve you they themselves harvest .is very welcome romantic and the staff so kind

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
El Mapi by Inkaterra
Lima
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Antigua Casona San Blas
Cusco

Antigua casona San Blas is located in Cusco once you step out everything is just a walk away from restaurant museum and market is so beautiful

Authenticity & Character
Location
Everything is very close just a walk away you can enjoy life music and all kind of food
Staff
Beautiful people i request flowers wine cake in the room before my husband and I got to the room and I can’t ask for nothing less they made it very special for us
Cleanliness & Comfort
When I tell you clean is clean no noise very comfortable and cozy
Activity Reviews
Moray & Maras ATV Tour
Moray & Maras ATV Tour
Peru
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Afternoon Train to Aguas Calientes
Afternoon Train to Aguas Calientes
Peru

We love the scenic and the experience the train ride

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Discovering the Treasures of Machu Picchu
Discovering the Treasures of Machu Picchu
Aguas Calientes/ Machu Picchu

The most beautiful place that I ever visit .we made my husband big 50 so special at this place and day

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
All I can say thank you Franklyn and Kim Kim
Transport
Lima City & Food Tour
Lima City & Food Tour
Peru
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Fly from Lima to Cusco, Explore the City
Fly from Lima to Cusco, Explore the City
Peru

Is such a beautiful place Franklyn our tour guide took us to explore the city of Cusco to learn about their food and culture

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
I want to say thank you to our tours Franklyn thank you for helping us to explore your city you speak with passion of your people and your culture Julio and I will always will be so greatful for your time and acknowledge.i also want to say thank you for the drivers which I am try to remember their name i remember the lady Milagros thank you for making sure we got to our destination safe
Fly from Cusco to Lima
Fly from Cusco to Lima
Peru
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Arrival to Lima: Free Day to Explore
Arrival to Lima: Free Day to Explore
Lima
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Cusco City Tour
Cusco City Tour
Peru
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Johanna Fabian
Johanna
Johanna Fabian
Local specialist in Lima, Peru | Replied on Jan 04, 2024

Jeanette me da mucho gusto leer que tuviste una super experiencia en Peru!! Espero fue un cumpleaños inolvidable para tu esposo.

Estamos para ayudarte en cualquiera de tus viajes en Latinoamerica!
Johanna

Easy & smooth trip
Peru | Dec 15 - Dec 22, 2023

A
Anna Y.
Newark, NJ | Reviewed on Dec 29, 2023
We loved how easy and smooth the whole planning process was. When we arrived everything was organized and we enjoyed the variety of activities throughout Peru. It was well balanced with activities but all free time to relax. We will use kimkim in the future. Read more

We loved how easy and smooth the whole planning process was. When we arrived everything was organized and we enjoyed the variety of activities throughout Peru. It was well balanced with activities but all free time to relax. We will use kimkim in the future.

Hotel Reviews
Hotel Antigua Miraflores
Lima
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica
Puerto Maldonado
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Antigua Casona San Blas
Cusco
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Johanna Fabian
Johanna
Johanna Fabian
Local specialist in Lima, Peru | Replied on Dec 30, 2023

Hi Anna,
I’m so glad to hear you had a great trip to Peru and it was everything you wanted. We hope to welcome you again in the future.

Best,
Johanna

Incredible service and support
Argentina | Nov 16 - Dec 1, 2023

M
Molly R.
Boston, MA | Reviewed on Dec 08, 2023
Johanna and Kristy were both incredibly helpful and supportive through the entire planning process and the trip itself! We never felt alone, and had 24/7 support throughout the entire trip. We had an amazing trip filled with numerous activities in Patagonia. Thank you for creating the most special honeymoon for us!! Read more

Johanna and Kristy were both incredibly helpful and supportive through the entire planning process and the trip itself! We never felt alone, and had 24/7 support throughout the entire trip. We had an amazing trip filled with numerous activities in Patagonia. Thank you for creating the most special honeymoon for us!!

Hotel Reviews
CasaSur Recoleta
Buenos Aires
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
one of our towels was dirty and they shut the water off for 5+ hours at one point
Xelena Hotel & Suites
El Calafate, Santa Cruz
Authenticity & Character
Location
a bit far away from downtown, but they had a shuttle
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Auberge du Vin, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel, Tupungato
Tupungato
Authenticity & Character
Location
way too far away! we felt stranded and had to take long rides to get anywhere
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
A Wine tour of Valle de Uco
A Wine tour of Valle de Uco
Mendoza
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Rafting the Mendoza River
Rafting the Mendoza River
Mendoza
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Minitrekking Ice Hike on Perito Moreno Glacier
Minitrekking Ice Hike on Perito Moreno Glacier
El Calafate
Quality of Experience
Food
no food included! make sure to tell folks to pack a lunch
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Horseback riding
Horseback riding
Puerto Natales
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Guided “W” Trek 1/4 (camping)
Guided “W” Trek 1/4 (camping)
Argentina

W Trek itself was amazing, but they had us doing not the entire W trek which was very frustrating! Therefore, we had to hike 17 miles on day 3 (rather than take the catamaran to the bus to the shuttle) to get to the last refugio! Overall, the trek was amazing though and we had a great time, just not great planning and we met several other people who were staying at different refugios so they hikes were better spaced out.

Quality of Experience
Food
Local specialist: Johanna Fabian

Awesome for Booking the W Trek
Argentina | Nov 13 - Nov 29, 2023

John
John V.
Manhattan, NY | Reviewed on Dec 07, 2023
We utilized this service for first time travel to South America. It was convenient and saved a lot of time we didn't have researching and booking. Not knowing the cost of each component of the trip made it hard to make decisions. Not knowing the fees of the agency makes it difficult to know whether there is value in this service for next time. More communication on where to spend/save money would have been needed to use this service again. There was one major mistake that we had to scramble... Read more

We utilized this service for first time travel to South America. It was convenient and saved a lot of time we didn't have researching and booking. Not knowing the cost of each component of the trip made it hard to make decisions. Not knowing the fees of the agency makes it difficult to know whether there is value in this service for next time. More communication on where to spend/save money would have been needed to use this service again. There was one major mistake that we had to scramble to fix ourselves. The agency did what they could to make it right, but just didn't have the local knowledge or influence to make it happen. It had to be done by us at the locale and with our airlines. It all worked out, but was effort by us with the airlines and hotel we booked directly. Overall, the trip was amazing and there was some time saved and convenience from the service. If money is no object and you have no time to do any self planning or you simply have no idea about the place you're going. this may be the way to go, otherwise a well plotted trip utilizing hotel concierge service may work as well and cheaper. Getting what we needed from KimKim on the Wtrek i feel made it worth it this time. Kristy stepped in about halfway through our trip and was awesome.

Hotel Reviews
Los Cerros Boutique Hotel & Spa
El Chalten

Felt like we had best room in town.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Close to restaurants and trail
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Lagos Del Calafate
El Calafate

Just ok.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Kau Yatun Hotel & Estancia
El Calafate

Great cute hotel

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Refugio Torre Central
Parque Nacional Torres del Paine Pedro Montt
Weskar Lodge
Puerto Natales
Authenticity & Character
Location
I
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Refugio Paine Grande
Puerto Natales, Chile
Refugio Los Cuernos
Torres del Paine - W trek Circuit Reserva Cerro Paine
Activity Reviews
Drive to El Calafate
Drive to El Calafate
Argentina
Minitrekking Ice Hike on Perito Moreno Glacier
Minitrekking Ice Hike on Perito Moreno Glacier
El Calafate
Quality of Experience
I
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Trekking & Canoeing in Tierra del Fuego
Trekking & Canoeing in Tierra del Fuego
Ushuaia
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Private transfer to Torres del Paine/Natales from El Calafate
Private transfer to Torres del Paine/Natales from El Calafate
El Calafate
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Visit the Penguin Colony on Isla Martillo, Explore Puerto Almanza (non-walking tour)
Visit the Penguin Colony on Isla Martillo, Explore Puerto Almanza (non-walking tour)
Ushuaia
Quality of Experience
Food
Nice
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Walter = Awesome
Drive to El Chalten
Drive to El Chalten
Argentina
Local specialist: Johanna Fabian

Absolutely fabulous planning and wonderful tr...
Peru | Nov 23 - Dec 3, 2023

Keith
Keith J.
Atlanta, GA | Reviewed on Dec 04, 2023

Absolutely fabulous planning and wonderful trip

Local specialist: Johanna Fabian

Johanna and Kristy are awesome
Argentina | Nov 9 - Nov 19, 2023

Ajay
Ajay P.
San Jose, CA | Reviewed on Nov 25, 2023
Johanna and Kristy have been awesome specialists helping us plan the trip and execute it.
They were prompt in replying on the portal before the trip and on WhatsApp during the trip.
We always felt we were in good hands.
Their advice was right on about the key things to see in the places we picked.
They were accomodative to the changes we made before the trip due to preferences, just before the trip due to airline schedule changes and during the trip due to weather issues.
Kristy also...
Read more

Johanna and Kristy have been awesome specialists helping us plan the trip and execute it.
They were prompt in replying on the portal before the trip and on WhatsApp during the trip.
We always felt we were in good hands.
Their advice was right on about the key things to see in the places we picked.
They were accomodative to the changes we made before the trip due to preferences, just before the trip due to airline schedule changes and during the trip due to weather issues.
Kristy also helped us get the flight changes we needed when Aerolineas was not being responsive.
She even helped us pick the restaurants that cater to our vegan preference.
Of the tour agents they picked for us, Piratour to Isla Martillo were the best.
Both Thomas the tour guide and the ladies at Haberton marine mammal museum were quite informative and awesome.
Sabrina was an excellent tour guide at Buenos Aires, very knowledgable, patient and took us to off-beat interesting spots in the San Telmo and La Boca neighborhoods
Visits on our own to the 3 places Kristy recommended were definitely worthwhile - Glaciarium at Calafate, Casa Botella and Tres Fronteras at Iguazu falls.
Word of caution to other vegans - Vegan restaurants are hard to find outside Buenos Aires - do your research ahead of time.
El Chalten has only 1 but it's awesome - Curcuma! Iguazu falls has only 1, and average at best, on the Argentina side.
There are more vegan choices on the Brazil side of Iguazu falls. The one recommended by our side, Gilderlei, Cantina de Bea was very good.
Another word to the wise: We wish our Spanish ability were better. While the tours were bilingual, we kept wondering if we were missing anything.
In the shops, restaurants and on the streets we found very few english speakers, even in the Buenos Aires Metropolis.
Google translate was quite inefficient at best and useless where there was no internet connection.

Hotel Reviews
Palma Real Posada
Puerto Iguazu

Staff was coreteous and helpful. Grounds and pool are attractive. But the room and the location lowered the rating.

Authenticity & Character
nice pool and garden and decor
Location
About a quarter mile from a corner store, half mile from a grocery store, a mile from most restaurants and 2 miles each from tres fronteras, guira oga and casa botellas, not really convenient walking distance to anything. needs taxi for most needed places
Staff
Amazingly helpful and coureteous staff in spite of limited english ability - helped filling our water bottles, prompt attention to room issues brought up, refiiling breakfast items as they deplete.
Cleanliness & Comfort
room seemed old and not well kept. lock and ac did not work on the first day. ac remote was finnicky in spite of the staff attempt to fix it. there were mosquitoes on the property and in the room; we had bites each night in spite of applying deet spray.
Los Naranjos
Ushuaia

nice hotel at the edge of town so away from noise and crowd yet on main street with restaurants and not far from the gathering spot by the port for the tours both buses and yachts. good choices on free breakfast buffet, nice comfortable lobby. friendly staff but little to no english . wish the triple rooms were in the main building and not down a flight of stairs next to a major high speed road with vehicle and construction noise even in the evening and night.

Authenticity & Character
nice decor, rustic, matches the town character
Location
triple rooms in main building away from roads
Staff
very helpful, but minimal or no english
Cleanliness & Comfort
clean, comfortable rooms, lobby and food areas
Local specialist: Johanna Fabian
Johanna
Johanna Fabian
Local specialist in Lima, Peru | Replied on Nov 26, 2023

I'm so glad to hear everything with your family trip to Argentina went smoothly Ajay!
We'd be happy to help you again with your future trips to South America.

Best,
Johanna