Discover Baja California Sur: Sea Turtles, Gray Whales & National Parks

DAY 1: La Paz to Magdalena Bay
Depart from La Paz early in the morning en route to Magdalena Bay, jewel of the Pacific and home to 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 island camp and after happy hour, learn about the important sea turtle restoration project which will be the focus of tomorrow’s activities. Get a good night’s rest, tomorrow we search for turtles.

Overnight: Magdalena Bay camp
Meals included: Lunch, Dinner

DAY 2: Sea Turtle Monitoring
Wake up early and grab a cup of coffee and watch the fisher-conservationists prepare the nets used in the sea turtle monitoring, or stay in bed and catch a few extra z’s. During breakfast we will learn about the monitoring protocol and how we 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 we 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. After dinner, take in the stars in a night sky that never disappoints.

Overnight: Magdalena Bay camp
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 3: Whale watching and 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 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. Tonight we will learn about the gray whales, their incredible migration, and the importance of Magdalena Bay for breeding and calving to these magnificent creatures. 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.

Overnight: Magdalena Bay camp
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 4: Gray Whales
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 between two species. We will enjoy a picnic lunch on a secluded barrier island before heading back out to see whales. Afterwards, we will head south to an Eco Retreat on the Sea of Cortez. Here we will learn how to prepare traditional Mexican dishes, from handmade tortillas to tamales. Sit on the dunes above the water and take in the stars.

Overnight: La Paz Ecolodge
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 5: Espíritu Santo Island
Today we head out in panga to Espiritu Santo, 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 and mask on and see for yourself the marine wonderland. We’ll picnic out at the island and take a hike up into the arroyos to learn about the island’s history and the important story of conservation that lead to their protection. We return to La Paz before dinner.

Overnight: La Paz Ecolodge
Meals included: Breakfast & Lunch

DAY 6: Cabo Pulmo
Today we drive south from La Paz and down into the East Cape. No visit to Baja California Sur is complete without experiencing the magic of Cabo Pulmo National Park. Home to the northernmost coral reef in the Eastern Pacific, Cabo Pulmo is recognized as a model for successful marine resource management. While you may see more impressive coral in other places, visitors to Cabo Pulmo are continually amazed by the quantity and diversity of marine life. Try SCUBA or snorkeling, and spend the rest of your time lazing on the beach with a book or hiking the coastal trail.

Overnight: Cabo Pulmo National Park cabana
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 7: Sierra de la Laguna
Up into the looming hills, just one hour from Cabo Pulmo, the Sierra de la Laguna mountain range will hit you with a change of scenery and climate that will shift your entire perspective of the Baja California peninsula. Hike the numerous nature trails up to vernal pools and waterfalls, and see the vegetation change from desert to pine-oak forests that are home to numerous endemic species. Stay in comfortable cabañas and enjoy meals of tasty local fare.

Overnight: Sierra La Laguna cabana
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 8: Departure to Los Cabos
After a relaxing breakfast you can take a last dip in the pools before we board the van and drive to San José del Cabo to catch the flight home.

Meals included: Breakfast