Patagonia Cultural Trips & Experiences

My husband and I usually plan our own trips but we are so glad we had KimKim plan our Patagonia trip. Our transportation, tours and hotels (loved Lago Grey) were organized for us and we avoided traveling with a large group, wearing matching name tags, and following a umbrella carrying guide. It was the perfect compromise. KimKim did the big planning, offered suggestions for things do, but gave us the freedom to explore on our own. Erin adjusted the itinerary to fit our choices and once we were on our trip, Jessica handled every detail and responded quickly to our many questions.
Our favorite tours involved glaciers (we did four and loved them all) but if you only have time for one glacier, Perito Moreno Boat and walking tour is the tour you want, This glacier is spectacular.
Our Torres del Paine Private Wildlife Tour was another highlight. We had a hike over gentle hills and then it got wild! Our guide, Armando, spotted a puma across the river and our driver, Juan, pulled the car over. We all watched the puma swim across the river to where we were standing and watched it leap up the mountain side! Armando took videos for me!
Even more amazing was the concern Armando and Juan had about the hike we had planned for the next day. After our hike across the gentle hill, they realized that we should not attempt our planned hike. They had a private chat and came up with an easier hike with as similar view. It was perfect and even had a lake view for our picnic lunch! Their quick planning was an example of how great it was to have such personal attention.
Our only regret is that we planned our trip to Iguazu Falls instead having KimKim do it!

Hotel Reviews

Hotel Kosten Aike

El Calafate

The location was great to walk downtown and easy to find a great place to eat.

Authenticity & Character

Location

close to shops and places to eat

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Lago Grey

Torres del Paine

Perfection ! Great food - loved our server each evening. The view from our room was amazing!

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

great bed

Activity Reviews

Grey Glacier Boat Tour (round-trip)

Patagonia

well it was the first glacier tour of our trip

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Admire Salto Grande & Hike the Cuernos Lookout Point

Patagonia

Our guide Jauquin was fantastic - always showed us the best place for a photo and offered to take photos of us

Quality of Experience

great lunch and snacks

Guides, Drivers and Staff

very well informed about the area

Transport

nice ride

Boat Tour to Bernardo O Higgins National Park, Serrano & Balmaceda Glaciers

Puerto Natales

we liked getting scotch on the rocks with the "rocks" being glacier ice loved the cormorants loved being able to see the glacier and then get off the boat and walk to it loved the lunch

Quality of Experience

lunch, glacier walk,

Food

all of it

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Gourmet Glacier Cruise to Perito Moreno & Spegazinni

El Calafate

loved seeing the glaciers, excellent lunch, liked seeing the Puesto Las Vacas

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

nice guide for the Puesto las Vacas area

Transport

Torres del Paine Private Wildlife Tour

Patagonia

excellent guide

Quality of Experience

very helpful guide who took photos of puma for me

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

planned a safer hike for. the following day

Transport

Perito Moreno Boat & Walking Tour

El Calafate

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We had an amazing trip to Patagonia Chilena planned through KimKim. I first deal with Nara Matos, locally based in Puerto Natales, who helped us craft the itinerary based on our interests and some existing itineraries. She was extremely responsive including having a video call with me early on. We were also supported by Jessica Walker who was also very responsive including helping clarify for me which specific property showing up with a common name was the actual place of our dinner reservation. Having Nara and Jessica available while on country is definitely one of the benefits one gets for the premium one pays using KimKim versus trying to arrange everything oneself. They were both very friendly and great to deal with.
All of the hotels and excursions arranged through KimKim were top notch. Our Santiago city tour with Julio Contreras was an excellent introduction to the city and Chile. Julio was engaging, funny and very knowledgeable and I highly recommend him. We also enjoyed staying at the Hotel Ladro in Santiago’s Providencia neighborhood, chosen by KimKim.
Our excursion to try and see Condors by going up Cero Benitez outside Puerto Natales was also excellent. Our guide, Polo, was knowledgeable, fun to chat with, reactive to our needs and safety-conscious. The view from the top
was just incredible and we did see one Condor perched outside its cliff-face home.
The Puerto Natales hotel KimKim booked in which we stayed, Hotel Costaaustralis, was very good. In fact, we rebooked there unexpectedly when our flight back to Santiago was canceled and we had to fly the next day. We particularly enjoyed the view of the water and mountains from our room.
The highlight of our trip was the the three days/nights in the Patagonia Camp eco-resort. An incredible property, beautifully situated and staffed with warm and friendly and fun people. The two day hike excursions we did, Miradores and Historical Patagonia were amazing. The view of the “cuernos” of the Paine Massif across the lake at Mirador Cuernos was jaw-dropping. Not only because of the majesty of the rugged young mountains, but the natural prism-ing of the sunlight 8”into multiple colors that gave everything a magical feel.
The experience of being on the East side of Torres Del Paine for the historical excursion was a nice alternative to the previous day’s Miradores hike. We don’t see any pumas but saw plenty Guanacos and bird life. And at times we were the only one ls out in that massive landscape.
The food and drinks at Patagonia Camp were also excellent. We especially enjoyed the Sunday night bar BBQ our first night. Grilled meats (and veggie options) and wine outside was really nice.
We would use KimKim again as their role in helping craft a wonderful (though too short) introduction to Patagonia for our party (Mom, Dad, 24-year old daughter) was something we really appreciated. Thank you KimKim for helping craft some amazing memories for the three of us.

Hotel Reviews

Hotel Ladera

Providencia

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Costaustralis

Puerto Natales

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Patagonia Camp

Torres del Paine

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Condor Watching

Puerto Natales

Polo was a great guide!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Santiago City Tour

Chile

Julio Contreras was an awesome guide!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We had an amazing trip to Patagonia!! HIGHLY recommend this trip! Incredible nature, mountains, rivers, lakes, hiking, kayaking, wonderful accommodations, food and wine, and lovely people!

Hotel Reviews

Legado Mitico Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires

We enjoyed this hotel and our time in Buenos Aires. We did an awesome half day city tour and then went to a couple of museums the next day. The location of the hotel was super convenient to lots of shops and restaurants. The staff at the hotel was lovely and we loved the beautiful artwork in our room!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Aguas Arriba Lodge

El Chalten

This place is spectacular! The owners were so lovely and made us feel so welcome. The food was truly amazing and the service just as awesome. We did several hikes from this lodge (we actually did a two hour hike on the way in to a beautiful glacier and then took the boat across to the Lodge). The warmth and hospitality are simply amazing. I loved the yoga dome too. Sitting on the deck overlooking the lake at sunset with views of Fitzroy was one of my favorite memories of the trip! All the other guests were so wonderful and it was just a slice of heaven! We also went fly fishing and had a great time catching lots of rainbow trout with our fantastic guides. HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS LODGE!!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Los Cerros del Chalten Boutique Hotel & Spa

El Chalten

We truly loved El Chalten! Amazing town with lots of bars and restaurants and shops. Gorgeous views and fun that the hike to Lagos los Tres ended up in town.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Everyone was so nice and helpful. Excellent breakfast!!

Cleanliness & Comfort

The rooms were spacious and beds very comfortable. Nice lounge area to hang out in!

Xelena Suites

El Calafate

The breakfast here wasn't the best but we enjoyed the walk into town along the lake. El Calafate is a lovely little town and we decided that if we return we would plan to stay at a hotel or Inn in town. Wish we had more time to explore the town!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Rio Serrano

Torres del Paine

We loved this hotel. Great location and so much fun to spend time outside on the couches watching the sunset.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

The Singular Patagonia

Puerto Natales

This hotel is really special and unique. So interesting and the food was awesome!

Authenticity & Character

Beautiful room, comfortable bed, excellent restaurant. The architecture is amazing and so unique!

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Kayak Lago & Rio Grey

Chile

This was a must do activity! The river was so beautiful and we had the best time! Our guide was awesome and the weather couldn't have been better. We were a little nervous about the "rapids" but they were manageable even with our limited kayak skills. This was one of my favorite activities on the trip!

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Day Trip to a Patagonian Estancia

Chile

This is a gorgeous Estancia and the boat ride there and back was great. I loved riding horses and the views were spectacular. The staff, the lunch, the wine were all fabulous and we enjoyed the tour very much!

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport