• Baja – Pre-Trip Preparation Checklist

• Baja – Packing Checklist

• Baja Kayak and Whale Adventure 2023 – Printable Itinerary – PDF

A private taxi will be meeting the Wild Women Expeditions group at either of the rendezvous points (El Encanto Inn OR Los Cabos International Airport) for transfer to the first night’s campsite.

Make sure to indicate in your Travel Details Form your confirmed pick-up location from the two options above.

Your taxi driver will be holding a sign indicating “WWE” or “Wild Women Expeditions”.

Group Rendezvous Point Day 1

There are two pick-up options depending on your arrival:

1. El Encanto Inn, San Jose Del Cabo

• Time: TBC – will be communicated in final trip bulletin (~30 days pre-trip)
• Location: Hotel lobby of El Encanto Inn (Calle Morelos #133, San Jose del Cabo Baja California Sur, Mexico)

2. Los Cabos International Airport (SJD)

• Time: TBC – will be communicated in final trip bulletin (~30 days pre-trip)
• Location: Shade No. 5 across the airport entrance gates

If you are arriving prior to Day 1 and require an airport shuttle to your pre-trip hotel in San Jose Del Cabo, we recommend Cabo Transfers.

To ensure you arrive at least 2 hours before your departure, flights should be booked for late afternoon (after 3 PM) or early evening.

If you are extending your stay in Mexico and are returning to the Los Cabos area with the Wild Women Expeditions return transfer, please be sure to arrange further transportation from the airport as this will be the sole taxi drop off location.

Drop-Off Point:

• Time: Around 12PM

• Location: Los Cabos International Airport (SJD)
  

Megan and Zale | ****Now Boarding Travel Specialist

Email: wildwomen@nowboarding.travel

Note: Now Boarding Travel only provides services of 3-star quality or greater. For budget alternatives, please refer to the Lonely Planet guide for your destination.

Important: For international and remote destinations, there is always the risk of flight delays, baggage delays and flight schedule changes which may cause late arrivals, which may, in return, result in you missing the group tour departure. For these reasons, we encourage you to consider arriving a day early, which will also help you overcome any jet lag from traveling!

• Passport

Most countries and airlines recommend passports be valid for at least six months beyond the date of your expected return to your home country. Before you leave, ask your transportation company about its requirements related to passport validity, which may be more stringent than the country’s entry rules.

Important: A copy of your passport must be emailed to the Wild Women Expeditions office by 130-days pre-trip.

• Visa

Visitors to Mexico must obtain a tourist card (FMM). Major airlines will provide this form during the flight. You must include the following information on the form: numbers of days you will be in the country, passport number, destination, city of origin and other related information. Keep this card, as it will need to be presented to leave the country. If you lose the card you will have to go through Mexican immigration and be charged approximately $30.00 USD to re-do the tourist paperwork.

Do You Need a Mexican Tourist Card?

Note: As fees and policies can change, we highly recommend that you contact your local embassy or consulate for the most up-to-date visa requirements, or see your travel agent.

• Rooming Arrangements

Our trip prices are based on a twin share (minimum of two people per room), so we’ll team you up with another solo wild woman to share with if you’re on your own, or of course, you can share with your travel companion.

• Private Upgrade

If you’d prefer not to share a bedroom or tent, we have a single supplement option for 7 of the 8 nights (one night is shared due to limited space at accommodation). Single room upgrades are subject to availability and we will confirm this with you following your request.

• Sleeping Bags

Sleeping bags are provided upon request and you will have the opportunity to note this request in your Travel Details Form.

If you are planning to bring your own, please ensure it is a lightweight sleeping bag with a compression sack (should be 3-season or rated to at least 5°C)

Note: Sleeping bags must fit into a 20L dry bag in order to fit into the kayak hatches.

• Bathrooms

At the hotels, you’ll have an ensuite or private bathroom attached to your bedroom.

At the private campground near Santiago, there is an outhouse with a composting toilet.

During the camping portion of the trip, you will receive instructions on how to use the ‘facilities’. On Isla Espiritu Santo, there is a strict “leave no trace” practice on the land. You will be asked to pee below the tide line (behind a rock along the water away from your campsite) and your guides will also set-up a port-a-potty in a private area near the campsite. There is no shower set-up during the camping trip, but you may be able to take a small pot of fresh water (depending on how much freshwater is available at the campsite) and have a sponge bath at the end of the day. All potable water is brought in collapsible dromedaries (water bladders).

• On-Trip Hygiene & Bathrooms

Wild Women Expeditions recommends you bring along biodegradable wipes (hand sanitizer is available) to use post-washroom and pre-meals.

On the sea kayak expedition, all garbage will be packed out, either in our kayaks or by the motorboat.

A porta-toilet is carried throughout the trip, to be used while at the campsite(s). During the day, expect to pee below the high tide line. The porta-toilet is similar to the image linked and will be placed in a discreet location away from the main camp. Think plein air bathroom!

• Internet / WiFi / Cell Coverage

Wireless Internet is available at the Hotel Catedral and may be available at the Mangrove Inn.

• Potable Water

Purified water is provided throughout the expedition (carried in collapsible containers). It is advised to not drink the tap water, even in major hotels. Visitors should drink only bottled water, which is widely available.

If you would like to join Wild Women Expeditions in its commitment to reducing single-use plastic, you can travel prepared with your own water treatment system!

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• Private Campsite near SantiagoOur first night will be spent at a special private campsite in a canyon near Santiago adjacent to some protected and pristine hot springs still in its natural state! You will be camping in a designated area. There is also a thatched roofed dining shelter and composting toilets on site.
• Hotel Catedral La PazThis hotel is part of the historic centre of the city, surrounded by major attractions next to Our Cathedral Lady of La Paz. With its sophisticated contemporary modernist architecture, Hotel Catedral La Paz strives to offer its guests excellent service and quality, both in the rooms and its gourmet restaurant.
• Camping on Espiritu Santo IslandDuring your coastal kayak trip, high-quality sleeping tents will be supplied, along with a Thermarest sleeping pad and communal camping gear. All camping gear and food are carried in the kayaks. Bathroom facilities are minimal including a port-a-potty. Be prepared to pee below the high tide line. Please note that there are few suitable campsites on the island and we may share campsites with other groups.
• Whales Nest CabañasA cozy small hotel in the fishing community of Lopez Mateos, the Whale Nest Cabañas is the closest hotel to the gray whale sanctuary pier. Cabañas has 10 charming cabins, each with a double bed, private bathroom, and areas to gather outside.
• Hotel Catedral La PazDescription as above.

Sea kayaking requires sustained effort and conditions can be challenging!

Wild Women Expeditions recommends that in the months leading up to your adventure, you prepare yourself by increasing your level of fitness with cardio and/or weight training. Many community centres offer programs that can keep you on track. We can also help you find a basic kayak skills program in your area.

Please note: All gear (tents, food and personal items) will be carried in your kayak when we move campsites on the island, adding additional weight to your kayak.

Here are a few ideas to help you get ready:

• Take every opportunity you can to be active.

You can improve your fitness a lot just by adopting some new habits; take the stairs at work, go for a walk at lunchtime, park your car away from work and walk. Aim for 30 minutes a day and keep a diary so you can look back on it and feel proud. These may sound trivial but they’re all building blocks!

• Rev up your ticker!

Think ‘interval training’, which means doing short bursts of high-intensity work with recovery time in between. Depending on how fit you are this can mean strolling with bursts of power walking, or jogging with sprints. Either way, the aim is to get your heart rate up.

• Join a local walking or running group.

This is a great way to get fit and you’ll also see new places, meet great people… and make them all jealous when they find out what you’re about to go on your travels.

• Hill training.

The most spectacular views aren’t from the bottom of a valley – so the places we go on our trips aren’t flat. A little time training on hills and stairs is an investment that’ll pay off big-time when you’re on your trip. When it comes to hills there’s no hurry – get into a slow steady rhythm and you’ll be at the top before you know it.

• Warm up, cool down and stretch.

If you’re doing a workout then make sure you start and finish gently and stretch any tight muscles – this will help you avoid any aches, pains and pulled muscles. If you’re a member of a gym try some yoga, tai chi or pilates classes to build up your flexibility, stability and balance.

• Take a kayak lesson!

Although this trip is beginner-friendly and your guides will lead you through a full orientation once on the trip, if you haven’t paddled a kayak before, taking a lesson with a local kayak outfitter will help increase your confidence (even a pool session will help get you into the groove).

• Break in your hiking boots.

Blisters and sore feet are no fun at all! So make sure that while you’re getting yourself ready you’re doing the same for your boots. Start by just wearing them around the house, then down the road, and walking the dog. Then ideally do a couple of decent length weekend hikes to prepare them for what is to come.

• Hydration.

When you suddenly ask your body to walk or be active, it needs a bit more fuel than it needs when, say, sitting at a desk all day! The main thing your body needs is water, so stay hydrated and practice sipping water often. Getting a water bottle or hydration bladder is a great way to make sure you have it on hand at all times. Make a habit out of taking a bottle of water with you wherever you go.

• Nutrition.

Eating little and often will keep your body well fuelled for outdoor exercise, especially food like nuts, dried fruit and bread. The odd bit of chocolate and a few boiled lollies are good for keeping your blood sugar levels up while you’re hiking as well!

• Have fun!

The most important point of all! You are about to embark on the trip of a lifetime. You’re going to meet some amazing people, see some wonderful places and create memories that will stay with you for life. The more prepared you are to tackle the various challenges, the more fun you will have. Also, with all the endorphins you create from all this training, you’ll be smiling from ear to ear! It’s a great way to boost your happy vibes.