Arrive in the Galápagos and drop your bags at Royal Palm Galapagos, Curio Collection Hotel by Hilton, a secluded sanctuary and your home away from home for the long weekend. Kick things off by enjoying a relaxing breakfast and settling into paradise. Need a quick nap after the flight? A supremely comfortable bed is calling, and it won’t judge should you decide to tuck in for a quick snooze to fight off any jet lag before further exploration.

Breathe in the fresh air and wander around the hotel, which is located in a valley between two extinct cinder cone volcanoes in the Miconia Highland Forests. The Galápagos Islands are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, so the hotel’s bold, tropical aesthetic and accompanying nature trails blend in perfectly. If you’re a bird-lover, be on the lookout for the barn owl come dusk, as they like to hunt in open and illuminated areas.

Ease into your first night and savor a signature cocktail at The Highlands Bar, located inside the hotel’s Highland’s Cafe. Then settle in for dinner: Juicy burgers and international fare are available, though the local Galápaguenian dishes, which use fresh ingredients from the on-site farm, are the real highlight. And while dinner is on your mind, should you want to dine at the hotel’s one-of-a-kind Lava Tunnel Restaurant tomorrow, be sure to book that required reservation tonight.

After breakfast, your concierge can arrange a bicycle tour to the nearby Tortoise Ranch. Here you can discover the archipelago’s claim to fame, the Galápagos giant tortoise, in its natural habitat. Take your time admiring these massive creatures, weighing up to 600 pounds, then head to the Charles Darwin Research Station. This must-visit center features an exhibition hall that highlights over 60 years of scientific research in the Galapagos, plus a tranquil garden full of unique endemic plants.

Continue biking around the area or head back to the hotel for a relaxing afternoon by the pool. If you’re in the mood for a massage, the concierge can arrange for a masseuse to provide a private treatment in your room. Since dinner will be an all-out, five-course extravaganza, you may want to keep lunch light. Luckily, there are plenty of snacks at Highland Cafe, along with signature cocktails by the pool.

Dinner at the iconic Lava Tunnel Restaurant is so much more than just a meal. The experience starts with a guided tour of the tunnel — located 70 feet (21 meters) underground — where you’ll learn about the volcanic origins of the Galapagos. The tunnel ends at the restaurant, where the floor is softly illuminated and a red light running along the walls resembles lava. Dinner unfolds with flavors from the sea and land, complemented by organic ingredients hand-picked on the property and expertly paired wines.

Rise and shine for a half-day sea kayaking adventure arranged by the hotel concierge. A small boat will take you to your starting point, where you’ll kayak 2 miles (3.2 kilometers) of calm waters before reaching the open sea. Along the way, you may spot wildlife like marine iguanas, sea turtles and sea lions, plus birds like pelicans, herons and blue-footed boobies. You’ll also have time for some snorkeling, with all equipment (and a refueling boxed lunch) provided.

Although you could head straight to the hotel after this kayaking excursion, your pre-arranged boat will stop at the Puerto Ayora pier, making it a great opportunity to explore the largest town on the island of Santa Cruz. Walk along the main streets, shop for souvenirs and, if it’s open, visit the island’s iconic fish market. You’ll see fishermen filleting their daily catch, while eager sea lions and pelicans jostle for the scraps.

For dinner, head back to your hotel and settle in at Highland’s Bar. Tonight, consider a table on the terrace overlooking the lush green gardens and serene pool area for the best views. Pair the fresh, traditional Ecuadorian flavors with some of the finest South America wines. Before retreating to the comfort of your room for the evening, take a relaxing stroll around the hotel grounds to experience the beauty of the nature-filled surroundings under the night sky.

No trip to Galapagos is complete without a full-day excursion to one of its famous wildlife-filled islands. Your concierge can arrange one of the yacht and land combos, but we recommend Bartolomé Island for its glorious mix of activities, unique sea and land animals and breathtaking views. You’ll be leaving early but don’t worry about breakfast, you rely on the breakfast provided with the tour to start your morning. Today’s adventure starts with a two-hour boat journey, during which you may spot dolphins and even whales.

Once at Bartolomé Island, you can climb over 360 stairs to reach a summit offering uninterrupted views of nearly all the central islands in the Galápagos. You’ll also see Pinnacle Rock, which is one of the most photographed volcanic formations in the archipelago. Your hotel concierge can arrange for you to swim and snorkel along the coastline, where you might see penguins, sea lions, rays, white-tipped reef sharks, colorful reef fish and more.

After a long day of exploring, it’s time to head back to the hotel for another relaxing evening. And what better way to wind down than with a sunset yoga session? While the hotel can arrange for an instructor to teach a private class on the beach, you can also just borrow a mat and get into your own flow. After yoga and some dinner, grab a drink and relax at the firepit to soak in all the amazing experiences you’ve enjoyed over the past few days.

For your final day in this nature-filled paradise, feel free to sleep in, indulge in an extravagant breakfast (perhaps brought straight to your room) and then take your time relaxing by the pool. Enjoy a dip in the refreshing water while the cheerful songs of exotic birds surround you. You’ll be busy with one last fun activity this afternoon, so be sure to allow some time for packing up your belongings.

It’s very likely that you’ve been loving how fresh and flavorful Ecuadorian food is, so if you’d like to learn how to make it at home, have the concierge reserve a cooking class at the hotel as your last hurrah before heading home. Learn how to prepare mouth-watering Ecuadorian ceviche, which has a different preparation and flavor from the better-known Peruvian ceviche. Get even more hands-on by harvesting fresh ingredients for the dish from the on-site vegetable patch.

Sadly, it’s time to head for home, but we are sure that you’ll be leaving with lifelong memories. With so much wildlife to see, sites to explore and adventures to be had, we’re certain you’ll want to return. And whenever you’re ready for that next trip, the Galápagos Islands and the giant tortoises, magnificent marine mammals and breathtaking birds will be ready and waiting.