Whale Watching - Hiking + 1 day Sea Kayaking

Baja California - Isla Espiritu Santo

An active wildlife tour specifically to see the Pacific Gray Whale and sea lions - mostly hiking and one day of sea kayaking, plus lots of time in a boat often alongside inquisitive whales. 

Every year The Gray Whale makes its annual migration from the Chirikof Basin to Magdelena Bay, a round trip of some 12400 miles making it the longest migration by any mammal. During the Gray's winter visit, they calve and nurse in the shallow lagoons. These amazing Grey Whale nursing grounds are protected by strict Mexican environmental and ecological legislation. We are careful to observe these regulations and in addition we support local fishermen and their families, who operate licensed safety boats for us. The Grey whales are strong bodied and lack a dorsal fin, having a low hump in its place. They have a mottled dark to light grey colour and are usually encrusted in barnacles. When viewed from behind, their spout is heart shaped.
 

Activity Grade: Moderate to Hard hiking (on a scale of Easy / Moderate / Hard / Very Hard / Extreme). The kayaking is as easy as you want it to be, as we have a boat in attendance all the time and those with tired arms can take a break.
 

Highlights include:

• Visit the breeding grounds of the Pacific Gray Whales during their annual migration here.
• Enjoy boat trips into the lagoons getting a chance for arms length encounters with these giant cetaceans.
• Trek the secluded beaches and revel in the pristine marine wilderness of Baja California’s Pacific Lagoons, some of the last mating and calving grounds of the Pacific Gray Whale.
• 1 Full day Sea Kayaking expedition in the Sea of Cortez in the turquoise waters of the protected bays and beaches of the beautiful Island of Espiritu Santo.  We will also enjoy natural history guided walks and a visit to the resident sea lion colony at Los Islotes where we can opt to swim and snorkel with these playful and fun-loving marine mammals.
• Snorkel and relax on the exquisite white sand beaches outside of La Paz.
• Day hike the sweeping seascapes of the rugged Pacific Coast of Southern Baja California.
• Hike into the Sierra de la Laguna Biosphere reserve and experience the magic of cascading waterfalls in the spectacular cactus forests of this seldom visited desert wilderness.
• Explore the charming fishing village turned artist enclave of Todos Santos for a taste of the old Baja. 
• Try your hand at surfing the crescent beach of Los Cerritos beach outside the town of Todos Santos.

You could add - hiking in the Copper Canyon or maybe exploration of the ruins of Yucatan to this, to extend your time in Mexico.

Detailed Itinerary for Baja Sea Kayaking and Whale Watching

Day 1: Arrival Day La Paz. Transfer from airport and settle into your hotel in La Paz.  Stroll the waterfront and explore this peaceful seaside city.  Meet the group leader and other members of your group in the reception of the hotel at 20:00 hrs / 8 pm. (Accommodation: Posada de las Flores or B&B el Angel Azul or similar). No Meals.

Day 2: La Paz – Todos Santos Historic Town Walking Tour / Sea Cliffs Hike.  Meet at 09:00 hrs in the hotel courtyard for the 90 minute transfer to the charming colonial fishing village turned artist colony, where we will settle in to one of the boutique hotels in Todos Santos.  After checking in we will get a briefing from our guide and learn about the fascinating oasis of Todos Santos and its long history as an important community in Southern Baja. After a delicious lunch, we will explore the secluded coast line and pristine beaches surrounding the oasis town of Todos Santos.  Our sea cliff hike takes us along miles of spectacular coastline with sweeping views of Baja’s stark and rugged coastline.  (Accommodation: Posada la Poza or similar) B,L,D

Day 3: Todos Santos Triple Waterfall ˝ day Hike / Afternoon Surfing Lesson.  Today we set out to explore the Sierra de la Laguna Biosphere reserve and we transfer to the trail head where we begin walking up the arroyo (river bed).  We will notice the landscape changing - the cactus forest thickens and then unexpectedly we come to not one, not two, but three individual waterfalls in the middle of the desert.  Enjoy the opportunity to swim and take pictures or just relax with a wonderful picnic lunch.  We then travel from the interior to the beautiful crescent shaped beach of Los Cerritos for a picnic lunch and an opportunity to try our hand at surfing in the gentle Pacific rollers.  Late afternoon return to our beautiful accommodation and night out on the town at one of the many fantastic eateries.  (Overnight: Posada la Poza or equivalent) B,L,D

Day 4: Todos Santos – La Paz – Sea Kayaking / Snorkelling Espiritu Santo Island and the Sea of Cortes.  After an early breakfast we transfer across the peninsula (90 mins) to our high speed motorboat that is waiting to take us out to Espiritu Santo Island. Your guide will further comment on safety matters and provide beginners with instruction on the basics of sea kayaking. We then paddle on the turquoise waters of Espiritu Santo Island beneath spectacular cliffs and arrive at one of many beautiful beaches for our picnic lunch.  After lunch and a natural history walk, we board our speedy launch and ride to a beautiful small island which is home to a sea lion colony. Prepare to experience the amazing thrill of swimming with sea lion pups and snorkel amongst thousands of tropical fish. We then return to our hotel in La Paz. Night out on the town for dinner! (Accommodation: Posada de las Flores or B&B el Angel Azul or similar) B,L,D

Day 5: La Paz – Magdalena Bay.  Meet at 08:00 hrs in reception and then transfer to Magdalena Bay to board our whale watching boat. First, we will cross the Baja peninsula to the Pacific coast arriving in time for an orientation and afternoon exploring the Gray whale breeding grounds of Magdalena Bay. Peaceful night in upgraded fixed tent accommodation overlooking the bay and sounds of the whales in the distance. (Overnight: Fixed tent camp Magdalena Bay) B,L,D

Day 6: Magdalena Bay - Whale watching, hiking & bird watching. The mangroves and dunes of Magdalena Bay are home to an amazing array of fauna and flora. (Accommodation: Fixed tent Magdalena Bay) B,L,D

Day 7: Magdalena Bay Whale watching – La Paz.  An early morning whale watching trip to say good-bye to our friendly whales before setting off back across the peninsula to La Paz. Transfer back to our hotel for a night out on the town and farewell fiesta! (Accommodation in La Paz)  B,L.
 

Day 8 Transfer to Airport for flight to home. B.

 

Additional Activities in the area:  Hiking the Copper Canyon or 8 day Kayaking expedition - Isla Carmen or

Culture elsewhere in Mexico: Culture & ruins of Chiapas or the nightlife of Accupulco perhaps

Dates:  Various dates throughout the year, just let us know your preferred dates.

Group Size: 4 - 13

Price Indication Per Person:  GBP1000 - GBP1283 / USD1900 - USD2095        

                                                                 
                                                                                                                         Email for current price / availability
 

Small Group Supplement: Supplement per person for groups less than 4 - US$295 (included in above indication)

Single Supplement: GBP165 / USD300
 

The base currency is the US Dollar and payments in any other currency may involve an adjustment for exchange rates.
 

Deposit: GBP200 / USD500 on booking.

Balance Due Date: 100 days prior to departure.
 

What is Included

Wilderness first aid & CPR Certified, bi-lingual Mexican guide throughout, plus specialist kayaking guides. Airport transfers on the designated arrival and departure days only (we can collect / deliver you on other days too, but there is an extra cost).  All transfers throughout in private vehicles. All kayaking equipment. Camping equipment except sleeping bags.  Copper Canyon train tickets. All meals as indicated in the detailed itinerary according to the code (B,L,D).  All accommodation. Occupation of tents based on twin share in a 3 person tent. Top of the range Thermarest mats. Gratuities / Tips for all the staff at the hotels and restaurants, except the main tour guide and the kayaking guides.
 

What is Excluded

International and internal flights.  Airport taxes.  Immigration / visa costs. Airport transfers not on the designated arrival/departure days.  Meals not detailed in the itinerary by the code (B,L,D).  Gratuities / Tips for the main tour guide and the kayaking guides.

Airfare (from the UK only)
As a guide, the international airfare should be in the range GBP580 - GBP690 for economy class.

Travel Insurance

Comprehensive personal insurance, including search and rescue is required on this trip. For UK clients we recommend the policies of the British Mountaineering Council, for their expertise in evacuation from remote areas worldwide. Details at www.thebmc.co.uk  As Insurance is always provided by a company based in your home country, we are unable to suggest suitable insurance companies unless you reside in the UK.