Canoe, Kayak and Raft

BAJA SEA KAYAKING - 2 options

#1 - SEA OF CORTEZ

Imagine paddling along a spectacular section of the Sea of Cortez coastline and exploring desert islands piercing the blue waters. The towering volcanic escarpments of the Sierra Giganta Mountains rising out of the sea create your backdrop. Red-hued desert colors, azure blue water and magical landforms give this area great aesthetic and photographic appeal.

Paddling a sea kayak in these waters offers exceptional opportunities for viewing dolphins, sea lions, fin and blue whales in their natural habitat. Blue-footed boobies, high-flying frigatebirds, osprey, and squadrons of pelicans soar above on the lookout for fish. The clear, warm water is alive with brightly colored fish - perfect for snorkeling. You will discover lovely white beaches in hidden aquamarine coves.

Activities include snorkeling in search of exotic fish, paddling between islands or along a remote shore and hiking up scenic canyons and headlands offering breathtaking panoramas of the wild coastline and scattered islands.

Camping here is a real treat. With almost no insects most people sleep outside their tents under stars astonishingly more numerous, beautiful and luminous than one could ever imagine possible. Find out why the Sea of Cortez is a kayaker's paradise.

Day 1: Arrival in Loreto airport. You'll be greeted by our ground service and transported to the hotel. Check into pre-assigned rooms. Pre-trip meeting at the hotel later in evening (ground service and hotel rooms included in trip cost).

Day 2: In the morning we’ll meet for breakfast then you'll board our van and ride to the launch site. We'll teach you the basics of paddling and thoroughly review safety procedures before launching kayaks. Paddle to our first night's campsite.

Day 3-5 (7-day); Day 3-6 (8-day): Our days begin with spectacular sunrises and end with delightfully cool evenings. We'll spend our mornings kayaking to a new campsite. After lunch there is plenty of time to snorkel, hike, swim, fish or relax with a good book. Evenings find us feasting on delicious fresh food and enjoying margaritas as the sun sets on the horizon.

Day 6 (7-day); Day 7 (8-day): After a final lunch, we break camp and paddle to our take-out site around 2 p.m. Load van and proceed to Loreto. Check into hotel. No host farewell group dinner at a favorite local restaurant.

Day 7 (7-day); Day 8 (8-day): Our ground service will provide transportation to the airport for your flight to Los Angeles and connecting flights homeward.

Note on Itinerary: We will do our best to adhere to the schedule listed above. However, the itinerary may change due to reasons beyond our control such as wind, waves or inclement weather.

2003 Dates:
7-day Jan. 5, 12, 25; Apr. 5, 12; May 11; May 18
8-day Jan. 19 ; Feb. 2, 9, 16, 23; Mar. 2, 9, 15, 16, 22, 23, 29, 30; Apr. 6, 13, 20, 27; May 4.

7-day cost: $995; 8-day cost: $1095.

All trip prices include: Two nights’ hotel accommodations in Loreto, airport transfers and ground transportation, all meals from first to last lunch, guides, all equipment, tents, sleeping bags, pads and dry bags. Snorkeling equipment and wetsuit rentals are available from us.
Not included: airfare, meals in town, gratuities. All prices are based on double occupancy (Hotel Single supplement: $80).

Travel: AeroCalifornia Airlines services Loreto and Los Angeles International airports (only one carrier, and only one flight per day). Call your travel agent or AeroCalifornia at (800) 237-6225 as soon as possible.

Baja's Pacific coast is home to a series of lagoons sheltered from the open sea by a barrier of desert islands. The sandy barrier islands protect the lagoons from oceanic currents, creating a fascinating environment of twisting mangrove-lined estuaries, chaotic sand dunes and blooming desert plants - ideal for exploration by sea kayak.

For six days we will explore beautiful lagoons in search of wildlife as we paddle between island campsites. Each winter, hundreds of gray whales travel over 5000 miles from the Bering Strait to mate and bear their young in these protected waters. Trip highlights include an afternoon of observing whales up close from the comfort of a motorized skiff and excellent birding.

In addition to whales, the lagoons are home to dolphins, sea turtles and hundreds of migrating shorebirds. Miles of uninhabited ocean beaches glistening with thousands of colorful shells, a sea lion colony and fascinating sand dunes are only a short hike from camp. Your expert naturalist guides will introduce us to the desert plants, birds and other wildlife of Bajas' lagoons. If you enjoy nature this trip is a must.

Note: Although Baja's Pacific lagoons are world renowned as the winter home to the California Gray Whale, the frequency and proximity of whale sightings are determined by the whales' travel patterns.

Day 1, Saturday: Arrival in Loreto airport. You'll be greeted by our ground service and transported to the hotel. Check into pre-assigned rooms (included in trip cost). Pre-trip meeting at the hotel later in evening.

Day 2, Sunday: After breakfast, we'll meet, board our van and ride to the launch site. We'll teach you the basics of paddling and thoroughly review safety procedures before loading kayaks with gear. Paddle a short distance to island camp and settle in.

Day 3-5, Monday-Wednesday: Our days are filled with kayaking, watching wildlife, exploring the rich mangrove inlets, hiking along the sand dunes, and beachcombing the Pacific beaches. We generally paddle 4 hours per day (with breaks) and will have 3-4 different campsites during our six days of adventure.

Day 6, Thursday: Several motorized skiffs will meet us at camp for 2-3 hours of whale-watching in Boca Soledad. An excellent opportunity to photograph Gray whales.

Day 7, Friday: In the morning we'll break camp and paddle to the take-out site where we will have a final lunch before driving back to Loreto. After checking into the hotel, there is time to explore the town. This evening there is a no-host farewell dinner at a favorite restaurant.

Day 8, Saturday: Our ground service will provide transportation to the airport for your flight to Los Angeles and connecting flights homeward.

2003 Dates: January 18, 25; February 1, 8, 15, 22; March 1, 8.

Cost: $1195 USD.

Cost Includes: two nights' hotel accommodations in Loreto; airport transfers & ground transportation, all meals from first to last lunch, guides, all equipment, tents, sleeping bags, pads, dry bags, 2-3 hours whale watching by motorized skiff.
Not Included: Airfare, meals in town, gratuities. All prices are based on double occupancy (Hotel Single supplement: $65 or $80 depending on hotel).

Travel: Aero California and Aero Mexico Airlines services Loreto and Los Angeles International airports. Call your travel agent or Aero California (800) 237-6225 as soon as possible.