A Southern Migration: From the Channel Islands to Baja California
Expedition
Migrate alongside humpback whales and numerous seabird species on a unique early-winter journey from Los Angeles to La Paz. Explore the Channel Islands’ intact wildness, thriving with endemic species. Sail to Ensenada and discover Mexico’s Wine Country—the Valle de Guadalupe.
A Southern Migration: From the Channel Islands to Baja California
EXPERIENCE OVERVIEW
Migrate alongside humpback whales and numerous seabird species on a unique early-winter journey from Los Angeles to La Paz. Explore the Channel Islands’ intact wildness, thriving with endemic species. Sail to Ensenada and discover Mexico’s Wine Country—the Valle de Guadalupe. Spot a variety of species among the 25,000 birds migrating along the Pacific Flyway. Continue down the pristine coastline of Baja California, home to a panoply of sea life, untamed desert wilderness, and otherworldly sunsets.
highlights
- NEW YEAR, NEW PERSPECTIVES: $1,000 CREDIT : Book by March 13, 2024. Receive a credit of $1,000 per person, deducted from cabin fare prior to any additional applicable savings with the purchase of cabin fare. Valid for new bookings only on select departures, subject to availability, not applicable on airfare or extensions, and may not be combined with other offers. Call for details.
- NEW YEAR, NEW PERSPECTIVES: 30% SOLO SAVINGS : Book by March 13, 2024. Save 30% on solo cabins on select departures. Not applicable on airfare or extensions and may not be combined with other offers. Call for details.
- NEW YEAR, NEW PERSPECTIVES: ADDITIONAL 10% SAVINGS WHEN YOU PAY IN FULL : Book by March 13, 2024. Save an additional 10% on the cabin fare when you pay in full at time of booking. Valid for new bookings only on select departures, subject to availability, not applicable on airfare or extensions, and may not be combined with other offers. To qualify for the discount, nonrefundable payment in full is due at the time of booking. Call for details.
- SUITE EXCLUSIVES : Spacious living areas and incredible views immerse you in the beauty of your marine surroundings. Our new Suite Exclusives package helps make your voyage all the more memorable. Learn more
- BAR TAB INCLUDED : Your bar tab on all departures aboard National Geographic Quest, National Geographic Venture, National Geographic Sea Bird, and National Geographic Sea Lion are included in your fare. Bar tab excludes certain super premium brands, which are available for sale. Call for details.
- CELEBRATE LIFE'S MILESTONES : Celebrate a milestone with a group of eight or more and enjoy a special amenity package including: 5% savings on voyage fares, custom group photo, US$150 shipboard credit for the group, and other special gifts. Milestone celebration to be communicated at time of booking. Valid for new bookings only on select departures, subject to availability, not applicable on airfare or extensions, and may not be combined with other offers. Deposit, final payments, and cancellation policies for group travel vary from our regular policies. Call for details.
- 10% OFF BACK-TO-BACK VOYAGES : Save 10% on consecutive departures, applicable on voyage fares only and not valid on extensions or airfare. Valid for new bookings only, subject to availability, and may not be combined with other offers. Call for details.
- BRINGING THE KIDS : We believe sharing an expedition with children is a life-enhancing experience. Take $500 off for each child under the age of 18 on any departure. Not applicable on extensions or airfare. Call for details.
- SAVE 5% TRAVELING AS A GROUP : Save 5% when traveling as a group of eight or more people. Valid on voyage fares only and not applicable on extensions or airfare. Deposit, final payments, and cancellation policies for group travel vary from our regular policies. Valid for new bookings only, subject to availability, and may not be combined with other offers. Call for details.
- COMBINING OFFERS : Certain offers may be combinable, up to two savings opportunities, except where noted otherwise. For example, travel with a group of 8 or more on back-to-back expeditions, and take advantage of both savings.
Trip details
Trip Type: Small Group
Comfort: Luxury
Travel Styles: Marine
Starts: Los Angeles, California, U.S., Embark Ship
Finishes: La Paz, Disembark Ship, San José del Cabo
Duration: 12 days
ITINERARY
1Day 1 : Los Angeles, California, U.S. / Embark Ship
Arrive in Los Angeles by early afternoon. Transfer to the port to embark National Geographic Venture.
Arrival Time: Arrive before 3:00 p.m. local time.
Arrival City: Los Angeles, California
2Day 2 : Channel Islands National Park
Not far from the city lights, these islands are a world away, home to incredibly diverse and endemic flora and fauna. Spend the day kayaking, hiking one of the many trails, or simply relaxing ashore. Learn the fascinating prehistory of these islands from our naturalists.
3Day 3 : Ensenada, Mexico / Valle de Guadalupe
Vineyards and culinary marvels await in one of the world’s hottest up-and-coming wine regions. See what the hype is all about as we visit a family-run vineyard for a private tour, tasting, and lunch.
4Day 4 : Bahía de San Quintín
Explore Bahía de San Quintín and surrounding islands—home to 400+ species of plants, animals, and birds, including 23 seabird species. The bay is located along the Pacific Flyway migration route and sees more than 25,000 birds pass through in the winter.
5Day 5-7 : El Vizcaíno Biosphere Reserve / Islas San Benito / Isla Natividad / At Sea
Explore El Vizcaíno Biosphere Reserve and its plentiful wildlife, sailing to Islas San Benito, home to thousands of breeding elephant seals, and on to Isla Natividad to learn of the community’s exemplary protection of the fragile ecosystems of the reserve. We are at sea the following day searching for a wide variety of marine life, including the largest animal on Earth, the blue whale, listening to naturalist talks, and learning photography tips and tricks.
6Day 8 : Bahía Magdalena
Isla Magdalena and the bay of the same name are irresistible treats for the nature lover. Come to know this island while hiking the ever-shifting, wind-sculpted dunes on our cross-island transit to Sand Dollar Beach. Watch for coyote tracks in the soft dunes and spot migratory shorebirds. Many—including western sandpipers, whimbrels, willets, Wilson’s and black-bellied plovers, and marbled godwits—are concluding their southbound journeys here. Observe astounding flora, like the endemic and sideways-growing creeping devil, a columnar cactus thick with spines packed together to protect against herbivores and the relentless sun. This evening, as we exit the bay, be on the lookout for beaked dolphins and, with luck, a humpback whale.
7Day 9 : Los Cabos and Gorda Banks
Cruise past Friars Rocks and visit the historic town center of San José del Cabo before cruising Gorda Banks seamount or La Fortuna, renowned gathering places for whales, dolphins, and other marine life.
8Day 10-11 : Cabo Pulmo / Los Islotes
Snorkel the pristine reefs of Cabo Pulmo National Park and chat with locals about their advocacy to protect this unique place. With luck, swim with sea lions before relaxing ashore.
9Day 12 : La Paz / Disembark Ship / San José del Cabo
Disembark in La Paz and transfer to Los Cabos airport for flights home.
Departure Time: Depart after 2:00 p.m. local time.
Departure City: San Jose del Cabo, Mexico
WHAT’S INCLUDED
Costs Include: All accommodations aboard ships or in hotels per itinerary or similar, all meals and nonalcoholic beverages aboard ship, meals on land as indicated, air transportation where indicated as included, shore excursions, sightseeing and entrance fees, special access permits, transfers to and from group flights, use of snorkeling equipment and wet suits, use of kayaks (where available), tips (except to Egyptologists and ship’s crew), taxes and service charges, services of a ship physician on most voyages, and services of our expedition staff.
Not Included: Air transportation (except where shown as included), extensions, passport, visa, immigration fees, scuba diving (where available), meals not indicated, baggage/accident/travel protection plan, items of a personal nature, such as alcoholic beverages, e-mail, laundry. Gratuities to Egyptologists and ship’s crew at your discretion.
Airfare: For all programs, airfare is an additional cost unless otherwise indicated. Sample airfares are based on 2007 fares and are subject to change. We will gladly assist in making your air arrangements.
Note: Complete pre-journey information, including suggestions on what to bring and recommended reading, will be sent after your reservation is confirmed 4-6 months prior to departure.
PAYMENT TERMS
Effective October 1, 2007, all Lindblad voyages departing from and returning to ports outside the United States will be operated by Lindblad Maritime Enterprises, Ltd., a subsidiary of Lindblad Expeditions, Inc.
Reservations: To reserve your place, an advance payment for the program as outlined is required at the time of reservation and is payable by Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover or check. The per person amount due is noted on each dates and rates screen.
Final Payment: For expeditions of eight nights or less, final payment is due 60 days prior to departure. For expeditions of nine nights or more, final payment is due 90 days prior to departure.
Travel Protection Plan: Travel protection and medical insurance are available at extra cost. Ask about our comprehensive guest travel protection plan for a worry-free expedition. Learn more about Lindblad Expeditions Travel Protection "Plus" Plan.
Smoking: Smoking is allowed only in designated outdoor areas.
Responsibility and Other Terms & Conditions: Certain other provisions concerning, among other things, limitations of Lindblad Expeditions’ and the National Geographic Society’s liability for loss of property, injury, illness or death during the voyage will be provided to all guests on the ship’s ticket sent prior to departure, and are also available where within this site or upon request. By registering for a trip, the guest agrees to all such terms and conditions.
CANCELLATION POLICY:
For Expeditions 8 Nights or Less:
Number of Days to Expedition Start / Prior Per Person Cancellation Fee
90 or more days / $150*
89–60 days / Advance payment cost
59–30 days / 50% of trip cost
29–0 days / No refund
For Expeditions 9 Nights or More:
Number of Days to Expedition Start / Prior Per Person Cancellation Fee
120 or more days / $150*
119–90 days / Advance payment cost
89–60 days / 25% of trip cost
59–30 days / 50% of trip cost
29–0 days / No refund
Partner Details
Lindblad Expeditions Feed
In Business Since 1966
For over 50 years Lindblad Expeditions has been introducing travelers to a unique and exhilarating way of seeing the world. In 1966, Lars-Eric Lindblad successfully led a group of 56 intrepid guests to Antarctica, where only explorers and scientists had ever gone. In 1967 he did it again in Galápagos; effectively inventing expedition travel. Since then, his son Sven Lindblad has created an unmatched expedition style, taking curious people to the world’s wild, remote places for up-close encounters with beauty, wildness, and the seldom seen. Guests get to share their experience with like-minded others and veteran expedition teams and return home with a priceless stock of memories, some of the best photos of their life, and a deeper appreciation of the most remote, pristine places on the planet. Lindblad Expeditions travels to over 40 geographies on all 7 continents. Their fleet is comprised of 15 nimble and intimately scaled expedition ships with passenger capacities from just 28 to 148. Small ships allow captains to safely venture where larger cruise ships cannot, providing guests with authentic, up-close encounters in the world’s most remote, wild, and pristine places. The quality and experience of Lindblad Expeditions’ veteran staff is a driving factor behind their reputation as a global leader in overseas adventure. Guests traveling on their voyages are guided by skilled and passionate captains and Expedition Leaders, as well as an expert team of naturalists, marine biologists, geologists, historians, undersea specialists, experts and photographers. Lindblad Expeditions’ staff-to-guest ratio (no more than 1-to-16) fosters a genuine exchange of knowledge/information on natural surroundings, history, and culture of the places they explore. Lindblad is committed to sustainability and considered the travel industry’s leader in responsible travel, which includes protecting nature, preserving culture, supporting local communities, and operating green business practices. In October, Lindblad Expeditions was awarded the #1 small-ship cruise line by the 2021 Condé Nast Traveler Readers' Choice Awards.
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