We were two families with teenagers traveling...
Ecuador | Dec 23 - Dec 30, 2023

Sejal
Sejal S.
Sudbury, MA | Reviewed on Jan 02, 2024

We were two families with teenagers traveling together from different parts of the USA, so lots of logistics. Pilar Albuja helped plan our itinerary. She was very responsive in drafting it, answering questions and finalizing our plan. We had a really nice mix of locations and activities. At the Amazon, we stayed at Kuyana Lodge which was a wonderful experience. With only 7 jungle huts, it is a really intimate experience. Our guide, Leo, was helpful, full of information and easy to get along with -- which was a good thing because we were with him a lot! The food at the lodge is so amazing. We had several vegetarian and other dietary and allergy restrictions and the lodge was able to accommodate everything and were especially careful with the allergy. Chef prepared the best food, we wanted to bring him home and make him our personal chef! He used many local ingredients from the Amazon and we enjoyed some incredibly tasty meals. The food was also presented really well - felt like Michelin star dining! All the activities were interesting, hikes, night hikes, river tubing or simply listening to the sounds of the jungle in one of the many seating areas around the lodge.
In Quito, we had a guide named Nancy for visits to Quito, Middle of the World, Otavalo, and Cotopaxi. Nancy was full of information about history and culture - we learned so much from her. Nancy was energetic, always accommodating to our requests and provided advice when we felt the effects of altitude sickness. She was very friendly and approachable. Our activities were all wonderful including the Quito old town tour, visit to the equator was super cool, the lake at Otavalo and a hike up a volcano near Cotopaxi to get better views. Nancy's insight definitely made for a better experience. We highly recommend kimkim and will definitely use them again in the future!

Hotel Review
Kuyana Amazon Lodge
Archidona

Lodge is in a beautiful area. The guides are knowledgeable and very caring. The Chef is amazing - most delicious meals! And we loved the pet monkey, Ramona. More details in my main review. The only feedback would be to include a boxed lunch on the visit to the Napo River / indigenous people village / tubing day so that we can eat during the lunch hour.

Authenticity & Character
Wood construction, open air buildings ... just felt reallly one with nature.
Location
surrounded by jungle. I loved my jungle hut sitting on the banks of a creek. Spacious room, beautiful bathroom and a wonderful deck!
Staff
Everyone is so knowledgeable, hospitable ... we were pampered!
Cleanliness & Comfort
Everything . . leave the shoes at the steps is a wonderful requirement!
Activity Reviews
Day 2 Kuyana Lodge
Day 2 Kuyana Lodge
Archidona

Waterfalls were beautiful .. everyone should take a dip! Leo was helpful to us in navigating some tricky areas. We loved that Ramona the monkey came with us!

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Discover Quito's Best-Kept Secrets: A Full-Day Tour of the Historic and the Middle of the World
Discover Quito's Best-Kept Secrets: A Full-Day Tour of the Historic and the Middle of the World
Quito

Loved that our guide took us to the top of the tower at Basilica del Voto Nacional as we had amazing views. The chocolate tasting at Yumbas was so delicious, and so much variety allowed us to get a better understanding of how flavors of cacao vary. Middle of the World science experiments are super cool ... I learned a lot and it was mind blowing to see!

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
 Discover the Magic of Otavalo: Immerse Yourself in Indigenous Culture and Vibrant Markets and visit  Cuicocha Lake.
Discover the Magic of Otavalo: Immerse Yourself in Indigenous Culture and Vibrant Markets and visit Cuicocha Lake.
Ecuador

The Cotacachi Lake is not to be missed. It is stunning. Our guide had lots of information about local plants. If you have traveled to other countries with crafts markets, Otavalo Market is different in that the items are different, but the market itself is not unique.

Quality of Experience
Food
Beautiful 500 year old hacienda ... and food was good too!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Conquer the Majestic Cotopaxi: A Thrilling Full-Day Adventure in the Land of Volcanoes- with horseback riding
Conquer the Majestic Cotopaxi: A Thrilling Full-Day Adventure in the Land of Volcanoes- with horseback riding
Cotopaxi

I loved that our guide suggested a hike to a different volcano that has a viewing point to get better views of Cotopaxi. We hiked around a lake and then up to the viewing point. The lake is more like a marsh than a lake due to human consumption of water and climate change. Not sure the 2 hours were worth it for that portion. The hike up the volcano was difficult for altitude, but breathtaking and we did get some glimpses of Cotopaxi! The horseback riding at El Porvenir was surreal. It is such a gorgeous landscape. Even though it rained a bit, they provided us with ponchos and rain ponchos and we stayed toasty warm.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Pilar Albuja
Pilar
Pilar Albuja
Local specialist in Ecuador Quito | Replied on Jan 03, 2024
Hi Sejal, I hope this message finds you well! I am absolutely delighted to hear that you and your families had such a fantastic experience during your recent trip to Ecuador. It was truly a pleasure assisting you in planning your itinerary, and I'm thrilled to know that it met your expectations. Your kind words about Kuyana Lodge and the Amazon experience bring a big smile to my face. I'm glad that the intimate setting, guided by Leo, provided a memorable and immersive jungle adventure.
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Hi Sejal,

I hope this message finds you well!

I am absolutely delighted to hear that you and your families had such a fantastic experience during your recent trip to Ecuador. It was truly a pleasure assisting you in planning your itinerary, and I'm thrilled to know that it met your expectations.

Your kind words about Kuyana Lodge and the Amazon experience bring a big smile to my face. I'm glad that the intimate setting, guided by Leo, provided a memorable and immersive jungle adventure.
It's fantastic to hear that the lodge's chef could cater to various dietary restrictions and allergies, making your culinary experience as delightful as the rest of your stay. I must admit, the idea of bringing the chef home as a personal chef sounds tempting!

I'm also pleased that Nancy made your time in Quito, Middle of the World, Otavalo, and Cotopaxi so enriching. Her energy, knowledge, and friendly nature certainly add a special touch to the tours. I'm glad she could provide valuable insights and assistance, especially when dealing with altitude sickness.

Your positive feedback is the best reward for the hard work we put into creating memorable travel experiences. Thank you for choosing kimkim, and we look forward to the opportunity to assist you with your future travel plans. If there's anything else you'd like to share or discuss, feel free to reach out.

Wishing you and your families wonderful adventures ahead!

Warm regards,

Pilar Albuja