Northern Sea of Cortés Cruise

Why Join This Cruise:

• Unique opportunity to extensively explore one of the world's richest marine environments, coined 'The Galapagos of the North'


• Travel aboard a beautifully appointed luxury motor yacht accommodating a maximum of just 22 guests


• Active voyage combining both water and land based exploration, as well as plenty of opportunity for snorkelling, swimming kayaking in Baja's clear waters
• Specialist family, photography, diving or star-gazing departures

Trip Overview
The Sea of Cortés is indisputably one of the world's richest areas for a wide range of whales and other marine animals. Combined with its year round sunny, dry climate and striking desert landscape, cruising is the best way to unlock this extraordinary area.

This trip's daily itinerary will have particular appeal to those who like exploring the path less traveled, as it includes exploration of the little visited Midriff islands and the northern end of the Sea of Cortez.



Daily Itinerary

We strongly advise that you arrive into Loreto at least one day before your day of embarkation in vase of unforeseen delay

Day 1 Loreto/ Embarkation
On arrival transfer to your ship, The Quest. The Captain will anchor for the night at secluded Honeymoon Cove.

Day 2 Isla Carmen & Whale Watching
Today drop anchor in Ballandra Bay where you will enjoy a guided hike into the desert interior, lush with exotic cacti and succulent plants. Beachcombing, zodiac rides, swimming and snorkelling are also possibilities. Cruising this afternoon, on the look out for pods of dolphins, along with blue, fin, sei, orca and sperm whales.

Day 3 Punta Pulpito
Anchored in sheltered waters, the zodiacs and sailing dinghies will be launched for casual exploration of the rugged shorelines. Alternatively, snorkel or swim in the crystal clear waters, or soak up the sun's rays on the beach.

Day 4 Bahía Concepción
Today is another great day for whale watching before arriving in Bahía Concepción, a sparkling body of water sprinkled with pristine little islets. Anchor in Coyote Bay for an afternoon of beachcombing, snorkelling and exploration by zodiac.

Day 5 Mulegé, Isla San Marcos
Today you will explore the mouth of the Mulegé River by zodiac, then continue north to Isla San Marcos to enjoy some excellent snorkelling on a local reef teeming with tropical fish.

Day 6 Santa Rosalía, Cruising toward the Midriff Islands
Today you will tour the historic copper mining town of Santa Rosalía before heading northwards to anchor at Bahía San Francisquito for the night.

Day 7 Midriff Islands
Today's itinerary in the rarely-visited Midriff Islands is flexible. You may drop anchor off Isla Salsipuedes for a hike, watch for sperm whales feeding in the rich waters or even snorkel with sea lions at Little Raza Rock.

Day 8 Midriff Islands
Further exploration of these extraordinary islands, with opportunities for zodiac rides, snorkelling, sailing, swimming and beachcombing.

Day 9 San Carlos Area
Having crossed the Sea of Cortés to the eastern shore, today you will find remote spots to explore by zodiac and for other water activities. There is a large colony of sea lions at Isla San Pedro.

Day 10 Disembark San Carlos
Disembarkation and transfer to the airport for onward travel.

**This itinerary also operates in reverse**



Specialist themed departures available for:

• Families


• Scuba Diving


• Photography - A professional photographer joins this departure


• Star gazing - Baja is renowned for having some of the world's clearest skies

**Please enquire for further dates and specific trip dates

The Boat
The following boat operates this particular cruise:

Safari Quest

Cruise dates for 2009

Loreto - San Carlos
29th March - 7th April

San Carlos - Loreto
7th - 16th April

Guide Price for 2008

	Prices from:
Shared Mariner's cabin	£3,260pp*
Shared Shared Captain's cabin	£3,795pp*
Sharing Sharing Admiral's cabin	£4,335pp*

This is an all inclusive cruise with all drinks included, as well as kayaking and the airport transfer at the end of the trip

*Please note: These prices exclude International flights, are based on shoulder season rates and increase in high season and are subject to exchange rate fluctuations.

Single Supplements on board
For those who require their own cabin, please contact the office for a quotation.

To discuss this trip, for further details or to check boat availability, please either:

Call 01285 880981
Email voyages@steppestravel.co.uk

Steppes Travel cruise destinations include: Alaska, Amazon, Antarctica, Arctic, Baja Mexico, Galapagos.