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Kayaking the Sea of Cortez Baja

Baja California, a wilderness of ochre desert lapped by aquamarine seas, is one of the best getaway destinations we know of. On this fun, active (yet superlatively relaxing) vacation, you'll take up the gentle art of sea kayaking in the Sea of Cortez.

Easy-to-master kayak skills are taught by expert guides and in no time you'll be paddling the protected waters around Espiritu Santo Island, feeling your cares trickle away like water drops off your paddle blade. Besides kayaking, you'll swim and snorkel with friendly sea lions and tropical fish, hike in the island's arid canyons, and happily become a prisoner to the island's magic.

And camp life is the best: you'll dine on tasty Mexican food (yummy ceviche!), quench your thirst with plenty of ice-cold drinks, and enjoy a paradise of sunny days, mind-boggling star shows at night, and gold-and-crimson sunsets that set the sky afire.

Day 2 - Espiritu Santo Island. Morning transfer to Espiritu Santo Island. We travel by boat from La Paz harbor across the channel separating the peninsula from Espiritu Santo Island, and arrive at our beach base camp late in the morning. (The ride takes between one and two hours, depending on the weather.) Our kayaks and camp await us on shore, and the guides give everyone a thorough briefing on camp life and kayak safety before setting out on an easy excursion in one of the sheltered coves. In the afternoon, we return to camp and enjoy a beautiful sunset over the Sea of Cortez while the staff prepares a delicious welcome dinner.
B,L,D…Camp

Days 3-5 - Kayak along the shoreline, stopping to explore sheltered coves and deserted beaches. We'll have opportunities to hike in spectacular canyons (a favorite hike is to cross the spine of the island to the other side-about a three-hour roundtrip hike) and snorkel among tropical fish and friendly sea lions. We'll also do a bit of whale watching (in season) and go fishing.
B,L,D each day…Camp

Day 6 - Morning to kayak or snorkel. After lunch we break camp and motor back to La Paz to explore the town and have a farewell dinner.
B,L,D…Hotel Los Arcos

Day 7 - Fly home. Transfer to the airport and depart on homeward-bound flights.

Stay a Little Longer!
If you would like to spend a few extra days in Baja there are several possibilities for activities that can be arranged "on the spot," such as deep-sea fishing, boat tours, etc. There are also several nice resort hotels in the area such as La Concha Beach Resort and Hotel Palmira in La Paz, and Hotel Finisterra and Hotel Palmilla near Cabo San Lucas, a resort town on the southern tip of Baja. (You can rent a car or take the local bus to Cabo San Lucas.)

What to Expect

Expert Leadership
Expert leadership is the key to an exciting, unforgettable experience. Our trips feature gifted leaders for whom leading trips is a true vocation. Besides showing you wonders you'd never find on your own, they make sure everything runs smoothly and safely without a hitch. They are knowledgeable about all aspects of your trip, and take great pleasure in sharing their insights with you. More than just guides, they positively elevate your experience by being teachers, companions, and the best of friends. You'll be in good hands with them every step of the way. Although trip leader assignments are subject to change, the following people regularly lead this trip:

Lissa Flemming has lived in Baja since 1990. Before leading our sea kayaking and whale watching trips, she worked for three years with the Marine Mammal Conservation Program assisting with research on the islands (sea lions, whales, dolphins, small mammals, shorebirds, and small-scale fisheries). She is fluent in Spanish, and has a deep appreciation and extensive knowledge of the marine life, the geographical area, and the culture of the Baja Peninsula. Thanks to her keen eyes and detailed descriptions of the flora and fauna, you'll see a world that could easily go unnoticed by the average traveler. Lissa is also an American Canoe Association Coastal Kayaking Instructor Trainer and Wilderness First Responder.

Carlos Gajon is a native of La Paz who grew up fishing with his grandfather on the Sea of Cortez. At one time a student of international law at the University of Baja California Sur in La Paz, Carlos is now on "sabbatical" from his studies to pursue his love of the outdoors by working as a sea kayak guide. An avid surfer, he picked up sea kayaking rapidly and was just recently certified an ACA sea kayak instructor. He is also a certified Wilderness First Responder.

Leader assignments will be confirmed in the Final Bulletin sent to you three weeks prior to departure.

Activity Level
Mountain Travel Sobek trips are designed for flexible, energetic people who like to be active and have a spirit of adventure and a positive attitude. On a scale from 1 to 5, we rate this trip as a 2-easy to moderate in nature. It's a suitable trip for beginners who have never sea kayaked before. Children six and over are welcome; children under the age of 16 must be accompanied in a double kayak with a strong adult paddler for extended paddling excursions (it is all right for them to paddle alone close to shore at camp). A triple kayak for two parents and a young child (who sits in the middle) is available when reserved in advance (no extra charge). The fleet of kayaks at camp is comprised of about 1/3 singles and 2/3 doubles, and you are encouraged to trade around so everyone has the opportunity to paddle different boats. Whether you paddle single or double will depend on your experience and the guide's best judgment, with safety as our first concern. Exclusive use of a single kayak for the entire trip is available at an additional charge of $50. This option is for experienced, strong paddlers only.

Hikes range from easy to moderate. If you want to fish, you can use a dragline from your kayak or use a rod and reel with lures (mid-sized repalas that sink-blue or green work best) and troll from the panga (dinghy). Two rods with reels are available at camp (although you are welcome to bring your own), but you will need to bring your own lures. Trolling from the panga is offered on some mornings, weather permitting. Snorkeling is also an optional activity. You may rent equipment (mask, snorkel, fins, and wetsuit) but we recommend you bring your own.

Camp Life
Our home while on Espiritu Santo is at a comfortable beach base camp. We'll sleep in lightweight tents set up on the beach (we use three- or four-person tents for two people). A large dome tent is used as a cooking area (and if it's windy, we'll dine here, too). We provide chairs for dining, but no formal dining table. A solar system provides lights in the dining and kitchen areas, but you'll need to bring your own flashlight for returning to your tent.

Meals are a combination of the best of American and Mexican traditions using fresh local ingredients. Barbecued chicken, Veracruz-style fresh fish, grilled steak tacos accompanied by guacamole and a variety of Mexican salsas, plus fresh soups and salads prepared daily for lunch are just a few examples of our tasty menu. Evening "happy hours" find us sipping ice cold Margaritas and Ballena beer and enjoying an appetizer as we watch the spectacular Baja sunset.

Two toilets are set up in private locations at both ends of the camp. These are self-contained Porta-Potties complete with closing toilet seat. Solar showers are available for rinsing (you can bathe in the bay or take sponge baths-fresh water is brought over from the mainland and is limited). Drinking water is filtered.

Weather
Temperatures can range from 60°-90°, depending on the season. December to February is the coolest time of year, but winter weather is warm, with temperatures ranging from 60°-85°F. Rain is rare. In December, January, and February it can be windy, but the days are nice and sunny (there is also more chance of rain showers). March is warmer, with temperatures ranging from 70°-85° (water temperatures around 65°). April and October are hot, and temperatures can reach 90°F during the day. Water temperatures range from 60° (January) to 80° (October).

Layering clothing works best to adjust to temperature changes. Except for October, you need a pile sweater for evenings and a wetsuit for snorkeling. Temperatures can drop to 45°F at night.

Documentation
A visa is not necessary for U.S. citizens traveling to Mexico. A valid passport or state/government issued photo ID plus certified copy of U.S. birth certificate is required. Tourist cards are issued on the plane to La Paz. Citizens of other countries should check with a Mexican Embassy or Consulate for further requirements. A driver's license is not sufficient for U.S. citizens. You can bring a driver's license plus an original birth certificate (or a certified copy).

Then Leave the Rest to Us
Before you go, we provide you with extensive pre-departure information, including clothing recommendations, suggested reading lists, and other details.

Why Mountain Travel Sobek is Your First Choice for Adventure
Mountain Travel Sobek is the pioneer in active adventure travel. No other adventure travel company can lay claim to that title. We were the first to take Americans trekking in Nepal, raft the wild rivers of Africa, and open up many previously inaccessible corners of the world to curious travelers. We set the standard for adventure travel and have a strong reputation for excellence that we do everything we can to maintain. Since we are the leading adventure company, we have a lot to live up to, so we make sure we provide safe, quality trips and the best customer service to our passengers.

With Mountain Travel Sobek, you're guaranteed a unique paddling adventure. We are one of the few adventure travel companies who have developed new and exciting kayaking trips in all corners of the world. The people who guide our trips have an impeccable safety record and know how to provide an unforgettable adventure.

Note on Itinerary
Although we will do our very best to adhere to the itinerary schedule as listed, it is subject to change for numerous reasons beyond our control. Please read the Limitations of Liability and Booking Conditions in the four-page Participant Information Form.

Conditions of Participation
Your participation on a Mountain Travel Sobek trip is subject to the conditions stated in the four-page Participant Information Form, which includes the Agreement and Release from Liability and the Booking Conditions. We urge you to read this information carefully, and to call us if you have any questions.

Note on Services
We often use local suppliers who provide services that may include transportation, equipment, logistic support, and other services (hotels, restaurants, etc.). We do not own or operate these independent suppliers. We work with service providers who share our commitment to safety and quality, and work closely with them to develop itineraries unique to Mountain Travel Sobek.

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