AMC Adventure Travel
Kayak and Whale Watch in Baja Sur, Mexico
February 9-19, 2012
Where would you rather be in
February? Experience the natural
paradise of the Sea of Cortez, a World
Heritage Site also known as “the
aquarium of the world” (el acuario del
mundo in Spanish), and the Baja
California peninsula on the northwest
coast of Mexico. Kayak in turquoise
waters while circumnavigating Espiritu
Santo Island, a national park, with its
coastal arches and other naturally
carved rock formations. We will camp
for 6 nights on white sand beaches
watching pastel sunsets and sunrises
over the sea. There will be plenty of
time for snorkeling, hiking and exploring the island. While in Baja California we will also
take a 2-day trip to Magdalena Bay on the Pacific coast to respectfully observe whales by
small motorboat as they play and eat just before beginning their spring journey of over
6000 miles to the Bering Sea in the Arctic waters of Alaska.
According to the World Heritage website, the Sea of
Cortez has striking natural beauty in a dramatic
setting formed by rugged islands with high cliffs
and sandy beaches, which contrast with the
brilliant reflection from the desert and the
surrounding turquoise waters. The Sea of Cortez
and its islands have been called a natural
laboratory for the investigation of speciation.
Moreover, almost all major oceanographic
processes occurring in the planet's oceans are
present in the property, giving it extraordinary
importance for study. The Sea is thought to be one
of the most diverse seas on the planet, and is home
to more than 5,000 species of macroinvertebrates,
which are organisms that lack a spine and are large
enough to be seen with the naked eye. Baja
California itself the world’s second longest, most
isolated peninsula in the world.
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Whale Watch
Every year gray whales make their annual migration from the Chirikof Basin in Alaska to
Magdelena Bay, a round trip of some 12,400 miles making it the longest migration by any
mammal. During the whales’ winter
visit, they calve and nurse in the
shallow lagoons. These amazing
gray whale nursing grounds are
protected by strict Mexican
environmental and ecological
legislation. We are careful to
observe these regulations by
exclusively working with licensed
cooperatives that have trained boat
drivers. This in turn helps support
local fishermen and their families.
La Paz
We will start our trip in the city of La Paz, "peace" in Spanish, which is the state capital of
Baja California Sur with a population of around 300,000. As the region's commercial,
cultural and political center, La Paz is still a tranquil and very Mexican port town. Through
the years it has preserved a sort of nostalgic "old Baja" atmosphere.
Though the area has fine beaches, La Paz is not known as a beach resort in the traditional
Mexican resort sense. Instead, the city has a provincial Mexican town atmosphere. It lies on
a deep inlet off the Sea of Cortez, along the southeast end of the gently curved shore of Bahia
de La Paz. The sunsets in La Paz are some of the areas most spectacular in Baja.
Surrounded by Sonoran desert, La Paz is set amid ancient laurel trees and coconut and date
palms. The city is laid out in the classic grid pattern with streets radiating from the city's
northwest facing the waterfront, the city's lovely waterfront promenade, or malecón. A few
blocks inland is the main plaza, Plaza Constitución, with its pink quartz gazebo, tiled
walkways and 19th century cathedral.
Today it is a thriving regional center and conduit
for nearly all trade between Baja and the Mexican mainland.
Hand-painted pottery and natural-dyed weavings are some of the local specialties, and you
may have an opportunity to see artisans at work.
Accommodations and Meals
Our expedition includes 2 nights in a comfortable hotel in La Paz, 1 night at a hotel in
Magdalena Bay, and 6 nights camping in tents on soft sandy beaches on the island. All
accommodations, including tents, are double occupancy.
We will follow strict policies of conservation as we practice “Leave No Trace” camping.
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Meals on the 6 paddling days are all freshly prepared using local produce. Three plentiful
meals each day plus snacks are provided with an emphasis on Mexican cuisine, but not too
spicy. Non-meat eaters are easily accommodated. For example, each morning we start off
with coffee or tea, juice, fresh fruit, sweet breads and yogurt, eggs, quesadillas or chilaquiles
(fried tortillas in a tomato based sauce, with cream on top).
Healthy lunches will include salads such as Cesar, tuna, crab or potato as well as cold cuts to
make sandwiches. At least once we will have the Mexican favorite -- tamales -- made of
cornmeal roasted in cornhusks and stuffed with beef, chicken, vegetables or fruit.
For dinner we will have a mix between
Mexican dishes and camping favorites such
as chicken fajitas and a lesser-known local
dish called rajas con queso, which is a
variety of vegetables, including poblano
peppers, cooked in a cream sauce. There
will be some pasta dishes with a tomato,
pesto or zucchini sauce. Other dishes may
include sea bass a la Veracruz with a
tomato based sauce and a stir-fry.
At the beginning of the trip our guides will explain how to efficiently pack the sea-kayaks. It
will then become a group task each day to load all the gear (camping equipment, kitchen,
food and water) into the kayaks before paddling to the next camping beach. The group will
all help set up camp, cook meals and clean dishes. We have a pre-set meal plan and the
guides take overall responsibility for the meals, but everyone will take turns helping with
the food prep etc. We find this shared catering enhances the feeling of comradeship and
brings the group together to discuss the days experiences and the next days’ plans.
Mid-way through the kayaking portion we will receive a re-provision of food and other
supplies so the most we will carry is 3 days worth of food and water. This will be an
opportunity for us to go out by motorboat to the sea lion colony ad possibly swim with the
sea lion pups.
The rewards of this style of expedition lie in the feeling of self-sufficiency, a bonding team
spirit and a real sense of adventure.
Draft Itinerary:
▪ Thursday: Fly into San Jose del Cabo and transfer by van to La Paz, check into our hotel
room and at 9.00pm meet our guides for a trip briefing.
▪ Friday: Transfer from our hotel in La Paz to Espiritu Santo Island in a high speed motor
boat. Guides discuss points on safety and provide beginners with the basics of sea
kayaking and correct use of gear and kayaks. In the afternoon we embark on our
first paddle beneath spectacular volcanic cliffs and arrive at the first of many
beautiful beaches to set up camp.
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▪ Saturday: Continue in our kayaks exploring a new section of coastline with small off
shore islands where numerous sea birds nest. Camp on a new beach.
▪ Sunday: Continue voyage to the end of the island, stopping off to take a refreshing well
water shower, hike up a wonderful canyon to discover fascinating rock formations.
Continue paddle over to Isla Partida and set base camp for two days on north end of
the island.
▪ Monday: This is our lay over day - time to relax
those paddling muscles! Today we take a
fast motor boat ride to a beautiful off shore
island which is home to a large sea lion
colony. Experience the amazing thrill of
swimming with sea lion pups and snorkel
amongst thousands of tropical fish.
▪ Tuesday: Continue around the north end of the
island for our first paddle along the east
coast. A sharp contrast in scenery with
spectacular towering. We will paddle through a narrow channel between Espiritu
Santo and Isla Partida to discover an exquisite setting with high cliffs enclosing the
bay and natural turquoise "swimming pool".
▪ Wednesday: A remarkable paddle beneath towering cliffs rising up to a high point of
2000ft. There are also two natural caves which skillful navigators can paddle right
through. In the afternoon we arrive at a favorite camp spot ~ a magnificent 2 mile
stretch of superb sweeping white sand. Last night camping.
▪ Thursday: Final morning sea-kayaking to complete our circumnavigation. Lunch and
return to La Paz. Check in to our hotel and dinner in a local La Paz restaurant.
▪ Friday: Transfer in an air-conditioned private van to the shores of the Pacific Lagoons at
Lopez Mateos - considered to be the finest whale watching area in the La Paz
proximity (transfer time is 3.5 hours). Typically within minutes of clambering
aboard our motor skiffs we are out in the bay surrounded by Whales. The spectacle
is quite amazing and several close up encounters are practically guaranteed.
Returning to the shore it is then just a two minute stroll to our accommodation.
Relax and then freshen up before dining in our Palapa Restaurant with a buffet of
fresh sea food.
▪ Saturday: Arise to a Mexican cooked breakfast before our second whale-watching trip.
We will venture out into the bay for a second opportunity to immerse our selves
amongst the whales. For the last ten years many of our guests have been thrilled by
the whales swimming right alongside our boats giving them the extraordinary
opportunity to pet them. We will return to Lopez Mateos for a delicious lunch and
then transfer back to La Paz arriving at around 4.00pm which gives time for
souvenir shopping before our farewell dinner together in a La Paz restaurant. Hotel
in La Paz.
▪ Sunday: Breakfast and depart.
Note: As with all of our expeditions, AMC and BOA's first priority is the safety and comfort of
our participants. In the event of inclement weather and/or according to the group's seakayaking ability, the guides may deviate from the above route plan.
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Paddling Requirements
We plan to include both beginners and intermediate
paddlers on this trip. We have enough leaders and guides
to divide the daily paddling into two groups: those who
would prefer slower and leisurely and those who like to
paddle faster and farther. Each participant should have
some experience paddling a recreation kayak, can paddle
straight and make turns, and have some comfort with wind
and waves. You should have the endurance to paddle 3
hours. Each participant should know how to swim, be
comfortable if the kayak capsizes and be able to
participate in a sea rescue. If you have experience in a
skirted sea kayak, you can join the faster group. We plan
to teach safety skills to those who do not have experience,
including wet exits, 2 boat rescues and paddle float reentries. The guides are willing to teach advanced skills,
such as the Eskimo roll to those interested. We will
organize a get together in the fall and practice skills in a
lake setting.
Application Process
If you decide that you would like to sign up for this trip, let us know by email or give us a
call. We will email you an Application, mandatory Confidential Health Questionnaire,
optional Confidential Supplemental Medical Questionnaire, and Acknowledgement and
Assumption of Risk and Release and Indemnity Agreement. A reservation deposit of $500
per person is due with your application. Please make your check payable to the Appalachian
Mountain Club and mail with the completed forms to Robin at the address shown on the
application. After we receive your application, we may talk to you about your kayaking
experience to ascertain your ability to participate successfully in this trip. Providing
information to us about a medical issue or injury will not necessarily disqualify you from
participation, but we may need to ask you some follow-up questions. We want to be sure
that we can adequately provide for your needs in our backcountry locations.
Cost, Deposit and Payment Schedule
The cost is $1990.
The cost includes: 6 days kayaking and 6 nights camping, hotels in La Paz (2 nights) and in
Magdalena Bay (1night), 2 partial days whale watching, travel medical insurance, certified
bilingual naturalist guides, single and/or double kayaks, all kayaking gear, camping
equipment, transportation between our La Paz hotel and the island, transportation between
La Paz and Magdalena Bay, all food and beverages during the kayaking expedition and
breakfasts in the hotels.
The cost does not include:
Flights to and from San Jose del Cabo (SJD) in Baja California Sur, 1 dinner at a restaurant,
trip cancellation insurance, alcoholic drinks. We include tips for the guides and drivers at
8%. You may add to this if you enjoyed the service.
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Upon acceptance on the trip, we will notify you by email or surface mail. At that point we
will deposit your $500 check into the trip account and use the money to cover trip expenses
incurred on your behalf. The balance of $ 1490 per person is due on October 20, 2011.
Cancellation/ Cancellation Insurance
Once you are accepted on the trip and we have deposited your check(s), a $100 cancellation
fee will apply. A refund of amounts paid in excess of $100 will be given to the extent that it
does not raise the cost of the trip to the other participants. If your spot is filled from a
waiting list, then you may be entitled to a full refund, less the $100 cancellation fee. If your
spot cannot be filled, then you will receive a refund for any part of the trip that can be
cancelled by the leaders, less the $100 cancellation fee.
Optional trip cancellation insurance is available through a variety of programs, including
one available from the AMC. You decide on your own, and handle this directly with the
insurance company. Based upon your response in the application, and subject to you being
accepted on the trip, we will send information on the coverage offered by the AMC.
Questions
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact either of us to discuss them.
Leader, Robert White, robertswhite@comcast.net, land: 203-453-3727 cell 203-214-8768
Co-Leader, Robin Melavalin, Rmelavalin@rcn.com, cell: 617.780.5362
Trip Leadership
Robert White: Bob is a canoe and
sea kayak leader for CT-AMC and a
member of the CT flatwater
committee . He has led wilderness
canoeing trips in Ontario and
Quebec. He has hiked and
backpacked all over the world,
including New England, the
Western USA, England, Switzerland and Ecuador. He has hiked in Zion, Bryce and the
southern Utah slot canyons. Bob has advanced wilderness first aid certification. In addition,
Bob is very interested in digital photography and birding, which he hopes to practice on the
trip. He is very excited to lead this trip.
Robin Melavalin: Robin has been kayaking for 10 years and leads
hiking and backpacking trips year-round for both the Southeastern
Massachusetts and Boston AMC chapters. A cultural anthropologist
and international educator, she has led groups abroad to Morocco, the
Bavarian Alps, Cuba and Cape Verde. She has also traveled in Bali,
Japan, Greece, Ecuador, Kenya, Nicaragua, China and many other
countries. Robin directs a global education center for six colleges in
Boston and is certified in advanced wilderness first aid. This will be
her fifth AMC Adventure Travel excursion.
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The outfitter will provide a naturalist guide four our group during the entire trip. All lead
guides are Wilderness First Aid or Wilderness First Responder certified. They are advanced
kayakers with high skill levels and can teach rescue and rolling techniques during the trip if
you wish to improve your skills.
Required Gear
Here is a list of suggestions for what to bring to have a good time on the trip. Please pay
particular attention to the items to protect you from the sun: namely, good sunglasses, a hat
with a brim, lip protection and sun protection lotion with an SPF number of 30 or greater.
Snorkel/swim gear is available for rent at low cost. Shorty wet suits are $40 per week and
snorkeling masks/fins are $30 per week.
Passport
Sleeping bag
Bathing Suit
Water shoes
2 one-liter water bottles or hydration system
Wind gear (both jacket and pants)
Thin wool layer for warmth
Comfortable hiking shoes and socks for island excursions
Hiking shorts
Synthetic T-shirts or other short sleeve shirts
Long sleeve synthetic shirts to protect from sun
Leisure clothes for travel and restaurants (1-2 sets)
Sunglasses
Sun hat
Eye glass strap (waterproof)
Small day pack
Personal first aid
Sun protection lotion
Lip protection balm
Personal toiletries
Head lamp with extra batteries
Recommended gear
Camera
Ear plugs for swimming
Ear plugs for sleeping
Zipper-closure bags for carrying small items
Reading material for breaks in the action
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