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 Baja Adventure Home Page:
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Why Choose Destination Wilderness For Your Baja Sea
Kayaking and Whale Watching Tour?
Destination
Wilderness for years has offered the impressive Baja whale watching and
kayaking trips that highlight some of the best of Mexico's nature.
We
invite you to consider all that we provide on this great state:
 It is Your Trip Not Ours.
We have been running Baja outdoor adventure trips and Baja eco-tours for
years and years and believe that the best trip is the trip you desire. We
provide a foundation of safety and seamless logistics, and have a wealth of
knowledge about Baja's nature and culture. From there we create the trip you
want, adjusting our style to your wants and needs rather than asking you to fit
into our agenda.
Smaller Group Size. Typically, our Baja tours are limited to
12 guests plus guides. We have the ability to take more at select times during
the season, but we generally prefer to keep group sizes reasonable in order to
maximize your wilderness and cultural experience.
Guides That Live in Baja.
Destination Wilderness employs guides that live in Baja and are incredibly
knowledgeable, friendly, and talented. .
An Office Staff That Knows Baja and Can Answer Your
Questions With First-Hand Knowledge.
When you call to talk
about these trips you can chat with someone who has extensively travelled in
Baja. We feel that your knowledge and preparation are important to the success
of the trip and are fully prepared to help in all aspects of your adventure
vacation.
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 Kayaking Difficulty
The Baja kayaking trips take place
on the more protected central Sea of Cortez coast, which features dramatic bays
filled with colorful fish, sleepy pocket-sized beaches, and craggy rocks and
islands that pepper that reached the sea. Before setting off on the kayak you
will be given a thorough safety and instructional presentation. We paddle along
and near the coast, for a few hours, taking breaks along the way to explore the
shore. It is not uncommon to spot marine mammals on this portion of the trip.
We do not carry the overnight camp gear or food with us on the kayaks.
This trip is supported by a Baja skiff (panga) that serves as a sag wagon of
sorts. As such, the kayaks stay as light and nimble as possible.
One
important consideration for the kayaking portion of the trip is the weather.
Winds on the Sea of Cortez can be present at any time. There is always a chance
that winds can become very strong, strong enough to force changes in the
kayaking itinerary. Please note that we may need to modify times and/or
locations of the sea kayaking trip, and in extreme cases even cancel the
kayaking trip, depending on weather. In this extreme case we may substitute a
motorized ocean tour or a spectacular hike.
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 Trip Outline
Meeting Time and Place: We meet
at 9:00 am at Brown Field, in Chula Vista, California. Brown Field is a small,
private aircraft airport only with a small lobby.
Daily Itinerary (Please note: This itinerary is
subject to change depending on weather.)
Day One:
We meet at the Brown Field at 8:00
a.m., and board the private plane for a 9:00 departure. After a tasty lunch of
local Mexican cuisine in Guerrero Negro we travel to Scammon's Lagoon for an
afternoon whale watching tour. At the lagoon our local naturalist will guide us
throughout the bay aboard a panga. Scammon's is known for its large numbers of
Grey whales that have migrated to these waters for breeding and raising new
born calves. We will spend the night at a cozy bed and breakfast in Guerrero
Negro.
Day
Two:
We will wake to a leisurely breakfast and then head back out to
the lagoon for another day of incredible whale watching. We will pack a
delicious lunch with ice-cold beverages to enjoy at the lagoon. We will return
to our rooms in Guerrero Negro for the night
Day Three:
Again we
will start the day with a tasty breakfast at the B & B before we travel
inland to Montevideo, a historic site in the desert. Here we will explore the
many local cave and wall paintings left by ancient inhabitants of this amazing
land. The surrounding land is a desert oasis of rare vegetation, with lush
stands of cardon, ocotillo, and cirio. This is a place where one can deeply
experience and appreciate the true beauty of the desert. We will spend part of
the day hiking around Montevideo, a place which speaks directly to our souls.
We spend the night here, camping in first-rate style under the stars.
Day Four:
Today we travel a short distance to the Sea of Cortez and arrive in Bahia
de Los Angeles. After a short visit to the local museum (which is an amazing
museum considering the size of Los Angeles) we will set up camp at a local
beach-side palapa retreat. There we will prepare for our sea kayaking trip on
the Sea of Cortez. We will get instruction on the use of sea kayaks, safety
tips, and prepare our gear for the next day's paddling adventure.
Day Five:
The first
day of kayaking! We set off south down the coast towards Don Juan Cove. We
travel in our sea kayaks while our gear is conveyed to the night's camp in a
panga. We will paddle close to a bird sanctuary island that is often covered in
Brown Pelicans, Cormorants, and Blue-Footed Boobies. We will spend the night in
a remote cove that is home to a small old ship wreck, relax under a canopy of
stars, and listen to the waves lap gently on the sandy shore.
Day Six:
After another
leisurely morning we break camp and continue to paddle south, along the coast,
exploring small idyllic beaches and coastal crannies. In Baja this time of year
the wind is predominantly from the north, so our southern direction generally
makes for mild paddling. We also paddle only a few hours per day, and take time
to hike and explore shorelines and coastal lands. It is not uncommon to spot
dolphin, sea lion, and whale on this leg of the paddle. We again camp near
shore and enjoy the solitude of Baja. We arrive at an idyllic beach where our
panga guide had already set up camp and is preparing hors d'ouerves and
ice-cold beverages to enjoy while a mouth-watering dinner is being
prepared.
Day
Seven:
Another beautiful day in the paradise that is Baja. We continue
paddling along the coast much the same as Day 6 and spend this night in big
beautiful Las Animas Bay. Again, camp is set up for us as we paddle, making our
afternoon arrival to the pristine beach all the more inviting, as we are
greeted with cold drinks and snacks. This evening we will possibly be lulled to
sleep by the sounds of nearby whale blows.
Day Eight:
After breakfast we load our gear
and kayaks into the panga and motor back to Bahia de Los Angeles. There we will
enjoy showers and a celebration lunch before we board our flight back to San
Diego, which arrives in the early evening.
Note: The order of days five, six and seven may vary depending
on weather, group interests, etc.
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 Getting to San Diego
and Baja
The Baja Adventure rendezvous point is near San Diego,
California. You need not worry about getting yourself to Baja on this trip, as
it is included in the package. Several carriers fly to San Diego.
By Air:
Given the
flight schedules of most airlines, please plan on arriving in San Diego at
least by the day before your trip departure date. Prices vary greatly depending
on the time of year you are travelling as well as how far in advance you
purchase your ticket. We will gladly help arrange flights for you from your
departure city to San Diego.
Where to Stay:
For trip convenience we recommend the Holiday
Inn, in National City. This Holiday Inn provides shuttles from the San Diego
airport and to Brown Field, in Chula Vista, where we rendezvous.
Holiday
Inn National City
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Natural History
This
section is being updated.
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Baja Adventure
Additional Information
Experience Required
Destination Wilderness trips are created with fun, curious, and
nature-loving adventurers in mind. Our Baja kayaking and whalewatching
adventure is ideal for those with a zest for the outdoors, moderate adventures,
and self-determined activity levels. While you should be fit and in good health
for this trip, you need not be a honed athlete.
First timers, families,
friends, and independent and mature travelers are welcome and thrive on this
trip. No previous experience is necessary. adventure. Our minimum age is 12.
The maximum age is up to you! Your guides will gladly help with any aspect of
our trip that is new for you, whether that means waterproofing your boots or
learning to paddle.
Weather
The weather on our Baja trips includes what most
people think of when considering Baja weather: sunny, warm, dry winds, and
perfect evening temperatures. However, it is quite possible for days to be cool
and moist. High temperatures in Baja in the fall, winter, and early spring
average in the low 80s; low temperatures can reach the 40s, with rainfall
averaging less than two inches a month. That said, bring ample warm clothing
and rain gear in case of inclement weather.
Equipment
Destination Wilderness provides all
specialty kayaking gear including waterproof bags, lifejackets, sit on top
kayaks, and paddles. We also provide waterproof paddle jackets for days that
may be cooler. Among other things, you will need to snorkeling gear. A complete
list of what you should bring will be sent to you with your trip confirmation
packet.
 Overnight Accommodations
For the first few
nights we sleep in bed and breakfast style accommodations. The next few nights
are spent in beach side palapas (huts) or in tents. Destination Wilderness
provides all overnight gear.
Meals and Beverages
We serve gourmet meals prepared with
fresh ingredients. We also provide a variety of beverages with each meal. Each
afternoon we set up happy hour snacks and beverages. We are also happy to
prepare certain foods that you may want or need (including birthday or
anniversary cakes). Please let us know if you have special dietary concerns,
and we will plan and cook accordingly.
Gratuities
It is common to tip wilderness
guides on adventure trips. It is not expected, but always appreciated. If you
are happy with your trip please let us and your guide(s) know. Thanks!
Itinerary
Changes
While we do everything possible to follow the itineraries in
this packet we may be forced to adjust trips due to reasons beyond our control.
Therefore, these itineraries are subject to change.
References
Many of our
past trip members have offered to speak with folks who are considering our
trips. We know we could blow our own horn until we are blue in the face about
the great time we feel you would have on our trips. So, we invite you to
contact us for a list of clients who have participated on Destination
Wilderness trips and we'll let them do the talking!
Destination Wilderness
Guides
The pride of our outfit, our guides bring a wealth of talent and
experience to each trip we run. Destination Wilderness guides have years and
years of experience leading trips in the U.S. and abroad. Each is licensed in
first-aid and CPR. Furthermore, they create an environment that fosters
camaraderie and positive experiences. Simply put, they care about what it is
that YOU want from YOUR TRIP and do everything possible to make that happen! We
are confident that you will find your guides to be one of the highlights of the
adventure.
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Baja
Kayaking and Whalewatching Tours Additional
Information
