Questions about this trip? This trip is planned by the Alumni Relations staff. Contact Alumni Relations at alumni-office@carleton.edu or 1-800-729-2586 with any questions (for this particular trip, please disregard the phone and email at the top and bottom of this adventures page as they will direct you to our international tour provider, Eos Study Tours and they are not involved in the planning of this trip).
The Trips
On trip #1 (Feb. 3-9, 2019), we will spend five days sailing along the eastern coast of lower Baja California del Sur, taking a round trip from La Paz back to La Paz over the course of five days. On trip #2 (Feb. 9-16), we will again spend time visiting the islands off of La Paz but add longer days to sail to reach San Jose del Cabo near the southern tip of the peninsula.
Baja California is the land that John Steinbeck described as possessing “profound and unworldly beauty.” Desert scenery, sport fishing, and fine beaches, together with convenient access from California, have made Baja California a popular destination for both tourists and retirees from the north. Our plan is to avoid the tourist hot spots and sail to uninhabited islands and fishing villages not reached by highways.
The Sea of Cortez (or, less romantically, the Gulf of California) separates the peninsula of Baja California from the Mexican mainland. This is one of the most ecologically diverse seas on the planet, and we will probably see whales, dolphins, rays, and sea lions, as well as such birds as the blue-footed booby and the magnificent frigate bird. (That’s its official name, honest!)
John Steinbeck’s The Log from the Sea of Cortez will be our touchstone for thinking about and discussing our cruises, the region, its flora and fauna, and its inhabitants.
We will be a small group, just 11 in all, so we can tailor our other activities to peoples’ wishes. Hiking, geology, bird watching, and snorkeling are possibilities, as well as time on the beach.
Our explorations will be aboard the sailing schooner Seaward, a graceful 82-foot steel sailing ship. For those who would like, there will be plenty of opportunity to steer the ship, to help set and trim the sails, and to share in other activities involved in cruising on such a vessel. The nav station is open to everyone, with its charts and instruments, and the captain and crew will be eager to explain both the operations of the vessel and navigation.
Faculty Leader
Perry Mason, the John E. Sawyer Professor of Philosophy and Liberal Learning, Emeritus, at Carleton.
Perry’s fondness for sailing and long-time leadership of this favorite trip make him an excellent guide both around the boat and on land. If you’ve never had a class with Perry, this is your chance for remedy! During the trip, Perry will lead discussions of John Steinbeck’s The Log from the Sea of Cortez.
When not off on Carleton Alumni Adventures, Perry lives in Northfield and sails his own boat on Lake Superior.
Abbreviated Itinerary
See brochure at the right for more information.
Registration and Cost
Past trips of Baja by Schooner have been quite popular and have sold out rapidly–reserve your spot now! At this time registration is open to alumni only.
The cost for Trip #1 per person is $1,899 (plus airfare). The cost for Trip #2 is $1,999 (plus airfare). A $200 non-refundable deposit is required to hold you spot on either trip. Your spot will be reserved when we have received your deposit. The balance is due by December 1, 2018.
Please review the Baja Brochure and Baja FAQs on the upper right-hand side of this page before registering. All contain important information about transportation, weather, fitness, and schooner-life.
Hotel Information
For both trips, Carleton will provide and secure lodging for the night before departure on Seaward (Trip #1 – Feb. 3 and Trip #2 – Feb. 9) and the night of arrival in port (Trip #1 – Feb. 8 and Trip #2 – Feb. 15). Any additional days of lodging before departure date and after the return date are at your own cost. For both trips, reservations will be made by Carleton at Hacienda Bugambilias, a favorite hotel of past Baja adventure trips.
Refund Policy
If you need to cancel your attendance, please let us know as soon as possible. As with all our trips, refunds will only be granted if we are able to fill your spot on the trip.
Questions about this trip? This trip is planned by the Alumni Relations staff. Contact Alumni Relations at alumni-office@carleton.edu or 1-800-729-2586 with any questions (for this particular trip, please disregard the phone and email at the top and bottom of this adventures page as they will direct you to our international tour provider, Eos Study Tours and they are not involved in the planning of this trip).