Like nothing you’ve ever experienced…
… but don’t take my word for it. This quote is from Sharon Valdez, a frequent WOW traveler, who experienced this adventure in 2016:
“Absolutely amazing! Not to be melodramatic or hyperbolic, but this was by far one of my favorite WoW adventures ever and a spiritual experience for me. Don and I are trying to figure out how to do this again soon and then with the grandkids when they are old enough; yup, future WoWees in the making. This should be on everyone’s experience checklist and you don’t even have to travel halfway around the globe for it!”
You might never have heard of Todos Santos – it’s one of those typically undiscovered treasures that WOW Travelers love for us to reveal to them! Founded in the 1700s, with a fascinating history … it’s a charming small town populated with artists, old hippies, surfers, and ex-pats. And it’s the town where we’ll begin and end our adventure.
Accommodations will feature everything from a historic hotel (which is ours exclusively) to “glamping” on a gorgeous, secluded beach in a National Park that’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Nature experiences will take your breath away. Guaranteed! The Sea of Cortez was called the “world’s aquarium” by Jacques Cousteau. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Biosphere Reserve and one of the most biologically diverse marine environments on Earth.
Swim with sea lions and snorkel with whale sharks, the planet’s largest fish! And then there’s the interaction with gray whales, unlike anything you can imagine:
In Magdalena Bay, gray whales come to you! Mamas and their babies playfully pop out of the water within inches of your panga, seeking a scratch or a kiss. They love it when you splash and sing to them. It’s one of the most joyous, intimate experiences you can find in nature. (Importantly, it’s carefully regulated – you’ll see only a handful of boats on the water.)
It’s beyond explanation. Click here to watch a video from our WOW! Travel experience back in March, 2016. (The gasps and irrepressible giggles are from Sharon Valdez …)
Not to mention recreational options you’ll enjoy: stand-up paddle boarding, sea kayaking, hiking, and eating delicious food … and a margarita or two!
If you’ve read this far, you might be saying, “Yeah … but it’s Mexico ….”
Yes it is. Just like every country, Mexico has its share of troubles – and treasures. This journey – SO close to home – includes unimaginable treasures.
Proceeds from this, the first in a series of WOW! Travel Club Founder’s Trips, will go to fund travel scholarships for deserving students to study abroad!
Escorted by Marilyn Murphy, Founder of the WOW! Travel Club
Just get yourself to San Jose del Cabo – and we’ll take care of everything else! Come to relax and connect with nature – and return home having been changed forever.
This is a video with information, clips, trip details, etc. that you might find helpful. (It’s 15 minutes long. To break it into convenient segments: it starts with whale shark video; then info and pics of Todos Santos. At 5:06, info about our glamping experience at Camp Cecil; at 7:50, info about whale shark and La Paz overnight; at 9:14, to Magdalena Bay for Gray Whale encounter; and at 14:17, a testimonial from a WOWee from my first Baja experience.)
Welcome to Baja California Sur! Arriving at the airport in San Jose del Cabo, you will be met by your guides and transferred to Todos Santos (about 1-hour drive). Settle into your lovely room at the historic Todos Santos Inn and meet your travel companions during the welcome dinner in the beautiful garden restaurant. Your Naturalist Guide will join you, outlining the adventures to come!
Dinner
Todos Santos Inn
Take a guided walking tour of historical Todos Santos this morning. The afternoon is free – allowing time for lunch and exploration of shops and art galleries. If you’re a surfer – we’ll direct you to the best surf breaks. Tonight, a local lawyer-turned-chef, Iker Algorri, author of Cooking Adventures in Baja California Sur will lead a private Mexican Cooking Class. Learn to make the perfect margarita!
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Todos Santos Inn
After breakfast we’ll collect wetsuits and snorkel gear and drive to La Paz to board boats that will take us into the Sea of Cortez, home to sea lions, whales, dolphins, whale sharks, sea turtles, and manta rays. A terrific range of bird species frequent the island’s skies and shores.
On Isla Espiritu Santo (a UNESCO Heritage site) Camp Cecil is a collection of eight private “glamping” tents on a deserted beach, with bioluminescent waters lapping gently on the shore.
Spend today and tomorrow doing exactly what pleases you – kayaking, snorkeling, hiking, swimming with sea lions, stand-up paddle boarding, bird watching, and exploring hidden lagoons and desert beaches. You’re off the grid – in luxury – enjoy every moment! Hanging around doing nothing (perhaps reading trashy novels while sipping margaritas) is highly encouraged!
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Glamping at Camp Cecil
Another blissful day of island living. Espiritu Santo 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. Whatever surprises the day may hold for you, the chef will be preparing magnificent food and drink! And, as for the magnificent night sky (that’s the Milky Way up there!) – no extra charge!
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Glamping at Camp Cecil
Returning to the peninsula, we’ll experience one of our most exciting adventures yet – swimming with whale sharks! At up to 59 feet and 15 tons they 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! Later, we’ll check into Hotel Blue and enjoy dinner along the Malecón in La Paz.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hotel Blue
Magdalena Bay is the largest wetlands ecosystem on the west coast of Baja and one of the most important in North America. The World Wildlife Fund ranks it as one of the most important coastal habitats in Mexico! The Bay is the prime calving ground for the gray whale, and from January to March it is possible to see – and touch! – a large number of whales, including mothers and their calves. It’s one of the most extraordinary experiences you’ll ever have in nature.
We’ll overnight in a simple, clean boutique hotel (nothing fancy here) – fronting the ocean – in the town of San Carlos.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Mar Y Arena
After breakfast we’ll have a few more hours out in the water with our new-found whale friends. We then drive back south, stopping en route for a celebratory lunch, arriving back at the Todos Santos Inn in the late afternoon. We’ll wrap up this wonderful trip with a fabulous meal at one of the town’s many great restaurants.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Todos Santos Inn
Built in the 1870’s as a sugar baron’s estate, the Inn is the only historic hacienda hotel in Todos Santos. With an ideal location in the center of town, the Inn is within walking distance to all the restaurants, shops and galleries, as well as a beautiful beach for surfing. We’ll be taking over the hotel exclusively!
Award-winning Camp Cecil is located on the pristine and wildly beautiful Isla Espiritu Santo, part of a National Marine Park and UNESCO World Heritage Site. The camp includes walk-in tents that have real beds, lovely linens, chairs, bedside tables with lamps, mirrors, storage areas and towels for beach and bath. (Added joy: the staff cleans the tents and makes the beds each day!) There is a large dining tent, chairs and lounging sofas where the camp chefs serve terrific food throughout the day. Camp Cecil has been featured in National Geographic, the London Times, Conde Nast Traveler, Coastal Living, Outside Magazine, Everett Potter’s Travel Report and Sunset Magazine.
Located in the heart of La Paz, the city of the 365 sunsets, boutique “HBlue” offers fabulous coastal views from its rooftop swimming pool.
Simple, clean and on the waterfront, the rustic cabañas of Mar y Arena offer a charming place to relax, dine and refresh after a wonderful day on the water with the Gray Whales of Magdalena Bay.
Baja Eco-Adventure 2022
$4290 per person, double occupancy (couple or roommate share)
Air Transportation:
The gateway airport is San Jose del Cabo (SJD). You may make your own flight arrangements or we can assist with a $75 per person service fee (waived for WOW! Travel Club alumni). We cannot book mileage tickets or upgrades, which must be done directly with the carrier. If you would like us to assist, contact Howard Wise at howard@thectpgroup.com or call him at 818-444-2710.
It is the responsibility of the traveler to provide the legal name as on the passport. Passport must be valid for six months from return date. Carriers may deny boarding if name on ticket does not EXACTLY match name on passport.
Payment Schedule:
Space is limited. Reservations will be made on a first-come, first-served basis.
Cancellation:
If unforeseen events happen that force you to cancel, we will try to resell your space. Penalties vary depending on the date of cancellation:
Supplemental Travel Insurance For Trip Cancellation / Interruption:
We recommend “trip cancellation insurance” to cover financial penalties if you need to cancel or interrupt your trip due to unforeseen reasons, medical expenses and emergency transportation, travel delays/missed connections, and baggage protection. Travelers may insure all prepaid and nonrefundable payments against cancellation and interruption due to covered reasons. Certain plans include coverage for Pre-Existing Medical conditions, financial default, and “Cancellation for Any Reason.” Coverage varies by product. Please note that most insurance companies require you to purchase insurance within 14 days of the initial deposit date in order to be covered for pre-existing conditions.
For further information and purchase options click HERE for plans offered by Travel Guard. If you prefer, contact Travel Guard Insurance directly at (800) 826-1300, ext. 3 and speak with an agent. Please provide Agency Code #05-614836. Here is a link to Squaremouth, a travel insurance broker that provides side-by-side comparisons of travel insurance plans.
Rates:
All rates quoted are based on tariffs and exchange rates in effect as of July 12, 2021, and are subject to change. Rates are based on a minimum group size of 12 paying guests. Should the group size(s) be smaller than this, package price or inclusions may be modified. Unused tour items, missed meals or activities, etc. are not refundable.
Tips And Taxes:
The package includes all service charges and taxes imposed by hotels and all entrance or participation fees, etc. Basic gratuities to drivers, guides and porters are included. You are welcome to extend additional gratuities for anyone who has provided exemplary service.
Baggage:
Please check applicable baggage allowances and fees with your airline carrier.
Passport:
You must have a valid passport with at least 6 months validity from the date of re-entry to your home country.
Health / Vaccinations:
WOW! Travel Club requires that travelers be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. We will update you with any other requirements required for entry into Mexico.
You may wish to consult your physician for recommendations. Additional information regarding Traveler’s Health precautions is available at the website for the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
Travel Documents:
Final travel documents will be sent to your mailing address about two weeks prior to departure.
Risks Of Travel And Your Responsibilities:
International travel involves inherent risks. The CTP Group/WOW! Travel Club (CTP/WOW) cannot be liable for any injury, death or loss of personal property in connection with your participation in CTP/WOW activities. By participating in this CTP/WOW travel program, you assume risk of inherent dangers (including without limitation, annoyance and expenses) related to military or political action, civil disturbances, quarantine, strikes, detention, mental trauma, pilferage, weather, epidemiological events, acts of God or any other circumstances over which CTP/WOW has no control.
I understand that CTP/WOW reserves the right to refuse as a trip participant or remove from a trip, any person it judges to be incapable of meeting the rigors and requirements of participating in activities, or who it determines to detract from the enjoyment of the trip by others. I agree to follow all written and verbal rules of safety presented to me by CTP/WOW. CTP/WOW reserves the right to make route, hotel, itinerary and trip modifications as required or desirable to improve the trip quality and/or to accommodate the comfort and well-being of guests.
CTP/WOW reserves the right to alter or cancel any trip due to weather, sickness, political climate, and/or insufficient registration or other unforeseen circumstances beyond our control. While CTP/WOW will make every effort to obtain full or partial refunds from suppliers, CTP/ WOW cannot guarantee your ability to recoup payment.
The above Terms and Conditions are hereby expressly incorporated into the “Release, Waiver and Indemnity Agreement” to be signed by you as a WOW! Travel Club participant.
WOW! Vows:
All guests will be asked to sign and agree to the WOW! Vows for responsible travel:
Consent:
Payment of the deposit OR any other partial payment for registration of a participant for CTP/ WOW activities constitutes consent by all guests/participants registered by the party completing online registration. You and your guests/participants hereby agree to the Terms & Conditions of this website. The Terms & Conditions set forth on this website may not be modified or amended except in writing by an authorized officer of CTP/WOW.
All guests/participants are required to initial and sign a Release Waiver and Indemnity Agreement, which will be sent upon receipt of your deposit. Your final payment cannot be processed until you return the signed Release.
July 2021 CST # 1016440-10
For the most part the weather will range from the low to mid 70’s during the day, low to mid 50’s at night. Temperatures may vary between the north and south and on the bay, but not dramatically.
If you must stay connected during your trip, Wi-Fi is free and reliable almost everywhere on this journey, with the exception of our glamping location, Espiritu Santos.
International airfare to Cabo (SJD) is not included in the package. CTP can assist you with making reservations for a service fee of $75 per person, which is waived for WOW Travel Club alumni.
There is no need for formal attire; comfortable, casual clothing and shoes are suggested. Don’t forget your swimsuit, sunscreen, and water shoes!
You will not need an electrical adapter for Mexico; the same types of outlets are used in Mexico that are used in the United States.
With most providers, it’s best to activate an international data and telephone plan. We suggest that you contact your carrier to discuss potential costs for data and voice communications.
Mexican pesos are used throughout all of Mexico. We suggest using ATM machines to withdraw local currency as needed and use your credit or debit card to pay for meals, taxis and purchases. (Some shops and restaurants do not accept American Express.) It’s best to advise your bank and credit card company of your plans to travel to Mexico so there will be no suspicion of fraudulent activity. Ask about transaction fees.
As of this writing (7/12/2021), one US Dollar will get you approximately 20 Mexican pesos. For reference, a bottle of Pacifico beer is 40 pesos (about $2).
Here is a link to the current exchange rate.
We highly recommend that travelers protect themselves and their financial investments with travel insurance. Travel insurance may provide coverage for cancellation and interruption of a trip due to unforeseen reasons, medical expenses and emergency transportation, travel delays and missed connections, and baggage protection. Travelers may insure all prepaid and nonrefundable payments against cancellation and interruption due to covered reasons. If anything unforeseen happens, Travel Guard will be there to help with 24/7 assistance and service. Select plans include coverage for Pre-existing medical conditions, financial default, and “Cancellation for Any Reason.” Coverage varies by product. Please note that most insurance companies require you to purchase insurance within 14 days of the initial deposit date in order to be covered for pre-existing conditions.
For further information and purchase options click HERE for plans offered by Travel Guard. If you prefer, contact Travel Guard Insurance directly at 800 826 1300, ext. 3 and speak with an agent. Please provide Agency Code #05-614836.
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