Mexico
Mexico: The Great Gray Whale Migration and Baja’s Natural Wonders
Program No. 12315RJ
Witness the gray whale migration, one of nature’s most phenomenal events, and see these gentle giants up close in the heart of their breeding grounds.
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Itinerary
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date.
Read More.
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
8 days
7 nights
What's Included
20 meals (
7B, 7L, 6D
)
4 expert-led lectures
10 expert-led field trips
1 hands-on experience
An experienced Group Leader
7 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
Day
1
Check-in, Registration & Orientation, Scripps, La Jolla
Location:
San Diego, California
Meals:
L,D
Stay:
Courtyard by Marriott San Diego Mission Valley/Hotel Circle
Activity Note
Hotel check-in from 3:00 p.m. Luggage can be stored at the front desk until the rooms are ready. Walking approximately 1 mile; mostly flat, paved path; standing approximately 1 hour at the aquarium.
Morning:
After you have your room assignment, see the hotel notice board for the location of our Road Scholar private meeting room where the Orientation Session will take place. 11:30 a.m. Register with the program staff and get your welcome packet containing the up-to-date schedule that reflects any changes, and other important information. If you arrive late, please ask for your packet at the hotel front desk when you check-in. Our Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, answer questions. Our knowledgeable Group Leader will also serve as our Study Leader for most field trips and deliver educational content unless specified otherwise. Transportation will be via private motorcoach. For meals that offer a choice of dishes, we will circulate a form in advance to note each person’s preferences and save time ordering. While in Mexico, purified water will always be available on the motorcoach, at the hotels, and in restaurants. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.
Lunch:
In the hotel’s private meeting room.
Afternoon:
We will then hop aboard our motorcoach and drive North to reach the exclusive La Jolla community where we will visit the world-renowned Scripps Institution of Oceanography and Birch Aquarium. At the Aquarium, a member of the education department staff will present a lecture focused on whales to prepare us for the upcoming whale excursions. Following the lecture, we will have an expert-led exploration of the Aquarium to learn about some of the most important of its over 60 environments exhibited. Next, we will ride into La Jolla Village and set out for a leisurely nature walk with our Group Leader along the famous coves ending at famed Seal Beach, now a marine reserve. We will spot the endemic Torrey Pines, learn about the peculiarities of the nesting Cormorants, and be able to distinguish seals from sea lions. We’ll get on the motorcoach and return downtown for dinner.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant
Evening:
Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning. Note: Both a valid passport and a personal permit are required for entry into Mexico. The permit will be issued by the Immigration Bureau upon entering Mexico. Keep the permit with you. The Group Leader will be on hand to assist as needed. You must carry all your belongings across the border when entering Mexico and again when re-entering the United States. When going through Customs into Mexico and returning to the US, as a general rule, no fruits, vegetables, cheese, meats nor plants are allowed.
Day
2
Enter Mexico, Tijuana, Ensenada, San Vicente, San Quintin
Location:
San Quintin, Baja California
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Mision Santa Maria
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 200 miles, approximately 5.5 hours. Walking approximately 0.5 miles throughout the day. Must carry all belongings across the border and walk 200 feet. Keep passports on hand for border crossing. No fruits, vegetables, cheese, meats nor plants are permitted into Mexico.
Breakfast:
In the hotel’s private meeting room.
Morning:
After checking out of the hotel, we will board a motorcoach and begin our quest for gray whales, driving through the most-crossed border in the world, separating the United States and Mexico at San Ysidro. Together with the Group Leader, we must get off the bus and walk across the border (approximately 200 feet) carrying all our belongings as we go through Mexican immigration and customs. You will need to present your passport and complete a form on site to receive the required personal permit. The Group Leader will be on hand to assist as needed. We’ll then drive on to Ensenada along Mexican Federal Highway 1 that runs the entire length of Baja California from Tijuana to Cabo San Lucas. The scenic drive offers spectacular views of the coastline and Pacific Ocean. Our Group Leader will discuss the multiple aspects of this important border as well as presenting an overview of the peninsula as we ride. Ensenada rests on the shores of the beautiful Todos Santos Bay, endowed with a Mediterranean climate, friendly people, and a historical ambiance. Stop for lunch.
Lunch:
In a private home in Ensenada.
Afternoon:
Heading further south, we’ll stop in San Vicente and visit a small community museum maintained by an enthusiastic local lady who proudly welcomes guests to her museum. The final portion of our journey to San Quintin brings us through one of the peninsula’s most important agricultural areas. We will learn about the life of indigenous workers from Mexico’s southern states that migrate to this area to work as field hands. We expect to reach the hotel — situated in front of a wide-open beach — in the late afternoon for check-in. After some time to freshen up and relax, we’ll gather at the bar for a welcome toast to Mexico before dinner.
Dinner:
At the hotel
Evening:
At leisure. You might like to take a walk along the sandy beach and gaze at the uncontaminated night sky. Tonight, or any night when appropriate, enjoy the “sobremesa” — lingering at the table to chat after dinner — as is customary in Mexico. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
Day
3
Baja Peninsula Landscapes, Rock Art, Guerrero Negro
Location:
Guerrero Negro, Baja California Sur
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Halfway Inn
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 260 miles, approximately 6 hours throughout the day. Short walks up to 0.5 mile; slight uphill, uneven paths. Short steep hike approximately 0.3 mile to visit cave (may be avoided).
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We’ll see ruggedly beautiful landscapes as we ride into the desert and begin to explore its wonders. The mountainous peninsula is covered by innumerable species of flora, many of which are endemic. Among them is the cirio (boojum tree), Baja's signature plant. Our Group Leader will provide expert commentary aboard the motorcoach to introduce the varied desert eco-systems as well as local flora which will help us to recognize and understand the distinctive vegetation during the drive and the short nature walks in these magnificent landscapes. Before lunch, we will stop at a cave with simple rock art in the middle of the Valle de los Cirios Nature Reserve. Cataviña is surrounded by gigantic granite boulders and unique vegetation. The scenic hike to the cave offers exceptional views both at the bottom and top of the hill where the cave is located. Until recently thought to be about 2,000 years old, tests have dated some of the older paintings at closer to 7,500 years. We will be joined by local schoolchildren who will lend a helping hand where the terrain is most challenging. The kids speak minimal English, so use your Spanish — no matter how rudimentary — or communicate in the universal language of gestures. As we interact with these youngsters, we’ll get a sense of what life is like in such a remote place.
Lunch:
At the Cataviña hotel restaurant. We will have Caldo Tlalpeño, a traditional soup- meal.
Afternoon:
We’ll reboard the motorcoach and continue our drive to Guerrero Negro — Black Warrior — situated on the 28th parallel just below the border with Baja California Sur. It also marks the beginning of the Vizcaino World Biosphere, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is home to whale sanctuaries, migrant birds, endemic vegetation, gigantic rock art caves, and the world’s largest salt plant. Arriving in Guerrero Negro, we’ll check into the hotel with some time to freshen up, then gather for a toast and chat with fellow Road Scholars before dinner.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for early check-out and transfer in the morning.
Day
4
Nature Reserve, Scammon’s Lagoon & Whales, San Ignacio
Location:
San Ignacio, Baja California Sur
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Desert Inn, San Ignacio
Activity Note
Getting in/out of minibuses, on/off a small “panga” boat (10-16 passengers) from an inclining pier with a knee-high step; panga riding approximately 3 hours. Dress in layers with waterproof jacket or windbreaker for boat ride, waterproof pants recommended, likelihood of getting wet. Boat ride can be bumpy and cold if windy and cloudy, but warm on a sunny day. Driving about 90 miles, approximately 2 hours.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We’ll check out of the hotel early and board our motorcoach to begin our gray whale adventures! Permission to enter the whale sanctuaries is granted only to a restricted number of eco-companies. We will drive to the office of an eco-company, hop onto their minibuses, and drive across part of the Exportadora de Sal, an enormous salt plant. As we ride, we’ll learn about the history and process of Baja's solar evaporation salt production process. Ospreys are particularly numerous, nesting on telephone poles and even on the ground. Reaching the pier on Scammon’s Lagoon, we’ll embark on the first of three memorable outings to meet the gray whales. We will divide into smaller groups and join the skilled captains of panga boats who will be in charge during our field trip. In each small panga, we’ll ride out among the whales to view these massive mammals at arm's length, perhaps closer. Each year, gray whales travel some 5,000 miles from the Bering and Chukchi Seas to the warm waters of Baja’s wildlife refuges to court, mate, give birth, and care for their young.
Lunch:
Bag lunch aboard the boats.
Afternoon:
Returning to the pier, we’ll transfer again to the minibuses and return to the eco-company office with time to freshen up. We’ll continue to San Ignacio. The Sierra de San Francisco Mountain chain rises parallel to the highway. Rolling hills of red volcanic rocks change the landscape and palms fill the canyon where San Ignacio is located. The charming, sleepy town developed around an imposing 18th-century mission, still in use today, in the midst of a lush, tranquil palm oasis. After we check in at the hotel, we’ll enjoy free time to relax or explore the town on our own. Before dinner, we re-gather at the bar to taste a local beverage.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
5
San Ignacio Lagoon & Whales, Town Exploration
Location:
San Ignacio, Baja California Sur
Meals:
B,L
Stay:
Desert Inn, San Ignacio
Activity Note
Getting in/out of vans, driving about 65 miles, approximately 2.5 hours round-trip; partly graded road. In San Ignacio Lagoon, getting in/out of small panga boats from the beach, possibly wading into shallow water up to knee high. Riding in pangas approximately 2.5 hours. Bring water shoes, waterproof gear, wear roll-up pants. Boat ride can be bumpy and cold if windy and cloudy, but warm on a sunny day.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
With our Group Leader, we will hop into vans and drive to the secluded San Ignacio Lagoon for another adventuresome ride among whales. Each outing is different, offering new experiences. We will see small fishing settlements along the shore of the lagoon and some eco-camps authorized to service the whale excursions. Arriving at a designated eco-camp, we’ll prepare for a second memorable outing preceded by a short presentation by camp personnel on the whales and the lagoon. We’ll then divide into small groups and board the panga boats with their captains and look for those blows, humps, and fins!
Lunch:
At a restaurant in the eco-camp.
Afternoon:
We’ll continue at the lagoon with some independent time to look for migrating birds, observe the ospreys caring for their chicks in nearby nests or simply find a spot to relax. Midafternoon, we will return to the hotel by vans with some time on our own before setting out again on a walking field trip with our Group Leader into the tree-filled plaza. We’ll explore the well-preserved mission and observe life on the plaza where local people gather and children play. We’ll also visit a home where date bread and pie is made. In the company of our pleasant host, we’ll practice making flour tortillas by hand and taste them with local ranch cheese.
Dinner:
On your own to enjoy what you like.
Evening:
At leisure. You might like to stroll on the plaza or enjoy the warm evening air in the hotel garden. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
Day
6
Scammon’s Lagoon, Desert Walk, Cataviña
Location:
Cataviña, Baja California
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Mision Cataviña
Activity Note
Getting in/out of minibuses, on/off a small “panga” boat from an inclining pier with a knee-high step; panga riding approximately 3 hours, may be bumpy. Dress in layers with waterproof jacket or windbreaker for boat ride, waterproof pants recommended, likelihood of getting wet. Walking short distances in the desert; mostly flat, gravely, uneven terrain. Total driving about 235 miles, approximately 5 hours.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
After checking out of the hotel, we will walk along the oasis to reach the water spring, a scenic picture spot, then board the motorcoach returning to Guerrero Negro for our third and final encounter with the whales. Back in Scammon’s Lagoon, transfer to the pier by minibus then board the panga boats to bid the whales farewell. Every outing is a memorable experience. Whales were slaughtered here for nearly a century during the whaling era. Since harvesting gray whales was banned in 1946, populations have rebounded. The “friendly” phenomenon among whales was first reported in 1976. Especially at the end of breeding season, “friendlies” have been known to seek human contact, often coming alongside and surfacing near pangas. Some whale mothers have even been observed apparently teaching their calves to interact with humans. These “friendly” behaviors exist only within the lagoons of Baja California where local fishermen are keen observers to be sure human behavior stays within bounds.
Lunch:
Bag lunch aboard the boats.
Afternoon:
Returning from our field trip we will have time to freshen up before continuing our drive north on the motorcoach. We’ll stop for a walk among especially tall cardons and whimsical elephant trees before arriving in Cataviña for an overnight. Located in the middle of the Valle de los Cirios Nature Reserve, the Cataviña Boulder Field region is characterized by plentiful sun, sand, gigantic granite boulders, and combinations of boojums, cardons, and elephant trees that make this particular area a superb desert garden. We will check in to the hotel with some time to freshen up before gathering in the cozy bar for a taste of tequila, Mexico’s national drink. We will learn about its origin, the production process, and how to choose a good tequila. Then, toast the Mexican way: salt-tequila-lime, salud! To the whales!
Dinner:
In a private set-up at the hotel
Evening:
We’ll continue to enjoy the festive mood with a selection of traditional Mexican “finger foods” as we further immerse in Mexican traditions. Prepare for check-out and transfer tomorrow.
Day
7
Morning Walk, San Quintín Bay, Ensenada, Farewell Dinner
Location:
Ensenada, Baja California
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Las Rosas Hotel & Spa
Activity Note
Early morning walking excursion. Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 230 miles, approximately 6 hours. Walks up to 1 mile; slight uphills, uneven gravely paths.
Breakfast:
At the hotel,
Morning:
We will rise early and set out before breakfast on a walk to see the thorny, magnificent desert against the rising sun. After breakfast, we will board the motorcoach and enjoy the last of the desert scenery as we ride towards San Quintin.
Lunch:
At a restaurant facing San Quintín Bay.
Afternoon:
We will reboard our motorcoach and ride on to Ensenada with expected arrival in the late afternoon for hotel check-in. Ensenada is an active seaport and a popular holiday destination in Mexico. Relax at the hotel, enjoy its amenities and its spectacular ocean view from every room. Before dinner, gather at the hotel scenic bar. Share favorite experiences with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell toast. As we dine, we will hear the rhythm of the waves against the cliffs below.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.
Day
8
Program Concludes
Location:
San Diego, California
Meals:
B
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 90 miles, approximately 2 hours riding time. Passports required for border crossing. Must carry all belongings including luggage across the border and walk approximately 300 feet. Possibility of standing in line. No fruits, vegetables, cheese, meats, or plants permitted. The State of California allows one liter of alcoholic beverages per adult (21 years of age and older).
Breakfast:
At the hotel
Morning:
We will depart Ensenada by motorcoach in the morning at 8:00 a.m. and cross the border back into San Diego. Final destinations are the San Diego Airport, with arrival expected at approximately 12:00 Noon. We will then continue to the Courtyard Marriott Hotel. This concludes our program. If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!
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Please Note:
This program has itinerary variations on certain dates.
Jan 14, 2026 - Jan 21, 2026
Jan 14, 2026 - Jan 21, 2026
Jan 20, 2026 - Jan 27, 2026
Jan 22, 2026 - Jan 29, 2026
Jan 24, 2026 - Jan 31, 2026
Jan 29, 2026 - Feb 05, 2026
Feb 02, 2026 - Feb 09, 2026
Feb 04, 2026 - Feb 11, 2026
Feb 06, 2026 - Feb 13, 2026
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Feb 15, 2026 - Feb 22, 2026
Feb 18, 2026 - Feb 25, 2026
Feb 22, 2026 - Mar 01, 2026
Feb 27, 2026 - Mar 06, 2026
Mar 03, 2026 - Mar 10, 2026
Mar 11, 2026 - Mar 18, 2026
Mar 14, 2026 - Mar 21, 2026
Mar 16, 2026 - Mar 23, 2026
Mar 18, 2026 - Mar 25, 2026
