2020 Wilderness Travel Catalog of Adventures

WENDY SHATTIL/BOB ROZINSKI GARY LUHM

Experience the wild and unspoiled beauty of Baja by historic wooden vessel, with snorkeling, kayaking, and trail walks. STEWART COHEN

MARK CARWARDINE

Baja: Exploring the Sea of Cortez WHALES, SNORKELING, AND SEA KAYAKING

With spectacular marine life, turquoise waters, and cactus-dotted desert islands, Baja California is one of the greatest nature destinations in the Western Hemisphere. You’ll experience it by land and by sea aboard a historic 86-foot “gentleman’s expedition

ON OUR WEBSITE ADVENTURES IN THE BAY OF FUNDY Kayaking, Lobster, and Lighthouses! Jul 15-23, 2020; from $5995. Days 6-11 Sea of Cortez / Blue Triangle Cruising north, you’ll snorkel above rock reefs, watch schools of mobula rays or dolphins leaping above the water’s surface, walk the ridge lines and palm-lined arroyos of the desert landscape of isolated islands, or paddle kayaks in quiet coves, an ideal way to view wildlife. In the Blue Triangle, watch for breaching blue, sperm, and humpback whales. Depart on Day 11 via Loreto. NEW birthing and rearing their young in Baja’s warm waters. From your beachside hotel, set out by panga (skiff) to look for these gentle giants. The whales often approach the pangas and seek interaction—it’s a thrill to see them at such close range. Days 4-5 Isla Espíritu Santo / Sea of Cortez Boarding your historic wooden yacht, head out into the Sea of Cortez’s rich waters and navigate to Isla Espíritu Santo, with its white-sand beaches and secluded coves. Glide by sea kayak amid the mangroves and snorkel among sea lions in this pristine environment. In the evenings, dine on the chef’s culinary creations and gaze upon star-filled skies.

HIGHLIGHTS • Enjoy freshly prepared gourmet cuisine on board, learn about Baja’s ecosystem from your naturalist guides • Sea kayak amid lagoons and remote bays, enjoy the beaches of Isla Espíritu Santo • Snorkel with sea lions, watch pods of dolphins, walk island trails • Two departures visit Baja’s famous gray whale lagoons for up-close encounters DETAILS • 9-, 11-, or 12-day trip begins in La Paz and ends in Loreto (or reverse, depending on itinerary) • 6 nights aboard a historic 86-foot boat, 3 nights hotels, 1 night camping (depending on itinerary) • All meals included DATES Dec 22-30, 2019* Mar 12-23, 2020** Jan 1-9, 2020* Mar 23-Apr 2 Jan 12-20* Apr 2-13** Jan 20-30 Dec 10-18* Jan 30-Feb 10** Dec 20-28* Feb 10-20 Mar 2-12 * 9-day Whale Shark Swim itinerary ** 12-day Gray Whale itinerary TRIP COST FALL 2019 / SPRING 2020 From $5750, depending on itinerary TRIP LEVEL 1 2 3 4 5 6 Nature walks, swimming, snorkeling, sea kayaking, whale watching excursions by panga Dec 30, 2020-Jan 7, 2021*

vessel” that brings you deep into Baja’s extraordinary web of marine and terrestrial ecosystems. Sea kayak in clear waters, snorkel with sea lions, and track whales in the Blue Triangle, home to wintering blue whales. One departure will have you swimming with massive whale sharks, the largest fish in the sea; the other two explore the Sea of Cortez and whale-watching

“Everything was wonderful, but OMG, I did not expect to have 4-star dining at every meal. This made the trip over-the-top excellent.” Susan S., Chicago IL

lagoons for amazing eye-to-eye encounters with gray whales. After each adventure, you are welcomed back to the ship for sea-to-table cuisine prepared by the on-board chef! Days 1-3 La Paz / Bahía Magdalena (11-day La Paz to Loreto Gray Whale itinerary) From La Paz, head to Bahía Magdalena, the protected coastal lagoon where gray whales spend the winter

FOR MORE DETAILS ON OUR LATIN AMERICA TRIPS, VISIT WILDERNESSTRAVEL.COM/TRIPS/LATIN-AMERICA 120