The close encounters we had with the gray whale mothers and calves was a unique and thrilling experience. On all three boat trips to the lagoons we got to touch the baby whales multiple times. Also, our guide Carlos was excellent.

anyone who thinks whale watching is from a boat off the southern california coast doesn't know what they are missing.

This program had been on our "bucket list" for quite some time. We're glad we finally did it! It was everything we had hoped it would be.

This trip was something I dreamed of doing since I was a teenager. I have to admit that I really did not believe that we would actually get so close to whales that we could touch them. I was even more stunned and amazed that the whales appeared to approach us, and some really seemed to be as enamored with being close to humans as we were to them. Why else would a mama stay with our boat for over an hour with a new baby and let us touch them? And truly the whale watching was the icing on the cake for the entire trip. Our guides seemed to know when we were getting tired of the bus ride and would have a desert walk or something planned. Both Karla and Miriam were wonderful guides, knowledgeable of the flora and fauna of trip and able to continually update us on the history of the Baja. The food was wonderful, the hotels were excellent and the margaritas were to die for! There was not one thing on this trip that was not excellent. Thank you Road Scholar. I'm hooked!

It was an amazing experience. Karla and Carlos were the best guides ever...so knowledgeable and compassionate. I'll never forget this. Touching the whales has touched my heart forever.

Wonderful adventure that allowed me to touch two whales! It is a memory to treasure forever. Excellent food, informative and caring guides, beautiful scenery, and fellow travelers who were both fun and adventuresome.

I never thought I would be able to touch a whale. I never thought I would spend an afternoon watching dozens and dozens of whales breeching, spouting, breeding, and just being social. This trip had it all. Plus we were able to learn about history and culture of the Baja Mexican people, the geography, geology, flora and fauna of the regions of Baja. The guides were great, the food wonderful and we would do it again in a heartbeat.

Great combination of desert flora, water birds, and water mammals with the most incredible guides, delicious food, fascinating sociology. Would highly recommend Karla and Carlos from Andiamo as your guides. Great Trip. Amazing Trip.

This was one of the best trips I have ever had in my whole life. I am jealous of others who will be going again.

This was an awesome experience. Seeing those gray whales up close and personal is beyond words. 3 days of successful whale encounters were beyond belief. How lucky for us that the whales arrived early, and there were 1000 whales reported in the lagoons. Our accommodations were clean, and spacious - take the instructions about warm pajamas ..... the heaters gave off warmth....not HEAT....but not unbearable. Long days of bus travel require reading material, but Karla and Mirriam kept us busy and informed with talks about Mexican culture, videos and lots of warm service from the bus kitchen. Food was wonderful...for those worried about spicey Mexican food....not so...Plenty of bottled water to keep us hydrated.
Anyone want to go again???? I'd go in a minute!

This is an amazing trip. Very organized and lots of information about the Baja culture, and the whale watching was unbelievable. My first Road Scholar trip and I am VERY IMPRESSED.

A wonderful trip - beautifully orchestrated by our leaders! A close-up view of the wonders of nature - in the desert or on the water! The whales were amazing - sometimes our boat would be surrounded by whales, and other times the mothers & babies wanted attention, coming up to our boat to be touched - the baby often holding its head above the water for a better look at we humans!

I thought I understood how exciting it would be to pet the whales in their wild-lagoon nursery, but the emotional impact was deep and abiding. Travelling through the Vizcaino Desert of Baja Califoria was almost equally fascinating. Both our leaders, Isabel and Eva, were outstanding. They made the long days of bus travel well worthwhile.

This was an outstanding program in all facets. The leaders Isabel and Eva were fantastic, and made the trip educational, interesting and great fun! The whale watching exceeded all my expectations. The accommodations were attractive and comfortable, and the meals were wonderful. I enjoyed the lectures and side trips, and I especially appreciated learning more about the history and culture of this part of Mexico from leaders who have a unique bicultural perspective on Mexico and America. I highly recommend this trip.

What a fabulous program and experience. We had 3 very successful days of whale-watching with close contacts and LOTS of whales each day. Unforgettable! While the program included many bus miles they were through wonderful desert scenery, and we had frequent stops & breaks. We love good food experiences, and there were plenty on this trip, especially all the fresh seafood. I can't praise our leaders, Isabel & Eva, enough. They were excellent in all respects. I would strongly recommend this trip to anyone who loves the desert, Baja California, and natural history.

The description of this program does not do it justice. I highly recommend it. The feelings of petting whales cannot be described. Plus Karla educated us about Mexico - history, culture, conservation, food. Viva Mexico!

This is one of the best international programs we've taken with RS. Whale observation/petting was awesome, exceptional guiding by Karla, cave paintings/Sonoran desert/shorebirds/Scripps were all a bonus. Food/accomodations very good. Efficient itinerary with little wasted time. I could repeat the same adventure tomorrow. Bob & Nicolynn from Cortez, Co

My husband and I signed up for this program in hopes of seeing at least several gray whales, learning about Baja, and enjoying fellow participants.
Thanks to our excellent trip leader, Karla, and her fabulous assistant, Miriam, the 23 of us in our group were taken to the right lagoons at the right times and saw hundreds of gray whales! What a thrill to have them swimming and spy-hopping all around us! On our third boat ride, one whale rubbed up against our boat and let 3 people in our boat touch her. When she rolled backward a little to expose more of her belly I swear she smiled at us!
Our accommodations, lectures, hikes, meals, fellow travelers, bus rides--everything was super. The desert landscape is beautiful. Who knew that Boojum Trees are so appealing? I highly recommend this trip to you!