Coastal ranches, cave art, and canyons—with top MTS guide Sergio Fitch-Watkins
New for 2011!
Top MTS guide Sergio Fitch has the spirit and experience to lead this unforgettable discovery of Baja’s ancient cave paintings and its grey whales in their natural coastal habitat. We’ll drive the coast northward from La Paz and back again, traversing Baja’s scenic deserts and ranchlands, past shepherds’ hamlets dotted with adobe-huts while navigating a complex maze of canyons and dry desert terrain. We’ll visit time-worn misionesand ancient “petroglyph” masterpieces, catch views of breathtaking coastline, towering volcanoes, and countless endemic cacti—and kick back on white sand beaches or under a desert canopy of stars.
A local guide meets us at Cave San Borjitas to introduce us to the oldest of Baja Californian rupestre art (with paintings over 7,500 years old!). From there we wind down through the Sierra de San Francisco’s “entrañas” to catch more cave paintings, like the 492-foot Great Mural at La Pintada. Then we’ll head to Laguna de San Ignacio for two days of unforgettable grey whale encounters, navigating nearby lush mangrove thickets and parched salt mines—just the kind of contrasts characteristic of Baja topography. We’ll visit the San Ignacio Misión, then go by boat to Espiritu Santo Island, where we’ll snorkel with sea lions and relax at some of Mexico’s best beaches before heading home. At night, we alternate between colorful casitas and serene seaside camps.
Click here for all Mexico Travel & Adventures with MTS!
Activities
Hiking, whale watching, snorkeling
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS
- Get close-up views of some of México's oldest cave paintings—some more than 7,500 years old!
- Unparalleled encounters with gray whales in Laguna de San Ignacio
- Overnights at colorful casitas and serene seaside camps to recharge for each day's fun
Duration: 11 days Start Location: La Paz End Location: La Paz
Download Detailed ItineraryBRIEF Itinerary
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Day 1 : Arrive in La Paz
Arrive at La Paz in Baja California, Mexico. Drive to Mulegé, with scenic stops along the coastline on the way.
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Day 2 : San Borjita Cave
Visit Cave San Borjitas to admire the oldest recorded rupestre art in America. Afternoon drive.
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Day 3 : Santa Theresa Canyon
Continue northward drive to San Francisco. A challenging descent hike through Santa Teresa Canyon’s arroyos. Camp in Santa Teresa Canyon.
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Day 4 : Cave art of Santa Teresa Canyon
Continue trekking through Santa Teresa Canyon, with visits to the most significant rock art caves of the area.
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Day 5 : Cave of the Musicians
Final cave visit in the morning, before returning to San Francisco de la Sierra.
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Day 6 : Laguna de San Ignacio
Drive to Kuyima camp in Laguna de San Ignacio. Afternoon expedition to encounter calving grey whales.
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Day 7 : Whale watching
Boat voyage to the whale colony, followed by an afternoon tour of the saltbeds, sand dunes or mangroves of the San Ignacio area.
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Day 8 : Volcano Las Tres Virgenes
Visit to the celebrated mission at San Ignacio, then head south for views of the Tres Vírgenes volcano. Return to Mulegé for the evening.
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Day 9 : Bahia Concepción
Explore Concepción Bay, with some of the best beaches and clearest waters of the Baja coastline. Stop at the historic ßsettlement of Loreto on the way back to La Paz.
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Day 10 : Sea of Cortez
Head by boat to the island of Espiritu Santo, a protected natural area in the Sea of Cortez. Enjoy some of Mexico’s most incredible beaches.
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Day 11 : Depart La Paz
Depart La Paz on return flights home.
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DATES: Best time to go: February - March Departures: No group departures scheduled. Private departures are available on the dates of your choice, pending availablity. Call us for details. |
PRICING:
2011 Prices |
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Hotel Frances
Santa Rosalia, BajaThis recently restored hotel is located in the center of Santa Rosalia, an old French mining town. A peek into the hotel's lobby will make you feel as though you've entered another world: historical photographs will transport you back to the days when the hotel was a copper mining headquarters.
Properties shown are representative of the accommodations we use on this trip, may not be inclusive of all accommodations we use, and are subject to change.
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.
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Sergio Fitch-Watkins
A native of Mexico is Mountain Travel Sobek's senior climbing guide, with over 20 years of experience (his climbing resume is eight pages long—the short version, that is). Besides leading our climbing expeditions in Ecuador, Bolivia, Peru, and Argentina’s Aconcagua, he also loves to lead some of our more challenging treks in Nepal and Peru. Having led more than 100 trips for Mountain Travel Sobek, Sergio has acquired a considerable, loyal following! See our current list of trips Sergio is leading!
photo credits: ©Sergio Fitch-Watkins
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