Whales & Desert Trails (7 days)

4-18 People

Group Size

Age

Easy

Physicality

Activities: Whale watching, whale shark and sea lion snorkeling, kayaking in mangrove estuaries, bird watching, desert hiking, farm to table cuisine, artisan cheeses paired with fine wines and/or craft beers.
Duration: 7 days, 6 nights: 4 nights hotel, 2 nights camping at Magdalena Bay luxury camp
Begins in La Paz and ends in La Paz
Number of guides/crew: 2-6
Group Size: Minimum 4, Maximum 18
Minimum age: 5 – This is a generalization of age appropriateness for this trip, but please note we make exceptions depending upon your child’s personal experience.
Single accommodation fee: $250 single hotel and canvas walk-in tent – Limit 2 per trip.* Shared hotel and single canvas walk-in tent $125 / single hotel and shared walk-in tent $150
Approximate kayaking distances per day: 2 miles

Best of Baja (9 days)

Activities: Sea kayaking, snorkeling (including with friendly sea lions and whale sharks, weather permitting), whale watching, hiking and fishing Duration: 9

4-18 People

$1,295

Island Kayaking & Marine Wildlife (8 days)

Activities: Sea kayaking, snorkeling (including with friendly sea lions), nature walks, fishing and turtle release (on late October &

4-16 People

$1,595

Baja Wildlife Extravaganza (11 days)

Activities: Sea kayaking, snorkeling (including with whale sharks, weather permitting, and friendly sea lions), whale watching, turtle release, hiking and

4-18 People

Enjoy the comfort of 4 nights hotel accommodations and 2 nights luxury camping with extraordinary gray whale encounters, snorkeling with whale sharks and sea lions and a hike among cactus with a farm to table lunch at a secluded eco-ranch.

This trip starts off with a couple of nights stay at our lovely Inn, the Posada LunaSol, and a day trip from the hotel either snorkeling with whale sharks and sea lions OR to an eco-ranch for a short hike and farm to table lunch. Mid-week you’ll travel to the Pacific Coast and remote shores of Magdalena Bay for 2 nights at our luxury whale camp where you’ll experience close encounters of the friendly gray whales. Upon returning from Mag Bay you’ll check back into our hotel for another two nights and your second day trip (which ever one you did not do on day 3).

Upon arrival to Magdalena Bay you’ll be taken into the bay by boat to observe the amazing Pacific Gray Whales. Interacting with these gentle giants is truly life changing. After whale watching you’ll settle into our unique luxury bay-side beach camp, complete with walk-in tents, cots, pads and pillows for two nights of “glamping”. Our spectacular camp setting is ideal for watching whales as they frolic just in front of camp on the bay. During your time at this remote camp you’ll have 4 opportunities to board fully licensed motorized boats to observe the whales, sometimes so close you can touch them! These boats are skillfully and sensitively operated by local boatmen who have many years of experience working with our guests.

Other activities from camp include exploring the spectacular wind sculptured barrier island and remote Pacific Coast with its pounding surf or a guided kayak excursion into the extensive mangrove estuary teaming with bird life. In the evening our naturalist guides present slide shows on the local flora and fauna with a special focus on gray whale natural history and behavior.

From Magdalena Bay we return to La Paz for a couple more nights at our hotel and another day trip. One day trip involves taking a boat into the Sea of Cortez to snorkel with whale sharks then on to the beautiful national park of Espiritu Santo Island. Here you’ll have the opportunity to snorkel with sea lions then enjoy lunch on a lovely white sand beach.

Our other day trip takes us to an eco-ranch set deep in the desert sierra only 40 minutes from La Paz. This ranch abounds with their own goats, cows, chickens and gardens providing fresh meats, goat and cow milk artisan cheeses and locally sourced salads. Here you’ll enjoy a short hike and tour of the ranch and a lovely farm to table lunch paired with fine wines and/or craft beers.

Don’t miss this mostly hotel based adventurous trip (for those less keen on camping for a whole week) opportunity to visit some of Baja’s most wild places and enjoy unique wildlife encounters while residing in comfort at our hotel and luxury safari style camp accommodations.

Day 1

Arrive in La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico. Check into our hotel the Posada LunaSol. Evening on your own to explore La Paz and dine at one of its many fine restaurants.

Day 2

Meet and greet breakfast at our poolside café with your guide and other passengers. Here plans will be given on what day trip you’ll be doing this day depending on what the current days weather favors. You’ll either head out on the Sea of Cortez for a day on the water or head into the desert sierra for a day exploring the eco-ranch and enjoying a farm to table lunch. Either way you’ll have time to return to your rooms after breakfast to prepare. Evening on your own to enjoy fine dining in La Paz. B/L

Day 3

Transfer by vans to Lopez Mateos on the shores of Magdalena Bay on the Pacific Coast of Baja (4 hours with stops). Enjoy lunch at the embarcadero then board the boat for a couple hours of whale watching on the way to our luxury beach camp on Santo Domingo Island. Settle into our beautiful bay view camp accommodations. Camp orientation, happy hour, dinner and evening naturalist slide presentation. B/L/D

Day 4

Your choice of a whale watching excursion for close encounters with the gray whales both morning and afternoon. Alternate activities include bird watching and/or kayaking in the nearby extensive mangrove estuaries or exploring the coast and beach combing along the shores of this remote barrier island. B/L/D

Day 5

Enjoy early morning coffee and continental breakfast and prepare your gear to leave camp. Around 10 a hearty brunch will be served prior to leaving camp at 10:30 for whale watching. This approximately 2 hour whale watch session will return you to Lopez Mateos where you’ll board the vans for the return ride back to La Paz. Arrive and check into our hotel at about 5-5:30pm, enjoy dinner at one of the many fine establishments of your choice in La Paz.B,brunch,snacks

Day 6

Breakfast at our poolside café. Here plans will be given on what day trip you’ll be doing today based on what day trip you did on day 2. You’ll either head out on the Sea of Cortez for a day on the water or head into the desert sierra for a day exploring the eco-ranch and enjoying a farm to table lunch. Either way you’ll have time to return to your rooms after breakfast to prepare. Evening on your own to enjoy fine dining in La Paz. B/L

Day 7

Travel day for getting to the airport to return home or continuing your trip in Baja. B

B/L/D indicates meals included with trip cost.
Although we do our best to adhere to the above itinerary, it is subject to change for reasons beyond our control including weather.

Tour Calendar for Whales & Desert Trails (7 days)

Tour Dates	Description	Rate
Feb 9 - Feb 15, 2020	6 nights	$1075
Feb 16 - Feb 22, 2020	6 nights	$1075

What's Included

La Paz airport/hotel transfers, 4 nights hotel accommodations and 2 nights at our luxury whale camp complete with walk-in tents, cots, pads and pillows based on double occupancy, all meals as noted on the itinerary, purified drinking water with powder drink mixes and an evening cocktail while at the island camp. Community camp equipment, motorized skiffs, captains, guides, crew/cooks, all licensing and national park fees.

What's Not Included

Airfare, meals as noted on itinerary, beer, wine or soft drinks at the island camp (there will be an option to purchase these and we will provide coolers with ice for storing them at camp), personal sleeping bags, (available for rent in Baja) and guide gratuities. NOTE: there is no snorkeling at whale camp so no need for snorkel gear or wetsuits.