WHALES, WILDLIFE AND THE COPPER CANYON
Cabo San Lucas To Chihuahua
12-Day Cruises

DAY 1 ARRIVE IN CABO SAN LUCAS
Transfer from Los Cabos Airport to Cruise West's hospitality area at Cabo's inner harbor. Board your ship to begin your Sea of Cortes cruise at sunset, past EI Arco and finisterra (land's end), to enjoy evening scenery and cruising. D

DAY 2 ISLA ESPIRITU SANTO
This 23,383-acre island near La Paz is centered in one of the most biologically diverse marine areas in the world ­and is a major environmental success story. Several plants and animals are found nowhere else on earth, including the blacktailed jack rabbit and antelope squirrel. Drop anchor at Espiritu Santo's Bahia Bonanza for a day ashore. Take a guided nature walk among the tangle of exotic cacti, or snorkel and kayak the crystal clear sea here that supports 900 species of fish. No need to bring snorkeling gear or wetsuits as they will be provided for you. BLD

DAY 3 WHALE WATCHING
This whole day is spent pursuing up-close viewing of marine life. The Sea of Cortes is home to large schoolsof common and bottle-nosed dolphins, aswell as humpback, minke, fin, and blue whales. In the shallow lagoons of Baja's Pacific shore, hundreds of gray whales annually congregate to calf - most reliably from mid-January to mid-March. When our local contacts tell us the whales are present we'll cross the peninsula to the Pacific side by motorcoach. There we board an outboard­equipped panga to observe the grays, who have migrated some 6,000 miles from Alaska's Bering Sea. When grays are not present due to varied migration patterns, we'll use our maneuverable small ship to search for whales
in the Sea of Cortes. BLD

DAY 4 ISLAND EXPLORATION
Guided by the weather and tides, visit one of the beautiful and special islands of the Sea of Cortes. Exploration may include nature walks, kayaking, and snorkeling. BLD

DAY 5 LORETO
Founded in 1697, Loreto's Nuestra Senora de Loreto Mission was the original "mother" church from which all the other California missions were founded along EI Camino Real, eventually leading as far north as Sonoma, California. A museum adjacent to the mission displays artifacts and paintings from Baja's colonial era. Stroll the streets and plazas of this picturesque seaside village, capped bya reception with musical entertainment at the mission. BLD DAY 6 Los ISLOTES & ISLA PARTIDA Los Islotes is a steep seamount punctured by sea caves. Blue-footed boobies reside on the cliffs, and a large colony of California sea lions hauls out on the rocks below. Weather and sea conditions permitting, swim and snorkel as the female sea lions and their curious young pups float about you in the sea. Continue to nearby Isla Partida, to explore the island's rugged beauty, kayak up-close to rock-walled headlands, or just relax on the beach. In the sheltered cove of Ensenada Grande, where the silky, sandy bottom shelves out very gradually for hundreds of feet, gentle waves lap onto the mangrove-backed beach. BLD

DAY 7 LA PAZ
Today, your ship ties up at the central waterfront of Baja California Sur's capital and largest city, which was founded in the 1530s. Explore the shops, ge/aterias, and the miles-long waterfront ma/econ (promenade). A host of options will be available and you will have the opportunity to enjoy an exclusive fiesta, complete with Mexican music, dancers, and a pinata. Disembark in La Paz, and overnight at your included La Paz hotel. BLD

DAY 8 LA PAZ TO EL FUERTE
Transfer to the airport for your included flight to Los Mochis. Stop at the Maya Indian village of Tehueco for a traditional dance performance. Travel to the Posada del Hidalgo Hotel in EI Fuerte. Founded in 1564, EI Fuerte was a frontier outpost where expeditions to California and New Mexico began. Visit the City Hall, the oldest church, and the Main Plaza on a leisurely walking tour. BLD

DAY 9 COPPER CANYON (SIERRA TARAHUMARA) BY RAIL
Transfer to the Chihuahua-ai-Pacifico Railroad to begin the ascent into the Sierra Madres, traveling east through farmland and foothills. The Sierra Tarahumara is a maze of 200 gorges combining to form six interconnecting canyons. You will rise over 8,000 feet, crossing deep ravines and passing through more than 68 tunnels. Upon arrival at Divisadero, transfer to your hotel, situated near the
rim of the Urique Canyon. BLD

DAY 10 COPPER CANYON
After breakfast travel by motorcoach to Cusarare to visit the Jesuit Mission and the new museum featuring recently restored 16th, 17th, and 18th century paintings collected by the Jesuit missionaries. While there, stop next door at the Tarahumara boarding school for a chance to interact with the Tarahumara children. After lunch in Creel, you will have the opportunity to wander around the small rustic town and enjoy the unique rock formations that surround the area. Overnight at your rim hotel. BLD

DAY 11 MOTORCOACH TO CHIHUAHUA
Descend from the mountains by motorcoach to Chihuahua, the capital city of the State of Chihuahua. Along the way, stop for lunch. Visit the Museum of the Revolution, formerly the home of Chihuahua's most famous citizen, Pancho Villa. Don't miss the cathedral - the organ was painstakingly brought from Germany and sculptures originating from Italy are also featured. Tonight, celebrate your explorations with a farewell dinner. BLD

DAY 12 TRANSFER TO THE CHIHUAHUA AIRPORT for your trip home. B