Baja Mountain Bliss

Destination: Mexico

| Activities: Hiking, whale watching, horseback riding, cultural experience

Baja Bliss! Baja California Sur is a gorgeous region of Mexico, with white sandy beaches, moderate temperatures and incredible flora and fauna, there is something for everyone. We'll have a day to enjoy the beach before heading to our luxury tent camp in a bioreserve. Each day will be filled with a choose your own adventure schedule, as packed to the gills or as low key as you'd like it to be. This is the perfect vacation for anyone looking to unwind and relax and experience another culture. Maximum group size: 12

Highlights

  • Let your worries melt away with a day on the beach
  • Take a cooking class with a renowned Mexican chef
  • Learn about the flora and fauna that inhabit this protected area
  • Hike through diverse ecosystems
  • Whale watch with a local fishermen's collective
  • Stay in family run lodges

Inclusions

  • All transportation during itinerary including roundtrip airport transfer
  • All accommodations including 3 nights at the Los Colibris Casitas and 3 nights at Camp Cecil de la Sierra
  • All meals from dinner on day 1 through breakfast on final day
  • Daily happy hour in the Sierras (while at Camp Cecil)
  • All activities as described on the itinerary and related gear
  • Local bilingual naturalist guides who are certified Wilderness First Responders, NOM-9 graduates and Leave No Trace certified
  • Entrance fees and permits

What's not included: Travel to and from Mexico, alcoholic beverages (outside of happy hours in the Sierras), snacks, guide gratuities, and travel insurance.

Trip Documents

Trip Info

This trip is designed for women in good condition who want an active vacation in a warm winter environment. Our days are full, although there is time to relax built into each one and also the option to opt out of some activities if you want more downtime. Although the hikes on this trip are short, they can be rough and rocky. Horseback riding is not instructional on this trip and some prior experience is helpful. Rating: [1] 2 3 4 5.

We'll swim and whale watch in the warm waters of Baja California Sur. We'll hike, horseback ride and play in diverse ecosystems while staying at the Bioreserve.


All accommodations on Baja Bliss are shared, there are no single supplements available. Three nights will be spent at Los Colibris Casitas. With “the most stunning view in Todos Santos,” Los Colibris Casitas is perfect for nature lovers who appreciate both beauty and tranquility. Every room has a magnificent view of the Pacific ocean, a freshwater estuary and a palm grove oasis to the front, and the Sierra de la Laguna mountains to the side and back. From your casita you can watch fishermen cast their nets on the beach in the early morning light, enjoy the magnificent Baja sunset in the evening, and delight in the vast expanse of a star-filled sky at night. Los Colibris is just a 10-minute walk to 70 miles of pristine, virtually empty beach, and a 5-minute drive to the delightful restaurants, artists’ galleries and shops of Todos Santos.

Three nights will be spent at Camp Cecil in the Sierra La Laguna Biosphere Reserve in the mountains that form the spine of the peninsula. At Camp Cecil you can experience the luxury of Baja Sur's pristine wilderness while also enjoying "glamping" (glamorous camping) with real beds, soft linens, lovely furnishings, chef-prepared meals and daily happy hour.

Below is the proposed itinerary for the trip. As is true on any adventure travel trip, plans for any specific day may be modified due to weather considerations, unforeseen circumstances, new opportunities, and group interests.

DAY 1
Bienvenidas a Mexico! Fly into Los Cabos International Airport/San Jose del Cabo (SJD) by 2PM where you’ll be met by our local guides and transferred to our home away from home for the next two nights, Los Colibris Casitas. With “the most stunning view in Todos Santos,” Los Colibris Casitas is perfect for nature lovers who appreciate both beauty and tranquility. Once settled at the Casitas, we’ll go out for our first group dinner at a local restaurant. During dinner our guides will go over logistics for the week and a safety orientation. (D)

Overnight:Los Colibris Casitas
DAY 2
Nestled between lush tropical vegetation on one side and a dry mountainous desert on the other, Todos Santos is a small town with big appeal. Our lodging provides a perfect view of the Pacific Ocean, where we may even see whales breaching and splashing in the distance! After a delicious breakfast, we'll board small fishing boats to observe whales from the water. Each year the magnificent gray whales migrate 6,000 miles south from the Bering Sea to mate and give birth in the warm water lagoons of the Baja peninsula. They are truly magnificent creatures to behold! In the afternoon we'll drive to Los Cerritos, one of the best beaches in Baja California Sur. A crescent shaped beach with crystal clear waters and a smooth sandy bottom, it's the perfect place to swim, float, lounge, or go for a stroll. There are even massages available beach side to help you start your vacation off right!

In the evening we'll have a Mexican Cooking Class with local Chef Iker Algorri, the author of Cooking Adventures in Baja California Sur. Learn to make the perfect margarita and gain the skill to make some truly memorable Mexican dishes following Chef Iker’s cooking philosophy, the “Magnificence of Simplicity”. The best part about a cooking class? Getting to eat our new recipes! (B, L, D)

Overnight: Los Colibris Casitas
DAY 3
Camp Cecil de la Sierra is a luxury tent camp situated in a peaceful mango, avocado and grapefruit grove in the Sierra La Laguna Biosphere Reserve. The road to get there is adventurous and bumpy but so worth it! The camp sits on the property of a local ranching family and highlights both the cultural and natural heritage of the mountains. The family is an integral part of the experience; learn how the delicious cheese and soft tortillas we’ll eat here are made by hand and soak up knowledge about the biosphere reserve from the people who know it best. Please note: we spend the middle portion of the trip in the mountains. If you would prefer more beach time, check out our other trip - Baja Beach Bliss.
Covering almost 30,000 acres, the Reserve is one of Baja´s most beautiful but least explored areas. Many of its plants and animals are not found anywhere else on the planet, including 79 endemic plant species, 8 endemic reptile species, 4 endemic bird species, and 4 endemic mammal species. While here we’ll get to hike, swim in water holes with great views of the Pacific Ocean and picnic by peaceful waterfalls. There is fantastic birding in the early mornings, incredible stargazing at night and endless opportunities for wonder and relaxation in between (Another margarita, anyone?). Tonight is our first of 3 nights in luxury tents (see accommodations descriptions for details) (B, L, D)

Overnight: Camp Cecil de la Sierra
DAY 4
Nothing like a quiet sunrise in paradise! Today you are welcome to opt in or out of any activities today - you’re on vacation! Perhaps you’ll join us for some early bird watching around camp or stretch your legs on a hike. There is horseback riding available for cowgirls that feel comfortable in the saddle. Please note: there is no formal instruction given prior to riding so this activity is best for people who have ridden horseback previously. If you're interested in learning how to horseback ride, check out our other trip: Living the Cowgirl Life.

In the afternoon we’ll all enjoy happy hour in the huerta (or garden) before a filling traditional meal. Tonight, we lounge under a blanket of mountain stars - all in all, a magnificent day. (B, L, D)

Overnight: Camp Cecil de la Sierra
DAY 5
Similar to yesterday, today you have the option of doing as much or as little as you please in terms of organized activities. One of the hikes leads to a lovely swimming hole and another to incredible views. At some point during our visit, Chito, the owner of the ranch, will conduct a leather working workshop. Using the tools he inherited from his father and the patience of a man well trained in his craft, Chito will show us the ins and outs of this time honored tradition. Chito’s mother Angela will also teach us how to make dulces, or sweets, in the customary manner. The ranchers of Baja California Sur have passed these skills down through multiple generations and the workshops are not only fun, but a great way to participate in this living history. (B, L, D)

Overnight: Camp Cecil de la Sierra
DAY 6
After a final hearty mountain breakfast, we’ll make the journey back from the Sierras to Todos Santos. Staying at Los Colibris Casitas again, we'll have the afternoon free to relax in the swimming pool or walk down to the beach. (The downtown area of Todos Santos is a 15 minute walk from the hotel. If you'd like to explore the town more, we recommend arriving a day early or leaving a day late!) Over dinner we'll toast to an incredible week in paradise. (B, L, D).

Overnight: Los Colibris Casitas
DAY 7
Last morning in paradise, time to soak up the birdsong, waves crashing and breathtaking beauty of this incredible gem before we leave. Once we’ve had breakfast and checked out of the inn, we’ll be transported back to the Los Cabos International Airport/San Jose del Cabo (SJD) in time for flights after 1PM. (B)

4.5

(11 reviews)
4.7 Food
4.3 Lodging
4.6 Safety
5
(6)
4
(5)
3
(0)
2
(0)
1
(0)

*These are the unfiltered reviews of women who have been on this trip in answer to the question "What made this trip special for you?". We take reviews very seriously and often tweak itineraries based on feedback. Please feel free to contact us about any questions you have.

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Debby H.
7 months ago

I really enjoyed being with this group. Everyone got along really well. For me, being in 75+ degree weather in January is a very positive plus.

Char R.
8 months ago

Being around fun and interesting women.

April B.
8 months ago

The inspiring women who sign up for these trips. The watercolor classes that Brenda did were fun and a nice change of pace. The stargazing that Alejandra led us thru was awesome, she's so knowledgeable. The cooking class was so fun! The highlight and most emotional part of the trip for me was the release of the baby sea turtles, really a priceless experience.

Jody R.
8 months ago

whale watching, star gazing, sea turtles, great food & drinks.

Linda C.
8 months ago

The guides, including the two Baja guides, Alejandra and Andrea, and the AGC guide, Brenda, were beyond wonderful! Smart, kind, fun, knowledgeable, attentive to every detail, sensitive to personal issues and group dynamics both.

Betty B.
8 months ago

Warm sun, good food and a variety of fun adventures in January.

Becky W.
1 year ago

I was pleased with how nice it was to travel with all the people involved. I felt like Brenda was very present and calmly and quietly attended to us.

Jeanne B.
1 year ago

A warm destination in January; good price; great guide (Brenda); I like Mexico; my first time to do Glamping

Monica H.
1 year ago

It was the other women, my fellow travelers, that made this trip extra special. They were all wonderful, interesting and fun!

Mary H.
1 year ago

Where to start? Ocean views from the beautiful casitas and pool! Beautifully landscaped grounds! Stargazing from the hot tub! Morning yoga from the mountain deck with a spectacular 360! A dip in a cool mountain waterhole by the falls after a good hike! Horseback riding the trails! Experiencing my first piñata, a surprise from our wonderful local guides! Not to mention good food and fun and camaraderie throughout! The trip introduced us to parts of Mexico that I don't think the average traveler has the opportunity to see. Just be prepared for the (literally) rocky roads!

Maria B.
1 year ago

The opportunity to go whale watching and the excellent meals at the camp.

  1. Is this trip on the beach or in the mountains?

    We spend the first day and last day in the town of Todos Santos, which is oceanside. The hotel where we stay, Los Colibris Casitas, is a short and steep hike away from the beach but the rip tide is strong here and swimming is not recommended. If you would like more beach time while in Baja, we recommend extending your stay or checking out our Camping on the Sea of Cortez trip!
  2. Where do we eat?

    We will be eating a few meals out at small local restaurants and the rest will be prepared on site at Camp Cecil of the Sierra using lots of delicious farm to table ingredients.
  3. What dietary preferences or restrictions can you accommodate on this trip?

    If we know well in advance, we can accommodate vegetarian, lactose-free, and gluten-sensitive diets. If you are vegan, we ask that you bring some additional protein bars; and if you are gluten-sensitive, please bring some gluten-free snacks. If you have severe allergies, Celiac disease and/or other significant dietary restrictions, please call the office before you register.
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