Andean Travel Experience

We had a dense flawless and unforgettable joyful trip, organized to perfection and to the second in 17 days.
I believe Io read my mind when she organized the trip. I gave her few input about what we like and what we dislike and she created a perfect journey that surpassed by far our great expectations adding precious nuances that only locals could! We never liked to travel on organized plans, but KimKim made us change our mind forever. It was a 17 days trip filled up with excitement, beauty, nature, archeology.... couldn't ask for more!
We loved the luxury busses of Cruz del Sur that brought us to Paracas, Nazca and Arequipa, but the Avalos bus tour from Puno to Cuzco was a real surprise, when the super knowledgeable guide, Christian, made us discovering Wonders we didn't know existed.
The best highlight of the trip has been the rural hotel run by Chocolate Family in Coporaque, Colca Cañon! I wish we could have stayed there longer, learning by Rosio all the local knowledge on customs, plants, archeology, farming... Staying in strict contact with locals is the best.
All the tours and experience were guided by excellent guides. My favorite guides were Marco in Nazca, Brian on the bus tour from Arequipa to Colca Canyon, and Octavio on Titicaca Lake helped and instructed us in many ways to avoid altitude sickness. The hotels in Nazca, Arequipa, Coporaque, Cuzco, and OllantayTambo were splendid, spotless clean, adorable thoughtful staff trained to please and very beautiful structures and environment, some gardens perfect for birdwatching. Unfortunately the hotel in Paracas , though was in a perfect location to avoid the noise of the movida and had a very good bed, it had a disgusting dirty, stinky bathroom. Moreover in the hotel we stayed in Puno, the shower didn't work properly, the toilet got clogged and they couldn't change our room.
These last two were the only two exception to the perfection in the entire journey.

Hotel Reviews

Ibis Budget Lima Miraflores

Lima

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Bathroom was dirty

Oro viejo

Nasca

The hidden garden with pool, filled with spectacular flowers and birds was a beautiful surprise. The room was spotless and dustless clean in every detail, even though Nazca is very dusty. The adorable staff gave us more pillows and more toilet paper when asked.

Authenticity & Character

Just charming.

Location

Walkable distance to downtown and close to the Cruz del Sur bus station. Very quiet.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Emancipador Hotel

The bed was the most comfortable of the trip, but the room and the bathroom were very dirty.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Maison Du Soleil

Arequipa

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Conde de Lemos

Puno

In a very good position. The rooms are comfortable, but not well cleaned and the plumbing system is poor. The shower doesn't work properly, the water can't be mixed in lukewarm temperature. The toilet got clogged and impossible to use. They couldn't change the room. We had to wait for someone to unclog the toilet, and then they left it very dirty eventually. Very disappointing. They are doing some remodeling so maybe in the future the issues will all be solved.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Tika Wasi Casa Boutique

Cusco

Looking forward to coming here again. This is my favorite hotel of my entire life. The spotless clean spacious rooms are charming, with glorious views over the city. Breakfast is delicious and everyday full of different local goods. Adorable staff trained to please. Security 24/7. Wonderful travellers to hang out with. The patio is very nicely maintained and filled with hummingbirds of every size. The location is in a spectacular neighborhood, San Blas, at a walkable distance from the ancient ruins of Saqsaywaman and from downtown.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Amazing view of downtown Cuzco, and walkable distance from Saqsaywaman !

Staff

I Loved to be pleased 😁 the staff is adorable!

Cleanliness & Comfort

Very comfortable beds, and squeaky clean bathroom!

Sol Natura Hotel

Ollantaytambo

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Shared Paracas Nature Reserve

Paracas

We really liked to visit the Ballestas islands and see the wonderful birds and sea lions, and for the first time penguins in their environment! A very well organized tour, perfect timing on the day to admire the Candelabro de Paracas.Our boat guide was amazing!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Shared Rafting Chili River in Arequipa

Arequipa

Exciting. Safely done! 💯 If KimKim didn't propose this experience, we wouldn't have had a glance on rural parts of Arequipa and this beautiful river.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Shared 2-day Colca Canyon tour & Local Family Homestay 2/2: Bus to Puno

Peru

This has been the best experience on our journey through Peru, and it should be a marvelous surprise.

Quality of Experience

Food

This homemade food by our host, Rosio, has been the best we had during our entire journey through Peru.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Full-Day Tour to the Titinos Uros Islands

Puno

Another Marvel!

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Shared tour to Pisac & Ollantaytambo tour

Peru

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

The Route of The Sun: {{start_location}} - {{end_location}}

Peru

Excellent tour experience transforming a transfer day in an outstanding tour out of the traditional tourist route, filled with interesting environmental, archeological, and historical sites and good food. Maybe our favorite because we didn't have any expectations. Christian, the tour guide, has deep knowledge in many fields and fulfilled all of our curiosity. We did not want it to end when we got to Cuzco.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

The impressive knowledge of our guide, Christian, in Andean ancient civilizations, birdwatching , anthropology and many more fields.

Transport

Shared 2D Colca Canyon Tour : Arequipa - Colca - Puno 1/2

Peru

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Explore Machu Picchu (Private Guided tour in Machu Picchu) SV Htl

Peru

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Shared Palcoyo Trek: Small group

Cusco

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Wery nice and smoothly planned trip by Liz. We had an option to see Amazonas, hghlands, the desert and ocean during the same trip. It was amayzing. We had many planned tours on the road and all the guides were very professional and it was easy to interact with them. The guides in Cuso, Machiu Piccu and Pisac were just outstanding!

Hotel Reviews

Dazzler Miraflores by Wyndham

Lima

Very nice hotel - good breakfast (wide selection), nice rooms. Pool on the roof available but a bit small :)

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Eco Amazonia Lodge

Las Piedras

Very authentic and well equiped Lodge! Everything needed was there. Very good food and drinking water always available!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

It was hot in the lodge - some cooler would have been good to have in the room.

Tika Wasi Casa Boutique

Cusco

Nice boutique hotel in Cusvo in very good location.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

A bit cold in the rooms! Heaters were helping a lot!

Pucara Machu Picchu Hotel

Average hotel in Machu Picchu. Rooms were a bit chilly, breakfast selection rather moderate.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Qalasaya Hotel

Puno

Average hotel in very good location in Puno. The selection during the breakfast was a bit limited. Rooms were chilly and during the night turned to be cold.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

EcoLogic 3/3: Flight to {{end_location}}

Peru

The logistics from Amazonas to Puerto Maldonado was nice and safe. All well planned!

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Shared Larco Museum

Lima

Interesting tour through the history of Pery based on the collection of the art.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

The guide was running the exhibition through quite fast :)

Transport

Flight to Puerto Maldonado: EcoLogic 1/3

Peru

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Ecologic 2/3

Puerto Maldonado

Amazonas tour was very well organized!

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Amayzing guide in Amazonas

Transport

Private Half-Day Walking Tour: Sacsayhuaman, Cusco City & San Pedro Market

Cusco

Nice walking along the Ika road from Sacsayhuaman temple to Cusco city.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Very professional guide leading the tour

Transport

Shared tour to Moray Terraces & Maras Salt Mines Tour

Cusco

Very well planned and interesting tour throughthe Inka`s built Terraces and Salt Mines

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Very professional guide

Transport

The Route of The Sun: {{start_location}} - {{end_location}}

Peru

Interesting and comfortable trip by the bus

Quality of Experience

Food

Good food included in the restaurant by the road to Puno

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Very comfortable transportation - toilet and drinks included.

Shared tour to Pisac, Ollantaytambo & Train to Machu Picchu town

Peru

One of the most interesting tours covering different temples built by Inka`s

Quality of Experience

Food

Lunch breal in the nice open air resturant was positive surprise!

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Led by the guide who has very wide knowladge about the history of Inka`s and Peru in general

Transport

Shared Uros & Taquile Floating Islands tour

Puno

Well packed trip on the lake of Titicaca. Floating islands is very different and worth to visit. Nice walking and lunch in Taquile island.

Quality of Experience

Food

Very good soup and fish was served!

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Again, the guide was nice and professional

Transport

Shared Ballestas Islands & Paracas Nature Reserve

Paracas

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Explore Machu Picchu & Return to Cusco (Private Guided tour in Machu Picchu)

Peru

Stunning views, exciting walking in Machu Picchu

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

The guide was professional and very nice, taking us through the MP, showing us the best details of the area.

Transport

This was more than I expected! The entire trip was well conducted and communicated the entire time using “KimKim”! We were blessed with clear weather which allowed the crew to truly appreciate our time. Alexandra was a blessing! Her knowledge and enthusiasm gave us a tremendous boost of comfort. We would travel anywhere with her again!

The trip plan was excellent and we covered a lot of different activities and areas of PERU. The Hiram Bingham train to Machu Picchu was so much fun and the guide was very good.

We had Juan de la Cruz as our guide in the sacred valley and Cusco. He was very knowledgeable and warm and we learned a lot and enjoyed his company.

Each hotel was unique with excellent service. The inka terra lodge in the Amazon was amazing and the guide Pedro that took us on all the excursions was extremely patient and never rushed trying to give us the maximum chance of seeing the wildlife. The meals were delicious.

My family group of 15 just got back from a week in Peru. We met with our tour guide Alexandra Toledo in Cusco, She took us to view Pisac while on our way to Aranwa Hotel in Sacred Valley. From there we toured Chinchero, Moray, Maras and then to Aguas Calientes via Peru Rail Vistadome. Machu Picchu was the most magical experience. The beauty of the mountains is breathtaking. We spent our last two days back in Cusco before flying back to Lima, visiting the beautiful city squares, markets and Saqsaywamam. The experience with kimkim.com was really great. They were super accommodating and patient with us. Our guide Alexandra felt like part of the family!! !!!!FIVE STARS!!!!

Hotel Reviews

Pullman Lima Miraflores

Miraflores, Lima

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Aranwa Sacred Valley

Urubamba

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Gringo Bill's Boutique Hotel

Aguas Calientes, Machu Picchu

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hilton Garden Inn Cusco

Cusco

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Explore Machu Picchu & Return to Cusco (Private Guided tour in Machu Picchu) SV

Peru

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Flight from {{start_location}} to Cusco & Private tour to The Sacred Valley

Peru

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private tour to Chinchero, Moray, Maras & Observaroty Train to Aguas Calientes

Peru

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Machu Picchu Tour (Private Guided Tour) AM

Aguas Calientes/ Machu Picchu

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Cusco City Tour & San Pedro Market

Cusco

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

First of all, this our 2nd time to use KimKim for a trip. They certainly have made traveling more enjoyable, and in actuality, cost efficient!
We were working with Liz Karen for quite a while. She is knowledgeable about the various options for a Cusco trip which helped us make our decisions.
Since we started many months prior to traveling, we really appreciated Liz Karen’s patience and creativity. We end up with 9 iterations of our trip, and she helped with all the information we needed to have a good trip.
When we finally arrived, our in country help was Oscar! That guy is really patient, but I also think he knows how to build in the perfect amount of time for each of the outings. He kept us on pace, especially with our reserved luncheon at Ollytantambo and with the rather complicated 2 day trip for Machupicchu with buses and trains and other hotels, he made it easy. He really allowed us to enjoy ourselves and masterfully moved us around. To where we needed to go at what time we needed to be there.
We had a 6 day trip from USA, all in Cusco/Aguas Calientes area. With 11 people including 2 grandparents and 1 grandchild, the private tours and travel were of necessity, and here is where KimKim does so well. That’s the really service we appreciate because we get to enjoy the trip and the sights!
We stayed at Tika Wasi in the San Blas area of Cusco, which was a perfect funky hotel with nice courtyard area and the surrounding area is comfortable and plenty of food alternatives.
Definitely want to make sure you are acclimated to the altitude as not sure we could’ve done machupichu in the 1st couple days, pretty rough already.

Hotel Reviews

Tika Wasi Casa Boutique

Cusco

Very nice comfortable boutique in San Blas. Breakfast was good, along with the courtyard area. No televisions in rooms, which is nice to have, but then again we were so tired that probably didn’t matter. The staff was friendly, knowledgeable about the area, and even helped me fix one of our luggage zippers!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Right at the edge of the area. Far enough away from noise and hustle, yet close enough that we could walk everywhere

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Pucara Machu Picchu Hotel

Can’t beat a hotel right downtown, such convenience.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Explore Machu Picchu & Return to Cusco (Private Guided tour in Machu Picchu)

Peru

We simply travel to go find out about places, so we certainly got out fill of being in the area long enough, but then to add this really awe inspiring mountain top city basically in the middle of nowhere was simply breathtaking. Not to mention the climb up to go down to the part of the circuit 2A we went on. Oscar was helpful getting us around as he did all week.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private tour to Pisac: Andean Animals

Cusco

This was pretty neat, and really helped us understand where we were geographically: very high up in the Andes! So awesome! Was cool to see the local animals and birds, and see the countryside.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Half-Day Walking Tour: Sacsayhuaman, Cusco City & San Pedro Market

Cusco

This was basically filler and a get to know the area excursion. I think our group was too big to make it special, as no one paid much attention and went off on their own anyway.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private tour to The Sacred Valley: Maras, Moray & Pachamanca

Peru

Basically it was all about the Pachamama, as we are a family that loves to eat. Learning a bit more about the indigenous culture, in that setting at El Albergue was fantastic. The distillery and the coffee roasting facilities were a nice surprise.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Andriel was an amazing guide through the sacred valley.
I appreciate the KimKim team for organizing everything, booking all transportation, checking into our flights for us, etc. it made travel worry-free.
The itinerary was spot on.

It was a lot of travel to go back 500 years in history to Machu Picchu but I will never forget it.
I especially liked how knowledgeable our tour guide was of the history of Machu Picchu and was easily able to answer all of our detailed question
Booking me in the hotel on the square in Cusco was great as the view of the square ( spent hours people watching) and the Christ Statue glowing at night overlooking the city. Later touring Pukamoqo hill, a place that was already considered a spiritual site by the Inca civilization I was very interested in learning it was donated to the city in 1945 by Palestinian Arabs who migrated to this part of Peru as a refuge after the Second World War.
I loved the ancient Andean sacredness that was prevalent all around the country
Thanks for the opportunity to briefly experience the culture and want to go back for more in depth indigenous food and cooking classes.

Fantastic trip! Liz helped me put together a custom trip tailored to our wishes and found ways to keep the costs in check with our budget. In addition, the two times we had questions while on the trip, Lizbeth was incredibly responsive and assisted us immediately. We enjoyed visiting Arequipa, Colca Canyon (which included a homestay with a lovely couple), Cusco, Ollantaytambo, Rainbow Mountain, Machu Picchu and Lima. In each location, we enjoyed tours - some private and some in small groups. Our tour guides, especially William in Cusco, Jaqueline in Machu Picchu and Julie in Ollantaytambo were fantastic and went above and beyond by sharing additional information about Peru, it's culture and people. We learned so much from each one. Our biggest highlights were Machu Picchu - seeing 3 different circuits as well as the Inca Bridge and Huayna Picchu Mountain hike - and Rainbow Mountain. We'd highly recommend working with Kimkim, Andean Travel Experience as they did an awesome job!

Guides Daniel in the Amazon, Nataly in Cusco and Javier in Machu Picchu were all exceptional. Highlights for me were the stay in the Amazon, with the wildlife sightings and cultural experiences, and our day in Machu Picchu, being in the citidel and then hiking to the top of Waynapicchu. Unforgettable. I also loved the Urban Cooking Experience with chef Patrick in Lima - wonderful!