MEXICO'S MAGNIFICENT BUTTERFLY AND WHALE MIGRATIONS with Nick Baker

Naturalist, photographer, writer and broadcaster Nick Baker is well known to fans of BBC TV's Springwatch. He has fronted other popular TV natural history programmes including Nick Baker's Weird Creatures and The Wildlife Quiz, and is an experienced and popular tour leader.

For 2016, Nick will be leading a new group to Peru and will be returning to Belize for another of his popular family tours. Details out soon! In the meantime, please find below details of his exciting new group to Mexico to see overwintering monarch butterflies plus the unbeatable marine highlights of Baja California.

The adventure begins in San Jose del Cabo in arid Baja California Sur for humpback whale watching before moving to the Sea of Cortez, described by Jacques Cousteau as a “living aquarium”.

Here you'll kayak in turquoise waters and snorkel with playful sea lions before heading to the Pacific coast for close up encounters with North Pacific grey whales in their breeding and calving areas.

This marvellous marine exploration is completed with a stay at Loreto on the Sea of Cortez and boat trips in the rich waters of Loreto Bay Marine Park – one of the best locations in the world to see blue whales.

After time at the various stunning marine locations in Baja California the group wends its way to Michoacan State to witness the awe-inspiring entomological spectacle of millions of monarch butterflies roosting in the wooded mountains of central Mexico.

Each autumn millions of monarch butterflies arrive here from wide areas of north-eastern North America and cluster in small areas of the forest to overwinter.

In spring they begin the long journey back, an eight-month migration during which four successive generations are born and die. How they find their way back to their overwintering sites remains one of natural history's abiding mysteries.
Accommodation will consist of a variety of small and large hotels and a converted ranch – all clean and comfortable – but you won't be spending much time in them as there will be so much else to keep you occupied.

Departing 30 January, 2016, the group will have a maximum of 14 and is priced at £5626 per person sharing, including return flights, leader and local guide expenses, accommodation, transfers, most meals, and a good deal of exciting tours and excursions.

Click here for more details or call John Melton on 01803 866965 to register your interest.

This trip can also be followed on a private basis or join one of our popular wildlife cruises to Baja California.
“Absolutely SUPERB. Nick's knowledge, expertise and attitude was fantastic as well as the fact that he is just a lovely all-round chap and very approachable.” Mr J C

“Nick Baker was staggeringly well informed about all of the flora and fauna and was also very caring of the individual members of the group.” Miss C K

“Thanks for one of the best of many trips we have been on all over the world. The group gelled very well and new lifelong friendships have been made.” Dr J K

“Nick was great company…The fact that the 'Baker's Dozen' plan reunions speaks for itself!” Mr & Mrs K H

“Nick worked hard to make sure we saw as much as possible, was very knowledgeable and enthusiastic.” Mrs S P

“Nick Baker is a great tour leader - we booked because of him.” Mrs S K

“Reef & Rainforest went to pains to put together a wildlife package for the intrepid traveller and we went to four exotic eco-lodges to discover the best, so thank you very much.” Mrs A C

“I'd book a tour with Nick any day.” Mr M B