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Trip Details

Sea of Cortez: Loreto, Round-Trip - Sun break explore the Sea of Cortez on a luxury yacht with wonderful cuisine. Included: snorkelling with sea lions, laser sail boat, sea kayaks & water skis.
8 days | Departures: 3/25/07, 11/18/07, 12/13/07, 12/20/07, 12/27/07, 1/6/08, 1/13/08, 1/20/08, 1/27/08, 2/3/08, 2/10/08, 2/17/08, 2/24/08, 3/2/08, 3/9/08, 3/16/08, 3/23/08, 11/23/08, 11/30/08, 12/16/08, 12/23/08, 12/30/08 | From $3,995

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Trip Highlights: The perfect sun break exploring the Sea of Cortez onboard a luxury yacht with wonderful cuisine. Included: snorkelling with sea lions, laser sail boat, sea kayaks & water skis.

Rates: $3,995 - $6,495

Ship Name: Safari Quest Motor Yacht
Passengers: 22

Introduction

Baja California, a seemingly sparse, burning desert region, is not what it seems. Here along the Sea of Cortéz, the desert becomes an ocean of wonder. Plant species alone number close to 3,000, and bird-life is rich and varied, from migrating terns to comical boobies. Marvel at the wealth of marine life like elephant seals, California sea lions, hundreds of fish species, dolphins, and whales. Whether you're kayaking, sailing, or cruising above water, or swimming and snorkelling below, you will wander and weave your way through one of Mexico's most treasured, unspoiled areas.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Loreto, boarding
Welcome to Baja California Sur! You are met at the airport and taken on a tour of the local area before boarding the Safari Quest. Step out on deck with your fellow travellers, champagne in hand, to toast the brilliant Baja sunset before dinner. Anchor in a quiet cove this evening.

Day 2: Whales and Dolphins
Join the Expedition Leader for an introduction to the whales of the Sea of Cortes while the Captain and crew keep their eyes open for spouts. Spend your first day on the water in search of marine mammals of many kinds before dropping anchor in a beautiful cove along the shores of the Baja Peninsula. Take the inflatable launch to shore for an evening stroll on the beach, then enjoy a wonderful dinner back on board the Safari Quest.

Day 3: Trail Rides and Water Activities
After breakfast, meet a local ranchero for an included trail ride into the arroyos and mountains of the Baja peninsula. Take in stunning views of the mountains and sea before returning to the tiny village on the beach where you spend some unhurried time with local artisans and fishermen. During lunch continue your cruise, stopping later in a remote cove to swim, sail, or kayak before calling it a day.

Day 4: Isla Coyote and Swimming with Sea Lions
Step ashore at the smallest village in the Sea of Cortez today. Enjoy a conversation with a remarkable group of people who make their living as fishermen "in the middle of nowhere" before departing this afternoon. After cruising for a short while, drop anchor and slip into the water where playful California sea lions come have a look at us. Depart for your evening anchorage, and cruise until sunset. Take advantage of your top-deck hot tub after dinner this evening.

Day 5: La Paz
Historic La Paz is your morning port call. Tour the local church and mission, and talk with artists in their workshops. You also have free time to stroll the lively waterfront, and shop or relax. Back on board, have a light lunch as you cruise north, searching for whales and dolphins as we go. This evening the ship anchors in a pristine bay surrounded by clear skies and crystalline waters.

Days 6-7: The Nature of the Sea of Cortez, Gray Whales
You spend the next two days weaving a path through some of the most scenic areas found in the Sea of Cortez. You go beachcombing on white-sand beaches decorated with seashells, hike to the tops of rocky bluffs where the views take your breath away. Watch pods of dolphins, and blue, pilot or fin whales as they spout and dive in the surrounding waters. During the late winter and early spring months, travel with your local guide to the calving grounds of gray whales for a close up view of these gentle giants. Or, if the whales have left the bay on their northward migration, continue your exploration of the Sea of Cortez by kayak, sail boat, and inflatable launch. And finally, to celebrate your journey in this magical place, enjoy a festive Farewell Dinner the night before you depart for home.

Day 8: Disembarkation, Loreto
After breakfast on board you bid you "adios." A transfer to the airport for connections home is included.


Notes: Included:
Meet/greet services and transfers; exclusive shore excursions; all meals aboard; premium wine, beer and liquor; kayaking and small-boat exploration; onboard professional naturalist or guide; all taxes, port charges and fees.

Not Included:
Airfare to and from your home city; super-premium wine, beer and liquor; discretionary gratuities to vessel's crew, typically 5-10% of fare, and to local guides or drivers, suggested as $2-$5 per guest; travel insurance.

Special Sailings:

Scuba Diving: 12/13/2007 and 11/30/2008
You'll spend three days out of seven diving and exploring the riches hidden in the Sea of Cortez. A rendezvous boat provided by expert local dive operators joins you for diving adventures in prime sites such as Isla Espiritu Santo and Los Islotes near La Paz and Isla Carmen and Isla Danzante in the vicinity of Loreto. Bilingual guides will lead and coordinate dives.

Astronomy: 1/14/2007 and 1/13/2008
Baja is one of the best places on Earth to enjoy and study the night sky. For the avid or amateur stargazer, or budding astronomer, the skies of Baja are calling! Spend your evenings on the top deck with your fellow travellers, and discover the universe of constellations and planets. Telescopes and educational programs will be added to this celestial departure.

Photography: 1/21/2007, 1/20/2008, and 12/16/2008
Professional photographer Mike Nolan joins these two cruises as a photography specialist. Whether you're happy to just point and shoot, or you never leave home without at least three lenses, this is an excellent photographic opportunity!

Kids in Nature: 3/25/2007 and 3/16/2008
This program offers kid-size pricing -- 2 kids under 12 for the price of 1 adult fare. These cruises include a luxury yacht as the schoolhouse and an expedition leader as a teacher, providing kids and teens with plenty of activities to keep them entertained. Kids receive a personalized backpack filled with exploration tools and a photo disc to of hundreds of images to share for years to come.