The title of this post says it all. In a couple of days I will be traveling to San Diego to join a Road Scholar trip to Baja California, Mexico, to see the gray whales. Officially, the name of the tour is called
"Mexico: The Great Gray Whale Migration and Baja’s Natural Wonders"
Although the ultimate goal is to watch the gray whales spending the winter on the Pacific coast of Baja California, the trip includes drives through the desert. As with other Road Scholar tours it is intended to be an educational trip. This is the first time I am traveling with Road Scholar although I received their emails regularly. They have many tours of all varieties around the world.
Below is a summary of the 8-day trip:
Day 1: Arrival and Orientation
- Participants check in at the Courtyard by Marriott in San Diego, with luggage storage available until rooms are ready.
- Orientation includes registration, a welcome packet, and an overview of the program schedule, safety guidelines, and logistics.
- After lunch, the group visits the Scripps Institution of Oceanography and Birch Aquarium for a lecture on whales, followed by a nature walk in La Jolla.
- Dinner is at a local restaurant, and the evening is for settling in and preparing for the next day.
Day 2: Entering Mexico and Scenic Drive
- After breakfast, participants check out and board a motorcoach to cross the border into Mexico, carrying all belongings.
- The journey includes a scenic drive along Mexican Federal Highway 1 to Ensenada, with a lunch stop at a private home.
- The afternoon features a drive through diverse landscapes to San Felipe, where participants check into a beachfront hotel and enjoy a seafood dinner.
Day 3: Sea of Cortes and Central Desert
- A pre-breakfast beach walk is offered before departing for Guerrero Negro, with stops at scenic viewpoints along the Sea of Cortes.
- Participants explore the Central Desert, learning about unique flora, including the boojum tree and giant cardons.
- After checking into the hotel, the evening includes a toast and socializing with fellow participants.
Day 4: Whale Watching at Scammon’s Lagoon
- Early morning check-out leads to whale watching excursions in Scammon’s Lagoon, with participants divided into small groups for panga boat rides.
- Lunch is a bag meal on the boats, followed by a return to the hotel for freshening up and a local beverage tasting before dinner.
Day 5: San Ignacio Lagoon and Town Exploration
- Participants travel to San Ignacio Lagoon for another whale watching experience, followed by lunch at an eco-camp.
- The afternoon includes a walking field trip to explore the town, visit a local home, and learn to make tortillas.
Day 6: Scammon’s Lagoon and Desert Walk
- After checking out, participants return to Scammon’s Lagoon for a final whale encounter.
- The afternoon drive to Cataviña includes a walk among unique desert flora, with a tequila tasting and traditional Mexican finger foods in the evening.
Day 7: Rock Art and Return to Ensenada
- An early morning walk precedes a visit to a cave with ancient rock art.
- The journey continues with a lunch stop at a historical restaurant, followed by a visit to a local museum.
- Participants arrive in Ensenada for a farewell dinner and toast, sharing experiences from the trip.
Day 8: Departure
- The program concludes with a morning departure from Ensenada, crossing back into San Diego.
- Participants are reminded to keep their passports handy and are provided with travel instructions for their onward journeys.
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