Welcome to Baja California Sur!
Today you'll arrive at the airport in San Jose del Cabo (please see INFORMATION page for arrival details and procedures) where you'll 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 gourmet taco welcome dinner at Iker's Colibris Cafe. During dinner your guides will host a trip briefing, outlining the adventures to come. Overnight at Los Colibris with an ocean lullaby.
Surfing Lessons / Taco Crawl / Mexican Cooking Class
We'll start off this great vacation by learning to surf the waves at Los Cerritos, one of the best surf breaks in Baja. No experience, no problem! Our instructors guarantee you'll get up - at least for a moment - during the first hour of instructions.
After working up an appetite at the beach we'll head into town. Todos Santos has a well-deserved reputation as a food lover’s paradise, so there is really no better place to indulge in Baja California Sur’s greatest contribution to world cuisine: the fish taco! After working up an appetite on the walking tour, we'll indulge in an epic taco tour, taking you to our favorite 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!
This evening Local lawyer turned chef Iker Algorri, author of Cooking Adventures in Baja California Sur and chef-in-residence at Los Colibris Casitas, will lead a 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!
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, and sipping margaritas also highly encouraged.
Who knows what adventures the day may bring?! 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!
Swimming with Whale Sharks
Today we'll return from the island to one of the most amazing experiences yet - swimming with the largest fish in the world - the whale shark! Of course, you may be asking yourself: is it a whale or is it a shark? Hint: whales are mammals and sharks are fish. And at up to 59 feet and 15 tons, whale sharks are definitely a whale of a shark! 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! These gentle giants feed on plankton in the Bay of La Paz (so all human flesh is safe), and it is here that we have the remarkable experience of observing and swimming with them. After lunch by the seaside, we'll have the afternoon free to explore the town and maybe do some birding as well. Dinner at a terrific local restaurant.
Camp Cecil de la Sierra and the Sierra La Laguna Biosphere Reserve
Camp Cecil de la Sierra is a luxury tent camp in the Sierra La Laguna Biosphere Reserve of Baja California Sur. It is the sister property of award-winning Camp Cecil de la Isla. Camp Cecil de la Sierra is on the property of a local ranching family, and the camp highlights both the cultural and natural heritage of the Sierras. The family is an integral part of the experience, providing most of the meat, cheese, and produce for the camp, as well as conducting workshops in tortilla making and leather working.
The Sierra La Laguna Biosphere Reserve is one of Baja´s most beautiful but least explored areas. Part of an island off the coast of Baja 10 million years ago, the Reserve is one of the most biodiverse areas in the world. Reflecting it's long history of island isolation, almost 25% of plants and 10% of animals found in the Reserve are endemic to the area, i.e, they are not found anywhere else on the planet. Activities at the camp include beautiful hikes in the reserve, swim in watering holes and picnic by waterfalls. There is fantastic birding in the early mornings, amazing star gazing at night, and plenty of opportunities to interact with the ranch family and work with them making cheese, tortillas and other products in the traditional manner. You can also just hang out in the shade of the trees and enjoy the books in the library, perhaps while sipping a margarita.
Perhaps we'll start the day with some birding around camp early in the morning, enjoy an amazing ranch breakfast, then head out for a great hike through the mountains, taking in some spectacular views. Upon our return we can enjoy a dip in a mountain pool, then take a leather-working workshop and/or tortilla-making class. Afterwards we can indulge in happy hour, followed by a great ranch dinner prepared by our chef. And if you're awake late enough, we'll enjoy the stars in the clear mountain air. A magnificent day.
Say adios but not good-bye! Transfer to the Cabo airport.
