Kimkim Trip Reviews for Ecuador

During my trip to Ecuador, I visited Otavalo, Quito, Cotopaxi and Mindo. Kimkim arranged for transportations, local and indigenous guides, and I had a great time with all of them- especially Danny Arias, David and Fausto.
In Otavalo, I visited the Cuicocha Lagoon, Peguche falls, and the artisan market, followed by a traditional Ecuadorian lunch. I appreciate that the guides catered to my food preferences and allergies!
I enjoyed seeing the hummingbirds and butterflies in Mindo, but freaked out when I reached the zipline and decided not to do it😅 I loved the chocolate experience and everything about the trip today, Mindo is so green and beautiful!
On the way back we passed by the Inti nan museum, and I was amazed by the experiments related to the equator.
Cotopaxi was absolutely magical and breathtaking! I wished I had more time to spend in the Andes and the avenue of the volcanoes.

Thank you Mathias and the team for making my trip truly exceptional and authentic!

Absolutely fantastic experience! Our coordinator, Linda, was extremely responsive, easy to work with, and listened to all of our requests when planning our trip/activities. Sebastian and Alejandro, our tour guides, made this trip even more extraordinary with their knowledge, ease and recommendations along the way. We enjoyed our experience so much that my husband and I ended up booking our next vacation using KimKim to Egypt. 10/10 recommend!!

Daniel was a phenomenal specialist. He went above and beyond to make our trip to Ecuador's city of Quito and the Amazon Rainforest a once-in-a-lifetime trip. Not only did using kimkim service provide a meaningful experience it packed more into our trip than we could have done on our own with our limited Spanish and knowledge of the region.

Marcello, our guide at the Napo Culteral Center was amazing. He was very knowledgable of the native culture, language and the jungle animals and plants. We saw red Macaws gather to a clay link, the jungle from both the river and a tower above the trees

Jorge, our guide through the Andes was fantastic. Offered many sites and activities in addition to the itinerary. Although the 4 hour drive over the bumpy dirt road was unpleasant, Jorge and our driver Winston were always positive and personal. Again, I was impressed by the range of Jorge's knowledge of the landscape, culture, language and politcal/history of Ecuador. I felt we did too much driving in the Andes and would have enjoyed taking walks in the foothills.

We did not have a specific guide in the Galapagos. I would have appreciated a detailed itinerary to better plan for the days. The boating days to the other islands and snorkeling were definitely a highlight. The crews were very helpful, kind and great cooks

Hotel Review

Hotel Deja Vu Galapagos

Pto. Ayora

It was so nice to spend 3 nights in one hotel, very relaxing. It was a short walk to restaurants and shops. The staff were very helpful. Answered our questions about the the area. Since our group were in 3 different rooms, we utilized the setting area as a meeting point. It was like having a private living room .

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Colonial City Tour, Cooking Class & the Middle of the World Monument

Quito

Lots of fun

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Quito - Cotopaxi National Park

Ecuador

The walk around the lake was lovely

Quito - Coca - Napo Cultural Center

Ecuador

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Welcome to Santa Cruz Island: Highlands & Charles Darwin Research Station

Puerto Ayora

The farm with great tortoises was exciting, beautiful scenery.

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Free Morning - Afternoon Boat Tour

Ecuador

We were ready for the free morning. This boat tour to yhe trail did not offer anything new that we had seen on a previous trip. Also, we were unaware of the opportunity to snorkle on this trip

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

From the moment I started planning this trip and all the way through to completion, my experience was 5 stars. I travelled with 11 family members to Ecuador (ages ranging from 19 to 86). We E-Biked the streets of Quito, attended cooking classes, travelled and explored the Galapagos on private boats and white watered rafted in the Amazon. We also made chocolate from scratch and ate jungle shrimp (big gnarly slugs).

Mathias worked with me at the inception and helped us tailor a trip that was both action packed and educational. Every detailed was planned and flawlessly executed. We had great accommodations, meals (which I had included) and awesome guides.

My family has gone on trips the last few years (Iceland, Canary Islands, Croatia, etc.) and are not the easiest to please, but everyone commented that this was our best trip yet. Bravo to Matias for the coordination and to all the guides especially Milton.

Hotel Reviews

La Casona de La Ronda

Quito

Perfect spot right in the action. Too bad we didn't have more time to spend here.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Plaza Luna Suites

Puerto Ayora

Very clean and new hotel. Right in the middle of all the action. Great location.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Owner was very nice and helpful.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Kuyana Amazon Lodge

Archidona

Great place. If you want to hear the jungle, this is the place. You are in it.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Urban Bike Tour in Quito

Quito

Staff was great. Really helpful and fun to be with. E-bike were a blast and we loved every part of this trip.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Rafting Río Jatunyacu

Ecuador

A blast. I have rafted many rivers and higher class rivers, but this was by far one of the most fun. Action the whole way!

Quality of Experience

Food

Lunch...tacos excellent!

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Linda was able to create a custom trip for us to visit Loja and the Podocarpus National Park. She was great at working with us to shape an itinerary with complex transfers and a handful of special considerations.

Everything went great! The guides were fantastic (especially Milton in Quito), the hotels were nice, the park was beautiful, and the transfers smooth. The Loja coffee tasting set up by our guide Kevin was a surprise highlight and HIGHLY recommended if you're in or near Loja--Ecuadorean coffee is a much better gift for folks back home than t-shirts :).

Our tour of Ecuador with Sebastian couldn't have been better. From pickup at the airport to each destination, and finally back to the airport, he was with us every step of the way with local knowledge, humor, easy fluent English, and a great attitude. While some of the roads in Ecuador can be a little concerning, he’s patient and responsible driving put our minds at ease as we traveled easily and safely. He consistently went the extra mile, finding us opportunities for a bit of extra adventure when available, recommending great restaurants all along the way. I can't recommend Sebastian highly enough. If you're considering a tour in Ecuador, do it with Sebastian. Also our expert trip planner, Mathias, was very helpful during the planning phase but also was diligent on checking up on us during the trip. He responded in a timely manner and seemed very knowledgeable about Ecuador. Highly recommend this company for planning your trips.

I started planning this trip in 2019 and because of COVID, had to reschedule it a few times. It began with about 15 people in the group and we ended up with a group of seven senior women. Our guides on the mainland (Marco and Gorge) were outstanding, very patient and knowledgeable.

We spent two nights at the Napo Cultural Center which was the most memorable for me. The staff was very accommodating, food delicious and watching the macaws at the clay lick was amazing.

Kim Kim is a very useful and user friendly site for my trip planning. Daniel is very responsive and helpful in planning my itinerary to Ecuador. He adjusted the itinerary several times to accommodate my flight changes and preferences. He is friendly and knowledgeable, and provided a packing list for my reference. Daniela was also helpful and she set up a WhatsApp group for communication right before our trip.
The trip to Ecuador is very memorable. The country is beautiful and we had some good tour guides. The best guide was Darwin in Isabella Island in Galapagos. He took great photos and videos with his GoPro underwater and took the group to see a variety of marine life, including penguin, seahorse, sharks, sea lions, iguanas, sea turtles, birds, etc. It was absolutely fantastic to be so close to the animals in their natural habitats. Besides Galapagos, Quilotoa has stunning scenery, the Equator is fun to visit and the Quito historical town is very pretty.
The cons of the itinerary is that there is a lot of time spent on the car and/or boat each day. The hotel locations and the route can be further improved to reduce the driving time. This is especially true for our hotels in Quito, which were rather far from the attractions.
It would also be helpful if we get more information on the exact activities and what we should bring and wear each day, especially for the boat trips.
Overall, we had a very good trip in Ecuador and would love to visit again.

Hotel Reviews

Kitu Hotel

Quito

The hotel is quite old and the shower does not work so well. It is a bit noisy. However, the staff is very nice and friendly. It is also close to some good restaurants.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Posada del Mar

Santa Cruz

The owner is extremely helpful and nice. The location is very convenient and close to the pier. The room is big with a balcony. The hotel is very comfy.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel La Jungla

Puerto Villamil

The hotel is far away and the hygiene is not good. The shower sometimes doors not have hot water. The room is big and has a sea view.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

La Floresta

Baños

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Ikala Quito Hotel

Quito

The hotel looks new and is clean and very comfortable. The location is not the most convenient for tourist attractions but it is close to many good restaurants. The design of the hotel is pretty.

Authenticity & Character

Beautiful design

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Wyndham Quito Airport

Quito

Close to the airport, comfortable, clean and big room. The pool is tiny and the gym is small. But the restaurant is decent.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Review

Excursion to Los Túneles

Ecuador

The trip is wonderful and the best of my 2 weeks in Ecuador. We saw many marine animals in their natural habitats and were very close with them. Darwin was a fantastic guide and he took great photos and videos with his GoPro underwater. We saw penguin, sharks, seahorse, sea lions, giant sea turtles, colourful fish, etc. The ocean was stunningly beautiful. I wish we could snorkel for longer.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

AMAZING! We will definitely use KimKim again and again to help plan our vacation. We had very limited days in Ecuador, about 7 days. Lucia did an amazing job customizing our travel itinerary to include all of the things we wanted to do, like a food tour to experience the most typical and traditional dishes in Ecuador. She also helped us plan our adventure in the Amazonian Rainforest. Lucia took care of booking the hotels, transportation, and tours. Thank you! This gave us such peace of mind and we were able to really enjoy our vacation.

Hello Daniel, this trip was quite an adventure. My favorite place was the Napo Cultural Center. I loved traveling the river in boats, the clay lick, the tower, our guide, Marcelo, and the wonderful staff.
The travel in the Andes to volcanos, caldera, etc. was beautiful and interesting. I don’t like moving hotels every night and some of the drives were too long. Our guide, Jorge, was very knowledgeable and helpful. I enjoyed having him with us. Two hotels stand out for me...in Quito the cultural Manor and CotopaxiPungo were both beautiful and interesting. The drive to the Cotopaxi Pungo was too rugged and long.
In the Galapagos, Bibi was excellent and then we had a mixture of guides. I would have appreciated more advance knowledge about the experiences, especially the trip to Bartolom, which I wisely skipped and would have been too much for me. Some of us went to Tortuga Bay which was very nice and should have been offered as an alternative. The hotel Deja Vu was nice, friendly and very well located. We all enjoyed it. (Ps...I was the oldest person in this group of 7)

Hotel Reviews

Boutique Hotel Cultura Manor

Quito

As a person who loves historical hotels and restoration, this was just right for me. Our room was charming and the common areas were pleasant and comfortable. We enjoyed dinner there one evening and 3 breakfasts in a lovely, sunny breakfast room. The staff were kind, attentive and helpful. I can’t speak about the location since we only used planned transportation.

Authenticity & Character

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Cotopaxi Pungo

Cotopaxi Area

I enjoyed this hotel. The location was stunning. I loved fires in the fireplaces and the beautiful restaurant/breakfast space. My dinner was excellent and the activities manager took us for an exploration of the grounds with great enthusiasm.

Location

Views in all directions.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Rooms were chilly

Hotel Deja Vu Galapagos

Pto. Ayora

Very nice for the Galapagos

Location

Walking distance to village, shops and restaurants.

Staff

Friendly and helpful.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Colonial City Tour, Cooking Class & the Middle of the World Monument

Quito

Guide, Marco, was great. It was Sunday so we experienced the bustle of the city. We also all enjoyed the cooking class and the tasty lunch we created.

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Excellent guides and drivers. So appreciated.

Yet Another Day on an Uninhabited Island!

Ecuador

Needed more advance knowledge of long, rough boat trip. I wisely skipped this. Alternative could have been offered.

Free Morning - Afternoon Boat Tour

Ecuador

Walked this island and met the local wildlife. Beach. Lunch. Snack were amazing.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Napo Cultural Center experience

Yasuni National Park

I loved this experience, guide, staff, indigenous presentation, tower, clay lick ., etc.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Cotopaxi National Park - Quilotoa Lagoon - Baños

Ecuador

I didn’t hike down. Took lots of time.

Welcome to Santa Cruz Island: Highlands & Charles Darwin Research Station

Puerto Ayora

Great guide, lunch, introduction to tortoises, Darwin Center. Fun!

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

The whole process from first contacting Daniel at Kimkim to discuss the itinerary through to arriving back home at the end of the holiday was as seamless as it could have been. Daniel was super responsive throughout and always happy to talk through any changes to the itinerary we wanted, and the guides/drivers we had in Ecuador were similarly super helpful and friendly (Danny, Francisco, Segundo and Pablo).

All the accommodation booked was exactly what we wanted (the Huayna Capac suite at the Luna Volcan adventure spa in Banos was particularly amazing) and all the activities were excellent (horse riding in Cotopaxi national park was a favourite of the kids, despite the weather). There was a lot of travelling during the holiday but the vehicle Daniel booked was perfect and spacious for a family of four.

Iberia airline were awful throughout but that's nothing to do with Kimkim and in fact Daniel helped a lot by finally getting Iberia to return our luggage which they lost. So if you want a reliable tour guide I would recommend Kimkim.

Hotel Review

Luna Volcán Adventure Spa

Baños

Book the Huayna Capac suite if you are in a family of four and it is available, the views are incredible. Checkout is 1230 lunchtime so make the most of it and checkout at 1230....

Activity Review

Agroecological Farm - Mompiche

Quito

We only stopped here because it was en route to our final destination but so glad we did as it was fascinating to get a personal tour of the farm and amazing lunch.

I cannot say enough good about this the KimKim company and Daniel. Our trip was booked for March of 2020 and canceled because of Covid. The company and Daniel kept in touch over the difficult years and was always so helpful and pleasant. We were able to rebook our trip and go in March of 2022. It was a amazing and memorable trip. The communication was great and Daniel was on top of everything. It was nice to be able to meet him. I would highly recommend using KimKim to travel.

Hotel Reviews

Kitu Hotel

Quito

Amazing staff and nice accommodations. Good location.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Blue House Youth Hostel

Quito

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Nicky Amazon Lodge

Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve

Such a great time in such a special place.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Colonial City Tour, Cooking Class & the Middle of the World Monument

Quito

It get a little rushed and I wish we were told to bring our passports so they could be stamped. We also did not have time to see the original location.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Arrival at the rainforest

Ecuador

Quality of Experience

Food

Beyond amazing.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Adventure in the Amazon

Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Indigenous Community, Laguna Grande, & Igapó

Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Hiking & canoeing in the rainforest

Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Farewell Cuyabeno! Return to the City

Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

COVID Test at your Hotel

Ecuador

Didn’t have this… not applicable

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We had a great time in Ecuador! It’s a wonderful place to visit and the people are very friendly. Our trip was about 2 weeks and we stayed in the mountains between Quito and Cuenca. Our driver Christobal was great and Isabel with Kim Kim did a great job at making all of the arrangements at the hotels and coordinating all of the activities. I would highly recommend using both Isabel with KimKim and Christobal if you want to have a nice time in Ecuador! Thanks again! 😃

My family of 4 spent a memorable 2 weeks in Ecuador and Galapagos recently. I can't thank Isabel enough for our wonderful itinerary . She was so patient with us as we changed our itinerary 4-5 times during the planning. She was always willing to listen to our needs and accommodate to our requests. Her attentiveness continued even during our trip in Ecuador. I forgot my contact lenses which would have ruined the snorkeling excursions in Galapagos . Isabel went out of her way to find contact lenses and dropped them off at my hotel upon my return from Antisana National Park. This was completely above and beyond the call of duty. I so appreciated that.

I can not write this review without mentioning our AMAZING guide, Cristobal. From the moment he picked us up at the airport, we had nothing but first class treatment from Cristobal. He was personable, and knowledgeable. There wasn't anything we ask that he didn't know. His experience and recommendations gave us a close look at the Ecuadorian culture. It was something that we could have never experienced without his guidance. We would not consider going back to Ecuador without using Cristobal again as our guide.

Our 14-day vacation started on the right foot with Alejandro picking us up at the Quito Airport and giving us an intro to the country's history on the way to the hotel. He was also great helping us through the airport for getting to the Galapagos and going home. The Old Town Quito Suites apartments were a perfect oasis for our family to relax between activities in the busy city. La Teleferico afforded a neat ride up the Pichincha volcano over Quito on our last day.

Jose and Oscar were our guides for Cotopaxi National Park. Lodging at Tambopaxi was surreal with the volcano looming closeby. Our family bike tour along the flanks of the volcano was 12 miles and mostly flat with a 5 mile gwntle downhill section ending at the Inca ruins and lunch. We all made it!

Christian took us to Mindo and guided us to El Quetzal's chocolate tour, the Tarabita and waterfall hike/swim, amazing lunch lunch spots, and San Tadeo birding, where we saw hummingbirds, a crimson-rumped toucans, and many pale-mandibled aracaris. The Terrabambu Lodge bungalows (deluxe and family) were so peaceful and the kids loved the pool and pizza with the view..
On the way back to Quito, Christian guided us to Pululahua Crater and Mitad del Mundo. We shared a lot if interests with Christian, especially a love for mountainbiking.

On Santa Cruz, Astrid met us on Baltra and was our guide, introducing us to Los Gemmelos, El Chato tortoise reserve, and the Charles Darwin Research Center. La Isla Hotel was an elegant and modern resting place.

Pablo was very helpful for the interns land ferry.
On Isabela, Ricardo guided us to Las Tintororas, where we saw blue footed boobies, penguins, a green sea turtle, and many fish. He was great especially with offering breaks with hot tea and cookies and for helping our boys set up for snorkeling.. Javier guided us up Sierra Negra and Volcan Chico... a long, but moderate level hike over staggering geologic features. His knowledge of the area's history and geology was fascinating.

Every activity was different, exciting, yet hard to rank since each was so wonderful. Our family spent a good 6 to 8 months reviewing and discussing options for our trip with Linda, and what we ended up with was perfect for our family... not over ambitious and we had some downtime at the end of each day... even with a few last minute changes. KimKim was always very accommodating. Everyone we met was also a pleasant experience. We had the trip of a lifetime and will miss everyone and everyplace.

Hotel Reviews

Tambopaxi Cotopaxi Lodge

Parque Nacional Cotopaxi

You can't beat this amazing lodge right inside the Cotopaxi National Park. The main lodge has a dining room with wide windows for gazing out at the landscape and TV area. VIP rooms are very warm and clean, each with a stove lit each night. There's even wifi in such a remote spot. Easy to set out on guided adventures like mountainbiking, hiking, and horseback riding.

Authenticity & Character

Neat lodge design fits in well with the rustic surroundings.

Location

Remote and wonderful setting. Viewing the perfect, snow-covered stratovolcano and wildflowers is an activity by itself. Our family did a moderate guided mountainbike ride (12 miles) to the Salitre Inca ruins.

Staff

Friendly staff. They even brought out a birthday cake for my son's 13th bday during our visit.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Clean rooms and common areas. Rooms are larger with extra chairs and a common indoor balcony/viewing area for the volcano.

Old Town Quito Suites

Centro Historico, Quito

A perfect oasis in the Old Town just a few blocks from the Basilica, a ~10 minute walk to Plaza Grande, and ~10 minute taxi to the Teleferico. Cafe San Blas just a few doors up the street for a nice dinner. Very helpful and friendly staff. We stayed in the Attic and Room with a View, both perfect for a family. Both so unique and beautiful.. Nicely stocked kitchen with agua pura, coffee, and food for breakfast or light lunch. We felt very safe there.

Authenticity & Character

Old world feel.

Location

Close to the Old Town and easy in/out of the city for getting to the airport (~45 minutes) and points north or south.

Staff

Very helpful at any hour to call for a taxi or hold luggage while exploring the town after checkout.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Modern kitchens and bathrooms, and agua pura and toiletries provided. Soft beds and couches. Quiet rooms... you would hardly notice you were in the city.

La Isla Hotel

Puerto Ayora

Modern vibe and elegant. Close to restaurants, shopping, and the Charles Darwin Center. Easy to set out from towards Tortuga Bay by foot.

Authenticity & Character

Modern and clean.

Location

On a quiet street, but close to everything.

Staff

Breakfast on the open main floor.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Clean rooms and soft beds.

La Casita de la Playa

Puerto Villamil

Our family stayed in two rooms (connecting door optional) for three nights on the third floor. Went to sleep and woke up to the sound of the ocean. Relaxing patio area shaded by palm trees with tables. Self-service mini bar in the office perfect for grabbing a soda (Fiora was our favorite) and soaking up the scenery. Soft, sandy 3 km beach three steps away. A short walk to shopping and resaurants. Breakfast is on the open, shaded 3rd floor patio. We loved it.

Authenticity & Character

Unique design and patio.

Location

Right on the beach.

Staff

Very helpful staff to offer great dining options.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Even with all the sand we dragged into our rooms each day, the staff somehow made it all immaculate the next day.

Terrabambú Lodge

Mindo

Wake up to the sounds of birds in this perfect spot above the Mindo Valley. Open view points, unique deluxe and family bungalows, a swimming pool, ziplines, swing, and bridges await. My boys spotted a pale-mandibled aracari from the parking area and many other birds can be seen from the restaurant.

Authenticity & Character

Wonderful deluxe (rustic on the outside, but modern on the inside) and family bungalows.

Location

About 5 minutes from town across the river on the way up to the Tarabita.

Staff

Friendly service at the restaurant for meals and ziplinging/swinging.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Spacious and clean bungalows.

Activity Reviews

Biking in the Cotopaxi National Park

Cotopaxi

My favorite (I'm an avid mountainbiker).

Quality of Experience

Nice mountain bikes and gear.

Food

Wonderful and balanced picnic lunch provided.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Very friendly, helpful, and informative guides rode with us (one on a mountain bike and one in a support van)

Transport

Our guides adapted to each family member's ability level.

Transfer to Mindo & Activities in the cloud forest

Ecuador

We saw our bucket list crimson-rumped toucans and pale-mandibled aracari at San Tadeo. Dozens of hummingbirds and some other small , colorful birds as well.

Quality of Experience

Friendly owners and staff. Beautifulcloud forest setting.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our guide helped my son spot birds, which he loved to point out to his mom either taking pictures or sharing the camera so he could capture.

Transport

Quick transport from and to Mindo for this afternoon activity.

Mindo & Return to Quito

Ecuador

Our guide took us to El Quetzal chocolate factory to see the process of making chocolate and tasting several varieties. On the way back to Quito,, we stopped at Pululahua Crater, with is gently green surroundings contrasting to to the more harsh landscape of Cotopaxi.

Quality of Experience

Food

Good coffe and desserts.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our guide gave us a detailed history of the volcano and people living in and farming in the caldera.

Transport

Easy Detour off the road between Quito and Mindo.

Kayaking & Snorkeling at Las Tintoreras

Galapagos Islands

Fun and relaxing (a little challenge to get around the outer islet) paddle through bright/medium blue waters and with luck see green sea turtles, penguins and blue footed boobies. Super experience for all abilities and families. After that, put a wet suit on (if not already on from the kayaking) and take a short walk to a calm lagoon to snorkel amongst colorful fish and green sea turtles.

Quality of Experience

Perfect gear and setting as an introduction to Isabela.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Friendly guides adapt to each family member's abilities.

Transport

Taxi will drop you off at the kayaking Beach. A short walk on a boardwalk (barefoot is fine) for snorkeling. Taxis are waiting for when you finish up.

Transfer to Quito Airport, Arrival to Galapagos & Highlands of Santa Cruz

Ecuador

The Quito Airport is about 45 minutes from the Old Town and very modern and clean, but small enough to get around and through security very easily. You can get your Transit Cards in advance and skip a line when going to the Galapahos. The Baltra airport is even more friendly and quaint... we were even greeted outside of baggage claim by a passing land iguana. Remember to have your $100/person cash national park fee ready at customs. We were met by our Charles Darwin Research Center guide and escorted on the airport bus to the Itabaca Channel ferry to Santa Cruz and then to a private van to head into the highlands. We stopped at Los Gemmelos (pit crater) and then El Chato tortoise reserve for lunch and a tour passing by several giant tortoises and down through a lava tunnel. Our last stop was to tour the Charles Darwin Research Center and see the famous Lonesome George and then the baby tortoises.

Quality of Experience

The whole day was planned seamlessly and each site was so wonderful.

Food

El Chato's menu was family friendly and delicious.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our guide was very informative and entainyained all of our questions.

Transport

Comfortable van and friendly driver.

Visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station

Puerto Ayora

The Charles Darwin Research Center has a small museum containing very interesting exhibits about the Galapagos islands and its research and conservation efforts. Several trails wind their way to the baby tortoises and the preserved tortoise, Lonesome George.

Quality of Experience

The museum exhibit texts were in Spanish and English.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our guide was very educated and provide an encyclopedia of information to us in just a short time.

Transport

We walked from town to the center and back. It was nice to stretch the legs after our flight.

Hiking Sierra Negra Volcano

Galapagos Islands

This is a 10 mile round trip out and back hike. The first mile ascends up to the Sierra Negra crater rim and then follows the rim on a relatively flat trail for a few miles to the pavillion. After that, the trail goes down hill and the landscape changes to bring you out to a series of lava fields and craters, including Volcan Chico. Circling around Chico, the trail comes back to the start.

Quality of Experience

A spectacular hike to two very different volcanic craters.

Food

A nice box lunch was provided by the guides including a sandwich, juice box, apple, and crackers.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our guide was great for the kids and detailed the history and geology of the park, island, and volcanic feature as we past them. Probably the best part of the hike was our guide!

Transport

A taxi dropped us off at the trailhead with our guides and was there to pick us up to return to town.

Great support from Linda - all the KimKim crew was very helpful and supportive

Hotel Reviews

San Jose de Puembo Quito Airport, an Ascend Hotel Collection

Puembo, Quito

A very c harmful hotel

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Posada del Mar

Santa Cruz

I give 3 stars, as it was quite basic, but the reception was very friendly and helpful. Location was very convenient

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Vieja Cuba

Quito

Very charming hotel, with loads of character.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Transfer to Quito Airport, Arrival to Galapagos & Highlands of Santa Cruz

Ecuador

Our guide was super helpful

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station

Puerto Ayora

Very interesting visit

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Excursion to an uninhabited island

Ecuador

That was the peak of the holiday. We felt privileged we visited San Bartolome’

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Otavalo Market & Cuicocha Crater Lake

Quito

An interesting experience - a bit tiring, maybe

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We were so very lucky to meet Tamer , and have him help us plan our trip to Ecuador . Planning is really not the right word , for what he did , caring , constant communication , before , during and after the trip . He listened to our personal needs, responded immediately at all hours , altered the itinerary as needed, and went above and beyond to not only assure comfort , but safety . A couple examples would be :, he took me out to coffee upon arrival , met our whole group after first day , and walked us to dinner to be sure we were safe, rearranged our guide , added two days of tours while we were there, had breakfast packed for us by hotels when leaving early . He is not only in constant contact with us , but also the guides. His english is perfect , all this is very comforting in a foreign country away from home for a extended trip .

I was recovering from a broken knee , he made sure steps were minimized at all hotels. Everywhere we went they knew ahead about my limitations and our dietary restrictions . He also stayed within our budget .
We loved everything about the trip . Especially the Amazon trip to the Napo cultural center . We had a wonderful guide , Jose, and terrific accommodations . Our driver and guide Francisco , could not do enough for us . He brought us homemade treats his mother cooked, coffee his friend grew , and tried to arrange for us to see his friends rose farm , when my daughter asked if we could see one .. he took us to much needed trips to the pharmacy , where his Spanish was necessary . There are countless little things he did to enrich our experience .

I hope this is the beginning of a long travel relationship with Tamer and a Kimkim . I can’t think of a better service , and really friendship .

Thank you , thank you . It was a meaningful experience for us , a once in a lifetime trip . Can not recommend them more . Beyond grateful .

Hotel Review

Napo Cultural Center

Quito

This was a really great and special experience . The guide , the program , the food, and the accommodations were so wonderful . It is extremely well run . The most clean place we were in Ecuador . They care a lot about you being there . It is a rugged trip , but we’re were very surprised with how nice the room was .

Authenticity & Character

Not a tourist trap . Authentic

Location

Amazon , tree tops

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Cleanest place we were

Activity Reviews

Colonial City Tour, Cooking Class & the Middle of the World Monument

Quito

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Kuri Muyu (Kichwa traditions) - Canopy Tower - Traditional Dinner

Yasuni National Park

The hike and the canopy tower was one of my most favorite activities of the 3 weeks in Ecuador . It was amazing . Pictures don’t do it justice . Seeing the birds , going at sunset . Being above the trees and seeing the whole forest and eco system . Our guide was beyond knowledgeable .

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Day Trip to Papallacta

Quito

This was a nice day . Easier ride than mindo . Liked the hot springs . Definitely go to the more expensive spa . Even that was quite crowded . I guess I would try to go on weekday . We were there on weekend , and it was packed with little kids , very crowded . This took away from the experience for us . But the whole setup w food , hot springs and services is nice .

Quality of Experience

Food

We are there and the food was good and well priced

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

I can only highly recommend travelling to Ecuador with kimkim. My local agent, Alvaro, was absolutely incredible. There was no wish that he left unfulfilled and no question that he left unanswered- he was constantly available and I felt very much pampered and cared for. Moreover did the itinerary that he designed cover the best that this beautiful and diverse country has to offer: nature, wildlife, culture and history.
My local guides , who gave me exclusive tours and were shining bright with an impressive wisdom of their country's history, local customs, and nature's wonders enriched my travel experience tremendously. They made sure that I got the best shots of the sights and wildlife, since I love photography, but also ensured that I learned a lot and broadened my horizon.
Thank you to the kimkim team for making this trip unforgettable, and most importantly, thank you Alvaro, for exceeding all my expectations on customer service.

Tamer organized our trip to Galapagos with utmost precision and attention to the smallest details. He was endlessly patient, always willing to tweak the plans until everything was laid out to our liking (including the budgetary aspect). During our stay in Galapagos we visited Santa Cruz, Isabella and San Cristobal islands, all activities were well planned and ran with clockwork smoothness. Throughout our trip Tamer stayed on top of things, being in constant touch, and monitoring our wellbeing, which permitted him to successfully resolve whatever minor glitches happened. Tamer only works with the most professional local guides, so whoever we met during our adventure was extremely nice, courteous and competent.
Thank you, Tamer, for these happy memories, and we hope to be back to Ecuador again, so that you can organize more adventures for us.

Hotel Reviews

Hotel Deja Vu Galapagos

Pto. Ayora

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Cally Galapagos

Puerto Villamil

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Casa Blanca

Puerto Baquerizo Moreno

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Kicker Rock: A Snorkeling Adventure

Isla San Cristóbal

The most beautiful diving experience i ever had

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Welcome to Santa Cruz Island: Highlands & Charles Darwin Research Station

Puerto Ayora

Wonderful guide Viviana provided unforgettable tour

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Experience the Pristine Beauty of Galápagos Islands: Discovering an Uninhabited Island

Puerto Ayora

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Wildlife Tour on Isabela Island

Galapagos Islands

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Sierra Negra volcano - Speedboat to Santa Cruz

Galapagos Islands

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Speedboat to San Cristobal Island - Interpretation Center - Tijeretas Hill

Galapagos Islands

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport