5 Day Air Trip to San Ignacio Lagoon
Up Close Whale Watching in Baja, Mexico
Join us at Campo Cortez, our private Ecolodge along the shores of San Ignacio Lagoon where Gray Whales have migrated to for thousands of generations. This Gray Whale sanctuary is in the heart of Mexico’s largest protected area, El Vizcaino Biosphere Reserve. Mother Gray Whales approach our boats and encourage us to scratch, pet and even sing to them and their newly born calves. Over the years, this has become a regular occurrence only at San Ignacio Lagoon. This truly unique location is the only Gray Whale birthing lagoon in the world that has been left untouched by man and has a local community striving to keep the lagoon a sacred and protected sanctuary for these magnificent and friendly giants. Our Ecolodge is a low impact, sustainable way to come and experience this life changing interaction.
A great way to see the Baja landscape scenery from the air on this 2.5 hour flight via our commercially chartered aircraft. Our trip begins in San Diego and our experienced guide will escort you to your destination. You’ll spend four days and four nights at our Ecolodge in simple yet comfortable solar powered cabins with views of the lagoon, comfortable beds, and electricity to charge your camera batteries or other small devices. Enjoy whale watching twice daily with our local guides and boat captains who are residents of the lagoon that share with you their local knowledge of this peaceful Gray Whale Sanctuary. Days are spent whale watching, beachcombing, and guided kayaking and tidepool walks while evenings are spent discussing the day’s events with informal lectures and discussions. Enjoy delicious authentic Mexican meals made with fresh locally sourced ingredients and you’ll love the sunsets, sunrises, and star gazing at night.
SOLAR POWERED CABINS ON THE WATER’S EDGE
Campo Cortez is a one of a kind off the grid solar ecolodge with sixteen solar electric cabins located at the waters edge with spectacular views of San Ignacio Lagoon and one of the largest mangrove estuaries in the area with a variety of nesting birds.
Our beachside cabins come equipped with electricity, comfortable beds and are well protected from the wind and elements of the Baja peninsula. All our cabins are supplied with fresh linens, pillows, shelves along with countertop space, small desk and mirrors. They are cozy, efficient and leave a small footprint on the land while keeping with local Biosphere regulations.
Special Accommodations:
If you have any special needs, let us know and we will do everything we can to make your stay comfortable. If you use a CPAP machine, we have two cabins that provide power throughout the night to CPAP devices.
EXPERIENCE, LOCATION AND LOCALLY OPERATED ARE WHAT SET US APART
Seemingly perched on the edge of civilization Campo Cortez Ecolodge offers modern amenities that are clean, comfortable, and low impact on the environment. Campo Cortez is a completely off the grid solar and wind powered community with over 25 years at San Ignacio Lagoon. Constructed from local materials and by traditional building methods, our palapa is the gathering point for all our daily activities and meals. Powered by a modern solar and wind generation system, our electrical system provides 110 ac or 12-volt DC power for all your charging needs. You can charge your phone, video camera or camera batteries anytime in the dining palapa or your cabin during the day. Our facilities include hot showers, flushing marine toilets, and numerous hand washing stations.
Always available in the palapa are:
- Book and video library of Baja and marine mammals & plants
- Television to view our daily videos and presentations
- Science and weather monitoring station
- Sodas, beer, and wine
- Fresh drinking water
- Coffee and hot tea
- Snacks and fruit
| BRIEF ITINERARY | |
|---|---|
| Trip Departs & Returns: | San Diego – Handlery Hotel (parking available) |
| Day 1: | After breakfast at the hotel, we depart at 9:15am to drive to the airport. Arrive San Ignacio Lagoon for orientation, Happy Hour and dinner. |
| Day 2, 3, 4: | 3 full days and nights including 6 whale watching trips and other activities. |
| Day 5: | Depart camp after breakfast and arrive San Diego by 3:30pm to 5:30pm. |
| Night before departure meeting: | Meet guide in lobby at 6:30pm for informal gathering. |
| CAMP SCHEDULE AND ACTIVITIES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Daily Camp Schedule | ||
| 7:00 am: 8:00 am: 8:45 am: 12:00 pm: 2:00 pm: 5:30 pm: 6:30 pm: 9:00 pm: | Coffee, cereals, fruit Hot breakfast Whale watching Lunch Whale watching Happy hour Dinner Lights out-Palapa (Baja Midnight) | • Guided tide pool exploration and critter hunts • Guided kayaking* excursions to mangroves • Naturalist lead excursions and lectures • Up close whale observation and petting • Happy hour and incredible sunsets • Gray whale boneyard • Beach combing and stargazing • Bird watching |
*Camp Schedule WILL vary day to day based on tidal movements and weather.
*Kayaking is dependent upon the tide. Camp guides will lead kayaking trips.
HIGHLIGHTS:
- Round trip charter air direct to San Ignacio Lagoon
- Solar powered beach cabins with lagoon views
- All inclusive: meals, beer, wine, margaritas & happy hour
- Kayaking, hiking, beachcombing, tide pool exploration
- Experienced and knowledgeable local resident staff
- 4 days and 4 nights at our private Ecolodge
- Naturalist lead discussions & field excursions
- Bird watching and star gazing
- Whale watching twice daily
- Evening presentations
- Mangrove tour
INCLUDED IN YOUR TRIP FEE:
- All meals and beverages: sodas, beer, wine and margaritas while at Campo Cortez
- Round trip transportation from San Diego to San Ignacio Lagoon
- Entrance fee to Vizcaino Biosphere
- Tourist card: Mexican tourist visa
- Naturalist lead walks and discussions
- Two whale watching trips per day
- Kayaking and tide pool exploration
- Snacks on bus and airplane
NOT INCLUDED IN YOUR TRIP FEE:
- Premium liquor or call drinks
- Transportation to and from San Diego
- Hotel stays in San Diego
- Travel insurance
- Staff gratuity
Availability is on a limited basis. Please make your reservations well in advance to secure your space on the aircraft and at the Ecolodge. Many of our guests plan and book their trips at least six to twelve months in advance. For your comfort, space is limited at camp and all our reservations are taken on a first come basis. Please call or email us to check our schedule for availability.
Before your departure, you’ll receive from us:
- Comprehensive itinerary package and travel information
- Camp guidelines and whale watching information
- Guide information and contact information
- Detailed packing list
We are consistantly rated the #1 Travelers’ Choice on Trip Advisor year after year for one reason, our Staff and Owners - who are residents and locals to San Ignacio Lagoon. We are four generations of family living and working in the lagoon since the settlement of San Ignacio Lagoon. We take pride in our efforts at our Eco-lodge to have a low-impact environmentally and the responsibility that we carry as Ambassadors to the lagoon and its many wildlife residents.