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Witness the gray whale migration, one of nature’s most phenomenal events, and see these gentle giants up-close in the heart of their breeding grounds.
Starting at $ 1799 USD Length: 5 Days 2023 Pricing and Tour Dates Updated! |
Tour limited to 10 guests only! |
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Day 1. San Diego - Ensenada - San Quintin.
ACROSS THE BORDER Board the motor coach at a designated site in San Diego in the morning. Cross one of the busiest borders in the world, learn about its multiple activities and enter Mexico. Stop at a panadería (bakery) to choose a freshly baked pan dulce (sweet roll) to enjoy with a cup of coffee. The scenic road to Ensenada offers breathtaking views on the Pacific Ocean. A melting pot of adventurers seeking fortunes in nearby mines established the city of Ensenada on the shores of beautiful Todos Santos Bay. Today it is a pleasant city offering a Mediterranean climate, friendly people and a historical ambiance. Drive through its older streets and have lunch. Continue south through one of the peninsula’s most important agricultural areas where indigenous people have migrated from remote areas of Mexico to work as farm laborers. Make a stop in San Vicente to visit a small Community and end the day in San Quintín. The hotel fronts a wide-open beach. Meet fellow participants, get to know your group leader and review the upcoming adventures while enjoying margaritas at a pre-dinner gathering. Day 2. San Quintin - Guerrero Negro. THE MAGNIFICENT DESERT The day is dedicated to admire the wonders of the desert. The mountainous peninsula is covered by innumerable species of flora, many of which are endemic. A large part of the drive crosses Reserva Valle de los Cirios (Boojum Tree Reserve) established mainly to protect the unique endemic plant. The whimsical vegetation suggests a world of fantasy. Stops are made for nature walks and in Cataviña for lunch. Continue to Guerrero Negro, home of the largest salt plant in the world and one of the gray whale sanctuaries. Situated on the 28th. parallel, it marks the beginning of the Vizcaino World Biosphere, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, home to whales, migrant birds, endemic vegetation, gigantic rock art caves and the salt plant. Day 3. Guerrero Negro - Scammon’s (Ojo de Liebre) Lagoon - San Ignacio MEET THE WHALES & BAJA'S BIRDS Sight birds in an enormous salt marsh where birds migrate from Russia, Canada, and other latitudes. A unique, unforgettable experience is a boat ride among the whales in Scammon’s Lagoon, a Gray Whale Sanctuary, to view these giant mammals at arm’s length, some even let themselves be petted! Each year, gray whales travel thousands of miles from the Arctic Ocean to the warm waters of this wildlife refuge to court, mate, give birth and care for their young. To access the sanctuary, drive through La Exportadora de Sal, probably the largest salt plant in the world, and learn about its activities, then board pangas (small boats) for a memorable encounter with the whales. Continue the trip to San Ignacio, a charming town that developed around its imposing 18th century mission, still in use today, in the midst of a lush, tranquil oasis. Upon arrival enjoy a lively folk dancing presentation at a local school. Settle in the hotel and meet for margaritas to share the experiences of your first whale excursion with your fellow travelers. Day 4. San Ignacio - Laguna de San Ignacio - San Ignacio. GRAY WHALES CONTINUED After breakfast, board local vehicles for the drive that connects the town to the secluded Laguna de San Ignacio, part of the road is graded. Experience a second adventuresome ride among whales in this remote lagoon! A hot meal is served in a palapa (a thatched-roof construction) at the lagoon. Migrating birds can be spotted along the shore. Back in San Ignacio, visit the tree-filled zocalo (plaza) and the mission church. Enter a home where date bread and pie is made and enjoy the company of the pleasant host while learning to make flour tortillas by hand to taste with local ranch cheese. Day 5. San Ignacio - Scammon’s (Ojo de Liebre) Lagoon - Cataviña. FINAL WHALE ENCOUNTER / VIZCAÍNO DESERT WALK /FAREWELL FIESTA Return to Guerrero Negro for a final encounter with the whales! Stops are made along the return drive to Cataviña to admire the large variety of dense desert vegetation. Located in the midst of the Central Desert, a combination of sun, sand, gigantic granite boulders, and amusing combinations of boojums, cardons and elephant trees make Cataviña a superb “desert garden”. In isolated Cataviña, the nights reveal an enchanting desert sky. Dinner at the hotel consists of a variety of finger food. Day 6. Cataviña - San Diego. FAREWELL TO BAJA Begin the last day with a beautiful walk to visit a small cave with simple rock art. The return trip stops for lunch in a San Quintín restaurant to taste traditional platters. In Ensenada, spend a brief time to stroll in the main streets and along the waterfront. Drive the final stretch along the beautiful coastal highway, cross the border back into San Diego to reach the final destination. A box dinner is on the go. Please ensure to arrange a overnight stay in San Diego or a late flight. |
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Lodgings
Day 1: Mision Santa Maria, San Quintin Day 2: Halfway Inn, Guerrero Negro Day 3: Desert Inn, San Ignacio Day 4: Desert Inn, San Ignacio Day 5: Misión Cataviña, Cataviña |
Meals
Day 1: Lunch in Ensenada. Dinner at the hotel in San Quintín Day 2: Breakfast at hotel in San Quintín. Lunch in Cataviña. Day 3: Breakfast at hotel in Guerrero Negro. Bag lunch on the boat in the lagoon. Dinner at hotel in San Ignacio Day 4: Breakfast at hotel in San Ignacio. Lunch at the lagoon. Day 5: Breakfast at hotel in San Ignacio. Bag lunch on the boat in the lagoon. Dinner at hotel in Cataviña Day 6: Meals Breakfast at hotel in Cataviña. Lunch in San Quintín. Box dinner on the go. |
Traveling into MexicoAll destinations we travel in Baja California are safe and fully insured and protected. Our tour only drives during the day and it is anticipated to be safe.
Please make sure to bring all passport and entry document into Mexico and the United States of America. |
Join our Five Star Travel Club and Receive a Discount on your tour |
