The colors of Baja California were the first thing that drew me in. Dusty browns of the desert are dramatically juxtaposed against liquid blues of the sea. The water changes from aquamarine to azure to sapphire as the depth increases. On land, as far as the eye can see giant green saguaro cactus, bluish agave and tangles of grey brambles spring from the dry desert floor. The dark barren rocks of the rugged Sierra de la Laguna jut upward to meet the cerulean sky punctuated only by the occasional fluffy white cloud. Within this wilderness landscape that is Baja California, nature explodes and amazes me at every turn.

While water sports such as boating, fishing, sunning and surfing are all popular in the tourist corridor of Los Cabos at the southernmost tip of the Baja California peninsula, I was enthralled by the desert. One of our first excursions out of the city was to take a guided desert tour and camel ride. Camels aren’t indigenous to Baja and I didn’t even know camels lived there, so I was a bit concerned about 1) this being a hokey tourist excursion and 2) the well-being/exploitation of the camels. It turned out to be a marvelous day trip where all my fears were laid to rest and I learned so much about Baja nature.

Todd and I took a bus about 30 minutes from Cabo San Lucas to Rancho San Cristobal where we piled into a desert jeep with eight others. Our guide, Chicas, was a proud and knowledgeable representative of his home and country, sharing stories and desert information on the bouncy ride until we reached a huge expanse of deserted beach. There was a covered area for the camels, but several also roamed free nearby in the desert scrub. Apparently they are well fed and cared for so they come back on their own when they feel like it. We suited up (helmets are disguised by flowing head wraps) and saddled up two-by-two with a camel handler leading each dromedary through the desert and along the beach. The wide beach on the private ranch land has been a sea turtle preserve since 1990. The ride was quite comfortable and the view was spectacular from about 10 feet up!

After the ride, we took a walk into the desert with Chicas pointing out desert flora and fauna. We saw a jack rabbit, several different birds and even a rattle snake! More creatures than I thought live in what appears to be an arid wasteland. Many of the cactus were just beginning to flower and we posed by an ancient saguaro. I found a new appreciation for the ecosystem and beauty of the desert.

 

After the desert hike, we piled back into the jeep and went to an outdoor kitchen where a lovely Mexican lady prepared the most mouthwatering lunch of chocolate mole chicken and beef chili. I learned how to make corn tortillas from scratch. If I can do as well at home, I’ll never buy another tortilla from the grocery! Chicas conducted a tequila tasting where we learned the differences between blanco, gold which is aged in oak, and Mezcal. I preferred the white tequila, while Todd liked the Mezcal and found out that with good pure tequila, no lime and salt are needed. 

 

One more ride through the desert (the tequila came with us!) took us to the gates of the ranch. The day really didn’t have a touristy feel, especially with such a small group, and Chicas taught us a lot about the land, history, customs and culture of this part of Mexico. I can highly recommend a Baja camel and desert safari for a day excursion away from the touristic crowds and shopping of Cabo. It was a bit romantic for couples, exciting for kids and educational for all! 

To find out more about a Baja California as a vacation, meeting or incentive destination, please contact Covington Travel.