Profile photo for Michael Gold
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active 49 mins ago

Michael Gold

Since I was little, I have been fascinated by getting to know the great wide world. The exchange with other cultures has always been my focus. Therefore, I have made my interest my profession. In Germany, I studied tourism management and specialized in sustainable tourism. During my travels, I found a country where I feel most comfortable: Colombia! The Colombian advertising slogan: "The only risk is wanting to stay" has proven true for me. In San Agustín, I have found my second home and from here I am happy to share the magic of the country with tourists from all over the world.

What places and activities do you specialize in?

"Responsible and sustainable tourism is my focus. For me it is important that travel has a positive impact - for the visitors, as well as for the hosts. Therefore, I have specialized in sustainable tourism. It is important to achieve a good cultural exchange, to protect nature, and at the same time to combine one's own interests. Nature and adventure tourism is my main area of expertise. "

How did you get involved in travel?

"Travel broadens your horizons! The world has so much to offer and so many exciting places and stories to discover. That's why I've loved traveling all my life - alone, with my family, together with friends. It's great to share experiences and impressions. Through my travel experience in about 40 different countries so far, I have made friends all over the world. My university has shown me the theoretical background of tourism, jobs in hotels and with tour operators helped me with the practical component."

Please share a unique travel experience you will never forget.

"After graduating from school, I packed my travel backpack and set off on a long journey through Central and South America. During this period I fell in love with this continent! Hiking tours, boat trips, diving, fishing, jungle tours, visits to deserts, and above all many special life stories and open-minded people. These experiences as a whole package describe for me the most amazing travel experiences - thanks to this trip I decided to live in Colombia. And I am extremely happy about that."

Michael is part of the following groups: Colombia Travel Agents, Colombia Family Travel Agents
Top itineraries and travel advice
Family itineraries
Luxury itineraries

Favorite experiences

Tour of Tayrona National Park

Parque Nacional Natural Tayrona (Tayrona National Park) is one of about 58 national parks in Colombia, and this protected area is known for having some of the most virgin coastal landscapes in the entire country. Indeed, it's home to one of the most iconic "postcard" destinations in Colombia: the...

Guatapé Day Trip

The town of Guatapé is one of the crown jewels of central Colombia's Antioquia region. There are a few reasons for this, not the least of which is El Peñol, a 7,000-foot (2,135-meter) granite rock that rises out of the ground like a giant silver bullet. A private eight-hour tour of the town...

Zipaquirá & Nemecón Salt Mines Day-Trip

A mere 50 minutes north of Bogotá lies the town of Zipaquirá, which became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007. While certainly a charming colonial town, Zipaquirá is a must-visit Colombian destination for one single landmark: the Salt Cathedral, located just outside of town. This is indeed a...

Coffee Finca - Hiking - Explore Salento

It's fitting that Salento, one of the most beautiful colonial towns in Colombia, is surrounded by the Valle de Cocora (Cocora Valley), which happens to be one of the most beautiful valleys in Colombia. This fertile region, denoted by rolling green hills, abounds with various coffee estates that...

La Guajira: Punta Gallinas & Taroa Dunes

La Guajira is almost a world apart from the green and tropical Colombia most travelers know. The arid desert landscapes in this region are foreboding yet beautiful, with the sun-scorched earth and steep red dunes tapering off into the azure waters of the Caribbean. The most epic landscapes here...

Rosario Islands Day Trip

Cartagena de Indias is not only a beautiful Caribbean coastal destination, but it's also one of the most well-preserved Spanish Colonial cities in South America. Back when the Spaniards were in charge, they utilized a network of offshore islands to help protect their shipments of gold. Beyond...

Recent trip reviews for Michael

KimKim Tours - Colombia
Colombia | Jul 5 - Jul 14, 2024

K
Kandavel P.
Canada | Reviewed on Jul 21, 2024
KimKim is one of the best companies in which you can book your tours for any country. They offer a great variety of tours for each country. We used Kimkim for different countries like Australia and Cambodia, but we decided to try for Colombia and it was great. Our tour organizer was Micheal, who arranged the tour perfectly well and made us really happy of his excellent service. All the guides in the cities in Colombia were very informative, kind and friendly. The hotels chosen by Micheal were... Read more

KimKim is one of the best companies in which you can book your tours for any country. They offer a great variety of tours for each country. We used Kimkim for different countries like Australia and Cambodia, but we decided to try for Colombia and it was great. Our tour organizer was Micheal, who arranged the tour perfectly well and made us really happy of his excellent service. All the guides in the cities in Colombia were very informative, kind and friendly. The hotels chosen by Micheal were all really good. The food options are great if you are a non-vegetarian, but it is very hard to find vegetarian food in Colombia.

So, KimKim, you guys did a best job. Please do keep it up. Thank you!

Local specialist: Michael Gold
Michael
Michael Gold
Local specialist in San Agustín, Huila, Colombia | Replied on Jul 22, 2024

Dear Kandavel,
Thank you so much for your wonderful review and for choosing Chaska Tours through KimKim for your travels in Colombia. We are thrilled to hear that you enjoyed your experience here. It's fantastic to know that our guides were informative, kind, and friendly, and that you were pleased with our hotel selections.
We appreciate your feedback about the food options and understand that finding vegetarian meals can be challenging in Colombia.
Best regards,
Michael & Chaska Tours Team

Highly Recommend: Michael’s Personalized and Exceptional Service
Colombia | Jan 16 - Jan 30, 2024

Sandra
Sandra E.
United Kingdom | Reviewed on Jul 17, 2024
I cannot recommend Michael highly enough—his service was truly beyond excellent. From the very start, Michael listened attentively to our needs and crafted a trip program that was perfectly tailored to us, far exceeding our expectations. The accommodations were top-notch, and the activities were well-planned and enjoyable. Additionally, the people we met along the way, including the drivers, contributed to an unforgettable experience. Michael's attention to detail was impeccable. He... Read more

I cannot recommend Michael highly enough—his service was truly beyond excellent. From the very start, Michael listened attentively to our needs and crafted a trip program that was perfectly tailored to us, far exceeding our expectations. The accommodations were top-notch, and the activities were well-planned and enjoyable. Additionally, the people we met along the way, including the drivers, contributed to an unforgettable experience.

Michael's attention to detail was impeccable. He ensured that we were informed at every step, efficiently handling visa applications and transportation arrangements. I am especially grateful for his exceptional assistance when I accidentally left a very special gift from my parents at one of our accommodations. Michael promptly contacted the hotel and managed to retrieve the gift just in time before my departure from the country.

We will definitely be recommending your agency and Michael to everyone we can. Here’s to the first of many trips!

Local specialist: Michael Gold
Michael
Michael Gold
Local specialist in San Agustín, Huila, Colombia | Replied on Jul 17, 2024
Dear Sandra, Thank you so much for your wonderful review! I am thrilled to hear that you were so satisfied with our service and that your trip exceeded all expectations. It was a pleasure to fulfill all your wishes and tailor a program specifically for you. I am delighted that you enjoyed both the accommodations and the planned activities and that the people you met along the way contributed to an unforgettable experience. Your kind words about our attention to detail and support in... Read more

Dear Sandra,

Thank you so much for your wonderful review! I am thrilled to hear that you were so satisfied with our service and that your trip exceeded all expectations. It was a pleasure to fulfill all your wishes and tailor a program specifically for you.

I am delighted that you enjoyed both the accommodations and the planned activities and that the people you met along the way contributed to an unforgettable experience.

Your kind words about our attention to detail and support in organizing your trip mean a lot to us and make us very happy—this is exactly our goal! :)

Thank you for your kind words and hopefully see you soon again in Colombia!

Best regards,
Michael & The Chaska Tours Team

Govinda Martin and Sergio was very profession...
Colombia | Jun 5 - Jun 11, 2024

A
Anikó D.
Austria | Reviewed on Jun 12, 2024
Govinda Martin and Sergio was very professional and kind persons. The bigger group tour in Guatape wasnt that good compare to our private guides but it was OK Read more

Govinda Martin and Sergio was very professional and kind persons. The bigger group tour in Guatape wasnt that good compare to our private guides but it was OK

Hotel Reviews
Reserva Natural Tanimboca
Leticia - Amazonas
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Reserva Natural Marasha
Puerto Alegría
Authenticity & Character
Location
Le
Staff
Charles was a very inspiring leader huhe knowledge about cajmans
Cleanliness & Comfort
Maloka Napü
Puerto Narino
Authenticity & Character
Location
Ki
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
La Campana Hotel Boutique
Medellín
Authenticity & Character
Location
Ki
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Amazon Expedition •  Day 2
Amazon Expedition • Day 2
Leticia and Puerto Nariño
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Medellín Transformation Tour (Public Transportation)
Medellín Transformation Tour (Public Transportation)
Medellín
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Coffee-Culture Tour
Coffee-Culture Tour
Medellín
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Tour Peñol & Guatapé
Tour Peñol & Guatapé
Medellín
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Amazon Expedition •  Day 4
Amazon Expedition • Day 4
Leticia and Puerto Nariño
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Amazon Expedition •  Day 1
Amazon Expedition • Day 1
Leticia and Puerto Nariño
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Amazon Expedition •  Day 3
Amazon Expedition • Day 3
Leticia and Puerto Nariño
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Michael Gold
Michael
Michael Gold
Local specialist in San Agustín, Huila, Colombia | Replied on Jun 12, 2024

Dear Anikó & Gabór,
Thank you for your feedback. We are particularly delighted to hear that you had such a wonderful time on the private tours, especially during the Amazon expedition. It’s great to know that Govinda Martin and Sergio were both professional and kind. We appreciate your input regarding the group tour in Guatapé.
Best regards,
Michael & The Chaska Tours Team

Michael Was fantastic, he responded immediate...
Colombia | May 25 - Jun 4, 2024

M
Marian S.
Seattle, WA | Reviewed on Jun 07, 2024
Michael Was fantastic, he responded immediately to all our questions, concerns and unexpected issues. I highly recommend kimkim Read more

Michael Was fantastic, he responded immediately to all our questions, concerns and unexpected issues. I highly recommend kimkim

Hotel Reviews
Hotel Spa La Colina
Pereira

Limited hot water, And they often ran out of basic food, supplies like milk and bread.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Senda Watapuy
Santa Marta
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Michael Gold
Michael
Michael Gold
Local specialist in San Agustín, Huila, Colombia | Replied on Jun 07, 2024
Dear Marian,
Thank you so much for your kind words and detailed feedback, which you have also provided in other comments. We are thrilled to hear that we could offer you the best service you can remember during your extensive travels. Our goal is to be flexible and responsive to our travellers' needs, and it's gratifying to know that our team was able to promptly adjust your plans due to illness and come up with alternative outings at the last minute. Your positive comments about our...
Read more

Dear Marian,
Thank you so much for your kind words and detailed feedback, which you have also provided in other comments. We are thrilled to hear that we could offer you the best service you can remember during your extensive travels. Our goal is to be flexible and responsive to our travellers' needs, and it's gratifying to know that our team was able to promptly adjust your plans due to illness and come up with alternative outings at the last minute. Your positive comments about our conscientious and safe drivers, clear signage, and overall helpfulness mean a lot to us. I'm also pleased that our communication style, flexibility, and availability met your expectations. It was a pleasure assisting you!
We look forward to helping you with your future travel plans. Don't hesitate to reach out, when coming back to Colombia!
Best regards,
Michael & The Chaska Tours Team

The KimKim team does a great job
Colombia | Apr 17 - Apr 25, 2024

G
Gail M.
Kearny, NJ | Reviewed on May 02, 2024
The KimKim team was helpful throughout the planning stages as well as while we were on vacation. While in Colombia, Michael had our back. We called on him many times to ask questions, get advice, and to add/make changes to our plans. Michael and his team were super responsive.
The tours he set up were spectacular, guides were friendly, comfortable to be with and very knowledgeable. The vans were clean and in good condition and the drivers were courteous and obliging to all our needs....
Read more

The KimKim team was helpful throughout the planning stages as well as while we were on vacation. While in Colombia, Michael had our back. We called on him many times to ask questions, get advice, and to add/make changes to our plans. Michael and his team were super responsive.
The tours he set up were spectacular, guides were friendly, comfortable to be with and very knowledgeable. The vans were clean and in good condition and the drivers were courteous and obliging to all our needs.
Joey, our guide to Minca, stood out as he had so much information to share about the country, the culture, people and the birds. He picked out a great lunch spot with the locals that we enjoyed very much.
My only concern was the boat ride home from Baru. The tour guide should have insisted that we return to the mainland at 2:00 instead of letting us stay and enjoy the beautiful area. The seas were extremely rough in the late afternoon and the boat ride was difficult with little kids aboard.

Local specialist: Michael Gold
Michael
Michael Gold
Local specialist in San Agustín, Huila, Colombia | Replied on May 02, 2024
Hola Gail,
Thank you so much for your detailed feedback! I'm thrilled to hear that you had such a positive experience with your family here in Colombia.
I'm delighted that you enjoyed the tours we arranged and that our guides provided you with valuable insights and memorable experiences. I'm glad Joey made your trip to Minca special. Sorry for any inconvenience or discomfort experienced during the boat ride home from Baru. Your safety and well-being are our top priorities, and we will... Read more

Hola Gail,
Thank you so much for your detailed feedback! I'm thrilled to hear that you had such a positive experience with your family here in Colombia.

I'm delighted that you enjoyed the tours we arranged and that our guides provided you with valuable insights and memorable experiences. I'm glad Joey made your trip to Minca special.

Sorry for any inconvenience or discomfort experienced during the boat ride home from Baru. Your safety and well-being are our top priorities, and we will certainly take your feedback into consideration to ensure that similar situations are handled better in the future.

Once again, thank you for choosing our services, and we hope to have the opportunity to welcome you back on another adventure in the future!

Warm regards,
Michael

Well organised but over-priced
Colombia | Apr 5 - Apr 9, 2024

J
Jenny M.
United Kingdom | Reviewed on Apr 16, 2024
Well organised and everyone very helpful and friendly, but over-priced Read more

Well organised and everyone very helpful and friendly, but over-priced

Hotel Review
Casa Tayrona Los Naranjos

Thoroughly recommend. Great location, wonderful food, fantastic staff. Perfect place to relax

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Review
Hike Tayrona National Park
Hike Tayrona National Park
Tayrona National Park

Very touristy. No need for a guide - clear paths to follow

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Excellent careful driver with good quality comfortable vehicle
Local specialist: Michael Gold
Michael
Michael Gold
Local specialist in San Agustín, Huila, Colombia | Replied on Apr 18, 2024
Dear Jenny, Thank you immensely for sharing your valuable and honest feedback regarding your time in and around Tayrona National Park. I'm truly thrilled to hear that you enjoyed the hotel and were pleased with our organization. It's regrettable to hear that you found Colombia to be too expensive. We take pride in delivering quality travel experiences by partnering with expert bilingual guides and drivers, while also ensuring fair wages to them. We always aim for the local community to... Read more

Dear Jenny,

Thank you immensely for sharing your valuable and honest feedback regarding your time in and around Tayrona National Park. I'm truly thrilled to hear that you enjoyed the hotel and were pleased with our organization. It's regrettable to hear that you found Colombia to be too expensive. We take pride in delivering quality travel experiences by partnering with expert bilingual guides and drivers, while also ensuring fair wages to them. We always aim for the local community to benefit from tourism in their country and simultaneously operate in an environmentally sustainable manner, which is why we also hold a sustainable certification. This aspect is typically well-received, with our guests consistently finding the trip price justified. Next time, please feel free to express your concerns during the trip planning phase; we always strive to accommodate the diverse needs and wishes of our travelers. Nonetheless, I'm happy that you had a lovely time in the area and were satisfied with both the accommodation and drivers.

We eagerly look forward to welcoming you back to our stunning country in the future.

Warm regards,
Michael & the Chaska Tours Team

A Three Generational Family Adventure to Colombia
Colombia | Mar 29 - Apr 6, 2024

E
Esta R.
Henrietta, NY | Reviewed on Apr 12, 2024
Thoroughly enjoyed our family adventure to Colombia, Had several wonderful guides, Juan Pablo, Gabriel, and Carlos and local driver (Francisco , who spoke excellent English) who not only shared their expertise about their country, but offered engaging conversation on various topics, and provided additional adult support, by going on the amusement rides at Parque del Cafe with the children or assisting in hands on activities such as basket weaving, chocolate making. Colombia is a beautiful... Read more

Thoroughly enjoyed our family adventure to Colombia, Had several wonderful guides, Juan Pablo, Gabriel, and Carlos and local driver (Francisco , who spoke excellent English) who not only shared their expertise about their country, but offered engaging conversation on various topics, and provided additional adult support, by going on the amusement rides at Parque del Cafe with the children or assisting in hands on activities such as basket weaving, chocolate making. Colombia is a beautiful country with many diverse activities for school age children to participate in. Hotel accommodations were comfortable and conveniently located in safe walkable areas. If you are looking for a destination that has a lot to offer , and is less than a 5 hr flight from the US East Coast, with minimal time difference, Consider visiting Colombia

Local specialist: Michael Gold
Michael
Michael Gold
Local specialist in San Agustín, Huila, Colombia | Replied on Apr 15, 2024

Hi Esta,
Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback, Esta! We're thrilled to hear that you thoroughly enjoyed your adventure in Colombia. It sounds like you had a fantastic time exploring the diverse activities and destinations Colombia has to offer. We're happy to hear that you found the hotels comfortable and conveniently located. Colombia truly is a beautiful country with so much to offer for a family. Thank you for considering Colombia as a destination, and we hope to welcome you back soon for another experience in our beautiful country!
Best,
Michael & The Chaska Tours Team

Perfect trip to Columbia!
Colombia | Mar 23 - Mar 30, 2024

Kristin
Kristin C.
Nicetown-Tioga, PA | Reviewed on Apr 09, 2024

Michael put together the perfect itinerary for us and it was executed perfectly! He even scheduled some ad hoc requests durning the trip. Super responsive and have already recommended him to family and friends.

Local specialist: Michael Gold
Michael
Michael Gold
Local specialist in San Agustín, Huila, Colombia | Replied on Apr 09, 2024

Dear Kristin,
Thank you so much for your feedback! I'm happy to hear that you enjoyed the trip and that everything went smoothly during your trip. Your recommendation means a lot to us. If you ever need assistance in the future or if your family and friends require travel planning services in Colombia, please don't hesitate to reach out.
Warm regards,
Michael & The Chaska Tours Team

Unique experiences, stress-free travel
Colombia | Mar 29 - Apr 6, 2024

Diana
Diana K.
Bayonne, NJ | Reviewed on Apr 07, 2024
We were a multigenerational group of 4, and Michael and his team at Chaska really delivered an exceptional experience! We loved getting a window into Colombia through the personal stories of our guides, and it was amazing to be able to fully enjoy each experience, not having to worry about how to get from point A to B, or if my Spanish language skills were up to the task! Our kids loved Cafe del Parque and our beach day at Rosario Island. Mom and Grandma loved the Corcora Valley hike, and the... Read more

We were a multigenerational group of 4, and Michael and his team at Chaska really delivered an exceptional experience! We loved getting a window into Colombia through the personal stories of our guides, and it was amazing to be able to fully enjoy each experience, not having to worry about how to get from point A to B, or if my Spanish language skills were up to the task! Our kids loved Cafe del Parque and our beach day at Rosario Island. Mom and Grandma loved the Corcora Valley hike, and the novel experiential learning via basketweaving, the drum workshop, as well as net-fishing in La Boquilla. Such a great variety and enriching way to experience Colombia.

Hotel Reviews
GHL Hotel Armería Real
Cartagena

Great location, beautiful atrium. Variance in quality among rooms in terms of AC and lighting, but all were spacious, comfortable and clean.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Salento Plaza

Wonderful location, charming landscaping, delicious breakfast! Comfortable and clean, would highly recommend.

Local specialist: Michael Gold
Michael
Michael Gold
Local specialist in San Agustín, Huila, Colombia | Replied on Apr 08, 2024

Dear Diana,
Thank you so much for your kind words about your experiences in Colombia! We're thrilled to hear that your family had such a great time!
It's wonderful to know that you enjoyed learning about the country through the personal stories of the guides. We're glad that the variety of activities provided an enriching way for your family to experience Colombia together.
Thank you for choosing Chaska for your Colombian adventure, and we hope to welcome you and your family back for more memorable experiences in the future!
Warm regards,
Michael & The Chaska Team

An unforgettable trip - Michael and KimKim were amazing
Colombia | Mar 23 - Apr 4, 2024

M
Mayur M.
United Kingdom | Reviewed on Apr 06, 2024
My wife and I had a wonderful time in Colombia thanks to Michael and KimKim! We had a personalised itinerary that catered to our interests, with a great combination of cultural and historical activities, hiking excursions, and R&R, exploring areas as diverse as Bogota, Salento, Medellin, Tayrona National Park and Cartagena. The tours and excursions were well organised, with everything running like clockwork and a succession of excellent guides, who combined passion and a genuine interest in... Read more

My wife and I had a wonderful time in Colombia thanks to Michael and KimKim! We had a personalised itinerary that catered to our interests, with a great combination of cultural and historical activities, hiking excursions, and R&R, exploring areas as diverse as Bogota, Salento, Medellin, Tayrona National Park and Cartagena. The tours and excursions were well organised, with everything running like clockwork and a succession of excellent guides, who combined passion and a genuine interest in teaching us about their beautiful country, with kindness and good chat. The hotels were of excellent quality (our particular favourites were Kawa Mountain Retreat in Salento, complete with personal hot tub on the terrace, and Senda Koguiwa on the doorstep of Tayrona National Park). Michael was extremely responsive throughout, reacting to late requests to change our schedule when I unfortunately went down with a tummy bug! The personal highlight for me was hiking Tayrona National Park. We wish we could have spent more time in Colombia, and we hope to return one day. Thank you so much to Michael and KimKim for an unforgettable trip.

Hotel Reviews
Kawa Mountain Retreat
Salento
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Bioxury Hotel
Bogotá
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Senda Koguiwa
Santa Marta
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Quinta Ladera
Medellin
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
GHL Hotel Armería Real
Cartagena
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Michael Gold
Michael
Michael Gold
Local specialist in San Agustín, Huila, Colombia | Replied on Apr 08, 2024

Dear Maha and Mayur,
Thank you so much for your wonderful review of your trip! We're thrilled to hear that you both had such a fantastic time and that the itinerary we created together met your interests perfectly. It's fantastic to know that you enjoyed the diverse range of activities and explored various regions.
We're delighted that you had the opportunity to learn about Colombia from our passionate and knowledgeable guides.
We would love to welcome you back one day for more adventures in this beautiful country.
Warm regards,
Michael and the Chaska Tours Team