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Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.
Activity note: Program begins at 12:00 Noon. Hotel check-in from 3:00 p.m. Luggage will be stored at the front desk until rooms are ready. Walking up to 1 hour at the aquarium with long periods of standing and approximately 1/2 mile on a mostly flat, paved path
Morning: Program Registration: Check the hotel event board for the Road Scholar private meeting room to register with the program staff and get your welcome packet containing your name-tag, up-to-date schedule that reflects any last-minute changes, and to learn when and where the Orientation session will take place. If your arrival is delayed, please ask for your packet when you check in. Orientation: The Group Leader will greet everyone with a warm welcome and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule and any changes, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer any questions you may have. This program will be led by the Group Leader, who will lead most field trips and deliver educational content unless specified otherwise. All transportation will be provided via private motorcoach. While in Mexico, purified water will always be available on the motorcoach, at the hotels, and in restaurants. Free time is reserved for your personal independent exploration. Please note that program activities, schedules, and personnel may need to change due to local circumstances. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.
Lunch: Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars over a buffet lunch including pasta and sliced meats, plus coffee, tea (hot/iced), water.
Afternoon: We will depart via motorcoach to reach the sophisticated exclusive La Jolla community where we will visit the world renowned Scripps Institution of Oceanography and Birch Aquarium. We will first be joined by a marine biologist for an introductory lecture on gray whales, then take part in a docent-led visit to Birch Aquarium. Founded in 1903, Scripps is a world renowned center for earth and ocean science research and education. Enjoy a brief drive in the exclusive La Jolla Village. We will get off the motorcoach for a leisurely walk along the famous La Jolla Coves, including famed seal beach before returning to Old Town San Diego for dinner.
Dinner: A hearty meal at a lively Italian restaurant; enjoy a plated meal, plus a non-alcoholic beverage; other beverages available for purchase.
Evening: Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.
Activity note: Activity Notes Driving up to 5 hours throughout the day. A valid passport as well as a personal permit is required for entry into Mexico. The permit is issued by the Immigration Bureau upon entering Mexico; please keep this permit with you as it will be required to return it when leaving Mexico. You will be accompanied through this procedure by Andiamo.
Breakfast: At a private section of the hotel’s main lobby, we’ll have a hot breakfast buffet with coffee, tea, orange juice, water.
Morning: Check out of the hotel and begin our quest for gray whales, driving south through the most-crossed border in the world, separating the United States and Mexico at San Ysidro, San Diego. Having arrived in the Mexican city of Tijuana just across the border, we will have an expert-led field trip to the Tijuana Cultural Center, more commonly known as CECUT. The modern Museo de las Californias uses visual displays to describe the history of both states of the Baja California Peninsula – Baja California and Baja California Sur. Then continue to the town of Ensenada.
Lunch: In a private home in Ensenada, enjoy a 3-course home-cooked meal featuring local Mexican delights accompanied by fruit-flavored water. Explore our host’s home as they answer any questions you may have.
Afternoon: Returning to the motorcoach, drive into Ensenada’s history as we pass through the city’s older streets while listening to the Group Leaders stories of past and present. Ensenada rests on the shores of the beautiful Todos Santos Bay, offering a Mediterranean climate, friendly people, and a historical ambiance. We then continue south, we will stop for a field trip in San Vicente, visiting a small community museum maintained by a local enthusiastic lady who proudly welcomes guests to her museum. The final portion of our journey to San Quintin brings us through one of the peninsula’s most important agricultural areas. We will reach the hotel in the late afternoon to check-in, situated in front of a wide-open beach. Meet for margaritas at the bar for a welcome toast to Mexico before entering the dining room.
Dinner: At the hotel, we will have a plated meal featuring local products and a non-alcoholic beverage; other beverages available for purchase.
Evening: At leisure. May walk along the sandy beach.
Activity note: Short walks throughout the day up to 1/2 mile total with slight uphill, uneven paths. Driving up to 5 hours throughout the day.
Breakfast: At the hotel, we will have a plated meal with options including Mexican and international dishes accompanied by a small fruit dish with coffee, tea, orange juice, water.
Morning: Explore the wonders of the desert. The mountainous peninsula is covered by innumerable species of flora, many of which are endemic. Among them, the Cirio (boojum tree), Baja's signature plant, is probably the most notable. Stops are made for nature walks and presentations on the vegetation are given on board the bus. Stop for lunch at Cataviña, located in the middle of the Valle de los Cirios Nature Reserve, Cataviña is surrounded by gigantic granite boulders and unique vegetation.
Lunch: At the hotel restaurant in Cataviña, we’ll have a choice of plated Mexican or international dishes, plus a beer or a non-alcoholic beverage; other beverages available for purchase
Afternoon: As we continue towards Guerrero Negro, arrive at the 28th parallel, where the State of Baja California Sur begins with the city of Guerrero Negro. The state line also marks the beginning of the Vizcaino World Biosphere established to protect the Gray Whale Sanctuaries, important rock art sites, and a variety of flora and fauna. We’ll arrive in Guerrero Negro, just south of the Baja California Sur border, to check into the hotel. Again, gather for a toast with fellow Road Scholars, chat, and relax before dinner.
Dinner: At the hotel, we will have a plated meal featuring soup and a choice of entrees, plus a beer or a non-alcoholic beverage; other beverages available for purchase.
Activity note: Driving approximately 1.5 hours. Bring layers, waterproof jacket or windbreaker for our boat ride; likely to get wet. Approximately 3 hours on the small boat (10-16 pax).
Breakfast: At the hotel in Guerrreo Negro. Choice of Mexican and international breakfast dishes served plated.
Morning: Begin the day visiting a nature reserve in an enormous salt marsh where birds migrate from Russia, Canada and other countries. Then, take a boat ride among gray whales in Scammon's Lagoon, a gray whale sanctuary in the Vizcaino World Biosphere, to view these giant mammals at arm's length. Each year, gray whales travel approximately 5,000 miles from the Bering and Chukchi Seas to the warm waters of this wildlife refuge to court, mate, give birth and care for their young. On route to the lagoon, learn about the history and process of Baja's salt production.
Lunch: Picnic lunch on the boat while enjoying the tranquility of the lagoon.
Afternoon: Continue to San Ignacio to explore this charming town that developed around an imposing 18th-century mission, still in use today, in the midst of a lush, tranquil palm oasis. Mingle with the local children in a lively folk dancing presentation at the local school.
Dinner: A Mexican dinner is served at the hotel in San Ignacio.
Activity note: Driving approximately 3 hours, with a short portion along a graded road; aboard the boat for approximately 2.5 hours. In San Ignacio Lagoon, be able to board small fishing boats from the beach possibly wading into shallow water up to knee high. Do not forget to bring your water shoes and your waterproof gear.
Breakfast: At the hotel, we will have a plated meal with options including Mexican and international dishes accompanied by a small fruit dish with coffee, tea, orange juice, water.
Morning: Hop into local vans and drive to the secluded San Ignacio Lagoon for another adventuresome ride among whales. See small fishing settlements along the shore. Arriving at the eco-camp, get ready for your second outing with the whales! A short presentation on the whales, the lagoon and the whale-counting process is imparted by camp personnel. Then board the panga boats and look for those blows, humps and fins!
Lunch: On the shore of the San Ignacio Lagoon under a traditional palapa – a structure with a thatched roof – order a plated meal off the day’s menu, plus a beer or non-alcoholic beverage, coffee, and tea
Afternoon: Continue to relax, enjoy the peace, or keep your eyes out for migrating birds. We will then return to San Ignacio via vans, stopping at the hotel before setting out on foot for the tree-filled plaza. Accompanied by our Group Leader, visit the church and enter a home where date bread and pie is made. In the company of our pleasant host, practice making flour tortillas by hand to taste with local ranch cheese.
Dinner: This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions
Evening: At leisure.
Activity note: Driving up to 4 hours; aboard the boat in Guerrero Negro for 3 hours. Walking short distances on mostly flat, gravely, uneven terrain.
Breakfast: At the hotel in San Ignacio. Choice of Mexican and international breakfast dishes served plated
Morning: Check out of the hotel and begin our return to Guerrero Negro for our third and final encounter with the whales, returning to Scammon’s Lagoon aboard the panga boats. Every outing is a memorable experience.
Lunch: Picnic lunch on the boat while enjoying the tranquility of the lagoon.
Afternoon: Continue our drive north, stop for a walk among especially tall cardons, then again among whimsical elephant trees before finally arriving in spectacular Cataviña for an overnight. A combination of sun, sand, gigantic granite boulders, and amusing collages of Boojums, Cardons, and Elephant trees make Cataviña a superb desert garden. Due to this setting, nights in Cataviña are memorable.
Dinner: At the hotel, we will have a selection of traditional Mexican finger foods including taquitos, quesadillas, guacamole, and more, plus a margarita and lemonade; other beverages available for purchase.
Evening: At the hotel patio (weather permitting), participate in a small Mexican Fiesta which includes a taste of tequila. Break a piñata while learning about Mexican traditions and how to choose good tequila!
Activity note: Driving up to 5 hours throughout the day. To visit the small cave with simple rock art in Cataviña, a short steep hike on gravely terrain of approximately 1/3 mile is required. Participants who can't join, may stay at the base of the hill and enjoy the stunning surroundings.
Breakfast: At the hotel, we will have a plated meal with options including Mexican and international dishes accompanied by a small fruit dish with coffee, tea, orange juice, water.
Morning: Our day begins early in the morning, joining our Group Leader for a walk from the hotel to see the thorny magnificent desert against the rising sun. After breakfast, check out of the hotel for a short drive to a nearby cave home to rock art. The beautiful walk to the cave offers exceptional views both at the bottom and at the top of the hill, where the cave with the simple rock art is located. We will be joined by local school children, helping on the hike, and a good opportunity to interact with these local youngsters on a personal basis. Find out what life is like in such a remote place! Rock art sites are found throughout the peninsula, some monumental caves are UNESCO protected sites. Thought to be about 2,000 years old, recent testing puts some of the older paintings at closer to 7,500 years. Then relax aboard the motorcoach as we ride towards San Quintin.
Lunch: In a local restaurant of San Quintin. Meal options: a variety of Mexican and local specialties. Taste a healthy salad prepared with the leaf of the national plant of Mexico: the prickly pear cactus.
Afternoon: Arrive in Ensenada in the late afternoon you may choose to remain in the city for a brief time on your own or continue to the oceanfront hotel to enjoy the view and perhaps the spectacular sunset.
Dinner: At the hotel, enjoy our plated 3-course meal featuring a choice of entrée, plus lemonade; other beverages available for purchase. As we dine, we will be accompanied by the rhythm of the waves crashing against the cliffs below.
Activity note: Driving approximately 2.5 hours. The permit must be returned upon leaving Mexico. The Group Leader will help you through the process. Homeland Security requires carrying all personal belongings across the border. Walk approximately 900 feet, standing and waiting in line. Please do not book flights before 2:00 p.m
Breakfast: In the hotel dining room admiring the Pacific Ocean, we will have a plated meal from a choice of eggs, omelets, and a Mexican specialty, plus coffee, tea, juice, water.
Morning: Check out of the hotel and set out for the final portion of drive, returning to the US. Our program ends in San Diego with two drop off places: 1) The San Diego Airport; 2) The Courtyard Marriott hotel in Hotel Circle, same hotel where our program began. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Please join our Facebook page and share photos of your program. Visit us at www.facebook.com/rsadventures. Best wishes for all your journeys!
The trip was everything I was hoping for and more. We had a great guide, wonderful comradery, beautiful scenery, delicious food, and last but not least, spectacular interactions with many momma gray whales and their precious babies in the protected lagoons of Baja. Once in a life time experience.
We got to actually touch more than one wild Gray whale calf...maybe you will too.
This trip was fantastic from beginning to end. All the Road Scholar/Andiamo personnel and the chosen guides for activities made this experience comfortable, friendly, educational and safe! On the first day, Maria spoke of "mi familia". The group became "mi familia" during the week. There was support for each other as well as from the people who were leading, from the tour director to the assistant to the bus driver! The group supported each other to spot and to touch the whales. The whales did their part also. How can one describe the moments of being so close to the whales to reach out and touch! I give this trip the highest rating possible!
This trip was a dream come true. The two guides were extremely knowledgeable about the areas of Baja California and Baja California Sur and of the gray whales and their behavior. Actually being with the whales - taking pictures, communing with them, touching them and seeing their babies was an incredibly spiritual experience. I feel very honored to have been part of this experience.
From beginning to end, this trip was phenomenal. The warmth and enthusiasm of our guides, Tim and Juan; our skilled bus driver, Lupe; and our group members made this experience so special. The pace of this trip was fast and we did so much in 7 days, with highlights for me in learning more about Baja, watching a folkloric dance performance wtih local high school kids, and spending so many incredible moments out on the water with the gray whale moms and calves. The whales were amazing and left us in awe as they let us touch them and be with them for a few minutes in their world. It is hard to put into words what I experienced in those moments of joy, enchantment and magic, and knowing that we are among the few humans that they will ever meet. What a privilege to do this!
Learning about whales and seeing them up close numerous times was the highlight of this trip for me and my husband. However, there were many other parts of this trip that were absolutely delightful from walking at sunset in the Catavina Desert, exploring the oasis town of San Ignacia, and immersing ourselves in the warm Mexican culture.
Absolutely fabulous. Tim and Juan were so full of joy and excitement...they kept us all buoyant and appreciative of all we saw. The group was very good...everyone got along splendidly. Travel was accompanied by interesting stops/goodly number of toilet breaks/coffee stops, and good hotels/motels. Walks in desert terrific. We saw many whales...the last day, seas a bit rough but I had concern about some of the boat drivers...one of our boats was hit by another and not sure that some drivers were following the rules re: distance from whales/number of boats around them. Otherwise, no complaints. Thanks for a good good trip.
3/19/18 . This was such a fun trip. We explored La Jolla and San Diego and then drove into Mexico. Our wonderful leaders, Tim and Juan, told us what to expect as we crossed into Mexico so we were prepared. We learned about the geology, the birds and the plants of each city, and as we got closer to the ocean, the gray whales. We took nature walks and saw lovely sunsets. The food and the lodging were splendid. When we reached the ocean and saw the whales, it was magically thrilling. Each day was different. On one day we were surrounded by three sets of mothers and babies. On another day one of the babies came up to the boat and almost put his head in our laps. We all toughed the baby because they like to be touched. On the bus between towns we watched educational movies, played games, had crafts, movies and snacks. A perfect trip!!! We all felt very lucky to had had such a great experience.
I have been to Baja and I have seen whales before, but this trip lifted the bar so darned high my previous experience hardly counts. This week was magical in every sense. The guides, the group, the gorgeousness of Baja and the mystical experience of communing with the largest creatures on earth left us all entirely sated with beauty and wonder.
What a terrific experience! So much more than we had expected. We learned what a unique & complex (natural, physical, historical, cultural) environment Baja California is. Our leaders were absolutely superb! We had such a good time because of the good spirits of Jazmin, Haro, Maria! They were unfailingly thoughtful & respectful. The other participants were great -- smart, funny, openhearted, kind. It was challenging & a whole lot of fun. The Whales! What can I say? They are beyond incredible -- a completely thrilling unforgettable experience! Thank you!
The trip down the Baja was interesting, but very long. The leaders made it as interesting as possible. However, seeing the whales close up on 3 separate days was totally awesome and made the long ride worth it.
Perhaps fewer than 100,000 people will ever have a chance to be so close to such gentle giants, who, inexplicably seem interested in us, too! The experience will change you forever. It did for us. And the trip through half the length of the Baja peninsula proved more much interesting than we expected. Overall, this was one of the best of the many tours we've ever taken.
This program provides an awesome experience for friendly encounters with some of the biggest mammals on the planet in their environment. You will learn a lot about whales, whale migration, and whale behavior. In addition you will have a lovely afternoon of bird watching and identification in an protected saltwater marsh. It is a lovely program.
An experience you will never forget.
Great trip
The Gray Whale Migration Trip truly exceeded my expectations!
This program should be included on everyone's bucket list. We had wonderful, up close, contact with many whales, and the desert is a fascinating place. Our leader Luka was wonderful.
This was a wonderful trip! The whale watching experiences were fabulous! Whales came right up to our boat and most were able to pet a whale at least once! The Baja is a fascinating area of Mexico to visit and very different from others areas of Mexico that we have visited. Sophia and Jasmine did an outstanding job as leaders and educators. They are passionate about the Baja and the whales.
The Great Gray Whale Migration and Baja’s Natural Wonders was an amazing trip!! I learned so much about the gray whale and the migration process. Being able to see - and touch - these massive whales up close was beyond any expectations I had. The landscape diversity in the Baja Peninsula is breathtaking and so much more than I expected. Our leader and bus driver were incredible and knowledgeable. The hotels and food exceeded my expectations. A memorable trip I will remember forever.
If you want to learn about the diverse desert of Baja California and see whales up close and personal, this program is for you. Just keep in mind there are a lot of hours on a bus. They do stop every 2 hours or so to stretch your legs.
If you only take one Road Scholar adventure, make sure it is to see the whales in Baja. A fantastic adventure and one you will never forget. Exploring the ecosystems in this part of Mexico is a rare treat.
Road Scholar is an excellent program for the value, and appeals to like-minded people with an interest in nature, history, and cultures.
I went on the The Great Gray Whale Migration and Baja's Natural Wonders tour to see whales and we saw a lot of whales. I also experienced, enjoyed and learned a great deal about Mexico and the Baja Peninsula. It was worth the long bus ride to see the beautiful desert and to experience Mexico up close aided by both of our group leaders.
This was one of the best trips I've ever taken. The whales and their history in that area was fascinating. And, the trip included much more than the whales - there were different activities and experiences that were interesting and enjoyable. We learned about the Mexican history and the people; we learned about the beautiful desert as well as getting out and actually walking in it with plant identification and information by our facilitators. It was an A+ trip!
This trip was amazing in every way. Jazmin and Sofia were the best possible guides, and our whale experiences were beyond anything I ever could have imagined. The kindness of the whales and their desire to play with us was mind blowing. The desert is spectacular, and I must say, I had magical experiences over and over. I can't rate this trip high enough!!!
This was my first experience with Road Scholar. It was an amazing trip with three days whale watching up-close in Baja lagoons. The traveling on the bus is long as we covered about 1,200 miles round trip from San Diego, but our guide was fantastic, hotels were charming and the journey was memorable! - Joyce Robinson
Travelling to the Lagoons in Baja California to interact with the grey whales was a unique and life affirming experience - one that I will never forget!
This trip is superb-- the whales are wonderful; the desert is beautiful; the staff are warm, well-informed, well-organized, and gracious.
This program is an amazing experience. Photos of the Grey Whales approaching and coming close to your boat do not do it justice. One must be there and experience first-hand the experience to appreciate how playful, friendly and intelligent these Grey Whales really are! Again, an amazing experience you will not forget.
Unique experience of wild creatures. Helped me understand natural world and the people of the country.
Wonderfull! Wonderful! I learned a lot,saw a lot. Seeing and touching the whales I will never, ever forget. I t was indeed a trip of a lifetime, and a must do on your bucket list
If you have ever wanted to visit the Baja, this is the trip for you. The guides are outstanding and the daily program would not be bettered.
Touching a whale was spiritual!
I wanted to see whales and was quite happy when we saw several of the magnificent creatures swimming near our boat. Our capitan stated that he was taking us to an area where we could touch a whale. Right, I thought. Sure enough, within minutes whales swam up right beside our boat and allowed us to pet them. Every single person in our group touched a whale. I will never forget it.
This program was breathtaking. Once in a lifetime for me.
Ahhh, such a wonderful adventure! We entered into the mysterious culture of the Grey Whales (just barely). Who can guess what they are thinking when they look you right in the eye! If you think you know Mexico, I would wager that you don't know how special Baja California is, away from tourists (almost going back back back in time) Phenomenal!!!
If you want the MOST amazing experience ever and love the gentle giants of the ocean(gray whales)---sign up right away. You will not be disappointed--magical.
The whale watching trip turned out to be a baby whale petting adventure. It was a moving experience to see a 40 foot mother whale prompt her 10 foot baby to our boat to greet the measly little humans.
The interaction between the whales and the participants was well worth the long bus rides to get to the breeding grounds for these majestic whales.
The experience of being so close to these huge creatures is beyond easy description. The experience of actually touching and stoking young wild whales while looking into their eye is an emotional experience unlike any other I have ever had. We saw dozens and dozens of whales near our boat and many others in the distance. Overall this is a unique and wonderful experience.
Wonderful program that delivered all I expected. The interaction with the whales was a truly marvelous experience!!
This is a great program. It is something that relatively few people get to do. There are other whale watching options, but I don't know any where you can actually touch the whales, and the places are still pretty wild. It takes a lot of time to get there and back, but the experience is well worth it.
It was a chance of lifetime to see the whales close up and to touch them! Great experience. The small side trips gave us a better insight of the people and country. Having a local guide gives you so much understanding of the people and customs.
This trip is now number one on the list of things I have done it exceeded all my expectations the group leaders who are were wonderful . Excellent I would highly recommend everybody do this once in their life .
If the idea of touching a gray whale in the wild appeals to you, this is the trip for you!!
The Whale watching tour in Baja was unbelievable! It is everything they said it would be. Going out in small boats and the whales come up to them in curiosity. You can lean over and pet them and they actually look at you and smile!!!! It is in no way causing danger to the whales. The boats respect the whales. It was fun to see the whales play with us and nudge the boat and rub it to get their barnacles off. Awesome adventure! Marilynn from Meno. Falls wi.
I was privileged to interact with this ancient water-bound species on their terms!
https://youtu.be/zidroxQ9v0c This video was made by Captain Naaman of Malarrimo Whale Watching Tours at Guerrero Negro, Mexico on this tour arranged by Andiamo Tour Mexico for Road Scholar. We had absolutely gorgeous weather and fabulous guides, Maria and Jazz. The desert was in full bloom after greater than normal rains before we got there and we encountered an incredible number of whales who were very friendly. All in all, it was a totally awesome experience.
I give this program all 5s! Our leader Maria and her assistant Yasmine were spectacular, the itinerary was amazing, and the 24 participants were interesting and fun. There is no experience to match petting a whale who chooses to interact with you in its natural habitat. On two of the three Whale watching days I was able to pet whales - I was even able to lean over the boat and kiss a whale! Even on the one day of whale watching where we were not approached by a whale we still had a great time. We watched them from a distance frolicking in the water. I learned some Spanish, enjoyed visiting a wide variety of museums, walked the living desert, and visited locals in their homes. Pack your water shoes (pool shoes), and most of the Mexican motels had no coffee makers in the room (and no such thing as decaf coffee), so pack your own if you need it before breakfast. This was an unbelievable journey, I highly recommend it. I traveled with my husband, and there were several married couples, but also many solo travelers who made lots of friends.
I have been on 8 or 9 Road Scholar/Elderhostel trips. This trip and the interaction with the gray whales will forever, I believe, keep this particular Road Scholar at the TOP of my list of favorites. There are no words to adequately describe the phenomena of mama gray whales and their babies being "called" to the boats by the splashing of water by the occupants. They sidle alongside the boats and hold still for their favorite itches to be scratched! They go under the boats gracefully with plenty of room to spare. Looking into the eyes of these gentle giants is like looking into the eyes of God. What is the magnetism that draws them toward us? What has erased the fear after generations of being hunted by whalers? There seems to be fathomless intelligence in them. I would, and do, recommend this trip to all I talk to. Truly once-in-a-lifetime experience.
This was an absolutely incredible trip! Petting the whales was something I never thought I would be able to do and it was truly awe inspiring. The Mexican people at the lagoons are so protective and caring to the wildlife it really made the whole trip a better one. I hope many, many more people will have this experience!
This program exceeded my expectations. I thought we would see some whales. Instead, each of the 3 days we probably saw 50 gray whales EACH day and of those 50, 20 were within 20 feet of the boat. Of the 22 participants, 21 touched a whale in the wild.
Awesome trip - the whales were magnificent. Luka and Jazz were wonderful and met all our needs. I highly recommend this trip.
This is a great opportunity to get out with nature and explore a different side of Mexico. The whale trips were above and beyond expectations. Highly recommend this experience with whales, it is unforgettable.
If you have an interest in whales, this program will satisfy you beyond belief. Great leaders, great driver, and learned lots about this part of Mexico from people who live there.
One of the best programs I have taken. Gray whales up close and personal, it does not get any better than this.
Lots of people watch the gray whale migration from a distance. The Road Scholar trip will put you within splash distance. If you are really lucky, you will be able to touch a whale. Traveling in Baja California can be difficult if done individually. Road Scholar know-how made it a breeze. Our guide (Luka) was absolutely exemplary.
We really enjoyed this tour and got to see plenty of whales close up - we went at the very beginning of February and Scammon's Lagoon had around a 1000 whales at that point, so not at all difficult to find and observe all sorts of whale behavior (other lagoon not so good, around 100 whales and so less going on). I'd have liked to go a little later when the baby whales become more experienced in playing with the screaming bath toy that is your boat. We did perfectly well though, plenty of close encounters with Mamas training baby to play, so not to worry, it was a unique experience and far exceeded any other whale watching I'd done before. One thing that concerned me beforehand was what to take on the boat in terms of clothes and equipment. In retrospect, just sunglasses and your camera is fine, no need for anything else (maybe some candy!). I get cold easily so I dressed in a fleece hoodie over a long-sleeved T shirt, nylon pants, with a fairly waterproof hooded cagoule on top of all and was fine - note though, it was sunny on 2 of the 3 days, and no rain. One other thing - the boats are very bouncy when you are making the fast run out to/back from the actual lagoon area, so be prepared to be jolted about quite a bit and be able to keep a firm grip on the bench seat. It was an exhilarating ride and definitely part of the experience! Once in the viewing area the ride is much calmer, and the boats are very stable. Would do it again for sure!
This was just an all around wonderful trip that exceeded my expectations. Being out among the whales was such an unbelievable experience! Nothing like it. But the rest of the trip was so much fun too - beautiful scenery, great food, lovely accommodations, and interesting side trips. I highly recommend it.
This program is truly an adventure, perfect for someone who enjoys roughing it a little and who enjoys the thrill of maybe touching a magnificent animal.
good