There is nothing like an immersion into the sanctuary of the gray whales, the lagoons where they mate, give birth, and nurse their young.
We start and end our journey in Loreto.
After spending our first night at The Hotel Oasis, we will drive to San Ignacio Lagoons, where we will stay at an eco camp for 3 nights, to relax and be present in this place where the desert meets the sea.
We will sleep in simple double-occupancy wooden cabins at the edge of the water, eat delicious local food in a comfortable palapa, and we will have two outings daily into the lagoon to engage with the whales and meet their offspring.
Here at Laguna San Ignacio, you are far away from any town or village, and you are staying at a family-owned eco-camp run by locals.
Surrounded by desert, sky, and water, the only sounds you hear are the cries of ospreys, the waves, the wind,
- and on calm nights, whales breathing. You become a part of this place, and you will grasp an understanding of the desert whales while you share space with them in their seasonal home.
The lagoons are a protected whale sanctuary, and kayaking or swimming is not allowed here. We will take small motorized boats ( pangas) out on the water twice daily, driven by fishermen who know these waters and the whales well, often intimately, and since childhood.
The next two full days we will be in Loreto where we will explore the Sea of Cortez in search of blue whales, humpback whales and other marine mammals. This year we added a second day on - and in- the water, snorkeling off the islands of this beautiful Marine Sanctuary that has been called the Aquarium of the World.
Trip cost: $2950.
The price for this guided trip includes a non-refundable deposit of $500 at the time you sign up.
Included are all accommodations, all transportation and tips, starting the evening of 3/13 until Friday 3/19 when the trip officially ends in the afternoon. Except for dinners in Loreto, meals and drinks are included in the price of the trip.
You are responsible for booking your round-trip flight to Loreto and your accommodations for the last night, Friday 3/19.
All participants are required to buy comprehensive Trip Insurance, including 'Cancel for Any Reason' coverage. I recommend travel insurance offered by "Travel Insured International” or “ Allianz Travel Insurance”. Some benefits are time-sensitive, including the Pre-Existing Condition Waiver and Cancel for Any Reason Coverage. Both insurance companies offer these additional coverages when purchasing a plan at the time of initial deposit.
Participants need to arrive by 4 PM Saturday, 3/13, and are required to participate in the pre-trip meeting at 5:30 PM at The Oasis Hotel.
In order to keep this trip intimate, the maximum number of participants is limited to 10.
If you are interested, please contact me with any questions or to ask for a sign-up link.