|
Baja Sur Expedition III
San Ignacio Lagoon, Baja California Sur, Mexico
Dates: March 25 - March 31
Cost: $1,600 USD
ITINERARY III
Tuesday
March 25:
9:00am The group will meet the pilot at Montgomery Field where there is parking available.Our scenic flight will take us to San Felipe over the beautiful mountains of the Baja peninsula. We can stretch our legs at the airport as we clear customs. In just a couple more hours we will arrive in San Ignacio Lagoon and settle into our accommodations at Antonio’s Ecotours.After lunch we will embark on a Grey Whale Watching Excursion in pangas with the experienced local boat drivers. This is the time of year the males have headed north and the females and their calves are still around. If we are lucky, they may come right up to the boat for the experience of a lifetime. Be prepared to get wet from the spray from a whale’s spout and have a close-up view of these majestic creatures.We will return to a warm and delicious meal served by Antonio’s wife Yaqui. She usually makes chicken, beef or fish burritos with homemade tortillas and beans (Vegetarian options by request). That evening we can share stories and pictures in the main building and then get comfortable in our newly built 2-3 person cabanas.
Wednesday March 26:
We will rise early for a hot breakfast before a short drive to Laguna San Ignacio for a morning of gray whale interactions that you will not soon forget. Antonio’s Ecotours will take us out in one of their durable pangas for an exciting boat ride through the productive lagoon where we will see many species of birds, dolphins and gray whales spouting and spy-hopping in the distance. The experienced boat drivers will let you know what is allowed in
the Whale Observation Area. This is the time of year the
males have headed north and the females and their calves are still
around. If we are lucky, they may come right up to the boat for the
experience of a lifetime. Be prepared to get wet from the spray from
a whale’s spout and have a close-up view of these majestic
creatures.
We will return to a
warm and delicious meal served by Antonio’s wife Yaqui. She usually
makes chicken, beef or fish burritos with homemade tortillas and
beans (Vegetarian options by request). That evening we can share
stories and pictures in the main building and then get comfortable
in our newly built 2-3 person cabanas.
Friday
March 27:
Wake up to the Pacific Ocean flowing into
the lagoon at the foot of your cabana. After breakfast, we will jump
in the pangas for another experience with these “friendly” whales.
It is amazing to be able to observe their behaviors from such close
proximity. Only in the past 15 years have these graceful giants
exhibited such a close connection with pangas and people. It is
amazing to think that they were previously hunted to near-extinction
in these same waters.
Saturday March 28
Grab breakfast and get packed for our incredible back-road tour to the beach of San Juanico. Also known as Scorpion Bay, this is a world-class surfing destination. If there are no waves at the seven points that break, then we can snorkel or try to catch some dinner. There are some great restaurants in the town, so if we strike out, we can enjoy the local catch of the day. We will stay at Scorpion Bay for two nights so we can wake up to more surfing, fishing, or snorkeling.
Sunday March 29
San Juanico host a wide variety of activities from strolling or driving the long sandy beach to look for shells and shark teeth, fish off the rocks, snorkel, relax in the cantina, or surf all day. there is something for everyone.
Monday March 30
We will enjoy a leisurely breakfast before
we head back to San Ignacio Lagoon for more whale encounters. After
lunch, we will head back out in the pangas to the Whale Observation
Area. Other activities include snorkeling in the lagoon or exploring
the bird life of the mangrove forest. You can also just read your
book in the sun and watch the tide come in and go out. When we
return, Yaqui will cook up another amazing meal for our dinner.
Another day in paradise! Enjoy all that the lagoon has to offer. Take it from experience; you never get tired of seeing the Grey Whales in the lagoon. It will spoil you forever for typical whale watching. Use the last full day as you like. All of the activities are available to you as well as driving into the town of San Ignacio to see the 17th century mission, cave painting museum, or do some shopping in the plaza.
Sunday
March 29:
Continental breakfast will be served all
morning. You can use this time to pack-up for the flight home or get
on a panga for another trip out to say goodbye to the whales until
next year.
1:00 private
plane arrives to transport you straight back to San Diego.
What to Bring:
» Baja Tours Registration & Health form
» Liability form
- Baja Tour Adventures
***Passport
***$22 for tourist
visa
| Sleeping Bag or
Blankets |
Sunscreen and Hat |
| Pillow |
Water Bottles |
| Warm Fleece
Jacket |
Bathing Suit |
| Raincoat or
Waterproof Windbreaker |
Towel |
| Sturdy Sandals (Tevas,
Chacos, any water shoes) |
Toothbrush/Toothpaste |
| 2 T-Shirts |
2 Pair of Shorts |
| 2 Long sleeve
Shirts |
2 Pair of Pants |
| Snacks or other food
items for the ride |
Flashlight or lantern |
| |
|
Please pack light
in a carry-on size duffel bag preferably.
Everything is
provided for you; Marine Biologists, experienced drivers and guides,
accommodations, food, boat trips to the Whale Observation Area.
Bring some extra
money for shopping, dinner on the last night, and if time and
conditions allow, you could take an additional trip out to see the
Gray Whales. If you have your own snorkeling equipment, bring it.
If you would like
to snorkel, let us know so we can get you the gear.
It does get cold at
night, so dress appropriately. Make sure you have warm blankets or
sleeping bags.
It is important to
be responsible for your own wellness. Please make sure that you are
well hydrated. We will bring plenty of filtered water.
We plan to provide
you with an incredible experience to the best of our abilities.
|
