The 750 mile (1,250 km) long peninsula of Lower California is a unique place on planet earth. It has been called many names such as ocean oasis, the largest natural aquarium of the world, one of the last natural paradises of wild beauty. Its unimaginable beauty is not only a result of its remote and isolated location between two oceans or its unspoiled nature due to a small human population, but it rather seems that Mother Nature herself chose Baja California to be a special place - an undisturbed reserve for wildlife.
A stretch not more than 150 miles (250 km) wide features salt flats as well as mountains as high as 10,154 ft. (3,096 m) and gorgeous canyons whose walls host several thousand year old rock painting sites that are a UNESCO - declared World Cultural Heritage Site.
In Baja California’s territory over 2,700 plant species are growing, the so-called Sonora Vegetation being predominant, consisting mainly of succulent plants. Endemism occurs within several plant families but is particularly noticeable within the Cactaceae family where 80 of the over 110 species are endemic to Baja California.
Over 400 species of birds, some migratory visitors during the winter and others resident, soar in the skies and cruise along the shores of Baja California. The list ranges from the ever present emblematic Turkey Vulture and the Brown Pelican to the Blue Footed Booby and the Xantus Hummingbird, one of the endemic species.
On the ground coyotes, deer and threatened species such as the Pronghorn Antelope, the Desert Bighorn Sheep and the Mountain Lion roam the land in search of food and water. The over 140 species of amphibians and reptiles, including the 16 species of rattle snakes of Baja California, deserve to be mentioned at this point.
But very probably the most impressive expression of the vitality of this mystical peninsula is the marine life inhabiting the coastal waters around Baja California.
Five of the seven species of sea turtles in the world are found here in Baja California.
Dozens of species of ocean dolphins such as Orcas, Pilot Whales and smaller ones like the Bottlenose, Striped, Spinner, Pantropical Spotted and Common Dolphins are frequently seen close to the shores of this peninsula. Other marine mammals include the iconic California Sea Lion both in the Pacific Ocean and the Gulf of California; on the central Pacific coast of Baja and its offshore island the threatened and endemic Guadalupe Fur Seal, the Northern Elephant Seal as well as the Harbor Seal are found.
Even the fish life is no less impressive since precisely those sea lions and seals mentioned above happen to be the preferred prey of the Great White Shark which is a seasonal visitor of one of Baja’s Pacific islands. And on the Gulf of California side, no less than the biggest fish in the world, the enigmatic Whale Shark, is a permanent resident!
Baja California has become quite famous for its fabulous Gray Whale watching but it is not very known that many more species of whales are present in Baja California: Blue, Finback, Sperm, Humpback, Gray, Minke, Bryde’s, Sei, Northern Right Whales are the species of whales encountered in these waters and this makes Baja California one of the best places for whale watching in the world.
Many of the above mentioned animals species are residents to Baja California but quite a few migrate from thousands of miles away to Baja finding everything they need here in Baja California.
That many living beings can’t be wrong so come over and join us on one of our trips through this exceptionally beautiful peninsula and experience its fascinating nature! Find out why we call it the Home of Giants and discover the friendly giants, the silent ones as well as the gentle giants and last but not least the Sierra de la Giganta!
There are a variety of tours to choose from, including trekking and camping tours, special interest such as wildlife or cactus tours, and hotel based tours. Some of our tours cover the entire length of the peninsula, while others just explore the northern or southern part of it.
We will be also happy to design custom-made travel packages for you according to your wishes!
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