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active 2 days ago

Erin Wiley

Travel simply makes people happy and I want to be a part of that. If I am not traveling myself then I want to surround myself with people who are.

Originally from Michigan, I grew up camping and adventuring along the shores of the Great Lakes from a young age. My love affair with South America started in 2006 when I took my first international trip to Peru. Since, I have been back and forth between my home in Michigan and South America, having spent considerable time both working and traveling across the continent. I am currently based in Puerto Natales, Chile where I am lucky enough to have Torres del Paine National Park as my backyard.

What places and activities do you specialize in?

"We specialize in trips in and around Torres del Paine National Park as well as Los Glaciares National park in Argentina.

I can help you organize anything from the standard ´W´ Hike to more exclusive and off-trail hikes in some of the parks hidden valleys. Would you fancy a 3-day camping and kayaking expedition? I can do that too!

Adventure, adventure, adventure! "

How did you get involved in travel?

"Around 2008 I began traveling to Peru each summer, organizing trips for a University of Michigan based sustainable development project. This initiative brought me back each summer and from there I discovered the world of backpacking. After numerous trips and years spent in South America it became clear that I wanted to root myself here, and what better place than Patagonia. With over 10 years experience in the hospitality industry and a grand passion for travel and the outdoors I decided that a career in the adventure travel industry was the way to go, and here I am!"

Please share a unique travel experience you will never forget.

"I spent 4 days in a hammock on a boat floating (very slowly...) down the Amazon River."

Erin is part of the following groups: Argentina Travel Agents, Patagonia Travel Agents, Chile Travel Agents
One of the stunning turquoise lakes in Torres del Paine National Park
Adventure in Chilean Patagonia: Torres del Paine, Strait of Magellan & Lake District - 14 Days

Discover the reason so many travelers head south to Chilean Patagonia on this 14-day itinerary. From the turquoise waters of the Lake District to the penguin colonies of Isla Magdalena, this region offers an endless array of natural sites to explore. Get close to the action as you reach out and touch the glaciers of Torres del Paine, kayak alongside sea lions and dolphins in the Strait of Magellan, and hike to the edge of the active Osorno Volcano.

The mountain landscapes of Patagonia's Torres del Paine
Active Patagonia: Punta Arenas, Puerto Natales & Torres del Paine National Park - 7 Days

Patagonia's natural wonders take center stage on this week-long Chilean adventure. Arrive in the cosmopolitan capital of Santiago, then fly to the country's far south to embark on a series of unforgettable outdoor excursions. Meet the penguin colonies of Isla Magdalena, trek through the spectacular landscapes of Torres del Paine, and travel by boat through the Ultima Esperanza Sound to reach the remote Bernardo O'Higgins National Park.

The mountain landscapes of Torres del Paine National Park
Wonders of Chile: Patagonia, Lake District & Santiago - 14 Days

Take in rugged mountains, pristine fjords, and lush wine country on this diverse 14-day journey through Chile's greatest highlights. Start in the country's far south, where you'll hike through the wilds of Torres del Paine National Park, visit penguins on the Strait of Magellan, and horseback ride across a traditional Patagonian estancia. Head north to kayak and climb through the spectacular scenery of the Lake District, then wind down with a final three days in Santiago. After a trip filled with activity and adventure, enjoy a change of pace as you explore the vibrant capital and take relaxing day trips to the nearby wine country and colorful villages of the Pacific coast.

Sunset over the Perito Moreno glacier in Los Glaciares National Park
Active Patagonia: Torres del Paine & Los Glaciares National Parks - 10 Days

Trek your way across Patagonia's glacial landscapes on this rugged 10-day journey through the UNESCO-listed Torres del Paine and Los Glaciares National Parks. Starting in the Chilean town of Puerto Natales, you'll follow the famous "W" circuit trail through Torres del Paine's soaring mountains before hopping over the border to Argentina. Spend a day in El Calafate to experience the towering ice walls of Perito Moreno, then base yourself in the village of El Chaltén to discover the vast glaciers and turquoise lakes of Los Glaciares.

Hike into the world of Torres del Paine's glaciers and mountains
Torres del Paine National Park: Self-Guided "W" Trek - 7 Days

Conquer Chile's famous "W Circuit" trek on this 7-day self-guided excursion for experienced hikers and the adventurous at heart. Starting in the trekker's paradise of Puerto Natales, you'll set out into Torres del Paine National Park, following the w-shaped route through some of Chilean Patagonia's most spectacular scenery. Pass towering mountains, vast glaciers, and turquoise lakes as you hike the rugged and rewarding 35 miles (56 km) to the base of the magnificent Glacier Grey.

View across the Beagle Sound to Ushuaia
Patagonia Winter Adventure: Ushuaia & Tierra del Fuego - 6 Days

Experience winter at the end of the world on this 6-day guided Patagonian adventure. With the southernmost city of Ushuaia as your base, you'll set out to explore the otherworldly landscapes of the spectacular Tierra del Fuego. Trek to icy lakes, hike through ancient forests, and try your hand at skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling against the magnificent backdrop of the Andes Mountains.

Recent trip reviews for Erin

Erin was amazing!
Patagonia | Dec 20 - Jan 2, 2023

Pam
Pam F.
West Scarborough, ME | Reviewed on Jan 04, 2023

Erin was amazing! She nailed our itinerary on the first try. She was very open to questions and helped us narrow things down as needed. Every transfer, guide, etc was great. We spent two weeks in the region and never had any complications. I would highly recommend Erin for travel planning.

We loved the Estancia La Peninsula where we spend the day riding, eating incredible lamb and learning how the ranch worked. I left feeling like I’d spent the day with family.

We had several... read more

Erin was amazing! She nailed our itinerary on the first try. She was very open to questions and helped us narrow things down as needed. Every transfer, guide, etc was great. We spent two weeks in the region and never had any complications. I would highly recommend Erin for travel planning.

We loved the Estancia La Peninsula where we spend the day riding, eating incredible lamb and learning how the ranch worked. I left feeling like I’d spent the day with family.

We had several guides Devi, Virginia and Shelda (spelling may be wrong) and we learned so much from them about flora, fauna and the geology of the region. They were patient with our pace and let our son pick their brains about travel.

Truly and once in a lifetime trip that we got to share with our 20 something sons. Thank you Erin!

Hotel Review
Cyan Recoleta Hotel
Recoleta, Buenos Aires
Authenticity & Character
Location
Walking distance to food, a mall, cemetery
Staff
Once they warmed up they were very helpful
Cleanliness & Comfort
Bugs in one room
Local specialist: Erin Wiley

Loved Patagonia with KimKim!
Patagonia | Dec 21 - Jan 1, 2023

S
Sumi M.
Broad Ripple, IN | Reviewed on Jan 02, 2023

The overall experience of KimKim was great. I have to admit, when it started it out, it was very slow at first. My assigned specialist wasn't very responsive. But then, Erin took over, and she was excellent in terms of her timliness and her knowledge. Then, she referred me to an even more localized specialist, Nara, who also was great. I was very happy with their organization and their efforts!

The overall trip to Patagonia was wonderful. The highlights for us were the hikes on both the... read more

The overall experience of KimKim was great. I have to admit, when it started it out, it was very slow at first. My assigned specialist wasn't very responsive. But then, Erin took over, and she was excellent in terms of her timliness and her knowledge. Then, she referred me to an even more localized specialist, Nara, who also was great. I was very happy with their organization and their efforts!

The overall trip to Patagonia was wonderful. The highlights for us were the hikes on both the Argentina side and the Chile side. The Perito Moreno glacier hiking tour was also very memorable. We loved our Santiago city tour guide as well.

The only thing that wasn't so great for us was the hotel accommodations. I understand some of the regular partners that Kim Kim uses were booked up for the times we were going, so that is understandable. But our accomodations in Buenos Aires and Chile were less than ideal considering availability and pricing during the time. All other parts of this trip were amazing, and I would not hestitate to use KimKim again.

Hotel Reviews
Hotel Intersur Recoleta
Recoleta, Buenos Aires

Overall hotel location was pretty good. But the rooms and bathrooms were very dated and not what I would consider normal for a four star accommodation.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Bathrooms very dated, rooms very small
Lunajuim
El Chalten

This was more of a hostel experience as I believe KimKim's normal partners were booked up. The rooms were fine. The breakfast was okay. The staff was very friendly. Location was great. For a hostel experience, I think this was good, though we usually prefer staying in nicer places. I think "luxury" is not something that is in abundance when you are in remote Patagonia though, so this was fine for us.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hostería Schilling
El Calafate

This was more of a hostel experience as I believe KimKim's normal partners were booked up. The rooms were fine. Heat was not working properly the first night, was better the second night. The breakfast was okay - did like that they cooked fresh eggs if you wanted it. The bathrooms were very barebones. The staff was very friendly. Location was great. For a hostel experience, I think this was good, though we usually prefer staying in nicer places. I think "luxury" is not something that is in abundance when you are in remote Patagonia though, so this was fine for us.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hostal El Establo
Puerto Natales

We typically like to stay in hotels, but all typical partners of KimKim were booked up. However, we loved this charming little bed and breakfast. The host was great - so friendly, so helpful, made great breakfasts every morning at the time we wanted. The rooms were cute - everything we needed was in there. Location was a bit far walking from the town square, but it was fine. Would 100% recommend anyone to stay here.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Ismael
Santiago

Heat was not working. Not only could we not control it from our rooms, we had to call the reception any time we wanted it to be warmer or cooler - they said rooms do not have the ability to make temperature changes, only the front desk could. We waited 30 minutes to check in. There was only one person ahead of us - there was no issue, they were just extraordinarily slow. The rooms were tiny, but the bathrooms and sleeping arrangments were fine. The breakfast was a good one - but they ran out of eggs (one hour before breakfast shut down), and there was a line to get a table at 9am. I ended up having to stand and eat my breakfast. There was one staff member - Fernando - who was extraordinarily patient and friendly despite all of the frustrated guests. Kudos to him. With all of the other accommodation options in Santiago, please don't have anyone stay here again.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Fernando was great. The rest were very slow and overly willing to help with the issues that kept arising.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Buenos Aires Bicycle Tour (South Sector)
Buenos Aires

Tour guide was 45 minutes late - but we gave him a pass. Traffic was crazy because of the World Cup win. Great bike ride around the city. However - it's dangerous for kids. You often ride in the street, right next to cars and buses. Please know this if you are booking with children.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Had to get there on our own, which was fine.
Traditional Tango Show with Dinner
Buenos Aires

Wish we could have done the tango without the dinner. Not worth it for vegetarians. Also - if you have kids - the show starts after 10pm and ends after midnight. Still, the show was great, and a very cool experience for us all. Hated that they picked up five other guests along the way - it took us more than 45 min before we even got to dinner, even though the location was so close to our hotel. Would have rathered saved on the transport expense and uber'ed ourselves

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Kayak Lago del Desierto
El Chalten

In theory, this is a great experience. Our weather was not great, so it was hard to kayak against the wind. Totally not the fault of our company. All that being said - the gear was great, and they provided most of it. Wish they would have explained a bit more about what to wear and not wear. What our tour operator told us was not accurate. Of the five kayaks on our trip, two were not perfect - the end of one kept sinking, and another had no backs to the seats. The guide was nice and enthusiastic. Loved the raft to help our kids along. However - the guide never sent us any pictures as he promised after. That's a big problem when he tells us not to take our phones on the kayaks.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Guided Hike to Laguna de los Tres
El Chalten

This was an amazing hike. Not sure we needed a private guide. But all was great about it. A must do. It's tough - be warned!

Quality of Experience
Food
Packed lunch - hard to make it better.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Minitrekking Ice Hike on Perito Moreno Glacier
El Calafate

What an incredible day and site! It's VERY commercialized, but despite that, we thoroughly enjoyed.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Wish we didnt spend 45 min plus picking up others - we were almost always the first to be picked up on all of these tours. And when they are early mornings, 45 extra min is huge.
Trip Briefing at Dittmar Adventures
Puerto Natales

Not sure how needed this was as it was the end of our trip. But it was great to meet Nara in person.

Torres del Paine Full Day Private Tour
Chile

This was a great way to see the park. Our tour guide (Vincenze?) was so friendly and fun. But he was chatty with almost every other guide he came across, so we would have to wait for him at every stop to finish talking with others before we could move on. We also didnt get a chance to see the eastern part of the park. We were told it was too windy. But we met others who were on private tours and they all got to go to that side of the park, so we felt let down by that. Too much time spent at Hotel Lago Grey - we didnt need a snack, we would have liked to take that time and seen another site.

Quality of Experience
Food
Packed lunch - was okay.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Guided hike to Las Torres lookout [Central - Base - Central]
Chile

We were hesitant about the group tour. But it worked out well. Guide made us keep on pace, and we had an incredible view at the end

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Santiago City Tour
Chile

Nice guide, nice tour, great to learn about the city.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Erin Wiley

Crissy and Bob - Patagonia
Chile | Dec 16 - Dec 23, 2022

Bob
Bob M.
Charlotte, NC | Reviewed on Dec 26, 2022

Crissy and I had an amazing time in Patagonia. This trip was a long time coming, delayed several times for COVID, and ended turning into our Honeymoon.

Erin and the KimKim crew were fantastic during the changes and final prep. Very knowledgeable, offering up timely responses, and extremely flexible.

We really enjoyed the Penguin Island, Torres Base Hike, and the Serrano River Kayak. Weather was absolutely perfect. Hotels were decent, with the Hosteria Pehoe being the most... read more

Crissy and I had an amazing time in Patagonia. This trip was a long time coming, delayed several times for COVID, and ended turning into our Honeymoon.

Erin and the KimKim crew were fantastic during the changes and final prep. Very knowledgeable, offering up timely responses, and extremely flexible.

We really enjoyed the Penguin Island, Torres Base Hike, and the Serrano River Kayak. Weather was absolutely perfect. Hotels were decent, with the Hosteria Pehoe being the most memorable.

All the drivers and guides were superb. Daniel was always a bit early and drove us safely to where we needed to be. Devi was super fun to hang with during the Torres del Paine tour and took us to some cool hiking spots, waterfalls, and scenic overlooks. Charlie was a great kayak guide and campsite host. He worked hard to make sure we had an incredible experience.

Activity Reviews
Paddle from Pueblo Serrano to Puerto Toro [Kayak Expedition Day 1]
Chile

Charlie, from Tutravesia, worked hard to ensure a very enjoyable. experience. Views were breath taking.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Visit Serrano Glacier & Estancia Perales [Kayak Expedition Day 2]
Chile
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Visit the Isla Magdalena Penguin Colony
Punta Arenas
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Trip Briefing at Dittmar Adventures
Puerto Natales

Nara provided all the details for the trip and stayed in touch with weather updates for the kayak excursion.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Torres del Paine Full Day Private Tour
Chile

Devi was an amazing guide. She has a trail scale of 14/10 and our marriage is stronger having spent the day with her. She was solely responsible for the perfect weather and all the functioning planks on the waterfall boardwalk. If we were not laughing so hard maybe we would have seen a puma.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Erin Wiley

Blown Away by Patagonia!
Patagonia | Nov 8 - Nov 22, 2022

Emily
Emily R.
Sutter Creek, CA | Reviewed on Dec 14, 2022

My husband and I decided to go to Patagonia for our 10-year anniversary, but we knew there were a lot of logistics. We decided to look around online for help and came across kimkim by chance. From the get go, the responses from Erin and her team we wonderful and so helpful. Erin took the ideas I had in mind for our trip and made them a reality. I really appreciated that she was patient with all of my questions and that she was so quick to get back to me on each aspect of the trip. She even... read more

My husband and I decided to go to Patagonia for our 10-year anniversary, but we knew there were a lot of logistics. We decided to look around online for help and came across kimkim by chance. From the get go, the responses from Erin and her team we wonderful and so helpful. Erin took the ideas I had in mind for our trip and made them a reality. I really appreciated that she was patient with all of my questions and that she was so quick to get back to me on each aspect of the trip. She even made time to chat with me on the phone when messaging was too hard to convey some of my questions.

Our actual trip was absolutely everything I hoped for and more. Every day we woke up to new adventures that made memories that will be with us forever. It was so easy to have each aspect of the trip planned out and to have transfers that I didn't have to worry about to cart us from place to place. The tours we took were a blast and we loved all of our guides and the staff we encountered. Patagonia was stunning in every aspect and I cannot recommend it enough to people.

Thank you to Erin and her team for making this dream happen. We could not have done it without you!

Local specialist: Erin Wiley

The whole team was very helpful and knowledge...
Patagonia | Dec 3 - Dec 9, 2022

N
Natalie B.
Chicago, IL | Reviewed on Dec 14, 2022

The whole team was very helpful and knowledgeable with planning our trip. The W trek was an amazing experience. Shout out to Erin especially for all her help, she was wonderful to work with and did a phenomenal job! read more

The whole team was very helpful and knowledgeable with planning our trip. The W trek was an amazing experience. Shout out to Erin especially for all her help, she was wonderful to work with and did a phenomenal job!

Hotel Reviews
Hotel Vendaval
Puerto Natales
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
El Chileno Refugio
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Los Cuernos Refugio
Torres del Paine - W trek Circuit Reserva Cerro Paine
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Refugio Paine Grande
Puerto Natales, Chile
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Refugio Grey
Torres del Paine National Park
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Review
Trip Briefing at Dittmar Adventures
Puerto Natales

Please verify next time before the meeting that we need to bring our stuff for the porter to the meeting and whether or not we need to provide a bag.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Erin did an awesome job and communicated very well with us!
Transport
Direct flight to puerto natales would be preferred
Local specialist: Erin Wiley

Erin was fantastic and very helpful in planni...
Patagonia | Dec 3 - Dec 9, 2022

lara
lara g.
Walnut Creek, CA | Reviewed on Dec 14, 2022

Erin was fantastic and very helpful in planning my trek on the W circuit in Patagonia. Communication was always prompt and concise, and she definitely took the time to answer all my questions. read more

Erin was fantastic and very helpful in planning my trek on the W circuit in Patagonia. Communication was always prompt and concise, and she definitely took the time to answer all my questions.

Hotel Review
Hotel Vendaval
Puerto Natales
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Erin Wiley

Patagonia Chile/Argentina
Patagonia | Nov 19 - Dec 3, 2022

S
Sagar P.
Hackensack, NJ | Reviewed on Dec 04, 2022

My trip to Patagonia was amazing and the logistics worked out so well. I had never worked with a company before to help plan my entire trip but working with Kim Kim and Erin/Nara was great. They answered all my questions leading up to and throughout the trip and helped planning this trip painless. I knew exactly what to expect and everything went according to the itinerary, there were no surprises besides ones that had nothing to do with planning. I had few guided tours, seeing penguins, a... read more

My trip to Patagonia was amazing and the logistics worked out so well. I had never worked with a company before to help plan my entire trip but working with Kim Kim and Erin/Nara was great. They answered all my questions leading up to and throughout the trip and helped planning this trip painless. I knew exactly what to expect and everything went according to the itinerary, there were no surprises besides ones that had nothing to do with planning. I had few guided tours, seeing penguins, a hike to the Base Towers in Torres Del Paine, a glacier trek tour, and a hike to Fitz Roy in Argentina. All the guides were great and very knowledgeable. My two favorite hikes were to the Base Towers and Fitz Roy, part of that is just due to that being the best hikes on the trip but also having a guide made the experience that much better as I was able to learn more things. I highly recommend using Kim Kim when traveling as it makes figuring out all the logistics painless and have nothing to worry about.

Activity Review
Guided hike to Las Torres lookout [Central - Base - Central]
Chile

The hike to Las Torres Lookout was amazing. The view are incredible and having a guide made it that much better as I was able to learn things I would not have as I would have just been hiking. Having a guide makes the experience that much better.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Erin Wiley

3 weeks in Patagonia
Patagonia | Oct 27 - Nov 17, 2022

J
Jad T.
Colombia | Reviewed on Nov 29, 2022

Thanks to Erin and her team we managed to pull off the best 3 weeks itinerary in Patagonia on a very short notice. Experienced what both Chile and Argentina had to offer without worrying and planning any of the details. All was perfectly taken care off; from local transportations, hotels, meals, treks, tours, and guided tours..
Would highly recommend !

Jad read more

Thanks to Erin and her team we managed to pull off the best 3 weeks itinerary in Patagonia on a very short notice. Experienced what both Chile and Argentina had to offer without worrying and planning any of the details. All was perfectly taken care off; from local transportations, hotels, meals, treks, tours, and guided tours..
Would highly recommend !

Jad

Hotel Reviews
Hostal El Establo
Puerto Natales
Hostería Schilling
El Calafate
Lunajuim
El Chalten
Local specialist: Erin Wiley

Trip of a lifetime but I hope they’re spending more
Patagonia | Nov 19 - Nov 26, 2022

Michelle
Michelle J.
Manhattan, NY | Reviewed on Nov 28, 2022

I loved all the guides we had. Each one was so unique and different. Most of them went out of their way to give us a very special experience. And each of the places were so memorable and special. I especially liked seeing Torres del Paine, Camp Grey and Glacier Grey. Ditmar did a great job of coordinating all of the transportation and the excursions. read more

I loved all the guides we had. Each one was so unique and different. Most of them went out of their way to give us a very special experience. And each of the places were so memorable and special. I especially liked seeing Torres del Paine, Camp Grey and Glacier Grey. Ditmar did a great job of coordinating all of the transportation and the excursions.

Hotel Reviews
Camping Grey

Much more than I expected. The tents were super comfortable and set up well. Bathrooms were pretty close. I love the friendly atmosphere in the lodge.

Authenticity & Character
It was a long way to hike to but we found out you could take a boat
Location
It was a long way to hike to but we found out you could take a boat
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Albatros
Punta Arenas

Roberto was extremely accommodating for us. Very nice guy

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Erin Wiley

Erin, Dittmar Adventures and Jass all managed...
Patagonia | Nov 5 - Nov 19, 2022

Annabelle
Annabelle J.
United Kingdom | Reviewed on Nov 25, 2022

Erin, Dittmar Adventures and Jass all managed to make our trip wonderful.
Erin was incredibly responsive in the planning phases, flexible and creative in finding ways of helping us make the perfect itinerary.
Nara, as Dittmar's local Patagonia representative, provided real time help and support by Whatsapp (despite questionable 3G in locations).
Jass provided flexible solutions in the Puerto Varas region, especially when faced with ranger strikes that got in the way of our plans. Also... read more

Erin, Dittmar Adventures and Jass all managed to make our trip wonderful.
Erin was incredibly responsive in the planning phases, flexible and creative in finding ways of helping us make the perfect itinerary.
Nara, as Dittmar's local Patagonia representative, provided real time help and support by Whatsapp (despite questionable 3G in locations).
Jass provided flexible solutions in the Puerto Varas region, especially when faced with ranger strikes that got in the way of our plans. Also tasty home made cookies and replacement hiking sticks for those of ours who broke on the trail!
Generally I was grateful for the local knowledge, the real time flexibility and responsiveness in changing plans, and the refunds (and wine bottles!) offered where money had been spent but the activity was no longer possible.
Chile is amazing!

Activity Review
Kayaking on the Reloncaví Fjord + Termas del Sol
Puerto Varas

Great fun - even on a rainy day! Bit daunting at the start given cold water and all the wet gear, but a really amazing day out!

Local specialist: Erin Wiley

Erin and her team were all phenomenal from st...
Patagonia | Nov 2 - Nov 7, 2022

J
Jumana M.
United Kingdom | Reviewed on Nov 08, 2022

Erin and her team were all phenomenal from start to finish with this trip. We were initially very overwhelmed with planning it out until working with the team who were super attentive and gave us so many options for activities to book based on our interests, as well as booking all of our accommodation for us and bus transport between cities. They were so helpful when we finally arrived in Chile, gave us a briefing on arrival and a very detailed itinerary outlining where we would be going and... read more

Erin and her team were all phenomenal from start to finish with this trip. We were initially very overwhelmed with planning it out until working with the team who were super attentive and gave us so many options for activities to book based on our interests, as well as booking all of our accommodation for us and bus transport between cities. They were so helpful when we finally arrived in Chile, gave us a briefing on arrival and a very detailed itinerary outlining where we would be going and when we should leave. One of the highlights was that they arranged for us to have a private tour of Torres del Paine National Park with an amazing tour guide who was super friendly and knowledgeable, cannot recommend Christian enough and our driver for the day Miguel was also a very safe and careful driver!
We ended up missing one of our tours due to a misunderstanding and Nara really stepped up and helped us find a fantastic alternative activity to take up that day, where we had an unforgettable horse trek at Pingo Salvaje outside Puerto Natales, another highlight of the trip!
Erin, Nara and all the team were amazing and we cannot thank them enough for helping us make the most unforgettable trip happen!

Activity Review
Torres del Paine Full Day Private Tour
Chile

Amazing and unforgettable tour with the best tour guide!

Quality of Experience
Tour guide was so knowledgeable and took us to the best spots, was also very patient
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Guide and driver were great. Driver was super safe
Transport
Local specialist: Erin Wiley

Chile Trip!
Chile | Oct 6 - Oct 11, 2022

Kevin
Kevin C.
Spartanburg, SC | Reviewed on Oct 14, 2022

Overall we had a wonderful trip! Chile is a very beautiful country and the people down there are very welcoming and accommodating. We met a lot of nice people down there including other tourists from around the world! I didn't know what to expect for it to be my first trip to South America. As far as our itenirary, we We met a lot of nice people down there including other tourists from around the world! it was planned out very nicely and our time was spent efficiently. We also appreciated the... read more

Overall we had a wonderful trip! Chile is a very beautiful country and the people down there are very welcoming and accommodating. We met a lot of nice people down there including other tourists from around the world! I didn't know what to expect for it to be my first trip to South America. As far as our itenirary, we We met a lot of nice people down there including other tourists from around the world! it was planned out very nicely and our time was spent efficiently. We also appreciated the landmarks that were suggested as places to visit. Also, each days activities and directions were easy to follow and understand. As far as the activities, we are satisfied with each one overall. Our hotels were very good and met our expectations. We also appreciate that each one was relatively close to everything. Like I said before, overall it was a spectacular trip and we are glad we did it. Our trip planners and coordinators were very helpful and gave us timely updates and were very responsive to our questions and concerns.

Hotel Reviews
Hotel Albatros
Punta Arenas

Everything you can expect from a 3-star hotel. It wasn't shabby or rundown. The rooms were about as nice as one could expect. There was a heater in each room that kept us nice and cozy being that the temps can get very cold at night depending on when you travel. I would just rate this hotel as being more of a "utility" hotel, meaning it serves its purpose and is good for what it is. There is nothing extra about it no amenities or anything like that. Would recommend staying there if you're not looking for anything too fancy or luxurious after all you are in Punta Arenas and not Dubai. The breakfast was good and they make it to order so that was nice.

Authenticity & Character
Felt like we were in a seaside lodge which us what you would expect from a town like Punta Arenas.
Location
It was relatively close and at the center of the town. Not too far of a distance to walk anywhere if need be.
Staff
They were helpful and showed us on a map the best spots to visit
Cleanliness & Comfort
It was very clean and the beds were very comfortable.
Amerindia Patagonia B&B
Puerto Natales

Another quaint and cozy hotel. Met all of our expectations and then some. The rooms were bigger than we anticipated. Also they had a heater in the room which was nice. I will say they don't give you washcloths, which I don't if that's just a policy of there B&B or what but yeah was a little disappointing. But overall, would recommend staying there.

Authenticity & Character
Very authentic, again felt like we were in a seaside port town
Location
Not too far from anything. Everything is either in waking distance or a short uber ride.
Staff
Very good staff. Showed us our room and very friendly.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Very clean and comfortable.
Activity Reviews
Visit the Isla Magdalena Penguin Colony
Punta Arenas

Everything is as advertised. You will definitely see tons of penguins on this excursion and even some seals from a distance. Would highly recommend to anyone visiting Punta Arenas. One of us would say it was the highlight of the trip!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Trip Briefing at Dittmar Adventures
Puerto Natales
Grey Glacier Boat Tour
Chile

Everything as advertised, terrific experience! Highly recommend.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Guided hike to Las Torres lookout [Central - Base - Central]
Chile

This is one of the activities that if we could do over we probably would replace it with another activity. The park itself was awesome and beyond spectacular. However, it should've been emphasized that this hike is not for first time or beginner hikers. To be fair, it did say in the description that it was a "difficult" hike, but I dont think thats appropriate wording it should be "advanced". It is a very strenuous hike and if you go on a particularly windy day can even be life-risking (not hyperbole). Be warned this is not a hike for beginners. The guides that we had go at a particularly fast pace and they do not take long breaks. I think our longest break was 10 minutes! My wife had to turn around within the first 30 minutes of the hike and go back. I managed to make another 2 hours or so past Chileno but eventually had to turn back also. I would consider myself to be in pretty good shape and physical fitness. But there is a big difference to being in shape and being used to hiking. It takes a tremendous amount of stamina to go up and down a mountain for 8 hrs straight. If you're used to hiking and have done it a good amount of times this hike may be a breeze for you. But if this is your first time or second time I would not recommend. There are other hikes I think offered that are not as strenuous.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Felt like we were being rushed, not enough time for breaks
Transport
Local specialist: Erin Wiley
Erin
Erin Wiley
Local specialist in Puerto Natales, Chile | Reviewed on Oct 18, 2022

Kevin! Thank you so very much for taking the time to leave these detailed reviews and provide such critical feedback. If it weren't for people like you we would not be at the level of planning and trip support that we are today and for that I thank you so very much.

All of your feedback has been dually noted and I just wanted to say that planning with you was also great. It is rare to plan with someone who is so on top of communication, easy going and kind.

All the best to you and yours!

Highly recommend Patagonia and Ditmar Adventures
Patagonia | Oct 1 - Oct 7, 2022

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Nadia A.
Franklin, NC | Reviewed on Oct 09, 2022

I did a 5 day/4 night W Trek in Torres del Paine National Park. From start to finish, kimkim.com and Ditmar Adventures were easy to work with, put my mind at ease, and took care of the details. I told them my preferences and what kind of hike I was looking to have, and they built an itinerary that matched my budget. Everything was timely and everyone was friendly. I have planned my own trips before but this time wanted to take the guess work out of transportation schedules, places to stay,... read more

I did a 5 day/4 night W Trek in Torres del Paine National Park. From start to finish, kimkim.com and Ditmar Adventures were easy to work with, put my mind at ease, and took care of the details. I told them my preferences and what kind of hike I was looking to have, and they built an itinerary that matched my budget. Everything was timely and everyone was friendly. I have planned my own trips before but this time wanted to take the guess work out of transportation schedules, places to stay, and things to see/do. The airline lost my bag on the way in and the Ditmar team provided real time support and advice that made a potentially disastrous situation much more manageable. They helped me rebook a later bus and communicated with the hostel about my (now) late check in. The value they provided exceeded my expectations and I recommend them wholeheartedly. I had a great hike and great experience in Chile.

Hotel Review
Amerindia Patagonia B&B
Puerto Natales
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Review
Trip Briefing at Dittmar Adventures
Puerto Natales
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Erin Wiley
Erin
Erin Wiley
Local specialist in Puerto Natales, Chile | Reviewed on Oct 11, 2022

Thank you kindly Nadia for this review and for all your invaluable feedback. It was such a pleasure to plan this trip with you!

Erin is simply the best travel agent I have e...
Patagonia | Apr 3 - Apr 16, 2022

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JOAN C.
San Diego, CA | Reviewed on Apr 20, 2022

Erin is simply the best travel agent I have ever worked with. She spent time up front understanding how we wanted to travel and then helped create an itinerary to accomplish this. Her manner is low key, yet responsive. She suggested a unique experience to visit Estancia Mercedes which was one of the highlights of our trip. She stayed with us for 3 years as we rescheduled several times due to covid. She was timely and responsive to every request we made, offering suggestions of her own. ... read more

Erin is simply the best travel agent I have ever worked with. She spent time up front understanding how we wanted to travel and then helped create an itinerary to accomplish this. Her manner is low key, yet responsive. She suggested a unique experience to visit Estancia Mercedes which was one of the highlights of our trip. She stayed with us for 3 years as we rescheduled several times due to covid. She was timely and responsive to every request we made, offering suggestions of her own. On her day off she made sure that there was a backup person we could reach out to if necessary. This trip involved so many logistics due to covid and she coached us along the entire way, even sending reminders when it was time to upload an affidavit or take a covid test during the travel process. We received a detailed day by day itinerary that we both carried with us which was helpful as we navigated various modes of travel and experiences. I highly recommend her services.

Hotel Review
Lunajuim
El Chalten

Great location and price. The beds in particular were very comfortable.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Review
Trip Briefing at Dittmar Adventures
Puerto Natales

Nara met us at 1o pm to review our upcoming trip. She was pleasant, had all our materials and provided helpful information. We had one activity where we met a boat early in the morning at an out of the way spot and she even sent us a photo the night before to help us be sure we arrived at the correct location. This was useful since the cab driver used it to find our drop off location and we felt is was above and beyond by Lara.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Erin Wiley
Erin
Erin Wiley
Local specialist in Puerto Natales, Chile | Reviewed on Apr 22, 2022

Thank you so very kindly for the review, Joan!

I can say that it was equally a pleasure to plan this trip with Joan and her sister Lori. We began planning a couple of years ago, and their trip plans were interrupted many times due to the pandemic and ever-changing measures here in both Chile and Argentina. They were both so kind and understanding and each unexpected turn, and always willing to find a way forward. I am SO HAPPY that we were finally able to make this trip happen. I only wish that I had had the chance to meet Joan and Lori in person. Best wishes to you both!

well organised
Patagonia | Feb 13 - Feb 19, 2022

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Arunprasad C.
United Kingdom | Reviewed on Feb 28, 2022

The trip was well organised and everything was as expected - thanks to Erin's thoughtfulness and preparation. Gothe was excellent as our day guide - she was sharing interesting information about the landscapes, geology and the animals . Hotels were comfortable.
I will definitely recommend Erin & Dittmar as a travel agent for Patagonia.

Local specialist: Erin Wiley
Erin
Erin Wiley
Local specialist in Puerto Natales, Chile | Reviewed on Feb 28, 2022

Aw thank you Arunprasad for the kind review! I can say that it was equally a pleasure to work with you on planning this trip.

Arunprasad was very understanding of our timelines in putting together a successful trip while we are still recovering from the big hit by the pandemic. We required in this case more time and tight communication in order to make a somewhat last-minute trip happen and he was totally on board, responsive and helpful in getting things to move forward.

We'd love to have you back someday for a trip to Argentina and some horseback riding :)

All the best,
Erin

KimKim and Erin went above and beyond in helping us plan a smooth trip during a time when travel is hard and uncertain.
Patagonia | Jan 12 - Jan 23, 2022

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David R.
Overland, MO | Reviewed on Jan 29, 2022

When my wife and I had dreamed of going to Patagonia, but we weren't really sure where to begin. We had no knowledge of the region and what it would take to navigate around each town within Patagonia. After contacting KimKim, Erin quickly put together a detailed itinerary with great day to day activities. She was very responsive and easily made adjustments to customize it to make it our dream trip. She provided different options, and did all of the work to make the appropriate changes.

The... read more

When my wife and I had dreamed of going to Patagonia, but we weren't really sure where to begin. We had no knowledge of the region and what it would take to navigate around each town within Patagonia. After contacting KimKim, Erin quickly put together a detailed itinerary with great day to day activities. She was very responsive and easily made adjustments to customize it to make it our dream trip. She provided different options, and did all of the work to make the appropriate changes.

The pre-reading they gave us before our trip was also very helpful to know what to expect about the culture and what we needed to pack. Her itineraries were detailed and we knew exactly what was supposed to happen on a daily basis during the trip.

She kept us informed about the ongoing Covid situation for each country that we were planning to visit as things were rapidly changing. She took the time to call us to help us make informed decisions when we needed to make changes to our trip. This was so helpful because we would not have known each countries regulations without her and her team.

When we found out the week before our trip that the land border between Chile and Argentina was going to remain closed due to Covid, Erin and her team promptly informed us and wasted no time in finding alternative solutions that would still allow us to go on our trip.

Erin really went above and beyond to assure our trip was great. She rearranged our entire itinerary and accommodations in just a few days before we left. Despite all of the last minute changes, our entire trip still went off without a hitch. Transportation showed up as promised and hotels were as described. She was also able to recuperate most of the money we would have lost for canceling and changing everything last minute.

I would highly recommend KimKim and Erin to anyone looking to have a worry free trip. They really helped take the stress of planning everything and dealing with covid out of the picture. We felt very taken care of and that we were in good hands the whole way. This trip would not have been possible for us without them and we are very grateful and appreciative!

Local specialist: Erin Wiley
Erin
Erin Wiley
Local specialist in Puerto Natales, Chile | Reviewed on Feb 01, 2022

Wow, thank you so very much for taking the time to write such a kind and detailed review!

Working with David and Kelly to make this trip happen was a great experience and although we had a huge last-minute hiccup with the land borders set to open between Chile and Argentina, they were responsive, understanding and together with a little bit of urgency we were still able to make a trip happen for them.

I am SO happy that you two ended up having a great trip, and thank you for being such a pleasure to work with.

Best,
Erin

Amazing Trip using KimKim
Patagonia | Dec 18 - Jan 8, 2022

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Priscila W.
East Brunswick, NJ | Reviewed on Jan 17, 2022

We had a great experience using KimKim. They helped us create the perfect itinerary. This was our first time using any sort of agency to plan a trip and we would definitely use them again. Highly recommend. Especially Erin and Laura - they were the best! read more

We had a great experience using KimKim. They helped us create the perfect itinerary. This was our first time using any sort of agency to plan a trip and we would definitely use them again. Highly recommend. Especially Erin and Laura - they were the best!

Hotel Review
Lunajuim
El Chalten

We loved our stay at Lunajuim! The staff was super friendly and helpful! We would absolutely stay here again if we ever return to El Chalten. Highly recommend

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Review
Kayak Lago del Desierto
El Chalten
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Erin Wiley
Erin
Erin Wiley
Local specialist in Puerto Natales, Chile | Reviewed on Jan 19, 2022

Thank you Priscila!! It was a great experience planning a trip with you and Paul, thank you for all of the trust in us to make this happen at the last hour.

Patagonia - Chile and Argentina
Argentina | Mar 8 - Mar 18, 2020

Jeffrey
Jeffrey B.
| Reviewed on Mar 19, 2020

Erin was wonderful to work with for this trip! She was extremely helpful with planning everything and making a trip that included what I was looking for and in the budget I was working with. She was very patient with me and answered all questions that I had along the way.
The times in Torres de Paine was amazing, with great weather and beautiful views. Perito Moreno glacier was also amazing!
I was thrilled with my trip. Thank you again to Erin for all your work in helping to make it happen!!

Local specialist: Erin Wiley
Erin
Erin Wiley
Local specialist in Puerto Natales, Chile | Reviewed on Mar 23, 2020

Wow, amazing photos Jeff! Thank you kindly for the wonderful review and for always being a pleasure to work with throughout the planning process. I'm so happy that we were finally able to make this trip happen for you and I'm glad that you did enjoy it, and were also able to make it back home safely. Wishing you the best!

Perfectly Planned Trip!
Patagonia | Feb 9 - Feb 16, 2020

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Natsumi N.
Warren Township, NJ | Reviewed on Feb 20, 2020

Thank you to Erin and Julia for planning a spectacular trip. The process was so smooth and problem free that we never had to reach out to the kimkim team once for help. Every time we went to our new destination, the drivers were always ready to pick us up, the hotels knew we were coming and the guides were ready to pick us up at the designated time without fail.

I'm so glad I stumbled upon kimkim via a random google search after our trip with another vendor fell through (they had a strict... read more

Thank you to Erin and Julia for planning a spectacular trip. The process was so smooth and problem free that we never had to reach out to the kimkim team once for help. Every time we went to our new destination, the drivers were always ready to pick us up, the hotels knew we were coming and the guides were ready to pick us up at the designated time without fail.

I'm so glad I stumbled upon kimkim via a random google search after our trip with another vendor fell through (they had a strict travel period). We could only do a specific date range and I loved that Erin was able to customize a trip just for us based on those dates with the requests I made. It couldn't be more personal which made this whole planning experience stress free. I would highly recommend using their service!

Local specialist: Erin Wiley
Erin
Erin Wiley
Local specialist in Puerto Natales, Chile | Reviewed on Apr 08, 2020

Thanks Natsumi for the spectacular feedback and for sharing those photos, they are amazing!

A Rabbit Out of a Hat...
Chile | Feb 3 - Feb 9, 2020

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timothy m.
Minneapolis, MN | Reviewed on Feb 14, 2020

After finding myself en route to Santiago for work, a friend thought, "you should go to Patagonia and take some photos..." I hadn't thought about it until that moment... and with only 3 weeks out, I didn't think it remotely possible. That's when another friend passed along kimkim's info.
I truly didn't think it possible to put together such a well thought out, well planned adventure with so little time. But that's exactly what Erin was able to create... Essentially, pulling a rabbit out of a... read more

After finding myself en route to Santiago for work, a friend thought, "you should go to Patagonia and take some photos..." I hadn't thought about it until that moment... and with only 3 weeks out, I didn't think it remotely possible. That's when another friend passed along kimkim's info.
I truly didn't think it possible to put together such a well thought out, well planned adventure with so little time. But that's exactly what Erin was able to create... Essentially, pulling a rabbit out of a hat in a couple of weeks.
Given that my solo adventure was geared towards photography, my itinerary for 6 full days was tailored towards that experience. My journey took me from Estancia La Peninsula for a tour of an authentic Patagonian sheep farm, to portions of the W trek inside Torres Del Paines National Park including the French Valley and Mirador Las Torres hikes. From there, I was able to spend a couple nights in the Serrano River Valley outside the park, and mingle with the horses and herding pups at Pampa Lodge.
Finally, the culmination and the final day of my adventure was a private photography tour with an amazing guide, who took me to some of the great spots in Torres Del Paines as well as some hidden gems that only a true local would know about...
This experience was something that I will never forget. It was surreal and beautiful looking at the Andes Mountain range... meeting some amazing people in Refugias and along the trails... and it would never have happened without Erin and Julia. High fives to the two who made this whole thing so special and unforgettable.

Local specialist: Erin Wiley
Erin
Erin Wiley
Local specialist in Puerto Natales, Chile | Reviewed on May 12, 2020

Planning Timothy's trip was really fun and while it was quite last minute he was such a wonderful copilot in planning, was very understanding and trusting of the process and I couldn't be happier with how everything worked out. Thank you for trusting me, Tim! So happy that you had such a wonderful trip and LOVE your photos, you've captured some of my favorite places but also much of the essence of what life is like in Puerto Natales. Hope you are well and thank you again!

Best,
Erin

What an Adventure! Erin and Julia were amazin...
Patagonia | Feb 1 - Feb 8, 2020

Suzanne
Suzanne L.
Palmetto Bay, FL | Reviewed on Feb 11, 2020

What an adventure! Erin and Julia were amazing working through all of the details to plan out a perfect trip for us to Patagonia. Everything from choosing our hotels to booking our daily adventures, it all went flawlessly. Timing couldn't have been more perfect each day. Erin figured out our needs early on in the planning, and was right on target with everything that we did. We did get extremely lucky with the weather the week we were there - No rain, winds or extremely cold weather made... read more

What an adventure! Erin and Julia were amazing working through all of the details to plan out a perfect trip for us to Patagonia. Everything from choosing our hotels to booking our daily adventures, it all went flawlessly. Timing couldn't have been more perfect each day. Erin figured out our needs early on in the planning, and was right on target with everything that we did. We did get extremely lucky with the weather the week we were there - No rain, winds or extremely cold weather made each day picture perfect. The hotels were quaint and clean and in nice locations, although now that we've seen other places we could've stayed, we probably would have wanted to upgrade a notch.
Felipe, our guide in Santiago and Cajon de Maipo started our trip off in a great way. We couldn't have imagined how much we would enjoy our time with him. His knowledge of Chilean history and culture was outstanding and his easy going demeanor was perfect on our road trip to Cajon de Maipo for hiking and and beautiful landscapes.
We flew to Punta Arenas and the 2-hour transfer to Puerto Natales was easy, although flying directly to Puerto Natales would have been great. We loved going to Estancia La Peninsula and our guide Nico from the estancia was excellent! Horseback riding, jeep tours, sheep shearing - one thing was better than the next. Highly recommend! Transferring to Torres del Paines was easy and Tomas, our guide, was THE BEST! He helped us with taking amazing pictures and showed us beautiful spots around the national park trying his best to stay away from the crowds. Gorgeous national park! Stayed overnight at Hotel Lago Grey - loved staying in the park for the night!
Our drive from Torres del Paines to El Calafate was long, but well timed, crossing the border into Argentina. Our driver, Daniel, was on top of everything including getting us ahead of a huge bus load of people also crossing at the same time. He saved us at least an hour of long lines in Chile and Argentina!
We loved El Calafate and Perito Moreno! The group tour to the glacier was fine. We had enough time to do everything we wanted to do and got amazing pictures and videos of the glacier and calving. Beautiful place!
Ended our adventure in Buenos Aires, where we planned our own time there since KimKim couldn't help us there.
Amazing, once in a lifetime adventure. Erin did an awesome job!

Local specialist: Erin Wiley
Erin
Erin Wiley
Local specialist in Puerto Natales, Chile | Reviewed on May 12, 2020

Suzanne these photos are wonderful! Thank you so much for sharing. It's so great to see you in all of these places and with some of our favorite people (Felipe is wonderful!).

I am so glad that you all enjoyed your trip and thank you for the opportunity to plan with you all. I really enjoyed your planning your trip, it was dynamic and exciting and I am so thankful for how organized you all were in expressing what you wanted out of this trip.

Hope that you are all well back at home with some great memories. Thank you again!

Best,
Erin

Born Again Camper Does The W Trek
Chile | Feb 3 - Feb 7, 2020

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Courtney H.
Canada | Reviewed on Feb 10, 2020

This whole experience has been wonderful, start to finish. Everyone involved in the trip planning portion (Erin & Julie) were very attentive, informative and prompt. I would just like to say that I work in marketing for a tourism DMO and have been in the hospitality industry for 10+ years - Cote was one of the best guides I have ever encountered. She was organized, genuine, hospitable, knowledgeable and she intuitively knew what our group needed at all aspects of the trip. I cannot stress... read more

This whole experience has been wonderful, start to finish. Everyone involved in the trip planning portion (Erin & Julie) were very attentive, informative and prompt. I would just like to say that I work in marketing for a tourism DMO and have been in the hospitality industry for 10+ years - Cote was one of the best guides I have ever encountered. She was organized, genuine, hospitable, knowledgeable and she intuitively knew what our group needed at all aspects of the trip. I cannot stress enough what a unique and authentic person she is, she truly made the trek all the better.

Also, the staff at all the lodges (in particular our third stay at a Fantistico Sur) were so warm & welcoming. I’ll be spreading the word about this experience!

Local specialist: Erin Wiley
Erin
Erin Wiley
Local specialist in Puerto Natales, Chile | Reviewed on May 12, 2020

Courtney,

Thank you so much for the kind feedback! You all were fantastic to plan this trip with and thank you for your great communication, patience and kindness throughout the process. Thank you for the glowing review and we've made sure to pass this along to Cote :)

All the best,
Erin

AMAZING Experience!!
Chile | Feb 3 - Feb 7, 2020

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Stephanie o.
Canada | Reviewed on Feb 09, 2020

Cote our guide was fantastic! She set a great pace and made our time very enjoyable even through the more demanding parts of the trek. Most memorable is the lookout on grey glacier, French valley, and the secret lookout Cote took us for the towers, not busy at all which made it really great. 10/10 would recommend to family or friends that are interested!

Local specialist: Erin Wiley
Erin
Erin Wiley
Local specialist in Puerto Natales, Chile | Reviewed on May 12, 2020

So glad that you enjoyed your trip! Cote is a wonderful guide and I've made sure to pass this positive feedback along to her as well. You all were great to work with in planning this trip, thank you for everything!

Easy and Convenient Planning
Patagonia | Dec 28 - Jan 1, 2020

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Brittany P.
Manhattan, NY | Reviewed on Jan 30, 2020

Planning and booking our trip on kimkim was so easy and convenient. Visiting Patagonia can be complicated and you should ideally book everything months in advance since the campsites and refugios fill up. Since we didn't book far in advance, kimkim was super helpful in securing everything we needed. We did the 5-day W Hike and came home with lifelong memories. Having a guide show us the ins and outs of the park was great and super helpful when buses didn't show up when they were supposed to... read more

Planning and booking our trip on kimkim was so easy and convenient. Visiting Patagonia can be complicated and you should ideally book everything months in advance since the campsites and refugios fill up. Since we didn't book far in advance, kimkim was super helpful in securing everything we needed. We did the 5-day W Hike and came home with lifelong memories. Having a guide show us the ins and outs of the park was great and super helpful when buses didn't show up when they were supposed to or ferries decided to leave early! We didn't have to worry about planning out our days or cooking our own meals, that was all done for us. Highly recommend. We can't wait to book our next trip!

Local specialist: Erin Wiley
Erin
Erin Wiley
Local specialist in Puerto Natales, Chile | Reviewed on Feb 03, 2020

Hi Brittany,

All very great points and thanks for leaving a review/feedback! I'm so glad that you enjoyed your time in Torres del Paine and I very much agree that a guide can help relieve any stress in delays or hiccups on a self-guided trip. Thanks for trusting us and wishing the two of you all the best.

Sincerely,
Erin

Patagonia once in a lifetime trip!
Patagonia | Dec 26 - Jan 11, 2020

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James L.
United Kingdom | Reviewed on Jan 15, 2020

Patagonia was a once in a lifetime trip for me & my wife for our honeymoon. It was everything we could have hoped for and more. Erin helped to meticulously plan the trip throughout with her fantastic knowledge of the local areas and activities.
There were so many highlights including: wine tasting in the Casablanca valley, trekking to the base of the towers in Torres del Paine, horseback riding in Puerto Natales, white water rafting in El Chalten and an amazing zodiac boat trip down the... read more

Patagonia was a once in a lifetime trip for me & my wife for our honeymoon. It was everything we could have hoped for and more. Erin helped to meticulously plan the trip throughout with her fantastic knowledge of the local areas and activities.
There were so many highlights including: wine tasting in the Casablanca valley, trekking to the base of the towers in Torres del Paine, horseback riding in Puerto Natales, white water rafting in El Chalten and an amazing zodiac boat trip down the Magellan Strait.
However, of particular note was Patagonia Camp. This place was an absolute treat for us staying in a luxury yurt in the middle of the Patagonian wilderness. I would highly recommend it.
Overall the trip was very well organised. There were a couple of instances where some of the timings for pickups were slightly out (so worth double checking timings!) but this was quickly and easily resolved during our travels with no effect on our enjoyment of the trip.

Local specialist: Erin Wiley
Erin
Erin Wiley
Local specialist in Puerto Natales, Chile | Reviewed on Feb 03, 2020

Hi James,

It was SO WONDERFUL to be a part of planning your honeymoon and thank you so much for the opportunity. It was not only really fun to plan your trip but really great to work with you in planning. I really appreciate that you planned well in advance, and your kindness and patience throughout the process was both notable and appreciated. I'm so happy that you had the trip of a lifetime and cheers to a lifetime of happiness to you and April.

Best,
Erin

Thank you very much, Erin and Julia, for maki...
Patagonia | Dec 28 - Jan 7, 2020

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george g.
Saint Clair Shores, MI | Reviewed on Jan 12, 2020

Thank you very much, Erin and Julia, for making this amazing trip a reality. Hard to believe but all the complex arrangements you made worked out flawlessly. Our private guides, Marco (Chile) and Juan (Argentina) were terrific during our trips. We lucked out with the weather, too so no complaints except for the long delays at the borders (but that's not you fault).

Local specialist: Erin Wiley
Erin
Erin Wiley
Local specialist in Puerto Natales, Chile | Reviewed on Feb 03, 2020

Hi George,

Wow, so happy that you had great weather! Thanks for allowing me to plan to plan this truly unique trip for the two of you. I hope that you enjoyed your time at Bahia Torito in Argentina, one of the best spots that few ever get the opportunity to visit!

Best,
Erin

Using the advice of your friends!
Patagonia | Dec 26 - Jan 4, 2020

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Christina B.
Chicago, IL | Reviewed on Jan 09, 2020

Erin was awesome. I felt like I was talking to a friend in the planning process. She really listened to what I wanted in my experience and that I had experience with. She definitely had a huge impact on my dream trip. I couldn’t have done it without her!

Local specialist: Erin Wiley
Erin
Erin Wiley
Local specialist in Puerto Natales, Chile | Reviewed on Feb 03, 2020

Christy, thank you SO MUCH for the kind review! I think that it goes without saying that we both enjoyed planning this trip together and despite it being tricky to get the reservations in Torres del Paine I'm so glad that we were able to work something out. Thanks for all of your patience throughout the process and hope that all is well back home :)

All the best,
Erin

Excellent trip to Patagonia!
Patagonia | Dec 26 - Jan 4, 2020

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Julie M.
Chicago, IL | Reviewed on Jan 08, 2020

Working with Erin and kimkim was absolutely the best decision we made for our trip Patagonia. Erin was able to answer all of our questions leading up to the trip and help us create the perfect itinerary. The support only continued while we were there when she helped us reorganize our initial plans after a flight delay. We are beyond grateful and would recommend kimkim to anyone!

Local specialist: Erin Wiley
Erin
Erin Wiley
Local specialist in Puerto Natales, Chile | Reviewed on Feb 03, 2020

Hi Julie,

Thank you so very much for the glowing review! It was really wonderful to both work with and meet you and Christy. It's really admirable in how despite you experiencing some unfortunately typical Latin American delays that you remained positive and had such a wonderful trip. Hope that all is well back in Chicago!

All the best,
Erin

The local tour guides were fantastic. They t...
Patagonia | Dec 19 - Dec 27, 2019

Sal
Sal G.
Walnut, CA | Reviewed on Jan 03, 2020

The local tour guides were fantastic. They took a personal interest in each of us and our needs. That being said, the transportation to and from the airports at some locations was lacking. I felt that Kim Kim should have arranged the various flights from each of the locations. In a country where you don't speak the language it is difficult and frustrating sometime. Some of the locations where we stayed were hostel. We had clean private rooms with private bathrooms. We should have been... read more

The local tour guides were fantastic. They took a personal interest in each of us and our needs. That being said, the transportation to and from the airports at some locations was lacking. I felt that Kim Kim should have arranged the various flights from each of the locations. In a country where you don't speak the language it is difficult and frustrating sometime. Some of the locations where we stayed were hostel. We had clean private rooms with private bathrooms. We should have been given the opportunity to stay in hotels. Many of these places were either cold or extremely hot and uncomfortable. The internet was almost non existent. Part of our itinerary we did not receive until three weeks before the trip even though it was book almost 9 months prior. This would have given us an opportunity to discuss our logging.

Local specialist: Erin Wiley
Erin
Erin Wiley
Local specialist in Puerto Natales, Chile | Reviewed on Feb 03, 2020

Hi Sal,

I'm very happy that you had an overall nice trip and a great experience and I'm incredibly grateful for your valuable feedback. This will definitely help us to offer better trips in the future! Hope that all is well with you, Fred and your families and thanks for visiting and planning your trip with us :)

All the best,
Erin

A great experience in Patagonia
Patagonia | Dec 22 - Dec 29, 2019

Salvatore
Salvatore V.
Italy | Reviewed on Jan 01, 2020

I've been in touch with Erin and Julia, and they both were very professional, helpful and nice! Patagonia was a blast: the place is incredible and, if you love being out in the wild, Torres del Paine is definitely the place to be. If I could do this again, I would probably spend 80% of the time there. It's worth every penny!

Local specialist: Erin Wiley
Erin
Erin Wiley
Local specialist in Puerto Natales, Chile | Reviewed on Feb 03, 2020

Hi Salvatore,

I just wanted to say that it was such a pleasure to work with you in planning this trip and thank you so very much for your kindness and patience throughout the planning process. I hope that you are able to visit again someday, and with some better weather :)

Hope that the two of you are well!

Best,
Erin

Really great trip to Patagonia!
Patagonia | Nov 22 - Dec 1, 2019

M
Melanie G.
O'Fallon, MO | Reviewed on Dec 03, 2019

I was very impressed with the kimkim platform and Dittmar Adventures! Erin was extremely helpful from the very first moment that I requested information, responded quickly, and worked with me to build a customized trip that fit into my budget and schedule. Not having to manage the logistics on my own made the planning so much easier.

Highly recommend the guided tours of Torre Del Paine, Perito Mereno Glacier, the Estancia and the guided hikes via Walk Patagonia (Pablo was great). All of... read more

I was very impressed with the kimkim platform and Dittmar Adventures! Erin was extremely helpful from the very first moment that I requested information, responded quickly, and worked with me to build a customized trip that fit into my budget and schedule. Not having to manage the logistics on my own made the planning so much easier.

Highly recommend the guided tours of Torre Del Paine, Perito Mereno Glacier, the Estancia and the guided hikes via Walk Patagonia (Pablo was great). All of these tours were very well run, and the guides provided very interesting information.

The one suggestion I have for the future- unfortunately, due to weather our Penguin tour in Punta Arenas via Solo Expediciones was cancelled. It is very important to have a plan B for this ahead of time, because it seems that the penguin tour is frequently canceled for weather and the “alternate Condor Tour” offered by Solo Expediciones was extremely disappointing.

Thank you to Erin and Julia for your responsiveness and for setting us up with a great trip!

Local specialist: Erin Wiley
Erin
Erin Wiley
Local specialist in Puerto Natales, Chile | Reviewed on Dec 12, 2019

Hi Melanie,

Thanks so much for the kind review and it was wonderful to work with you in planning this trip! I'm so happy that you had an amazing time in Patagonia and thank you very much for the feedback on the alternate condor tour, very good to know! Hope that all is well back home and thank you again :)

All the best,
Erin

Patagonia
Patagonia | Nov 13 - Nov 25, 2019

A
Alvan Q.
Singapore | Reviewed on Nov 27, 2019

The planning and itinerary was nicely planned. It was a good balance of adventure and rest/recovery considering our 36hour flight from Singapore. The transfer instructions were clear and easy to follow and we didn’t face any issues in getting to Punta Arenas or Puerto Natales.

It would be better if it had been specifically brought to our attention that we had to book the internal flights within Chile. (Even though it was indicated in the comments of the trip instructions that such flight... read more

The planning and itinerary was nicely planned. It was a good balance of adventure and rest/recovery considering our 36hour flight from Singapore. The transfer instructions were clear and easy to follow and we didn’t face any issues in getting to Punta Arenas or Puerto Natales.

It would be better if it had been specifically brought to our attention that we had to book the internal flights within Chile. (Even though it was indicated in the comments of the trip instructions that such flight arrangements had to be made on our own, we would have sorted this out earlier if it was expressly made known to us in a clear manner upon confirmation of our trip i.e. things to do.

Nonetheless we had a great time and enjoyed the tours with our guides (Felipe and Jaime).

4/5 stars for this trip! :)

Local specialist: Erin Wiley
Erin
Erin Wiley
Local specialist in Puerto Natales, Chile | Reviewed on Feb 03, 2020

Hi Alvan,

I'm really glad that you enjoyed your trip, and that everything went very smoothly on the ground! It was really wonderful to work with you on planning and I very much appreciate your kindness and attention to detail. Thank you very much for the feedback on flights. This is really great to know that it may be helpful to mention in addition to the list of what is not included. I think this will help fellow travelers moving forward :)

Thank you again and hope you and Angelia are well!

All the best,
Erin

Bariloche & El Calafate Classic Tour - 9 Days
Patagonia | Sep 7 - Sep 13, 2019

B
Barbara K.
Long Beach, CA | Reviewed on Sep 27, 2019

Erin was super helpful in getting us all that we needed for our trip to Patagonia. She put together a completely customized itinerary to suit our needs. Everyone who was scheduled to pick us up and bring us somewhere was on time, was very pleasant, and the transfers went smoothly, with one exception, upon our leaving Torres del Paine National Park. In that case it was the other company that had some confusion in their paperwork and was expecting to pick up other people. The tour guide,... read more

Erin was super helpful in getting us all that we needed for our trip to Patagonia. She put together a completely customized itinerary to suit our needs. Everyone who was scheduled to pick us up and bring us somewhere was on time, was very pleasant, and the transfers went smoothly, with one exception, upon our leaving Torres del Paine National Park. In that case it was the other company that had some confusion in their paperwork and was expecting to pick up other people. The tour guide, Simon, for that portion, was informative and entertaining and spoke great English, and the transfers throughout Glacier National Park were smooth as well. Scenery was amazing.
One tip: don't accept the first room offered by hotel reception staff upon check-in. We traveled at a very slow time of the year and in each case were assigned teeny rooms with no views -- despite the low occupancy rates at that time -- until we spoke up. This was not KimKim's fault at all, but thought they should know. In each case we did succeed in getting much nicer rooms. Squeaky wheels . . . .
I do recommend this company highly and don't know how much time I would have wasted trying to do all the research on my own.

Local specialist: Erin Wiley
Erin
Erin Wiley
Local specialist in Puerto Natales, Chile | Reviewed on Oct 17, 2019

Barbara,

You were SUCH a pleasure to work with and the feedback that you sent us is invaluable, thank you so very much. If you ever make it back to Patagonia for round two, be sure to reach out and maybe we could meet actually meet in person!

All the best,
Erin

Not a good experience
Patagonia | Sep 15 - Sep 24, 2019

H
Helen S.
Alexandria, VA | Reviewed on Sep 25, 2019

1. We lost 2 hours from exploring Perito Merino because the company Erin
contracted us with forgot to pick us up. When we brought our concern to her attention, she didn’t seem to care about the anxiety I had to go through not knowing if I’ll ever see the glaciers that
I came for from far? And the little to no Spanish we spoke trying to figure out what happened? Thanks to a personal connection our hotel owner had with
the local companies, they figured out that we were forgotten and were able... read more

1. We lost 2 hours from exploring Perito Merino because the company Erin
contracted us with forgot to pick us up. When we brought our concern to her attention, she didn’t seem to care about the anxiety I had to go through not knowing if I’ll ever see the glaciers that
I came for from far? And the little to no Spanish we spoke trying to figure out what happened? Thanks to a personal connection our hotel owner had with
the local companies, they figured out that we were forgotten and were able to get a hold of the company. Once the company showed up, the tour guide rushed us in the park so we don’t miss the last running boat in the
afternoon. When I called Laura via emergency line, she promised a full
refund for that day because of what we had to go through.

2. I hired KimKim to make sure my religious dietary restrictions were
respected and not to have us starve with the 22km hike to Torres Base Camp.

3. In Paine Grande, they didn’t have running water. So we weren't even able
to brush out teeth or take a shower during our stay. They told us
maintenance is working on the water. They charged us each 5 pesos for the
towel. They promised us warm warmer the morning after, which never
happened. How can you run a business with no running water? Or warm water
even in winter?

4. On our way to ElChalten, Walk Patagonia left us hanging yesterday in the
van in-front of the airport for over an hour waiting for passengers to
board. We were freezing in the car. Someone should have let us know about
this.

5. We missed our meals yesterday because we had red meat in our meal and we
were not sure if it was pork or not. The hotel tried to call Walk Patagonia
to check but no one was answering the call. We had no idea what time we
were supposed to be picked up. The hotel told us 8:30am, however it was not
until 9am that a car came to pick us up.

6. Walk Patagonia sent us a bottle of wine to apologize about their poor
service. I told the hotel receptionist that I have let you (Erin) know that
we don’t drink alcohol. I let her have it. However, she contacted the
company to let them know about the bottle of wine. They sent me a box of
sweet today.

Thanks!

Local specialist: Erin Wiley
Erin
Erin Wiley
Local specialist in Puerto Natales, Chile | Reviewed on Nov 10, 2019

Hi Helen,

It's very unfortunate some of the issues that came up during your trip. We very much appreciate your feedback as it helps us to keep learning and growing. We've followed up personally and believe that all of this has been resolved. Wishing you and Tyson the best from Patagonia!

All the best,
Erin

Patagonia 2019
Argentina | May 20 - May 26, 2019

Lance
Lance H.
Sunnyvale, CA | Reviewed on May 30, 2019

KimKim was the easiest travel experience I have ever had! All I had to do was give a rough idea and BOOM! out came a perfectly planned vacation. Not only was all the heavy lifting done by KimKim and Erin, but it was our most affordable option with all the companies we looked at. They were so accommodating to changes and provided excellent documentation prior to traveling.

Patagonia was my first experience with KimKim, but I can assure you it will not be my last. Highly recommend and thank you to the KimKim team for a great experience!

Local specialist: Erin Wiley
Erin
Erin Wiley
Local specialist in Puerto Natales, Chile | Reviewed on Jun 14, 2019

Thank you, Lance and Christine! It was such a pleasure to work with you on planning this trip and thank you for being so kind and easy to work with. I'm really happy that you had a great time in Patagonia!

Adventure in Patagonia - 15 Days
Argentina | Mar 16 - Mar 31, 2019

Jane
Jane L.
Palo Alto, CA | Reviewed on Apr 09, 2019

It was a very planned trip and the transfers were seamless. The kayaking guides Carlos and Polina were outstanding, affable and provided great service and kept us safe. Well done team!

Local specialist: Erin Wiley
Erin
Erin Wiley
Local specialist in Puerto Natales, Chile | Reviewed on Apr 25, 2019

Hi Jane,

I love that photo, looks like you all had a lot of fun together! Thanks for everything and for giving me the opportunity to plan this trip for you all. I'll pass along the positive feedback to Carlos and Polina!

Best,
Erin

Adventure in Patagonia - 15 Days
Argentina | Mar 16 - Mar 31, 2019

C
Charles L.
Vacaville, CA | Reviewed on Apr 07, 2019

The trip was very well planned and all the complicated connections came off as smooth as a babies butt. Hosteleria Cuernos tent situation was the only bummer of the whole trip. They put us in a tent immediately adjacent to the large tent housing the staff for this site. The staff stayed up until one in the morning laughing loudly singing talking and keeping the exhausted travelers up. Someone needs to let them know that we are supporting their livelihood and their behavior is extremely rude and uncaring for their guests.

Local specialist: Erin Wiley
Erin
Erin Wiley
Local specialist in Puerto Natales, Chile | Reviewed on Apr 11, 2019

Thank you, Charles for the kind words about the organization of your trip! It was really wonderful to work with you, Jane and Monica to design and make this trip happen. Wow, yes that sounds like an awful night spent at Cuernos. I'll see if my team can reach out and put in a formal complaint to the refugio. Thanks again for everything and wishing you all the best!

Erin

5 days in Patagonia, February
Patagonia | Feb 19 - Feb 25, 2019

Kate
Kate J.
United Kingdom | Reviewed on Mar 25, 2019

Erin was a delight to work with. She was very prompt in responding to our questions, took our feedback on board and managed to put together our ideal itinerary. We had fairly limited time and quite a few things to fit in, but Erin managed it! Everything worked super well, all transfers on time and comfortable and the local partners she put us in touch with for the hiking equipment, lunches etc were also super lovely and helpful.
As 2 friends with very busy and quite stressful jobs in big... read more

Erin was a delight to work with. She was very prompt in responding to our questions, took our feedback on board and managed to put together our ideal itinerary. We had fairly limited time and quite a few things to fit in, but Erin managed it! Everything worked super well, all transfers on time and comfortable and the local partners she put us in touch with for the hiking equipment, lunches etc were also super lovely and helpful.
As 2 friends with very busy and quite stressful jobs in big cities, we just didn't have the time and mental energy to figure out this itinerary by ourselves. Having Erin take care of things so well for us was amazing and meant we could just relax and enjoy with full peace of mind that we were in expert hands. Thank you Erin & team!

Local specialist: Erin Wiley
Erin
Erin Wiley
Local specialist in Puerto Natales, Chile | Reviewed on Apr 02, 2019

Hi Kate,

Thank you SO MUCH for such a kind review. I'm so happy that you had such a wonderful trip and that we could help in take the stress out of planning. Thank you for being such a pleasure to work with, for being so kind and flexible. Come back and visit us again sometime!

Best,
Erin

Torres
Chile | Mar 3 - Mar 8, 2019

C
Chuck M.
Mount Olive, MS | Reviewed on Mar 19, 2019

THE BEST
* Advance planning with Erin was very good and was personalized. Enjoyed working with her
*Ohmar was very good and was an excellent guide with excellent park history and knowledge.
Enjoyed being with him.
*The two transfer drivers were good. Carlos was particularly helpful in getting us to an earlier bus
departure back to Punta Arenas. He was very pleasant.
*The Aquaterra accommodations were good.
*The Grey Glacier Hotel and later glacier boat tour were both very good.
*The... read more

THE BEST
* Advance planning with Erin was very good and was personalized. Enjoyed working with her
*Ohmar was very good and was an excellent guide with excellent park history and knowledge.
Enjoyed being with him.
*The two transfer drivers were good. Carlos was particularly helpful in getting us to an earlier bus
departure back to Punta Arenas. He was very pleasant.
*The Aquaterra accommodations were good.
*The Grey Glacier Hotel and later glacier boat tour were both very good.
*The day tour of the park was very good.
*The Refugio Torre Central was a good staging point for the long hike, but there were some other
lodging options one might have considered to shorten hike a little.
*Even though we only had one clear and one partially clear day of the three, the views were
spectacular and what we came to see.
THE OTHER
*Two boat rides are unnecessary; the Grey Glacier tour was much better.
*The two options provided because of the last minute zodiac cancellation wee not good; like take a
chance on another company which may not go, or take an all day boat ride for a 1 hour walk. A
better option would have been to go head and do park tour or have a extra day in the park. Still
had to pay for transfer even though luggage would have been transferred under original plans.
*During the tour day, the hike was a pretty serious climb, considering the long hike to next day.
Might have considered another hike considering our ages and experience.
*For someone my age, a stay at the refugio 2/3 of the way up the Torres Base hike would have
been better. Also provides a weather option.
*The Patagonia B&B was very basic and would not be recommended.
*Lodging in Punta Arenas could have been nearer the penguin boat dock and airport. It was a 50
minute ride from town and back plus long boat ride for 1 hour with penguins at the end of the
season.
*Other than the lost day with the boat ride, the trip was a success.

Local specialist: Erin Wiley
Erin
Erin Wiley
Local specialist in Puerto Natales, Chile | Reviewed on Apr 02, 2019

Hi Chuck,

WOW, thank you for sharing all of those photos! I'm really happy that you enjoyed the majority of your trip and that I had the opportunity to work and plan with you. We really appreciate the feedback and I will be sure to pass it along to my team. Wishing you and your family the best!

Erin

Hiking
Chile | Feb 19 - Mar 5, 2019

W
WENDY G.
Spokane, WA | Reviewed on Mar 09, 2019

Patagonia was a trip of a lifetime!
Argentina experience:
The Perito Moreno Glacier ice trek was a truly unbelievably experience. I have never seen anything like it, definitely a trip highlight. Our time spent in El Chalten/Fitzroy was magical. The hotel was very nice and accommodating. Oscar the bartender/ server/ host was our favorite. The scheduled hikes were perfect, tough but perfect. It was the perfect amount of time to spend there.
Chile experience:
The glacier cruise out of... read more

Patagonia was a trip of a lifetime!
Argentina experience:
The Perito Moreno Glacier ice trek was a truly unbelievably experience. I have never seen anything like it, definitely a trip highlight. Our time spent in El Chalten/Fitzroy was magical. The hotel was very nice and accommodating. Oscar the bartender/ server/ host was our favorite. The scheduled hikes were perfect, tough but perfect. It was the perfect amount of time to spend there.
Chile experience:
The glacier cruise out of Puerto Natales was canceled due to wind and we weren't sure what to do. The people at Ditmarr/kimkim helped us quickly change our plans. We had a guided trip to explore the caves. Juan was our guide and we thoroughly enjoyed him and the cave experience.
The "W" hike was outstanding! Patagonia is so vast and diverse. The hiking is challenging with a lot of bouldering. We hiked in the perfect direction, I wouldn't do it the opposite way. Torres del Paine was full of people but the rest of the hike was less so. The refugios were a bit rough with the exception of the domes in Frances which we LOVED! You will get tired of bread, I suggest bringing some protein supplements along. Bring earplugs you will need them to sleep. The "staff" at Refugio Chileno were up until 2:30 AM playing loud music and partying...plus tired snoring hikers can happen. Hot showers are hard to come by so bring wipes etc, also suggest to bring a towel. The weather is unpredictable so bring layers for hot and cold. If you don't want to carry a really big pack you can rent sleeping bags. I would recommend that option. I can't remember if we were offered that. They do give you pillows. All the bus arrangements etc went smoothly.
We loved our trip!!! Patagonia is awesome. Kimkim and Dittmar were great to work with.

Local specialist: Erin Wiley
Erin
Erin Wiley
Local specialist in Puerto Natales, Chile | Reviewed on Aug 27, 2019

Love the photos and thank you for all the great feedback! Wendy and her crew were an amazing group to have with us and such kind and attentive partners throughout the planning process. Wishing you all the best!

Hiking
Chile | Feb 19 - Mar 5, 2019

C
Corey S.
Sekiu, WA | Reviewed on Mar 09, 2019

Everything was well organized. Erin always responded quickly with answers to our questions. The hotel staff at El Chatan and Portas Natales were exceptional. I learned a few things 1. Pack as light as possible for "W" hike. 2. I have a little difficulty sleeping in small dark places. 2 of the Refugios were very small. Hiking in Patagonia is amazing and challenging. Its beauty unmatched, it is wild and rugged. The lakes and streams every color of blue, greens and greys. So happy i completed this bucket list dream.

Local specialist: Erin Wiley
Erin
Erin Wiley
Local specialist in Puerto Natales, Chile | Reviewed on Aug 27, 2019

Thank you Corey for the feedback and trips for future travelers, very helpful! We loved hosting you all and are so happy that you had an incredible experience. You and your friends were wonderful to work with throughout the planning process and I've received nothing but great feedback from our guides. Hoping you all are well and cheers to adventure :)

Senior trip
Chile | Feb 17 - Mar 2, 2019

J
Jill M.
Broomfield, CO | Reviewed on Mar 06, 2019

These guys, and gals, are great. It was our first time using a tour company, Patagonia has so much to do and see that I needed some help connecting the dots. Erin was super easy to work with and got back to me promptly whenever I had a question. It was a treat not to have to figure out the hotel/hostel piece as well as the bus schedule, they did it all. The tours were great, my favorite tour was the Estancia La Peninsula, an incredible day spent on the Estancia. Paula, our guide in Torres,... read more

These guys, and gals, are great. It was our first time using a tour company, Patagonia has so much to do and see that I needed some help connecting the dots. Erin was super easy to work with and got back to me promptly whenever I had a question. It was a treat not to have to figure out the hotel/hostel piece as well as the bus schedule, they did it all. The tours were great, my favorite tour was the Estancia La Peninsula, an incredible day spent on the Estancia. Paula, our guide in Torres, was top notch too, she was a wealth of information and I felt that getting the full scope of the park was really valuable. Emily also lent a hand with final logistics. The entire crew was knowledgeable and easy to work with , the entire trip was way beyond our expectations and I highly recommend Dittmar Adventures if you are planning a trip to Patagonia. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Local specialist: Erin Wiley
Erin
Erin Wiley
Local specialist in Puerto Natales, Chile | Reviewed on Jun 28, 2019

No, thank you, thank you, thank you! Jill was such a wonderful person to work with, so kind and easy to communicate with. I'm so happy that I had the opportunity to help you plan this trip and it's a shame I wasn't able to meet you in person. Thank you for trusting us and come back anytime!

All the best,
Erin

Patagonia back country
Argentina | Feb 12 - Feb 24, 2019

D
Dan N.
Germany | Reviewed on Mar 04, 2019

Hassle-free setup and really responsive support from Emily and Erin. If we were to replay the experience, I would have built in more downtime to the itinerary, as well as taking time for stuff in between the iconic sights and stops that Patagonia offers (which are, to be fair, spectacular). The guides that we had for all the trips and excursions were really great: personable, enthusiastic, knowledgeable.

Local specialist: Erin Wiley
Erin
Erin Wiley
Local specialist in Puerto Natales, Chile | Reviewed on Mar 15, 2019

Thank you so much Dan for the kind review, I will be sure to pass this along to my team.

Glad that you had such a great time and it was nice to meet you for that brief moment on the Magellan Straight!

Patagonia with 66 year old mom and 27 year old son
Patagonia | Feb 15 - Feb 23, 2019

L
Laurie H.
Marblehead, MA | Reviewed on Feb 24, 2019

My 27 year old son and I had an amazing trip to Patagonia. Erin and Emily planned it beautifully. Every place we stayed, every connection and each experience was just what we wanted and more. Even when the weather was uncooperative we were able to make the most of an activity. We especially enjoyed staying at the all inclusive Hotel Rio Serrano right outside of the park. The accommodations were luxurious and the guides and daily excursions gave us a terrific understanding of the area and... read more

My 27 year old son and I had an amazing trip to Patagonia. Erin and Emily planned it beautifully. Every place we stayed, every connection and each experience was just what we wanted and more. Even when the weather was uncooperative we were able to make the most of an activity. We especially enjoyed staying at the all inclusive Hotel Rio Serrano right outside of the park. The accommodations were luxurious and the guides and daily excursions gave us a terrific understanding of the area and wonderful memories. Erin and Emily were always available to help with questions and get us through a missed flight connection. and any other hiccup along the way. They gave us a sense of security while traveling down at the bottom of the world. I will recommend Dittmar Adventure to any friend planning a trip to southern Chile and Kimkim for anywhere in the world.

Local specialist: Erin Wiley
Erin
Erin Wiley
Local specialist in Puerto Natales, Chile | Reviewed on Feb 28, 2019

Hi Laurie,

WOW your photos are incredible, thank you so much for sharing them! I can't tell you how happy I am to hear that you had such a wonderful trip. I know that Patagonia showed you some of it's more erratic side while you were here, and it's great to hear that you still were able to enjoy everything. It was also a pleasure to work with you and I'm bummed that we didn't get to meet in person(we can blame the snow for that!). Wishing you and your son the best and thank you again for the kind review.

Best,
Erin

Patagonia Trip
Chile | Dec 30 - Jan 20, 2019

Caley
Caley V.
Denver, CO | Reviewed on Feb 24, 2019

The Dittmar team went above and beyond for our adventure. Erin really took the time to understand the type of trip we were seeking from the very beginning. She brought to the table amazing suggestions on how to incorporate both the Cerro Castillo trail with Fitz Roy and a classic road trip. They made logistics easy as pie for our small group. Even when we blew two car tires on the classic Carrera Austral, their team jumped in with support immediately. The four day through hike for Cerro... read more

The Dittmar team went above and beyond for our adventure. Erin really took the time to understand the type of trip we were seeking from the very beginning. She brought to the table amazing suggestions on how to incorporate both the Cerro Castillo trail with Fitz Roy and a classic road trip. They made logistics easy as pie for our small group. Even when we blew two car tires on the classic Carrera Austral, their team jumped in with support immediately. The four day through hike for Cerro Castillo was my favorite trail to date. It lived up to all of the expectations that the Dittmar team provided. I'd highly recommend using their team if you are looking for a laid back, self-guided adventure through Patagonia!

Local specialist: Erin Wiley

Trip to Chile
Chile | Feb 1 - Feb 8, 2019

B
Beau S.
Seattle, WA | Reviewed on Feb 10, 2019

Everything was fantastic, we did the W trek, it went flawlessly. Would highly recommend this service.

Local specialist: Erin Wiley
Erin
Erin Wiley
Local specialist in Puerto Natales, Chile | Reviewed on Feb 12, 2019

Thank you so much, Beau!

Patagonia Trip
Chile | Dec 30 - Jan 20, 2019

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Whitney V.
Denver, CO | Reviewed on Jan 29, 2019

How do I even begin to review our 21 day Patagonia trip? It was incredible. After trying and failing to figure out the logistics of what we wanted to do, we found Ditmar Adventures and worked with Erin via KimKim. After the intro phone call, we felt like Erin had a really solid idea of what we were looking for and had nothing but faith that her and her team would put together something that we would be pleased with. That was an understatement. She worked with our group in the planning phases... read more

How do I even begin to review our 21 day Patagonia trip? It was incredible. After trying and failing to figure out the logistics of what we wanted to do, we found Ditmar Adventures and worked with Erin via KimKim. After the intro phone call, we felt like Erin had a really solid idea of what we were looking for and had nothing but faith that her and her team would put together something that we would be pleased with. That was an understatement. She worked with our group in the planning phases and was able to make the trip everything we were looking for and within our price point despite varying numbers on participants. Ahead of the trip, she was super helpful in our preparation and packing (bringing our own food and snacks was a lifesaver).

Once we arrived in Chile, everything was handled - a luxury that we have never experienced. All of the lodging selections were wonderful and fit perfectly with what we were looking for in the way of being affordable without doing the hostel thing. Each destination that we stayed at was exceptional in its own way and Erin anticipated the amount of time that we needed in each location very well. While trekking the Cerro Castillo circuit was something that we added in ourselves, it proved to be an amazing addition to the trip and the Ditmar team's support of that sub-trip was excellent. David meeting us in person before we embarked was also a treat. He had so much insight to share on where to eat and things to see along the route. The tips in the itinerary on where to get gas and money along the route were invaluable as well.

Overall, everything we had asked for, all of the activities that we wanted to take in as a group were accounted for. We saw craggy peaks and hiked a lot, drove through some of the prettiest (and ugliest) landscapes I've seen, saw the marble caves, rock climbed, fished, drank all the red wine, ate all of the delicious food, sat on front porches and watched sunsets, stood in wide valleys with snow kissing our cheeks, sat in hot tubs with mountains of bubbles, and savored every moment of it. While the hours saved in planning such an adventure were worth every penny, the most vital element of their service was that it afforded us all the opportunity to be free and present in the moment, something we all desperately needed and are very much grateful for. Aside from a few flat tires (which as Clayton mentioned were a blessing in disguise), everything exceeded any expectation I could have had. I can't recommend this route enough for adventure-loving folks and Ditmar enough for making it possible. Cheers!

Local specialist: Erin Wiley
Erin
Erin Wiley
Local specialist in Puerto Natales, Chile | Reviewed on Feb 12, 2019

Whitney,

I can't even describe the overwhelming feeling of joy I felt reading your review and how much your feedback means to me (and my team!). I feel like I need to thank you all for having the idea for such an incredible trip and for giving me the opportunity to design it. This was by far the most exciting and most logistically challenging trip that I have ever worked on and I'm SO HAPPY that you all had the time of your lives and that it was everything you dreamed of. Because of you... read more

Whitney,

I can't even describe the overwhelming feeling of joy I felt reading your review and how much your feedback means to me (and my team!). I feel like I need to thank you all for having the idea for such an incredible trip and for giving me the opportunity to design it. This was by far the most exciting and most logistically challenging trip that I have ever worked on and I'm SO HAPPY that you all had the time of your lives and that it was everything you dreamed of. Because of you all, Dittmar Adventures is considering running more regular trips of this sort and we'll always remember you as the pioneers of this route. You also have me feeling very inspired to get myself up there and do that trek in Cerro Castillo! Thank you and your crew not only for the great opportunity but for being just great to work with, open minded, adventurous and fun.

Wishing you all the best!

Erin

Torres del Paine "W" Circuit Trek - 5 Days
Chile | Dec 30 - Jan 5, 2019

G
Gabrielle S.
New Zealand | Reviewed on Jan 29, 2019

Hi Erin

We have recently returned from our travels, which included our W trek co-ordinated by your team from 31 December – 5th January 2019.

Overall – we thoroughly enjoyed our opportunity to experience Patagonia and the wonderful places we visited during our time in Puerta Natales and Torres Del Paine National Park.

We would particularly like to give mention our guide Sophia. She was simply outstanding. Her experience, and the knowledge she could share with us ensured that we... read more

Hi Erin

We have recently returned from our travels, which included our W trek co-ordinated by your team from 31 December – 5th January 2019.

Overall – we thoroughly enjoyed our opportunity to experience Patagonia and the wonderful places we visited during our time in Puerta Natales and Torres Del Paine National Park.

We would particularly like to give mention our guide Sophia. She was simply outstanding. Her experience, and the knowledge she could share with us ensured that we had the best possible time on the trek. She is clearly very well-known and respected by her peers that we met along the way as well, and certainly we cannot recommend her highly enough for her skills, humour, practical sensibilities and care she took to ensure we had the best possible time. Sophia was also not advised that one of our group had a Cheese allergy.

We experienced many different weather scenarios along the way – snow on the walk to the towers and blazing sun on our way to Frances. Wind in the French Valley and gale force 80+kmh gusts heading to Glacier Grey. Throughout our entire time we felt confident that Sophia had our back and put our safety first.

On day 4 – we were meant to walk to Refugio Grey and catch the boat to go to the Glacier before return to the bus pick up point. This could not occur due to the fierce wind on that day, and indeed we watched the ferry turnaround as it was unable to continue on the lake in the extreme weather that was in play that day. As such, we returned to Paine Grande and caught the ferry across Lake Pehoe to pick up the bus transfer there. We assume as a result there is a refund due to us for the Grey Glacier boat tour that we unfortunately could not enjoy. Can you please advise details on the likely refund for this portion of our travels.

On a more serious note, we also need to provide feedback on the planning and execution of our trek. What we had discussed with us prior to departing NZ, and also during our briefing with Emily in Puerta Natales was not the trek experience we had and as such we planned poorly for some aspects of our trip which could have mitigated had the correct information been provided. As travellers, we are all very experienced and well rounded people who can manage what is required through careful research and planning. We are not a group of people who try to wing-it. We like to be sure we are careful and well informed on what we need to have with us to ensure our safety.

During our time corresponding with you, we started out with a plan to stay in the Refugios during our time on the trek. As there was limited space available – you suggested an alternative itinerary which saw us camping – the first night out of the park, an hours bus ride away at a camping site, then camping Frances on night 2, camping at Paine Grande night 3. We had expectations that this indeed was our itinerary until we received our paperwork and itinerary from Emily late Nov/Early December before we departed NZ. This shows that instead we were back on track with the original plan – that we would be in refugios, we would be staying at Los Torres on night one, Cuerno on night two, and Paine Grande night three. We queried this as we wanted to be sure we packed appropriately for camping versus refugios, and it was confirmed that we would have beds as per the itinerary. We met with Emily and had a detailed briefing with her upon arrival in Puerta Natales on Dec 30th – again querying our accommodation details, and having it confirmed that we were in Refugio accommodation as per the itinerary. So no need for camping style preparations, we would be in the refugios.

The morning of departure we met Sophia, and embarked on our journey in the bus. She mentioned our camping arrangements prior to departure, and we met Daniel our lovely driver as he would be driving us to the offsite location etc. You can imagine we were all quite shocked to hear that now we are back to the Camping plan as per our previous correspondence with you. Mentally and indeed from a gear perspective – we had all prepared for our time in refugios. During the first hour of our journey to the national park, we all took time to reflect on this new development, and indeed at our coffee stop – we sat Sophia down and explained that we are quite taken aback by the news that we are camping as only 36 hours prior – we had sat with Emily, in the Dittmar offices, and confirmed a completely different itinerary. Sophia could see we were all a little concerned about what we were doing, so took the time and went through step by step with us, the camping plan, the fact Rodriguez would be cooking for us on the first two nights and breakfast mornings, and ensured we had all the details about what were actually booked for.

Our first day was particularly long, in part due to the snow and cold, and the fact we were prepared for a day of around 18km, when in fact it was more like 23km. We arrived at our camping site on night one, and there were no tents for us. It was 10:30pm, we were freezing cold, the shower block had no power, and potentially we had no bed. With no power, we showered in the dark, in the hope we would warm up a little. Thankfully Sophia clearly managed to call in some favours for us and was able to get two domes for us to sleep in, and we squeezed our party of 7 into domes designed for 2 people each and through exhaustion all slept fitfully on night one. The team at this camping site found some sleeping bags, but due to their thin-ness, also rustled up some blankets and cushions as make shift pillows, and found some sleeping matts for the extra bodies that needed to camp on the floor. It wasn’t a great start to our trip, as we are sure you can appreicted. But at his point we realised how invaluable having our guide Sophia would be. Night 2 and 3 – tents were ready for us when we arrived so that was reassuring to us all.

As a group of travellers, we are resilient and we will roll with the punches. Indeed this is what we did during our time. We had to make the best of our situation. And we did, and so did Sophia.

However as far as the organisational skills that went in to preparing us for this guided tour experience, we would like to express our abject disappointment. We were not prepared for the trek as well as we should have been. We paid well for a guided all-inclusive experience, as we wanted to do our best to have no surprises (within all reasonableness). The team at Dittmar let us down by being ill prepared with the wrong itinerary. It was potentially dangerous as we did not necessarily pack the right level of clothing and accessories for the camping accommodation we ended up with.

As such we feel that it’s very important that we bring this to your attention, to try and eliminate this kind of error for your future travellers. We would be interested to hear about Dittmar’s willingness for some compensation for the group as well, as I am sure you can appreciate where we are coming from around what we felt we paid for versus what we ended up being delivered.

Finally, we would like to reiterate that Sophia made our time on the W trek, special and memorable for us all – and for that we are eternally grateful to her. She was the consummate professional always and it is a credit to her for her ability to assess and manage every day and we absolutely enjoyed the scenic splendour. Our thanks to Rodriguez too for looking after our cooking for us(very tasty and muchly needed!), and to Daniel for looking after our transportation.

We look forward to hearing back from you with you feedback.

Kind regards

Gabrielle Satherley and friends

Local specialist: Erin Wiley
Erin
Erin Wiley
Local specialist in Puerto Natales, Chile | Reviewed on Feb 09, 2019

Hi Gabrielle,

It was such a pleasure to work with you and thank you so much for the thorough feedback. We're really happy that you enjoyed your time with Sofia and we've passed your gleaming review her way. We're also very thankful for the feedback on the aspects of your trip that didn't go as planned. It's really important for us to receive this kind of feedback so that we can learn as grow. I think we've already come to a great conclusion on all of this and I hope that you are happy with the compensation that we've offered. Wishing you and your friends the very best!

Warm Wishes,
Erin

Patagonia Trip
Chile | Dec 30 - Jan 20, 2019

Clayton
Clayton P.
Australia | Reviewed on Jan 21, 2019

CBF. It was an amazing trip.

Local specialist: Erin Wiley
Erin
Erin Wiley
Local specialist in Puerto Natales, Chile | Reviewed on Jun 28, 2019

You all were amazing to work with!

Patagonia
Argentina | Dec 2 - Dec 14, 2018

L
laura L.
Johns Island, SC | Reviewed on Jan 17, 2019

Overall great trip. Would have eliminated Punta Arenas. Loved El Calafare and would have liked to stay there two nights. although the location was great, the hotel in El Calafate was awful. Not clean. Hotels in El Chalten and Ushuaia were great. Enjoyed trekking on the glacier the best. Also enjoyed Ushuaia. Overall very nice trip and well organized and coordinated

Laura

Local specialist: Erin Wiley
Erin
Erin Wiley
Local specialist in Puerto Natales, Chile | Reviewed on Jan 21, 2019

Hi Laura,

Thank you so much for leaving your feedback, very much appreciated! I'm so glad that you and Laura had a great trip and it was really lovely to meet you both in Natales. I'll be passing your feedback along to my team to discuss some different options for hotels in El Calafate. Really thank you so much for letting us know, without this kind of feedback we wouldn't be able to learn, grow and improve.

Wishing you the best!

Erin