Mexico

Whales, Seas & Desert: Stunning Baja California Peninsula

Program No. 24399RJ
Get a local’s look at Mexico’s incredible Baja Peninsula, known for its pristine desert landscapes and idyllic lagoons, whale migrations, artist communities and fascinating culture.

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9 days
8 nights
21 meals
8B 7L 6D
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At a Glance

The biodiversity and diverse landscapes of Mexico’s Baja Peninsula are some of the most impressive in the world, while its warm artist communities and historic towns just wait to be explored. Discover the very best of Baja on a learning adventure that begins in San Jose del Cabo and leads through the towns of Loreto, San Ignacio, Catavina and Ensenada. Thrill in the animal life that inhabits the Sea of Cortez — the “aquarium of the world” — and board small boats to explore lagoons where gray whales migrate and give birth to their young. Contrast these regions with explorations of desert and volcanic landscapes that were once home to historic mining towns and ranches. Embrace these warm, friendly communities as you explore art galleries, sample local cuisine and take in the rich history that can only be found in Baja.
Activity Level
Keep the Pace
Walking short distances on varied terrain with an optional steep hike. Boarding small fishing boats from the beach. May encounter rough seas on boats. Driving time on bus from 1.0 - 5.5 hours most days. Elevations up to 3,500 feet (900 m.).
Small Group
Small Group
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.

What You'll Learn

  • Board a panga — a small outboard motor boat — for an exploration of the lagoons where gray whales migrate and give birth to their young.
  • Visit El Triunfo, a historic colonial mining village, where silver and gold were discovered in 1862, and walk along the well know boardwalk of La Paz.
  • Search for blue-footed boobies, sea lions and dolphins as you explore Loreto Bay Marine Park Reserve, and marvel in the desert landscapes of the Tres Virgenes volcanic region.

General Notes

Road Scholar cannot offer air for this program. Participants have to arrange their own flights as well as transportation to the first hotel in San Jose del Cabo. All participants will be transported to the San Diego Airport at the end of the program. Due to the nature of this program, listening devices are not available.
Featured Expert
All trip experts
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Fermin Reygadas
Fermin Reygadas is a professor and researcher at the social sciences division at the Autonomous University of Baja California Sur, at La Paz, Mexico. He is widely acknowledged as an authority on Baja California, with over 30 years of experience in the field. He has written extensively on subjects ranging from Cape Region archaeology to settlement patterns and diet among Pericue Native Indians. In recent years he has dedicated his efforts to experimental archeology.

Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.

Profile Image of Fermin Reygadas
Fermin Reygadas View biography
Fermin Reygadas is a professor and researcher at the social sciences division at the Autonomous University of Baja California Sur, at La Paz, Mexico. He is widely acknowledged as an authority on Baja California, with over 30 years of experience in the field. He has written extensively on subjects ranging from Cape Region archaeology to settlement patterns and diet among Pericue Native Indians. In recent years he has dedicated his efforts to experimental archeology.
Profile Image of Isabel Sanchez
Isabel Sanchez View biography
Isabel Sanchez was born in Ensenada Baja California, Mexico. She began working as a group leader at a young age in the mid 1980s in her hometown. In 1998, she moved to Southern California where she continued her career as a successful group leader specializing in the Sonoran Desert as well as the Mojave Desert. In the fall of 2004, Isabel began leading groups through San Diego, Calif., the peninsula of Baja California, and the Copper Canyon in Chihuahua, Mexico.
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