Mexico: The Great Gray Whale Migration and Baja’s Natural Wonders

This was a really good trip, despite having two of the whale watching events cancelled due to weather. For some reason, I did not receive the last pre-trip mailing which included name tag, ect. And yes, you do have my correct mailing address--it must include PO Box 104. Thanks

This program was even better than expected! My husband and I were excited to share our experience "Mexico; The Great Gray Whale Migration and Baja's Natural Wonders" with our granddaughter, who is pursuing college degrees in Ecology and Marine Biology. The desert was vibrant in a superbloom, and the native flora was amazing. We had two days of incredible interaction with the whales, skipping a third excursion due to inclement weather. Although not as anticipated as whale watching, the substitute trek to a pictograph site was still wonderful. Sampling the local cuisine was a treat, and the included meals were delicious.Our group of 24 people was divided as needed to enhance individual attention, and every attendee was a positive part of the experience. Our group leader, Artemio, was very knowledgeable and engaging; as was his assistant Mirriam. TEN stars!

Sue and I (Chuck) had a truly great time, we have already talked of a second outing with RoadScholar, and have recommended the whale trip to my son and his wife, he has placed a trip on his bucket list. He was very excited with the trip we had and will definitely be signing up for one. We both wish to thank our host, and hostess and our great bus driver, our words about them at our dinner were sincere and heartfelt.

I loved this trip! Our encounters with the whales were experiences that I will never forget. We were fortunate to have three outings where the weather cooperated and the whales were abundant, and I was able to touch whales on all three outings. In addition to the whale outings, we had several short hikes into the beautiful Baja desert, and we had local cultural events some evenings. The food was excellent and the accommodations were adequate considering that we were in such a remote part of the world. The only downside was the long bus rides on roads that are not very good, but our leader, Anilu, kept us entertained and the bus was comfortable.

This is a sit back & relax, enjoy the scenery & activities & get to know others in your group trip. This is not a luxurious getaway to hoity resorts & delicacies, nor is it a trip to spend hours & pesos shopping. The trip is very worth taking for these reasons: the scenery can be surprising & spectacular, the whales interactive or at least nearby, accommodations clean & welcoming & the meals plentiful & tasty. From what we experienced, we were shown the best the area had to offer, by the most engaging team we could have imagined.

A great program and interesting introduction to Baja California and Baja Sur and wonderful introduction to Whales

This was a well organize delightful trip. Anilu is the exceptional energetic wonderful guide. I intend to travel with her again.

Whale watching from a panga boat presents a personally up close and personal interaction with whales that you will never get on a larger boat or from shore. Definitely engaging in a personal and humane way.

Excellent program, a bargain financially, wonderful guide and activities, BUT... some luck involved with the whales getting the memo about showing up in the lagoons (we were incredibly lucky the first day), and of course weather can be a big factor (we were incredibly lucky the entire eight days).

The Great Whale Migration program is fantastic. You not only see the whales in their natural settings, but also highly probable that you will get to touch them as well. The whales are very friendly and the boat captains make a great effort to give you a lifelong memory. The lagoons are in a remote area and travel is long by bus. However, you get to hike and explore the beautiful desert along the way. A great combination.

WHALES, WHALES, WHALES! I went to see the whales and they did not disappoint me or my fellow travelers! Not only did we see them, they come up to our boat for a rub! One mama brought her baby for us to see! Fabulous!!

Reaching out and safely touching the whales was an incredible, thrilling, almost indescribable experience. The desert walks and other program activities were also very enjoyable. Anilu, assisted by Iskra, skillfully led our group with enthusiasm and a deep knowledge of Baja California. Even the long bus rides were rewarding, the food was delicious, and the accommodations were fine.

Great Gay Whale Migration program was amazing! Artemio, our tour group leader was fantastic, he had so much knowledge of Mexico and the Gray Whales. He made sure everything about the program was perfect! Getting to go out and touch gray whales 3 days in a row is something I will always treasure! Very amazing program!!!!

The Great Gray Whale Migration and Baja's Natural Wonders We really loved it all--the desert's diversity, the cactus "forests", flowers, the whales, the hotels, food, the travelers, the beach at San Quintin (2 days next time!!), the lagoon, the dunes, our fearless leader, Artemi and able Anilu...all of it. It features access to Baja Peninsula without our driving it! Whales, desert, excellent leader (Artemio) and assistant (Anilu), careful trip planning, great accommodations and food, camaraderie among like-minded travelers, diversions and activities on long bus route (frequent stops, stories and interpretation), efficient loading and unloading of luggage, timely schedule-keeping, expedited border crossing very much appreciated, multiple and successful chances to see the gray whales.

5 stars!! This magical journey through the beautiful landscape of Baja California did not disappoint! All along the way, our expert group leader Cristina educated us about the people of Mexico as well as the flora and fauna. We learned so much! Of course, the focus of the trip was the gray whales who were wintering in the lagoons. We had three excursions to visit these incredible creatures, and it felt like they embraced us and connected with us. Many of us on the boats were able to touch the whales as they came up to our boats. It was a life-changing experience! The authentic Mexican food was wonderful, and seeing the Pacific coast from the Baja Peninsula was another highlight of the trip. An outstanding adventure!

It was the adventure of a lifetime! I learned so much and was able to get up close and personal with the whales as well as desert scenery and historical sites.

Being with the Gray Whales was a spiritual experience. Touching and caressing “my” whale and looking into her eyes was a life changing experience. I will never forget the bond. We are attached with these beautiful, trusting animals, heart to heart, soul to soul.

I have personally driven the Baja from Seattle to the southern tip of Baja many times over several decades. Thus I feel qualified to share with others that have NOT"done the Baja" that RS did an excellent version of that journey with good educational background lecturres and the physical opportunity to walk the desert and pet the whales and kiss one if the whale decides to enjoy your affections! The best of hotels available for authentic Mexican hospitality were always used. Maria and Anilu were great speakers on a myriad of subjects.

This is the best whaling trip we have ever experienced. We spent parts of three days with gray whales in the lagoons where they breed and give birth. Learning about these magnificent creatures and experiencing them up close, even touching them, is not to be forgotten. Besides the whales, we want to give kudus to our trip leaders, Anilu and Maria. Anilu's enthusiasm for her native Mexico and its culture and history added another dimension to our learning. We also appreciated Maria's knowledge of Baja's plant life. Besides their technical knowledge, we want to compliment them for caring for all of us with timely hydration and "technical" stops. This was our seventh Road Scholar trip and exceeded our expectations. We already have the catalog out and trying to decide where we are going next.

This trip had been on my Wishlist for several years. It was also recommended by other Road Scholars who had done it. I'm so glad I finally moved it to the top and went. The Gray Whales were impressive to see and how wonderful to be able to touch them. The group leaders were outstanding and provided more information than I will be able to remember. Though the bus rides were long we stopped and took walks in the desert to break up the trip. Our group of participants got along splendidly and we enjoyed our time together. If you have a love of whales I highly recommend this trip.

The Whale watching excursion in Baja Mexico was magical. We had a terrific tour guide and we were lucky enough that we got to touch the whales! They were gentle giants. The trek to the lagoons was long but worth it!

This trip with Isabel Sanchez was amazing! Isabel is so knowledgeable and kept us entertained and informed for hours. Yes, there is a lot of bus time, but traveling over 2000 miles and seeing the desert and the local stops are worth every hour of bus time. And getting to see gray whales up close is simply indescribable. I don't have enough superlatives to adequately describe Mexico and the Gray Whales. Go! See for yourself what a life changing experience this is.

Trip of a lifetime! The whales are amazing, of course, but the journey down Baja and exposure to the culture and people in this remote peninsula was worth the trip. All the local Mexicans were polite and friendly, and genuinely happy to meet us American tourists. RS gives you many opportunities to meet the locals, but many speak no English so it helps to know a few phrases, or communicate through smiles. I felt completely comfortable and safe during the trip. The hotels were attractive, neat and clean. The floors are Mexican-style tile, so bring slippers if your toes get cold. Two hotels were on beautiful beaches, others in gorgeous desert settings. There is lots of bus riding, but the roads are generally well-paved and traffic is light. Bus is clean and comfortable, with plenty of seating to spread out, and a bathroom (though we made frequent stops). There are some security checkpoints which we went through with no problems. The bus did have to slow down for wild burros once though! The desert is beautiful, with boojum trees and exotic cactus. The only semi-strenuous walk is to the cave paintings in Catavina, but you can opt out if you like. For the possible ‘wet landing’ of the boats in San Ignacio, RS suggests bringing ‘water shoes’, but basically any strap-on walking sandals that you can get wet are fine. Bring a light, waterproof jacket (for whale spray!), a daypack for the boat, and layer your clothes to be ready for hot or cold. Food was varied and yummy. RS provides purified water everywhere, so bring a reusable water bottle for yourself. But even though a few people accidentally brushed their teeth with hotel water, no one got sick. I found that small US bills ($1 and $5) were handy to have along for tips and incidentals. Highly recommended!

I booked this trip because I have always wanted to see whales. The grey whales were so friendly, coming right up to our boat for touches and patting. It was an experience of a lifetime. That side of Mexico was very disheartening, trash everywhere, even in the remote desert. It was a bit frightening to have to go through so many military check points with military coming on our bus twice. The remoteness was something that should be considered while traveling with an older group. There was a man in our group that had a heart attack the last night of the trip. He fell on the floor and CPR was administered. No working defibrillator was available. He would have died if a miracle had not happened. A young man, staying at the inn, was passing by and saw the dying man. This man had started a non profit organization raising money for defibrillators for the Baja area because of a friend that died because no defibrillator was available. This man just happened to have a defibrillator with him. It took shocking the dying man twice before his heart started beating again. It took over an hour and a half for an ambulance to arrive. He was take to a hospital in Ensenada and stabilized then transported over the border to San Diego. He passed away three days later. Taking this into consideration, and the older people that take these trips, I am recommending that RS carry defibrillators on buses, especially in remote areas and have their staff trained in using them. That day is something that is burned in my memory and will not be forgotten anytime soon, the happiness of spending time with the whales and the sadness of what happened to our travel companion.

I could not have imagined such a wonderful experience with the whales!

This was an excellent program with amazing learning opportunities. Not only with hands-on activities but also lectures and learning along the way. There's a lot of driving time but even during that time there is information to learn and sights to see. I would take this adventure again!

Want to get up close and personal with a mammal the size of a bus??? This is your chance!

Being able to touch whales three days in a row was an awesome experience!

Mexico: The Great Gray Whale Migration and Baja’s Natural Wonders was an amazing trip that surpassed my expectations. We had amazing whale encounters, connected with Mexican culture, hiked in the beauty of the desert, and were generously cared for by our leaders.

Excellent trip-would recommend.

Visiting the California Gray Whales is AWESOME! Animals the size of a Winnebago come right up to the small boats to take a look at us. They are like the Golden Retrievers of Whales, curious about everything and friendly to everyone.

The whales were and are THE most magnificent creatures on this planet. Our guides Luka and Anna were so friendly, knowledgeable and fun-loving that they made the very long bus trips fun and truly a learning adventure on wheels. There were a few not so wonderful things along the way, but Manuel, our driver, made sure we were safe and always arrived wherever we were going in time to see the sunset. My advice to seasoned travelers and newbies: Leave your preconceived expectations of what you think you will find (hotel accommodations, food, fellow travelers) at home and just have fun. OH, ONE MORE PIECE OF ADVICE---we all want to bring home memories of the trip--- ENJOY THE MOMENT LIVING the adventure in the here and now and NOT BEHIND THE LENS OF THE CAMERA OR Iphone--- Fun travels and have fun learning!!!! I for one plan to book another adventure as soon as I am done writing this review.

The beauty of the Baja Peninsula must be seen & experienced in person. The program provider, Andiamo did an excellent job of providing organized, knowledgeable, & experienced guides who were also very kind and enjoyable to travel with.

A++++ If you love whales, you need to go on this adventure to a place where you see Gray Whales so close to your boat that you can reach out and touch them! They are truly gentle giants who are playful and are as curious about us as we are about them. My group was led by an experienced Oceanologist with lots of information to share about the whales and the area where they are found. We also hiked a little in the Sonoran desert, ate lots of great food, and learned about the Mexican Culture.

We learned so much about whales, Mexico and its history and people. And the experiences with the whales were breathtaking, all we'd hoped for.

This trip was unforgettable! The guides and other participants made it a wonderful experience. Can't wait to go on more adventures with Road Scholar!

This tour has a lot of riding- be prepared for that! But all that you see, learn, and experience makes it so worth it! It is broken up with stops to help you get moving and to allow you to learn about the beautiful desert! And THE WHALES!!! So many! The guides, Sofia, Miriam, and Roberto were excellent- the very best I've EVER had- ad were like family! I learned so much from them! This was an awesome trip!

This was a wonderful experience and I heartily recommend it. Artemio Sicilia was an excellent and well-informed leader. The desert walks were very interesting. The whale experiences were absolutely amazing. On our third whale watch a mother and baby stayed between our two boats for 1 1/2 hours. The mother seemed to encourage us to pet her baby. It was the experience of a lifetime.

Great trip, enjoyed every minute of it!

A remarkable experience! Seeing the whales and interacting with them and watching and learning about them provided and very special opportunity. Our travel in the area as we moved toward the bays where the whales were provided a good overview of the Baja area. With the instruction from our group leaders I felt we were provided a good exposure to the area.

This was a well conducted and delightful trip. In order to reach the whale viewing region there were extended periods on the bus but the guides broke up the ride with regular stops for scenic regions or meals along the route. In addition, meals were well organized and quite tasty. No one on the trip was left hungry. Accommodations were made for dietary restrictions. There were three scheduled whale watching excursions. Unfortunately, the harbor master canceled one of the whale watching excursions due to high winds. When this occurred, the group leaders had a "plan B" available. The only real negative was one of the hotels which had issues with water pressure and black flies. However, it was THE only hotel in the area.

This may be my favorite all time trip . I enjoyed everything about it !! I loved seeing all the whales , and getting to pat one of the babies. We must have seen at least 50 in the two mornings that we were in St. Ignacio Lagoon. It was a fantastic experience . We were in a different place every night , but all of the beds were extremely comfortable. ( And when have you ever been able to say that ? ) I enjoyed seeing Mexico . One night every room had a view of the Pacific Ocean ! And another night walking on the sand on the ocean we had beautiful views . The guides were great, and being with the group was pleasant. I was surprised that so few places took credit cards . But I managed to buy enough !! The food was very healthy and wonderful !! I don't know when I have had such wonderful fish . All my trips will be Road Scholar trips from now on !!!!!

an outstanding program.

This is an extremely interesting, hands-on kind of program. Seeing the whales this close was an experience not to be missed! However, keep in mind that there are many hours spent on a bus. The Baja Peninsula is quite long. Bus rides are nicely broken up with interesting stops along the way but there's still a lot of sitting in buses on this trip. Also, we spent one night only in all but one hotel so that meant unpacking and repacking each day. This can be difficult for some people. Pack LIGHT!!

We really enjoyed seeing the variety of plant life and geography and size of the Baja peninsula as we drove down to the whale calving lagoons. And of course seeing the whales close up was amazing. The hotels were picturesque and comfortable and the food was good. Our leaders and driver were great. The trip does involve long times on the bus so be prepared for that, but had narration and even movies on the bus. Also be prepared to get up early, pack up and move every day and have very full days.

This trip is so well planned out. No detail was overlooked by our leaders. The trip leaders accommodated everyone's needs. The trip down the peninsula to the lagoons is long, but there is plenty to see and discover during the drive. The desert plant life was fascinating. The experience of having the whales swim up to the boats to be touched is so special and unique. It is good that there are three whale watching days. I highly recommend this program.

I signed up for this trip with the goal to see gray whales up-close, but I found out that the journey to see the whales was as memorable as being in the lagoons with the whales. Driving down the peninsula we saw fascinating desert plant life, learned about the history of Mexico, had cultural experiences, and met wonderful people. The encounters with the whales was everything I had imaged it would be. It is hard to describe the feeling when you first touch a wild whale. The trip is so carefully planned that no detail is overlooked. We felt safe during the entire time. This was a unique and memorable trip.

What a magical trip the "Great Gray Whale Migration and Baja’s Natural Wonders" 8 day program 3/9/23-3/16/23 was! The guides were incredibly skilled and knowledgeable, the activities were varied, fun and educational, the desert was amazing, and the easy to make new friends! Learning more about Mexico and the Baja California/Sur region broadened my perspective. The whales, of course, were the highlight! To see them play in their safe lagoons and interact with humans was indeed magical! To touch them was "off the charts"! Thanks so much to Road Scholar for a once in a lifetime experience! Debbie Meyers

If you love whales, this is a trip of a lifetime for you. The playfulness of the whales and the close interaction is indescribable. There is a great deal of respect for the whales, with very few boats allowed on the lagoon. Petting whales, being gently pushed around in your boat by them, feeling their spray on your face, seeing the baleen when they open their mouths, watching many breaches. It is all wonderful. I found the boats to be comfortable with cushions on the seats and was not cold at all. The rest of the journey is also very enjoyable, with beautiful mountains, desert walks and ocean front hotels in two locations. The bus rides were comfortable and broken up by several stops for walks, lunch or field trips. Food was delicious, with made to order meals with several choices. Hotels were small and charming. Bring warm socks, as the tile floors can be cold. I am SO happy to have had this amazing opportunity. Don’t hesitate to sign up for this unique and magical experience.

This trip fulfilled a 30-year dream of seeing friendly gray whales where they spend the winter in Mexico. Not only did we get to spend time with the whales, but the two-day trip to get to the lagoons and the two-day trip home was fun and educational too -- from desert walks to movies and whale origami on the bus. A great week with great people and fantastic wildlife viewing.

Not just seeing these magnificent whales but touching and interacting with them; an unforgettable experience not to be missed!

An awesome trip. The whales were AMAZING, but even without them it would have been a well-organized and fun trip. Luka and Elena (and Manuel) were great, the bus was comfortable, accommodations were nice, and everything was well planned and executed. Be aware that you will get wet from whale spray, so having a waterproof jacket is a good idea. Fun, fun, fun!

This was one of best trips ever! Some inconveniences, yes, but well worth them. And I've never seen hotel keys be given out so quickly and efficiently. We arrived in the lobbies and the keys were waiting.

The whale watching experience was amazing! We went out three days and each day's experience was different than the previous days. We saw breaching, mating and the whales were swimming so close to the boat that we were able to pet/stroke both adult and baby whales. We often had multiple whales around our boat. A trip of a lifetime!

Interacting with the gray whales in the Baja lagoons is a spiritual experience not to be missed!!

This whole trip was a hoot.couldn’t ask for a better group of folks to travel with. Luka was the perfect leader and i almost had a whale crawl In my lap. Who wouldn’t like a trip like this

This program changed my life! I am not exaggerating. Learning about the history & culture of Baja California enriched the program &, certainly being able to be so close to the magnificent Gray Whales was pure magic! This trip is for anyone who wishes to expand their horizons & experience an adventure that very few people in the world will ever know. Amazing!

Excellent and informative trip. The experience of seeing whales up close and being able to touch them is an indescribable and unforgettable experience.

A Fun and Educational trip.

First day - exceptional outing in which the Gray Whales came over to the boat, next day the Whales were there, but didn't come up to the boat, last day was cancelled due to bad weather. Overall - GREAT EXPERIENCE!!!!

This was an amazing program. We saw many whales and they were engaging in all sorts of whale behaviour (breaching, spy-hopping, courting, mating and coming right up to our boats). We also had wonderful desert walks and saw Pacific Ocean sunsets. Our leader and the whole RS team were outstanding.

First Road Scholar’s adventure. Guide and driver were superb. The journey was as, or more, satisfying than the destination. Fellow travelers were kind, thoughtful, and engaged. Not sure if this adventure was a rare or typical Road Scholars experience but I give it an A+.

This was a terrific trip with an outstanding leader. I want to let leadership know that I contracted COVID during the latter part of the trip, I am guessing that it was from the bus we used to cross the border back to the US. It was hot with almost no ventilation. I know of at least one other member of the trip who is positive for Corvid, symptoms appeared 4 days after crossing the border.

I'm at a loss for words to describe what it feels like to look into the eye of a whale that is 40 feet long, weighs 35 tons and is within aarm's reach of the boat. Trule spiritual and one I'll never forget. Bridget, Colorado

This trip was probably the best I've been on. Artemio, our leader was great, he opened our eyes to the beauty of the desert. We learned about Baja, its people and history. The whale watching was a dream come true. Our lunch in a private home in Ensenada was truly special.

A huge surprise! We were interested in the region and in seeing whales, but the actual experience was far better than we could have imagined. We're so glad we had the opportunity to interact with these creatures.

The long bus rides were more than worthwhile by the thrilling and magical interaction with the friendly grays which included a face to face encounter with a baby whale. The guide, Isabel has a zest for life and a pride of Baja.

Great trip, wonderful guides, everything i expected. and more!

Wow, getting to look into the eye of a whale was an incredible experience. Between the desert and the ocean, Baja has stunning scenery to enjoy along the way.

The dedicated leaders on this tour truly enhanced this experience.

If you are interested in the history and geology of Baja California and the possibility of seeing whales up close this is the trip for you. The Guide, Isabel, has an encyclopedic knowledge of the Baja and the people who live there and is great fun to hang out with. Not to meantion that she is a whale whisperer. If you travel with her, be on her boat. The bus driver, Enrique, was expert at driving those narrow often rough roads and getting us there on time. The last day on the lagoon, we had 4 full grown “friendly” whales taking turns bobbing up along side our boat. We could touch them and look into their eyes. Absolutely breathtaking. Accommodations are somewhat rustic and internet / cellular options may be limited but so much is going on you don’t need social media.

The bar is set very high! It was our first Road Scholar trip and we were extremely satisfied. Our guides, Jazmin & Miriam were a fabulous team who brought the diverse group together with humor, kindness and resourcefulness. Our bus driver, Armando, showed skill in tough driving conditions but was still there after each drive to assist and joke. The experiences with the whales brought tears of joy. Learning about Baja CA, it’s culture, food, history, botany etc was very interesting but the service and friendliness of our hosts wherever we went spoke volumes for the county. Saying goodbye was tough but these fellow travelers will remain in my heart, as will the thrill of being carried by the gray whales.

What an amazing experience. Jasmine and Miriam are each in their own right tremendous guides and did everything they could to make it the awesome experience it was. The itinerary was outstanding. The love and respect shown to the whales by the vendors and our guides topped it off. I would love to have Miriam and Jasmine as guides again. The food was authentic. The desert hikes were fantastic. Ten stars *************

This adventure was by far the very best I have experienced with Road Scholar! Our guide Artemio Sicillia was fantastic! We had a lot of bus travel time and distance down the Baja peninsula which could have been quite boring but it was not! The frequent stops with short hikes along with Artemio's local knowledge interest in the area made it fun. He was enjoying this trip as much as we were. The whale trips were beyond what I could have ever imagined! I was so glad we got to go out 3 days with 3 different whale watch groups to 3 different areas! I would highly recommend this trip!

What a fantastic trip all around. The whale encounters were nothing short of magical! Our entire group got along so well and enjoyed each others company immensely. We leaned from the trip and each other. The teaching and guidance of our leader Artemio was outstanding and just heightened an all ready wonderful experience.

Wonderful incredible trip to be that close to whales and touch them. I felt the whales were actually talking to us and saying why can't we get along with each other. These gentle giants could have done us harm but instead they got so close to us we could touch them. Seeing the expression on people faces when they got to touch a whale made it all worthwhile for me. I don't know what I looked like but it was an incredible experience.

There is nothing quite like getting up close and personal with Grey Whales -- which is exactly what you do on this trip. An experience of a lifetime.

If you want to be up close and personal with whales, this is the trip to take.

Seeing the whales right next to the boat and touching them is absolutely amazing. It's not an easy trip, getting in and out of Pangas and long bus rides but very well worth it!

The Gray Whales are magnificent and Baja is so diverse and beautiful. It was very nice to end the trip at the Las Rosa Hotel. Luka is a wonderful guide, very knowledgeable, and eager to share her love of the grey whales and the diverse Baja landscape. Armando was a great bus driver, friendly and helpful. Claudia was fun and great at providing treats and surprises. The various meals in Baja were good. Suggestions for improving the trip: I little free time would have been nice. Skip the chain restaurant Buca in San Diego, pick a local restaurant. It was confusing to know what to pack without taking too much. Suggesting a watch cap for the boat ride would have been good. My hoodie restricted my view. Communication with other travelers on the same trip: Wish I could have seen pictures and been able to easily interact with travelers that had been or were going to go on our particular trip the same season. Lots of pictures with the time of year would help with what to wear and what to take. I wish Road Scholar would have facilitated a central place for people from our trip to share videos and pictures of our trip. Not something limited to iPhones, etc. However, I greatly enjoyed the trip and would recommend it to others.

Take the tour - the gray whale experience is not to be missed!

This was truly a fascinating journey. Our guides, Artemio and Miriam, were both knowledgeable and enthusiastic and were very helpful and most willing to answer questions. The walks through the desert were beautiful and illuminating, and of course, the whale watching was the experience of a lifetime.

This was a terrific trip which lived up to expectations. As promised, we had close encounters with ‘friendly’ gray whales; witnessed spy-hopping, breaching, and mating behavior; and had opportunities for touching. But – one of our three whale excursions was canceled altogether – a HUGE DISAPPOINTMENT. I felt short-changed, as we had come a long way and were promised three whale-watching trips. Our two trip leaders were top-notch - as my wife and I have come to expect on RS programs. The two of them worked well together, and were attentive to our needs and well organized. Best of all, they made it their priority to get to know each of us. Kudos to Esther, Ishka, and Andiamo Travel! We are birders and had good birding at La Jolla Cove, the beach at our San Quintin hotel; and the bird sanctuary at Guerrero Negro. Each of the mission hotels had fountains in the courtyard – great places to spot hummingbirds. And the vermilion flycatchers at San Ignacio were eye-catchers. So - bring those bins! Even though it wasn’t a good year for desert wildflowers, the desert was pleasingly green and I thoroughly enjoyed our desert walks. The scenery near Catavina was spectacular as were the views from the front seat of the bus as we drove through the mountains. U.S. Dollars were accepted at the few places where we had the opportunity to make purchases. I enjoyed the mission-style hotels with their courtyards and fountains. Las Rosas Hotel, right on the beach in Ensenada (our final night) was elegant. The soups we had on several days were delicious. Otherwise the food was OK but not memorable. The sundowner margaritas were a nice touch. I’ll miss them. Salud! We sailed through our border crossing heading south in Mexico, but had to stand in line for 1 ½ hours to cross back into the U.S. That was pretty awful.

I have always been cautious about interactions with wild animals so as not to influence their behaviors negatively.I did some research before signing up for this trip. I have had many experiences with animals globally, but interacting so closely with these "gentle giant" gray whales was uniquely incredible. I also loved all I learned about the flora and fauna of the Mexican desert.

What an experience - being out in the water with the enormous grey whales, some so friendly they came up to the boat to visit. Unforgettable.

This is the experience of a lifetime, with learning in many different areas. A very pleasant place to visit.

This program was outstanding and Artemio was the most effective leader of the nine RS programs I have attended. Our incredible contact with the whales was unique and unforgettable, the desert we traveled through was fascinating and beautiful, and the program logistics were impeccable. WARNING: You will be spoiled for life as far as whale watching is concerned!

Take this trip - it's fantastic!

This Baja California Grey Whale experience was everything I had hoped it would be. The interaction one has with the whales was thrilling. The participants were squealing like children when they touched or scratched a whale. Travellers were delighted with each encounter and the photos prove it. If you love animal behavior while not imagining what you will see, take this trip. It is unforgettable.

You will definitely see whales! A LOT of them, and up very close! There is nowhere else on earth that you can get this experience. The Baja California desert regions are fascinating, and even for someone who knows deserts pretty well, there will be surprises and new species to enjoy. Having expert drivers take you along secondary roads for distances that you might not want to navigate for yourself was a clear advantage to this program.

Participating in the Gray Whale Migration adventure was an incredible experience !!!... To actually see (and touch) these magnificent creatures was a once in a lifetime experience !!..Definitely checked off some boxes on my personal "bucket list"..Celebrated my birthday on this trip...WOW...what a birthday present !!

I'll never forget being in a panga, a small fishing boat, so close to the water that when the whales came to visit, and they came in numbers that blew me away, I could pet them. I was amazed at the softness of their skin, and the number of barnacles clinging to that skin. What an experience!

Touching the whales makes the long drives all worth it. Of the eight days scheduled, one is touring San Diego, four on the bus driving there and back, and three with the whales. Of the three days scheduled for the whales, we had one fantastic day where the whales came right up to us, a second day where they were near but more stand-offish, and the third was cancelled due to high winds. This is not an active trip. You'll spend many hours on the bus or sitting in a boat. The guides do what they can to get us out walking, but don't count on much. Also, it will be cool, if not downright cold, especially if you are from SoCal or Florida. I'd limit what I pack to: water resistant/proof pants, warm pants to wear on the bus and to change into after the boat if you get wet (I didn't), a windbreaker, a warm jacket, and layers of shirts, sweatshirts, etc. One pair of comfortable, lite hikers and a pair of water sandals or watershoes. Don't bother with hiking poles. A hat and sunglasses that can be secured to your head. And warm pj's; the heaters in all of the rooms worked, but you never know. The food was good, but almost always not served hot. The group was asked to wear masks for the first three days and then we were free to ditch them if no one got sick. The Mexicans almost universally wore masks in public and most of us did when around them out of respect if not to protect ourselves. WIFI in all hotels somewhat spotty (dependent on how many other guests are staying there), but enough to email and access f/b. Don't count on streaming or downloading anything. Do that in advance to entertain yourself in the evening. TV in English is limited to one news station. Overall, I'd say this wasn't my favorite trip ever, but touching the whales has always intrigued me so I'm glad I did it.

The gray whale trip is awesome. Going to Baja, getting away from busy places, being in the desert, petting the whales and taking walks thru the cactus gardens are moments I won’t easily forget. We had upset stomachs toward the end of the trip but it seemed like it was an individual problem. There was no one meal or food that made everyone sick. I general, I loved the trip and our guide, Sofi.

Great trip. You will see whales. Sophia and Anilu were great.

I am so pleased with my first experience with Rhode Scholar.Groups were small.Seeing and touching whales from a small boat was well beyond what I expected.

Baja California, Mexico and the Great Gray Whale Migration is a wonderful program and should not be missed. Sophia and AnniLou were the best group leaders I've ever had on any other trip! The Whales were amazing!

This was an amazing experience. One whale spent an hour with our boat, spy hopping so close the boat driver hugged her. Beautiful mammals, so gentle. As interested in us as we were with them.

The whale watching trip in Baja California was amazing a once in a lifetime experience. Not to miss. I highly recommend it!

The road "less traveled" provided far more than was expected...as many from the USA opt for the tourist destinations of Cancun or Cabo San Lucas(to name a couple), our educated and inquisitive group sought the thrill of these gentle giants, an unequalled geography lesson, and the never ending excitement of new friends and travel partners.

A fantastic opportunity to experience a true wonder of nature and to meet like minded people sharing our natural world.

The whales greeted us in high fashion and let us "play" with them. Learning about the culture and environment of Baja was wonderful. We ate great food and participated in lots of hands on activities. Making tortillas from scratch!

Fantastic program. Whales, Whales, Whales!!! The bus rides were unavoidably long, but worth it to get to see the whales. Our guide Sofia and her assistant Anilu kept us educated and amused. The bus driver Roberto was terrific. A very well balanced program with great food.

This is a wonderful adventure, with many learning opportunities for Baja Mexican history, geology, sociology, flora, fauna, and more. We were also fortunate to experience cultural immersion in the worlds of Bajacalifornios and gray whales, worlds that have more in common than you might imagine. Our group leader Luka and her team were organized, warm and helpful, our fellow travelers a gracious and interesting group. Everything came together to make this the best adventure yet in my experience. Thank you to all who made that possible.

This trip fulfilled a "bucket list" item for me, and did not disappoint. We had more of an "interactive" whale encounter, than just whale "watching" experience. It was the highlight of the trip! The food was good and plentiful and tour operators professional. Our leader was outstanding and made sure that everyone had a good time. Would highly recommend!

Being able to observe gray whales up close and even pet them is a thrilling experience I will never forget! There are a lot of miles travelled on a bus for this program, but the guide did a great job of breaking things up and making the road trip as interesting as possible. It is totally worth it!

If you are interested in experiencing whales up close in their natural habitat at a unique time in their lifecycle, this is the trip that will satisfy you.

This trip is one every person should take to see the magnificent Grey Whales of Baja California to see what could be lost if we don’t take better care of our planet.

This was a wonderful bucket list trip. I loved everything about it. Go!!

This was one of the best programs I have ever been on. Our group laughed and learned together. We ate well and had great conversation. The educational information was well presented and organized. And the highlight was petting the whales on each occasion we went out. I would 100% do this trip, especially if Sophia and Juan are the leaders.

If you enjoy seeing varied, beautiful scenery and being close to sociable 30 ton whales, this trip is for you!

This was our first Road Scholar trip but it won't be our last. My husband wasn't as interested in going to Mexico as I was but being a good sport he agreed to go. We both found Mexico very beautiful and interesting and the days with the whales were the highlights. Everywhere people were very friendly, our fellow tour mates were nice, fun and great to travel with. Our tour guide, Jasmin was an incredible ambassador to Mexico. She has a deep love for her country and shared its beauty with us. We knew we would love the whales but we were surprised with the beauty of Baja and the desert. Great staff, Armando, our driver was exceptional. Jasmin and Christina took care of everything, no worries ever. Even though we moved hotels frequently they did everything in their power to make it all go smoothly. We had great weather (Mar 3-10) cool in the mornings and evening and warm in the day. We did not get wet on the boat, I actually wore the same light weight pants that could get wet and dry easily for each trip on the lagoon. You really never need anything dressy. Bring comfortable clothes. We did bring collapsable walking sticks that were really needed on our cave walk as well as on another nature walk in the desert. If in doubt bring them. Bring a sun hat with an under the chin strap (needed to keep the hat from blowing away on the boat), water and wind proof jacket, some short and long tee shirts to layer, a light sweat shirt or sweater, a few pairs of pants and water shoes. I am mentioning this list as I overpacked. No trouble with food or water, it was all very good and no GI issues. San Ignatio is a beautiful little town, we really enjoyed our time there. It is a well planned trip full of interesting things to do, good food, things to learn and beautiful scenery. I highly recommend this trip and Road Scholar. Five stars.

Fabulous. Meeting the whales is an experience of a lifetime. Even though I was hesitant about all of the driving, I found that I enjoyed the desert almost as much as the whales. It was a truly immersive Baja California trip. I especially enjoyed my fellow participants who were seasoned travelers and made for a good time.

I would recommend this trip to those who want to have a fantastic experience with whales. What fun it was to be in small boats in the lagoons with friendly whales only a few feet away. Being with so many whales at once, you felt you were part of their natural world. There is also a lot more to see and learn about in Baja, including the lovely desert plants and scenery, the towns and missions. Be sure to bring warms clothes, even in March.

A well planned trip to Baja introducing you to the diversity of the region with interesting "talks" from an enthusiastic and well informed leader..plus interaction with whales in their protected lagoons. Superb!

The Baja Whale Trip was great. Really amazing, beyond words, to see those whales up close, to engage with them and they with you. Wow! A once in a life time experience! Our leader was Jazzmine, and she was ultra-outstanding! This is a very, very fun trip.

We did, we really had a wonderful time in our gray whale expedition with other like-minded enthusiasts. However we highly encourage, though, if a participant is ill before the trip that they should seriously consider rescheduling their trip. That was the case in this expedition. A couple arrived with the wife’s having a serious cough. A few days later, her husband cane down with a terrible cough. As a result, more than several of us are now ill. She has since apologized and informed us that her husband has been diagnosed with the flu. Road Scholar really needs to emphasize this in their literature. The hours-long hot drive in the bus on our return, did not help.

If you're interested in seeing and touching grey whales, this is the trip and when you're not on the lagoons you can learn about a charming country and it's people!!

The point of this trip is, of course, having an amazing and unique interaction with the gray whales. The word "wonderful" is the right adjective to use for this experience. All the other stops, visits, walks and field trips add spice to the week. I feel very lucky that our group leader was Jazmin Mariscal, a lady with a generous heart, a joyful spirit, and enthusiasm for sharing her knowledge of all we encountered.

Jazmin, Iskra and Armando all worked together and did a great job. I can't see enough about how they showed us the sights of Baja and got us from place to place. The one reservation I had about this trip were all the one night hotel stays, but Jazmin got us in and out of hotels quickly and efficiently so I never thought time was being wasted on this. I did not think it was possible to get so close to whales and actually interact with them, but we did so and everyone got to touch whale. At both whale locations we saw seals and dolphins along with the whales. The hotels were ok and I realize that Baja is remote and there is not a lot of choice. The food was ok, some meals were better than others. We had one dinner on our own and a bunch of us went to Renee's Restaurant for dinner and had a fun time. Be prepared for a lot of on the bus time, but that was unavoidable. Tour leader Jazmin broke up some of the travel time with desert walks and a visit to the community museum in San Vicente. If you want to see gray whales up close, this is the tour for you.

Up close and personal with gray whales! The bus ride can be tedious but there just is no other way to get there. The bus was comfortable and we stopped often enough to stretch our legs. Our guide was amazing. During the bus rides he shared information about the landscape, Baja California and Baja California Sur and even his own experiences being from Ensenada. Nothing beats being on the water with the whales and the excitement of trying to touch just one!

This was the most thrilling Road Scholar trip I have ever been privileged to attend. Just touching these massive, incredible creatures was beyond any of my expectations. I would definitely encourage & recommend anyone with even the smallest interest in these Gray Whales & their babies to TAKE THE PLUNGE & go on this marvelous enthralling trip. It is the trip of a lifetime & you will not be sorry. Everyone should go on this trip. There is no need to be afraid either. It is truly a tremendously fabulous trip. One of Road Scholar BEST !!!

I want to compliment our tour guides and companions, Hiro Kawashima and Juan Hussong. Hiro's knowledge of the whales and the desert added immensely to the value of this amazing trip. Juan's good humor and careful stewardship of our needs was a perfect compliment. To be in the company of dozens of gray whales was a once-in-a-lifetime event, made even more memorable by the company of Hiro and Juan. Also, our driver Almando was as pleasant and careful as could be. Thank you to everyone for a magical trip.

Go for the whales, the whales and the whales. BUT you'll also be treated to Baja's food, ever changing geographical vistas and beautiful sunsets. The cons of spending hours on a bus are outweighed by all of the pros of this little stretch of Mexico known as Baja.

This was a very good experience! It was interesting, fun and so well organized. I was glad my husband and I brought plenty of layers to accommodate the unusually cool weather, because we were always comfortable and that enhanced the wonderful experience.

You will see whales, touch whales and be awed by whales.

If you want to see whales up close, this is a great opportunity to do so. We saw whales on all three days on the lagoons, some of whom surfaced close to the boats where we were able to take amazing photographs and videos. The whales seemed to be very interested in us and allowed those who wished to touch them to do so. An unbelievable experience.

This is a MUST trip for those who love whales and birds, interesting flora and great food! Such a special experience with great leaders!

Just returned for this trip to Baja California. Our leader Sophia was excellent and the trip itself was awesome. We saw loads of gray whales with babies and many times, very close to the boat. They were as curious about us and we were about them! Also, the desert in Baja California was the most beautiful I have even seen. Several endemic plants including the Dr. Suess-like Boojum Tree. Definitely a trip worth taking!

Seeing 45 foot gray whales at arms-length is a magical experience. The Baja California gray whale tour was wonderful in every respect. Baja is a fascinating and safe part of Mexico, the tour guides were exceptional, the food excellent, the accommodations very pleasant and the scenery and experiences memorable.

Everything about this trip was amazing...the scenery, the guides (Isabella and Miriam were OUTSTANDING), the driver, the food, the culture (fantastic interaction with local people) and especially those beautiful whales! I could go whale watching every day. Some advice: Wear clothes that dry fast in the boats...you’ll get wet, and it might be cold or hot. A walking stick on the boulder hike to the cave paintings was literally a lifesaver. And be prepared for over 1200 miles on a bus. The guides make it fun with lectures, stops, local food, and much more, but it’s still a looong ride. I’d do it again in a heartbeat, but be prepared. Lastly, please leave politics at home and just enjoy the trip. The border walls, the many military checkpoints, the elections in Mexico and back home, etc. are all interesting, but on this trip, perhaps because of this, some folks thought it was ok to espouse personal political opinions, and the pro-Palestine, anti-Trump talk offended some of the Jewish and/or conservative members of the group. I have not seen that on a RS trip before and I felt bad for those whose trip was a bit soured. It was still a FANTASTIC trip and the participants were friendly and caring. I know they would not knowingly hurt anyone. I believe they just assumed everyone on the trip thinks like they do. I say this just to let future travelers know to leave it at home and enjoy yourselves and those fantastic, beautiful, soulful creatures, the gray whales.

This was our first Road Scholar trip and a wonderful introduction! The group was fun, interesting and easy to get to know -- and laugh with -- Artemio, our leader, could not have been better. He was knowledgeable, kept us on time, made us laugh and opened our eyes to life in Baja California Sur as well as desert plants, birds, Mexican food -- lots to learn! The 3 half days of being with the whales in the lagoons of Guerro Negro and Lagoon San Ignacio were beyond amazing. I was hoping to get close to these magnificent mammals but the actual experience was wonderful. No words to express the total WOW impact! Well worth it!!