Orca Network Trip to Baja
to see Gray Whales!
Visit the Friendly Gray Whales
of San Ignacio Lagoon
with Orca Network in 2009!
Sign up HERE.
Orca Network is pleased to announce our 2nd trip to San Ignacio Lagoon, Baja, to visit the Gray Whales in one of their birthing lagoons, and learn about the amazing ecosystems of Baja's Biosphere Reserve. The trip will raise much needed funding for Orca Network's Sighting Network and education programs, while providing an amazing opportunity to watch and learn about the gray whales on the southern end of their migration.
Skagit Valley Herald story here: A Whale of a Time
Join us on our Five-day Expedition to Baja to visit the friendly Gray Whales of San Ignacio Lagoon
February 27 - March 3, 2009
Cost: $2275 plus $58 for tourist card and biosphere entrance fee.
Deposit: $500 due upon reservation, balance due Dec. 1, 2008
Trip departs from San Diego, CA, trip expenses paid from there, including transportation to Campo Cortez, Baja, meals, lodging, and whale watching.
Participants are responsible for flight to San Diego & lodging the nights before/after the trip.
CURRENT PASSPORTS ARE REQUIRED! Please apply/renew early…
TRIP ITINERARY:
Feb. 26: Arrive in San Diego
Note: Please contact Orca Network for lodging contact information for group rates.
Rates: (not included are taxes of 12.5%. check in time 3:00 pm check out 12:00 pm)
Single $88.00
Double $88.00
Triple $98.00
Quad $108.00
Secure parking is also offered while you are away. The hotel does not offer airport shuttle service, so you will need to make those arrangements when you arrive to the airport if you are flying into San Diego International airport.
Our group will meet with a Baja Ecotours Guide in the Motel lobby, Feb. 26th, at 7 pm, & we’ll depart from the front of the Motel at 8 am the morning of Feb. 27th.
NOTE: 3:30 - 5:30 pm is the range of our return to the hotel on March 3rd, but we recommended reserving a room for the night of our return from Baja, or schedule a late evening flight out, in the event of travel delays due to weather or lines at the border. In the past two trips, however, there have been only slight delays at the border.
DAY 1/Feb. 27: We'll meet at the motel lobby/entrance at 7:30am. We'll then board a bus to Ensenada at 8 am, then a charter flight to San Ignacio Lagoon. Your scenic flight is about two hours offering breathtaking views of Baja and Pacific Ocean. Once you land at the lagoon there is a short trip from the landing strip to the base camp, arriving in the afternoon. There we'll have orientation to camp, welcome drinks, and dinner.
DAYS 2-4/Feb 28-Mar 2: You've now settled into camp and have joined the Pacific Gray Whales at their winter sanctuary. Each morning, after a hearty breakfast you'll depart on skiffs to see the whales. Here you'll witness the spectacular behavior of these gentle giants as they breach and spy hop all around us, sometimes approaching our skiffs for a better look at us. Observe mothers tending to their calves and males courting females. Lunch is served midday and a second whale watch follows.
After whale watching simply relax and absorb the ancient unbroken rhythms of the lagoon and its splendid wildlife; wander the shell strewn beaches; join an afternoon kayaking trip; or take a natural history excursion with our guides. You'll be treated to coffee, cocktails or refreshments as the sun sets over the dunes in the distance, leaving a vermilion sky in its shadow. Sunsets are followed by authentic gourmet Mexican meals with plenty of fresh fish, vegetables, and other Mexican treats. At nights end retire to your cabana where you'll relax to the sounds of the lagoon with whales breathing in the distance and coyotes singing to the moon.
DAY 5/Mar. 3: After breakfast we depart to meet the charter flight to Ensenada, then the bus back to San Diego. We suggest you plan to overnight in San Diego as weather (or lines at the border) may cause delays.
Included In Your Trip Fee:
- Snacks & refreshments while aboard the plane or bus
- All meals, drinks (sodas, coffee, beer, margaritas etc..) & accommodations while at camp (vegetarian meals are available)
- Whale watching & natural history tours while at camp
- Kayaking in the estuaries while at camp
- Entrance fee to Viscaino Biosphere
- Fee for the doctor cooperative
- Sleeping bag, pillow, blanket & linens
- Tourist Card Fee & Biosphere Reserve Fee
Not Included In Your Trip Fee:
- Transportation to & from the airport in San Diego to the Hotel
- Hotel stays in San Diego (We recommend that you stay the night as the trip departs early and may return late)
- Call or imported liquor drinks while at camp
- Any extra night stays due to weather or mechanical failure
- Travel insurance - highly recommended - Baja Ecotours recommends CSA Travel protection
CAMPO CORTEZ:
Seemingly perched on the edge of civilization, "Campo Cortez" offers many modern amenities while maintaining a clean, comfortable and eco-friendly environment. The camp also provides a modern solar and wind generation system in our dining palapa and library that provides 110 ac or 12 volt dc power for all of your charging needs.
The camp also maintains:
- Two private hot water showers (solar & propane)
- Four eco-conscious bathrooms with flushing toilets (& beautiful murals!)
- Marine mammal & Baja library
- Satellite telephone for emergencies
Weather is usually sunny and warm, but can be cloudy and windy. We recommend layered clothing providing warmth if needed, including waterproof pants and windbreakers, plus sun hats, shorts and light shirts.
Photography can be long-range, but is more often close up, so wide-angle lenses are useful. Accommodations are sturdy two-person cabanas with dc power charger & solar lights, & spectacular views of the lagoon. The cabanas include sleeping cots with new sleeping bags, blankets, fresh linens and pillows -- you only need to bring your personal items. You'll find that your sleeping quarters are weather proof, warm and extremely comfortable. If you are traveling alone, & wish to room with someone, we will help pair you up with a roommate either before the trip or upon our arrival. If you wish to have a cabin to yourself, the extra cost is $650.
Every morning a hearty breakfast is served. Afterwards, you'll depart in our skiffs to join the whales for about two hours of whale watching. Baja Ecotours guided boat trips with local captains allow you close encounters with the whales. The guides are graduates of a naturalist training program (RARE) and speak English. They educate while ensuring safe viewing with minimal disturbance.
After returning to camp you'll have time to yourself to wander the shell-strewn beaches, watch whales from the shore or just relax in your cabana. You'll enjoy a peaceful, go at your own pace atmosphere. We have no hectic schedules here. Lunch is served midday and then it's off to see the whales again.
In the afternoon you'll have time to take a natural history excursion, kayak the birding estuary, browse our library or simply relax beachside.
At day's end you'll be treated to coffee, cocktails or refreshments as the sun sets over the dunes in the distance leaving a vermilion sky in its shadows. Sunsets are soon followed by authentic gourmet Mexican meals with plenty of fresh fish, vegetables, and other specialties. When you retire to your cabana you'll be lulled asleep by the sounds of the lagoon; whales breathing in the distance and coyotes singing to the moon.
See photo below for a list of marine mammals, invertebrates and birds seen in 2007:
A Note About Your Expedition & Mother Nature:
Please keep in mind that your expedition is just that, an expedition into the remote Baja wilderness. Our daily itinerary is flexible allowing us the opportunity to take advantage of any unexpected wildlife or natural history encounters. While we make every effort to stick to our daily itinerary, unexpected delays may result due to any number of circumstances, such as bad weather or mechanical failures. Guided nature walks around Campo Cortez may fill in on windy days or just when requested, and sometimes day trips are taken to surrounding communities. Keep a flexible attitude and open spirit and you will be rewarded with the wildlife encounter of a lifetime. We'll see you soon in the Baja.
Last year was our second trip to Campo Cortez on San Ignacio Lagoon, and we had an incredible time with the whales and the people, and hope you can join us on this year's adventure!
Space is limited and the trip is filling up fast, so reserve your space now!
Susan & Howie
Orca Network
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