Lorena Huidobro

We visited Patagonia in Chile and Argentina. Undoubtedly, Patagonia is the most spectacular environment I have ever visited. Biodiversity is still noticeable in that part of the world and I hope it will be forever preserved that way. The Andean Condor, Uppland geese, culpeos and guanacos are still common sight. I wish I had seen the timid armadillo!

It was suggested by Lorena that we rented a car to travel within North Patagonia and then Punta Arenas to Torres del Paine. The roads from Balmaceda Airport to Puerto Guadal and around Torres del Paine were unpaved or filled with craters in the paved roads, which made the driving conditions dangerous and so it became necessary to drive between 20 - 60 km/h. Nevertheless, the scenery in those areas were breathtaking! Also, petrol stations are hard to come by and we needed to make that planning ourselves. We were not given this information beforehand. A bus trip from Puerto Natales to El Calafate was added to our itinerary and it was not the 4 h stated on our itinerary, but 6 h. It was the most uncomfortable part of the trip, as we were crammed in like sardines.

In the plus side, all hotels suggested were excellent. My top picks were Lago Grey Hotel and Mirador Puerto Guadal, plus the food at the Yegua Loca restaurant. The best boat trip was to Spegazzini glacier.

Lorena was always very prompt at helping us when needed, even when we were still in Santiago. We felt safe under her care and she sorted issues very quickly. On the improvement side, the itineraries could have been checked a few hours in advance to avoid some of the issues.

Hotel Reviews

Hotel Mirador del Guadal

Puerto Guadal

Stephan was an amazing host, always checking in with us to provide us with local tips on what to do or just have a friendly chat. The local chef was excellent and we enjoyed the quality of the breakfast and dinners. The best of all was the superb view from the cabin and the amazing nature surrounding us.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Spectacular nature

Staff

Friendly

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Lago Grey

Torres del Paine

Incredible location! We could still see the glacier from our room. We saw so many wild animals, like the caracara, culpeo zorro and Magellanic woodpecker. It is a walking distance to easy walks in the forest through Rio Pingo and Grey Glacier. Restaurant staff were very friendly.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Kosten Aike

El Calafate

Good location and good facilities. A hotel working towards environmental sustainability.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Marble Caves Boat Tour

Patagonia

The marble caves are really worthwhile a visit! The guide gave some good basic scientific background as to how they were formed and those not listening could still take some amazing photos of the beautiful geological formations.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Guide was knowledgeable and had good sense of humour. Staff back in the office were a bit rude.

Transport

Penguin Colony on Magdalena Island

Patagonia

The guide was excellent at covering the information in both Spanish and English. It was good to see the park rangers on watch on the island to protest the welfare of the animals. We saw other bird species, like the Upland Geese and Seagull. The trip to the Marta island was shorter than to observe the penguins, because we needed to stay on the boat not to upset the sea lions, which was sensible.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Wildlife Photo Safari in Patagonia

Punta Arenas

The guide was exceptional! She knew so much about the birds in the area. We observed several species and watched several condors fly!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Perito Moreno Blue Safari

El Calafate

When we reached the National Park, we could view the glacier from the wooden platforms from the yellow and blue trails. This was also during the time allocated for lunch break. After that, we took the boat to enjoy a walk closer to the glacier where we could touch it and even ‘drink’ a piece of ice from it. It is a real shame that these beautiful glaciers are disappearing as a result of anthropogenic climate change.

Quality of Experience

Food

The sandwich was too dry.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Guided Tour from El Calafate to El Chaltén

El Calafate

The guide was wonderful! She had great knowledge of the area and very happy to answer extra questions in English. Before we reached El Chalten, we stopped at the Hotel Las Leonas for a coffee, photo, souvenir opportunity and/or toilet break. And she stopped for two other photo opportunities on the way. There was only one hike going up but not for that long. The second walk was at ground level towards the waterfall.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Boat Tour Through The Glaciers

El Calafate

This is a must tour! We loved it! The catamaran was really modern. We loved the iceberg sculptures. It is a real shame that these beautiful glaciers are disappearing as a result of anthropogenic climate change.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Explore Iguazú Falls (Argentine Side) & Great Adventure

Patagonia

The trails were great but we were rushed throghout the whole experience. It was very busy with lots of tourists queuing everywhere. We also did the Great Adventure in the boat where we soaked from being underneath some of the falls! We loved that part of the day. Beautiful place and it would be great to do it without a guide rushing through, so that we can enjoy the natural surroundings. The guide should have also spoken in Spanish to the group member who did not speak English but he ignored her most of the time.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Explore Iguazú Falls (Brazilian Side)

Patagonia

We only spent two hours on the Park and we were hoping for at least 4 h. We felt rushed again and could not enjoy the beautiful sight standing before us for long enough. We stayed in the Argentinian side so had to travel to the Brazilian side and be subjected to passport control, but we stayed inside the van and the guide handled everything. We also stayed in the van to enter the park as opposed to take their double decker bus.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

The KimKim Team's planning was spot on.

Lorena and her on the ground team in Chile were communicative, clear, and patient with our questions and needs. The trip delivered on every planned meeting, excursion, driver, and connection. The team on the ground was helpful with airline check-ins, local recommendations, and thoughtful check-ins. Tours, hotels, and excursions were exactly as described and were well done. The Stargazing tours in the Atacama desert were a once in a life time experience. Lorena did a very nice job taking into account the ages and ability level of my traveling party which made the trip more doable and memorable.

Thank you for a wonderful experience.

Trekking Torres del Paine with W Circuit on day 1 was a good introduction to the sights of Patagonia, however the mini bus was poor with cramped seating on rough roads.
Boat tour to Balmaceda & Serrano Glaciers was a highlight as the fiords were spectacular, however the boat had poor worn seats and was best viewed from the upper deck. Also ranch lunch was poor as meat full of crissle and salad only lettuce.
Full day tour of Torres del Paine Park partly doubled up on the first day trekking, however while overcast and raining on first day the Full Day vehicle tour was better with clear skies and superior comfortable vehicle from Patagonia Planet which is highly recommended.
Last day trekking and Condor watching was the highlight as the guide Patagonia Adventure Jorge was brilliant and spoke fluent English. He went out of his way to find condors and we were treated to clear skies and a condor aerial display.
Hotel accommodation at Puerto Natalie's Hotel Vendaval offered small modern rooms which were ok however very noisy as sound travels through the floor and walls.

Hotel Review

Hotel Vendaval

Puerto Natales

Small modern rooms which were ok however no sound proofing and very noisy.

Authenticity & Character

Distinctive red multi storey building and modern by Puerto Natalie's standard.

Location

The hotel is located between the waterfront and the town square and good facilities nearby.

Staff

No problem with English communication

Cleanliness & Comfort

Good modern facilities and large king bed.

Activity Reviews

Trekking Torres del Paine Active

Chile

Good tour guide, however poor mini bus.

Quality of Experience

Food

The food served at the Rio Pingo restaurant is expensive and terrible.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Full-Day Tour of Torres del Paine National Park & Surroundings

Chile

Good driver and guide and comfortable vehicle.

Quality of Experience

Food

The lunch provided at the Rio Pingo restaurant was expensive and terrible.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Trekking and Condor Watching

Puerto Natales

Beautiful scenery and expert guide.

Quality of Experience

The guide was excellent at finding resting condors.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Great information, very personable and fluent English.

Transport

Private car for 4 people.

Boat Tour to Balmaceda & Serrano Glaciers

Chile

Great scenery on the fiords.

Quality of Experience

Food

Lunch at the ranch poor.

This trip took a year to plan, though that time Lorena was so patient and communicated very well. The itinerary that she made for me was tweaked for my liking. Everything was to the T from pick up, tour, hotel, bus. The hotel that she picked was great. Lorena did an excellent job and her team was great.I was going to this trip knowing it's going to be a good trip but it exceeded my expectations it was great!!

Our guides, Lorena and Johnny; and our drivers, William, Ivan, and Carlos were excellent. The driver who took us to and from the Chilean/Bolivian border knew the procedure very well. The guides were exceptional, having very good local knowledge, cultural, political, geologic, archeological, etc. information. Their English language skills were very proficient and this was helpful for us non-Spanish speaking visitors.

The guides listened to our needs and wants and adjusted schedules accordingly. They understood that our group was photographically oriented and they readily accommodated our needs. They also were aware of good photo locations. They were customer-focused and attended to our needs. The afternoon snacks and beverages offered by the guides was a classy touch. Guides and drivers were on time.

Hotel Reviews

Hotel La Casa de Don Tomás

San Pedro de Atacama

Friendly and attentive staff. The restaurant served very good food a reasonable prices.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Mallku Cueva

Villa Mar

Clean, quiet, nicely decorated. Simple meals. Friendly staff.

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel de Sal Luna Salada

Uyuni

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Staff was unresponsive to our requests to control the noise made by 80 high school students running, yelling, etc. in the halls and rooms until 3:00 am on the two nights we stayed.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Tayka Del Desierto

Ojo de Perdiz

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Noi Borde Loa

Calama

Authenticity & Character

Well appointed and decorated

Location

Convenient location to the airport

Staff

Staff was somewhat lackluster, especially with the dinner service.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Tayka de Piedra

San Pedro de Quemes

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Ancestral Convoy with Llamas

San Pedro de Atacama

Quality of Experience

Competent local guide, just wasn't interesting for me.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Knowledgable, competent, friendly, helpful

Transport

On time, clean vehicles, comfortable

Explore Yerbas Buenas & Rainbow Valley

San Pedro de Atacama

Good breakfast, nice scenary. Felt a bit rushed with the photography, as we were a private group.,

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We spent two great weeks on our trip, one in the Atacama Desert in Chile and one in Uyuni, Bolivia. Our guides in Chile, Lorena and JD, were so knowledgeable and fun. William, our driver, was very kind and patient. Our guide Jhonny and our drivers Carlos and Iván in Bolivia were equally as wonderful. We felt so well cared for during the entire time. Our guides and drivers even prepared delicious breakfasts and lunches for us while we were on the road. All we had to do was sit back, relax, and have fun! We didn't always sit back and relax; sometimes we did some hiking, too. We felt the whole trip was very successful. Thank you to Lorena at Kimkim for setting everything up for us and allowing us not to have to worry about anything. I was nervous about crossing the Bolivian border, but since we had prepared so thoroughly beforehand, it wasn't difficult at all. If you're an American, fill out paperwork online at Bolivian website and have it printed along with the USD cash to buy the VISA. I highly recommend this trip. So beautiful!

Hotel Review

Hotel La Casa de Don Tomás

San Pedro de Atacama

Our stay at the hotel in San Pedro de Atacama was mostly pleasant. While they occasionally had issues with hot water, they worked hard to resolve it. The restaurant was excellent, and the staff was very kind. The laundry service was a big plus as well.

Activity Reviews

Wildlife Photo Safari

San Pedro de Atacama

The Wildlife Photo Safari was an incredible experience, especially thanks to our guide JP. We even managed to see a puma, which was thrilling. JP was very knowledgeable and made the whole safari worthwhile.

Stargazing Experience

San Pedro de Atacama

The Stargazing Tour was an unexpected delight. JP gave a great presentation before the tour, and his wife Valeria was very knowledgeable during the telescope session. It exceeded our expectations. It was a very pleasant surprise that it was so interesting.

Discover the Salt Flats of Uyuni

Chile

Discovering the Salt Flats of Uyuni was a magical experience. The drivers made it fun with creative photography, and despite initial reluctance, we all participated and ended up with some fantastic photos.

Enjoyed Lorena’s knowledge of the history and current affairs in Chile. Driver William was a great help too.