Now's the time for all eco-conscious, Hybrid-driving Los Angeles adventurers to put their money where your mouth is and give back. Actually, we're talking an amazing kayak adventure and a chance to get up close and personal and help salvage the turtles of Magdalena Bay. And it's easy to reach with a a two hour flight on Alaska Airlines (http://www.alaskaair.com) from Los Angeles to Loreto.
Here's the deal: Idaho-based Sea Kayak Adventures, Inc. (http://www.seakayakadventures.com) is offering an all-inclusive eight-day trip package where participants can spend three days hands-on helping researchers monitor and tag endangered sea turtles at their nesting beach in Magdalena Bay, then three days paddling a sea kayak alongside dolphins and sea lions in the clear waters of Loreto Bay in the Sea of Cortez.
The itinerary offers opportunities for novices to paddle and explore uninhabited desert islands by stable sea kayak, snorkel with colorful fish along isolated coves in clear turquoise waters and learn all about sea turtles. All activities are led by naturalist guides.
The company is teaming up with RED Sustainable Tourism with this unique conservation tour package along the Baja California peninsula, Mexico this October. For ecology minded travelers, the trip has the positive impact of directly supporting community-based conservation of endangered green sea turtles.
Recognized around the world as a model for community-based sea turtle conservation, the Grupo Tortuguero's Eastern Pacific Green Sea Turtle Monitoring Program has helped to turn the tide for this once critically endangered species. Local communities seek alternatives to fishing as their sole source of income, and strive to train local community members in ecotourism and other low-impact cottage industries.
“Grab a pair of waders and climb aboard the panga (skiff) to help monitor green turtle populations with local fishermen” company owner Terry Prichard states. “You will have a unique opportunity to help collect data and release turtles - maybe you'll even get to name one! In your down time, you can tour the dunes by foot and mangrove canals by panga to view migratory and local bird species, or visit with local fishermen to learn traditional fishing techniques”.
Details:
Tour runs March 25-April 1, 2012 and costs $1,650 for adults and $1,485 for children ages 12-17. Upon arrival in Loreto you are met at the airport and driven to a local hotel. Then you're off for three days sea kayaking and two nights camping in Loreto Bay National Park, and another night hotel in Loreto before heading to Magdalena Bay to the turtle researchers’ pristine beach base camp for another three days and two nights. Another night hotel is included day seven, and participants fly home on day eight.
Forty percent of the fare goes to the local sea turtle conservation efforts. The price includes three hotel nights in Loreto (with pool); all meals at camp; all camping, sleeping and kayaking equipment; airport transfer, ground transportation, instruction and guides, taxes.
Not included: air fare from Los Angeles, gratuities, $25 national park fee, meals in town, snorkeling gear, personal items. Alaska Air flies once daily LAX-LTO.
For further information or reservations, contact Sea Kayak Adventures Inc. at tollfree
(800) 616-1943 or go to www.seakayakadventures.com. # # #
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