Whales and WildlifeOver 140 million years ago the Baja peninsula began to move slowly away from the mainland, forming the Sea of Cortés - the planet's newest sea. On this journey, we'll explore this region, where more than 900 species of fish, one-third of the world's species of whales and dolphins, hundreds of varieties of birds and thousands of species of marine animals flourish. Let our beautiful small ship take you to breathtaking destinations and unforgettable experiences. Join Special Guest Lecturers Dr. Jay Parini on January 2, 2010 departure and Rich Kirchner on February 13, 20, 27, and March 6, 2010 departures. Cruise OnlyDay
01 | Arrive in Cabo San Lucas
Transfer from Los Cabos Airport to your ship at Cabo's inner harbor. Begin your Sea of Cortés cruise at sunset, to enjoy evening scenery and cruising. D | Day
02 | Isla Espiritú Santo
This 23,383-acre island near La Paz is centered in one of the most biologically diverse marine areas in the world and is a major environmental success story. Several plants and animals are found nowhere else in the world, including the blacktailed jack rabbit and antelope squirrel.
John Steinbeck and Ed Ricketts, who jointly wrote “Sea of Cortez” and “The Log of the Sea of Cortez” explored this island’s tide pools at two places, a sandy stretch at the south end of the island and a coral-head environment at Bahía San Gabriel. Take a guided walk among the tangle of exotic cacti, or swim, snorkel, and kayak the crystal clear sea here that supports 900 species of fish. No need to bring snorkel gear or wetsuits as gear will be provided to you. BLD | Day
03 | Whale Watching
This whole day is spent pursuing up-close viewing of marine life. The Sea of Cortés is home to huge schools of common and bottle-nosed dolphins, as well as humpback, minke, fin, and blue whales. In the shallow lagoons of Baja’s Pacific shore, hundreds of gray whales annually congregate to calf – most reliably from mid-January to mid-March. When our local contacts tell us the whales are present, we'll cross the peninsula by motorcoach to the Pacific side. There board an outboard-equipped panga to observe the grays, who have migrated some 6,000 miles from Alaska's Bering Sea to mate, give birth, and rear their young. When whales are not present in Bahía Magdalena, we will use our maneuverable small ship to search for whales and other marine life in the Sea of Cortés. BLD | Day
04 | Island Exploration
Guided by the weather and tides, visit one of the beautiful and special islands of the Sea of Cortés on a day full of island exploration and nature appreciation. Isla Coronado’s volcanic cone rises above the horizon. There will be time to kayak, hike, beachcomb, snorkel, swim or relax on the beach. Isla San Francisco and Isla San José offer excellent snorkeling and kayaking opportunities – wind permitting. And look for dolphins in the cove. BLD | Day
05 | Loreto
Founded in 1697, Loreto's Nuestra Señora de Loreto Mission was the original "mother" church from which all the other California missions were founded along El Camino Real, eventually leading as far north as Sonoma, California. A museum adjacent to the mission displays artifacts and paintings from Baja's colonial era. Stroll the streets and plazas of this picturesque seaside village, capped by a wine and cheese reception in a lovely downtown courtyard featuring homemade cheeses, local fruits and wines and a talented local singer to entertain you.
Optional Shore Excursions (may be reserved once onboard the ship):
Ceviche by the Sea - Learn Mexican culinary techniques and savor the results immediately! This opportunity takes place at Loreto's El Canipole restaurant, surrounded by Mexicana decor. Learn to shape a personal tortilla - round, oval, or triangular as you please - then bake it on a traditional comac. Mix ceviche (seafood "cooked" by marinating in lime juice) and savor a host of other Mexican specialties as well, including chicharrones en salse verde, refried beans, pico de gallo salsa and guacamole. Your choice of soda, Mexican beer or a margarita is also included in this lunchtime option.
San Javier Tour - Nestled in a valley high in the Sierra de la Giganta mountains, the mission village of San Javier is one of Baja's secret treasures. You drive by air-conditioned van on largely gravel roads along one of Baja's most scenic interior drives, an original stretch of the old Camino Real. Stop in Las Parras, a natural oasis, to learn about desert agriculture and irrigation. You will also visit Los Cuevos Pintos to see some original Baja rock art paintings. Visit the village of thatched roof, stone and adobe houses surrounding Baja California's best preserved Jesuit Mission Church, Mission San Francisco Xavier de Vigge-Bloundo.
Originally founded in 1699, the current mission building was completed in 1758, and shelters centuries-old bells, statuary and splendid gilded retablos. The original mission fathers brought irrigation and orchards to the valley. Many of the varieties of grapes, olives, figs, oranges and lemons now grown throughout California are descended from Padre Juan de Ugarte's original plantings here at San Javier. You will take a nature walk along a dry riverbed, and learn about harvesting fruit in an oasis. A homestyle Mexican lunch is included at a local restaurant. Snacks and water will be provided in the van. BLD | Day
06 | Los Islotes & Isla Partida
Los Islotes is a steep seamount punctured by sea caves. Blue-footed boobies reside on the cliffs, and a large colony of California sea lions haul out on the rocks below. Weather permitting, swim and snorkel as the female sea lions and their curious young pups float about you in the sea. Continue to Isla Partida nearby, to hike the island's rugged canyons, kayak up-close to rock-walled headlands, or just relax on the beach. In the sheltered cove of Ensenada Grande, where the silky sandy bottom shelves out very gradually for hundreds of feet, gentle waves lap onto the mangrove-backed beach. BLD | Day
07 | La Paz
Today, your ship ties up at the central waterfront of Baja California Sur's capital and largest city, which was founded in the 1530s. Explore the shops, gelaterías , and the miles-long waterfront malecón or promenade. A host of options will be available and you will have the opportunity to enjoy an exclusive fiesta, complete with Mexican music, and dancers. Later, depart La Paz to sail overnight to Cabo San Lucas. BLD | Day
08 | Disembark In Cabo San Lucas
After breakfast, disembark and transfer to the Los Cabos Airport. B |
B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner Cruise + Copper CanyonDay
01 | Arrive In Cabo San Lucas
Transfer from Los Cabos Airport to your ship at Cabo's inner harbor. Begin your Sea of Cortés cruise at sunset, to enjoy evening scenery and cruising. D | Day
02 | Isla Espiritú Santo
This 23,383-acre island near La Paz is centered in one of the most biologically diverse marine areas in the world and is a major environmental success story. Several plants and animals are found nowhere else in the world, including the blacktailed jack rabbit and antelope squirrel.
John Steinbeck and Ed Ricketts, who jointly wrote "Sea of Cortez" And "The Log of the Sea of Cortez," explored this island's tide pools at two places, a sandy stretch at the south end of the island and a coral-head environment at Bahía San Gabriel.
Take a guided walk among the tangle of exotic cacti, or swim, snorkel, and kayak the crystal clear sea here that supports 900 species of fish. No need to bring snorkel gear or wetsuits as gear will be provided to you. BLD | Day
03 | Whale Watching
This whole day is spent pursuing up-close viewing of marine life. The Sea of Cortés is home to huge schools of common and bottle-nosed dolphins, as well as humpback, minke, fin, and blue whales. In the shallow lagoons of Baja's Pacific shore, hundreds of gray whales annually congregate to calf - most reliably from mid-January to mid-March. When our local contacts tell us the whales are present, we'll cross the peninsula by motorcoach to the Pacific side. There board an outboard-equipped panga to observe the grays, who have migrated some 6,000 miles from Alaska's Bering Sea to mate, give birth, and rear their young. When whales are not present in Bahía Magdalena, we will use our maneuverable small ship to search for whales and other marine life in the Sea of Cortés. BLD | Day
04 | Island Exploration
Guided by the weather and tides, visit one of the beautiful and special islands of the Sea of Cortés on a day full of island exploration and nature appreciation. Isla Coronado's volcanic cone rises above the horizon. There will be time to kayak, hike, beachcomb, snorkel, swim or relax on the beach. Isla San Francisco and Isla San José offer excellent snorkeling and kayaking opportunities - wind permitting. And look for dolphins in the cove. BLD | Day
05 | Loreto
Founded in 1697, Loreto's Nuestra Señora de Loreto Mission was the original "mother" church from which all the other California missions were founded, eventually leading as far north as Sonoma, California. A museum adjacent to the mission displays artifacts and paintings from Baja's colonial era. Stroll the streets and plazas of this picturesque seaside village, capped by a reception with musical entertainment and traditional dancing at the mission.
Optional Shore Excursions (may be reserved once onboard the ship):
Ceviche by the Sea - Learn Mexican culinary techniques and savor the results immediately! This opportunity takes place at Loreto's El Canipole restaurant, surrounded by Mexicana decor. Learn to shape a personal tortilla - round, oval, or triangular as you please - then bake it on a traditional comac. Mix ceviche (seafood "cooked" by marinating in lime juice) and savor a host of other Mexican specialties as well, including chicharrones en salse verde, refried beans, pico de gallo salsa and guacamole. Your choice of soda, Mexican beer or a margarita is also included in this lunchtime option.
San Javier Tour - Nestled in a valley high in the Sierra de la Giganta mountains, the mission village of San Javier is one of Baja's secret treasures. You drive by air-conditioned van on largely gravel roads along one of Baja's most scenic interior drives, an original stretch of the old Camino Real. Stop in Las Parras, a natural oasis, to learn about desert agriculture and irrigation. You will also visit Los Cuevos Pintos to see some original Baja rock art paintings. Visit the village of thatched roof, stone and adobe houses surrounding Baja California's best preserved Jesuit Mission Church, Mission San Francisco Xavier de Vigge-Bloundo.
Originally founded in 1699, the current mission building was completed in 1758, and shelters centuries-old bells, statuary and splendid gilded retablos. The original mission fathers brought irrigation and orchards to the valley. Many of the varieties of grapes, olives, figs, oranges and lemons now grown throughout California are descended from Padre Juan de Ugarte's original plantings here at San Javier. You will take a nature walk along a dry riverbed, and learn about harvesting fruit in an oasis. A homestyle Mexican lunch is included at a local restaurant. Snacks and water will be provided in the van. BLD
| Day
06 | Los Islotes & Isla Partida
Los Islotes is a steep seamount punctured by sea caves. Blue-footed boobies reside on the cliffs, and a large colony of California sea lions haul out on the rocks below. Weather permitting, swim and snorkel as the female sea lions and their curious young pups float about you in the sea. Continue to Isla Partida nearby, to hike the island's rugged canyons, kayak up-close to rock-walled headlands, or just relax on the beach. In the sheltered cove of Ensenada Grande, where the silky, sandy bottom shelves out very gradually for hundreds of feet, gentle waves lap onto the mangrove-backed beach. BLD | Day
07 | La Paz
Today, your ship ties up at the central waterfront of Baja California Sur's capital and largest city, which was founded in the 1530s. Explore the shops, gelaterías, and the miles-long waterfront malecón or promenade. A host of options will be available and you will have the opportunity to enjoy an exclusive fiesta, complete with lunch, Mexican music, and dancers at Hotel Perla.
After the fiesta, transfer to your included ferry ride in Pichilingua to Topolobampo (call us for additional details). Guests will be provided a day room with private bathroom for the six hour ferry ride. Take a short transfer and overnight in Los Mochis. BLD | Day
08 | Los Mochis To El Fuerte Transfer
Today you will have some free time in Los Mochis before meeting your guide in the hotel lobby and departing for El Fuerte. On your way to El Fuerte stop at the Maya Indian village of Tehueco for a traditional dance performance. Travel to the Posada del Hidalgo in El Fuerte. Founded in 1564, El Fuerte for many years was a frontier outpost where expeditions to California and New Mexico began.
You will visit the colonial-era City Hall, the town's oldest church, and the Main Plaza on a leisurely walking tour. BLD | Day
09 | Copper Canyon (Sierra Tarahumara) By Rail
Transfer to the Chihuahua-al-Pacifico Railroad to begin the ascent into the Sierra Madres, traveling east through farmland and foothills. The Sierra Tarahumara is a maze of 200 gorges combining to form six interconnecting canyons. You will rise over 8,000 feet, crossing deep ravines and passing through more than 68 tunnels. Upon arrival at Divisadero, transfer to your hotel, situated near the rim of the canyon. BLD | Day
10 | Copper Canyon
After breakfast travel by motorcoach to Cusarare to visit the Jesuit Mission and the new museum featuring recently restored 16th, 17th, and 18th century paintings collected by the Jesuit missionaries.
While there, stop next door at the Tarahumara boarding school for a chance to interact with the children. After lunch in Creel, you will have the opportunity to wander around the small rustic town and enjoy the unique rock formations that surround the area. Overnight at a hotel near the rim of the canyon. BLD | Day
11 | Motorcoach To Chihuahua
Descend from the mountains by motorcoach on your way to Chihuahua, the capital city of the State of Chihuahua. Along the way, stop for lunch. Continue on to Chihuahua and visit the Museum of the Revolution, formerly the home of Chihuahua's most famous citizen, Pancho Villa. Don't miss the cathedral the organ was brought from Germany with sculptures originating from Italy. Tonight, celebrate your explorations with a farewell dinner. BLD | Day
12 | Transfer to Chihuahua
Transfer to the Chihuahua airport for your trip home. B |
B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner |
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