Exceptional service, exceptional vacation!
Galapagos Islands | Dec 9 - Dec 22, 2022

Barb
Barb M.
Forest Hills, MI | Reviewed on Jan 11, 2023

We could not have been happier with the service we received from the kimkim team! Lucia and Angel responded immediately to our questions before and during our travel. Every possible effort was made on their part to ensure we had a safe and exciting vacation with exceptional guides at every turn.

Our time in Peru was a once-in-a-lifetime experience! We had an amazing tour of Lima (thank you Juana!), an educational Sacred Valley tour (thank you Henry!). Lucia and Angel reserved Andre as our Machu Picchu guide and he was perfect for us. Andre taught us about Incan culture and history as well as the integration of Incan beliefs into everyday Peruvian life. This was a highlight of our stay in Peru.

Juan Carlos led an exceptional excursion in Cusco and we can personally recommend his services. There were extenuating circumstances during our Cusco stay but Juan Carlos and the kimkim team made sure that we remained comfortable and cared for without interruption.

Off to Ecuador where we were treated like royalty by Angel and Sebastian in Quito. The next morning, we flew to the Galapagos and the attention from the kimkim staff did not disappoint. Rita was attentive to our every need (drivers, boat transfers, flights, ferries) --- she could not have done more for us! Julio (our guide for nature hikes) was knowledgeable, humorous and energetic.

Definitely take the snorkeling trip to the uninhabited island and try to secure Ricardo as your guide. He and the boat captain went above and beyond to create a memorable experience for everyone. The food and staff on board the Nautilus were friendly and accommodating in every detail.

Our final stop was at the Middle of the World where Marco provided an interesting and amusing tour. We truly enjoyed our time with him. Before we boarded our flight home, Angel took the time to meet us personally at the airport and share much-deserved hugs and farewells.

Because of an unexpected event in Peru, we were unable to meet our daughter on the Galapagos Islands as stated on our original itinerary. Lucia and Angel not only ensured that she was able to participate in the activities as planned, they also rescheduled events for us back in Peru until we could join her. We were never concerned for her safety and she even got one-on-one tours from the guides on the Galapagos Islands.

A final observation: You will not be disappointed with the service provided by this kimkim team. Lucia and Angel managed everything: meals, tickets, transfers, taxis, luggage transport, tours, entrance fees... the list is lengthy! You will be well taken care of and can be secure knowing that your agents are on top of every activity, hotel, and transportation need.

No one could have asked more from Lucia and Angel. We recommend them --- and the tour they created for us --- without reservation!

Happy travels to Peru and Ecuador, everyone!
Barb and Dan

Hotel Reviews
Union Hotel Cusco
Cusco

Great food, excellent and attentive staff. Fun location near the mercado and a short walk from the plaza.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Arawi Miraflores Prime
Lima

Location in a funky part of Lima: short walk to Larcomar and Miraflores park.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Excellent breakfast buffet!
Tierra Viva Valle Sagrado
Urubamba

Gorgeous setting, fabulous food, great staff. The room itself was basic, but we were outside most of the time. Beautiful setting near mountains and the river. The town of Ullantaytambo is not remarkable, but it's lively and interesting!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Maritza was a lot of fun. We enjoyed everyone, but she was very kind and friendly!
Cleanliness & Comfort
Kitu Hotel
Quito
Authenticity & Character
Definitely a boutique hotel. We were on the 4th floor (walk up) and our drive and guide carried our heavy bags all the way up for us!!
Location
Beautiful night time view from the balcony
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Villa Laguna
Puerto Ayora

Great pool!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Very close to the piers and the nightlife and the music and the plaza and the restaurants!
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Isamar Hotel
Puerto Villamil, Isla Isabela

Sea breezes lulled us to sleep!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Right on the beach. Nice.
Staff
Stored our luggage, put out a great breakfast buffet, provided extra towels: they couldn't have been nicer or more attentive!
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Afternoon Highlights of Lima-  City Tour
Afternoon Highlights of Lima- City Tour
Lima

We had a unique experience due to political upheaval --- our guide kept us safe and informed!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Juana was excellent
Cusco - The Sacred Valley
Cusco - The Sacred Valley
Galapagos Islands

We enjoyed an amusing and educational tour of the area and the peoples of Cusco!

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Maras & Moray Tour
Maras & Moray Tour
Galapagos Islands
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Machu Picchu - Huayna Picchu - Cusco
Machu Picchu - Huayna Picchu - Cusco
Galapagos Islands

We were blown away by Andre and our experience at the citadel. Mystical, practical, humorous, intelligent... an indescribable experience.

Quality of Experience
Everything was ready for us: train tickets, bus tickets, knowledgeable tour guide. It was perfect.
Food
We ate at Toto's. Good lunch buffet. Avoid the drink "Machu Picchu" unless you like toothpaste or mouthwash!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Andre was amazing!
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

Marco was hilarious and was a good sport while we practiced our Spanish and asked him to take photos.

Quality of Experience
Great tour on site; the woman was humorous and intelligent
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Thank you Marco!
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

We were unprepared for the amazing the boat ride! Schooner to the island, hike to a spectacular view, snorkeling with penguins and sharks and sea lions. And they never stopped feeding us on the boat!! Breakfast, snack, lunch, snack, snack. Lovely voyage!

Quality of Experience
I love boat rides. That was enough for me. The hike and snorkeling were extras. :)
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Ricardo crushed it! Concerned about the environment, intelligent, worked well with the entire group.
Transport
Woohoo! Sailboat!
Dinner by the Sea
Dinner by the Sea
Galapagos Islands

Delightful night time boat shuttle to an adorable restaurant.

Quality of Experience
The food was exceptional, great cocktails, loved being near the water
Food
We upgraded to lobster. Worth it!
Transport
Short ferry ride and you're there
Isabela Island's Treasures: Exploring the Breeding Center & Wetlands
Isabela Island's Treasures: Exploring the Breeding Center & Wetlands
Galapagos Islands

One of the highlights of the islands! If you want to see tortoises, take this tour!

Quality of Experience
This was a must-see for us. LOTS of tortoises to see.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Julio showed us flamingos, Darwin finches, different flora and fauna of the Galapagos. We arrived when the tortoises were being fed and that was a bonus for sure!
Transport
Well, we walked.
Local specialist: Lucia Cazar
Lucia
Lucia Cazar
Local specialist in Ecuador | Replied on Jan 16, 2023
OMG Barb and Dan, this is such a beautiful review, just like you guys!!
I am really happy that you had a wonderful experience with us :)
it was lovely meeting you guys I will appreciate those memories forever, especially your day of arrival in Quito and that perfect dinner night!!!
I hope you can come back soon since Amazon is waiting for you, I know the next time you will be speaking Spanish that will enhance the experience in a memorable way!
It's hard to put in words everything I felt...
Read more

OMG Barb and Dan, this is such a beautiful review, just like you guys!!
I am really happy that you had a wonderful experience with us :)
it was lovely meeting you guys I will appreciate those memories forever, especially your day of arrival in Quito and that perfect dinner night!!!
I hope you can come back soon since Amazon is waiting for you, I know the next time you will be speaking Spanish that will enhance the experience in a memorable way!
It's hard to put in words everything I felt reading this, I am really grateful to have this job where I can Meet travelers like you who become close friends!
Thank you for being so kind and nice all the time!
PS: Pictures are amazing I love them!

Warm regards, and come back soon,
Lucia and Angel.