Cradle of the Grey Whale: Baja California Uncovered

Day 1 : Mexico City

Today you begin your journey by boarding your international outbound flight to Mexico City. Upon arrival make your way to the nearby airport hotel in preparation for your journey to Baja California tomorrow.

Day 2 : La Paz

This morning fly to La Paz, one of the gateways to beautiful Baja California. You have the afternoon at leisure to relax and recover. This evening meet the rest of your group for dinner and an introduction to the days ahead.

Day 3 : La Paz

Today you could relax at your own leisure. Alternatively you have a choice of excursions. Spend time exploring some national parks or go swimming with whale sharks.

Day 4 : Loreto

Travel to the port of López Mateos on Magdalena Bay for your first whale watching excursion. Continue on to Loreto, with stops at Baja's own "Monument Valley" and at the spectacular drop-off of the Sierra de la Giganta into the Sea of Cortez.

Day 5 : San Ignacio

Today you leave Loreto for San Ignacio, taking in many attractions along the way. Hike through volcanic scenery to a giant column of cacti, and perhaps swim in Conception Bay. A little further north you'll see the historic mining town of French origin, Santa Rosalía, where you will visit the metal church designed by Gustav Eiffel. Later, hike against the backdrop of Tres Vírgenes volcanoes before reaching picturesque San Ignacio.

Day 6 : San Ignacio

Travel to the San Ignacio lagoon, where you will embark on your second amazing boat trip to look for the grey whales. This is the smallest lagoon to find the whales and is often a memorable experience,

Day 7 : San Ignacio

Today you will explore the Sierra San Francisco, a diverse canyon landscape of endemic flora and prehistoric rock art.

Day 8 : San Ignacio

Travel by road to Guerrero Negro today. En route to the wharf you'll enjoy an interesting tour of the world's largest "open sky" salt works, before embarking on a whale watching trip on Scammon's Lagoon.

Day 9 : Loreto

Begin the journey back to Loreto, visiting an old Jesuit mission en-route as well as taking a hike at the base of the spectacular Tres Virgenes volcanoes.

Day 10 : Loreto

Having covered a lot of ground, today has been built in for you to choose what you would like to do. You may wish to simply relax at your hotel, or walk along the Malecon and explore Loreto. Alternatively, you could book an excursion to Isla Coronado, or visit the Oasis and Mission of San Javier.

Day 11 : La Paz

Your morning will start with a short walking tour of Loreto, where you will visit the mission church and mission museum. In the afternoon you will return to La Paz.

Day 12 : La Paz

Today you will visit a series of stunning secluded beaches and bays, surrounded by mangroves. Your guide will take you on a little known path right along the edge between mountain, desert and mangroves, to an otherwise inaccessible beach. On this nature walk you will have the chance to see some of the many bird species native to the area.

Day 13 : International return flight

Transfer to the airport for your flight to Mexico City followed by onward international departure.

Day 14 : International return flight

Arrive home today to complete your journey.