Experience the magnificent natural wonders offered in Mexico’s Baja California Sur on this 13-day roundtrip San Jose Del Cabo journey. In the Sea of Cortez, one of Dr. Sylvia Earle’s designated marine Hope Spots, experiences the area’s rich marine biodiversity, home to over 900 species, including sharks – 90 of them endemic – and roughly 30 percent of the world’s cetaceans. Hike among coastal desert ecosystems, tick off your list of numerous bird species, snorkel in warm tropical waters filled with vibrant coral reefs and tropical fish, and Zodiac cruise along colorful coastlines in search of wildlife. The possible sight of Mobula rays congregating in their tens of thousands, where they literally fly out of the water in an attempt to attract a mate, is an experience that will stay with you for years to come.
Highlights
Delight spectacular sight of the mass migration flying Mobula ray
Immerse yourself in the magical underwater world in the Sea of Cortez
Hike along coastal deserts that reveal cacti forests
Experience blue-footed boobies, frigatebirds and Xantus’s humming bird
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Arrive in Los Cabos and transfer to your group hotel. Upon check-in, the reception staff will provide you with cabin tags. Please fill out the luggage tags clearly, showing your name and cabin number to allow them to deliver your luggage to your cabin. Enjoy a welcome drink and meet fellow expeditioners at your voyage briefing this evening.
Birders can enjoy an early morning visit to the nearby bird sanctuary where several endemic species are seen. Check out and explore the historic quarter of San Jose on a guided tour before transferring to Cabo San Lucas for embarkation. After boarding, there’s time to settle into your cabin before important safety briefings. This evening meet your expedition team and crew at the Captain’s Welcome Dinner.
Spend two days exploring the sheltered lagoons of Magdalena Bay and perhaps San Ignacio Lagoon, where during winter, gray whales migrate here to give birth. While most of the gray whales begin their journey north in March, some mothers and their newborn calves occasionally linger a bit longer to prepare for the precarious journey north. If we’re very lucky, you may glimpse a few of these remarkable creatures. Long-beaked bottlenose dolphins, California sea lions, frigate birds, great blue herons, ibis, and California pelicans are found here in abundant numbers. Zodiac cruise and kayak along red mangroves—an important nursery for coastal and open-sea fish species as well as multiple marine invertebrates—and in sheltered coves. Hike across stunning sculpted sand dunes, following lizard tracks, where coyotes and jackrabbits wander among desert plants.
After an overnight’s sailing, arrive around midday at Cabo Pulmo National Park marine reserve, to discover the only living hard coral reef in the Sea of Cortez, attracting a huge variety of colorful tropical fish, various sea mammals, invertebrates and seabirds. It is an ideal place for more aquatic exploration.
Day 6-12: Gulf Island & Protected areas of the Sea of Cortez
Over the next six days, our flexible itinerary allows for spontaneity and hope to experience the many spectacular wildlife encounters offered in the Sea of Cortez, including the amazing spectacle of tens of thousands of mobula rays congregating, where they exhibit their unique behavior of literally flying out of the water, allegedly to attract a mate. We plan to explore a few of the 244 islands, islets and colorful coastal sandstone formations that make up the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Islands and Protected Areas of the Gulf of California.
Sylvia Earle visits Isla Danzante, Isla del Carmen, Isla Monserrat, Bahia Agua Verde, Puerto Gato, Isla San Jose, Isla San Francisco, Isla Del Espiritu Santo & Partida, Loreto.
Day 13: Pichilinque | Disembark
1 Breakfast
Disembark in Pichilinque, where you farewell the expedition team and crew before transferring back to San José del Cabo to continue your journey.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
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Aurora Stateroom Triple
22.67m2 (244ft2) - There are two Aurora Stateroom Triple cabins featuring portholes, all with private en-suites. Located on Deck 3, they're close to the mudroom and loading platforms.
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Aurora Stateroom Superior
19.9m2 - 20.8m2(214.2ft2 - 223.9ft2) - Located on Deck 7, the Staterooms feature french balconies, floor to ceiling windows, en-suite bathrooms and a comfortable desk area. Perfect for polar adventurers who travel with plenty of gear.
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Balcony Stateroom C
19.5m2 - 28.7m2 (209.9ft² - 308.9ft2) - 11 Balcony Stateroom C cabins - most economical, fitted with all the necessities and comfortable for up to 2 people. These cabins are scattered throughout Deck 6.
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Balcony Stateroom B
19.5m2 - 28.7m2 (209.9ft² - 308.9ft2) - 17 Balcony Stateroom B Cabins - standard cabin, many fitted with interconnecting features making them great for families or groups. These cabins are located at the fore and aft of Deck 4 and 6.
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Balcony Stateroom A
19.5m² - 28.7m² (209.9ft² - 308.9ft²)- 23 Balcony Stateroom A cabins - premium cabin, and the most abundant on board. These cabins are located in preferred positions on Deck 4 and 6 which provides easy access between Decks via the internal stairs or elevator.
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Balcony Stateroom Superior
29.2m2 - 35.2m2 (314.3ft2 - 378.9ft2) - Located on Deck 4 and 6, the Staterooms feature floor to ceiling windows, en-suite bathrooms and a comfortable desk area. Some of these rooms are equipped with wheelchair accessible bathrooms.
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Junior Suite
Up to 41.6m2 (447.8ft2)- 4 Junior Suites take in some impressive scenery from their vantage points on Deck 7. When you aren't enjoying a landing, you can relax in the suites' separate lounge area, or just watch the world float by from the private balcony.
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Captain’s Suite
43.8m2 (471.5 ft2) - Captain's Suite - the largest of all our rooms, will take you to the polar regions in ultimate style and comfort. Complete with large lounge area, balcony, walk-in wardrobe and en-suite, you'll need to get in early to secure this suite.
Initial deposit is $2,500 plus $250 USD deposit for any activities at the time of booking, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 100 Days prior to departure by Only Visa and Mastercard credit cards are accepted
For full cancellation policy details, please contact us for a quote.
Included
11 Breakfasts, 10 Lunches, 11 Dinners
12 Nights Accommodations
Accommodations as listed
Ground transportation as listed
Activities as listed
Meals as listed
Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
Comprehensive pre-departure information
Beer, House Wine, and Soft Drinks with Dinner
Educational Lectures and Guiding Services from Expedition Team
Complimentary access to onboard expedition doctor and medical clinic (initial consult)
Port Surcharges, Permits, and Landing Fees
Captain's Welcome and Farewell drinks including four-course dinner, house cocktails, house beer and wine, non-alcoholic beverages.
A 3-in-1 waterproof polar expedition jacket
Complimentary use of Muck boots during the voyage
All shore excursions and Zodiac cruises
All airport transfers mentioned in the itinerary.
On-board accommodation during voyage including daily cabin service
Excluded
Gratuities
Travel Insurance
Personal Expenses
Flight costs (please request a quote)
Additional excursions during free time
Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)
Passport and Applicable Visa Expenses
Airport Departure Tax - Airport arrival or departure taxes
Alcoholic beverages and soft drinks (outside of dinner service), laundry services, personal clothing, medical expenses, Wi-Fi, email or phone charges
Hotels and meals not included in itinerary
Optional activity surcharges
Reciprocity and Vaccination Charges
Passengers traveling with Aurora Expeditions are required to be covered by a reputable travel insurance policy that includes baggage loss, cancellation & curtailment of the holiday, medical, accident, and repatriation/emergency evacuation coverage worth at least $250,000 USD.
This was our first trip to South America and we were a little nervous. But Adventure Life made things so easy! All our questions were answered before we left, and our guide, Vidal, was amazing! He gave us enough space to explore without rushing us along. He also knew where the best picture taking opportunities were, which was great.
Lindsay Gompf
TrustScore 4.8 | 176 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 176 reviews on
9 hours ago
Adventure Life is always an excellent choice when planning complicated, extreme, or exotic vacations or expeditions. They provide friendly professional services and advice and are enthusiastic and encouraging in helping us to prepare and thoroughly enjoy our trip. They handle all the details which greatly reduces the stress of planning a difficult trip. I'm very impressed with Adventure Life and definitely recommend them to friends and family.
Scott Trochim
2 days ago
The response from Adventure Life to my first inquiry was prompt and promising. I worked with Jamie Broeckel, Trip Planner, via text, email, and phone calls- always extremely responsive and thorough with information and explaining the process to arrange a private tour for me to Malaysia Borneo. Within about week, the booking was complete and I made decisions because of Jamie's great customer service , friendly manner, and overall competence on behalf of the company's travel expertise. Now I have an itinerary, additional Trip Planner Assistants, several links for vital information for traveling to Maylasia, etc. Still many details for Sept. trip, but now the heavy lifting is done and I can enjoy the rest of the anticipation and research!! Thanks Jamie- you are amazing!!!!
Susan Campo
4 days ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
5 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.
