MARCH 4 – 10, 2023
Close Encounters of the Gray Whale Kind!
Touching a 45 ft long whale is like an other-worldly experience. San Ignacio Lagoon, an oasis in the rugged desert landscape of Baja California Sur (Mexico) is the only place in the world where gray whales willingly approach you for human-whale connections.
Each winter gray whales migrate to the warm, shallow waters of the Lagoon to mate and calve; bringing the world’s most extraordinary encounters to only a handful of select people who are called to share this one-of-a-kind wildlife experience. Explore San Ignacio Lagoon and discover the wild, rugged desert coastline; spending evenings marveling at the uninterrupted, ebony starlit sky. This is where dreamlike, magical encounters with whales become a reality.
There is nothing quite like the feeling of having your own slice of paradise. Our superior tented accommodations are naturally distanced allowing for privacy with the added bonus that you’ll feel like you’ve got this remote, corner of the planet all to yourself.
Our Eco-Camp Glamping tents offer all the creature comforts while letting you experience the pure wilderness of camping. All tents are double occupancy, with either twin beds or a king bed, fine linens, with en-suite toilet and showers. The camp also features fire pits, a comfortable clubhouse and an adult area serving fine wine, craft beer and single malt scotches. We have a central palapa that hosts the dining area, bar, and lounge. Our camp has commercial dishwashing sanitizers to keep everyone safe and healthy.
Mystical Yes!
There will be a FULL MOON on March 7 – How Perfect!
What you’ll experience on this trip
Up to 3 Whale Encounters a day—You are going to see a Lot of Gray Whales! Be prepared for some Magical encounters with these Ancient and Wise Beings.
Fly in By Private Charter—Wonderfully remote but just a 2 hour flight from Cabo to San Ignacio Lagoon.
What about the Food—Yes, you are glamping, but the food is 1st class! Enjoy fresh, delicious, healthy chef prepared dishes.
Creature Comforts in the Wild—Glamping tents with real beds, fine linens, ensuite bathroom & shower. Our whale wilderness expedition allows you to experience some of the most remote, wild corners of Baja Mexico, in comfort and luxury
Wild Experience—From salt flats to mangroves, discover the unique landscapes and local wildlife with our expert guides. Kayak paddles, beach walks, time for rest and relaxation.
Conservation—Our camps support conservation and mangrove restoration projects and return a share of your trip cost to the local community.
Your Hosts for this Trip
Hosted by Susan Duval, with special guest Mary Rondenet, Whale Whisperer! Mary is a certified professional coach, Energy Touch Practitioner, and a Certified Transformational Breath Facilitator. She has been working with whale and dolphin energy in many parts of the world since 2007, and has developed a powerful breathwork technique called “WhaleBreathing”. Mary will facilitate optional WhaleBreathing sessions in the evening for us. This self-healing technique helps release emotional blocks, which relieves stress, anxiety and tension.
Itinerary
When to arrive in Cabo San Lucas—
On March 4, fly into Cabo San Lucas. Since flights can be delayed in the winter, it’s best to arrive a couple of days early and explore all that Cabo has to offer.
On March 5 in the morning, we will take care of formalities for our private charter, which departs the next day. Afterwards, those who are interested can go on a whale watching cruise, included in the trip cost, to look for Humpback Whales, Fin Whales, and pods of dolphins.
We will stay at the gorgeous Barcelo Gran Faro Beach Resort in San Jose del Cabo for 2 nights. We will give you info to book your room.
Your Gray Whale Adventure begins…
Day 1 – Monday, March 6
Depart by Private Charter for San Ignacio Lagoon.
Our group will be picked up from our hotel at approximately 7:00am for a morning transfer to the Cabo San Lucas airport. Our private Cessna charter aircraft complete with leather seats and air conditioning makes the two-hour flight up to remote San Ignacio a breeze! Upon arrival to Camp Tio Timo, you will be welcomed by our expert naturalist guides and attentive hostesses with champagne mimosas before whisking you away to get straight out onto the water with the gray whales!
Get ready to watch out for spouts! Following your first whale encounters, you will return to camp for fully catered meals and to enjoy all our camp has on offer. Take out a kayak or paddleboard or grab an ice cream or cold drink from the bar to enjoy the spectacular sunsets over the lagoon from our prime beachfront location.
Days 2-3 – Tues-Wed, March 7-8
Whales, Whales, Whales! Whale watching to your heart’s content!
We will start our whale watching sessions at 8:00am and continue through sunset. You can expect two to three 90-minute encounters each day, returning to camp between our whale excursions. Our goal is to ensure you get the most out of this once in a lifetime experience with these incredible cetaceans. Accompanied by our knowledgeable guides, watch them roll, breach, spyhop, and tend to their young. You may even have the incredible opportunity to stroke, pet and hug these Ancient Beings of the Sea as they seek out human interaction.
In your downtime, you can take out one of our kayaks for a paddle on the calm lagoon waters or explore the shoreline tide pools, watching out for the diverse bird life in the surrounding mangroves. Our attentive staff will assure you are served delicious, fresh meals and have everything you need to enjoy your time at our Eco-Camp.
Day 4 – Thurs, March 9
Today we must leave these majestic, new Gray Whale friends.
Ideally, we will have our final whale excursion before we depart back to Cabo to bid Farewell and thank the whales for spending time with us humans.
To allow for any possible charter flight delays due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances, we will overnight at the Aeropuerto Hotel at Cabo airport on March 9. We will fly home on March 10.
We have reserved the Whale Camp exclusively for our group!
Space is Very Limited – Book Now to Guarantee your Spot!
SINCE THE WHALES ARE IN THE LAGOON FOR ONLY 9 WEEKS PER YEAR, DEMAND IS VERY HIGH. Last year, the trip sold out in about 10 days. If you are interested in going, don’t delay in deciding. Trip insurance will cover most of the trip expenses, in case something comes up and you cannot go.
Price and Registration
$2,630 per person in a shared glamping tent
$500 non-refundable deposit to reserve your space
Please send your check payable to:
Journeys of Discovery
3293 McMath Dr
Palm Harbor FL 34684
Questions—and to arrange a tentmate—contact:
Susan 215-348-5755 (land line) OR 267-614-6012 (cell) SusanDuvalSeminars@gmail.com
Gayle 727-785-5563 (land line) OR 727-385-5377 (cell) info@ajourneyofdiscovery.com
What’s Included:
- Comfortable glamping tents with real beds, linens, en-suite bathroom, shower, toiletries
- Healthy, delicious and fresh chef prepared meals
- Chartered, private flight from Cabo San Lucas to San Ignacio and return
- Non-alcoholic beverages and guide service
- All tents are double occupancy / there are no single tents
- Two to three whale watching excursions per day
- Battery charging station / complimentary Wifi
Not Included:
- Flight to Cabo San Lucas
- 2 nights at the Barcelo resort + 1 night at the Aeropuerto hotel
- Charter flight airport landing fee of $35 USD per person, paid at camp
- Alcoholic beverages
- Suggested crew gratuities – typically between $250-300 USD per person.
- Travel Insurance is mandatory and proof of current policy is required
FAQ’s
Where do I fly into?
SJD – Los Cabos International Airport, Mexico.
Why does our trip leave out of Cabo San Lucas?
Because the shortest charter flight to the Lagoon is from Cabo which is super easy to get to with service from 15 different US cities, most of Mexico and even direct flights from overseas. Cabo San Lucas in the spring is a really fun place to visit!! There are all sorts of other activities you can enjoy from Cabo including swimming with whale sharks, scuba diving, snorkeling, kayaking and other adventures into the Sea of Cortez. Great shopping, restaurants or just relaxing at the lovely beaches.
What can I do in my free time between gray whale encounters?
Kayak on the calm lagoon waters with a guide. Take a walk and explore the pristine shoreline and tidal pools. Birders Delight with the local avian population. Relax at camp with a good book, naps are optional, shoot pool or have a cold drink at the bar
Can you accommodate special dietary requests?
With 30 days notice, we can provide delicious vegetarian, vegan, and gluten free options.
How many people in the boat for whale watching?
Only six guests per panga to provide the highest quality, most personalized experience for each visitor.
How much time will I get with the whales?
We reckon that if you have traveled all the way to San Ignacio Lagoon for gray whale encounters, we will facilitate as much time with the whales as possible. We are currently averaging nine whale watching sessions each trip, with two trips on your day of arrival, three sessions on days two and three and a final session to say goodbye before you depart the camp.
Is touching the whales bad for them?
Gray whales are normally shy and reclusive but their behaviour changes when they are in the lagoon. These whales were thought of as dangerous because they fought back hard against the whalers who nearly exterminated them when they discovered the breeding and birthing lagoons in the 19th century.
It was only 30 years ago that a local fisherman bravely put his hand out to touch a whale who approached his panga. Much like the misunderstood orca – or “killer whale” – it became apparent that these highly intelligent animals in the lagoon were actively seeking out physical interaction with humans. It’s entirely their choice to approach our pangas and rub up alongside to be touched and stroked. Amazingly enough, the whales will grow bored with humans after several minutes if we don’t physically interact with them. It’s clear to us that the whales are actually reaching out to us to connect; not the other way around. It touches your heart, it’s amazing and emotional. We will never betray their trust nor allow any whale to be harassed.
Do I need a passport or visa?
All USA guests must have a passport valid until Sept 13, 2023. Visas are required from certain countries, please check your specific country requirements
Do I need travel insurance? Yes
Due to San Ignacio Lagoon’s remote location, it is mandatory that you purchase trip insurance covering medical and emergency evacuation coverage. Proof of insurance will be required.
COVID Protocol 2023 season:
All trips ran in the 2021 and 2022 season with strict COVID protocol, negative COVID tests were required and thorough sanitation and disinfection guidelines observed in all camp areas. We are expecting the 2023 gray whale season and trips to run smoothly and that COVID will not be a concern and COVID testing not required. But should it be, rest assured that Baja Expeditions will take all precautions necessary to keep our guests safe and healthy during their time at camp enjoying the whales.