Suggested Itinerary
Highlights
- Espiritu Santo Island
- Magdalena Bay
- Whale watching
- Sea turtle monitoring
- Snorkeling with sea lions
- Mangrove exploration
- Dune hiking
- Cultural interaction
- Bird and whale watching
- Star gazing
- Gourmet and Mexican cuisine
- Wildlife
Day 1 Arrival to Los Cabos, transfer to La Paz
Land in Los Cabos, gateway to the Baja California peninsula. Your driver and expert local guide will meet you at the airport and, en route to La Paz, will brief you on abut this magical place. You’ll head north on the Highway 1 along the foot of the Sierra La Laguna Biosphere Reserve – a lush island in the desert landscape of the Baja California peninsula, and home to the only oak and pine forests in the region. Along the way, stretch your legs before arriving in La Paz with plenty of time to enjoy the evening.
Day 2 – La Paz to Magdalena Bay and Gray Whale Watching
Depart from La Paz early in the morning en route to Magdalena Bay – jewel of the Pacific. Here you’ll have the chance to see a staggering number of migratory and marine birds, sea turtles, and marine mammals, including the migratory gray whales! Breakfast will be provided en route at one of our favorite local ranchos.
Settle into our secluded sea turtle research camp, and after happy hour, learn about the important sea turtle restoration project, which will be the focus of tomorrow’s activities. Rest up – tomorrow we search for turtles!
Day 3 – Sea Turtle Monitoring
Wake up early, grab a cup of coffee, and watch the fisher-conservationists prepare the nets used in the sea turtle monitoring. During breakfast, learn about the monitoring protocol and how you can participate in the data collection. Every two hours you will have the chance to accompany the monitoring team in pangas to check the nets for turtles. Captured sea turtles will be transported to camp where you will help take measurements and other important data before releasing them back into the wild.
Throughout the day you’ll have the chance to get all your questions about sea turtles answered – how they live and migrate. After dinner, enjoy the expansive, star-filled sky!
Day 4 – Mangrove Exploration
Head down to the beach to finish measuring and weighing sea turtles before releasing them back into the wild, concluding the sea turtle monitoring portion of the trip. Today we will learn about the gray whales, their incredible migration, and the importance of Magdalena Bay for breeding and calving to these magnificent creatures. En route, we will explore the magic of the greater Magdalena Bay complex, it’s vast, rolling sand dunes and winding mangrove canals teeming with birdlife.
Back at camp, budding chefs can head to the kitchen for regional cuisine cooking class. The rest of the group can head to the beach to learn artisanal fishing techniques, or relax and get lost in a book.
Sit by the fire tonight and swap stories with your fisher guides and learn about the crucial role they play in conserving the natural resources of Magdalena Bay by combining tourism with conservation.
Day 5 – Gray Whales to La Paz
Bid farewell to your hosts and head out early to search for gray whales. Friendly whales often approach the boats, and the mothers are known to push the young calves closer, which can make for an incredible interaction with these precious creatures! Enjoy a picnic lunch on a secluded barrier island before heading back out to see more whales. After a fulfilling day of whale watching, head back to La Paz and take the afternoon to relax and head out for a nice meal and stroll the malecón.
Day 6 – Espíritu Santo Island
Today, take a panga boat to Espiritu Santo, an impreassive UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to clear turquoise water, multitudes of fish species, and resident sea lions! After an orientation from your naturalist guide, you’ll have the chance to put a snorkel in this marine wonderland. Have a picnic on the island and then take a hike up into the arroyos to learn about the island’s history and the important story of conservation that lead to the islands’ protection. Later, return to La Paz for dinner and a relaxing evening.
Day 7 – Departure Day and flight home from Los Cabos
After breakfast, depart for Los Cabos airport and take your flight home.
