Destination:
Days: 9Go on an off-the-beaten-path adventure along the Baja California coastline visiting both the shores of the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Cortez.
Along the way, take the opportunity to come face-to-face with the area’s incredible wildlife including its curious gray whales, giant whale sharks, and friendly sea lions.
This eight-day trip is ideal for active travelers wanting to experience Baja’s world famous biodiversity and stark geography through a multitude of outdoor adventure activities. Hike, kayak, and snorkel on this action-packed vacation.
This trip, like all of Journey Mexico’s vacations, can be altered or extended in any way you.
PHOTO GALLERY
HIGHLIGHTS
Gray whales – Enjoy private boat trips for close-up encounters with the Pacific gray whales during their annual migration
Sea of Cortez – Go on a sea-kayak expedition on the turquoise waters off the beautiful Espiritu Santo Island
Whale shark swimming – Grab a snorkel and flippers to swim alongside the largest fish in the world
Todos Santos – Explore this artists’ haven and charming fishing village
Day 1: Arrive in Los Cabos, explore Todos Santos
After touching town at San Jose del Cabo airport, you will be met by a Journey Mexico bilingual guide and transported to the charming colonial fishing village turned artist colony of Todos Santos. Upon arrival, settle into your lovely boutique hotel and enjoy the rest of the evening at leisure.
Speak to a Journey Mexico Travel Planner who can suggest restaurants and make a reservation for you.
Overnight: Paradero Todos Santos
Day 2: Private Morning Cliff Walk Experience & Surf
Today after breakfast, you will be met at your hotel by your guide and be driven to Punta Lobos to start your private morning cliff walk. Punta Lobos is where the fishermen of Todos Santos launch their boats each morning and bring in their daily catch in the afternoon. Your guide will lead you along the cliff walk, passing an eclectic combination of desert and seascapes. Heading to an active sea lion colony, you will have a chance to see the creatures in their natural habitat, and you will also pass the ruins of an old Baja California shipping port called Los Algodones.
As you walk along, your guide will offer an in-depth commentary on the history of the area and the large variety of flora and fauna found there. Two to three hours into the walk you will arrive at a quiet beach, where you will enjoy a picnic lunch, and you will also have time to explore the marsh area that is abundant in birdlife or to swim, sunbathe and take in the view.
You may also enjoy the opportunity and try our hand at surfing in the gentle Pacific rollers. Late afternoon we will return to our beautiful accommodation and night out at one of the many fantastic eateries in the town.
Overnight: Paradero Todos Santos
Day 3: Private Desert triple waterfall adventure w/ picnic lunch
Your personal bilingual guide will meet you at your hotel at 10am to start your desert canyon and waterfall adventure. You will begin by taking a walk through the desert canyon with its impressive vistas all around. Your guide will lead you on the walk explaining all about the history of the area and pointing out interesting plants and wildlife. As you hike you will come across lush foliage before reaching each of the three waterfalls that give the unusual effect of the gushing water being consumed by the thirsty sands.
Upon completion of your walk you will be driven back to your hotel.
* While most of the walk is easy and flat, there is some up and downhill rock scrambling and a ladder climb involved.
Overnight: Paradero Todos Santos
Day 4: Transfer from Todos Santos to La Paz / Afternoon Walking City Tour
Your private driver will meet you at your hotel lobby in Todos Santos and you will be driven the 84km (1 hour 30 minutes) to La Paz. At Arriva settle into your lovely hotel, located in down town.
La Paz, the historic capital of the Californias, is tranquil, scenic and a great town to get to know on foot. Experience it through a local’s eyes, and your stomach! Our guide will accompany you on a tour of the culture, history and architecture of the town, including the street art of the of the La Paz Ciudad Mural project. Meet some true paceños, and along the way stop to try a few local delicacies.
Overnight: Baja Club Hotel
Day 5: Espiritu Santo Island Hiking Day trip
Today you´ll get to hike the trails on Espíritu Santo Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to numerous marine, aviary and terrestrial species.
In the morning, set out by boat to the island from La Paz Bay, accompanied by your private naturalist guide, who will brief you on the island’s natural history along the way. Arriving at the island, you´ll explore one of its eight marked nature trails that offer a wide variety of length, difficulty and vertical gain.
The trails range from the light but scenic Cascada Seca at Playa Candelero (40 minutes, 0.5 miles, 100 ft.) to El Rincón (4 hours, 780 ft., 1.5 miles), which rises quickly from the water’s edge, at the end offering a spectacular view of the Gulf of California. You can pick one of these, a trail that’s somewhere in between, or plan to take two hikes.
Throughout the day your naturalist guide will interpret the natural history of the island and help you spot some of the endemic plant and animal species. You’ll have time to enjoy a picnic lunch, snorkel in the crystal waters, and visit the local sea lion colony* where you can swim, snorkel and interact with the playful sea lions*with your guide.
*During the sea lion mating period (June 1st through August 31st), sea lion observation takes place from onboard the boats. After observing the sea lions from the boat, you will travel to a snorkeling site away from the rookery to snorkel with tropical fish.
Overnight: Baja Club Hotel
Day 6: La Paz Private Whale Shark Snorkelling and Beach Lunch
Whale sharks are the true “gentle giants” of the oceans. The largest fish on the planet, these gentle beasts return yearly to the coast just off La Paz.
Your driver or guide will meet you in the hotel lobby and take you to the waiting boat. You will head out into the Bay of La Paz in an outboard skiff with full shade and your naturalist guide will help you with fitting your snorkeling gear. We will stop off at San Rafaelito, a small outcropping of rock teeming with marine life including juvenile sea lions. Here we will jump in the water to snorkel with our naturalist guide before making our way to Balandra Bay, a natural protected area and home to pristine beaches, mangroves, and stunning scenery. Enjoy a tasty lunch (dietary restrictions taken into account), explore the nature trails, and snorkel in the crystal water.
The trip continues on in search of whale sharks. When we arrive to the observation zone, grab your snorkel and mask and get in the water with your guide to see the whale sharks up close. La Paz is unique as a whale shark destination due both to its proximity to the observation zone and efforts undertaken by tour operators, regulatory agencies and civil society to responsibly manage this extraordinary experience. During peak holidays when boat activity increases, we will explore the surrounding area by boat as we wait for our turn to see these incredible creatures.
We reserve the right to modify all itineraries due to wind, weather, or other conditions.
Optional Researcher for a Day: Learn what it is like to be a whale shark researcher! A local investigator will join your trip to teach you about the ecology of these magnificent creatures, the role they play in the ecosystem, and their feeding, mating and migratory habits. Before getting in the water with the researcher you’ll learn how to identify individuals and document age, sex and other characteristics. ENQUIRE FOR AVAILABILITY and Cost.
Overnight: Baja Club Hotel
Day 7: Private Whale Watching Excursion in Magdalena Bay
Escape to Magdalena Bay on an overnight adventure to see the amazing gray whales that travel to these protected waters to mate and calve.
Your guide will meet you at your hotel early in the morning with snacks and fresh fruit. Arriving at Puerto López Mateos we check in to the hotel and you are free to enjoy lunch (not included) before boarding the skiff to head out into the bay in search of whales. Your naturalist guide will share their knowledge of these magnificent creatures and the story of their incredible yearly migration. Enjoy a sundowner in the dunes overlooking the Pacific before returning to your hotel.
Overnight: Hotel Mangrove Inn
Day 8: Private Whale Watching Excursion in Magdalena Bay /Transfer to La Paz
After a good night’s rest, get up early and watch Magdalena Bay come to life and you will see why it is known as the jewel of the Pacific. After a hot breakfast we will head back out into the Bay to search for friendly whales. We will have lunch at the hotel before returning back to La Paz, full of amazing memories from Magdalena Bay!
Notes on itinerary: We will make all efforts to adhere to the itinerary described above, but we may modify the itinerary due to wind, weather, and other factors. The safety and enjoyment of our travelers are our top priorities. Please see our terms and conditions for more information. We do not guarantee wildlife sightings, interaction or behavior. All travelers must comply with communicated protocols and regulations regarding activities within natural protected areas and interactions with wildlife.
Overnight: Baja Club Hotel
Day 9: Private Transfer to Los Cabos Airport
This morning after breakfast and hotel check-out, you will meet your driver in the hotel lobby for a private transfer to Los Cabos (or Laz Paz airport) for your departure flight home.
Dates
This trip can be customized for a private journey in the months of February and March.
Prices
Our custom-tailored journeys start from $1,000 USD per day for two travelers. Contact us today to discuss your travel desires and design a personalized proposal with exact pricing.
Please note, our pricing guideline is a starting from price and is not necessarily applicable to the suggested hotels contained within the suggested itineraries on this web site. Itineraries are customized prior to final pricing.
