Whale Watching - Missions - Oasis
La Paz – Loreto – San Ignacio – Guerrero Negro – Santa Rosalia – Mulegé – Loreto – La Paz
Whale watching, oases and missions in Baja California
Seeing the gray whales is an unforgettable experience in Baja California. Giant mammals swim thousands of kilometers looking for the right conditions to mate and raise their young in the subtropical waters of the pacific coast. The Ojo de Liebre lagoon, near the town of Guerrero Negro, is one of the favorite bays for whales and therefore the idea place to observe whales. A visit to the San Javier Mission in the Sierra de la Giganta (near Loreto) and the San Ignacio de Kadakaamán Mission, as well as the salt mine in Guerrero Negro complete this program.
Points of interest:
- Three whale watching excursions Magdalena Bay, San Ignacio and “Ojo de Liebre” Lagoon
- Guided tour of the impressive salt extraction plant of Guerrero Negro
- You will visit two oases surrounded by palm trees
- You will discover the rock carvings of the Chochimí Indigenous in the “Cueva del Ratón”
- Hike at the foot of the "Three Virgins" volcano
- Visit the first three missions that Jesuit missionaries built on the Baja California peninsula
- Excursion to Espiritu Santo Island
- Walk in La Paz
- Boat trip to "El Arco" in Los Cabos
It includes:
- Transfer from and to the airport
- 10 nights in standard category hotels
- 14 meals per person as shown in the daily schedule
- All transfers and other transportation services according to the program
- Tour guide in Spanish and English
- All described tours and visits (Spanish / English)
- Detailed travel documentation
Not include:
- Domestic and international flights
- Overnight marked as "Optional"
- Transfers, food and drinks not described
- Activities marked as optional
- Transfer to Cabo San Lucas airport (CSL)
- Individual travel insurance and personal expenses
- Tips for drivers, guides, porters, maids and waiters
Day 1
Arrival at La Paz
- Welcome in La Paz
- Transfer to the hotel
- Overnight in La Paz
Welcome at La Paz airport and transfer to your hotel.
The afternoon is free to visit the center of La Paz on your own and take a walk along the boardwalk or visit the square with the cathedral.
Day 2
La Paz – Lopez Mateos – Loreto
- ✓ Breakfast
- Breakfast at the hotel restaurant
- Transfer from La Paz to Loreto with a stop at the bay in López Mateos
- First boat trip to observe the whales in the López Mateos Channel
- Continuation of López Mateos to Loreto
- Overnight in Loreto
7:00 hours breakfast at the hotel, then the driver will be waiting for you at the hotel reception to Start your journey to Loreto.
Today you will make the first whale watching in the fishing village of López Mateos.
In the afternoon, travel to Loreto.
Overnight in Loreto
Day 3
Loreto – Concepción Bay - Santa Rosalía - San Ignacio
- ✓ Breakfast
- Breakfast at the hotel
- Excursion to Laguna San Ignacio for a whale watching tour
- A visit to the church of Santa Bárbara in Santa Rosalía
- Overnight in San Ignacio
Breakfast at the hotel and transfer from Loreto to San Ignacio.
Today you will travel along the Concepción Bay. The picturesque backdrop, the unspoiled beaches and the imposing Cardón cacti are unique. The bay is located in a protected area, in which several species of birds, as well as whales, dolphins and whale sharks have their habitat.
On the way to San Ignacio you will also stop at Santa Rosalía. There you will visit the main square, the French Hotel and the iron church of Santa Bárbara de Santa Rosalía designed by Gustave Eiffel. Arrival in the afternoon at San Ignacio oasis.
Overnight in San Ignacio
Day 4
Whale watching excursion in the San Ignacio lagoon
- ✓ Breakfast ✓ Picnic
- Breakfast at the hotel restaurant
- Excursion to the San Ignacio lagoon for a whale watching tour
- Light lunch during the walk
- Overnight in San Ignacio
Breakfast at the hotel and transfer to the San Ignacio lagoon for a second whale watching excursion.
Today you will see gray whales, which often get very close to small boats and can even be touched by tourists also, The little calves are very active and playful. A light meal is included. In the afternoon transfer back to the town of San Ignacio.
Overnight in San Ignacio
Day 5
Excursion to the Sierra San Francisco and the cave "La Cueva del Ratón"
- ✓ Breakfast ✓ Picnic
- Breakfast at the hotel
- Sierra San Francisco day trip
- Hike to "The Cave of the Mouse"
- Overnight in San Ignacio
Breakfast is included at the hotel, then your driver will be waiting for you at the reception to start your trip to Sierra San Francisco.
Drive on a partially unpaved road, up to about 1,130 meters above sea level. During the excursion, you will observe the Pacific coast with its charming landscapes, as well as a variety of cacti and endemic vegetation.
Sierra San Francisco has the most rock art on the Baja California peninsula. These are part of El Vizcaíno Biosphere Reserve. Visit “La Cueva del Ratón”, where there are rock carvings of the Chochimí indigenous people. Picnic is included on the site. In the afternoon transfer back to the hotel.
Overnight in San Ignacio
Day 6
San Ignacio - Guerrero Negro - Ojo de Liebre Lagoon - San Ignacio
- ✓ Breakfast ✓ Picnic
- Breakfast at the hotel restaurant
- Transfer from San Ignacio to Guerrero Negro
- Third whale watching excursion in the Ojo de Liebre lagoon
- Brief stop at the salt extraction plant
- Overnight in San Ignacio
Breakfast at the hotel is included, then the transfer to Guerrero Negro will begin.
At 40 minutes from Gerrero Negro is the Ojo de Liebre lagoon, where the largest number of whales are concentrated. On board your boat our guide will provide you with information about the migration and the route that gray whales travel each year during.
A short stop at the salt extraction plant and a short walk through the saffron dunes with a detour to the bird sanctuary complete the program.
Overnight in San Ignacio
Day 7
San Ignacio – Mulegé - Loreto
- ✓ Breakfast
- Breakfast at the hotel
- Transfer from San Ignacio to Loreto
- Short walk to the volcano "Las Tres Vírgenes"
- Visit to the "Mulegé" oasis
- Overnight in Loreto
After breakfast, you will begin your journey back to Loreto. On the way, you will pass the “Las Tres Vírgenes” volcano.
The complex “the three virgins” is made up of three volcanoes: “El Viejo” in the northeast, “El Azufre” in the middle and “El Virgen” in the southwest. At 1,920 m, “El Virgen” is the highest mountain. At the foot of the still active volcano, you can walk to enjoy the nature of the place.
Later visit Mulege. The Santa Rosalía river flows there and forms an oasis. Date palms, olive trees, and fruit trees such as mango, guava, orange, and fig trees offer residents and visitors the opportunity to enjoy delicious dishes in a desert climate. You will visit the main square and the old mission. From the viewpoint behind the Mission Church, you have a magnificent view of the green oasis with thousands of palm trees.
Arrival in Loreto late at night.
Overnight in Loreto
Day 8
Loreto – Sierra de la Giganta – Loreto
- ✓ Breakfast
- Breakfast at the hotel restaurant
- Excursion to the Sierra de la Giganta
- Visit to the San Javier Mission
- Overnight in Loreto
After breakfast, start your day trip to Sierra de la Giganta. The tour of the mountainous landscape, some with sea views, is an incomparable experience. You will visit the Mission of San Javier, which was built in 1699 by Salvatierra’s assistant, Father Francisco Piccolo.
The mission of San Javier was the second that the Jesuit missionaries built in the Baja California peninsula. Surrounded by mountains, cacti and olive trees.
Overnight in Loreto
Day 9
Loreto – La Paz
- ✓ Breakfast
- Breakfast at the hotel
- Visit to the mission in Loreto
- Guided tour of the Loreto Museum
- Return from Loreto to La Paz
- Overnight in La Paz
After breakfast, they will be waiting for you at the hotel reception. Today you will visit the Mission of Our Lady of Loreto. Our “Lady of Loreto Concho” is a Jesuit mission, considered the mother of missions throughout Baja California. It was founded in 1697 by Jesuit missionaries in the indigenous area of Mongui.
Then, visit the museum, which has around 300 pieces on display, including archaeological remains, paintings, sculptures, and weapons from the 17th and 18th centuries.
Then you will travel 355 km from Loreto to La Paz. Along the way you will see endemic vegetation, various cacti and the coast of the Gulf of California.
Overnight in La Paz
Day 10
Tours in La Paz to Espiritu Santo Island
- ✓ Breakfast
- Breakfast at the hotel restaurant
- Boat tour to Espiritu Santo Island
- Walk through the city of peace
- Overnight in La Paz
Shortly after breakfast, you will be picked up at the hotel reception to start your walk to Espiritu Santo island. On the island, as in the entire Gulf of California, there are more than 10000 species of animals, flora and fauna.
Besides the impressive views, you can see friendly sea lions and dolphins while snorkeling. Your snorkel gear is included. Enjoy your lunch at the edge of the beach.
In the afternoon you will tour the city of La Paz. You will visit the square and the cathedral.
Overnight in La Paz
Day 11
Excursion to Todos Santos and Cabo San Lucas
- ✓ Breakfast
- Breakfast at the hotel
- Day trip to Todos Santos and Cabo San Lucas
- Boat trip to Los Arcos rock
- Optional overnight in La Paz or Cabo San Lucas
After breakfast, your driver will be waiting for you at the hotel reception to start your trip from Todos Santos to Los Cabos.
First you vill visit the Magic Town of “Todos Santos”, where the “Hotel California” is located. You will visit the city center, its mission and a small museum. Here you can admire traditional crafts and modern painting.
The trip continues to Los Cabos, where you will enjoy a boat ride past the “Playa del Amor” and the “El Arco” a rock formation. You will then be at the southernmost point of Baja California, which divides the Pacific Ocean and the “Mar de Cortes”. Later, you will take a walk through the city along the boardwalk and the small port of Los Cabos.
Finally, transfer to the San José del Cabo airport (SJD).
For an extension in San José del Cabo and its surroundings, transfer to the hotel of your choice or return to your hotel in La Paz for the night. Overnight on this day is not included in the program. We give you the opportunity to decide if you want to stay in San José del Cabo or La Paz.
Day 12
Airport transfer
- Transfer from the hotel to the La Paz airport, the bus station or the Pichilingue ferry port
This day is optional. If you have stayed in La Paz, the transfer to La Paz airport, the bus station or the Pichilingue ferry port is included.
Book additionally
We recommend venturing to travel on the legendary Chepe Express train through the Sierra Tarahumara, also known as the Copper Canyon. Ask us about the options for an extension. We are happy to extend the itinerary for you to visit the Copper Canyon and we will take care of the coordinating all services.
Tour: Whale Watching - Misiones - Oasis
- From 2 to 10 people
- 11 days - 10 (11) nights
- Start of the trip – Saturdays
Guaranteed Departures:
20.01.2024
27.01.2024
03.02.2024
10.02.2024
17.02.2024
24.02.2024
02.03.2024
09.03.2024
18.01.2025
25.01.2025
01.02.2025
08.02.2025
Do you have any other questions?
We will be happy to advise you!
Request Reservation
Extensions to other destinations
Do you still have time and want to discover more places in Mexico for yourself? No problem! Here are some programs that you can combine with your trip!