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Tamer Obeid

A traveler myself since 1997, blessed to have had unforgettable experiences in different parts of this world that haven’t ceased to amaze me! Originally from the middle east, I have lived in the UAE, Qatar, Malaysia, and Turkey. Landed in Ecuador almost 7 years ago, and it didn’t take long to start getting dazzled by its pristine and incredibly diverse array of wonders, its intriguing culture, and the warmth of its people! With each passing day, I feel it’s becoming closer to being home, with an increasing urge to help others have a taste of its spectacular beauty!

What places and activities do you specialize in?

"Being in this astonishing country, Ecuador, we specialize in making your dream journey come true. Allow us some of your time and we will custom-design you a trip of a lifetime! A trip where you could be hiking down the mighty Chimborazo today; wearing your thick sweater and insulated jacket, feeling the cold winds descending from the Andean peaks! And exactly the next day, you will be snorkeling or diving in the Pacific Ocean surrounded by a bunch of jolly Galapagos Sea Lions and endemic species of marine life while Frigatebirds are flying above your head! It is to that extent what this mega-diverse geography, a convenient infrastructure and relatively close distances help us to achieve."

How did you get involved in travel?

"I was lucky enough to be able to start traveling at a very early age. For different reasons related to my initial career, I found myself moving from one country to another, admiring their various cultures and the unique experiences each generously offered. At one point, I was granted the invaluable chance of joining a magnificent team and becoming a travel specialist where I can combine two of my top passions; travel and customer service that is. Since then, I hold dear every chance I have to draw a smile on my travelers’ faces, share knowledge with them and help them have memorable times."

Please share a unique travel experience you will never forget.

"As each travel experience I had throughout the years possesses a certain spot in my heart and memories, it is not easy to favor one over the other. Each welcoming face I met, scenery I gazed at and adventure I sighed after has its own distinguished contribution. Whether visiting an indigenous community in the Ecuadorian Amazon and learning about their customs, or whitewater rafting in Jatunyacu river, all are experiences I aspire to share with our passionate travelers."

Top itineraries and travel advice
Luxury itineraries

Recent trip reviews for Tamer

We recently spent 15 days in Ecuador, our son...
Ecuador | Nov 20 - Dec 4, 2023

Mike
Mike B.
Boston, MA | Reviewed on Dec 09, 2023

We recently spent 15 days in Ecuador, our son's country of birth. Tamar went to great lengths to insure that this was an extraordinary experience for our family. We met with Tamar on numerous occasions. He approached each call with enthusiasm and many helpful and informed ideas. Our trip began with 5 magnificent days in the Galapagos, followed by a number of exciting adventures on the mainland. Tamar's attention to detail and love of Ecuador made this a trip we'll always remember. We highly recommend Tamar as a tour consultant and look forward to working with him again.

Local specialist: Tamer Obeid
Tamer
Tamer Obeid
Local specialist in Quito, Ecuador | Replied on Dec 09, 2023

Dear Mike, Joannie, and Mike Jr.
I can't tell you enough what a pleasure and a privilege it was/is getting to know you, and being part of this fabulous experience you had here in Ecuador with us. Every detail of it was special, not only to you, but to me as well, and I am extremely glad you've enjoyed it.
We will certainly remain in touch! Let's see what's next; mounting for Mike and the group, or Patagonia! :) I'll keep an eye on Mike Jr.'s show!
Yours,
Tamer

This was a bucket-list trip for my wife's 60t...
Galapagos Islands | Nov 17 - Nov 25, 2023

Steve
Steve C.
Fort Collins, CO | Reviewed on Dec 03, 2023
This was a bucket-list trip for my wife's 60th birthday. It was amazing. Tamer and Nick were super responsive and put together an amazing array of activities. Los Tunneles, Sierra Negro, Mountain biking, all unbelievable and the guides were like none we've ever experienced. Every guide had masters-degree level knowledge of the islands - the Geology, animals, plants, aquatic life, ocean currents. plate tectonics, ... absolutely incredible educational experience. The animals we saw blew away... Read more

This was a bucket-list trip for my wife's 60th birthday. It was amazing. Tamer and Nick were super responsive and put together an amazing array of activities. Los Tunneles, Sierra Negro, Mountain biking, all unbelievable and the guides were like none we've ever experienced. Every guide had masters-degree level knowledge of the islands - the Geology, animals, plants, aquatic life, ocean currents. plate tectonics, ... absolutely incredible educational experience. The animals we saw blew away what we had previously seen in Hawaii and the Caribbean. The only thing we'd change, and it was on us, not on Tamer and Nick, is we'd schedule a down day or two rather than stacking activities every day we were there. We are not spanish speakers (still learning) and the coordination by Nick and Tamer was just perfect. Just the right amount of guidance to force us to learn a bit about the locals and the culture, but not feel lost. There's a lot of different people to interface with, and Nick and Tamer knew where we'd be a little challenged, and took care of it. We took a more land-based approach on this trip - we're not cruise people and a lot of folks see the Galapagos from a larger boat
- staying at locally run hotels was another way to meet locals and fellow travelers. We will definitely use these Nick and Tamer (KimKIm) for another trip in the future. We have multiple places in South America to experience - Patagonia is next.

Hotel Review
Isamar Hotel
Puerto Villamil, Isla Isabela

This is a really small hotel, right on the beach, run by super nice locals. We'd return in a heartbeat. short walk to mainstreet for renting equipment and authentic food, or eat at the hotel.

Authenticity & Character
Location
In all of our studying for the Galapagos, we did not expect a locals hotel on a beautiful white sandy beach. 5 minutes walk from unbelievable local seafood and equipment shops.
Staff
Everyone was amazing - Daniel, our bartender, breakfast guy and mountain biking guy was our favorite, he has a standing invitation to stay with us any time he comes to the US.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Arrival to Santa Cruz Island - Charles Darwin Station
Arrival to Santa Cruz Island - Charles Darwin Station
Puerto Ayora

Darwin Station is a very special place, very educational, and they've put together a breeding and re-population program that meshes well with the locals. It can be a fairly short visit, but is not to be missed

Dinner by the Sea
Dinner by the Sea
Galapagos Islands

This was probably our best food of the trip. The owner is very proud of what he prepares and the service was very friendly. Just note, they do not like to bring your bill to you anywhere in Galapagos, you have to politely ask. We were hopeful to get back here for another meal, but ran out of time. Beware, a couple of the restaurants on the main street, not too far from these guys, are really expensive and mediocre, like chain restaurants in the US.

Experience the Pristine Beauty of Galápagos Islands: Discovering an Uninhabited Island
Experience the Pristine Beauty of Galápagos Islands: Discovering an Uninhabited Island
Puerto Ayora

This was a great day, the old volcano hike was educational and beautiful, and the snorkeling was really nice , though not as amazing as los tuneles Note, this is a decently long boat ride, and the seas can be a little rough. Plan accordingly. The food prepared on the boat was the best we had on any boat on our trip.

Wildlife Encounter at Los Tuneles (Cabo Rosa)
Wildlife Encounter at Los Tuneles (Cabo Rosa)
Galapagos Islands

This was the snorkeling highlight of our trip. The sharks, rays, sea lions, turtles, and fish were unreal. we'd be swimming with 3 or 4 400 pound sea turtles at once, or 10 sharks, or have sea lions messing with us. None of the wildlife was afraid or nervous around us. Simply amazing. The boat ride is pretty exciting, and the last bit, through the surf break, is a testament to the boating skills of the captain. How we did it without bouncing off the volcanic flows was magic.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Hiking the Sierra Negra  Volcano
Hiking the Sierra Negra Volcano
Galapagos Islands

This is the second largest caldera on the planet, it's huge, and the hike is really cool, though could be challenging for some. Our guide had more knowledge of the plate tectonics, volcanos, lava types, and wildlife than you'd find in a major university - he was simply amazing. This is an important activity in understanding how truly unique the islands really are.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Kayak in Puerto Villamil - Biking in Cave Sucre
Kayak in Puerto Villamil - Biking in Cave Sucre
Galapagos Islands

I need to split these. The biking and cave Sucre were amazing. we spent 30 minutes within 10 meters of a galapagos hawk, saw a bunch of the agricultural area of the island, and got some decent singletrack in, all with a fabulous guide. The kayaking was fun and educational, but honestly, after everything else we'd already seen, the kayaking would have been the one activity that we'd cut. The guide was good, and we saw great wildlife, but we were so spoiled with the other activities, that the kayaking didn't stand out.

Guides, Drivers and Staff
Our cave sucre and mountain biking guide was awesome!
Exploring the Santa Cruz Highlands & a Local Coffee Farm
Exploring the Santa Cruz Highlands & a Local Coffee Farm
Galapagos Islands

I need to split this one, too. The coffee was kinda cool, and I love coffee, but the whole experience was a bit heavy on marketing. The highlands and the tortoise refuge were unreal. Watching these massive animals wallow in the mud, sleep, wander, was once in a lifetime. The education was incredible, and again, they're doing great work within the culture and needs of the locals and the island.

Local specialist: Tamer Obeid
Tamer
Tamer Obeid
Local specialist in Quito, Ecuador | Replied on Dec 03, 2023
Dear Steve,
What a pleasure it was having you and Susan in the Enchanted Islands for her birthday. We are really happy that we were able to make this a truly amazing experience. How lucky you are; the Galapagos hawk is one of the hardest species to spot! We can only hope to see you around again sometime shortly, we would love to help you plan your trip to Patagonia!
We honestly cannot thank you enough for your kind words and detailed feedback, we'll make sure to convey this great insight...
Read more

Dear Steve,
What a pleasure it was having you and Susan in the Enchanted Islands for her birthday. We are really happy that we were able to make this a truly amazing experience. How lucky you are; the Galapagos hawk is one of the hardest species to spot! We can only hope to see you around again sometime shortly, we would love to help you plan your trip to Patagonia!
We honestly cannot thank you enough for your kind words and detailed feedback, we'll make sure to convey this great insight regarding the excursions, the guides, the hotels, and their staff, especially Daniel, I'm sure they would be thrilled to hear this.
Best regards from the Middle of the World,
Nick & Tamer

Our trip to the Galapagos was fantastic.
Galapagos Islands | Oct 5 - Nov 2, 2023

D
David L.
Portland, OR | Reviewed on Nov 04, 2023
Our trip to the Galapagos was fantastic. The KimKim team, Tamer and Nick, did an excellent job in planning the itinerary and checking in with us throughout the journey. If an issue arose, they were quick to address it and resolve it. The excursions on the various islands were excellent and worthwhile. Read more

Our trip to the Galapagos was fantastic. The KimKim team, Tamer and Nick, did an excellent job in planning the itinerary and checking in with us throughout the journey. If an issue arose, they were quick to address it and resolve it. The excursions on the various islands were excellent and worthwhile.

Hotel Review
Napo Wildlife Center
Quito

The Napo Wildlife Center is located in a remote location in the rainforest. The cabanas are nicely appointed and clean. The staff and food were excellent. The goal of the team is to make sure you enjoy yourselves and the jungle experience. They deliver in all aspects. The guides were knowledgeable and were able to point out amazing birds, animals, insects, etc. that we would never have seen. I highly recommend Napo.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Discovering the Sacred Valley!
Discovering the Sacred Valley!
Cusco

The tour guide was extremely knowledgeable and the scenery is absolutely beautiful.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Exploring The Salt Mines of Maras & The Ruins of Moray
Exploring The Salt Mines of Maras & The Ruins of Moray
Cusco

The guide was excellent and the sites were very interesting. Great scenery throughout the day.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Day Trip to Rainbow Mountain - Vinicunca
Day Trip to Rainbow Mountain - Vinicunca
Galapagos Islands

We really enjoyed the trip to Rainbow Mountain. The scenery is very good however the hike is very difficult due to the elevation. I think it is critical to advise your customers that this is a very difficult hike due to the elevation. My wife was not able to make it up to the top and we saw many others having great difficulty.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Morning Adventure to Teleferico Cablecar
Morning Adventure to Teleferico Cablecar
Quito

We really enjoyed the cablecar ride and the great views of the city and various volcanoes from the top.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Colonial City Tour, Cooking Class & the Middle of the World Monument
Colonial City Tour, Cooking Class & the Middle of the World Monument
Quito

Colonial City tour was good and the guide was knowledgeable. Cooking class was disappointing as the chef did a majority of the cooking instead of letting us participate. Food was good good, however. Our visit to the Middle of the World Monument was good and informative.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Explore Local Culture at Otavalo Market & Hike at Cuicocha Lake
Explore Local Culture at Otavalo Market & Hike at Cuicocha Lake
Quito

We did not really care for our trip to Otavalo Market....... It was a long drive to see a very average touristy market. Due to the long drive, we were not overly impressed with Cuicocha Lake.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Local specialist: Tamer Obeid
Tamer
Tamer Obeid
Local specialist in Quito, Ecuador | Replied on Nov 05, 2023
Dear David,
I can't tell you how appreciative we are of your feedback here on the platform, and the detailed one you and Lisette sent us; it is of great value and will definitely help us, Responsible Travel, and our KimKim team improve our services, and will grant our future travelers a much-appreciated insight.
We are extremely glad that you and Lisette have, in general, enjoyed your extended trip with us to Peru, Ecuador, and the Galapagos Islands, and I am so happy to read how Nick met...
Read more

Dear David,
I can't tell you how appreciative we are of your feedback here on the platform, and the detailed one you and Lisette sent us; it is of great value and will definitely help us, Responsible Travel, and our KimKim team improve our services, and will grant our future travelers a much-appreciated insight.
We are extremely glad that you and Lisette have, in general, enjoyed your extended trip with us to Peru, Ecuador, and the Galapagos Islands, and I am so happy to read how Nick met your expectations when it came to communication. I promise to convey the positive as well as the not-so-positive remarks to our providers, as there is always space for improvement, and for that, we thank you sincerely.
Best wishes,
Tamer & Nick

Fantastic trip
Ecuador | Sep 23 - Oct 22, 2023

A
Amy S.
Spring Valley, NV | Reviewed on Oct 23, 2023
Thanks to Tamer and the guides he recruited, I had an amazing trip that exceeded my expectations. Tamer really listened to what I wanted, and with very little back-and-forth put together an itinerary that was perfect for me. My guides, David and Sebastian, were very knowledgeable and taught me a lot about Ecuadorian culture, history, as well as flora and fauna. The Napo Wildlife Center is a gem, and was a fantastic experience as well. Read more

Thanks to Tamer and the guides he recruited, I had an amazing trip that exceeded my expectations. Tamer really listened to what I wanted, and with very little back-and-forth put together an itinerary that was perfect for me. My guides, David and Sebastian, were very knowledgeable and taught me a lot about Ecuadorian culture, history, as well as flora and fauna. The Napo Wildlife Center is a gem, and was a fantastic experience as well.

Hotel Reviews
Chilcabamba Lodge
Machachi
Napo Wildlife Center
Quito
Ikala Quito Hotel
Quito

The Ikala Quito Hotel was clean, comfortable, and met all my expectations. The service was good, and it had everything I needed, including a hot shower.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Hiking Rucu Pichincha Volcano
Hiking Rucu Pichincha Volcano
Quito

This was a fun experience and one of the highlights of my trip. The hike was challenging but very rewarding with stunning views. I felt a sense of accomplishment after completing it.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Cotopaxi National Park - Quito
Cotopaxi National Park - Quito
Ecuador

Going up to Cotopaxi and getting a clear view of the volcano was impressive. We went past the refuge and got closer to 5000 meters, which was exciting.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Napo River Canoeing Excursion
Napo River Canoeing Excursion
Yasuni National Park

This was a packed three-day itinerary at the Napo Wildlife Center. Despite the heat, we saw some amazing wildlife and had a great time. The guides were fantastic.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Quilotoa Loop 1st day Quito - Sigchos - Chugchilán
Quilotoa Loop 1st day Quito - Sigchos - Chugchilán
Ecuador

The Quilotoa Loop hike was a memorable experience. It was unique and different. The two days of hiking were the right choice. It was fun and I enjoyed it a lot.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Visit Baños & Pailón del Diablo Waterfall
Visit Baños & Pailón del Diablo Waterfall
Baños

Baños was a blast. It was packed with Ecuadorian families celebrating a holiday, adding a festive atmosphere. We visited the waterfall and even crawled through a small opening to get a breathtaking view of the waterfall. Although we didn't visit the hot spring, I enjoyed the town's nightlife and overall festive energy.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Tamer Obeid
Tamer
Tamer Obeid
Local specialist in Quito, Ecuador | Replied on Oct 24, 2023

Dear Amy,
It was such a privilege working with you on this exceptional itinerary and meeting you in person here in Quito, you are indeed a very special person and I am extremely glad that you've enjoyed your one-month trip with us. I will make sure to convey your kind words to David and Sebastian, as well as to our friends at Napo Wildlife Center. Your feedback is of great value to us and I thank you so much for that!
I hope to see you again, maybe we can plan a more adventurous trip for you next time.
Stay blessed :)
Yours,
Tamer

Wow! Tamar was such a pleasure to work with. ...
Ecuador | Sep 17 - Sep 26, 2023

Michael
Michael L.
Moreno Valley, CA | Reviewed on Oct 11, 2023
Wow! Tamar was such a pleasure to work with. I am so happy to have been matched with him. This trip was a once in a lifetime vacation with my 13 year old daughter. From the moment Tamar and I began discussions about this coming of age trip he immediately began designing an itinerary with my daughter in mind. We spent at least 2-3 hours on the phone with my daughter really planning this trip. The kindness Tamar treated both my daughter and I as we planned and tweaked our itinerary was... Read more

Wow! Tamar was such a pleasure to work with. I am so happy to have been matched with him. This trip was a once in a lifetime vacation with my 13 year old daughter. From the moment Tamar and I began discussions about this coming of age trip he immediately began designing an itinerary with my daughter in mind. We spent at least 2-3 hours on the phone with my daughter really planning this trip. The kindness Tamar treated both my daughter and I as we planned and tweaked our itinerary was really special. We were able to do so many amazing things that we honestly would not have been able to accomplish without him. I wish I was a better writer because Tamar was amazing in every way. During the trip he was checking on things often and really going beyond what I expected of him. It is clear Tamar is extremely passionate about his job.

Local specialist: Tamer Obeid
Tamer
Tamer Obeid
Local specialist in Quito, Ecuador | Replied on Oct 11, 2023

Hi Mike,
I can't be grateful enough for your kind words! Since we started working together, and since I'm not a father yet, I placed myself in your shoes and it was clear to me that we need to plan an unforgettable trip for Tiffany! I'm incredibly happy to know that mission accomplished :) This is one of the most special trips to my heart! I have to give thanks also to all our guides and service providers, especially Sebastian, who helped make this experience a memorable one.
I hope I get to work with you again and to welcome you either in Ecuador or the neighboring countries!
Yours,
Tamer

Thank you Nick and Tamer for creating an exce...
Galapagos Islands | Jun 30 - Jul 7, 2023

J
Jimmy P.
Morristown, NJ | Reviewed on Aug 16, 2023
Thank you Nick and Tamer for creating an excellent itinerary for our trip to the Galapagos. We appreciated your willingness to work with us to find suitable day dive trips as well as land activities. We were fortunate to have wonderful guides and support as we explored islands in just 7 days. Thank you again for helping us plan such a memorable vacation! All the best,
Tessa and Jimmy
Read more

Thank you Nick and Tamer for creating an excellent itinerary for our trip to the Galapagos. We appreciated your willingness to work with us to find suitable day dive trips as well as land activities. We were fortunate to have wonderful guides and support as we explored islands in just 7 days. Thank you again for helping us plan such a memorable vacation!

All the best,
Tessa and Jimmy

Hotel Reviews
Seaside Hotel
Galapagos
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Acacia Galápagos Boutique Hotel
Puerto Ayora
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Embracing Nature: Discovering Wildlife on Española Island
Embracing Nature: Discovering Wildlife on Española Island
Isla San Cristóbal
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Discovery dive in Santa Cruz Island
Discovery dive in Santa Cruz Island
Galapagos Islands

Upon arriving the day shop realized we had our licenses and thus a discovery dive was not appropriate (only for travellers without a dive license). Luckily the dive shop was able to take us on a different dive that was more suitable for our experience level! Thank you to the dive shop for being so accommodating!!

Local specialist: Tamer Obeid
Tamer
Tamer Obeid
Local specialist in Quito, Ecuador | Replied on Aug 16, 2023
Dear Jimmy & Tessa,
It fills our hearts with joy to know how much you've enjoyed your trip, and we can't thank you enough for this valuable feedback/review which will surely help our future beloved travelers benefit from your insight. We're also glad that our providers on Santa Cruz island specifically have shown flexibility, as they normally offer diving excursions based on an established minimum number of logged dives, we're happy they offered you the 'real deal' and that you've enjoyed it...
Read more

Dear Jimmy & Tessa,
It fills our hearts with joy to know how much you've enjoyed your trip, and we can't thank you enough for this valuable feedback/review which will surely help our future beloved travelers benefit from your insight. We're also glad that our providers on Santa Cruz island specifically have shown flexibility, as they normally offer diving excursions based on an established minimum number of logged dives, we're happy they offered you the 'real deal' and that you've enjoyed it to the fullest. We've taken note of your feedback regarding the hotels and will be conveying it accordingly.
Looking forward to planning more adventures for both of you, it's been a complete thrill working and communicating with you during the planning process and while you were here enjoying your journey :)
Best of luck in your travels,
Nick & Tamer

Everything we wanted and more!
Ecuador | Jul 26 - Aug 3, 2023

Nimisha
Nimisha A.
Bakersfield, CA | Reviewed on Aug 04, 2023
Tamer was an INCREDIBLE travel agent for our trip to Ecuador! He was all we could ask for:
1. Very attentive to our needs and wants for the trip
2. Patient when I needed time to make decisions for the trip
3. Helpful in giving us tips to prepare and pack for the trip
4. In contact with me daily during the trip to make sure we were well taken care of.
So pleased with his service and I highly recommend him to help you plan your trip to Ecuador! Read more

Tamer was an INCREDIBLE travel agent for our trip to Ecuador! He was all we could ask for:
1. Very attentive to our needs and wants for the trip
2. Patient when I needed time to make decisions for the trip
3. Helpful in giving us tips to prepare and pack for the trip
4. In contact with me daily during the trip to make sure we were well taken care of.

So pleased with his service and I highly recommend him to help you plan your trip to Ecuador!

Hotel Reviews
Casa Opuntia Galapagos Hotel
Puerto Baquerizo Moreno

We loved this hotel! The staff really made the experience for us— so thoughtful and friendly. Great location facing the water and delicious breakfast!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Rooms were a bit tight for 4 people and our luggage but not unmanageable
Hotel Fiesta
Puerto Ayora

This hotel left a little to be desired. Staff in the front lobby was not helpful. Rooms were clean at first but a bit dingy and run down. Location was nice bc it wasn’t in the heart of town (aka noise) but an easy walk to restaurants and shops.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Front lobby staff and daily housekeeping
Patio Andaluz
Quito

Great location, wonderful breakfast, beautiful building. Two story room for the 4 of us which the kids loved!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Wildlife Encountering at Lobos Island - Family Activities
Wildlife Encountering at Lobos Island - Family Activities
Isla San Cristóbal

Absolutely incredible! We saw so much wildlife on this tour! Guide and boat captain/staff were awesome.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Speedboat to San Cristobal Island - Interpretation Center - Tijeretas Hill
Speedboat to San Cristobal Island - Interpretation Center - Tijeretas Hill
Ecuador

The speedboat was ok. If you’re prone to sea sickness. I don’t recommend it. It was fine as a one time experience but I’m glad I didn’t have to do it twice. We only made it half way up Tijiretes Hill as the kids were tired but the halfway walk was nice as well. Snorkeling was the best part of this tour, as we saw tons of fish, turtles and sea lions!

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
She seemed a bit preoccupied with her phone
Kayaking Adventure in Tortuga Bay & Afternoon Bay Tour of Santa Cruz Island
Kayaking Adventure in Tortuga Bay & Afternoon Bay Tour of Santa Cruz Island
Puerto Ayora

This was a VERY full day but also amazing. If you’re not up for a high impact day, I would do both of these activities but split them into 2 half day tours. Tortuga Bay was beautiful. The 2 mile walk to/from the bay was also really nice but make sure you’re prepared for it (water, sunscreen, hat and not carrying too much). Kayaking in the bay was awesome. The second half of the day is more like an eco-trek and a swim in a very cool cove. Not much snorkeling to be had but lots of interesting sights.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Welcome to Santa Cruz Island:  Highlands & Charles Darwin Research Station
Welcome to Santa Cruz Island: Highlands & Charles Darwin Research Station
Puerto Ayora

Another fantastic day tour. Lunch at Rancho Primicias followed by seeing the giant tortoises up close in their natural environment was amazing! Then seeing the baby tortoises at the Charles Darwin station made it a full circle day!!

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Colonial Quito City Tour & Mitad del Mundo (Middle of the World) Monument
Colonial Quito City Tour & Mitad del Mundo (Middle of the World) Monument
Quito

We enjoyed this day tour, mostly bc of our excellent guides. Mitad del Mundo is a must see but it’s actually a little hokey when you get there (think kids’ magic show) Colonial city tour was very interesting.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Tamer Obeid
Tamer
Tamer Obeid
Local specialist in Quito, Ecuador | Replied on Aug 04, 2023

Dear Nimisha,

I can't be thankful enough for your review and kind words, it fills my heart with joy to know I was part of making this an amazing family vacation. Your detailed review will serve as a great reference for our future travelers here at kimkim who will benefit from your comments. I will your feedback about Hotel La Fiesta to their management so they can take the necessary corrective measures, as I apologize for the inconvenience there.
I look forward to hearing from you again, maybe we can plan a comeback trip as Ecuador and the Galapagos still have a lot to offer :)
Best,
Tamer

Wonderful Tour with Excellent Support
Ecuador | Jul 14 - Jul 20, 2023

Joseph
Joseph R.
Boise, ID | Reviewed on Jul 27, 2023
Tamer and Alejandra were wonderful to work with while planning our adventure in and around Quitó! They listened to all of our needs and concerns and crafted an agenda that was near perfect. Alejandra also supported all of our needs while traveling in Quito and checked to make sure all was going well. Christian was our tour guide and was an absolute expert and very fun to be with for the week. It would be impossible for us to see as much as we did without him running the show. We would... Read more

Tamer and Alejandra were wonderful to work with while planning our adventure in and around Quitó! They listened to all of our needs and concerns and crafted an agenda that was near perfect. Alejandra also supported all of our needs while traveling in Quito and checked to make sure all was going well.

Christian was our tour guide and was an absolute expert and very fun to be with for the week. It would be impossible for us to see as much as we did without him running the show.

We would absolutely return and use the same team on our next trip to Quitó.

Hotel Reviews
Hacienda Pinsaqui
Otavalo

This hacienda is absolutely stunning! We loved every moment of our short stay and wished we could have stayed longer. Beautiful grounds, excellent service, and dinner was super delicious.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
San Francisco de Quito
Quito

Really great hotel in the heart of old Quitó. We had a lot of luggage and had to take the stairs to the 4th floor, which was not great. The WiFi is also not good. However, the staff were great and breakfast in the morning was good. It is a unique hotel with a long history and worth staying.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Tamer Obeid
Tamer
Tamer Obeid
Local specialist in Quito, Ecuador | Replied on Jul 27, 2023
Hi Joe,
Alejandra and I, and our kimkim team, can't thank you enough for your invaluable feedback and kind words, this will be an appreciated reference for our future travelers through which they will get to know about the level of services we offer. We are so happy to learn how much you and the family have enjoyed your trip with us, and your comments about the hotel/hacienda will be duly conveyed, as well as those regarding Christian, our guide, who'll be so happy to know your opinion about...
Read more

Hi Joe,
Alejandra and I, and our kimkim team, can't thank you enough for your invaluable feedback and kind words, this will be an appreciated reference for our future travelers through which they will get to know about the level of services we offer. We are so happy to learn how much you and the family have enjoyed your trip with us, and your comments about the hotel/hacienda will be duly conveyed, as well as those regarding Christian, our guide, who'll be so happy to know your opinion about his performance.
We thank you again, and we look forward to planning more adventures for you and the family :)
Cheers,
Tamer

Tamer at Kimkim was great to work with.
Ecuador | Jul 15 - Jul 18, 2023

D
David B.
Denver, CO | Reviewed on Jul 27, 2023
Tamer at Kimkim was great to work with. Very patient with our many changes of plans. He recommended Huasquila Lodge to us. Wonderful! Read more

Tamer at Kimkim was great to work with. Very patient with our many changes of plans. He recommended Huasquila Lodge to us. Wonderful!

Hotel Review
Huasquila Amazon Lodge
Cotundo

We stayed three nights at Huasquila. Delightfully rustic, with many comforts. The staff was very kind and always helpful. Our casita was not fancy, but clean and comfortable. The food was delicious and carefully prepared and served. Our guide, Mario, spent many hours with us each day ensuring that we had a wonderful, informative, comfortable and safe experience. When you go, ask for Mario!

Authenticity & Character
Delightfully rustic. Clean and well cared for.
Location
Close enough to town and cool places to visit, but felt like a world away.
Staff
Attentive, kind
Cleanliness & Comfort
Rustic accommodations, but appropriately so.
Local specialist: Tamer Obeid
Tamer
Tamer Obeid
Local specialist in Quito, Ecuador | Replied on Jul 27, 2023

Dear David,
Thanks so much for your review and your kind words. Nick and I are extremely happy to know you and the family have enjoyed your time at Huasquila Lodge, and your feedback about the lodge, your 'casita', the staff, the food, and Mario the guide are highly appreciated and will be duly conveyed.
As Nick promised, your next adventure to deep Amazon will be even more marvelous, and Nick can't wait to plan it with you :)
Best,
Tamer

My family of five's trip to Quito and the Galapagos Islands...
Galapagos Islands | Jun 26 - Jul 4, 2023

Hale
Hale S.
Reston, VA | Reviewed on Jul 12, 2023
I started working with Kimkim and Tamer 8 months in advance of our trip - as we were trying to decide if visiting the Galapagos Islands was what we wanted to do for our family vacation. It was not until the spring that we started to get serious and make commitments on dates, days and what we wanted to do. Tamer was very patient with me as we went back and forth quite a bit. We are a family of five, include three 'kids' (20, 17 and 12). We opted for land based which we loved. We did two... Read more

I started working with Kimkim and Tamer 8 months in advance of our trip - as we were trying to decide if visiting the Galapagos Islands was what we wanted to do for our family vacation. It was not until the spring that we started to get serious and make commitments on dates, days and what we wanted to do. Tamer was very patient with me as we went back and forth quite a bit. We are a family of five, include three 'kids' (20, 17 and 12). We opted for land based which we loved. We did two nights in Quito and had an all day tour one day. That was fabulous. If you have the oppt to do that go for it. We had our tour guide from 9a to 6p - Danny was great. He knew soooo much about Quito and the history of the city and country. Favorite part of the tour for the kids: middle of the earth and the cooking class (fabulous).

We then spent three nights in Santa Cruz and three nights in San Cristobal. We really enjoyed Santa Cruz because it was bigger and offered more things in town, and after a day out on excursions it was nice to come back, relax a bit at the hotel and then walk the town to visit stores, see the people and eat at a local restaurant. We learned that when you are land based, the money one spends goes back directly to the people of the town and their local economy. Also, from the moment we landed n Santa Cruz everything was perfect: our guide (naturalist) Astrid met us, we went to a Tortoise farm and had a wonderful lunch, walked around before going to our hotel. It was a great introduction to the Galapagos Islands. Astrid was an A+ guide. My kids really enjoyed her. We also enjoyed our naturalist on our excursion to Bartolome Island (Candy). She was definitely interested in making sure everyone on the boat was safe - and took time to speak with everyone. Our boat (a yacht with a motor) served a three course lunch (and wonderful sit down breakfast - you can't beat that!). Our other guide on Santa Cruz was Viviana. Also great and someone who knew so much. Our trip to Tortuga Bay was fantastic.

Our trip to San Cristobal did not start on the right foot - literally. The speedboat between the two islands is not faint for the heart. We knew that and everyone took anti-nausea medication but two people in the family still got sick. So when we landed we were definitely a bit "off" and it didn't help that our guide had sent in a backup guide - but that was not clearly communicated (and the backup guide did not know English as well) and immediately she wanted us to drop off our bags at the hotel and get wetsuits for our next boat excursion - the idea of getting boat after that ride was certainly NOT something my family wanted. Thankfully we we were able to check into our hotel, get our bearings for a few hours before going on the next excursion (and that boat ride was like being in canoe on still water compared to the speed boat!). By this time we also had our booked guide; unfortunately because of the confusion at the start (we didn't even know we had the backup guide until one time they both showed up to switch up!) we never clicked with this guide as well as the others. However that did not mean we still did not enjoy our visit, our tours, etc. Just interesting that when you click it does make a difference. My kids can probably name the three guides in Santa Cruz but not the one on San Cristobal for example.

Overall it was a great trip, despite the rough seas. We loved learning about Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands. We loved the people we met. Also, we were told that this would not be a culinary trip of sorts but we had some great meals! The islands have some good restaurants and the food on our excursions were always great. So much fresh food: fruit and fish certainly!

Hotel Reviews
Galapagos Sunset
Puerto Baquerizo Moreno

Nice hotel. You cannot beat the location: right there in the middle of it all! Our balcony faced the water and every time someone walked by they would check out the hotel. Small, boutique like. The rooms were a bit stark: nothing on the walls and we noticed there were no chairs. The beds were also full size (vs. King at the two other hotels). Clean. We had an issue with the hot water and water pressure was not the greatest. Oh, and no lobby - if you are into that sort of thing. We went to Hotel Indigo up the street one afternoon for drinks as they have a really nice lobby/bar area.

Authenticity & Character
Location
We liked that it was accessible to the shops and restaurants.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
The water pressure, hot water, chairs in the rooms + the only hotel that did not have a pitcher of water in the bathroom for us.
Ikala Galapagos Hotel
Puerto Ayora

This hotel was GREAT. It may be located 'right downtown' and on a side street, but once you enter the outdoor area it's like a resort. The rooms very spacious, clean. They had a nice pool area and very close to the downtown shops and restaurants. Also close to the dock where you catch the speedboat to San Cristobal. Make sure you have breakfast on their rooftop. Not only is it nice but the breakfast is GREAT. I wish we could have eaten there more than just once but we had early departures on two mornings - and they do provide breakfast to-go so ask for that if you have an early excursion (except if you are getting on the speedboat!!).

Authenticity & Character
A bit authentic ~ maybe? More like a mini resort feel.
Location
It is located off the main street, a side street across some urgent care.
Staff
Very friendly.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Patio Andaluz
Quito

Really glad we stayed here. The location was perfect for our tour of Quito the next day: the guide met us and we started walking! The hotel is traditional so that was nice and different. The inside reminded my family of the house in Encanto. The staff was also very nice and helpful. They met us when we arrived at 1 am, helped us with our bags and explained things. The food at the hotel was also good. We had breakfast two day. We also ate dinner there after our tour of Quito - we were too tired to leave. Everyone liked what they ordered.

Authenticity & Character
Not your typical hotel that you would stay at in the US.
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Very clean. They also provide a water jug for you in the room - liked that!
Activity Reviews
Explore  San Cristobal Island! Visit the  Interpretation Center, Tijeretas Hill & La Lobería
Explore San Cristobal Island! Visit the Interpretation Center, Tijeretas Hill & La Lobería
Galapagos Islands

Our last activity on the last full day. It was nice not to have a packed day and to take it easy. We took a shuttle to the interpretation center and then walked back via trails. It was great to hear more about the wildlife, the land and the impact of El Nino and climate change - it is an issue for the people and the islands. For example, even though it is winter, the weather has been warmer than usual - yes, good for us tourists because we can swim in the water but bad for the wildlife this continues. Plus our guide pointed out that trees that should be bare have leaves and are blooming because it is warmer than usual.

Quality of Experience
Food
We had an amazing lunch at Del Mar Bar and Restaurant.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Embracing Nature: Discovering Wildlife on Española Island
Embracing Nature: Discovering Wildlife on Española Island
Isla San Cristóbal

We almost skipped out on this. The family was hesitant to get back on a 2+ hour boat ride after the speedboat, however, everyone said it would be more like the excursion we had on our first day and that Espanola is just beautiful. So we did it - and we are glad! When we landed we did a two hour hike and then snorkeled. Our guide John was great - knew a lot about birds. And we did see birds including the blue footed boobie

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Wildlife Encountering at Lobos Island
Wildlife Encountering at Lobos Island
Galapagos Islands

Our first activity on San Cristobal. My oldest missed out because he was still trying to recover from the speedboat ride :) This was an ideal boat excursion though: short (20 min?) and very calm and peaceful. It was great! We did a hike and then went to the beach. We had a good group with us.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Morning at leisure - Afternoon kayaking
Morning at leisure - Afternoon kayaking
Galapagos Islands

This was also a family favorite: we did five mile round trip walk/hike to Tortuga Bay. The water was beautiful! The beaches pristine! We enjoyed the leisurely morning followed by the leisurely kayaking.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Vivian was our guide for this and she was fabulous! Another guide that our family will remember.
Transport
Experience the Pristine Beauty of Galápagos Islands: Discovering an Uninhabited Island
Experience the Pristine Beauty of Galápagos Islands: Discovering an Uninhabited Island
Puerto Ayora

Our first excursion was to Bartolomé Island and it was wonderful. The boat ride as GREAT. The staff so friendly (and so hard working). My kids really liked being served a full breakfast and a three-course lunch on the boat. The hike was nice and not strenuous. The views were beautiful!! We also snorkeled and that was a lot of fun - the water is so blue.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Welcome to Santa Cruz Island:  Highlands & Charles Darwin Research Station
Welcome to Santa Cruz Island: Highlands & Charles Darwin Research Station
Puerto Ayora

Landing at the airport, being met by Astrid and then going to the farm + the research station was a perfect way to be introduced to the Galapagos Islands. (We also liked that someone took our bags to the hotel!)

Quality of Experience
Food
The food at the farm as wonderful. Fresh! Just what we wanted after our flight.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Astrid was fabulous! I think she might be some sort of celebrity on the islands given her family's history :)
Transport
Loved being picked up by a driver with our guide!
Colonial City Tour, Cooking Class & the Middle of the World Monument
Colonial City Tour, Cooking Class & the Middle of the World Monument
Quito

This was a fabulous experience. I am so glad we opted to do this. I think if we had not, I would be very disappointed. We saw as much as one can in a nine-hour day. Everyone in the family loved it. It was a good mix of going into buildings and churches and just walking. We did drive to the middle of the world - the 'museum' there was great. Highlight for the kids. I think we enjoyed having our own guide and going at our (and his) pace. The cooking class also turned out to be a highlight of the entire trip. My 17yo and 12yo were skeptical of a cooking class but it was so much fun - and the food was so good! I would not miss this. I think next time we do a trip I may have to look for a cooking class.

Quality of Experience
Food
The cooking class! Dinner at the hotel was also great.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Danny was great! Also the driver, we had the same person for our tour and for the ride to the airport.
Transport
Local specialist: Tamer Obeid
Tamer
Tamer Obeid
Local specialist in Quito, Ecuador | Replied on Jul 12, 2023
Dear Hale,
Thank you so much for your detailed and much-appreciated review, it is of great value for us here in kimkim and our travelers. I am grateful for the opportunity of working with you for months on this trip and happy to see that you and the family have enjoyed the overall experience. Rest assured that your notes about our services, guides, tours, and hotels, will be taken into consideration (the positive and the not-so-positive) and that they will be conveyed accordingly to help us...
Read more

Dear Hale,
Thank you so much for your detailed and much-appreciated review, it is of great value for us here in kimkim and our travelers. I am grateful for the opportunity of working with you for months on this trip and happy to see that you and the family have enjoyed the overall experience. Rest assured that your notes about our services, guides, tours, and hotels, will be taken into consideration (the positive and the not-so-positive) and that they will be conveyed accordingly to help us improve performances and quality. I realize that the speedboat between Santa Cruz and San Cristobal wasn't an easy experience for the family, it was necessary to complete the great itinerary we had, and its details and alternative was discussed during the planning process. Same for the emergency situation we had with our guide on San Cristobal which I personally communicated with you, having a backup guide helped us fulfill our services yet your comments are highly appreciated and I promise you we will work on that point. Again, I can't thank you enough for your feedback and I hope we can offer you and the family, and your referrals :) more adventures on kimkim soon.
Best,
Tamer

Great taste of Ecuador experience
Ecuador | Jun 18 - Jun 25, 2023

L
L P.
Austin, TX | Reviewed on Jun 28, 2023

Tamer was a great and very responsive planner with us. He worked with us on redesigning the itinerary a few times to prioritize seeing as much of Ecuador as possible even if it meant some long days of travel (he did warn us!) he helped all the way through planning and then was very communicative while we were on our trip as well, helping to suggest restaurants or other activities if we wanted to add / change up our days. Overall, highly recommend Tamer for helping you plan your Ecuadorian vacation!

Local specialist: Tamer Obeid
Tamer
Tamer Obeid
Local specialist in Quito, Ecuador | Replied on Jun 28, 2023

My dear Leland :)
Thank you so so much for your invaluable feedback, your kind and encouraging words only make us better here at KimKim as well as at Responsible Travel Ecuador :) Indeed, we had a packed itinerary due to the short duration you and the family were spending here in beautiful Ecuador, I was so happy you managed to enjoy most of our excursions, and I really hope that you are feeling better now :)
I look forward to hearing from you again, maybe we can plan a trip to Peru, or Colombia!!
Again, we really appreciate your feedback, Leland.
Yours,
Tamer

Super responsive in customizing our trip and our guide Sebastien was awesome
Ecuador | Jun 18 - Jun 25, 2023

K
Kearney P.
New York, NY | Reviewed on Jun 26, 2023
Tamer was great with local color and super responsive. And our guide Sebastien in Quito/ Cotopaxi/ Otavalo/ Baños was awesome. He showed us all the highlights and provided tons of inside color. Would highly recommend! Read more

Tamer was great with local color and super responsive. And our guide Sebastien in Quito/ Cotopaxi/ Otavalo/ Baños was awesome. He showed us all the highlights and provided tons of inside color. Would highly recommend!

Activity Review
Canyoning in Baños – Quito
Canyoning in Baños – Quito
Ecuador

Our guides were super knowledgeable and genuinely loved what they do - and the feeling was contagious. It was a great day

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Melardo was super high energy but really tuned into how everyone’s comfort level
Transport
Local specialist: Tamer Obeid
Tamer
Tamer Obeid
Local specialist in Quito, Ecuador | Replied on Jun 26, 2023

Dear Kearney,
I am so glad to know you have enjoyed your trip with us :) You managed to do all excursions and I'm so happy for that. I will make sure to pass your positive comments to Sebastian and our guides in Baños, it is such an encouragement for us here at KimKim, and for our guides to keep up the good work and even improve our services, thus it's priceless, and I really appreciate it.
Hope to see you and the family again :)
Best,
Tamer

Paradise
Ecuador | May 4 - May 18, 2023

J
james s.
Blue Springs, MO | Reviewed on May 25, 2023
Our 15 day cruise was amazing! We enjoyed many islands and an abundance of wildlife. Birds, tortoises, sea lions, iguanas, lizards, whales, dolphins, penguins. Our naturalist, Pablo, was an encyclopedia of information. Excellent English, and very personable. The crew on the Monserrat always had a smile on their faces, and were very helpful. Most crew spoke Spanish only, which did create some communication breakdowns at times. The meals were delicious with a lot of variety. Our boat did... Read more

Our 15 day cruise was amazing! We enjoyed many islands and an abundance of wildlife. Birds, tortoises, sea lions, iguanas, lizards, whales, dolphins, penguins. Our naturalist, Pablo, was an encyclopedia of information. Excellent English, and very personable. The crew on the Monserrat always had a smile on their faces, and were very helpful. Most crew spoke Spanish only, which did create some communication breakdowns at times. The meals were delicious with a lot of variety. Our boat did have a bug problem however. (Roaches) Never having been on a Galapagos cruise, we do not know if this is common on most boats. Our local specialist, Tamer, with KimKim, seemed to be available 24/7. He was always very responsive with answers to our questions. Tamar did a fantastic job keeping us informed each step of the way with our planning. We would highly recommend the services of KimKim . We cannot emphasize enough the beauty of the Galapagos Islands. It is definitely a large piece of paradise.

Hotel Review
M/Y Monserrat
Quito

The crew always had a smile on their faces, and were very personable. Most crew spoke Spanish only, which made communication challenging at times. The food was excellent. We had a great variety of meals during our 15 day cruise. The bar service fell a little short. Cold beer at times was hard to come by. They seemed to wait until they ran out before replenishing supply. Not that anyone was partying, but a cold beer tastes really good after a day of hikes and snorkeling. They also ran out of white wine for 4-5 days. There was a roach problem. We had them in our bathroom, and on our bed pillow. The roaches were also in the dining area. I little disturbing watching roaches climbing up and down the walls and across your table while you are eating. Never having been on a Galapagos cruise before, we do not know if this is common on all boats. Doors and drawers did not fit properly. The boat is in need of maintenance. There is a nice upper deck which provides great views. I would have a difficult time recommending the Monserrat cruise.

Staff
Very friendly and personable.
Cleanliness & Comfort
New furnishings. Existing furniture is dirty. The seating in the dining area is uncomfortable. I don't think the floor in our cabin was swept at all during our 15 day cruise. You need to get control of the roach problem.
Local specialist: Tamer Obeid
Tamer
Tamer Obeid
Local specialist in Quito, Ecuador | Replied on May 25, 2023
Cindy & Jim,
Thank you so much for your valuable feedback. We are so happy here at KimKim to know that you enjoyed the charming Galapagos Islands and their fascinating nature and wildlife; we knew since the early stages of planning this trip that this was our goal, and I'm so glad that Galapagos didn't disappoint :) I'm also happy that to know that the guide rose to the occasion, and positive comments regarding the boat staff will be duly conveyed. It was great meeting you in person, we...
Read more

Cindy & Jim,
Thank you so much for your valuable feedback. We are so happy here at KimKim to know that you enjoyed the charming Galapagos Islands and their fascinating nature and wildlife; we knew since the early stages of planning this trip that this was our goal, and I'm so glad that Galapagos didn't disappoint :) I'm also happy that to know that the guide rose to the occasion, and positive comments regarding the boat staff will be duly conveyed. It was great meeting you in person, we enjoyed a nice meal I must say :) Yet as I mentioned to the group before when we met in JW Marriott, we have worked with the boat operator and I assure you that they have taken all the corrective measures to maintain the boat; the humidity of the ocean and the tropical environment can be a reason behind the unpleasant existence of those little creatures, but applying the right procedures and fumigation on time will make sure no future travelers experience the same.
I thank you again, and we apologize for any inconvenience.
Best,
Tamer

Most Amazing Travel Consultant Ever
Galapagos Islands | May 4 - May 21, 2023

Patte
Patte B.
Lansdale, PA | Reviewed on May 24, 2023
Tamer is the most amazing travel consultant I have ever worked with for a trip - I've been to over 60 countries and I have to say, hands down, Tamer ensured ever aspect of the trip was covered. He asked questions before we had an opportunity to think about the topic. Thank you so much for making our retirement trip a dream come true! Read more

Tamer is the most amazing travel consultant I have ever worked with for a trip - I've been to over 60 countries and I have to say, hands down, Tamer ensured ever aspect of the trip was covered. He asked questions before we had an opportunity to think about the topic. Thank you so much for making our retirement trip a dream come true!

Hotel Reviews
Wyndham Quito Airport
Quito

Great location, great food, great buffet and great spirits= thank you!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Kapari Natural Lodge & Spa
San Miguel de los Bancos

thank you to both Jose's and the staff for making our stay a memorable experience!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Wish there were larger beds, the double for a large man doesn't work especially when the reservation states Queen!
JW Marriott Hotel Quito
Quito

The staff at the JW made our experience even more memorable - thanks to Giss and everyone!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Tamer Obeid
Tamer
Tamer Obeid
Local specialist in Quito, Ecuador | Replied on May 24, 2023

My dear Patte :)
I can't be thankful enough! Your kind words and testimony mean the world to us here in Kimkim and to me personally. I can't wait to be part of your future trip. Having the honor of meeting you, John, and the group, in person was the highlight for me. So happy you enjoyed your special retirement trip :)
Yours,
Tamer

Tamer did an excellent job planning and arran...
Galapagos Islands | May 4 - May 21, 2023

Laura
Laura T.
Redmond, OR | Reviewed on May 22, 2023
Tamer did an excellent job planning and arranging our trip. Our guide, Pablo was knowledgeable and personable. The crew onboard our boat were hardworking and attentive. We enjoyed all of the activities provided and we were amazed at all the wildlife we got to see.
However. If you have a chance to read our comment card that we left on our boat, you will see that we were very dissatisfied and disappointed with our boat because of all the roaches and the sewer smell in our cabin.
Read more

Tamer did an excellent job planning and arranging our trip. Our guide, Pablo was knowledgeable and personable. The crew onboard our boat were hardworking and attentive. We enjoyed all of the activities provided and we were amazed at all the wildlife we got to see.
However. If you have a chance to read our comment card that we left on our boat, you will see that we were very dissatisfied and disappointed with our boat because of all the roaches and the sewer smell in our cabin.

Hotel Reviews
Wyndham Quito Airport
Quito
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Kapari Natural Lodge & Spa
San Miguel de los Bancos
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
JW Marriott Hotel Quito
Quito
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
M/Y Monserrat
Quito

Roach infested and smells of sewage

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Roaches and sewer smell.
Activity Reviews
Another day at Kapari Lodge & Return to Quito
Another day at Kapari Lodge & Return to Quito
Mindo
Kapari Natural Lodge & Spa Experience
Kapari Natural Lodge & Spa Experience
Mindo
Explore Mindo Cloud Forest at Kapari Natural Lodge & Spa
Explore Mindo Cloud Forest at Kapari Natural Lodge & Spa
Ecuador
Charles Darwin Research Station (Santa Cruz) (M/Y Monserrat 15D) - Baltra Airport
Charles Darwin Research Station (Santa Cruz) (M/Y Monserrat 15D) - Baltra Airport
Cruise Ship
Cormorant Point - Post Office Bay (Floreana Island) (M/Y Monserrat 15D)
Cormorant Point - Post Office Bay (Floreana Island) (M/Y Monserrat 15D)
Galapagos Islands
Gardner Bay -  Suarez Point (Española Island) (M/Y Monserrat 15D )
Gardner Bay - Suarez Point (Española Island) (M/Y Monserrat 15D )
Cruise Ship
Lobos Island - Tijeretas Hill & Interpretation Center (San Cristobal Island) (M/Y Monserrat 15D)
Lobos Island - Tijeretas Hill & Interpretation Center (San Cristobal Island) (M/Y Monserrat 15D)
Galapagos Islands
Punta Pitt - Cerro Brujo (San Cristobal Island) (M/Y Monserrat 15D)
Punta Pitt - Cerro Brujo (San Cristobal Island) (M/Y Monserrat 15D)
Galapagos Islands
South Plazas Island - Santa Fe Island (M/Y Monserrat 15D)
South Plazas Island - Santa Fe Island (M/Y Monserrat 15D)
Cruise Ship
Rabida Island - Bartolomé Island (M/Y Monserrat 15D)
Rabida Island - Bartolomé Island (M/Y Monserrat 15D)
Cruise Ship
North Seymour Island - Highlands (M/Y Monserrat 15D)
North Seymour Island - Highlands (M/Y Monserrat 15D)
Cruise Ship
Puerto Egas - Espumilla Beach - Buccaneer Cove (Santiago Island)  (M/Y Monserrat 15D)
Puerto Egas - Espumilla Beach - Buccaneer Cove (Santiago Island) (M/Y Monserrat 15D)
Cruise Ship
Espinoza Point (Fernandina Island) - Vicente Roca Point (Isabela Island) (M/Y Monserrat 15D)
Espinoza Point (Fernandina Island) - Vicente Roca Point (Isabela Island) (M/Y Monserrat 15D)
Galapagos Islands
Tagus Cove - Urbina Bay (Isabela Island) (M/Y Monserrat 15D)
Tagus Cove - Urbina Bay (Isabela Island) (M/Y Monserrat 15D)
Cruise Ship
Black Turtle Cove  - Flamingos and Relax in Bachas Beach (M/Y Monserrat 15D)
Black Turtle Cove - Flamingos and Relax in Bachas Beach (M/Y Monserrat 15D)
Cruise Ship
El Barranco - Darwin Bay ( Genovesa Island) (M/Y Monserrat 15D)
El Barranco - Darwin Bay ( Genovesa Island) (M/Y Monserrat 15D)
Cruise Ship
Dragon Hill (Santa Cruz Island) - Chinese Hat (M/Y Monserrat 15D)
Dragon Hill (Santa Cruz Island) - Chinese Hat (M/Y Monserrat 15D)
Cruise Ship
Arrival to Baltra Airport - Transfer to Cruise Ship & Santa Cruz Highlands  (M/Y Monserrat 15D)
Arrival to Baltra Airport - Transfer to Cruise Ship & Santa Cruz Highlands (M/Y Monserrat 15D)
Galapagos Islands
Local specialist: Tamer Obeid
Tamer
Tamer Obeid
Local specialist in Quito, Ecuador | Replied on May 22, 2023
Laura & Rob,
Thank you so much for your valuable feedback! I am so glad to know you have enjoyed the magical nature of the Galapagos Islands and that you appreciate the guide and the staff onboard the yacht. I am also happy to know you enjoyed the Cloud Forest charm and Kapari Lodge :) On the other hand, and as I clarified during our last meeting in JW Marriott, we are working with this yacht operator on them taking all the corrective measures to prevent the mentioned unpleasant experiences...
Read more

Laura & Rob,
Thank you so much for your valuable feedback! I am so glad to know you have enjoyed the magical nature of the Galapagos Islands and that you appreciate the guide and the staff onboard the yacht. I am also happy to know you enjoyed the Cloud Forest charm and Kapari Lodge :) On the other hand, and as I clarified during our last meeting in JW Marriott, we are working with this yacht operator on them taking all the corrective measures to prevent the mentioned unpleasant experiences from occurring again; the humidity of the ocean and the tropical environment can be overcome when applying the right procedures and I promise you we will make sure that happens :)
Thank you again,
Tamer

Ecuador - expectations exceeded!
Ecuador | Apr 11 - May 18, 2023

Lee
Lee B.
the Philippines | Reviewed on May 21, 2023
From the first time we communicated until the end of the trip, Tamer was wonderful! He was very helpful and responded fast, even with different time zones, and very solutions oriented when we encountered delays with the visa. The itinerary he came up with was amazing, my main goal was the Galapagos and Amazon, but he also added other places I didn't think of like Baños, Guamonte, Otavalo and Mindo (my only regret is Mindo would have been more worthwhile as an overnight trip so we could do... Read more

From the first time we communicated until the end of the trip, Tamer was wonderful! He was very helpful and responded fast, even with different time zones, and very solutions oriented when we encountered delays with the visa.

The itinerary he came up with was amazing, my main goal was the Galapagos and Amazon, but he also added other places I didn't think of like Baños, Guamonte, Otavalo and Mindo (my only regret is Mindo would have been more worthwhile as an overnight trip so we could do 5am bird watching rather than just the day trip from Quito that we did), which we really enjoyed as well!

Our guide Sebastian was fantastic, he has so much knowledge to share about his country, it is impressive! We also felt a lot safer with him looking after us.

We got to see so much of Ecuador and came away with such an appreciation for the country, its people, food, and culture. Absolutely a once in a life time experience! I definitely recommend working with Tamer and Sebastian!

Hotel Reviews
M/Y Infinity
Galapagos

We did the 15 day cruise, highly recommended to maximize time in the Galapagos and see a variety of animals and landscapes! The crew and guides are great!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Anakonda Cruise
QUITO

Great guides! Stay in a room near the front, because the rooms in the back are noisy being above the engine.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Grand Hotel Guayaquil, Ascend Hotel Collection
Guayaquil
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hacienda Pinsaqui
Otavalo

Enjoyed our stay, lots of character, make sure to attend the welcome cocktails where the manager tells the history of the place and Otavalo locals play lovely music.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hostal Posada Del Angel
Cuenca

Good location and friendly staff, but the only window in the room faced the hallway. Had to choose to close the window for safety reasons, even if it meant the room was stuffy. Walls were thin, could hear people walking and talking in the hallway.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Ventilation in room and sound proofing.
Inti Sisa
Guamote
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
La Floresta
Baños
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Casa Aliso Hotel Boutique
Quito

Friendly and helpful staff. Good location in La Floresta near lots of restaurants. Room is a bit dated and does not have heating, but you can ask for a portable heater.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Expedition to Mindo Cloud Forest
Expedition to Mindo Cloud Forest
Quito

Lovely small town, lucky we got to see toucans during lunch!

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Colonial City Tour, Cooking Class & the Middle of the World Monument
Colonial City Tour, Cooking Class & the Middle of the World Monument
Quito

Great day around Quito, old city, center of the world, and delicious food!

Arrival to the Amazon and Night forest walk (Anakonda 8D) - Day 1
Arrival to the Amazon and Night forest walk (Anakonda 8D) - Day 1
Ecuador

Comfortable (electricity and airconditioned rooms) way to see the Amazon, interesting visits to local communities.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Guides are Kichwa who grew up in the Amazon, and amazing how they spot animals that are so far away, and generous sharing their experiences growing up in the jungle. Staff are helpful, we asked them to move us to a different room because the first one was very noisy whenever the boat was moving, which they did.
Transport
Room was comfortable but a bit underwhelming for the price, not what we would call luxury.
Arrival in San Cristobal Airport - Puerto Chino or Tortoise Breeding Center
Arrival in San Cristobal Airport - Puerto Chino or Tortoise Breeding Center
Cruise Ship

15 days in the Galapagos were a dream come true! We got to see so many animals (sea lions, penguins, iguanas hammer head sharks, boobies, alabatross, dolphins, etc.) up close! The guides we had (Erik, Marvi, Fabian, and Juan) are extremely knowledgeable and well organized, and the crew especially Ronnie the cruise manager and Carlos the bartender are so helpful and friendly! Comfortable room and great having a personal balcony to sit and enjoy the view. Some days we could see fish and sharks near the boat!

Quality of Experience
Food
Food was delicious, but the menu for the 2nd week was the same as the first!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Morning Adventure to Teleferico Cablecar
Morning Adventure to Teleferico Cablecar
Quito

Wonderful way to spend our last full day in Ecuador, it was a clear day and we got to see many of the volcanoes around Quito. Lovely views of the city.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Ingapirca Ruins-Cuenca City
Ingapirca Ruins-Cuenca City
Ecuador

Interesting visit to the Ingapirca Ruins!

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Cotopaxi National Park - Quilotoa Lagoon - Baños
Cotopaxi National Park - Quilotoa Lagoon - Baños
Ecuador

Great walk to Pailon del Diablo!

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Tamer Obeid
Tamer
Tamer Obeid
Local specialist in Quito, Ecuador | Replied on May 21, 2023
Lee & Mitt :) I am insanely happy to read your words, and to know, again :), how much you enjoyed this epic 38-Day tour with us here in Ecuador :) It is true that we went through some stressful times prior to the trip because of the visa, but mission accomplished and we made it :D It was great working with you on this itinerary, and I can't thank you enough for your flexibility, it helped enormously in allowing me to offer you the four charming worlds of Ecuador, and in style in some parts... Read more

Lee & Mitt :)

I am insanely happy to read your words, and to know, again :), how much you enjoyed this epic 38-Day tour with us here in Ecuador :) It is true that we went through some stressful times prior to the trip because of the visa, but mission accomplished and we made it :D It was great working with you on this itinerary, and I can't thank you enough for your flexibility, it helped enormously in allowing me to offer you the four charming worlds of Ecuador, and in style in some parts :) I have to thank you for the beautiful photos you have uploaded, and the detailed feedback about the venues and the services; they will be of great help to our fellow future travelers and I promise you that I will work with our providers on due improvements taking into account each point you mentioned :) Sebastian sends his regards and he's thankful for your kind words :)
Lee & Mitt, till we meet again, soon ;)
Cheers,
Tamer

Excellent communication with daily check ins
Ecuador | Apr 21 - May 2, 2023

Anna
Anna A.
Rock Hill, SC | Reviewed on May 03, 2023
Tamer was fantastic with planning on vacation with excellent recommendations and knowledge of tourist sites in both Quito and Galápagos Islands. Sebastian was our guide in Quito and was fantastic at not only explaining the sites but the cultural importance as well. The Cotapaxi volcano visit was spectacular.
All of snorkeling trips were beautiful in the Galapagos. Our favorite and area we saw the most sea life was the Kicker Rock tour
Read more

Tamer was fantastic with planning on vacation with excellent recommendations and knowledge of tourist sites in both Quito and Galápagos Islands. Sebastian was our guide in Quito and was fantastic at not only explaining the sites but the cultural importance as well. The Cotapaxi volcano visit was spectacular.
All of snorkeling trips were beautiful in the Galapagos. Our favorite and area we saw the most sea life was the Kicker Rock tour

Hotel Review
Golden Bay
Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, San Cristóbal

Excellent and pristine facilities with very HELLP full staff and excellent air conditioning. A beach side room puts your right in front of the sea lions which was really cool.

Location
Staff
Local specialist: Tamer Obeid
Tamer
Tamer Obeid
Local specialist in Quito, Ecuador | Replied on May 04, 2023

Dear Anna & Isaiah,
Thanks so much for your kind words and highly appreciated review. It means the world to us here at KimKim to know that you have enjoyed your trip and that the destinations, the activities, the accommodations, and our services have met your expectations :) I will convey your positive feedback to our guides and Sebastian in particular, and we hope to see you again in this beautiful country, as it still has a lot to surprise you with! We remain in touch :)
My best wishes,
Tamer

We really enjoyed the snorkeling and travel t...
Ecuador | Apr 21 - May 2, 2023

Shaly
Shaly A.
Pace, FL | Reviewed on May 03, 2023
We really enjoyed the snorkeling and travel to Bartlome Island, but the travel to Pinzon Island was very bumpy. Napo Wildlife Resort was very good but quite a long trip from Quito. Sebastian did a good job taking us around Quito. Read more

We really enjoyed the snorkeling and travel to Bartlome Island, but the travel to Pinzon Island was very bumpy. Napo Wildlife Resort was very good but quite a long trip from Quito. Sebastian did a good job taking us around Quito.

Hotel Review
Patio Andaluz
Quito

The bathroom was located on the 2nd floor which was very inconvenient. The room was clean and well kept. The service was good

Authenticity & Character
Great restoration
Location
Location and look
Staff
Attentive
Cleanliness & Comfort
Bathroom needs to be on 1st floor
Local specialist: Tamer Obeid
Tamer
Tamer Obeid
Local specialist in Quito, Ecuador | Replied on May 06, 2023

Dear Shaly,
Thank you for your review. We appreciate it.
Tamer

Galapagos - Enchanted Islands Done Right!!
Galapagos Islands | Feb 26 - Mar 10, 2023

John
John S.
Morristown, NJ | Reviewed on Apr 22, 2023
We are so happy we used Kim Kim in partnership with Responsible Travel to plan our school’s excursion to Ecuador. It was a pleasure working with Tammer, who oversaw our entire trip and whose attention to detail goes unmatched by any other travel company. He made sure we always had exceptional lodging, punctual private transportation, delicious meals, and the friendliest tour guides to work with our students. By the end of the trip, it was like Tammer was a true part of our Forman... Read more

We are so happy we used Kim Kim in partnership with Responsible Travel to plan our school’s excursion to Ecuador. It was a pleasure working with Tammer, who oversaw our entire trip and whose attention to detail goes unmatched by any other travel company. He made sure we always had exceptional lodging, punctual private transportation, delicious meals, and the friendliest tour guides to work with our students. By the end of the trip, it was like Tammer was a true part of our Forman family!

Our tour guide for the Galapagos Islands, Legendary Wilson, was fantastic and always went above and beyond to ensure we had the best experience while there. He taught us so much about the history of the islands and Charles Darwin, as he led us on snorkeling, hiking, and sightseeing adventures. We saw every form of wildlife we were promised!

Our tour guide in Quito, Sebastian, made Ecuadorian history and culture come alive for us as we explored the city on a walking tour, participated in an authentic cooking class, and visited el Mitad del Mundo. It is sometimes hard to keep high school students engaged, but Sebastian made it look easy with his easy nature and funny stories.

We HIGHLY recommend using Kim Kim & Responsible Travel for your next travel expedition. You will not be disappointed!

Local specialist: Tamer Obeid
Tamer
Tamer Obeid
Local specialist in Quito, Ecuador | Replied on Apr 23, 2023
Thank you so much, John! Your review is priceless and I cannot be grateful enough for the opportunity of working with you and Brooke, and making sure this trip was perfect and left everlasting memories for each one in the group! Such a privilege! Sebastian and Wilson will be extremely happy when I convey to them your valuable feedback, they did a great job indeed. As for me, the honor of having my name printed on the back of the trip T-shirts saying 'It's Tamer Time' meant the world to me... Read more

Thank you so much, John! Your review is priceless and I cannot be grateful enough for the opportunity of working with you and Brooke, and making sure this trip was perfect and left everlasting memories for each one in the group! Such a privilege! Sebastian and Wilson will be extremely happy when I convey to them your valuable feedback, they did a great job indeed. As for me, the honor of having my name printed on the back of the trip T-shirts saying 'It's Tamer Time' meant the world to me :)
It doesn't stop here, I feel as if I'm part of the Forman family, and thus next year's trip will be spectacular in its own characteristics! And I'll see you again :)
Yours,
Tamer

Amazing family vacation to the Galápagos Islands
Galapagos Islands | Apr 2 - Apr 7, 2023

Leah
Leah T.
Portland, OR | Reviewed on Apr 13, 2023
Amazing family vacation to the Galapagos islands. From the moment I contacted KimKim and began conversing with Tammer I felt confident in my decision not to do my own bookings. During our adventure I felt we had a safety net and we’re in good hands. Tammer constantly provided us with accurate and timely details what to expect and when. The itineraries he created for us, was absolutely perfect in every way.
Without hesitation I would use this service again, and know that others would be...
Read more

Amazing family vacation to the Galapagos islands. From the moment I contacted KimKim and began conversing with Tammer I felt confident in my decision not to do my own bookings. During our adventure I felt we had a safety net and we’re in good hands. Tammer constantly provided us with accurate and timely details what to expect and when. The itineraries he created for us, was absolutely perfect in every way.
Without hesitation I would use this service again, and know that others would be equally impressed with the excellent service, quality of accommodations, itinerary planning expertise and attention to every detail. Tammer nailed it for me and my family! Bravo and thank you for the wonderful memories which include our interaction along the way with Tammer!

Hotel Reviews
Seaside Hotel
Galapagos
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Sol y Mar
Galápagos
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Wyndham Quito Airport
Quito

Perfect stop over, so close to the airport. Beautiful accommodations and food!

Authenticity & Character
Everything in one place
Location
Perfect stay at the airport
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Tamer Obeid
Tamer
Tamer Obeid
Local specialist in Quito, Ecuador | Replied on Apr 18, 2023
Hi Leah,
I can't tell enough how happy we are here in KimKim to know you and the family have enjoyed your trip and that everything was to your liking. I knew that this was a special reunion trip for you, and I feel honored to have been part of its planning. It is our main goal, if not the only one, to offer our travelers unique experiences and help create everlasting memories. I thank you for your kind words and testimony, it honestly means a lot to me personally.
I hope to welcome you again...
Read more

Hi Leah,
I can't tell enough how happy we are here in KimKim to know you and the family have enjoyed your trip and that everything was to your liking. I knew that this was a special reunion trip for you, and I feel honored to have been part of its planning. It is our main goal, if not the only one, to offer our travelers unique experiences and help create everlasting memories. I thank you for your kind words and testimony, it honestly means a lot to me personally.
I hope to welcome you again here in Ecuador on another occasion when you can explore other charming places this gorgeous country has to offer.
Best,
Tamer