100% enjoyable experience.
Chile | Aug 12 - Sep 9, 2024

Rebecca
Rebecca H.
San Jose, CA | Reviewed on Sep 24, 2024

The entire experience working with Kimkim from start to finish was professional, and enjoyable. A well crafted online user experience providing detailed travel itineraries, transportation pickup times and hotel contacts that were easy to reference while traveling (and share with others not traveling). The local expertise of Responsible Travel, (our Chile connection) helped outline an itinerary that fit our travel needs both in capacity and economically. Very custom experience. Having staff checking in with us regularly to make sure the trip was going smoothly was comforting. The communication and special advice was valuable and the entire trip just flowed. I loved our pre-arranged airport transfers! And our experienced van driver to ski areas, not only was a great driver, but understood why its important to get to the slopes early was a bonus. Everyone was considerate and thoughtful to us. Chile is a remarkable country. Great food and friendly people.

Hotel Reviews
Hotel Diego de Velazquez
Santiago

The hotel is located in a good part town that is easy to access from Airport. Lots of good restaurants and shops nearby. The staff are very accommodating and the luggage storage room fit our ski bags and was easy to access when needed. The rooms vary in size. The pool room is relaxing.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Easy area to walk around both day and night.
Staff
helping hands at the door and behind the counter. early morning coffee
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Ultramar
Valparaíso

A fantastic hotel. great location above the fray of the city with views of the harbor. The owners are super kind and accommodating to customers. (thanks for the Birthday breakfast with soundtrack!) The public space and outdoor area is clean and relaxing, which is nice after a day on the streets in town. The local is food is good if you want to stay in for a meal.

Authenticity & Character
sweet rebuilt of and old brick building with a unique feel
Location
great views of the city and harbor
Staff
owners super kind and understanding.
Cleanliness & Comfort
nice size rooms, large windows and very clean space.
Hotel La Casa de Don Tomás
San Pedro de Atacama

Upscale and modern. I wish I had an extra day here to relax outside under the tree.

Authenticity & Character
This place makes you feel relaxed as soon as you arrive. The outdoor sitting area under the tree is magical. the entryway sitting area is functional and water bottle refilling station is a plus. Highlighting awareness about best behavior in a sensitive environment are critical for guests to understand.
Location
easy to walk into town and get picked up by tour companies
Staff
everyone was kind and knowledgeable of local area.
Cleanliness & Comfort
great rooms, and brushes to dust your shoes off after being outdoors in the desert.
Hotel Gomero
Hanga Roa

The hotel is peaceful and clean. Wonderful artisan craftsmanship adorn the space. Hours of love and care have built this hotel.

Authenticity & Character
Nothing like it. each detail is hand crafted. gardens are blooming and art is everywhere.
Location
easy walking distance to town. quite.
Staff
owners are accommodating, with local fruit and beverages upon check in. Knowledgeable about the Island and very kind. food is well prepared, delicious and cook is super caring and sweet.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Lady Florence Dixie
Puerto Natales

The location is fantastic. Easy to walk around town and get picked up by tour companies. A bit noisy with guest leaving rooms. simple accommodations.

Authenticity & Character
funky, noisy, but clean
Location
Activity Reviews
Gastronomic Route "Platos con Relato"
Gastronomic Route "Platos con Relato"
Chile

a fun filled day customized to meet our needs. We were able to surf the sand dunes ( "maybe we can ski it" ) and go swimming after a food feast of fresh local fish. When your guide (Angel) really listens and gets to know his guests, magic happens. We had so much fun and laughed so hard we had tears in our eyes.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
guide was willing to go swimming with guests - so much fun
Transport
Astronomical Tour -  Atacama Desert
Astronomical Tour - Atacama Desert
San Pedro de Atacama

Bright moon prevented good star viewing. telescopes were cool and learned new things. communication on pick up time, location and which tour operator could be improved.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
No one communicated with us.
Transport
Full Day Trip- Red Rocks, Lagunas Altiplánicas & Atacama Salt Flats
Full Day Trip- Red Rocks, Lagunas Altiplánicas & Atacama Salt Flats
San Pedro de Atacama

good guides and drivers. very interesting day, learned a ton.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
driver had good sound track and was willing to talk to guests. Guide was very informed and knowledgeable about region.
Transport
clean the windows on the vans
Visit the Tatio Geysers - Morning tour
Visit the Tatio Geysers - Morning tour
San Pedro de Atacama

A very interesting experience and worth the early morning pick up. Rare and unique, great photos opportunities.

Quality of Experience
Food
love a tailgate cook out. The guides deliver in quick time and have plenty of hot coffee /tea for guests.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
good driver, good soundtrack
Transport
Transfer to Ski Resort from hotel in Santiago
Transfer to Ski Resort from hotel in Santiago
Santiago

Our driver was excellent. He was kind and understanding as emotions were overflowing while seeing the Andes mountain range up close for the first time. Which in itself was a remarkable experience. With safety in mind, he delivered us in a timely manner. 80's pop sing along a bonus.

Quality of Experience
Edwardo stopped for photos ops, made sure we had documents needed, grabbed us water for the ride.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Edwardo is a great driver in snow conditions.
Transport
Van was clean, safe and had good chains. plenty of room for all ski gear. good sound track.
Chilean Food Tour & Picnic with a View of Santiago
Chilean Food Tour & Picnic with a View of Santiago
Santiago

A great tour with Angel, our local guide from Responsible Travel. We hit the best empanada spot, met the owners and got to know about local spices, before heading to the markets for shopping. Drank traditional Mote con huesillo and the Pisco Sours. Enjoyed dishes showcasing the variety of fresh regional seafood. Finished the day with a sunset picnic in a secluded park overlooking the city. A magical day and a great way to spend a day in Santiago. Our guide was knowledgeable about regional dishes and local restaurants. Came prepared to escort us through the busy market stalls and answer all of our questions.

Quality of Experience
stopping at the street cart to buy Mott con huesillo
Food
Everything! the food in Chile is amazing. The seafood is the best.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Angle knows the area really well and has a personality that is thoughtful, kind and very observant.
Transport
Valparaiso and Viña del Mar- Shared Tour
Valparaiso and Viña del Mar- Shared Tour
Chile

good communication from tour guide, great funny driver. Amazing murals Valparaiso. Go for the art, stay for the winding streets and discover /support local artists. good unique food and bar scene.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
The driver was super happy to be driving a big bus.
Local specialist: Tamer B. Obeid
Tamer B.
Tamer B. Obeid
Local specialist in Quito & Santiago | Replied on Sep 25, 2024
Dear Rebecca,
I can't be grateful enough for this detailed and thoughtful review, it means the world to us in Responsible Travel as well as Kimkim to know that we have met, and probably exceeded your expectations when it comes to our services and communication since it's essential to guarantee a smooth and second-to-none experience. Your comments will serve as a great motivation for us to continue offering our best and looking for improvement which we believe there is always room for it. It...
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Dear Rebecca,
I can't be grateful enough for this detailed and thoughtful review, it means the world to us in Responsible Travel as well as Kimkim to know that we have met, and probably exceeded your expectations when it comes to our services and communication since it's essential to guarantee a smooth and second-to-none experience. Your comments will serve as a great motivation for us to continue offering our best and looking for improvement which we believe there is always room for it. It also helps our future travelers get to know what will their experience with us will look like.
Again, we thank you and we look forward to planning more adventures for you and Susan, whether in Ecuador, the Galapagos, Peru, and the neighboring countries.
Yours,
Tamer & the team