Day 1: Arrival to La Paz.

Our journey begins in La Paz, the enchanting capital of Baja California Sur. Meeting at the airport and transfer to the hotel.

 

 

 

Day 2: La Paz – Loreto.

After breakfast, we will travel north, on our way to Loreto, the first capital of Californias, today a fast growing development, on the shore of the Sea of Cortez. After lunch, we will ascend to 2000 feet, in the earth of the Sierra de La Giganta, to contemplate the mission of San Javier, a true architectural jewel, built by Jesuits in 1699. In the magical light of the sunset we will arrive to Loreto. Hotel lodging.

 

 

 

Day 3: Loreto – Santa Rosalia.

Breakfast at the hotel.  After having crossed great extent of cactus, we will parallel the enchanting Bahěa Concepciňn and its marvelous lace of white, sandy coves. Then we will visit Mulegč and its severe mission, on a river surrounded by thousands of palm trees. After lunch in a local restaurant, we will explore a majestic cactus forest with the tallest specimens in all Baja and finally we will drive to Santa Rosalia, whose vestiges of a rich mining past will bring you back into time, while strolling in the picturesque streets of the old French colony. Hotel lodging.

 

 

 

Day 4: Santa Rosalia – San Francisquito – Laguna San Ignacio.

Breakfast at the hotel. After crossing the volcanic area of Las Virgenes and passing through the Vizcaino Biosphere Reserve, we will travel deeply into the Sierra de San Francisco. Volcanic in origin, the sierra hides an incomparable cultural and natural wealth: from small cactaceous with colorful flowers, to gigantic cacti and primitive cirios, the most unusual plant of the peninsula and unique in the world. A primitive tribe of hunters and collectors, the origin of whom is unknown, existed in this wild environment thousands of years ago. They shaped in caves and ravines countless rupestrian paintings, representing gigantic human figures, hunting scenarios, families and animals. All these figures make one of the largest concentration of prehistoric art in the world. Box lunch and drive to San Ignacio. Nestled in one of the largest oasis of the region, this peaceful town will disclose for us the door to its mythic Laguna, our first base for the whale watching, where we will stay at a romantic camp, caressed by the breeze of the Pacific Ocean. Dinner at the camp restaurant. Lodging in tent.

 

 

 

Day 5: Laguna San Ignacio.

Full board at the camp. Every year, in winter, hundreds of Gray Whales migrate from the Artic regions to the warm waters of Baja California Sur, to give birth and continue the magic reproduction cycle in its protected lagoons. Expert "lancheros", driving powerful boats, will enable us to enjoy unforgettable close encounters with these peaceful giants.

In the morning first outing by boat in the waters of the Laguna, declared by the federal government “Natural shelter of the Gray Whales”, where the big cetaceans, being very protected, are not afraid of man and very often approach the boats in order to be pet.

After lunch second whale watching expedition. Lodging in tent.

 

 

 

Day 6: Laguna San Ignacio – Bahěa Magdalena.

After breakfast, our route will follow now the path of the Baja 1000, the legendary off-road race that crosses the Peninsula from north to south. Between the treacherous mirages of the unbelievable Tide Flats, we will travel south, passing through San Juanico, the green orchards of La Purisima, up to Bahěa Magdalena, our second base for whale watching. Lunch during the trip.  Lodging in hotel.

 

 

 

Day 7: Bahěa Magdalena – La Paz.

Continental breakfast at the hotel. Although the Gray Whale represents the main attraction in these waters, we will also sail to observe Dolphins, Sea Lions, Frigate bird, Cormorants, Brown Pelicans, Ospreys and Herons, with additional opportunities to explore the majestic dunes of Isla Magdalena and hike for shells along the endless beaches.

After lunch in a local restaurant, La Paz is our next stop. It is the capital of Baja California Sur, a tranquil and hospitable town, world renowned for its fantastic sunsets. Lodging in hotel.

 

 

 

Day 8: Los Islotes, El Bajito.

After breakfast we will sail to Isla Espiritu Santo to begin the first of the three diving activities expected in these waters.

 

Situated half a mile north of Isla Espiritu Santo are Los Islotes, two large rock islets one of which is a natural arch. Diving through the centre of this natural rock formation brimming with life one can expect to see dense shoals of silver sardines, blue and gold King Angel Fish and yellow surgeon fish amongst golden cup corals. These islets are home to a colony of over 200 Californian Brown Sea lions. These inquisitive creatures take great interest in those visiting their home. One can often turn to find the pups pulling at your fins, eager to play, showing off and turning circles around our comparatively clumsy underwater movements. The larger bulls become pugnacious and territorial during the mating season in protection of their harem. Underwater circumnavigation of these islands is invariably exciting and always visually diverse.

Depth: 15-100ft.

Temperature:

Level: Novice

 

After diving, landing on a white sandy beach, for lunch and relaxation. In the afternoon we will return to La Paz.

 

 

 

Day 9: El Bajo.
Second day of diving.

 

The seamount is located 8.2 miles, 032^o degrees from Los Islotes. There are three distinct underwater peaks arrayed along a three hundred yard line running 120^o – 300^o, the northern most rising to within 83ft of the surface, the central peak to within 52ft and the southern to within 69ft. The central peak, with its shallow depths and relatively flattop, is the primary dive site and anchoring location. This is one of the premier dive sites in the world for schooling Hammerhead sharks. Schools range from between six to hundreds traveling in a clockwise direction around the seamount for unknown reasons. While schooling, hammerheads are not aggressive, and reassuringly enough they actually appear disinterested in divers. As a seamount El Bajo is home to an abundance of sea life, mass schooling fish (amber jacks, tuna etc), octopus and the impressive Panamic Green moray; a colony of over fifty can be found in a small canyon. Aside from possible encounters with hammerheads frequent visitors to the seamount include; whale sharks and giant pacific manta rays.

Depth: 60-100ft.

Temperature:

Level: Advanced Open Water Dive.

 

 

 

Day 10: La Reina, La Reinita.
Third day of diving.

 

A rock islet just north of Isla Cerralvo with a lighthouse. This site is among the most beautiful in the area. In depths of 80ft (25m) a large reef is found populated by gorgonias of all types, brain corals, large schools of brightly coloured tropical fish, rays, green, zebra & jeweled morays. This is a “must dive” site! This dive is subject to current, but is home to over 8 giant pacific manta rays.

Depth: 80ft.

Temperature:

Visibility:

Level: Novice to Intermediate

 

 

 

Day 11: La Paz – Cabo Pulmo.       

Breakfast at the hotel. The old road to the south will take us to the Sea of Cortez, passing by the ancient towns of El Triunfo and San Antonio, still immersed in their historical past, when precious minerals were extracted from the bowels of the mountains. After a short driving on a dirt road, we will arrive to Cabo Pulmo, marine national park, home of an important coral reef and our second enchanted base for underwater activities. In the early afternoon we shall sail to the diving locations. Lodging in bungalows.

 

Temperature: 18°-19°

Visibility: 10,5m.

 

 

 

Day 12: Cabo Pulmo – Los Cabos.

Breakfast at local restaurant. After driving across the Tropic of Cancer, the incredible trail that parallels the Gulf, will allow us to discover a majestic succession of isolated beaches, before it takes to the picturesque San Jose del Cabo, access point to the tourist corridor of Los Cabos.

Dinner and lodging in hotel.

 

 

 

Day 13: Los Cabos – La Paz.

After breakfast, we shall drive to Cabo San Lucas to enjoy a beautiful glass bottom boat excursion to the famous granite Archway and perhaps some shopping, before to travel north, along the Pacific coast, to visit the mysterious, romantic oasis of Todos Santos, on our way to spend one more night in La Paz. Farewell dinner. Hotel lodging.

 

 

 

Day 14: Departure.

After breakfast, we shall drive to La Paz International Airport for the departure.