This trip was amazing! Loved Ecuador
Ecuador
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Jan 20 - Jan 31, 2026
This trip was amazing! I was so impressed with the country, the food, and the people. Karla was absolutely phenomenal.
She was patient, kind, and always available. She answered all of my questions, even the silly ones! She was kind enough to even accompany me to see the Cathedral and spend time after work one night. It is really nice getting to know the person whom you have trust in while in a foreign country. Fransisco was also wonderful. He was knowledgeable, sensible, helpful and very caring when the altitude was too much. He was prompt and very great to get to know. He was a confident driver in traffic around Quito as well. It was difficult on the horseback ride as no one spoke English. The ride was beautiful, but would have been better to understand where we were. My bike ride was also very nice. both Paulo and Freddy were very adept at navigating traffic around the city and communicating. Couldn't have been better. As for the Galapagos, this part of the trip was wonderful--the swimming, boats, snorkelling. The transport team was a little difficult. most did not seem to speak english very well. Especially transport to/from the boats and airport. The snorkelling both Tintoreras and Los Tuneles was very very good. the guides were personable and friendly. They paid attention to detail and safety as well. I would have liked a more active kayak experience, but relaxing while the guide paddled was nice, none the less. I will/have already recommended Kim Kim for future travel to all of my friends as well.
Hotel Reviews
Room was nice, but a bit warm. It was very quiet. It was a difficult time hauling heavy bags up/down three flights of stairs. Breakfast staff and receptionist were wonderful. Very helpful.
wonderful beautiful and spacious hotel. The little garden was worth the walk. Dinner was amazing. The hotel was a bit remote and far away from ANYTHING>
this hotel was very nice, close but not too close to the city (nice walk), near to some restaurants. staff was friendly and helpful although English was marginal. Pool was nice. a/c was great in the room and breakfast room, but the rest of the building was rather warm .
very clean, comfortable, spacious hotel. amenities were good. dining options were a little pricey but food was excellent.
The hotel was clean, although a bit dated. A/c was nice. pool was very pleasant. The receptionist, Diego, was wonderful! He was personable and spoke very good English and was very fun to talk to. The central area was nice to relax in.
Activity Reviews
Phenomenal !!!! The experience was great and the food was tremendous. Loved the chef as well.
it was very very hot on Tortuga bay! even with sunscreen, it was scorching. swimming and snorkelling was very relaxing. There was very little interaction between the guide and myself. He was rather standoff-ish. the walk was nice and the fish were great! I would have liked to paddle the kayak but the guide insisted that he was going to paddle while I just sat and relaxed. Turtles and sharks were very cool to observe in their natural habitat. Guide recommended to take the speed boat back to save time and allow the afternoon to relax. Felt like he was in a hurry to return.
Both Paulo (the route) and Freddy (the commentary and history) were wonderful. Very nice and paid attention to safety.
the weather was POURING on this day but the birds were so very very cool! We saw lots of birds, even a Toucan. the hummingbirds were magnificient.
We only could see the volcanoe peaking from beyond many clouds. altitude sickness was a problem. walking around the small lake was nice. Fransisco's knowledge helped a lot.
the animals were very very interesting to observe in their habitat. the guide was very knowledgeable but not really interested in interacting as people. She did eventually open up a little bit. The drivers did not speak English and the whole pick up from the airport was rather confusing and a little stressful. One of the airport personnel had retrieved my bag (unbeknownst to me) and put it aside. After all the luggage was retrieved I happened to see my bag in the corner and had to ask about it. The man did not speak English. I had to take the bag and look for my guides in a sea of people. The tree planting was quick and the "gardener" did not speak any English. basically he had dug the small hole, handed me the plant (I am not sure what is was??) and motioned me to put it in the hole. We ate at the newly refurbished dining hall overlooking the Tortoise area. The meal was excellent and the staff was courteous.
I ended up NOT doing this activity as the altitude sickness prevented me safely enjoying the views.
This was an excellent tour. the guide was very knowledgeable, took questions, spoke good English yet spoke to the Ecuadorians as well. the animals were very happy letting us observe them. the guide seemed to know exactly where to find the different species that made the trip worthwhile.
probably the best experience of the trip! the guides were great, they all were very very helpful and attentive. the food was excellent (cooked on the boat between snorkeling), snorkeleing was great and the guide even took photos and videos he shared with us. he was very patient and even helped with a new facemask that I had purchased for the trip.
the pickup at the boat was very confusing as the guides did not speak much English and were not very attentive. a list of available restaurants and a local map would be very helpful.
guide was on time to drive us to the airport.
no activities as we got in to the city late.