Festival of Wildlife, Baja California
Holiday Highlights
- See grey and blue whales from your boat
- Join TV personality and award-winning wildlife photographer Mark Carwardine
- Travel as a small, friendly group, learning valuable skills from professional wildlife photographers
- Stay in special, comfortable whale-watching camps
Baja California is one of the world's premier whale-watching destinations. On this Eighth Annual Festival of Wildlife, you'll stay next to the Pacific Ocean to see grey whales and travel to the Sea of Cortez on the opposite side of the peninsula to be amazed by blue whale sightings. Each day you'll head out in boats with wildlife and whale experts, for close encounters with these awe-inspiring cetaceans and, returning to camp, enjoy presentations and workshops from experts such as TV personality Mark Carwardine.
You'll start your trip at San Ignacio Lagoon, one of the best places in Baja California to see grey whales as they arrive from their long migration from the colder waters of the north. The lagoon's shallow waters provide the perfect location to see the mating antics of these wonderful cetaceans, as they court each other with passionate water acrobatics.
The second part of your trip will be spent in the Sea of Cortez, where you'll head out on small boats for the chance to see the blue whale - the largest animal in the world. This coast is also home to minke, fin, humpback and sperm whales. After your trip, why not join one of our exciting extensions? Choose a stunning boat cruise or see the wildlife miracle which is the annual migration of 300 million butterflies in Mexico's central forests.
- Itinerary
- Day 1:
- Fly from London to La Paz, arriving late in the evening.
- Day 2:
- Charter flight from La Paz to San Ignacio, arriving at your special whale-watching camp and being welcomed to the Eighth Annual Festival of Wildlife.
- Days 3-5:
- Enjoy morning and afternoon whale-watching excursions. You'll head out in the company of experts to see grey whales and other marine life - hopefully getting close to these fabulous cetaceans and learning about their behaviour from your guides and experts.
- Day 6:
- After breakfast, it's time to pack and say your last goodbyes to San Ignacio Lagoon. You'll transfer by bus and boat to your private camp on Isla Ballenita.
- Days 7-8:
- The main aim at the Sea of Cortez is to observe blue whales. Hopefully, you'll also see fin whales (the world's second largest animal) and lots of dolphins, plus have the time to snorkel and explore islands. Returning to camp, there will be time for presentations and workshops.
- Day 9:
- Return to La Paz by boat for your final night and an exciting auction featuring lots of sought-after wildlife items for you to bid on.
- Day 10:
- Fly to the UK.
- Day 11:
- Arrive in the UK.
- Price: £4,250 per person
- Single Room: £700
- Business Class Upgrade: £2200
- Departure: 10-21 March 2011
- What's included: International flights with Iberia, charter flight from La Paz to San Ignacio, private transfers by road and boat as described in the itinerary, accommodation on a full board basis (breakfast and lunch on day nine), local conservation fees, English speaking guides and activities as in the itinerary.
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Extensions:
'Among the Great Whales', cruising the Baja peninsula £3895
Monarch butterflies £900 - Conservation contribution: At least £100 of each booking will go directly to local conservation projects
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Feedback: "If you love wildlife, have an exhaustible thirst for knowledge, enjoy the company of like-minded enthusiasts, have a sense of fun and adventure... then Festival is for you!" Mel K.
