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107 Reviews
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Authentic Ecuador

We specialize in the Ecuadorian territory and the Galapagos Islands. The focus is on immersive experiences with a mix of classic attractions in an innovative way and off-the-beaten-track destinations and activities.

Our goal is to convert our travelers from passive consumers into active participants. Yes, you’ll also see the highlights of the country, but you will immerse into its nature, interact with its people, taste its flavors, and experience some adrenaline-loaded adventures if you wish to!

We would like you to capture the essence of Ecuador in all its facets, mixing main attractions with off-the-beaten-track experiences, which makes each trip unique and avoids over-tourism. Join us on an unforgettable trip and expect the unexpected!

Authentic Ecuador is part of the following groups: Ecuador Travel Agents, Galapagos Islands Travel Agents

Featured trips & expertise

Top itineraries and travel advice
Trekking Ecuador's Avenue of the Volcanoes - 8 Days
This eight-day trekking adventure delivers the highlights of the Ecuadorian Andes as you explore stunning landscapes, secluded villages, and the famous peaks along the Avenue of...
Ecuador Family Trip: Quito, the Amazon & Galapagos Islands - 11 Days
From the colorful wildlife of the Amazon rainforest to the underwater playground of the Galapagos, this family-friendly journey around Ecuador offers adventure and education for...
Epic Ecuador Multi-Sport Tour - 8 Days
This active tour of the Ecuadorian mainland is sure to get the adrenaline pumping. In just over a week you'll enjoy adventures on both land and water. Brave the rapids of the...

Recent Trip Reviews for Authentic Ecuador

The trip was absolutely amazing! The cooking ...
Galapagos Islands | Jan 17 - Jan 27, 2025

Carolyn
Carolyn O.
Ashburn, VA | Reviewed on Feb 10, 2025
The trip was absolutely amazing! The cooking class in Quito with Denis was delicious and fun. We enjoyed visiting the markets with Denis and he is so knowledgeable and fun.
Once aboard My Angel, the service was incredible ( as were all the smooth transfers). I loved the hot chocolate and towels when we got back from snorkeling.
The amount of wild life we saw was amazing! Sea lions, penguins, sharks, rays, turtles, tortoises, frigate birds, iguanas and blue footed boobies!!!!
Andre our... Read more

The trip was absolutely amazing! The cooking class in Quito with Denis was delicious and fun. We enjoyed visiting the markets with Denis and he is so knowledgeable and fun.
Once aboard My Angel, the service was incredible ( as were all the smooth transfers). I loved the hot chocolate and towels when we got back from snorkeling.
The amount of wild life we saw was amazing! Sea lions, penguins, sharks, rays, turtles, tortoises, frigate birds, iguanas and blue footed boobies!!!!
Andre our guide was incredible. So funny, knowledge and just a pleasure to be around!
Paula did a fabulous job with dining room, bar etc. Housekeeping was fabulous. You take a nap, come back to room and beds been made again! So clean.
The food was very delicious! The entire staff was so responsive and helpful.
My only suggestion would be to organize the bar tab in a better way than writing down in paper and handing you the bill right before departing. Luckily I noticed that we were charged for 3 bottles of champagne instead of 2 and adjustments were made.

Otherwise, it was an incredible trip of life time. Thanks so much

Hotel Review
M/Y Galapagos Angel
Galapagos
Authenticity & Character
Incredible crew, incredible guide ( Andre), and food was delicious
Location
The boat was awesome
Staff
The smoothness of transfers, hot chocolate and towels after snorkeling, food delicious, housekeeping wonderful
Cleanliness & Comfort
You take a nap, come back to room and someone’s made up your bed. Very clean!
Local specialist: Mathias Onisseit
Mathias
Mathias Onisseit
Local specialist in Quito, Ecuador | Replied on Feb 14, 2025
Hi Carolyn, Thank you so much for your glowing review! I’m thrilled to hear that you had an amazing time and that the trip was everything you had hoped for (and maybe more). It was a pleasure working with you to organize this adventure for your group - you make a great tour leader! I’ll be sure to pass along your feedback to everyone involved, including the cooking class team, as well as the cruise staff. They will be so happy to hear how much you enjoyed the experience. I also appreciate... Read more

Hi Carolyn,

Thank you so much for your glowing review! I’m thrilled to hear that you had an amazing time and that the trip was everything you had hoped for (and maybe more). It was a pleasure working with you to organize this adventure for your group - you make a great tour leader!

I’ll be sure to pass along your feedback to everyone involved, including the cooking class team, as well as the cruise staff. They will be so happy to hear how much you enjoyed the experience. I also appreciate your suggestion regarding the bar organization and will forward it to the cruise operator for their consideration in the future.

Wishing you many more unforgettable trips ahead!

All the best,
Mathias and the Authentic Ecuador crew

Read all Galapagos Islands reviews

Michelle was great. Helped make the cotipaxi ...
Galapagos Islands | Jan 17 - Jan 27, 2025

K
Keith L.
Los Angeles, CA | Reviewed on Jan 28, 2025

Michelle was great. Helped make the cotipaxi trip fun even though we were not aclimented to the altitude. Andreas was excellent. Had great knowledge and was always enthusiastic.

Local specialist: Mathias Onisseit
Mathias
Mathias Onisseit
Local specialist in Quito, Ecuador | Replied on Feb 14, 2025
Hi Keith, Thank you for your kind words! We’re so glad to hear that you had a great time and that both Mishell and Andrés contributed to making your trip special. I’ll be sure to share your feedback with them - they’ll really appreciate it! I understand that tackling Cotopaxi’s altitude early in the trip may have been challenging. While we generally advise allowing more time to acclimate, this was the only possible day for the excursion. Thankfully, for those in good health, including your... Read more

Hi Keith,

Thank you for your kind words! We’re so glad to hear that you had a great time and that both Mishell and Andrés contributed to making your trip special. I’ll be sure to share your feedback with them - they’ll really appreciate it!

I understand that tackling Cotopaxi’s altitude early in the trip may have been challenging. While we generally advise allowing more time to acclimate, this was the only possible day for the excursion. Thankfully, for those in good health, including your fellow travelers, the experience can still be enjoyed by taking the right precautions—such as pacing yourself and staying well-hydrated, which we highlighted in our recommendations. I truly appreciate your input and will continue working to ensure travelers feel well-prepared for high-altitude activities.

We hope you take home wonderful memories from both your Cotopaxi excursion and your Galápagos cruise, and we’d love to welcome you back someday!

Wishing you all the best,
Mathias & the Authentic Ecuador Team

Great trip to The Galapagos!
Galapagos Islands | Jan 17 - Jan 27, 2025

D
Dee
Richmond, VA | Reviewed on Jan 28, 2025
The planning was good although there were some things that my husband and I thought could have been improved. Regarding the tour, our time in Quito was great and we had a fabulous bike tour with Jonathon. However, some of our group went to Cotapaxi, and to go to that altitude the first day of the trip seemed risky for a group of seniors. The hotel in Quito was great, transfers were seamless, and the trip itself was excellent. Mathias was very responsive but several times did not answer all of... Read more

The planning was good although there were some things that my husband and I thought could have been improved. Regarding the tour, our time in Quito was great and we had a fabulous bike tour with Jonathon. However, some of our group went to Cotapaxi, and to go to that altitude the first day of the trip seemed risky for a group of seniors. The hotel in Quito was great, transfers were seamless, and the trip itself was excellent. Mathias was very responsive but several times did not answer all of our questions and we had to ask them multiple times. A packing list could have been sent out early in our planning to allow us to purchase any items we might have been lacking. Payments should have included the items we were paying for and our names on them without us having to request it. Information on baggage restrictions could have been given to us as part of the information package. Overall, we were pleased with our trip and would recommend booking a trip through kimkim to others.

Hotel Review
M/Y Galapagos Angel
Galapagos

The ship was clean and comfortable and the food was very good. The staff was outstanding and they worked long hours to make sure we were fed well, our rooms were clean, and we had a great experience. We were impressed with the efficiency with which the crew helped to get all of us ready for our excursions and how seamlessly they loaded us on and off the dinghies. The dinghy operators were also amazing and did a great job making sure we were safe and yet had a good time. It was wonderful to have 3 levels to enjoy on the boat. I would have enjoyed a shade option on the sundeck or a place to stretch out in the shade. The purchasing of drinks was confusing as we each had bottles of wine that we had to request every time for a drink. It got easier for Paula as she got to know us later in the trip, but the first few days were chaotic. Also, the wine list did not correspond to the wine options on the boat.

Local specialist: Mathias Onisseit
Mathias
Mathias Onisseit
Local specialist in Quito, Ecuador | Replied on Feb 14, 2025
Hi Dee, Thank you very much for sharing your feedback! I’m happy to hear that you and Bob had a great time and that you would recommend booking a trip with kimkim. I’m sorry to hear that communication didn’t feel as smooth as it should have been. We did provide key details, such as baggage restrictions and a packing list, one month before your trip, but I understand that in a group chat, it can be easy for important information to get lost. We also include essential details in the... Read more

Hi Dee,

Thank you very much for sharing your feedback! I’m happy to hear that you and Bob had a great time and that you would recommend booking a trip with kimkim.

I’m sorry to hear that communication didn’t feel as smooth as it should have been. We did provide key details, such as baggage restrictions and a packing list, one month before your trip, but I understand that in a group chat, it can be easy for important information to get lost. We also include essential details in the day-by-day schedule provided before arrival. That said, I appreciate your feedback, and I’ll suggest a feature that allows important messages to be pinned in a prominent place for easier reference.

Regarding payments, they are linked to the trip plan, which lists all included services. However, participant names are not included by default. While we can add them manually upon request, having it available by default would be more convenient.

As for the Cotopaxi excursion, while we generally recommend allowing a day or two for acclimatization, the activity was scheduled on the only available day. Fortunately, for those in good health, which applies to the participants, it is still possible to enjoy the experience by following the best practices we provided, such as taking it slow and staying hydrated.

I hope the rest of your travels were just as enjoyable, and that you’ll consider returning to Ecuador in the future to explore even more of this beautiful and diverse country!

Wishing you all the best and safe travels,
Mathias & the Authentic Ecuador Team

We have been very impressed with kimkim as a ...
Peru | Jan 13 - Jan 18, 2025

Margie
Margie B.
Denver, CO | Reviewed on Jan 27, 2025
We have been very impressed with kimkim as a whole. With all our flight interruptions and delays you were able to get us back on track. Having contact people in Peru was exceptional. My only 2 star would be our guide to Machu Picchu. He was very hard to understand and pretty hyper. Everything else was excellent! Read more

We have been very impressed with kimkim as a whole. With all our flight interruptions and delays you were able to get us back on track. Having contact people in Peru was exceptional. My only 2 star would be our guide to Machu Picchu. He was very hard to understand and pretty hyper. Everything else was excellent!

Hotel Reviews
Sonesta Posadas del Inca Yucay
Urubamba
Authenticity & Character
Location
Close to our excursion
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
El Mapi by Inkaterra
Cusco
Authenticity & Character
Location
Close to the activities we were doing
Staff
Very helpful
Cleanliness & Comfort
Holiday Inn Lima Airport
Lima
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Stunning scenery in the Sacred Valley
Stunning scenery in the Sacred Valley
Ollantaytambo
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Machu Picchu Excursion: Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu Excursion: Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu
Peru
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Guide hard to understand and we felt rushed at times
Transport
Local specialist: Mathias Onisseit
Mathias
Mathias Onisseit
Local specialist in Quito, Ecuador | Replied on Feb 14, 2025
Dear Margie, Thank you so much for sharing your feedback! I’m really glad to hear that, despite the flight interruptions and delays, we were able to get everything back on track and that you felt well-supported by our contacts in Peru. It’s always unfortunate when delays occur, but we’re happy we could help ensure the rest of your trip went smoothly. Regarding your guide at Machu Picchu, it seems the guide had an off day, and I’m sorry that communication was difficult and the experience... Read more

Dear Margie,

Thank you so much for sharing your feedback! I’m really glad to hear that, despite the flight interruptions and delays, we were able to get everything back on track and that you felt well-supported by our contacts in Peru. It’s always unfortunate when delays occur, but we’re happy we could help ensure the rest of your trip went smoothly.

Regarding your guide at Machu Picchu, it seems the guide had an off day, and I’m sorry that communication was difficult and the experience didn’t meet your expectations. We made things right for you regarding that tour, and I’m grateful that the rest of your trip was excellent.

Wishing you many more wonderful trips ahead!

All the best,
Mathias and the team from Authentic Ecuador

Read all Peru reviews

Milton was a superior guide, he made the trip...
Ecuador | Jan 9 - Jan 23, 2025

Randall
Randall B.
Canada | Reviewed on Jan 24, 2025
Milton was a superior guide, he made the trip very special (mainland).
Liz our contact on the Galapagos was also great. Read more

Milton was a superior guide, he made the trip very special (mainland).
Liz our contact on the Galapagos was also great.

Hotel Review
Piripe Lodge
Pacto

Would be nice if the room had a safe, however felt very comfortable there. Enjoyed an amazing dinner.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Very remote and quiet
Staff
Very accommodating and showed pride in their jobs.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Paola Vera Feijoo
Paola
Paola Vera Feijoo
Local specialist in Quito | Replied on Jan 29, 2025

Dear Randy and Pam,

Thank you so much for your kind words! I'm thrilled to hear that Milton and Liz helped make your trip so special. It was a pleasure assisting you with your adventure, and I'm so happy you had a wonderful experience.

Wishing you all the best in your future journeys!

Take care,
Paola

Read all Ecuador reviews

Galapagos 2024 - Excellent Trip!
Galapagos Islands | Dec 21 - Dec 29, 2024

Chantal
Chantal M.
Louisville, CO | Reviewed on Jan 01, 2025
Galapagos 2024 - Excellent Trip!
My husband and I just completed a 9 day trip to Quito and the Galapagos Islands. We want to recognize the highlights of our trip with a few special commendations.
Angie Maldonado - Did an excellent job booking all the drivers, local transportation, excursions, hotels, and even dining for Christmas eve, and Christmas Day! We wanted to feel entrenched in the local culture, and we did!
Quito - Outstanding guide: Cristobal! We thoroughly enjoyed his tireless... Read more

Galapagos 2024 - Excellent Trip!
My husband and I just completed a 9 day trip to Quito and the Galapagos Islands. We want to recognize the highlights of our trip with a few special commendations.
Angie Maldonado - Did an excellent job booking all the drivers, local transportation, excursions, hotels, and even dining for Christmas eve, and Christmas Day! We wanted to feel entrenched in the local culture, and we did!
Quito - Outstanding guide: Cristobal! We thoroughly enjoyed his tireless attention from the time of our arrival at the airport to our departure. He was a wealth of knowledge, attentive, shared so much with us, including recommendations for local foods. Exceptional experience! We stayed in Casona de la Ronda and loved the accommodations and the staff as well!
Santa Cruz - We stayed at the Acacia Boutique Hotel. Perfect location, lovely people, spacious accommodations. Excellent choice for us! We loved our excursion to the highlands to see the Tortoises and our excursion to Bartolome island where we snorkeled, and saw sharks, penguins, and the famous blue footed boobies along the way as well. The scenery was exceptional! We also spent time visiting N. Seymour Island. Busy schedule, but wouldn't change any of it.
Isabela Island - A welcome quiet experience on this island. Less commercialized, at this time... hope it stays that way. Very much enjoyed all of our day excursions, but our favorite was Los Tunneles, and our hike on the Sierra Negra Volcano. We were here for 3 nights, and wish we had had another day or 2 to explore and relax more.
Some helpful tips or things new South American Travelers should know:
1. No toilet paper disposal (you can't flush it!) in the toilets anywhere. If you want to bring sanitary bags to dispose, that might feel better to you.
2. Bring small denominations (not just $20's) for tipping money. This will be a big part of your expenses while on the islands.
3. Be prepared for some minor inconveniences, and handle them with grace. We were totally embarassed by some of the tourists we witnessed misbehaving toward the dedicated, gracious natives we encountered.
4. Angie and guides did a great job helping us navigate the travel requirements including paying for Transit Control Card, and admission fee to Galapagos National Park upon arrival/departure.
5. You will be moving around a lot on this trip. Try NOT to overpack. (We did bring a wetsuit and our own snorkel and mask and we were glad we did).
6. Final recommendation: The trip back to Colorado was quite long to do without an overnight stay on the mainland on the way back. If you have enough time, I would recommend booking an overnight stay after leaving Baltra airport, on the mainland, rather than hanging out at the airport for several hours in Quito and having to travel for such an extended period of time.
We loved our trip to Ecuador! We appreciate all the drivers, guides, boat captains, restaurant and hotel workers who were so kind, and always helpful. The food was delicious everywhere!
We love the model for KimKim - with local agents planning the trip! They are also a great contact if you have any hiccups/issues/concerns during your trip, and Angie was very responsive, and did "check on us" to make sure all was going well.
Thank you for the surprise of covering our Christmas Dinner!
Happy New Year to all!

Hotel Reviews
La Casita de la Playa
Puerto Villamil

Lovely, clean beachside accommodations within steps of amazing oceanview sunsets! Room size was adequate, bed was comfortable. WIFI was reliable and quite good! Staff was excellent! Food for breakfast was excellent! Only inconvenience - ran out of water around 6 p.m. (which did not affect us too much, but did for some other guests. I think this is an island problem, not an isolated problem to this accommodation). Would be nice to have a few hooks outside the rooms to hang up swimsuits, etc, to let them dry.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Beachside! Easy to walk to center of town and restaurants.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Acacia Galápagos Boutique Hotel
Puerto Ayora

Excellent location! Easy walk to restaurants, shops, pier, Charles Darwin center. Hotel clean, with pool and hot tub, comfortable mattress, TV; designed with safety and security in mind as a bonus. Quiet in our room and away for the busy town streets. Wifi available but somewhat unreliable. Spacious room and accommodations. Staff very attentive and always on top of our needs/schedules. Very good breakfast, and packed us box breakfasts when needed.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
La Casona de La Ronda
Quito

We arrived in the early morning (2:00 a.m.?). There was a city wide power outage when we arrived, and the back up generator was working beautifully, and the staff was expecting us. Although the street we were on was busy at night, we did not hear a peep in our rooms! (YAY) The staff was diligent with walking us to/from our driver's car and making sure we were well attended to. Breakfast was good; Wifi was good. Mattresses were comfortable; room was spacious. Loved the atmosphere here! Felt very authentic!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Transfer Baltra Airport - Puerto Ayora with visit to the highlands of Santa Cruz
Transfer Baltra Airport - Puerto Ayora with visit to the highlands of Santa Cruz
Galapagos Islands

Our transfer did not go smoothly. There was no one there waiting for us with a sign and our name on it, as expected. We had the name of the person who was supposed to greet us but they did not show up. The manager of the tour company eventually showed up after I contacted the agent from KimKim and smoothed everything out. The visit to the highlands was a 5 star experience, along with the expertise and friendliness of our guide.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station
Visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station
Puerto Ayora
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Kayaking & Snorkeling at Las Tintoreras
Kayaking & Snorkeling at Las Tintoreras
Galapagos Islands
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Guided Excursion to Tortuga Bay
Guided Excursion to Tortuga Bay
Galapagos Islands

Wish we had been able to spend more quiet time here. It was beautiful. We were unable to snorkel here due to a laceration I had on my knee, and kayaking had not been planned here. Wish we could have done either. It is beautiful, and quiet. Our guide was Diego. He was friendly and accommodating.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Quito City Tour
Quito City Tour
Galapagos Islands
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Excursion to an uninhabited island
Excursion to an uninhabited island
Galapagos Islands
Visit to another uninhabited island
Visit to another uninhabited island
Galapagos Islands
Snorkel at Los Túneles
Snorkel at Los Túneles
Galapagos Islands
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Hiking Sierra Negra Volcano
Hiking Sierra Negra Volcano
Galapagos Islands

It seemed we got off to a late start due to the size of the group. Although we loved the hike, I felt the guides were rushing us. This is not to be missed, but be prepared for a faster hiking pace. As we were near the back of the large group, we did not get any attention on this hike, nor did we get to hear much from the guides. We did, however, prefer to be away from the "crowd".

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Angie Maldonado
Angie
Angie Maldonado
Local specialist in Quito - Ecuador | Replied on Jan 09, 2025
Dear Chantal, Thank you for your thoughtful feedback. It was a pleasure assisting you during your trip!
I’m so glad you had a fantastic experience in Quito and the Galapagos and that Cristobal did an excellent job guiding you in Quito. I’ll be sure to pass along your kind words to him and your Galapagos guides and also send them the little details on how they can improve our travelers' experiences in the future. I am genuinely sorry for the delay in your welcome to the Galapagos. We’ve... Read more

Dear Chantal,

Thank you for your thoughtful feedback. It was a pleasure assisting you during your trip!
I’m so glad you had a fantastic experience in Quito and the Galapagos and that Cristobal did an excellent job guiding you in Quito. I’ll be sure to pass along your kind words to him and your Galapagos guides and also send them the little details on how they can improve our travelers' experiences in the future.

I am genuinely sorry for the delay in your welcome to the Galapagos. We’ve already made adjustments to ensure this doesn’t happen again. I’m glad we could address the issue quickly and that you felt appropriately compensated for the inconvenience.

Your positive comments about the hotels and excursions mean a lot to us, and we would be thrilled to welcome you back to Ecuador in the future!

Best wishes,
Angie

7 day Galapagos Experience
Galapagos Islands | Dec 21 - Dec 30, 2024

J
Jim W.
San Jose, CA | Reviewed on Dec 31, 2024
The Trip:
My wife and I did a 7 day expedition to the Galapagos Islands arranged by KimKim. Angie from KimKim was our Experience Assistant. She helped guide us through the decision making process and provided all the details of our trip. She was also available along the way as we needed some assistance with travel hassles related to late flights and such. Her assistance was invaluable. Quito:
Angie arranged for two local guides to help us on our journey in Quito, Alejandro... Read more

The Trip:
My wife and I did a 7 day expedition to the Galapagos Islands arranged by KimKim. Angie from KimKim was our Experience Assistant. She helped guide us through the decision making process and provided all the details of our trip. She was also available along the way as we needed some assistance with travel hassles related to late flights and such. Her assistance was invaluable.

Quito:
Angie arranged for two local guides to help us on our journey in Quito, Alejandro picked us up from the airport in Quito when we arrived (though our flight was quite late, and took us to our first hotel, so we did not have to worry about taxis or hotel shuttle transportation. He help us reunite with our lost back, and provided us with transportation back to the airport the next day to resume our trip to the Galapagos islands.

Upon our return from the Galapagos we were greeted by Fabricio. He met us at the airport, though our flight was several hours late. He provided transportation to our hotel in Old Town Quito. The next day, he showed us the highlights of Old Town Quito along with all manner of local and historic information as we toured Churches, monuments, Old Town, a Chocolate Factory, and stayed with us through our cooking experience. On our last day he picked us up very early and took us to the airport. Fabricio was very informative, kind, and genuinely enthusiastic to show us around.

Galapagos:
Upon our arrival in the Galapagos, we were met by Alex, our Naturalist and guide for our expedition. Alex demonstrated his knowledge enthusiastically though the lens of both local and learned understanding. Through his expert knowledge, he was able to show us all manner of plants and animals endemic to the islands including both the ones we expected and hoped to see, as well as some rare sightings. We visited four islands: Santiago Island, Isabella Island, Fernandia Island, and Santa Cruz Island. During our expedition we stayed on the Bonita Cruise Ship, a small ship that sleeps about 16 people. Daily we had the opportunity to hike the islands, travel in small boats along the coast viewing the various wildlife, and snorkel in the many bays on the islands. Most days we did all three. The crew performed their duties efficiently and expertly, doling out specific equipment for the days activities, providing zodiac transpiration to and from islands, keeping the cabins clean, serving chef prepared delicious meals and even a small party on Christmas for both the crew and the guests. The crew was polite, and extremely helpful during our stay.

To sum it up, my wife and I had a wonderful experience in both Quito and on the islands. I can highly recommend KimKim if you are considering a Galapagos Adventure Experience.

Hotel Reviews
M/Y Bonita
Quito

My wife and I did a 7 day expedition to the Galapagos Islands arranged by KimKim. During our Galapagos expedition we stayed on the Bonita Cruise Ship, a small ship that sleeps about 16 people. Daily we had the opportunity to hike the islands, travel in small boats along the coast viewing the various wildlife, and snorkel in the many bays on the islands. Most days we did all three. The crew performed their duties efficiently and expertly, doling out specific equipment for the day's activities, providing zodiac transpiration to and from islands, keeping the cabins clean, serving chef prepared delicious meals and even a small party on Christmas for both the crew and the guests. The crew was polite, and extremely helpful during our stay.

Location
Sailing around the islands allows you to see more, more efficiently than flying from island to island to experience the local nature
Staff
The crew performed their duties efficiently and expertly, doling out specific equipment for the day's activities, providing zodiac transpiration to and from islands, keeping the cabins clean, serving chef prepared delicious meals and even a small party on Christmas for both the crew and the guests. The crew was polite, and extremely helpful during our stay.
Cleanliness & Comfort
The room was larger than expected on the Bonita and was cleaned daily by the crew. The meals were prepared daily by an onboard chef. The chef prepared each meal with a local style and each meal was delicious.
La Casona de La Ronda
Quito

Our stay at La Casona de La Ronda was delightful and surpassed our expectations. It was definitely a nicer experience than we had anticipated.

Activity Reviews
Quito Cooking Class
Quito Cooking Class
Galapagos Islands

The Quito Cooking Class was a fantastic experience and exceeded our expectations. Although we initially thought it might be in someone's home, having it at a restaurant was a pleasant surprise. The chef's professionalism and the way he explained the chemistry behind cooking, not just recipes, were excellent. The food turned out great too!

Charles Darwin Station & Tortoise Breeding center
Charles Darwin Station & Tortoise Breeding center
Galapagos Islands

Our visit to the Charles Darwin Station & Tortoise Breeding Center met our expectations. We were there primarily to see the tortoises, and there were lots of them. Our naturalist, Alex, provided thorough explanations, and it was nice that the place wasn't crowded, making the experience more enjoyable.

Local specialist: Angie Maldonado
Angie
Angie Maldonado
Local specialist in Quito - Ecuador | Replied on Jan 09, 2025

Dear Jim,

Thank you for your feedback; assisting you during your trip was a pleasure!

I am so glad you had a great experience in Quito and the Galapagos and that Alejandro, Fabricio, and Alex did a good job guiding you through your destinations. I will make sure to pass your kind words to them.

Thank you also for your feedback on your hotels and cruise. I am happy you enjoyed your stay there and that the staff made you feel welcome and supported.

We look forward to welcoming you whenever you want to visit us again!

Best Wishes,
Angie

Family Trip to Quito and the Amazon
Ecuador | Dec 22 - Dec 28, 2024

N
Nihar S.
Chicago, IL | Reviewed on Dec 29, 2024
A fantastic tour put together by Mathias! Every detail was thought out carefully and planned for our group of 4 adults and 5 children aged between 4-9. All we did was show up and the airport, and everything else was handled for the rest of the trip until we got back to the airport. Mathias was very responsive through the planning phase and always answered my multiple questions with consideration of my family and the needs of the kids and what we would all enjoy. All allergies and dietary... Read more

A fantastic tour put together by Mathias! Every detail was thought out carefully and planned for our group of 4 adults and 5 children aged between 4-9. All we did was show up and the airport, and everything else was handled for the rest of the trip until we got back to the airport. Mathias was very responsive through the planning phase and always answered my multiple questions with consideration of my family and the needs of the kids and what we would all enjoy. All allergies and dietary restrictions were conveyed to everyone involved and all restaurants we ate at, so we never had to worry. When anything unexpected came up, our guide Mishell was quick to make changes on the fly and make sure everything was handled. She would always help watch out for our family and kids and watched their reactions at certain points ... She would then make suggestions on making any changes to future plans based on what she thought they would like. We had a great time in Quito and Otavalo seeing all the sights, the old town, the market, crater lake, the teleferiqo cable car, and so much more. Our time in the rainforest at was very different than other trips we have taken, but we thoroughly enjoyed our time visiting the Amazon and learning about the culture and people that call it home, including a boat ride down the river looking out for animals, and hiking through the forest. To end it all, we stopped (as planned by Mathias) for a few hours at the Papallacta hot springs to recover and relax after all the days of activities and excursions. Overall, the planning and execution by Mathias and the Authentic Ecuador team, as well as constant communication thought the trip between Mathias and Mishell, and with us... Was unmatched and unbeatable. Would highly recommend to anyone considering this tour or this company! Ask for Mathias, and you will not regret it and will have the time of your life in beautiful Ecuador! We are already thinking about a return trip in a couple years to the Galapagos!

Hotel Reviews
Swissotel Quito
Quito
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hakuna Matata Lodge
Archidona
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Quito City Tour
Quito City Tour
Ecuador
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Otavalo Market & Cuicocha Crater Lake
Otavalo Market & Cuicocha Crater Lake
Quito
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Jungle Hike
Jungle Hike
Ecuador
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Visit the "Middle of the World"
Visit the "Middle of the World"
Ecuador
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Chocolate Session
Chocolate Session
Ecuador
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Quito Cooking Class
Quito Cooking Class
Ecuador
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Amazon Safari
Amazon Safari
Ecuador
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Archidona - Papallacta Hot Springs - Quito
Archidona - Papallacta Hot Springs - Quito
Ecuador
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Mathias Onisseit
Mathias
Mathias Onisseit
Local specialist in Quito, Ecuador | Replied on Jan 12, 2025

Dear Nihar,

Thank you so much for your kind words! I'm delighted to hear that your trip was everything you expected and more and that everyone, especially the kids, had a great time!
It was a real pleasure planning this trip with you; I hope that, at some point, your family can return to Ecuador and discover the other gems that the country has to offer (e.g., Galapagos and venture deeper into the Amazon rainforest).

I wish you all the best and many more unforgettable trips with your family in the future!

Always safe travels,
Mathias

Read all Ecuador reviews

Every expectation and desire was met!
Ecuador | Nov 20 - Dec 2, 2024

Liz
Liz C.
Denver, CO | Reviewed on Dec 03, 2024
I am a kimkim employee traveling with family, and Paola went out of her way to make sure we were taken care of, and every one of our needs were met! She set us up with a knowledgeable driver/guide who showed us all the best places and introduced us to authentic food choices and experiences. We couldn't have asked for anything more. Read more

I am a kimkim employee traveling with family, and Paola went out of her way to make sure we were taken care of, and every one of our needs were met! She set us up with a knowledgeable driver/guide who showed us all the best places and introduced us to authentic food choices and experiences. We couldn't have asked for anything more.

Hotel Reviews
La Casona de La Ronda
Quito

Great location, safe, clean, nice accomodations

Authenticity & Character
Location
very centrally located
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Celebrity Flora
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Quito City Tour - Middle of the World
Quito City Tour - Middle of the World
Quito

This activity was so interesting and informative. It was worth the drive south.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Airport transfer to Quito City
Airport transfer to Quito City
Ecuador

Nice clean car with safe driving!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Ride the Cable Car to Pichincha Volcano
Ride the Cable Car to Pichincha Volcano
Quito

We enjoyed the hike, the swing, and the views from the cable car.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Paola Vera Feijoo
Paola
Paola Vera Feijoo
Local specialist in Quito | Replied on Dec 05, 2024

Hi Liz,

Thank you so much for the wonderful review! It was a pleasure helping you and your family have the best experience here in Ecuador. I’m so happy to hear that everything went smoothly and that the guide was able to show you all the amazing spots and introduce you to authentic local experiences. It means a lot to me that you felt well taken care of!

Wishing you and your family many more incredible adventures in the future :)

Warmly,
Paola

Andrea’s at the cloud forest was fantastic as...
Ecuador | Nov 2 - Nov 18, 2024

J
James C.
Chicago, IL | Reviewed on Nov 19, 2024
Andrea’s at the cloud forest was fantastic as was Gabriel at le selva I enjoyed the rides and service from Sebastian and getting information about Ecuador Read more

Andrea’s at the cloud forest was fantastic as was Gabriel at le selva I enjoyed the rides and service from Sebastian and getting information about Ecuador

Hotel Reviews
Piripe Lodge
Pacto

Very peaceful place

Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
La Selva Eco-Lodge & Retreat
Yasuní National Park
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Galapagos Suites
Puerto Ayora

Very clean and great service

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel La Laguna Galapagos
Puerto Villamil
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Pululahua Crater
Pululahua Crater
Quito
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Andean Cock-of-the-rock
Andean Cock-of-the-rock
Ecuador
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Optional Activities in the Cloud Forest
Optional Activities in the Cloud Forest
Ecuador

Great bike ride and am viewing of birds

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Maquipucuna Reserve
Maquipucuna Reserve
Ecuador
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Bicycle Tour through the Cloud Forest
Ecuador
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Arrival to Coca, transfer to rainforest lodge, rainforest hike
Arrival to Coca, transfer to rainforest lodge, rainforest hike
Ecuador
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Observation Tower, Garza Cocha Lake & Night Walk
Observation Tower, Garza Cocha Lake & Night Walk
Yasuni National Park
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Parrot Clay Lick, Indigenous Community & Jungle Hike
Parrot Clay Lick, Indigenous Community & Jungle Hike
Yasuni National Park
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Last rainforest activities, Transfer to Coca & Arrival to Quito
Last rainforest activities, Transfer to Coca & Arrival to Quito
Ecuador
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station
Visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station
Puerto Ayora
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Scuba Diving - Day Trip from Santa Cruz
Scuba Diving - Day Trip from Santa Cruz
Ecuador
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Visit to another uninhabited island
Visit to another uninhabited island
Ecuador
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Hiking Sierra Negra Volcano
Hiking Sierra Negra Volcano
Ecuador
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Visit the Flamingo Lagoon
Visit the Flamingo Lagoon
Ecuador
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Kayaking & Snorkeling at Las Tintoreras
Kayaking & Snorkeling at Las Tintoreras
Ecuador
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Snorkel at Los Túneles
Snorkel at Los Túneles
Ecuador
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Excursion to an uninhabited island
Excursion to an uninhabited island
Ecuador
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Linda Schulz
Linda
Linda Schulz
Local specialist in Quito | Replied on Nov 26, 2024
Dear James,
Thank you so much for your kind review!
I'm thrilled to hear you enjoyed your time in Ecuador, especially the tours with Andreas and Gabriel—the guides we work with love sharing their passion for Ecuador's incredible nature. It is also great to hear that Sebastian’s service and insights made your journey even more memorable. I'm also glad you found Piripe Lodge peaceful and had a fantastic birdwatching experience in the cloud forest - the variety of birds there is truly... Read more

Dear James,
Thank you so much for your kind review!
I'm thrilled to hear you enjoyed your time in Ecuador, especially the tours with Andreas and Gabriel—the guides we work with love sharing their passion for Ecuador's incredible nature. It is also great to hear that Sebastian’s service and insights made your journey even more memorable. I'm also glad you found Piripe Lodge peaceful and had a fantastic birdwatching experience in the cloud forest - the variety of birds there is truly incredible.
Your positive feedback about the Hotel Galapagos Suites and the other hotels and excursions is greatly appreciated, and we hope to welcome you back to Ecuador someday!
All the best and safe travels,
Linda