Adventure On Your Next Vacation?

Think Alaska, Safaris In Wyoming And Whale Watching

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Baja - Whale Migration - Baja Expeditions
Trip: Six-night trip on an 80-foot cruiser through the Sea of Cortez, where you will see the great 100-foot blue whales.

Also you're likely to encounter delightful schools of dolphin and up to six other species of whale, including humpback, sperm, finback, minke, pilot and orca.

Scheduled as well are daily land excursions to the remote desert islands that will reveal Galapagos-like diversity and abundance. Watch Heerman's gulls, egrets and red-bill tropic birds nesting or feeding in the mangrove-lined estuaries and rocky shorelines. Snorkel and discover fish from brilliantly colored scissor tail damselfish to silverstrip chromis.

You'll have opportunities to kayak, snorkel with the playful sea lions or hike to a mangrove estuary.

The motor vessel "Don Jose" was designed and built in 1978 especially for Baja Expeditions. Marine wildlife viewing onboard is at its best as the second and third decks of the boat are high above the water, enabling passengers to look down upon the whales, dolphins, mantas and whale sharks. There is a library and learning videos geared for children on board.

It has the capacity for 16 passengers in 7 above-deck air-conditioned cabins with sinks, changing areas, storage closets, and adjacent showers. Included in the package are: crew of 6 including a naturalist for whale watching and nature cruises, and a divemaster for scuba diving expeditions; all meals and beverages; skiffs to take you ashore or to dive sites; VHS video system and natural history library; and kayaks.

Price: 6-night trip starts at $1,695 per person and includes all accommodations, bedding, airport transfers, permit and usage fees, meals, alcohol, filtered water, naturalist guide, all gear (snorkel, kayaks, etc.). Kids 12 years and younger receive a 20 percent discount. For more information, visit www.bajaex.com

Alaska - By Land And Sea - Sierra Club Outings
Trip: 7-day immersion in Kachemak Bay's temperate rainforest and world-class fishing waters. Hike, kayak, and mountain bike through the rainforest and along the bay.

Kachemak Bay is in south-central Alaska, about five hours driving distance south of Anchorage. The trip is based at a lodge on the south side of the bay. The land and waterways around the lodge contain abundant wildlife, including seals, sea lions, sea otters, salmon, bears, bald eagles, and other birds.

At the lodge, activities include nature-based arts and crafts, a conservation role-playing exercise, and three workshops on geology, nature watercolors, and nature photography.

This lodge trip is for families with children aged 10 and older. The trip has been scheduled in late June, just after school lets out, to take advantage of the best summer weather on Kachemak Bay.

Breakfasts and dinners will be prepared by the lodge staff. You will pack lunches every morning from a selection of items provided by the trip leaders.

The lodge features individual canvas-wall tents with mattresses for each family and a central dining/living room for meals (and activities in the event of inclement weather). The lodge has two indoor hot water showers and two outhouses. Both the tents and the main lodge building are well above the beach in the rainforest, and have scenic views over Kachemak Bay. Trip members are asked to bring their own sleeping bags or sheets.

Due to the variety of activities, this trip can be as easy or as strenuous as each trip member desires. The hikes and sea kayak trips range from short 2-3 hour routes to strenuous options that take up the full day.

Price: $1,395 per person, kids (must be at least 10 years old) are $1,295. Includes all lodging, meals and gear. Water taxis from Homer, Alaska, to the lodge and back. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org/outings.