WHALES & WILDLIFE
Cabo San Lucas To Chihuahua
8-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 schools of common and bottle-nosed dolphins, as well 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 by a 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, gelaterfas, and the miles-long waterfront malec6n (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. Later, depart La Paz to sail overnight to Cabo San Lucas. BLD

DAY 8 DISEMBARK IN CABO SAN LUCAS
After breakfast, disembark and transfer to the Los Cabos Airport. B