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active 13 hours ago

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 is part of the following groups: Galapagos Islands Travel Agents, Ecuador Travel Agents
Top itineraries and travel advice

Recent trip reviews for Mathias

Trip to Equador and Galapagos May-June 2023
Galapagos Islands | May 23 - Jun 2, 2023

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Samyadev D.
Dumont, NJ | Reviewed on Jun 05, 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

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 patient and knowledgeable
Neiser Arias was bird watchinf guide. He was very patient, knowledgeable and knew his birds really well. If we do a dedicated bird watchng tour, we will surely use him again
I wish we had a few more days to enjoy more of Equador
Highly recommend Mathias and his entire team for all matters Equador

Hotel Reviews
M/C Treasure
San José de Conocoto Quito

We spend 5 days and 4 nights on board. Thanks to the crew we had a most wonderful time. We had great weather and so that added to the enjoyment. The crew was fantastic. Naturalist and guide Victor Hugo was very knowledgeble and patient. During the snorkleing, he was so vigilant to ensure that every one was safe. During our hikes, he was able to answer all the questions and expose us to so much. He was never rushed, but was always on time Karen, the cruise director, ran the ship with military prcesion, but she and her crew worked very hard to make it easy for the passengers. She tried very hard to accomadate the various dietary needs. Also the entire crew were always will to help with a smile. Highy recommended. Keep up the good job

Authenticity & Character
Location
Cruising in Galapagos
Staff
Smiling, cheerful, helpful, clockwork precision
Cleanliness & Comfort
They cleaned the bathroom, made the beds everyday. The ship was always spotless and they made sure that our beach shoes were always washed before we came on board
Tambopaxi Cotopaxi Lodge
Parque Nacional Cotopaxi

Wonderful location of a hotel. Very rustic. I wish we could spend more time there. I need to learn more Spanish. the generator goes of about 11pm. I suggest that maybe along the paths, they can have a few solar lamps.

Authenticity & Character
Very rustic and quaint rooms.
Location
Right at the base of Cotopaxi. Cannot be better
Staff
Nice and friendly. I speak very little spanish and so became a little difficult
Cleanliness & Comfort
Great place.
Casa Divina Eco Lodge
Mindo

We spend 3 days and 2 nights here. It is totally in the cloud forests. Wonderful location. Camile checked us in and was very helpful. The staff were all all very helpful. Great place to start bird watching and you will see a few birds and the property/

Authenticity & Character
the whole place is a log cabin with modern amenities.The dining room tables are solid wood and weigh a ton.
Location
What a great place to have an ecolodge
Staff
Every on was extremly helpful. After the first day, we did indicate that we eat very little, so they gave us smaller portions and then did not need to waste food.Simple and tasty meals
Cleanliness & Comfort
Keeping dirty shoes out of the resturant and rooms makes keeping the place clean so musch easier
Local specialist: Mathias Onisseit
Mathias
Mathias Onisseit
Local specialist in Quito, Ecuador | Replied on Jun 05, 2023

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 | Apr 4 - Apr 16, 2023

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Abby S.
New Orleans, LA | Reviewed on Apr 20, 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

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 recommend KimKim and Aldo for any adventure in Peru.

Hotel Reviews
Casa República
Barranco, Lima

Excellent service and a wonderful breakfast.

Authenticity & Character
Lovely inner courtyard
Location
Beautiful sunset views at the end of the street.
Staff
Wait staff at the restaurant were very accomodating
Cleanliness & Comfort
Andean Wings
Cusco

Lovely old hotel with beautiful courtyard and great bar.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Very close to the historic center of Cusco
Staff
We became ill and they went out of their way to help us.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Nice and clean
Hotel Florencio Casa Hacienda
Pisac

Lovely room. The owner made us a fire in our room in the evening and walked us to dinner. No breakfast in the morning though, since it was a holiday.

Authenticity & Character
Beautiful courtyard and authentic furniture
Location
Just off the square
Staff
Very accommodating. We used google translate to communicate.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Las Qolqas EcoResort Ollantaytambo
Ollantaytambo

Very lovely peaceful setting. The food was great. We had a wonderful welcome drink!!

Authenticity & Character
Eco lodge with luxury
Location
Just outside of town on a river. The sounds soothed us to sleep.
Staff
We met the part owner. He was very interesting and passionate about the hotel.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Taypikala Boutique Machupicchu
Machu Picchu

It was fine for the night before we went to Machu Picchu. Great location, beautiful view.

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

Amazing hotel right at the train station. Large bathtub! Good food. Beautiful gardens.

Authenticity & Character
Lots of little special things like fresh flowers in the room
Location
Right at the train station
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
City Tour Lima
Lima

Arthuro was excellent. We ate our way through a local market. We learned so much!!!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
City Tour Cusco
Cusco

Aldo was very knowledgable and friendly. We saw so many cool things.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Exploring Pisac
Pisac

Aldo was amazing. He is very knowledgeable, funny and kind. He totally made our trip!!

Quality of Experience
Food
Guinea Pig!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Hot springs and biking
Peru

Hot springs were very authentic. Only saw one other group of tourists while we were there. Bring a towel though! The biking was super fun. Downhill almost the whole way. The road was next to a beautiful river with waterfalls. Really got to see the countryside.

Quality of Experience
Food
Great boxed lunch. Something for everyone.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Pietra was a fantastic guide.
Transport
Coffee and chocolate in Chichubamba - Train ride to Aguas Calientes
Peru

We learned all about the process of making chocolate and coffee. It was not at a farm though.

Machu Picchu Excursion: Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu
Peru

Aldo was fantastic. Best guide ever. Machu Picchu was out of this world.

Quality of Experience
An amazing place with an amazing guide!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Aldo took us to the museum which most people do not see. It was so interesting!
Transport
Ruins, Weavers & Inca Salt Factory
Ollantaytambo

Not to be missed. Who knew that is how salt was made?

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Aldo was wonderful!
Transport
Local specialist: Mathias Onisseit

Mathias for Ecuador and Peru was the best!
Galapagos Islands | Apr 4 - Apr 16, 2023

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Steve S.
Pikesville, MD | Reviewed on Apr 17, 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

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. Knowledgeable and kept us from flying off the Andes on our endless descent down from 14k feet. All in all, they put together an amazing team to make sure every need was met without complaint.

Local specialist: Mathias Onisseit

Outstanding trip to Ecuador mainland - Kudos to KimKim Team, Mathais, and especially Danny!
Ecuador | Feb 6 - Feb 11, 2023

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Liz S.
West Mifflin, PA | Reviewed on Feb 28, 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

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 us every leg of the trip and made sure our travels went smoothly and were top notch throughout our mainland journey that included 2 days in Quito, a day in Banos, a day in Archidona, and hours in Papillacta thermal baths before we flew to Galapagos. In Ecuador mainland, we visited all the places on our itinerary, never felt rushed, and were able to indulge or move along at our own pace - Danny had a great knack for knowing when to be there for us or leave us to venture on our own. We opted for standard hotels that were lovely, clean, hosted by nice folks, and served good breakfasts before we ventured out on our excursions. Mathias made a point to meet and welcome us while we were in Quito, which we thought was classy. Danny spent hours driving us between cities and time flew - Danny was a great conversationalist and shared a wealth of knowledge and love for his country and people and nature and history, which made our drives and excursions all the more enjoyable. Great mix of private and small group tours. Highly recommend all the excursions on our itinerary: Quito City, Middle of the World, Swing, Banos waterfalls (esp Devils Cauldron) and tram, Amazon basin Napo river, rainforest lodge and hike, and Papillacta hot springs. Be aware there are some touristy areas (Banos, Middle of world) and lousy internet, but chalk it up to part of the experience. The people, the country, the food, the nature all beautiful. If you are planning to go to Galapagos following mainland trip recommend the Holiday Inn by airport to reset.

Local specialist: Mathias Onisseit
Mathias
Mathias Onisseit
Local specialist in Quito, Ecuador | Replied on Mar 25, 2023

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 | Feb 4 - Feb 17, 2023

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Paula D.
Wheaton, MD | Reviewed on Feb 18, 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

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.

Hotel Reviews
Boutique Hotel Casona de Alameda
Quito

Nicley located hotel with great staff.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Kuyana Amazon Lodge
Archidona

Great food, staff, and experience!!!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Holiday Inn Quito Airport, an IHG Hotel
Tababela

Located close to airport and very modern facilities.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
M/Y Galaxy
Quito

Nice staff and wonderful food!!!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Casa Opuntia Galapagos Hotel
Puerto Baquerizo Moreno

Nicely located hotel near the dock and the main walking area.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Mathias Onisseit
Mathias
Mathias Onisseit
Local specialist in Quito, Ecuador | Replied on Mar 25, 2023

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 | Feb 5 - Feb 17, 2023

Lynn
Lynn H.
Germantown, MD | Reviewed on Feb 18, 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

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 way to make sure everyone had an enjoyable experience. I particularly enjoyed our hike to Catopaxi. I also greatly appreciated his role as translator when he accompanied our group on a hike in the Amazon jungle and an exploration of a cave. His presence made me feel safe and comfortable. Galapagos snorkeling was my favorite part of the entire trip. I had the chance to Galapagos penguins, rays, octopus, sharks.. even two hammerheads, turtles, a large blue spiny lobster, and too many fish to name. Our Galapagos guide, David, and the crew aboard the Galaxy were fantastic. They all were friendly, competent, knowledgeable, patient, and accommodating. I would love to do this again!

Hotel Reviews
Boutique Hotel Casona de Alameda
Quito

Excellent location; near historic downtown and easy access to other things to do. The staff was friendly and helpful. The rooms and hotel were clean, comfortable, and inviting. The breakfast was lovely. Would stay here again.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Kuyana Amazon Lodge
Archidona

Wonderfully comfortable and relaxing in a beautiful and exotic setting. Literally the best of both worlds.

Authenticity & Character
There were many unique aspects to the lodge that made it a one of a kind experience.
Location
Staff
The staff were friendly, helpful, and accommodating.
Cleanliness & Comfort
The rooms and surrounding areas were clean, comfortable, and inviting.
Local specialist: Mathias Onisseit
Mathias
Mathias Onisseit
Local specialist in Quito, Ecuador | Replied on Mar 25, 2023

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 | Jan 24 - Feb 2, 2023

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Stuart K.
Apopka, FL | Reviewed on Feb 03, 2023

Astrid was a terrific local guide and so knowledgeable.
The various islands were great choices. read more

Astrid was a terrific local guide and so knowledgeable.
The various islands were great choices.

Hotel Reviews
La Casona de La Ronda
Quito
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Golden Bay
Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, San Cristóbal
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Ikala Galapagos Hotel
Puerto Ayora
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Holiday Inn Quito Airport, an IHG Hotel
Tababela
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Receptionist was a bit abrupt. Also, we got bumped from the snack room because they had a large party.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Mathias Onisseit
Mathias
Mathias Onisseit
Local specialist in Quito, Ecuador | Replied on Mar 25, 2023

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 | Jan 24 - Feb 2, 2023

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Mary K.
Philadelphia, PA | Reviewed on Feb 02, 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

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!

Hotel Reviews
La Casona de La Ronda
Quito

Boutique and great location!

Authenticity & Character
Ccharmibg boutiwue hotel.
Location
Perfect location!
Staff
Warm and welcoming!!
Cleanliness & Comfort
Lovely and comfortable!
Golden Bay
Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, San Cristóbal

Amazing and beautiful. Accommodations were terrific. Views were beyond beautiful with seals and sunsets!

Ikala Galapagos Hotel
Puerto Ayora

Nice hotel with large rooms. pool is really pretty and dining room on top level was beautiful!!

Location
view from dinjj in g room.
Cleanliness & Comfort
lsrefr rooms and really comfortable, but no views.
Holiday Inn Quito Airport, an IHG Hotel
Tababela

better than expected! but concierge floor had a dinner for a group, do we did not get to enjoy the concierge space,

Local specialist: Mathias Onisseit
Mathias
Mathias Onisseit
Local specialist in Quito, Ecuador | Replied on Mar 25, 2023

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 | Jan 16 - Jan 19, 2023

Derral
Derral R.
Granger, IN | Reviewed on Jan 20, 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

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.

Hotel Review
Napo Cultural Center
Quito
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Arrival to Yasuní National Park - First hikes or kayaking (NCC)
Ecuador
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Parrot clay lick - Intercultural interpretation center - Observation tower - Ancestral catamaran ride (NCC)
Yasuni National Park
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Community projects - Paddling excursion - Traditional dinner - Night walk (NCC)
Yasuni National Park
Quality of Experience
Y
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Last activities - Transfer to Coca
Ecuador
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Mathias Onisseit

This company is the real deal. I was skeptic...
Ecuador | Dec 16 - Dec 30, 2022

Lisa
Lisa T.
Burleson, TX | Reviewed on Jan 04, 2023

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

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 have asked for a better service.
From Quito to Galapagos to Banos and finally Archidona, it was a Fantastic Vacation! Thank you so much.

10 out of 10, would highly recommend

Hotel Reviews
Kuyana Amazon Lodge
Archidona

The most beautiful hotel I have ever stayed! Amazing It’s kinda scary to get to but so worth the drive.

Authenticity & Character
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
The food and staff were amazing. Gorgeous place
Ikala Galapagos Hotel
Puerto Ayora

Great location, friendly staff and clean rooms

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Casa Alquimia
Quito

Very quaint Was not expecting it to be warm but we got a fan and that was cured.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Holiday Inn Quito Airport, an IHG Hotel
Tababela

Nice Hotel Close to the airport Provides a shuttle

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Middle of the World
Ecuador

I really enjoyed this visit to both equator destinations.

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

My son and I did this and loved it. I came home and tried to recreate the potato soup. It turned out famously.

Quality of Experience
Learning new fruits and recipes
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Josue and Alex
Transfer to Quito Airport, Arrival to Galapagos & Highlands of Santa Cruz
Ecuador

I love turtles and tortoise so this was a real treat.

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

Great snorkeling on Bartolome! Penguins, sea lions, shark, octopus, sting Ray. The boat was great, the staff was amazing, Highly recommend!

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Scuba Diving - Day Trip from Santa Cruz
Galapagos Islands

The dive company is fantastic. I felt safe and would absolutely recommend them and dice with them again. The only reason it was rated as a 4 is because the water was super cold and visibility was not great. My son really enjoyed the dive on the second day. Schools of sharks and rays.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Canyoning in Baños
Baños

Fun excursion. You do have to hike out but it’s moderate. Great time

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Explore the Pailón del Diablo Waterfall, Transfer to Archidona
Ecuador

This waterfall is beautiful! Danny was our guide in Banos and he was fantastic. He took such great care of us.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Rafting Río Jatunyacu
Ecuador

Super fun excursion!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Exploring El Gran Cañon & natural caves
Ecuador

I am out of shape but I still really enjoyed this hike and the waterfall. We did get tired and skipped the cave portion so I can’t comment on them. I would recommend this canyon hike and swim in the pool under the waterfall. Shawn was out guide at the hotel and on this excursion. He was awesome

Quality of Experience
You need to be somewhat in shape to hike this
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Local specialist: Mathias Onisseit
Mathias
Mathias Onisseit
Local specialist in Quito, Ecuador | Replied on Jan 15, 2023

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 | May 10 - May 23, 2022

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Rebecca K.
Philadelphia, PA | Reviewed on Dec 13, 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

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!

Activity Review
Cooking Class
Quito

A fun cooking class that met our dietary needs and gave us some fun ideas for things to cook at home!

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Mathias Onisseit
Mathias
Mathias Onisseit
Local specialist in Quito, Ecuador | Replied on Jan 06, 2023

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 | Nov 7 - Nov 18, 2022

Vivian
Vivian Z.
Fresh Meadows, NY | Reviewed on Nov 29, 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

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 ruins of Ingapirca and Cacha, a small town in Chimborazo province. Our guide Danny is very knowledgeable, he introduced everything in detail and explained clearly, it left a strong impression us on us about the lives of the indigenous people. all accommodation we stayed were so fantastic with delicious meals, tasty beverage and nice views. we'd like to say thank you to Mathias, he's so helpful, and help us made this trip unforgettable. we will appreciate KIMKIM to connect travel specialist, local tour guides and independent travelers together, and make travelling around world so easy.

Hotel Reviews
La Casona de La Ronda
Quito

the room is clean, the staff is very friendly, the breakfast and dinner is so delicious.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
La Selva Lodge
Yasuní National Park
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hacienda La Cienega
Cotopaxi
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
historic hacienda, worth to stay and take around and enjoy the great views
Hacienda Abraspungo
Guano
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
the room is super clean, the staff is very friendly and the meal is delicious.
Hotel Boutique Santa Lucía
Cuenca
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Casa de las Peñas Siglo XXI
Guayaquil
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Quito City Tour
Ecuador
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Cooking Class
Quito
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Arrival to Coca, transfer to rainforest lodge, rainforest hike
Ecuador
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Observation Tower, Rainforest hikes, Night Canoe Ride
Yasuni National Park
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Parrot Clay Lick, Jungle hikes
Yasuni National Park
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Last rainforest activities, Transfer to Coca & Arrival to Quito
Ecuador
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Explore Cotopaxi National Park
Ecuador
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Visiting Quilotoa Lagoon & Transfer to Riobamba
Ecuador
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Community of Cacha
Ecuador
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Cacha - Ingapirca - Cuenca
Ecuador
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Explore Cajas National Park, Transfer to Guayaquil
Ecuador
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Mathias Onisseit
Mathias
Mathias Onisseit
Local specialist in Quito, Ecuador | Replied on Nov 29, 2022

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 | Sep 26 - Sep 30, 2022

Khulood
Khulood A.
Bahrain | Reviewed on Oct 22, 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

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 out when I reached the zipline and decided not to do it😅 I loved the chocolate experience and everything about the trip today, Mindo is so green and beautiful!
On the way back we passed by the Inti nan museum, and I was amazed by the experiments related to the equator.
Cotopaxi was absolutely magical and breathtaking! I wished I had more time to spend in the Andes and the avenue of the volcanoes.

Thank you Mathias and the team for making my trip truly exceptional and authentic!

Local specialist: Mathias Onisseit
Mathias
Mathias Onisseit
Local specialist in Quito, Ecuador | Replied on Nov 09, 2022

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 | Aug 12 - Aug 21, 2022

B
Brad H.
Attleboro, MA | Reviewed on Sep 14, 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

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 was both action packed and educational. Every detailed was planned and flawlessly executed. We had great accommodations, meals (which I had included) and awesome guides.

My family has gone on trips the last few years (Iceland, Canary Islands, Croatia, etc.) and are not the easiest to please, but everyone commented that this was our best trip yet. Bravo to Matias for the coordination and to all the guides especially Milton.

Hotel Reviews
La Casona de La Ronda
Quito

Perfect spot right in the action. Too bad we didn't have more time to spend here.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Plaza Luna Suites
Puerto Ayora

Very clean and new hotel. Right in the middle of all the action. Great location.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Owner was very nice and helpful.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Kuyana Amazon Lodge
Archidona

Great place. If you want to hear the jungle, this is the place. You are in it.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Urban Bike Tour in Quito
Quito

Staff was great. Really helpful and fun to be with. E-bike were a blast and we loved every part of this trip.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Rafting Río Jatunyacu
Ecuador

A blast. I have rafted many rivers and higher class rivers, but this was by far one of the most fun. Action the whole way!

Quality of Experience
Food
Lunch...tacos excellent!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Mathias Onisseit
Mathias
Mathias Onisseit
Local specialist in Quito, Ecuador | Replied on Nov 09, 2022

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 | Aug 20 - Aug 29, 2022

L
Leona F.
Manhattan, NY | Reviewed on Sep 13, 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

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 adventure when available, recommending great restaurants all along the way. I can't recommend Sebastian highly enough. If you're considering a tour in Ecuador, do it with Sebastian. Also our expert trip planner, Mathias, was very helpful during the planning phase but also was diligent on checking up on us during the trip. He responded in a timely manner and seemed very knowledgeable about Ecuador. Highly recommend this company for planning your trips.

Hotel Reviews
Hacienda Pinsaqui
Otavalo

Great spacious room with fireplace. Team there was friendly, welcoming, and very helpful. Would highly recommend.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Casa Divina Eco Lodge
Mindo

Excellent and unique experience. Very clean and spacious. The staff took great care of us and Martha’s meals were excellent! Great observation deck!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Mathias Onisseit
Mathias
Mathias Onisseit
Local specialist in Quito, Ecuador | Replied on Nov 09, 2022

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 | Jul 22 - Aug 3, 2022

Victoria
Victoria C.
Chicago, IL | Reviewed on Aug 04, 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

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, Mathias met us in person with a gift of wine, chocolate, coffee, and soap. This is such a wonderful personal touch that made us feel so welcome.

During the trip, Mathias was available any time we needed any assistance and fixed any issues. On one our trips that they put us on a tour without kayaking, Mathias made sure to put us on another kayaking tour—complimentary from him. In the morning we left for Galápagos Islands the hotel forgot to pack us breakfast, Mathias offered us free breakfast after we checked in at the airport. In addition, we got an upgrade for our flight back to Quito from Santa Cruz. All these gestures made us feel super welcome and taken care of.

All the day tours we were on were amazing: with awesome tour guides and on time pick up and drop off—not a worry at all from our part. We were confident that we were well taken care of.

I would work with Mathias in the future again. He is truly an incredible person to work with and I give him the highest recommendations!

Hotel Reviews
Vieja Cuba
Quito

The hotel is cute and the staff is very friendly. The breakfast was amazing! :) they have coffee, hot water, and tea available all day, which is a huge plus. The rooms are clean and comfortable. When we left for our Galapagos trip, it was super early in the morning. Somehow they forgot to pack us a breakfast for the airport. It wasn’t a big deal really. But when we came back from Galápagos go stay with them one more night, they gave us the best suite of the hotel and a bottle of win with a note to apologize for the breakfast. It was beyond our expectations. :) Great little hotel—definitely would recommend.

Authenticity & Character
Decor
Location
Staff
Super friendly
Cleanliness & Comfort
Posada del Mar
Puerto Ayora

We had a room with a balcony and the balcony had beautiful flowers surrounding it. Our host Carlos is simply the best host we have ever worked with. He is friendly without overbearing, you can tell he really truly enjoy his job and sincerely want to help with the guests. Carlos made the hotel superb!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Carlos is simply the BEST
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Cally Galapagos
Puerto Villamil

Great hotel with helpful and friendly staff. The hotel is clean and comfortable, the check in and check out were super easy. On the day we checked out, we didn’t have to leave until 2:30pm. The host let us put our luggages in the hotel while we were out. They were so friendly. The owner (not the front desk people—they speak perfect English) doesn’t speak English, but with my broken Spanish we were able to work everything out. :) He is very helpful.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hostal Cattleya
Puerto Baquerizo Moreno

Trudy and Ivan are friendly and helpful. This hotel has an awesome rooftop with a panoramic view of the island. You can watch sunset on the rooftop. Room is big and we have no complaints. They also offer breakfast at the time you request, which is very nice. One more big plus: you can wash and hang your clothes on the rooftop. Very convenient to dry the swimming suits and such. Highly recommend.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Mathias Onisseit
Mathias
Mathias Onisseit
Local specialist in Quito, Ecuador | Replied on Sep 09, 2022

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

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 you!

I would be happy to receive you a third time in Ecuador some day, there are still many beautiful places left for you to explore!

All the best,
Mathias

Thanks for the once-in-a-lifetime experience!!!
Galapagos Islands | Jul 14 - Jul 20, 2022

Jennifer
Jennifer A.
Canada | Reviewed on Jul 23, 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

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 assumed visiting the giant tortoises would be my favorite (and that was still amazing, obviously, and I loved it, but Espanola just blew us away). But I think that's the beauty of using local experts --they know what to suggest and what you might enjoy even more than you. All of our guides were amazing (Sol, Martin, Ulf, and Camilo). We had Martin two days in a row, which we loved, as he was so enthusiastic and knowledgeable. The Galapagos Sharksky boat and crew were also fantastic, and we were lucky to also have them two days in a row. The liaisons we had were so friendly and informative as well (Liz and Jorge). The hotels were perfect for us and it was so nice having the little things like transportation and snorkeling gear taken care of for us. Overall, it was such an amazing vacation and I'm so grateful for the experience!

Hotel Reviews
Casa Blanca
Puerto Baquerizo Moreno
Authenticity & Character
Location
I'm
Cleanliness & Comfort
Posada del Mar
Puerto Ayora

The bed was huge and comfortable, the staff was friendly, and it was a wonderful location off the main road but so close to everything. The WiFi was terrible, which was only an issue because we had a family situation come up that we needed to deal with, but everything else about the hotel was amazing. Thank you for a great stay!

Location
Good restaurants next door! Easy to walk around, closer to the center of town, safe.
Staff
The staff were so friendly and accommodating!
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Day-Trip to Española Island
Galapagos Islands

This was our favorite activity. I had no idea I would enjoy seeing the albatrosses as much as I did--the mating ritual was fascinating. The blue-footed boobies were amazing as well, and so close I couldn't believe it. We also saw a Galapagos hawk and its nest. We saw a baby sea lion so young the placenta was still next to the mom. Marine iguanas everywhere, swimming and basking on lava rocks. Sweeping views of the ocean and the unusual landscape. The whole day was just magical.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Martin, our guide, and the boat crew on the Sharksky were beyond amazing.
Highlands of Santa Cruz Island
Galapagos Islands

I couldn't believe how close the tortoises are (stay back 6 feet, but sometimes that's tricky!), nor could I believe how many there were. The cloud forest atmosphere was a nice change from the beaches and sunny skies on the other parts of the island. Having a super knowledgeable guide also made the experience perfect--we even had a stranger asking him questions, she she said we were lucky to have him as our guide! We knew Ulf was the best already, but that helped confirm it. We had great discussions and he answered all of our crazy questions. Also, the bike riding ended up being way more fun than I expected, even though it was raining and I got super muddy. It was so nice that the bus followed us, so my boyfriend was able to stop when he didn't feel like continuing but I was able to keep going.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station
Puerto Ayora
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Excursion to an uninhabited island
Galapagos Islands

We went hiking on Bartolome and snorkeling at Pinnacle Rock, and both experiences were amazing. It was such a contrast to the other islands we had visited. The diversity of the Galapagos is just stunning. The hike up the 365 steps is actually really well designed, so it's doable for people of many fitness levels. Our guide stopped a lot to talk about the geography, geology, etc, which gave us a chance to catch our breath. The stairs are wide and safe. The timing on everything was really great.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Snorkel at Kicker Rock (Leon Dormido)
Galapagos Islands
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Mathias Onisseit
Mathias
Mathias Onisseit
Local specialist in Quito, Ecuador | Replied on Sep 09, 2022

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 | Jul 2 - Jul 15, 2022

V
Valentí G.
Spain | Reviewed on Jul 17, 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

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 indigenous communities will severely affect our initial plan (we were very lucky and it did not affect us in the end) but it was very reassuring to have him backing us up. He also showed up on the night of our bus to Cuyabeno to make sure there were no issues and was always available and making sure everything was right for us.
The guides provided for the activities also made sure we were having the best of the experiences. We'd like to give an special mention to Jimmy in Cuyabeno and Ulf Torsten in Sta Cruz (Galapagos). Overall it's been a great experience and we're happily recommending it!

Hotel Reviews
Vieja Cuba
Quito

Good overall hotel, good location, good breakfast, staff was attentive. As to improve, rooms felt slightly cold sometimes.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Jamu Lodge
Quito

Great place in the middle of the Amazon jungle. Staff made sure we had all the commodities. Shower water pressure and temperature had some problems but it was fixed considering the circumstances of the location

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Isla de Baños
Baños
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Lava House Hostal
Puerto Ayora

Great place in Sta Cruz. It's a 10-15 minutes walk from the pier so it's quiet and the atmosphere is very nice.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Excursion to an uninhabited island
Galapagos Islands

Unbelievable experience. We went to North Seymour and spotted lots of animals both in land and sea (turtles, rays, sea lions, iguanas, countless bird species...) The boat was very comfortable, food was good and all the staff were very helpful and kind. Our guide was very informative too.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Jungle Hike, Dolphin & Caiman Spotting
Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve

The pink dolphins were probably our favourite experience of the whole trip, a truly magic moment. Our guide was really good at looking for the animals (big and small) and tried restlessly for us to have the best spotting experience.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Mathias Onisseit
Mathias
Mathias Onisseit
Local specialist in Quito, Ecuador | Replied on Jul 19, 2022

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 | Jun 21 - Jun 29, 2022

Jacob
Jacob S.
Laguna Beach, CA | Reviewed on Jul 01, 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

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 weren't able to do everything we had originally planned on, the activities they replaced them with seemed just as good if not better and we still had a great time.

The other standout was just how well everything was coordinated. Between our tour guides, bus drivers, and hotel staff, it seemed like everyone knew our itinerary better than we did, and were so great about keeping us updated with the time table and what to expect. This was especially nice since we were travelling with small kids and helped us focus on the experience and not the logistics.

We would highly recommend Kimkim to anyone and of course Matias, Liz, Milton, and all the other great people we interacted with during our trip.

Hotel Review
Acacia Galápagos Boutique Hotel
Puerto Ayora

Great staff, super helpful, and very clean and comfortable, modern accomodations. It was my niece's birthday during part of our stay and they decorated her room while we were out to make it extra special for her.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Mathias Onisseit
Mathias
Mathias Onisseit
Local specialist in Quito, Ecuador | Replied on Jul 19, 2022

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 | May 21 - May 27, 2022

D
David D.
Stevens Point, WI | Reviewed on Jun 05, 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

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 hard to pick favorites as we encountered something special everyday from swimming with playful sea lions to having an hour on our own private beach. Bartolome Island is a must and seeing and snorkeling with the penguins was an added bonus.
It was a once in a lifetime trip for my family and the service we received was A+ - thank you Mathias

Hotel Reviews
Albemarle
Puerto Villamil

Services were very good. Staff was very helpful. The hotel had a good courtyard for breakfast and leisure, and we enjoyed the rooftop for evening family social time.

Authenticity & Character
Location
right on the ocean
Staff
very helpful. We did our laundry on this portion of the trip with the hotel. Well done and very reasonable.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Acacia Galápagos Boutique Hotel
Puerto Ayora

Very comfortable rooms and beds. Breakfast was good and location close to but off the strip was ideal for my family.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Interpretation Center & Tijeretas Hill
Galapagos Islands

Enrique was a great guide. He got us all setup with our snorkel gear and wet suits. He gave us a good overview and let us view the interpretation center before going snorkeling. He was a great snorkeling guide. We went further into the cove with him and definitely saw more marine life. The sea lions were great, and this was the first place we swam with the turtles.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Fantastic!
Transport
Timely and comfortable
Snorkel at Kicker Rock (Leon Dormido)
Galapagos Islands

Great rip- we really enjoyed the beach stop and of course kicker rock. Snorkeling on the beach was fun and then seeing the hammerheads and marine life around kicker rock was amazing.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Guide was excellent, boat was very good. They spotted dolphins on the way out and engaged us with them.
Transport
Timely. Boat was comfortable.
Exploring Isabela Island by bike
Puerto Villamil

This was our relaxing day. Bike ride was fun and we stopped at different spots on the ride. We really enjoyed body surfing and swimming on the beautiful beach.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
picking up the bikes was easy with the service from Emilee
Snorkel at Los Túneles
Galapagos Islands

Maximo was excellent - the kids got to see a school of 20+ young sharks. The tunnels and landscape are amazing. We were treated to some great blue footed boobie dances on this trip.

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

This was very close to the hotel and a shorter trip. We saw sea lions, many turtles and snorkeled over the sleeping sharks.

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

This was a very special day and trip. Roughly two hours to get to the island via boat but well worth the time. The hike tour was very information on the volcanic formation. And the view ..... WOW. The lunch was great and the snorkeling with the penguins was something everyone wanted to see.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Guides were very information, engaging.
Transport
Highlands of Santa Cruz Island
Galapagos Islands

This was a very relaxing day before we left the island. Our guide was simply fantastic! Seeing and learning about the tortoises were great.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Mathias Onisseit
Mathias
Mathias Onisseit
Local specialist in Quito, Ecuador | Replied on Jul 19, 2022

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