Wilderness Travel 2021 Cultural Cruises Brochure

Baja: Exploring the Sea of Cortez ABOARD THE WESTWARD

S e a o f C o r t e z

El Vizcaino N.P.

San Ignacio

MEXICO

Laguna San Ignacio

“Blue Triangle” Parque Nacional Bahia de Loreto

DAYS 1-3 LA PAZ / BAHÍA MAGDALENA (11-day La Paz to Loreto Gray Whale itine rary) Head to Bahía Magdalena, a protected coastal lagoon where gray whales spend the winter courting, birthing, and rearing their young. From a 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 experience 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 enchanting Isla Espíritu Santo, an idyllic island of deserted white-sand beaches and secluded coves. Keeping an eye out for pods of dolphins, you’ll glide by sea kayak amid the mangroves and snorkel among sea lions in this pristine environment. In the evenings, dine on the chef ’s top-notch culinary creations and gaze upon star-filled skies. DAYS 6-11 SEA OF CORTEZ / BLUE TRIANGLE Cruising north, your days are

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 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 wintering blue whales in the Blue Triangle. One itinerary will have you swimming with massive whale sharks, the largest fish in the sea; the other two will also explore the Sea of Cortez and whale-watching 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.

Loreto

PACIFIC OCEAN

BAJA CALIFORNIA

Isla San José

Isla San Francisco

Isla Espiritu Santo

Bahia Magdalena

La Paz

100 mi

100 km

San José del Cabo

filled with snorkeling above reefs teeming with fish, watching schools of mobula rays or dolphins leaping above the water’s surface, walking the ridge lines and palm-lined arroyos of isolated islands, or paddling kayaks in quiet coves, an ideal way to view wildlife. In the Blue Triangle, watch for breaching blue, sperm, and humpback whales. Depart from Loreto on Day 11. 9- and 12-day itineraries also available.

DATES Multiple departures Dec-Mar

TRIP COST From $5,750

Price is per person and depends on departure and itinerary length

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