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Peregrine Travel Centre

Whales & Wildness: Spring in the Sea of Cortez

Whales & Wildness: Spring in the Sea of Cortez

From $7,740 AUD

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Description

Unique, immersive style of travel
The Sea of Cortez in spring is among the best times and places to see a great variety of whales—humpback, sperm, fin, Bryde’s, and blue whales—plus large aggregations of dolphins. Sail the Sea of Cortez, exploring its many islands free from tourist infrastructure and designated a UNESCO World Heritage site. An expedition of pure discovery, a flexible itinerary means we’re free to follow the seasonal movements of wildlife to optimize sightings.

An itinerary designed to follow the wildlife
We rely on our 35 years of experience in the region and expert local knowledge of wildlife movements to seek out rare encounters with marine mammals. If we see Bryde’s whales in the morning, our scheduled hike will be postponed so we can linger among them, shooting photos from the bow of our ship, or from our expedition landing craft. You’ll discover a stimulating sense of adventure on each day of your expedition.

One of the best places on Earth to see marine mammals
The Sea of Cortez is host to an incredibly diverse population of marine mammals—and we know where to find them. You may see fin, pilot, Bryde’s, sperm, or possibly, even blue whales. Part of the joy of an expedition is standing on deck with binoculars in hand watching for whale spouts—visible from very far on calm days. See the wildlife of Baja & the Sea of Cortez.

Every day is active and engaging
You’ll be able to hike through forests of towering cacti and up striking desert canyons. You’ll take expedition landing craft along the shore to see and shoot photos of plunge-diving pelicans and blue-footed boobies, and you’ll have the option to walk or kayak, and to join a different naturalist as you choose: there are no assigned groups.

Travel in excellent company
Explore under the sure guidance of an expedition leader, six veteran naturalists, including two National Geographic certified photo instructors and an undersea specialist, plus a wellness specialist. Their knowledge and passion for Baja California is the key to your once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Trip Name
Whales & Wildness: Spring in the Sea of Cortez
Days
8
Overview
Vessel Type: Comfortable Expedition Length: 52 metres Passenger Capacity: 62 (in twin cabins) Built: 1982 / Refurbished 2015 Twin Expedition ships, National Geographic Sea Bird & Sea Lion, can reach places inaccessible to larger ships due to their small size, yet each can comfortably accommodate 62 guests. The feeling, is often compared to that of a large private yacht, with everyone integral to the adventure. Accessibility means freedom. Our captains have decades of sailing experience in the regions we explore. They know when and where to navigate so that you feel the places we visit are all ours. Full interior renovations have been completed on these twin 62-guest ships, National Geographic Sea Lion and National Geographic Sea Bird. The extensive renovation to guest cabins, the lounge and bar, dining room, public areas and spa has transformed the ships to provide the ultimate in expedition hospitality and comfort. Nothing has been left untouched, from the sleekly framed wall photos, to the fresh paint, and new carpets throughout the ships. - The lounge and bar have been completely redesigned and reconfigured to provide an open, enhanced environment with additional seating and better flow. The modern design features new tables and chairs, upholstery of settees, overhead ceiling panels, and LED dimmable lighting. The lounge also hosts a new food & beverage area, library, and Global Market. - The dining room’s upgrade features all new tables, chairs, ceiling panels, and LED dimmable lighting. The wine bar has been replaced and features a display showcasing selections from the regions explored. - Every cabin has been completely redone and all furnishings have been replaced. Modern aged cherry bed boxes, faux leather headboards, Lindblad signature bed linens, new windows, lighting, and additional USB outlets provide a dramatic makeover for a relaxing guest experience. Bathrooms now feature new shower doors and all new hardware. - Exterior renovations include new deck furniture and outdoor awning.

Itinerary



Day 1 - DAY 1: Home/Los Cabos, Mexico/ Embark la Paz
Fly into Los cabos and transfer to La Paz to set sail on the Sea of Cortez. (D)
Day 2 - DAY 2-7: Exploring the Sea of Cortez
Our routing is designed with flexibility in mind, to maximize opportunities for wildlife sightings. It will most likely include the islands and activities listed below, although the order may vary (B,L,D): Islas San Esteban and San Pedro Martir Walk up a desert wash, to search for desert birds and the endemic pinto chuckwalla — a harmless desert lizard. Later visit Isla San Pedro Martir, a 1,000-foot-high guano-covered island that is home to thousands of seabirds. Blue-footed boobies, red-billed tropicbirds, pelicans and frigatebirds are all found here. Isla Santa Catalina Search for marine life and hike among the giant barrel cactus on one of most dramatic islands in the Sea of Cortez. Isla San Marcos Explore via kayak, walks, swimming and opportunites to snorkel. Isla San Jose One of the larger islands in the Sea of Cortez, San Jose offers several landing possiblities depending on conditions and the whim of the moment. Photograph the ochre cliffs of the island's eatern shore, hike an "enchanted" arroyo, or visit the abandoned salt works to the west. Los Islotes/Espiritu Santo Swim and snorkel in the turquoise waters, perhaps with some curious sea lions. Expedition landing craft rides, rare bird sightings, the possibility of spotting an endemic black jackrabbit, or simply some relaxing beachcombing are all possibilities today.
Day 3 - DAY 8: Disembark / La Paz, Mexico / Los Cabos
Disembark in La Paz and transfer to the airport in Los Cabos for flights home. (B)
Day 4 - Please Note:
All day-by-day breakdowns are a sampling of the places we intend to visit, conditions permitting.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
14-04-201821-04-2018AUD$11,620Category 1 Single
14-04-201821-04-2018AUD$7,740Category 1
14-04-201821-04-2018AUD$8,990Category 2
14-04-201821-04-2018AUD$13,490Category 2 Single
14-04-201821-04-2018AUD$9,990Category 3

Inclusions

    • Search for large pods of dolphins and various species of whales—blue, sperm, pilot, fin, humpback, and Bryde’s—all in the same week.
    • Explore water-level caves by kayak, hike uninhabited beaches, snorkel among fish and acrobatic sea lions, and see colorful cactus blossoms.
    • Visit the old mining town of Santa Rosalia, with its wooden homes and historic steel church, designed by Gustave Eiffel.
    • Experience a voyage of pure discovery in a UNESCO World Heritage site, with a flexible itinerary and sites chosen by the region’s most knowledgeable staff, based on conditions and to maximize wildlife sightings.
    • Conditions permitting, visit Isla Rasa, where 90% of the world’s Heermann’s gulls and the elegant tern comes to breed.

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