Michael Gold

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.

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.

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.

Michael was great at planning and helping us during the entire trip. Such a good idea to have Kim Kim help us.

I couldn’t recommend booking with KimKim more. I felt like Michael was always available to us and very helpful. Colombia can be a bit overwhelming and knowing we had picks ups and plans was reassuring.
I couldn’t recommend our tour guides enough
Sara at the Market in Bogota, Jose and Juan helping us learn Tejos, Govinda made Medillin magical! Cartagena and the Rosario islands were made better with Gabe’s help too.
The time spent at Islabela was incredible what a treat to stay overnight and see the plankton!
And all the helpers and drivers working behind the scenes were amazing! How lucky were we to have such an enriching and positive experience!

Thank you for making sure our trip was fun and safe

It was a last-minute decision to go to Colombia and we are so glad we did. Michael was exceptional, he was able to put together a trip that included all the things we wanted to see and do in 24 hours. I did not feel stressed out or anxious about the planning once and Michael was always available to answer questions, with quick replies and very helpful suggestions.
We ended up making a change to our Cartagena itinerary when we were already in the city, and Michael was not only supportive and put together a detailed list of different activities, but he also covered half the cost of our trip to El Totumo Mud Volcano (we decided against a second beach day). Our visit to Medellin surpassed our expectations. Our guide Manuela was wonderful, very knowledgeable and very passionate about her country and her city that she made us fall in love with it too. We visited Hato la Aurora near Yopal and that was another exceptional and one-of-a-kind adventure. Although we did not see any jaguars (the guides tried very hard until the last minute to find them), we saw a lot of wildlife. The staff at Juan Solito were the friendliest and kindest and our guides (Samantha, Anisetto, Jason, Carlos…) were all fantastic. Our guide Jorge in Cartagena was very professional, very polite, and very considerate and I highly recommend Nacar Hotel Cartagena.
I can’t say enough good things about Michael. It was really a joy to work with him. He was so reliable, had an answer to everything and made us feel really valued as clients.

Hotel Reviews

Landmark Hotel Medellín

Medellín

Very nice hotel, friendly and helpful staff and they have a washer and dryer for the guests, which was super practical and nice not to pack dirty laundry. More hotels should have that.

Authenticity & Character

Location

it was in a really nice and safe neighborhoods, close to good restaurants that we could walk to at night alone.

Staff

all of them

Cleanliness & Comfort

the rooms were very clean, but the towels, sheets and mattress could be better.

Juan Solito Ecolodge

Hato la Aurora

It was a charming lodge in the middle of nature, but I wish the rooms were a little cleaner. I don't mind bugs in the room that are alive given the location and the nature of the lodge, but there really should not have been dead ones in the room. It just means that it was even as much as swept before we got there, which is the bare minimum.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Nacar Hotel Cartagena, Curio Collection by Hilton

Cartagena

Beautiful and charming hotel in a great location. Highly recommend it. Spacious rooms, nice amenities, comfortable beds, soft linens and good towels. Great little pool, perfect for chilling with a cold beverage.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Fruit Market Tour

Medellín

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Medellín Transformation Tour

Medellín

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Peñol Boulder & Guatapé Boat Trip

Medellín

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Llanos Wildlife Tour (4D/3N)

Colombia

i think it would have made for a much more enjoyable stay had our rooms been a little less dusty and full of dead bugs. hot water would be nice so would AC.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Cartagena City Tour

Cartagena

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Cartagena Street Food Tour

Cartagena

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Rosario Islands Day Trip

Cartagena

This was the least fun activity. The beach was very small and a couple water activities only. We went snorkeling (very unhealthy reef, which is super sad. they feed the fish, also did not feel right) and somehow lost our guide and boat, so it was a little stressful trying to find him and the boat.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Tour to Totumo Volcano

Cartagena

we did not expect to have this much fun at this volcano. one of a kind and very memorable experience.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We had an excellent experience with Chaska tour. Michael was flexible and prompt in attending to our requests. The various guides were excellent (Maria Rosa, Chef Lili, Oedro and Emmanuel, and guides Sarah and Meilein from 321 Colombia culinary experience packed humor with insights into indigenous knowledge and ecoethical approach to food), Alex, Doriel, Gaby and Juan made the places come alive with historical and other nuggets of information, and our drivers (Hernan, Mauricio, Edgardo) were very safe drivers and engaging with conversation. The trip to Palengue was especially memorable with Gleidys providing very good cultural information. The food at Palengue was fantastic as was the food in almost all restaurants that we ate in. Overall a lovely set of memories. Thanks very much

Activity Reviews

Social Dinner-Experience: Colombian Food

Bogotá

Very thoughtfully done by Maria Jose and her team and Chef Lili, Pedro and Emmanuel. We learnt a lot about indigenous knowledges and agroecological concerns around food. Great job 321 Colombia!!

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Visit to San Basilio de Palenque

Cartagena

A must see for anyone interested in Colombian society and history. The memorial to Biohó who led the escape of slaves, and the tour of the village ahowed ua the resilience of AfroColombians. Our trip was topped with one of the tastiest meals at the village.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Medellín Transformation Tour

Medellín

The trip to Communa 13 was moving.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport