Mexico’s Galapagos Offers Wildlife Encounters Comparable to Darwin’s Archipelago

May 13, 2009 - PRLog -- SAN DIEGO, CA – A world apart and miles from health-challenged Mexico City, Baja AirVentures is conducting business as usual to Mexico’s Galapagos, a pristine region of islands and coastline in the Sea of Cortez that offers experiences many liken to the natural wonders of the Galapagos.

“We offer a comparable but uniquely different experience for folks who have already been to the Galapagos and who know they love getting up close and personal with our natural world,” says Kevin Warren, owner of Baja AirVentures, the company that operates Las Animas Wilderness Retreat that is home base for natural explorations in and around the Sea of Cortez.

Twice weekly Baja AirVentures transports guests by private air carriage from San Diego to the off-the-grid Las Animas Wilderness Retreat (http://www.bajaairventures.com/retreat.htm) in the Sea of Cortez’ Midriff Island region. Separated from the worries of civilization, there are no uninvited guests or associated health issues simply because there are no roads leading there.

Guests at Las Animas arrive by air after departing San Diego’s Brown Field and clearing customs in the lazy resort town of San Felipe. The two-hour scenic flight lands in the remote fishing village of Bahia de los Angeles where guests then board a boat for a 45-minute cruise south along the Sea of Cortez coast to the retreat.  

And as a special incentive, for departures from now through August, guests booking a four or six-day package also receive complimentary pre-trip hotel accommodations at the Holiday Inn Express in nearby Chula Vista. A 6 day/6 night program inclusive of meals, lodging, guided activities and roundtrip air from San Diego is $1,695 per person, double occupancy, or roughly $285 per person, per day.

By comparison, notes Warren, an eight-day/seven-night Galapagos cruise on a first class yacht is approximately $3,200 per person, double occupancy (about $400 per day) for just the cruise portion only before the additional expense of pre/post trip lodging and international and regional air. Flight times to the islands can be in excess of 6 to 8 hours from most U.S. cities.

“Quality of experience, savings and value are on everyone’s mind,” says Warren. “And it’s a little-known fact that Summer can be one of the best times to visit the Midriff Islands region. The water is ideal for snorkeling, the fishing is superb and wildlife opportunities abound.”

Lodging at Las Animas for up to 20 guests is offered in eight romantic beachside yurts. Each features its own private bathroom, solar shower, twin and king-size beds with comforters and high thread-count linens, and covered patios. Lodging is built around a large centrally located palapa with attached patio that serves as kitchen, central dining area, cantina bar, and communal lounging and game area.  

Las Animas is located in Baja’s Midriff Island region (http://www.bajaairventures.com/aboutbaja.htm) in the Sea of Cortez, biologically the richest body of water on the planet supporting more than 900 species of marine vertebrates and more than 2,000 unique species of invertebrates. Guided small boat excursions to isolated islands and coves reveal up to 12 species of annual whales; including Fin, Orca and Blue Whales (the largest animal that inhabits the planet). Bottlenose and Common Dolphins, California Sea Lions and Elephant Seals are all found here, in large numbers. It is not at all uncommon to find large pods of friendly dolphins hundreds of yards wide. California Sea Lions are perhaps most common to the Midriff's with a large rookery just two miles from the retreat.

Three orders of marine birds - arctic, temperate, and tropical can be spotted here. The islands are inhabited by more than 50 species including Blue Footed Boobies, Brown Pelicans, Royal Terns, Frigate Birds, Cormorants, Turkey Vultures and Osprey. Over 95% of the world's population of Heermans Gulls and Elegant Terns breed on nearby Rasa Island; a national bird sanctuary, found a short 15 miles from Las Animas by boat.

The stunning Sonoran Desert also offers truly unique plant life as well. More than 20 cactus species thrive here, 70% of which are indigenous to Baja. In the desert along the coast, you'll also find Boojum and Elephant trees, Giant Cardon Cactus (more than 60 ft. tall) and Ironwood, all growing with forest-like density near the retreat.

By comparison, in the Galapagos there are 29 types of land birds (30% are endemic found only on these islands) and 19 main types of sea birds. There are 400 different species of fish and 12 species of sharks roaming the surrounding waters with 17% endemic to the region. Marine mammals include dolphins, sea lions and whales including Brydes whales, Pilot whales, Minke whales, Blue and Cuviers Whales.

For information on packages offered year-round by Baja AirVentures please go online to:  www.bajaairventures.com or call 1-800-221-9283.

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