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active 2 hours ago

Linda Schulz

Originally from Germany, I have traveled around the world and lived in Australia, Bangladesh, and finally Ecuador. Ecuador is such a diverse and beautiful country, so I soon fell deeply in love with it. From rainforest to the highest volcanoes - there is something for everyone. I've lived here for 6 years now, and I am enjoying every day in this small but megadiverse country.

What places and activities do you specialize in?

"We specialize in Ecuador and the Galápagos Islands. From trekking or climbing tours in the Andes up to adventurous days in the Amazon rainforest - everything is possible! Our goal is to convert travelers from passive consumers into active participants. Our tours are tailor-made and adjust to the wishes and preferences of our guests. "

How did you get involved in travel?

"As a child, I dreamed about distant places and other cultures. I wanted to explore everything and see the farthest corners of our planet. So I took the first chance and my backpack and went to Australia. Since then, my love for traveling has only grown, and I have visited several more countries around the globe. For me, traveling is about widening your horizons, seeing the world with other eyes, and meeting the most fascinating people. I want to share my experiences to create the same happiness that I have felt in other travelers. "

Please share a unique travel experience you will never forget.

"There are just too many life-changing travel experiences to pick just one! It is everything: from a simple, pure-hearted smile of a local up to a multi-week road trip through the Outback without running water and electricity. While traveling, every single day you make memories you will never forget. "

Linda is part of the following groups: Galapagos Islands Travel Agents, Ecuador Travel Agents, Ecuador Family Travel Agents
Top itineraries and travel advice
Ecuador Family Trip: Quito, the Amazon & Galapagos Islands - 11 Days
From the colorful wildlife of the Amazon rainforest to the underwater playground of the Galapagos, this family-friendly journey around Ecuador offers adventure and education for...
Outdoor Adventure & Culture From Quito to Guayaquil - 9 Days
Discover Ecuador's breathtaking landscapes and colorful cultural traditions on this thrilling nine-day trip. Start with a tour of Quito, step on the equator at Mitad del Mundo,...
Off the-Beaten-Path Adventure in Quito - 6 Days
Learn to dance salsa, cruise around colorful streets on a bicycle, and sample Ecuadorian craft beers on this lively six-day exploration of Quito. Though the itinerary features a...

Recent trip reviews for Linda

KimKim Planned a Perfect Trip for our Family
Galapagos Islands | Nov 26 - Nov 30, 2023

Cindy
Cindy M.
Lubbock, TX | Reviewed on Dec 01, 2023
Everything from beginning to end of our trip to the Galapagos was a wonderful experience! This was our first trip planned by KimKim, and we could not be more pleased. Linda Schultz was so easy to work with, and patient with questions and prompt with her answers. The welcome gift of Ecuadorian products that was waiting for us at our hotel before departure was a pleasant surprise. Indira Torres met us at the airport on Baltra and endeared herself to us immediately. What a treasure of a... Read more

Everything from beginning to end of our trip to the Galapagos was a wonderful experience! This was our first trip planned by KimKim, and we could not be more pleased. Linda Schultz was so easy to work with, and patient with questions and prompt with her answers. The welcome gift of Ecuadorian products that was waiting for us at our hotel before departure was a pleasant surprise. Indira Torres met us at the airport on Baltra and endeared herself to us immediately. What a treasure of a local guide! Liz Arboleda also took good care of us on Santa Cruz Island, helping us get to and from our transfers to Isabella Island. Our guide on Isabella (Nelly) was also attentive and flexible to our needs. Our two hotels (Plaza Luna and Isamar) were fantastic! Plaza Luna stored some of our luggage so we didn’t have to take it all to Isabella, and sent some laundry out for us (all thanks to Liz’s suggestion.). And what a fantastic breakfast! Both hotels had great locations and amenities. Every meal arranged by KimKim was a winner. The snorkeling excursion on Isabella was most enjoyable. We did everything we wanted to do in our 5 day itinerary, and had the perfect amount of free time for doing our own exploring. Thank you, KimKim and Linda, for a perfect vacation to Galapagos!

Hotel Reviews
Plaza Luna Suites
Puerto Ayora

We loved Villa Luna! Loved the ambience, the service, and the location. The breakfast is amazing and beautifully displayed. Scrambled or fried eggs available. Lots of fruits and vegetables. Wonderful servers. Jessica (owner) welcomed us both days with cool aromatic wash cloths and refreshing water. She graciously offered to hold some bags while we went to another island for a couple of nights. And she offered to send our laundry out so it would be ready when we returned. This hotel is near a restaurant that has live music, but it did not bother us at night time. My 6’4” husband would have preferred to have a bed that was a little longer, but he survived. We loved this hotel and would definitely stay there again!

Authenticity & Character
Beautifully appointed island hotel.
Location
Close to shopping, restaurants, walking distance to everything important.
Staff
Jessica, and the girl who was in charge of the breakfast buffet were SO friendly and helpful!
Cleanliness & Comfort
Nice to have a couch in the room! Everything was spiffy clean!
Isamar Hotel
Puerto Villamil, Isla Isabela

We loved this little cabana style hotel. It is right on the beach, and we could always hear the surf. The staff was intent on making us feel at home while we were there. The breakfast was good. They always had coffee in the “lobby” while the reception was open. HUGE beach blankets in each room for use on the white sandy beaches. Other good food prepared to order as desired.

Authenticity & Character
Cute cabana style hotel. Very beachy!
Location
Right on the beach, but not too far to walk into “town” multiple times!
Staff
Extremely nice and helpful!
Cleanliness & Comfort
Great air conditioning in the rooms, good maid service as well. Loved the homey lobby where we were welcome at all hours.
Activity Reviews
Transfer Baltra Airport - Puerto Ayora with visit to the highlands of Santa Cruz
Transfer Baltra Airport - Puerto Ayora with visit to the highlands of Santa Cruz
Galapagos Islands

Indira Torres met us at the airport and she endeared herself to us immediately. Could not have been happier with our escort. She knew exactly what she was doing, and handled everything. We loved the trip to the highlands to see the turtles! And the lunch was fantastic!

Quality of Experience
Indira Torres made everything so interesting!
Food
Every meal that KimKim arranged was great! Loved the sandwiches even, on our wetlands/beach day.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Their sincere interest in us, and appreciation of our tips.
Transport
Comfortable minivan and/taxi trucks.
Visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station
Visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station
Puerto Ayora

It was so hot and humid, but we enjoyed seeing all of the tortoises and learning about Lonely George. We were flagging from the heat and having gotten up so early, but we got there before the crowds and enjoyed seeing and learning about everything.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Visit the Flamingo Lagoon
Visit the Flamingo Lagoon
Galapagos Islands

Only six flamingos when we were there, but I guess we were lucky to see any at all. I didn’t realize that they were so transient.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Snorkeling at Las Tintoreras
Snorkeling at Las Tintoreras
Galapagos Islands

This was a highlight of the trip!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Tito was great!
Transport
Great boat staff.
Guided Hike to Tortuga Bay & Free Afternoon
Guided Hike to Tortuga Bay & Free Afternoon
Galapagos Islands

Again, it was hot. But this is a great hiking path, and not too difficult. The hardest part is hiking up to the entrance of the path. There are a couple of shady places to stop and rest. Not much wildlife to see…a few birds. The flora is more interesting here. The last kilometer is on a beautiful sandy beach, where there are plenty of marine iguanas. It is sandy, but not difficult to walk on barefooted. There are a couple of places for snorkeling and swimming, which are a wonderful way to end the activity.

Quality of Experience
Indira Torres was, as usual a charming and witty guide.
Food
Great sack lunch (sandwich) from a local deli.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
The boat ride back was fun and a relief!
Local specialist: Linda Schulz
Photo taken by Cindy M
Photo taken by Cindy M
Photo taken by Cindy M
Photo taken by Cindy M
Photo taken by Cindy M
Linda
Linda Schulz
Local specialist in Quito | Replied on Dec 01, 2023

Hi Cindy,
I am so happy to hear that you've had a fantastic time on the Galapagos Islands! Even though you only had five days available, you could see and do a lot, and will get back home with many unforgettable memories. It truly was a pleasure to help you organize your trip! I will make sure to forward your kind words and credits to all the guides and people involved on Galapagos.
It would be great to welcome you back one day so that you can explore the other beautiful islands the archipelago has to offer!
All the best for you and your family,
Linda

Read all Galapagos Islands reviews

Linda organised a great trip to the Galápagos...
Ecuador | Oct 29 - Nov 3, 2023

S
Sunita B.
United Kingdom | Reviewed on Nov 14, 2023

Linda organised a great trip to the Galápagos and Quito.. We went back and forth in what would suit us best. Linda was very patient throughout the process and didn’t hesitate to call to discuss queries. It was great that she came to the hotel in Quito to meet us so that we could put a face to the name.
Our guide Sebastian and his father Alexander who picked us up from the airport were fabulous.
They were knowledgeable and went out of their way to make sure everyone in our group was catered for. Our thanks to the whole team for a truly great experience and holiday.
.

Local specialist: Linda Schulz
Linda
Linda Schulz
Local specialist in Quito | Replied on Nov 14, 2023

Sunita, thank you and your whole family so much for trusting us to organize this trip! I am very happy to hear that you've enjoyed your time on Galapagos and in Quito, it was a pleasure (for me and also for Sebastian and his father) to make this a memorable trip for you.
I hope that you'll get the chance to come back one day, there's still so much more to see here - and maybe your nephew would like to watch another soccer game? :)
All the best and always safe travels,
Linda

Read all Ecuador reviews

Our guide Linda was AWESOME
Ecuador | Mar 23 - Mar 30, 2023

Drew
Drew G.
San Francisco, CA | Reviewed on Apr 28, 2023
Our guide Linda was AWESOME and so easy to work with. We threw a lot at her -- lot of requests and preferences -- but she did a great job creating a great itinerary for us. And if we had any feedback or wanted to make any changes, she was so easy to work. We got to do everything on our travel wish list and would absolutely work with Linda again on our next Ecuador trip. Read more

Our guide Linda was AWESOME and so easy to work with. We threw a lot at her -- lot of requests and preferences -- but she did a great job creating a great itinerary for us. And if we had any feedback or wanted to make any changes, she was so easy to work. We got to do everything on our travel wish list and would absolutely work with Linda again on our next Ecuador trip.

Activity Review
Visit Quilotoa Lagoon, Transfer to Baños
Visit Quilotoa Lagoon, Transfer to Baños
Ecuador

This was one of the highlights of our entire trip! Such a stunning location (and a good hike/workout!)

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Linda Schulz
Linda
Linda Schulz
Local specialist in Quito | Replied on May 01, 2023

Hi Drew,
thank you so much for your kind feedback! It's great to hear you have enjoyed your trip to mainland Ecuador (despite the road conditions in the southern part of the country). For me, it was a pleasure to assist you in the planning process!
It would be an honor to help you plan another trip to Ecuador for you and Kyle one day!
All the best & safe travels,
Linda

We had an absolutely amazing time in Quito, M...
Galapagos Islands | Apr 12 - Apr 21, 2023

Will
Will P.
Hickory, NC | Reviewed on Apr 26, 2023
We had an absolutely amazing time in Quito, Mindo, and the Galapagos! I was trying to create the best 30th birthday trip to my adventurous, nature-loving fiance and this trip truly delivered. I only wish we both had more time off from work to explore more of the Galapagos Islands. Our local specialist, Linda, was amazing to work with and very responsive to our questions. She even added the nice personal touch of meeting us in Quito. We got to meet so many interesting people on our trip as... Read more

We had an absolutely amazing time in Quito, Mindo, and the Galapagos!

I was trying to create the best 30th birthday trip to my adventurous, nature-loving fiance and this trip truly delivered. I only wish we both had more time off from work to explore more of the Galapagos Islands. Our local specialist, Linda, was amazing to work with and very responsive to our questions. She even added the nice personal touch of meeting us in Quito. We got to meet so many interesting people on our trip as well, including backpackers/travelers and locals. Our state appointed tour guides in the Galapagos (including Astrid and Nathalie) were all very knowledgeable: you could literally ask them anything!

Highlights of our trip include:
1. Walking tour around Quito
2. The cloud forest in Mindo which included Zipling, hummingbird preserve (so, so many beautiful species), a chocolate making tour, and early morning bird watching (we got to see 4/5 types of toucans and feed hummingbirds from our hands!)
3. Standing along the ECUATOR!!!
4. Swimming/snorkeling with 20+ hammer head sharks and green sea turtles at kicker rock (near San Cristobal)
5. Exploring the giant tortoise reserve on Santa Cruz. (Did you know that because of the introduction of guava to the islands these gentle giants are developing diabetes? It seems these beautiful creatures have a real sweet tooth and that we sadly have caused!)
6. Spying on nesting Blue-Footed Boopies and frigate birds, looking for marine and land iguanas, and watching sea lions surf on north Seymore island.
7. Swimming with fur seals, sea lions, and other marine animals and fish off north Seymore island
8. Exploring a coffee and chocolate farm on Santa Cruz, as well as learning how they produce a local favor adult beverage.
9. Watching penguins swim and albatross sore, as well as learning about the volcanic creation of the islands at San Bartolome island.

As a former backpacker our accommodations were absolutely fantastic and luxurious. The food was also wonder and a key part of the experiences as well.

Verdict: We will definitely be using Kim Kim again and we will be back to the Galapagos!

Hotel Reviews
Ikala Galapagos Hotel
Puerto Ayora

We had a blast at this luxurious hotel, which had amazing breakfast and restaurant for dinner.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Galapagos Sunset
Puerto Baquerizo Moreno

We loved this centrally located, luxurious hotel where we could hear the sealions. Breakfast on the roof with an amazing view was delightful.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Terrabambú Lodge
Mindo

We absolutely loved this treehouse type of hotel with an amazing view. The only thing we had a problem with a large spider (it is the rainforest). The outdoor jacuzzi was a nice touch!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
La Casona de La Ronda
Quito

Beautiful, centrally located hotel.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Mindo & Return to Quito
Mindo & Return to Quito
Galapagos Islands

We really enjoyed the Equator excursion!

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Transfer to Mindo & Activities in the cloud forest
Transfer to Mindo & Activities in the cloud forest
Galapagos Islands

We enjoyed Zipling, birdwatching and feeding hummingbirds, and enjoying the chocolate making tour

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Visit to another uninhabited island
Visit to another uninhabited island
Galapagos Islands

This was an amazing excursion where we learned a lot about the topography and origin of the islands. The sea-life was also amazing.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
The crew of the Nautilus were fantastic
Transport
Excursion to an uninhabited island
Excursion to an uninhabited island
Galapagos Islands

We loved seeing all the wildlife at North Seymor. So many amazing species to see. Our guide, Nathalie, was amazing.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Snorkel at Kicker Rock (Leon Dormido)
Snorkel at Kicker Rock (Leon Dormido)
Galapagos Islands

This was an amazing experience to snorkel with hammerhead sharks and sea turtles. This is also a great place to scuba if you are certified.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Highlands of Santa Cruz Island
Highlands of Santa Cruz Island
Galapagos Islands

Astrid was an amazing tour guide! She was so knowledgeable. We really enjoyed the highlands, tortoise reserve, adn laval tunnels despite the extensive downpours

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Quito City Tour
Quito City Tour
Galapagos Islands

Danny was an amazing tour guide who showed us so much of his city. We highly recommend him

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Linda Schulz
Linda
Linda Schulz
Local specialist in Quito | Replied on Apr 27, 2023

Will, it was such a pleasure to help you plan this birthday trip for your fiance! I am very happy for you that you were able to see that much amazing wildlife, especially so many toucans and hammerhead sharks, and that you've enjoyed every single hotel throughout your trip.
Even if you didn't have more days off work this time, I really hope that you can return one day to explore other parts of Ecuador such as the rainforest or the Andes - I am sure that both of you would enjoy it!
I hope to see you again one day, and in the meantime: safe travels!
Linda

2 week incredible Ecuador trip
Ecuador | Jan 28 - Feb 10, 2023

Nicole
Nicole S.
Canada | Reviewed on Feb 11, 2023
We had the most amazing time in Ecuador. We spent 2 weeks there and were able to see so much more than if we had attempted to plan this ourselves. The tours, guides, hotels and transports were all perfectly coordinated and made the trip stress free for us! Linda really put the most spectacular trip together!!! 10/10 recommend for anyone!! Read more

We had the most amazing time in Ecuador. We spent 2 weeks there and were able to see so much more than if we had attempted to plan this ourselves. The tours, guides, hotels and transports were all perfectly coordinated and made the trip stress free for us! Linda really put the most spectacular trip together!!! 10/10 recommend for anyone!!

Hotel Reviews
Hotel La Laguna Galapagos
Puerto Villamil
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
La Isla Hotel
Puerto Ayora

Great place and staff! Perfect location to restaurants and shops, with a beautiful roof top view of both the city and ocean.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Sacha Lodge Yasuní
Quito

Everything about this place is wonderful! The location, guides, daily excursions and food were spectacular!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Really amazing how deep in the jungle we were!
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Casa Joaquín
Quito

Everything was great about our stay here! We had 3 seperate stays here between our time in the Amazon and Galapagos and each time was great! They were very accomodating with some very early departures and late arrivals, and the coffee and breakfast was delicious!!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Close to a variety of restaurants and a short taxi or transport to the cable car and/or old town.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Kayaking & Snorkeling at Las Tintoreras
Kayaking & Snorkeling at Las Tintoreras
Galapagos Islands

We had so much fun Kayaking, especially with sea lions! The water is so clear, and the snorkel afterwards was on the clearest water we had experienced yet! Such a wonderful time!!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Snorkel at Los Túneles
Snorkel at Los Túneles
Galapagos Islands

Such a wonderful place to visit! Our guide was great and was able to find sea horses during our snorkel! Los Tuneles is incredibly beautiful both during our walk and then our snorkel.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Excursion to an uninhabited island
Excursion to an uninhabited island
Galapagos Islands

So many animals to enjoy and experience! The walk was great for watching birds and iguanas and then the snorkel is so refreshing afterwards!

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station
Visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station
Puerto Ayora

Astrid was incredibly knowledgeable and we learnt so much from her. Not only that but also really fun to hang out with and incredibly sweet!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Transfer to Quito Airport, Arrival to Galapagos & Highlands of Santa Cruz
Transfer to Quito Airport, Arrival to Galapagos & Highlands of Santa Cruz
Ecuador

All of our transfers were seamless and stress less! Astrid was waiting for us at the airport and got us through to our transport smoothly! Then we had an incredible time visiting the huge tortoises in the highlands and visiting the Darwin research station. Astrid was an absolute joy to be with and was incredibly knowledgeable on everything Galapagos!

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Last rainforest activities, Transfer to Coca & Flight to Quito
Last rainforest activities, Transfer to Coca & Flight to Quito
Ecuador
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Parrot Clay Lick & Forest Walks
Parrot Clay Lick & Forest Walks
Yasuni National Park

Everything about our stay at Sacha was amazing! The parrots are very cool to watch and walking through the forest is an incredible experience. Every day was we're able to see something different!

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Kapok Tower & Canopy Walk
Kapok Tower & Canopy Walk
Yasuni National Park

The towers and canopy walk were incredible. I'm afraid of heights and definitely had to push myself out of my comfort zone but it was sooo worth it! The view is spectacular and your able to see more birds than from the ground.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Flight to Coca, Transfer to rainforest lodge & Night walk
Flight to Coca, Transfer to rainforest lodge & Night walk
Ecuador

Sacha lodge is such an incredible place! The transfer was stress free and very organised, the guides are so knowledgeable and the food is delicious!

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Visit the "Middle of the World"
Visit the "Middle of the World"
Ecuador
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Quito City Tour
Quito City Tour
Ecuador

There is so much to learn and experience in Quito and we never would've been able to do that without this city tour! Cristian was so knowledgeable and fun to hang out with! My husband and I are more the outdoorsy nature type and not hugely interested in history but we both really enjoyed this tour! From the middle of the world, and then to old town with an incredible chocolate tasting, there's so much to take in with the city and we're both really glad we had this tour.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Linda Schulz
Photo taken by Nicole S
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Linda
Linda Schulz
Local specialist in Quito | Replied on Feb 17, 2023

Hi Nicole,
I am so happy to hear that you've had an incredible time here in Ecuador! It was a pleasure to help you plan your trip, and I am glad that you've enjoyed each destination, activity, guide, and hotel!
Hopefully you can come back one day to explore other parts of the country such as the beautiful Andes :)
All the best & safe future travels for you and Harm!
Linda

The Galapagos Island Tour
Galapagos Islands | Nov 18 - Nov 27, 2022

Parveen
Parveen I.
Manhattan, NY | Reviewed on Jan 03, 2023
First and foremost a big thank you to our travel agent Linda. She was very responsive, knowledgeable and great to work with. All the tour guides were excellent. Read more

First and foremost a big thank you to our travel agent Linda. She was very responsive, knowledgeable and great to work with. All the tour guides were excellent.

Hotel Reviews
Vieja Cuba
Quito

Only drawback at this hotel was there were no elevators - we had to drag our bags 4 stories up.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Katarma
Puerto Baquerizo Moreno
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Fiesta
Puerto Ayora
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
El Junco Lagoon & Puerto Chino Beach
El Junco Lagoon & Puerto Chino Beach
Galapagos Islands
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Excursion to an uninhabited island
Excursion to an uninhabited island
Galapagos Islands
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station
Visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station
Puerto Ayora

Guide was excellent. Research center was worth the visit.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Highlands of Santa Cruz Island
Highlands of Santa Cruz Island
Galapagos Islands
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Snorkel at Kicker Rock (Leon Dormido)
Snorkel at Kicker Rock (Leon Dormido)
Galapagos Islands

The water was very cold even with wet suits.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Interpretation Center & Tijeretas Hill
Interpretation Center & Tijeretas Hill
Galapagos Islands
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Linda Schulz
Linda
Linda Schulz
Local specialist in Quito | Replied on Jan 03, 2023

Dear Parveen, thank you so much for your kind words and your review! It was a pleasure to help you and your children plan this trip to Galapagos. I am happy to hear that you've enjoyed your time on the islands. Hopefully you can come back one day to explore other parts of Ecuador as well!
All the best,
Linda

Ecuador 😊
Ecuador | Dec 19 - Dec 28, 2022

J
Jamie M.
Winter Park, FL | Reviewed on Dec 28, 2022
Where to start and what to say is not easy because words can’t necessarily do justice to how amazing of a trip was planned for us and the excellent treatment we received from both our trip planner Linda and our stellar tour guide Milton!
From the very start what made KimKim standout was how effective and efficient Linda was in communicating back and forth to understand what Stephanie and I were looking for in an experience. Linda surpassed all our expectations with the itinerary and the... Read more

Where to start and what to say is not easy because words can’t necessarily do justice to how amazing of a trip was planned for us and the excellent treatment we received from both our trip planner Linda and our stellar tour guide Milton!
From the very start what made KimKim standout was how effective and efficient Linda was in communicating back and forth to understand what Stephanie and I were looking for in an experience. Linda surpassed all our expectations with the itinerary and the details that went into each day to make sure we got to enjoy a range of activities. Linda constantly checked on with us during the trip too in order to make sure everything was beyond satisfactory showing an awareness to go above and beyond…even with a surprise visit in person to give it the personal touch!!
For anyone that gets lucky enough to book a trip through Linda you will feel privileged!!
Milton as a tour guide only elevated our trip from there and his personality, photography skills, knowledge of the respective areas we visited, enthusiasm and ability to understand speaking English made it a SUPERB holiday!!! There’s sincerely not enough positive we can share about Milton in a review!!!
Two things comes to mind for anyone taking time to read this…one is Ecuador is incredible and is the most diverse and characteristic country this well travelled couple has been to and secondly you WILL want to ONLY book through Linda with KimKim. No matter if the investment is higher than other operators…the decision will be the best decision you could make for yourself!!!!

Local specialist: Linda Schulz
Linda
Linda Schulz
Local specialist in Quito | Replied on Dec 29, 2022

Jamie, thank you so much for your fabulous review! It was a pleasure to help you build your itinerary that led you through the Andes and the Amazon foothills. I am happy to hear that you've enjoyed the diversity and beauty of Ecuador, and that you were happy with Milton as your guide! I will forward your kind words and excellent review to him :)
Hopefully you can come back to Ecuador one day - maybe to visit the Galapagos Islands?
We will welcome you here with open arms!
All the best for you and Stephanie,
Linda

Linda is the best!!
Ecuador | Nov 25 - Dec 9, 2022

D
Debby D.
Canada | Reviewed on Dec 11, 2022
Linda did an amazing job of planning our trip to Ecuador and the Galapagus Islands.
We had 10 days in Ecuador and everything was perfectly coordinated. Pickup, drop offs, detail of the tours and admissions were all taken care of and detailed out in our itinerary. We had Christian as a guide and Guillermo as a driver and they were exceptional. Christian was extremely knowledgeable of all aspect of Ecuador and was great at giving us details of how long a drive we would have, where to buy... Read more

Linda did an amazing job of planning our trip to Ecuador and the Galapagus Islands.
We had 10 days in Ecuador and everything was perfectly coordinated. Pickup, drop offs, detail of the tours and admissions were all taken care of and detailed out in our itinerary. We had Christian as a guide and Guillermo as a driver and they were exceptional. Christian was extremely knowledgeable of all aspect of Ecuador and was great at giving us details of how long a drive we would have, where to buy snacks and punctual for all pickups and drop offs.
When we went to the Galapagos for our last 4 days we did not get the same level of detail that we had come to expect after being with Christian. The Galapagos part was still good but we did have to ask for information and weren't always given enough details. ex. Halfway through a 5 km hike we were told there were no bathroom and the length of the hike. We would still highly recommend Linda and Kim KIm for travel to Ecuador. Linda went above and beyond to adjust our itinerary before we left to be exactly what we wanted. She is exceptionally good at her job! If Linda is available to plan your trip she will do an excellent job for your Ecuador travel.

Hotel Reviews
Termas de Papallacta
Papallacta

Amazing hotel with hot springs right on your doorstep.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hosteria La Andaluza
Riobamba

Beautiful historical hosteria

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Indio Inn
Otavalo

Nice enough hotel right on the main street. Rooms were very small with no outside window and faced the centre of the hotel. Food was only available for breakfast.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Casa Joaquín
Quito

Excellent hotel with great staff. Fransisco was very helpful and friendly.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Franscisco was exceptional
Cleanliness & Comfort
Cuello de Luna Mountain Lodge
El Chasqui - Pastocalle

Nice enough grounds but the hotel could use a little updating. It seems to be run by the owner and his son. Food was pretty good but with a limited menu.

Authenticity & Character
interesting grounds with lots of animals
Location
far from anything else
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
it seems to be in need of some updating and care
La Floresta
Baños

Beautiful hotel in the centre of Banos. Close to lots of restaurants with a nice restuarant.

Authenticity & Character
Location
close to lots of restaurants
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
San Jose de Puembo Quito Airport, an Ascend Hotel Collection
Puembo, Quito

Great location, close to airport for early morning flights!

Authenticity & Character
Location
close to airport
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Luxva Hotel Boutique
Guayaquil

Very secure location in a beautiful ex residential building

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Posada del Mar
Santa Cruz

Carlos will go out of his way to make sure your stay is perfect. Great little hotel close to everything.

Authenticity & Character
Nice balcony with a sea view
Location
Close to restaurants
Staff
Carlos is exceptional
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Visit the Pailón del Diablo Waterfall, Explore Baños
Visit the Pailón del Diablo Waterfall, Explore Baños
Baños

One of the must see sights of Ecuador. Great little hike and amazing views!

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Hot Springs of Papallacta
Hot Springs of Papallacta
Ecuador

Perfect end to our day! Great hotel with hotsprings right outside your bedroom door.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Chimborazo Volcano & Transfer to Papallacta
Chimborazo Volcano & Transfer to Papallacta
Ecuador

Definitely not for the faint of heart. So glad we actually made it to the second refuge stop. 5000 + meters above sea level with snow on the ground.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Quito Cooking Class
Quito Cooking Class
Ecuador

Awesome cooking class. Great food and it was a fun thing to do on our first day in Ecuador!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Activities in Baños & Transfer to Riobamba
Activities in Baños & Transfer to Riobamba
Ecuador

Interesting drive and the swing was incredible!

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Excursion to an uninhabited island
Excursion to an uninhabited island
Ecuador

Great snorkelling. Saw lots of sealife and great guide while snorkelling. Alejandro swam with us and pointed out a lot of fish and other sealife that we may have missed. Food was good and the boat was comfortable.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Guided Hike to Tortuga Bay & Free Afternoon
Guided Hike to Tortuga Bay & Free Afternoon
Ecuador

The actual beach was beautiful but the details of the hike were not provided. We were told halfway through the 5km walk to the beach that there are no bathroom facilities or restaurants or places to stop along the way. It would have been nice to be made aware of this to ensure that we brought sufficient water and snacks for the 4 hour hike. We ended up taking a boat back for additional costs as some of our group could not make the hike back in the heat without food or water.

Quality of Experience
Provide information before the start
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Visit to another uninhabited island
Visit to another uninhabited island
Ecuador

Didn't see anything really different and not a great snorkelling experience. Just snorkelled on the beach and didn't see much.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Linda Schulz
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Linda
Linda Schulz
Local specialist in Quito | Replied on Dec 16, 2022
Hi Debby,
thank you so much for your kind and detailed review! I am happy to hear that you have enjoyed your time here in Ecuador - especially on mainland Ecuador with Cristian and Guillermo. I will forward your amazing feedback and your kind words to them!
Thanks as well for sharing more information about the parts of your tour that didn't work out perfectly - this helps us to improve our service even more and to take care of these aspects for future tours and travelers. We will make sure... Read more

Hi Debby,
thank you so much for your kind and detailed review! I am happy to hear that you have enjoyed your time here in Ecuador - especially on mainland Ecuador with Cristian and Guillermo. I will forward your amazing feedback and your kind words to them!
Thanks as well for sharing more information about the parts of your tour that didn't work out perfectly - this helps us to improve our service even more and to take care of these aspects for future tours and travelers. We will make sure to brief all the guides and to share more detailed information about every part of the activity so that all of our guests are well prepared.
Thanks again for visiting Ecuador and for traveling with us, and I wish you and Lisa safe travels to Argentina (if you go)!
Big hugs for you and the rest of the group,
Linda

15 days exploring Ecuador
Ecuador | Nov 4 - Nov 20, 2022

Autumn
Autumn J.
Grant, MI | Reviewed on Nov 26, 2022
I can’t tell you how perfectly our custom-made Ecuador itinerary turned out! Linda, our travel specialist, was incredible. She not only helped us to plan an itinerary that suited our family perfectly, but she also provided exceptional support while we were on our journey. Our luggage took 8 days to arrive in Quito after we did, and Linda went above and beyond our expectations, communicating with the airport, and ultimately personally shipping our bags from Quito to meet us in Cuenca!... Read more

I can’t tell you how perfectly our custom-made Ecuador itinerary turned out! Linda, our travel specialist, was incredible. She not only helped us to plan an itinerary that suited our family perfectly, but she also provided exceptional support while we were on our journey. Our luggage took 8 days to arrive in Quito after we did, and Linda went above and beyond our expectations, communicating with the airport, and ultimately personally shipping our bags from Quito to meet us in Cuenca! Alejandro, our driver, was also an integral part of the perfection of our vacation. We spent hours and hours in the car with him, but this became one of our favorite parts of the journey as Alejandro spent the time teaching us. During our travel time we learned about Ecuador’s history, culture, diversity of microclimates, and more!

All of the locations we chose to spend a few days at were amazing, but I think we all agree that Mindo was our favorite. In Mindo we were able to both explore a small Ecuadorian town and a myriad of cloud forest experiences.

Thank you Linda and Alejandro! I won’t hesitate to recommend your services ❤️

Hotel Review
Sisakuna Lodge
Mindo

Sisakuna Lodge is beautiful! The grounds are gorgeous and the staff took exceptional care of us. I wouldn’t change a thing.

Authenticity & Character
Beautiful gardens, local birds and butterflies abound, staff seemed to really enjoy each other and were super friendly with us as well.
Location
Just on the edge of town. Perfect for exploring the town, but also quite tranquil.
Staff
Friendly, smiling, helpful
Cleanliness & Comfort
Super clean and had everything we needed
Activity Reviews
Exploring El Gran Cañon, natural caves & chocolate making
Exploring El Gran Cañon, natural caves & chocolate making
Archidona

El Gran Cañón hike was wonderful! It was quite challenging due to the mud and steepness if the environment, but so worth it! The chocolate making was really fun and delicious!

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Photo Stop at Cajas National Park
Photo Stop at Cajas National Park
Ecuador

Beautiful!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Linda Schulz
Linda
Linda Schulz
Local specialist in Quito | Replied on Nov 26, 2022

Hi Autumn,
thank you so much for your kind words and your excellent review! I was really sorry about the hassle with your luggage (and I was more than happy to assist as best as I could during that time), but I can see that nevertheless you were able to enjoy your time here in Ecuador :)
Please send your Dad and brother my best wishes!
Big hugs for the three of you,
Linda

Milton was our guide and he was always attent...
Ecuador | Nov 12 - Nov 19, 2022

Andrea
Andrea R.
Baltimore, MD | Reviewed on Nov 20, 2022
Milton was our guide and he was always attentive, informative , and patient. Was an absolute pleasure to be around and always made us feel comfortable i cannot praise this guide enough he really is an amazing human being who is passionate about his work and gives beyond what is expected. We visited quito, quotopaxi and banos. We were a group of three with different tastes but we absolutely loved every place and every single activity. My personal favorite (if i had to choose) was the middle of... Read more

Milton was our guide and he was always attentive, informative , and patient. Was an absolute pleasure to be around and always made us feel comfortable i cannot praise this guide enough he really is an amazing human being who is passionate about his work and gives beyond what is expected. We visited quito, quotopaxi and banos. We were a group of three with different tastes but we absolutely loved every place and every single activity. My personal favorite (if i had to choose) was the middle of the earth( the real one) and the huge swing in banos and the hot springs and pavilion del diablo and the canyoning.

Hotel Reviews
Vieja Cuba
Quito
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Breakfast
Isla de Baños
Baños
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Breakfast
Activity Reviews
Quito Cooking Class
Quito Cooking Class
Ecuador
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Explore Cotopaxi National Park
Explore Cotopaxi National Park
Ecuador
Quality of Experience
No
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Visit Quilotoa Lagoon, Transfer to Baños
Visit Quilotoa Lagoon, Transfer to Baños
Ecuador
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Visit the Pailón del Diablo Waterfall, Explore Baños
Visit the Pailón del Diablo Waterfall, Explore Baños
Baños
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Ride the Cable Car to Pichincha Volcano
Ride the Cable Car to Pichincha Volcano
Quito
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Canyoning in Baños
Canyoning in Baños
Baños
Quality of Experience
As
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Visit the "Middle of the World"
Visit the "Middle of the World"
Ecuador
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Quito City Tour
Quito City Tour
Ecuador
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Linda Schulz
Linda
Linda Schulz
Local specialist in Quito | Replied on Nov 21, 2022

Hi Andrea,

I am very happy to hear that the three of you have enjoyed your time here in Ecuador! I will forward your excellent review to Milton, he will also be very happy to hear that you liked the places you visited and the activities you participated in.
I hope that one day you can come back and discover more regions of Ecuador!

All the best for you, Rozzey, and Katherine,
Linda

Absolutely fantastic experience!
Ecuador | Sep 30 - Oct 10, 2022

B
Bree m.
Wilton, CT | Reviewed on Oct 20, 2022

Absolutely fantastic experience! Our coordinator, Linda, was extremely responsive, easy to work with, and listened to all of our requests when planning our trip/activities. Sebastian and Alejandro, our tour guides, made this trip even more extraordinary with their knowledge, ease and recommendations along the way. We enjoyed our experience so much that my husband and I ended up booking our next vacation using KimKim to Egypt. 10/10 recommend!!

Local specialist: Linda Schulz
Linda
Linda Schulz
Local specialist in Quito | Replied on Oct 24, 2022

Hi Bree,
thank you so much for your kind words! I am very happy to hear that the four of you have enjoyed your time here in Ecuador. I am sure that you'll have an amazing vacation in Egypt as well!
All the best for your next trip,
Linda

Custom Podocarpus National Park Trip
Ecuador | Aug 27 - Sep 1, 2022

M
Michael S.
New York, NY | Reviewed on Sep 13, 2022
Linda was able to create a custom trip for us to visit Loja and the Podocarpus National Park. She was great at working with us to shape an itinerary with complex transfers and a handful of special considerations. Everything went great! The guides were fantastic (especially Milton in Quito), the hotels were nice, the park was beautiful, and the transfers smooth. The Loja coffee tasting set up by our guide Kevin was a surprise highlight and HIGHLY recommended if you're in or near... Read more

Linda was able to create a custom trip for us to visit Loja and the Podocarpus National Park. She was great at working with us to shape an itinerary with complex transfers and a handful of special considerations.

Everything went great! The guides were fantastic (especially Milton in Quito), the hotels were nice, the park was beautiful, and the transfers smooth. The Loja coffee tasting set up by our guide Kevin was a surprise highlight and HIGHLY recommended if you're in or near Loja--Ecuadorean coffee is a much better gift for folks back home than t-shirts :).

Hotel Review
Casa Bolívar Hotel Museo
Loja

Very interesting hotel in a renovated historical home, extremely well located in Loja, comfortably appointed and in good shape despite the very old building. It's not really a museum, but there are a lot of very old decorative features and some antique items from people who lived there before it was renovated into a hotel. Breakfast was decent, if a bit slow, and the room was good but a bit off in some ways--the bed could have been more comfortable, there were a lot of automatic lights that easily triggered during the night, and our juliet balcony inner doors didn't entirely close (not unexpected in a building this old and the exterior door closed just fine). It does feel like the hotel is still maybe finding their legs. The operation is a bit new and it looks like not every room is being used yet. The restaurant had good foot traffic but still has very few reviews. I expect they'll work out the kinks a bit, we'd consider giving it another try in a year or so if we're back in Loja given the interesting building, excellent location, friendly staff, historic room interiors, and tasty breakfast.

Authenticity & Character
Very much the highlight! A fascinating old building, crazy room interiors (antique furniture, finishes, even wallpaper), tons of character. Maybe the most unique and most "historic"-feeling boutique hotel we've ever stayed in.
Location
Right in the center of Loja, near plenty of restaurants, safe neighborhood.
Staff
Friendly staff, always at least one English speaker.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Was clean!
Local specialist: Linda Schulz
Linda
Linda Schulz
Local specialist in Quito | Replied on Sep 14, 2022

Hi Mike,
I am so happy to hear that you and Clare have enjoyed your time in Quito and Southern Ecuador - and that you had the chance to taste the delicious coffee from Loja!
I will forward your compliments to your guides Milton and Kevin.
I hope that you’ve had a great time on Galapagos as well, and a safe flight back home. Hopefully, you can come back to mainland Ecuador one day to explore the other parts of the country!
All the best for you and Clare,
Linda

Ecuador: highlands and the Galapagos
Ecuador | Aug 4 - Aug 16, 2022

Christian
Christian G.
Worcester, MA | Reviewed on Aug 17, 2022
Our 14-day vacation started on the right foot with Alejandro picking us up at the Quito Airport and giving us an intro to the country's history on the way to the hotel. He was also great helping us through the airport for getting to the Galapagos and going home. The Old Town Quito Suites apartments were a perfect oasis for our family to relax between activities in the busy city. La Teleferico afforded a neat ride up the Pichincha volcano over Quito on our last day. Jose and Oscar were... Read more

Our 14-day vacation started on the right foot with Alejandro picking us up at the Quito Airport and giving us an intro to the country's history on the way to the hotel. He was also great helping us through the airport for getting to the Galapagos and going home. The Old Town Quito Suites apartments were a perfect oasis for our family to relax between activities in the busy city. La Teleferico afforded a neat ride up the Pichincha volcano over Quito on our last day.

Jose and Oscar were our guides for Cotopaxi National Park. Lodging at Tambopaxi was surreal with the volcano looming closeby. Our family bike tour along the flanks of the volcano was 12 miles and mostly flat with a 5 mile gwntle downhill section ending at the Inca ruins and lunch. We all made it!

Christian took us to Mindo and guided us to El Quetzal's chocolate tour, the Tarabita and waterfall hike/swim, amazing lunch lunch spots, and San Tadeo birding, where we saw hummingbirds, a crimson-rumped toucans, and many pale-mandibled aracaris. The Terrabambu Lodge bungalows (deluxe and family) were so peaceful and the kids loved the pool and pizza with the view..
On the way back to Quito, Christian guided us to Pululahua Crater and Mitad del Mundo. We shared a lot if interests with Christian, especially a love for mountainbiking.

On Santa Cruz, Astrid met us on Baltra and was our guide, introducing us to Los Gemmelos, El Chato tortoise reserve, and the Charles Darwin Research Center. La Isla Hotel was an elegant and modern resting place.

Pablo was very helpful for the interns land ferry.
On Isabela, Ricardo guided us to Las Tintororas, where we saw blue footed boobies, penguins, a green sea turtle, and many fish. He was great especially with offering breaks with hot tea and cookies and for helping our boys set up for snorkeling.. Javier guided us up Sierra Negra and Volcan Chico... a long, but moderate level hike over staggering geologic features. His knowledge of the area's history and geology was fascinating.

Every activity was different, exciting, yet hard to rank since each was so wonderful. Our family spent a good 6 to 8 months reviewing and discussing options for our trip with Linda, and what we ended up with was perfect for our family... not over ambitious and we had some downtime at the end of each day... even with a few last minute changes. KimKim was always very accommodating. Everyone we met was also a pleasant experience. We had the trip of a lifetime and will miss everyone and everyplace.

Hotel Reviews
Terrabambú Lodge
Mindo

Wake up to the sounds of birds in this perfect spot above the Mindo Valley. Open view points, unique deluxe and family bungalows, a swimming pool, ziplines, swing, and bridges await. My boys spotted a pale-mandibled aracari from the parking area and many other birds can be seen from the restaurant.

Authenticity & Character
Wonderful deluxe (rustic on the outside, but modern on the inside) and family bungalows.
Location
About 5 minutes from town across the river on the way up to the Tarabita.
Staff
Friendly service at the restaurant for meals and ziplinging/swinging.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Spacious and clean bungalows.
Tambopaxi Cotopaxi Lodge
Parque Nacional Cotopaxi

You can't beat this amazing lodge right inside the Cotopaxi National Park. The main lodge has a dining room with wide windows for gazing out at the landscape and TV area. VIP rooms are very warm and clean, each with a stove lit each night. There's even wifi in such a remote spot. Easy to set out on guided adventures like mountainbiking, hiking, and horseback riding.

Authenticity & Character
Neat lodge design fits in well with the rustic surroundings.
Location
Remote and wonderful setting. Viewing the perfect, snow-covered stratovolcano and wildflowers is an activity by itself. Our family did a moderate guided mountainbike ride (12 miles) to the Salitre Inca ruins.
Staff
Friendly staff. They even brought out a birthday cake for my son's 13th bday during our visit.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Clean rooms and common areas. Rooms are larger with extra chairs and a common indoor balcony/viewing area for the volcano.
La Casita de la Playa
Puerto Villamil

Our family stayed in two rooms (connecting door optional) for three nights on the third floor. Went to sleep and woke up to the sound of the ocean. Relaxing patio area shaded by palm trees with tables. Self-service mini bar in the office perfect for grabbing a soda (Fiora was our favorite) and soaking up the scenery. Soft, sandy 3 km beach three steps away. A short walk to shopping and resaurants. Breakfast is on the open, shaded 3rd floor patio. We loved it.

Authenticity & Character
Unique design and patio.
Location
Right on the beach.
Staff
Very helpful staff to offer great dining options.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Even with all the sand we dragged into our rooms each day, the staff somehow made it all immaculate the next day.
La Isla Hotel
Puerto Ayora

Modern vibe and elegant. Close to restaurants, shopping, and the Charles Darwin Center. Easy to set out from towards Tortuga Bay by foot.

Authenticity & Character
Modern and clean.
Location
On a quiet street, but close to everything.
Staff
Breakfast on the open main floor.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Clean rooms and soft beds.
Old Town Quito Suites
Centro Historico, Quito

A perfect oasis in the Old Town just a few blocks from the Basilica, a ~10 minute walk to Plaza Grande, and ~10 minute taxi to the Teleferico. Cafe San Blas just a few doors up the street for a nice dinner. Very helpful and friendly staff. We stayed in the Attic and Room with a View, both perfect for a family. Both so unique and beautiful.. Nicely stocked kitchen with agua pura, coffee, and food for breakfast or light lunch. We felt very safe there.

Authenticity & Character
Old world feel.
Location
Close to the Old Town and easy in/out of the city for getting to the airport (~45 minutes) and points north or south.
Staff
Very helpful at any hour to call for a taxi or hold luggage while exploring the town after checkout.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Modern kitchens and bathrooms, and agua pura and toiletries provided. Soft beds and couches. Quiet rooms... you would hardly notice you were in the city.
Activity Reviews
Hiking Sierra Negra Volcano
Hiking Sierra Negra Volcano
Galapagos Islands

This is a 10 mile round trip out and back hike. The first mile ascends up to the Sierra Negra crater rim and then follows the rim on a relatively flat trail for a few miles to the pavillion. After that, the trail goes down hill and the landscape changes to bring you out to a series of lava fields and craters, including Volcan Chico. Circling around Chico, the trail comes back to the start.

Quality of Experience
A spectacular hike to two very different volcanic craters.
Food
A nice box lunch was provided by the guides including a sandwich, juice box, apple, and crackers.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Our guide was great for the kids and detailed the history and geology of the park, island, and volcanic feature as we past them. Probably the best part of the hike was our guide!
Transport
A taxi dropped us off at the trailhead with our guides and was there to pick us up to return to town.
Visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station
Visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station
Puerto Ayora

The Charles Darwin Research Center has a small museum containing very interesting exhibits about the Galapagos islands and its research and conservation efforts. Several trails wind their way to the baby tortoises and the preserved tortoise, Lonesome George.

Quality of Experience
The museum exhibit texts were in Spanish and English.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Our guide was very educated and provide an encyclopedia of information to us in just a short time.
Transport
We walked from town to the center and back. It was nice to stretch the legs after our flight.
Transfer to Quito Airport, Arrival to Galapagos & Highlands of Santa Cruz
Transfer to Quito Airport, Arrival to Galapagos & Highlands of Santa Cruz
Ecuador

The Quito Airport is about 45 minutes from the Old Town and very modern and clean, but small enough to get around and through security very easily. You can get your Transit Cards in advance and skip a line when going to the Galapahos. The Baltra airport is even more friendly and quaint... we were even greeted outside of baggage claim by a passing land iguana. Remember to have your $100/person cash national park fee ready at customs. We were met by our Charles Darwin Research Center guide and escorted on the airport bus to the Itabaca Channel ferry to Santa Cruz and then to a private van to head into the highlands. We stopped at Los Gemmelos (pit crater) and then El Chato tortoise reserve for lunch and a tour passing by several giant tortoises and down through a lava tunnel. Our last stop was to tour the Charles Darwin Research Center and see the famous Lonesome George and then the baby tortoises.

Quality of Experience
The whole day was planned seamlessly and each site was so wonderful.
Food
El Chato's menu was family friendly and delicious.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Our guide was very informative and entainyained all of our questions.
Transport
Comfortable van and friendly driver.
Kayaking & Snorkeling at Las Tintoreras
Kayaking & Snorkeling at Las Tintoreras
Galapagos Islands

Fun and relaxing (a little challenge to get around the outer islet) paddle through bright/medium blue waters and with luck see green sea turtles, penguins and blue footed boobies. Super experience for all abilities and families. After that, put a wet suit on (if not already on from the kayaking) and take a short walk to a calm lagoon to snorkel amongst colorful fish and green sea turtles.

Quality of Experience
Perfect gear and setting as an introduction to Isabela.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Friendly guides adapt to each family member's abilities.
Transport
Taxi will drop you off at the kayaking Beach. A short walk on a boardwalk (barefoot is fine) for snorkeling. Taxis are waiting for when you finish up.
Mindo & Return to Quito
Mindo & Return to Quito
Ecuador

Our guide took us to El Quetzal chocolate factory to see the process of making chocolate and tasting several varieties. On the way back to Quito,, we stopped at Pululahua Crater, with is gently green surroundings contrasting to to the more harsh landscape of Cotopaxi.

Quality of Experience
Food
Good coffe and desserts.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Our guide gave us a detailed history of the volcano and people living in and farming in the caldera.
Transport
Easy Detour off the road between Quito and Mindo.
Transfer to Mindo & Activities in the cloud forest
Transfer to Mindo & Activities in the cloud forest
Ecuador

We saw our bucket list crimson-rumped toucans and pale-mandibled aracari at San Tadeo. Dozens of hummingbirds and some other small , colorful birds as well.

Quality of Experience
Friendly owners and staff. Beautifulcloud forest setting.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Our guide helped my son spot birds, which he loved to point out to his mom either taking pictures or sharing the camera so he could capture.
Transport
Quick transport from and to Mindo for this afternoon activity.
Biking in the Cotopaxi National Park
Biking in the Cotopaxi National Park
Cotopaxi

My favorite (I'm an avid mountainbiker).

Quality of Experience
Nice mountain bikes and gear.
Food
Wonderful and balanced picnic lunch provided.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Very friendly, helpful, and informative guides rode with us (one on a mountain bike and one in a support van)
Transport
Our guides adapted to each family member's ability level.
Local specialist: Linda Schulz
Linda
Linda Schulz
Local specialist in Quito | Replied on Aug 19, 2022
Hi Chris,
thank you so much for your kind words and your detailed review! I am very happy to hear that you've enjoyed all your hotels, visitor sites, and activities, and that you and your family could share many of your interests with your guides throughout the trip.
I know that there hasn't been enough time to visit and explore everything, so I hope that you can come back one day to see the places that you haven't seen yet - maybe the Amazon and / or San Cristobal Island?
It was a... Read more

Hi Chris,
thank you so much for your kind words and your detailed review! I am very happy to hear that you've enjoyed all your hotels, visitor sites, and activities, and that you and your family could share many of your interests with your guides throughout the trip.
I know that there hasn't been enough time to visit and explore everything, so I hope that you can come back one day to see the places that you haven't seen yet - maybe the Amazon and / or San Cristobal Island?
It was a pleasure to help you plan the perfect itinerary for you and your kids, and I hope to meet you again one day!
All the best for future travels,
Linda

Great support from Linda - all the KimKim cre...
Ecuador | Jul 21 - Jul 28, 2022

Claudio
Claudio B.
United Kingdom | Reviewed on Aug 04, 2022
Great support from Linda - all the KimKim crew was very helpful and supportive Read more

Great support from Linda - all the KimKim crew was very helpful and supportive

Hotel Reviews
Vieja Cuba
Quito

Very charming hotel, with loads of character.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Posada del Mar
Santa Cruz

I give 3 stars, as it was quite basic, but the reception was very friendly and helpful. Location was very convenient

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
San Jose de Puembo Quito Airport, an Ascend Hotel Collection
Puembo, Quito

A very c harmful hotel

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Otavalo Market & Cuicocha Lagoon
Otavalo Market & Cuicocha Lagoon
Quito

An interesting experience - a bit tiring, maybe

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Excursion to an uninhabited island
Excursion to an uninhabited island
Galapagos Islands

That was the peak of the holiday. We felt privileged we visited San Bartolome’

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station
Visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station
Puerto Ayora

Very interesting visit

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Transfer to Quito Airport, Arrival to Galapagos & Highlands of Santa Cruz
Transfer to Quito Airport, Arrival to Galapagos & Highlands of Santa Cruz
Ecuador

Our guide was super helpful

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Linda Schulz
Photo taken by Claudio B
Photo taken by Claudio B
Photo taken by Claudio B
Photo taken by Claudio B
Photo taken by Claudio B
Photo taken by Claudio B
Photo taken by Claudio B
Photo taken by Claudio B
Photo taken by Claudio B
Photo taken by Claudio B
Photo taken by Claudio B
Photo taken by Claudio B
Photo taken by Claudio B
Photo taken by Claudio B
Photo taken by Claudio B
Photo taken by Claudio B
Photo taken by Claudio B
Photo taken by Claudio B
Photo taken by Claudio B
Photo taken by Claudio B
Photo taken by Claudio B
Photo taken by Claudio B
Photo taken by Claudio B
Photo taken by Claudio B
Photo taken by Claudio B
Photo taken by Claudio B
Photo taken by Claudio B
Photo taken by Claudio B
Photo taken by Claudio B
Photo taken by Claudio B
Photo taken by Claudio B
Photo taken by Claudio B
Photo taken by Claudio B
Show 21 more photos
Linda
Linda Schulz
Local specialist in Quito | Replied on Aug 05, 2022

Claudio, thank you very much for your feedback about your trip! I am happy to hear that you and your sons have enjoyed your time here in Ecuador, especially on Galapagos.
It'd be a pleasure to welcome you back in Ecuador one day!
Take care & safe travels,
Linda

Linda planned an amazing trip for us.
Ecuador | Apr 7 - Apr 16, 2022

Nitin
Nitin A.
Van Nuys, CA | Reviewed on Jun 01, 2022

Linda planned an amazing trip for us. We enjoyed the hotels, tour guides, and excursions.

Local specialist: Linda Schulz
Linda
Linda Schulz
Local specialist in Quito | Replied on Jun 02, 2022

Hi Nitin,
thanks a lot for your feedback and your review! I am happy to hear that you have enjoyed your time here in Quito, on Galapagos, and in the Amazon. I would love to welcome you back one day!
Hugs to you and your family,
Linda

Great trip to Galapagos Islands, Quito and Cotopaxi
Ecuador | May 15 - May 24, 2022

Sandra
Sandra K.
Columbia, SC | Reviewed on May 25, 2022
I and my daughter had a great vacation with lots of fun adventures. Linda was wonderful and helped with the planning of the trip. Liz was our contact in the Galapagos and was a great source of information and helpful with some of the last minute changes and requests! Sebastian was our guide in Quito and Cotopaxi - - very reliable, personable, and lots of local information! Read more

I and my daughter had a great vacation with lots of fun adventures. Linda was wonderful and helped with the planning of the trip. Liz was our contact in the Galapagos and was a great source of information and helpful with some of the last minute changes and requests! Sebastian was our guide in Quito and Cotopaxi - - very reliable, personable, and lots of local information!

Hotel Reviews
Illa Experience Hotel
Quito

This was a beautiful hotel with lots of traditional charm in the middle of the historical center. The staff were very attentive and the room was large and spacious. The restaurant was small with beautiful views.

Finch Bay Galapagos Hotel
Puerto Ayora

This is a beautiful hotel. The restaurant was excellent and it was a relaxing place to end the day.

Holiday Inn Quito Airport, an IHG Hotel
Tababela

This is a nice hotel near the airport. The service was amazing and the rooms were very comfortable. This a perfect place to stay particularly for short visits when you are flying in and out of Quito.

Location
Near the airport
Local specialist: Linda Schulz
Linda
Linda Schulz
Local specialist in Quito | Replied on May 26, 2022

Sandra, thank you very much for your feedback on your trip to Galapagos, Quito, and Cotopaxi! I will of course forward your comments to Liz, Sebastian, and the hotels, who all helped to make this an unforgettable trip for you and Jessa!
I wish you safe travels for the future, and you are always welcome here in Ecuador, whenever you want to come back.
Greetings from Quito,
Linda

Galapagos Adventure Packed Trip by Linda
Ecuador | Apr 23 - May 2, 2022

Arianna
Arianna W.
Abington, PA | Reviewed on May 03, 2022
I want to thank Linda and the whole local team for their help in organizing a family trip to Ecuador! We planned this trip as a wedding celebration instead of the traditional reception, to share our love of travel with those closest to us- our families! We had the most spectacular adventure-packed trip, and truly were able to see all the highlights of the Galapagos Islands in our week visiting. We particularly loved that we were able to customize our trip to be as active as we are. Every day... Read more

I want to thank Linda and the whole local team for their help in organizing a family trip to Ecuador! We planned this trip as a wedding celebration instead of the traditional reception, to share our love of travel with those closest to us- our families! We had the most spectacular adventure-packed trip, and truly were able to see all the highlights of the Galapagos Islands in our week visiting. We particularly loved that we were able to customize our trip to be as active as we are. Every day was a new adventure, our families had such a great time, and we will never forget all the beautiful wildlife we were so fortunate to experience together.

We were taken care of every step of the way, with every transfer, guide and excursion meticulously thought out. Linda and the team even assisted with making dinner reservations for our large group for a few nights. Lisa, our local coordinator in Puerto Ayora, helped us with any last minute changes that we would otherwise have to figure out for ourselves. My husband and I are looking forward to coming back soon to continue to explore all that these islands have to offer. Thank you for the most wonderful memorable trip!

Local specialist: Linda Schulz
Photo taken by Arianna W
Photo taken by Arianna W
Photo taken by Arianna W
Photo taken by Arianna W
Photo taken by Arianna W
Linda
Linda Schulz
Local specialist in Quito | Replied on May 04, 2022

Dear Arianna and Greg,
it was such a pleasure to welcome you and your families here in Ecuador! I hope that everyone brought back home lifelong memories and an even bigger passion for traveling after this trip.
I'd be very happy to welcome you back on Galapagos and on mainland Ecuador, so that you can discover the places that you haven't yet seen here!
All the best for you and your families,
Linda

Linda, Sebastian, and Alejandro were all fant...
Galapagos Islands | Apr 2 - Apr 9, 2022

Alexandra
Alexandra S.
Atlanta, GA | Reviewed on Apr 25, 2022
Linda, Sebastian, and Alejandro were all fantastic! Linda planned the perfect week for our family to enjoy activities and take in the beautiful country. We had so much fun and loved our accommodations and tours. Would absolutely recommend! Read more

Linda, Sebastian, and Alejandro were all fantastic! Linda planned the perfect week for our family to enjoy activities and take in the beautiful country. We had so much fun and loved our accommodations and tours. Would absolutely recommend!

Hotel Review
Old Town Quito Suites
Centro Historico, Quito

Super comfortable, great rooms, and really nice kitchen set up.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Review
Quito Cooking Class
Quito Cooking Class
Ecuador

This was so fun and engaging for our kids! It ended up being quite tasty, too. A real highlight!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Linda Schulz
Linda
Linda Schulz
Local specialist in Quito | Replied on Apr 26, 2022

Alexandra, I am more than happy to hear that you, Eric, and the boys have enjoyed your week here in Ecuador, with all your accommodations and activities (from cooking class to ziplining)!
It would be a pleasure to welcome you again in Ecuador one day, so that you and your family can explore other parts of the country that you haven't seen yet.
Take care & safe travels for the future!

I (we) couldn't have been happier with the wh...
Ecuador | Feb 2 - Feb 18, 2022

Christopher
Christopher R.
Tinley Park, IL | Reviewed on Feb 20, 2022
I (we) couldn't have been happier with the whole experience. Linda was receptive, warm, excited for us, and wanting nothing but the best experience in Ecuador we could possibly have! I have been waiting a long time to see/visit Ecuador and what Linda set up for us was simply amazing! After finally meeting her our first night it just confirmed to us we were going to be onto something special. My traveling companions are absolutely what we experienced along the way. The food, accommodations... Read more

I (we) couldn't have been happier with the whole experience. Linda was receptive, warm, excited for us, and wanting nothing but the best experience in Ecuador we could possibly have! I have been waiting a long time to see/visit Ecuador and what Linda set up for us was simply amazing!

After finally meeting her our first night it just confirmed to us we were going to be onto something special. My traveling companions are absolutely what we experienced along the way. The food, accommodations and the guide ... @SebastianCarrera ... Linda recommended was beyond anything I could have expected. An adventure of a lifetime! I Can't wait to go back and see what I missed this first time!

So ... if you're curious of Ecuador, nervous of planning it yourself, hesitant to travel to this beautiful, beautiful country drop everything and contact Linda through KIMKIM and know that she has you best intersts in mind.

Absolutely 10 stars!!!! Thank you Linda and I hope to see you in Deutschland soon!

Local specialist: Linda Schulz
Linda
Linda Schulz
Local specialist in Quito | Replied on Feb 21, 2022

Dear Chris, Diane, and Jeff,
I can't describe in words how happy I am to have met you! It was such a pleasure to help you plan this trip, and to finally meet you in person after being in contact for such a long time. I really hope that you can come back one day to explore the rest of Ecuador - there is still so much more to see!
I am looking forward to meeting you in Germany soon!
Big hugs,
Linda

Phenomenal trip to Ecuador
Ecuador | Dec 27 - Dec 31, 2021

L
Lucian C.
Wakefield, NY | Reviewed on Jan 04, 2022
Linda did an amazing job planning our trip! We're incredibly grateful for her organizing a last minute trip during such a busy tourist season. Linda ensured we had the best possible experience in Ecuador. Thank you, Linda! Read more

Linda did an amazing job planning our trip! We're incredibly grateful for her organizing a last minute trip during such a busy tourist season. Linda ensured we had the best possible experience in Ecuador. Thank you, Linda!

Hotel Review
Jamu Lodge
Quito
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Review
Birdwatching, Indigenous Community Visit & Night Walk
Birdwatching, Indigenous Community Visit & Night Walk
Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Linda Schulz
Linda
Linda Schulz
Local specialist in Quito | Replied on Jan 13, 2022

Lucian, it was a pleasure to help you plan your trip, and I am happy to hear that you've enjoyed your time in the Ecuadorian Amazon! Hopefully you can come back one day to explore other parts of Ecuador as well.
All the best for you and your friends,
Linda