
Mathias Onisseit
Originally from Germany, in 2010 I set out to explore South America and soon fell in love with the super-diverse country named Ecuador (and its neat little attachment Galapagos). What fascinates me the most about this country is the fact that it has it all: lush rain-forests, mystic cloud forests, snow-capped mountain peaks, endless beaches and the most particular ecosystem, the Galapagos Islands. Everything just a few hours travel away. Diverse landscapes along with equally diverse people. My goal is to make you experience all of this first-hand. If after your trip you wish to return to Ecuador (you wouldn’t be the first!) then my mission has been achieved.
What places and activities do you specialize in?
"I cover all Ecuador, including the Galapagos Islands, but due to interest I focus on off-the-beaten-track regions such as Manabí and Azuay provinces, as well as on cloud and rain forest habitats including their unique wildlife, especially fungi, birds and also insects."
How did you get involved in travel?
"While at the biggest travel fare of them all (ITB in Berlin), I was looking for some new travel inspiration, I stumbled into what would be my future employer, a travel agency in Ecuador. Immediately I got excited about the idea of being able to share the fascination of this country with others and at the same time being able to live here."
Please share a unique travel experience you will never forget.
"To me, there is not the one special travel experience, instead it is the simple things that make memories: waking up to the singing of birds and howling of monkeys, snorkeling with baby sharks on a sunny beach day, a stroll in the rain on a muddy cloud forest trail or the interminable hike to the top of an active volcano. And of course, all the incredible personalities that you meet along the road contribute to awesome experiences that last a lifetime."
Mathias's favorite itineraries and travel advice
Top itineraries and travel advice

This eight-day trekking adventure delivers the highlights of the Ecuadorian Andes as you explore stunning landscapes, secluded villages, and the famous peaks along the Avenue of...

This active tour of the Ecuadorian mainland is sure to get the adrenaline pumping. In just over a week you'll enjoy adventures on both land and water. Brave the rapids of the...

Canoe through the jungle, spot pink dolphins in the wild, visit an indigenous community, and sleep under the stars — this action-packed itinerary takes you deep into the...
Recent trip reviews for Mathias
Trip to Equador and Galapagos May-June 2023
Galapagos Islands
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May 23 - Jun 2, 2023
My wife Mala and I had a great trip to Equador and Galapagos. Many thanks to Mathias and his entire team.
Mathias made all the arrangements and even though we had to make multiple changes, it was never a problem.
We had to change dates of travel, no problems
We had to change our cruise ship, no problems
We wanted to do full day birding, no problems
He suggested that we stay at Tombopaxi, in Cotopaxi National park. No problems
Danny Arias was our guide for most of the days. He was very... read more

Samyadev,
Thank you so much for your evaluation of your trip and your kind words. It was a pleasure planning this trip with you, and I was happy to see that we made the right decisions and made your trip the best possible within the little time you had available!
Of course, our team and I would be glad to welcome you and Mala again on your next trip to Ecuador, to see more of the country's beauty, including its incredible avifauna!
All the best,
Mathias
Fantastic Peru
Galapagos Islands
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Apr 4 - Apr 16, 2023
Out trip to Peru was fantastic. Mathias was extremely helpful with all aspects of planning. When we were in country we got a respiratory virus and Mathias went out of his way to help us and get us home safely. We did get to enjoy a week of travel in Peru. The country is amazing. Our guide, Aldo Sanchez was marvelous. He was extremely knowledgable about the Incas and all aspects of life in Peru. He took excellent care of us and also was a tremendous support when we became ill. I would %100... read more
Mathias for Ecuador and Peru was the best!
Galapagos Islands
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Apr 4 - Apr 16, 2023
Mathias was a joy to work with. Was flexible and helpful when we needed to make trip adjustments and was always there for us. Tour guides were great along the way. Always on time and knowledge. Made every minute of the trip memorable. Aldo Sanchez was an amazing guide from Cusco, Peru. Stayed with us for four days through the entire Sacred Valley leg of our trip. He made sure we had plenty of activities planned and had clean, safe water and food. Our Mtn Bike tour guide was also great.... read more
Outstanding trip to Ecuador mainland - Kudos to KimKim Team, Mathais, and especially Danny!
Ecuador
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Feb 6 - Feb 11, 2023
Our trip to Ecuador was indeed amazing (meeting and exceeding our expectations). The excursions were excellent! The trip was fabulous!! From start to finish, the KimKim team (Mathais, Danny and excursion guides) were responsive, on time, professional and courteous. Prior to our trip, Mathais listened carefully to our requests and helped us prepare the perfect itinerary. From the minute we walked off the plane in Quito, we were met by our personal guide Danny who was outstanding! He escorted... read more

Hi Liz,
thank you very much for your raving review, and thanks again for chosing Kimkim and Authentic Ecuador for arranging your trip to Ecuador!
I'm happy to hear that you liked the different parts of the trip plan that you and me put together, we managed that you could get a pretty good overview of the country despite the little time available.
So I guess see you soon again in Ecuador?
All the best,
Mathias
Exceptional Trip to Beautiful Ecuadro
Ecuador
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Feb 4 - Feb 17, 2023
This was my first-time using Kim Kim for my travels and I was impressed with the entire process. Mathais was quick to provide information and was very knowledgeable. Milton was an amazing guide and we really enjoyed spending time with him on the first part of our journey. The staff on the Galaxy was also nice. Enjoyed the entire process and plan on arranging another trip to Ecuador in 2024 to see more sites. read more

Hi Paula,
thanks a lot for your feedback, I'm glad to hear that you enjoyed your visit to the various versatile regions of Ecuador (Andes, rainforest and the Galapagos Islands), and that you found the entire process of planning the trip with Kimkim straight-forward (I'm sure you only rated with 3.5 stars by mistake ;-) .
I'm happy to hear that you plan to return in 2024 to see all the other wonders the country has to offer, feel feel to reach out in the chat at any time to start planning!
Always safe travels,
Mathias & the Authentic Ecuador team
Best vacation I’ve ever had!
Ecuador
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Feb 5 - Feb 17, 2023

This was the first time I’ve ever used a Travel Agency and the first time I’ve ever been on a small-group guided tour. It was a fantastic experience. The itinerary that Mathias put together was well coordinated and thought out. The activities varied from the active to the intellectual. Milton was a fantastic guide who was knowledgeable about Ecuador in general and the Andes in particular. He was helpful, patient, and flexible changing plans to accommodate our needs. He went out of his... read more

Dear Lynn,
Thank you so much for sharing your experiences from your trip to Ecuador and the Galapagos! I'm happy to hear that the first time using a travel agency to plan a trip was a success and that you recognized the benefits.
I also want to thank you for your kind words about Milton, your private guide on Ecuador's mainland, and the Galapagos cruise staff. I will make sure to pass it along!
Maybe see you again, too, in 2024 to explore the rest of the country!
Take care,
Mathias
Astrid was a terrific local guide and so know...
Galapagos Islands
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Jan 24 - Feb 2, 2023
Astrid was a terrific local guide and so knowledgeable.
The various islands were great choices. read more

Mary and Stuart,
It was a pleasure planning and organizing your vacation to the Galapagos Islands, so thank you very much for your feedback! I'm glad to hear that you liked the excursions and accommodations we picked together, and of course we'll take your suggestions into account to make future trips even more enjoyable!
I wish you the best and a lot more amazing journeys in the future!
Best wishes
Mathias and the employees of Authentic Ecuador
Fabulous trip and experience in the Galapagos...
Galapagos Islands
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Jan 24 - Feb 2, 2023
Fabulous trip and experience in the Galapagos.
mathias planned a great trip and we loved every excursion. Our hotels were really nice, guides knowledgeable, and boats to islands were terrific. Truly a beautiful experience! read more

Mary and Stuart,
It was a pleasure planning and organizing your vacation to the Galapagos Islands, so thank you very much for your feedback! I'm glad to hear that you liked the excursions and accommodations we picked together, and of course we'll take your suggestions into account to make future trips even more enjoyable!
I wish you the best and a lot more amazing journeys in the future!
Best wishes
Mathias and the employees of Authentic Ecuador
Reeve Review
Ecuador
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Jan 16 - Jan 19, 2023

Our guide Ven was phenomenal and very attentive to all our needs. We also were very impressed with the vegetarian meals that the cook provided. We loved the tower, the wall and the river paddling trip. We were able to view over 130 different birds which exceeded my expectations. Thank you for your time. read more
This company is the real deal. I was skeptic...
Ecuador
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Dec 16 - Dec 30, 2022

This company is the real deal. I was skeptical to use a travel agent to book a trip but I am so glad I did. I found Kim Kim on a Facebook page and decided to give them a try. Matthias communicated with me in a timely fashion and listened to what I wanted and made it happen. We were greeted as we walked out of the airport and from there everything was very close to perfect. We had great hotels; great excursions; great tour guides and food. We felt safe every where we went and could not... read more

Lisa,
thank you for this wonderful review, I'm very happy to hear that you and Tyler had an unforgettable trip to Ecuador & Galapagos and that your decision to use a travel agent was the right one.
It's also nice to hear that your stay in the rainforest area was an outstanding experience for you; the lodge has sent me some photos of your time there which I would like to share with you through the chat!
Always safe travels,
Mathias
Well-planned trip with knowledgeable and fun guide
Ecuador
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May 10 - May 23, 2022
Everything about this trip was wonderful! Mathias helped us plan the agenda to suit our needs and was very responsive to all of our questions. Sebastian was a knowledgeable and fun guide who introduced us to his country. Every day was full of fun and interesting activities catered to us. They even helped us plan two different tracks of activities in a day - some for those of us who preferred a more active day and others for those of us who didn't. Highly recommend! read more

Hi Rebecca,
thanks for your nice feedback on your tour across Ecuador with us! I'm glad that you and your fiancee were able to join your parents on this trip, and that we could make this a memorable trip for all of you, with activities adapted to everyone's taste.
See you soon in Ecuador for exploring the many other unique places this country has in store!
All the best,
Mathias & the Authentic Ecuador team
12 days in Ecuador
Ecuador
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Nov 7 - Nov 18, 2022

We had an amazing 12 days tour in Ecuador. the beautiful landscapes around the highlands of the Andes, the adventure in Amazon rainforest basin and also the wonderful close look at diverse societies. we stayed 4 days 3 nights in La Selva Lodge, it is a nice place , suitable for most of travelers who are interested in adventure in Yasuni national park. From Quito to Cuenca, we visited some famous Catholic churches and most of the great places like Cotopaxi national park, Quilotoa Lake, the... read more

Dear Vivian,
thanks a lot for your comments, the entire team is happy to hear that you enjoyed this tour across Ecuador that we put together last minute!
And even though you have gotten a good insight into quite a few regions of the country already (Andes, rainforest, coastal lowlands), there is still much left to discover for you on a second trip to Ecuador - first and foremost the Galapagos Islands!
So see you soon in Ecuador,
All the best,
Mathias
Fantastic trip to Ecuador!
Ecuador
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Sep 26 - Sep 30, 2022

During my trip to Ecuador, I visited Otavalo, Quito, Cotopaxi and Mindo. Kimkim arranged for transportations, local and indigenous guides, and I had a great time with all of them- especially Danny Arias, David and Fausto.
In Otavalo, I visited the Cuicocha Lagoon, Peguche falls, and the artisan market, followed by a traditional Ecuadorian lunch. I appreciate that the guides catered to my food preferences and allergies!
I enjoyed seeing the hummingbirds and butterflies in Mindo, but freaked... read more

Dear Khulood,
thanks for your kind review, the entire team (including your tour guides) is happy that you enjoyed your trip to Ecuador and that you were able to get a good insight into different regions of the country, despite the few days you had available.
So definitely you will have to return to see more of Ecuador and to do the zipline in Mindo! ;)
All the best,
Mathias and the Authentic Ecuador Team
From the moment I started planning this trip ...
Ecuador
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Aug 12 - Aug 21, 2022
From the moment I started planning this trip and all the way through to completion, my experience was 5 stars. I travelled with 11 family members to Ecuador (ages ranging from 19 to 86). We E-Biked the streets of Quito, attended cooking classes, travelled and explored the Galapagos on private boats and white watered rafted in the Amazon. We also made chocolate from scratch and ate jungle shrimp (big gnarly slugs).
Mathias worked with me at the inception and helped us tailor a trip that... read more

Brad,
I want to thank you again for trusting us with the organization of your big family’s trip to Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands!
I’m glad to hear that we could make this a wonderful experience for everyone despite the different capabilities and interests. It’s great to hear that this was the best trip yet, but I hope there are many more and even better trips to come!
I wish you and your family always safe and amazing travels,
Mathias & the Authentic Ecuador team
Amazing Trip
Ecuador
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Aug 20 - Aug 29, 2022
Our tour of Ecuador with Sebastian couldn't have been better. From pickup at the airport to each destination, and finally back to the airport, he was with us every step of the way with local knowledge, humor, easy fluent English, and a great attitude. While some of the roads in Ecuador can be a little concerning, he’s patient and responsible driving put our minds at ease as we traveled easily and safely. He consistently went the extra mile, finding us opportunities for a bit of extra... read more

Hi Leona,
thank you very much for your great review, we are delighted to hear that you and Brad had an awesome time in each of the different places you went to (Andean mountains, cloud forest, rain forest), and that you enjoyed the company of your tour guide Sebastian!
I wish you many safe and unforgettable trips in the future,
Mathias
Amazing trip to Galápagos
Galapagos Islands
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Jul 22 - Aug 3, 2022

Galápagos Islands trip review
This is the second time we worked with Mathias for our trip. The first trip was Ecuador adventure tour including Quito, Banos, and Amazon. It was a great trip.
This time we worked with Mathias for our Galapagos island trip and it was amazing. Mathias is super thoughtful, he made sure that every single detail of the trip was taken care of. He is very patient and is so accommodating with our requests and needs. When we first arrived at the Quito hotel,... read more

Victoria,
thank you very much for your kind words and for your repeatedly putting the organization of your trips in the hands of Authentic Ecuador, Kimkim and that of all of our partners involved, especially your local guides!
It is rare to see our guests returning to Ecuador in such a short term, which tells me that you really enjoyed your first trip a lot (but I could also tell from your happy faces!).
I’m also glad to see that the hotels we selected together were just the right ones for... read more
Thanks for the once-in-a-lifetime experience!!!
Galapagos Islands
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Jul 14 - Jul 20, 2022

This was my first experience ever using a travel agent or having any kind of help planning a trip. I didn't even know where to begin when planning a short trip to the Galapagos, and Mathias took my wishes into account and created the perfect trip. He was also very helpful when we had to postpone the trip due to a family emergency. The trip itinerary was just about perfect, full of wildlife growing as we wished. Our favorite day by far was visiting Espanola, which surprised me because I... read more

Hi Jennifer,
I still wanted to thank you for your wonderful review! I am happy to hear that you and Cory enjoyed your trip to the Galapagos Islands, and that it had some positive surprises in store for you (for example the day trip to Española Island).
I will pass on your praises to Ulf, Liz, and everyone else involved in making this a special experience for you.
And a big thanks for sharing the photos, one can tell that you had a blast!
Take care and always safe travels,
Mathias
2 weeks in mainland Ecuador and Galapagos islands
Ecuador
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Jul 2 - Jul 15, 2022
Matthias was our travel specialist for our 2-week trip to mainland Ecuador and Galapagos Islands. He planned an itinerary including the capital Quito, the Amazon jungle at the Cuyabeno Reserve, the highlands with the city of Banos and Cotopaxi and Quilotoa volcanoes and finally Galapagos Islands. It was a fantastic trip and everything worked out very smoothly. As the time of our trip approached, Matthias provided us with plenty of exciting alternatives as it looked liked the protests by the... read more

Valentí,
I hope you and Itziar arrived home safely after your long journey! I‘m very happy that the strikes ended just in time before your trip, so you could see all of the places you wanted to see.
I‘m glad to hear that you enjoyed your time here, and of course I will forward your thanks to Jimmy, Ulf, and all the others that made your trip possible.
Always safe travels,
Mathias
Great Team, Well Coordinated, Super Flexible/Accomodating
Ecuador
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Jun 21 - Jun 29, 2022
We honestly can't say enough how much our family appreciated all the effort that went into planning and orchestrating our trip. There was some unexpected civil unrest throughout the country when we visited, we even considered cancelling the trip all together but we're so glad that we didn't. Mathias and his team were amazing and were great at keeping up to date on the situation and changed our itinerary to help us avoid protests and demonstrations. Although it was a bit dissapointing that we... read more

Emmely & Jacob,
it was a pleasure planning and organizing this trip for your family, your sister‘s and of course your mother! The local strikes made it necessary to make a few changes to your program, but I‘m happy to hear that you and the kids enjoyed the alternative activities!
I‘m sure you have told them already in person, but I will let Liz and Milton (and everyone else involved) know how happy you were with their services!
Thanks again for travelling with us, I wish you many more fun family trips to the four corners of the world!
Always safe travels,
Mathias
Amazing Galapagos Adventure
Galapagos Islands
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May 21 - May 27, 2022
A quick note that my family had an amazing trip to the Galapagos. A special thank you to Mathias who helped with the pre-planning, advance trip details and check-ins during the trip to make sure everything went smoothly.
We visited all three islands and had great excursions and experiences on all. Mathias planned just enough snorkeling, hiking and travel with down time to spend with the family. ALL of our guides were top notch and were prompt and very knowledgeable and engaging.
It is... read more

Dear David,
Maybe you are already planning your next trip with kimkim, but I just wanted to thank you again for having traveled with us, and for your raving review.
I’m happy to hear that you and your family had a wonderful time in the Galapagos Islands.
And thank you very much for sharing these amazing photos!
I wish you and your family all the best and many many more wonderful trips around the world!
Always safe travels,
Mathias