Hola! Mimi,
I just returned from a SKA trip to Baja (12/28-1/4). I traveled solo and this was the first "tour" group tour i have done. I was a little nervous about the group and spending a week with strangers.
We set out from Loreto and camped on Isla Danzante and Isla Carmen. The trip was absolutely fantastic-the only drawback-I had to come home!
I'll tell you more about the trip, but to start the SKA provides a detailed itinerary, including food, packing lists everything you need to be prepared beforehand, including suggestions on flights and logistics to make sure your connections are smooth and timely.
Upon arrival in Baja we were met by the transfer service taken to the hotel and then met our guides (Charro, Manuel and Edgar) that evening for a pre-trip briefing, introductions, and final packing instructions.
The next morning we set out from the hotel with our group 12 guests/3 guides and divvied up geear (sleeping bags, tents, etc) loaded up the kayaks had a final briefing and set out.
Baja is beautiful and dramatic, the mountains rise up out of aquamarine seas, and it is peaceful.
We had our first crossing that day and stopped for lunch on Isla Danzante. Upon arrival the guides set up lunch while some guests explored and snorkeled and simply hung out on the beach.
After lunch we packed up and paddled for about an hour to our first night's campsite. On arrival the guests set up tents (we had a great group of people, people were there to help set up if you needed it) and then did some swimming, snorkeling, beachcombing, reading. about 4pm the guides announced happy hour and snacks and dinner followed. The days followed this routine and we all fell into an easy rhythym of paddling, exploring, napping, reading, bird-wathching, stargazing (unbelieveable stargazing!) and staring out to sea as the stress of daily life melted away.
The food was unbelievably good. We had fresh baked cakes three nights for dessert after dinner; ceviche; chile rellenos. The guides did a great job of working around a couple of dietary requirements for guests. We joked that the food was so good and regularly scheduled that we were paddling from meal to meal. All the more impressive because it was all done from what we carried with us.
There was a balance between paddling, breaks for rest and snorkeling and on days when we were not mving camp, we'd set out for hikes, snorkeling or new beaches.
It is just as you describe, an active trip without being too exerting. The trip was balanced for all levels within our group. There is always more activity and physical exercise opportunity, but Charro, our lead guide was very good at reading the group and balancing things.
Lastly, we saw sea turtles, whales, dolphins, paddled (some folks swam amongst) manta rays, sea lion, osprey, pelicans, cormorants, grebes, and lots of sea life.
I recommend SKA without reservation, in fact, as soon as their winter 2009 trip schedule is up I'm going to book another trip. Stay as long as you can, but whatever you do, give this trip to yourself. It was fantastic. All you're looking for in your description and more. Call if you want to hear more 203.506.0875(m) Clif
