Explore the Ancient Incan city that so well balances modern sophistication with traditional culture. Walk through picturesque plazas that remain decorated by 16th and 17th century churches, proudly preserved by the city. Modern buildings and culinary offerings are not far from these architectural gems of yore, nor are views of the Andean mountain peaks that sit in the background.

It’s not every day that you wake up anticipating a morning flight to the Galapagos Islands! Considered a World Heritage site not once but twice (for both land and sea), you’ll first arrive to San Cristobal, the easternmost island, where you will be met by your guide and escorted to the Ocean Spray Yacht. Enjoy lunch on board then make your way towards the Lobos Islands, so named because of the thriving sea lion population that inhabit the rocky shores.

Take a morning trip to Pitt Point, a tuff formation on the north-eastern tip of the island. Home to frigate birds and storm petrels, the area also hosts all three types of booby birds. In the afternoon, you’ll head to the northern coast to visit one of the most picturesque beaches in the Galapagos: Cerro Brujo. The powdery white sand will seduce your bare feet towards the clear water for a swim or snorkel. Both underwater and on land, there’s an abundance of wildlife to see here as sea turtles, rays and more of those famous booby birds populate the area thanks to a lack of natural predators.

Stretch your legs with a revitalizing hike around Post Office Bay, a name that derives from the peculiar 19th-century tradition of whalers leaving unmarked postage on this section of the Floreana Island. After you’ve warmed up, it’s time to dive into the lovely bay and enjoy a snorkel. Later on in the day you can check out the local fauna at Cormorant Point, a large lagoon with a vast array of birds as unique as the sandy shore is green. This amazing and colorful effect is caused by the high level of olivine crystals mixed in with the sand.

There’s no better way to say goodbye to these islands than with some of the friendliest and surliest of wildlife at Black Turtle Cove. Located in the northern part of Santa Cruz and surrounded by mangroves, the inlet is home to blacktip and whitetip reef sharks, gigantic sea turtles, and a variety of rays to name a few. Later in the day you’ll be transferred to the airport where you’ll catch a flight back to Quito, Ecuador.