This 10 day excursion will explore the striking region of Baja California, the Sea of Cortez, and the Mexican Riviera. One port of call includes the option of a chartered luxury train tour to Cooper Canyon. Here is a day-by-day summary, followed by an expanded description:
Day 1: Sail from San Diego, California at 5 pm
Day 2: At sea (Session #1 of "Planning What's Next")
Day 3: At sea (Session #2 of "Planning What's Next")
Day 4: Puerto Vallarta, Mexico (7 am to 9 pm)
Day 5: Mazatlan, Mexico (8 am to 5 pm)
Day 6: Tompolobampo/Los Machis (5:30 am to 11 pm) (option to Copper Canyon)
Day 7: Loreto, Baja Sur, Mexico (8 am to 6 pm) plus scenic cruising of the Sierra de La Giganta upon departure
Day 8: Pichlingua/La Paz, Baja Sur, Mexico (8 am to 6 pm)
Day 9: Cabo San Lucus, Baja Sur, Mexico (7 am to 4 pm)
Day 10: At sea (Session #3 of "Planning What's Next")
Day 11: Return to San Diego, California at 7 am
After boarding in the heart of San Diego's harbor marina and waterfront walk, only minutes from the airport, you will sail in late afternoon on the ms Ryndam, one of Holland America's elegant midsized ships. The Ryndam provides exceptional service in an attractive, uncrowded setting, carrying 602 crew members and a maximum of 1258 passengers.
Following the sunset departure past Coronado, the Point Loma peninsula, and the lighthouse near the Cabrillo National Monument, you will settle into a fine dinner and the pleasures of evening aboard.
The next day we will cruise south on the Pacific side of Baja California. Upon rising, you might consider a walk around the outside deck of the Lower Promenade, occasionally checking for whales and dolphins.
After breakfast your seminar series begins. Enjoy a valuable learning experience as you set a focus for your life's next steps and gain useful planning and action tools. At noon you'll be on your own again to check for wildlife, siesta, eat, swim, exercise, sauna, just hang out, or indulge in the many other possibilities at sea.
This relaxing and productive schedule will repeat the following day, with a continuation of the seminar series. Later this day, we may come very near the southern Baja shore, passing the cape on tha Pacific side of Cabo San Lucas.
Early following morning you will find yourself in fabled Puero Vallerta, Mexico, made known to many by the off camera romance of Elizabeth Taylor and the late Richard Burton during the making of "Night of the Iguana". The old town retains its charm around the Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe, stairstepping up slopes to face the wide Bahia (Bay) of Banderas. There are plenty of town, country, and on and in the water sight seeing and other activities here, with a range of self-guided or escorted tour options.
The following day finds you in Mazatlan, set on a promatory and sweeping beach on the Mexican mainland at the mouth of the Sea of Cortez, opposite Los Cabos in Baja far to the west. We found that the older town area, including the town square area was quite interesting, and best experienced on foot. If you are fit, you can walk to it by heading north from the dock, but you will need to be a good navigator! Bearing somewhat north-northwest along east of the ridge line to your west will reward you with a beautiful view of the promatory and a view to the north, including the newer Mazatlan in the far distance. Once you reach the sea, walk a block or two north along the beach, and then bear east up a small valley. You will pass very near a local museum, and soon arrive at the heart of the old town. Excursions in and around Mazatlan, as well on the water, are available. That evening your ship will sail north, entering one of the most biologically diverse marine areas in the world, the Sea of Cortez.
Next morning you will dock at Topolobampo (port to Los Mochis City). There you will have access to tours of towns of Spanish colonial heritage and the beauty of Copper Canyon. Copper Canyon is actually a large region containing a network of many deep gourges, together forming six deep, interconnected Canyons high in the Sierra Madre mountain range. Four of these six reach depths exceeding that of Arizona's Grand Canyon. Within the hours of call at Topolobampo, Copper Canyon can be reached via a combination 2 hour motor coach and 6 hour private luxury train ride (each way) ascending the Sierra Madre to an altitude of 7,200 feet. Quoting Holland America "You can explore Copper Canyon on an optional luxury rail journey that showcases one of the world's greatest engineering feats -- 39 bridges, 87 tunnels, and hundreds of miles of rail spanning the most rugged and remote terrain imaginable. It also offers you spectacular views of raging rivers, towering waterfalls and sub-tropical forests, and takes you through enormous stands of old-growth ponderosa pine and oak, toward snow covered peaks and sparkling lakes. At the top you'll peer down on the placid waters of the Sea of Cortez, where your day began ..." The train is chartered by Holland America and excursion tickets should be purchased well in advance of the cruise. You will have the opportunity to view the Canyon and enjoy a lunch at the top.
During the night you will sail across the Sea of Cortez to Baja Sur (Lower Baja California) towards Loreto, the first captial of the Californias. This inviting, picturesque town lies against the dramatic backdrop of the Sierra de la Giganta, one of the mountain ranges forming the sharp uplifted eastern edge of the Baja pennisula.
You will be able to travel by ship tender into Loreto's small harbor the follwoing morning where a number of fascinating land and sea adventures await you: There are the desert and imposing mountains themselves, perhaps best seen by taking an extraordinary, escorted trip through the Giganta to San Javier, site of one of the best preserved original missions in Baja Sur. Or there is the sea itself. The Loreto Bay National Marine Park, which stretches from Loreto southward, is one of the world's largest marine sanctuaries. Snorkeling, diving, kayaking, swimming, beach and island exploring are all possibilities here.
Whatever you decide to do this day, don't miss the chance to spend at least a bit of time walking along the Malecon (sea walkway) of Loreto itself and on Loreto's main pedestrian-only street, Salvatierra. This street passes through the beautiful town square, and then past the first Mission established in the Californias. An interesting historical museum adjoins the mission. Much of the walking portion of Salvatierra is covered with a series of amazingly large and healthy arches of ficus trees! Back aboard the ship, we will leave Loreto near sunset, ensuring a scenic passage into the Sea of Cortez.
After another of Holland America's sumptuous, well prepared and presented meals, and another evening of entertainment options, the next morning will find us entering the Bahia de la Paz (Bay of La Paz). La Paz is the present day capital of Baja California Sur (South).
Following arrival, you will be transported by shuttle (unless you are taking an escorted tour) along the coast of the Bay, past saguaro-like cacti and past the governor's estate, to a convenient spot next to La Paz's beautiful Malecon. Be sure to discover the sculpture and palapas (shade umbrellas made from palm fronds) that bless visitors and others along the Malecon just to the west, not far from the commercial pier (worth a short stroll). There are a number of local sites within walking distance, including the Museum of Anthropology and city church/cathedral. For those wishing to adventure father afield, beaches, swimming, diving, snorkeling, kayaking, and a trip to the art colony town of Todos Santos await. Reportably, some of the best diving in the world can be arranged as well.
Just before we sail and dine, you are invited to join your seminar leaders and colleagues for an informal cocktail party at the top of the ship. Enjoying complimentary drinks and hors d'oeuvres, this will be a chance to catch up with your seminar mates on adventures and discoveries of the two previous days.
The early morning of the fifth full day of your Sea of Cortez voyage will find you entering the sweeping Bahia San Lucas. Land's End (the southern most tip of Baja and the Californios) with its famous arch will be a nearby neighbor. Wise visitors with many items on their Cabo San Lucas Must See and Do List will plan to transfer to shore at the earliest opportunity. Many opportunities await: exploring Los Arcos, the Window on the Pacific, and Lovers beach by local water taxi; chartering a fishing boat, walking the waterfront; exploring the town or nearby resorts, exploring the streets and history of nearby San Jose de Cabo, or discovering a Cactus Garden. Did we mention swimming?
Your ship will depart the Bay with a spectacular cruise out and around Land's End and the Arcos. Don't forget to be on the lookout for whales, flying fish, and dolphins!
After feasting yet again, and enjoying a pleasant evening of your personal activity of choice, or being entertained in the main theatre, or blissfully retiring early, you will awake the following morning as we cruise the Pacific Ocean off Baja. Your final seminar session begins after breakfast.
The final day aboard ship offers time for one last round of deck chair sunning, sauntering, workouts, quiet reading, or saunas. There may also be interesting demonstrations offered by the culinary staff.
San Diego, and its beautiful harbor and skyline, will greet us at the next dawn. Don't overlook the opportunity to spend time, either before or after the cruise, exploring this town, its culture, and its natural beauty. You can follow the "Options in Each Port" and "History and Setting" links above to find out more about San Diego and the other places you'll visit on this very special trip and learning experience.
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