Welcome to Baja California Sur!
Today you'll arrive at the airport in San Jose del Cabo where you will be met by your guides and transferred to Todos Santos and Los Colibris Casitas, about a 90 minute drive. Upon arrival we'll get you get settled into your lovely rooms with beautiful ocean views, then we'll have a welcome gourmet taco dinner at Iker's Colibris Cafe on the Los Colibris grounds. During dinner your guides will host a trip briefing, outlining the adventures to come. Overnight at Los Colibris Casitas with an ocean lullaby.
Surfing / Todos Santos Taco Crawl
We'll start off this great vacation learning to ride the waves at Los Cerritos, one of the best surf breaks in Baja. Our instructors guarantee that you'll stand up on your board - at least for a moment - during your hour of instruction. It's a total blast! After a fun morning at the beach we'll head into town where we'll check out Todos Santos's well-deserved reputation as a food lover’s paradise and indulge in Baja California Sur’s greatest contribution to world cuisine: the fish taco! We'll check out three great local joints to sample not only fish tacos, but other types of tacos drawing on the area’s bounties of land and sea. You might find several different types of ceviche out there too!
After the taco crawl there will be time to check out the shops and artist galleries of Todos Santos and/or head back to Los Colibris to enjoy some pool or beach time. Dinner in town.
Sea of Cortez and Camp Cecil Adventure!
We're off to Isla Espiritu Santo and Camp Cecil today! After breakfast we'll go to our bodega to get snorkeling gear and wet suits, then it's on to the boats and out into the Sea of Cortez!
Camp Cecil is on Isla Espiritu Santo which is in a National Marine Park, part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and is one of the best marine life viewing destinations in the world. Whales, dolphins, whale sharks, sea turtles, manta rays and plenty of beautiful tropical fish call the surrounding waters home, while a terrific range of bird species including Blue-footed Boobies, Reddish Egrets, Great Blue Herons and Yellow-footed Gulls frequent the island’s skies and shores. The island itself is stunning, with magnificent towering cliffs, spectacular sandy bays, amazing lava rock formations, and rock art left by the now-extinct Guaycura and Pericu Indians. There’s even an endemic ring-tailed cat, the babisuri. It’s a remarkable place to explore. We’ll spend the days doing exactly what pleases us - kayaking, snorkeling, hiking, swimming with sea lions, stand up paddle boarding, bird watching, and exploring hidden lagoons and desert beaches. Hanging around doing nothing, reading novels and sipping margaritas also highly encouraged.
Another day of island riches. Perhaps paddle board with sea turtles, or snorkel with sea lions, maybe spot some whales, or dance with some Blue-footed Boobies. Whatever surprises the day may hold, you can be sure that it will also include magnificent food and drink!
One more day of island bliss!
Whale Sharks / Return to Todos Santos / Chef Dinner at Los Colibris
Today we'll return from Camp Cecil for one of our most exciting adventures yet - swimming with the whale sharks, so named because at up to 59 feet and 15 tons they are definitely a whale of a shark. In fact, they are the largest fish in the world. And while your mother probably told you to stay away from sharks, these gentle giants are only interested in plankton – all human flesh is safe!
In the afternoon we'll return to Todos Santos and enjoy a magnificent dinner with Chef Eleazar at Los Colibris.
Sierra La Laguna Hike / Mexican Cooking Class
The Sierra de la Laguna Biosphere Reserve interpretive hike is in one of Baja California Sur's most beautiful but least explored areas. Part of an island off the coast of Baja 10 million years ago, the Reserve is home to an incredible diversity of plant and animal life and up to 30% of species are endemic, meaning they only can be found in the Sierras. We'll start the hike at a local ranch, then hike up to get spectacular views all the way down to the sea. This is 3-4 hour hike with a picnic lunch. Shorter/longer hikes are available as well.
Tonight local lawyer turned chef Iker Algorri, author of Cooking Adventures in Baja California Sur and chef-in-residence at Los Colibris Casitas, leads this wonderful Mexican Survival Cooking Class. The emphasis is on having as much fun as humanly possible, learning to make the perfect margarita, and gaining the skill to make some truly memorable Mexican dishes following Chef Iker’s cooking philosophy, the Magnificence of Simplicity. You’ll also probably learn about some great Latin music you’ve never heard before. But be warned – dancing often known to follow!
Say adios but not good-bye. Transfer to the airport.
