Ultimate Wildlife Encounters!

Ultimate Wildlife Encounters! Get up close and personal with a gentle giant in Baja! Is swimming with gigantic sharks on your "must do" list yet? What if they were docile filter feeders and only ate plankton and tiny fish? The whale shark grows to lengths over 40' (12.2m) long, has an average weight of 20.6 tons, and "might be the largest animal on the planet that you can be close to in its natural environment and not be in any danger whatsoever," says Robert Hueter, director of the Center for Shark Research at Mote Marine Laboratory. These enormous open sea sharks migrate thousands of miles and gather to feast in warm, nutrient rich water for six months. The gentle giants largely remain a mystery, as scientists have yet to discover where they go when they leave their feeding grounds! Fortunately for us, the bay in La Paz, Baja California is part of their mysterious migration route, and is easily accessed by a short boat ride from the city shore. Local tour operators offer inexpensive trips to swim with these rare sea creatures and are experts at spotting them (some companies even hire spotter planes to guide their boats to the whale sharks).* Additional boat trips that leave the bay are also available and offer another incredible opportunity to swim with sea life; snorkeling or scuba diving at the sea lion colony near the islands of Espiritu Santo.  As you don your gear and jump off the boat, playful pups and curious adult sea lions weighing in at 300 kg (660 lb) take a break from basking in the sun and slide into the ocean to swim by and gawk at you.   In this wildlife experience, you'll be interacting with a creature that grows to about 8 ft (2.4 m) long in their natural habitat. During the boat ride, keep an eye out for Mobula Rays leaping up to 6 feet (2m) out of the water in their puzzling but flashy exhibition! The Green Tortoise visits La Paz on the Gold Coast Loop, Baja Whale Watching and the Baja Beach Daze 14 day trips. *Reservations are required. As migrations vary from year to year, it's recommended to check ahead of time to see if the whale sharks are in La Paz bay.

New Educational and Service Trips!

New Educational and Service Trips! Combining learning and service with Green Tortoise adventure! We've developed an exciting line of trips especially for students! Our new Educational and Service trips combine educational and volunteering opportunities with Green Tortoise's gourmet camping meals, spectacular sightseeing, and fantastic adventures. These journeys include ecology, environmental awareness, and volunteer opportunities in unique outdoor settings. Some treks afford school groups an opportunity to lend a helping hand and participate in environmental projects or humanitarian services. Others offer college credit through a collaborative effort with Dr. Ken Carloni, a professor in the science department at Umpqua Community College. For more information, check out our new Educational and Service work trips. Be sure to check back often as new trips are being developed and will be ready to take off soon!

Shorter Days + Cooler Weather = SAD

Shorter Days + Cooler Weather = SAD Tips on how to beat the winter blues! Camp on the beach! Warm yourself in Death Valley! Head for open waters! Autumn is upon us and that means shorter days, cooler weather and less opportunities to enjoy outdoor activities. Although there are positive benefits to longer nights, for many people the shortened amount of daylight causes a mood change known as Seasonal Affective Disorder -- or more simply, The Winter Blues. These seasonal blues are temporary and will lift when the days get longer in the spring, but you don't have to wait it out. Here are a few natural ways to beat back that "down in the dumps" feeling: Get thee to a lower latitude. Take a break from winter where the days are longer and warmer. Spend time socializing with friends. Laughter is the best medicine! Increase your activity level. Activity can stimulate your brain to release natural anti-depressants. Cut the junk and eat your veggies. A healthy diet can help regulate brain chemicals. Ready to "bust a mood"? Hop on one of our winter trips: Southern Road trip, Gold Coast Loop, Baja Beach Daze, Death Valley Loop and Florida Sun Escape!