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Trans-Peninsular Tour II
San Ignacio Lagoon, Baja California Sur, Mexico
Dates: March 22 - March 25
Cost: $1050 USD
ITINERARY II
Saturday March
22:
6:00 am Group will meet on Shelter Island in San Diego across
from Humphrey’s Half Moon Inn to pack vans. Accommodations and
parking are available at this location. Two 15-passenger vans will
take us South to explore the Trans Peninsular Highway of Baja
California. Our scenic coastal drive will take us through Ensenada
and San Quintin where we can stretch our legs and eat delicious fish
tacos. The highway will take us across the peninsula through the
picturesque high desert, where we will pass amazing volcanic rock
outcroppings and view the desert in bloom. In just a quick walk up a
sandy arroyo, we can see cave paintings. We arrive that evening in
the charming village of San Ignacio. This palm-filled oasis is
centered around a 17th century mission that towers over
the plaza. Tour the mission and cave art museum before we dine at
Rene’s restaurant on your favorite home cooked Mexican meal. Settle
into your comfortable accommodations at the Casa Leree, a blue colonial adobe near the plaza.
Sunday March 23:
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. Upon
reaching the gray whale observation channel, you will come face to
face with mother gray whales and their curious calves for up close
interactions that will plaster a smile on your face and leave a
photographic imprint in your mind. We will later return to base
camp to unpack and talk over the days adventures. The afternoon
will be free to explore the lagoon where you can snorkel, kayak,
fish or watch the abundant bird life before settling in for a
delicious Mexican family style meal served by Antonio’s wife Yaqui.
She usually makes chicken, beef or fish burritos with homemade
tortillas and beans (Vegetarian options by request).
Monday March 24:
Breakfast and coffee before loading into the pangas for another
exciting excursion to the gray whale observation area to assure
yourself that yesterday’s experience was not a dream but one of
nature’s greatest realities. You will observe the unique behaviors
of these friendly giants that cannot be experienced anywhere else in
the world. This is the time of year the males have headed north and
the females and their calves are still around. We have had some
amazing experiences with these sociable whales in the past. Be
ready to get wet either from the spray of the waves or from the
spout of a whale’s blowhole!
We will return to
base camp for lunch and another afternoon of open activities around
the lagoon.
Snorkel in the
shallows of the lagoon or explore the bird life of the mangrove
forest to work up an appetite for another amazing home-cooked meal
around the dinner table while sharing more of your adventures and
photos from the day. Schedule is subject to change due to winds and
weather in the lagoon.
Tuesday March
25:
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 good-bye to the whales until next year.
Lunch will be prepared back at Base Camp for your scenic flight over
the Baja Peninsula.
1:30pm
Depart by private plane for Montgomery Field in San Diego.
3:30pm
Shuttle will take you back to Shelter Island.
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 van ride |
Flashlight or lantern |
| Walkman, I Pod…
Entertainment for the drive |
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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.
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