BAJA DESERT RETREAT
baja desert retreat
DEtails:
2025 DATES: March 2-8, 2025
Duration: 6 Nights, 7 Days
Joining In: Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
Land Cost: $2695 USD/person | Currency Conversion
Single room supplement: $425 USD
Activity Level: Novice+ | more info »
Join us on this riding retreat as we mountain bike Mexico's glorious Baja California with legendary coaches Elladee Brown & Kelli Sherbinin. Days are kept simple so you can focus on riding, recharging and enjoying the sun. This holiday is based in the small fishing village of La Ventana (also kite-surfing mecca), located on the eastern shore of the Baja along the beautiful Sea of Cortez. Pedal from the door of our seaside resort each morning to access 133 kms of buffed and fun desert trails that are suitable for novice, intermediate and above riders. Rides are typically three-four hours long (shorter & longer available) followed by lunch and an afternoon at your leisure and an optional evening pedal. The focus of this trip is to get your fitness tuned up, learn some new skills and have a ton of fun. There's lots to do when not on the bike; sipping drinks and relaxing in the shade, eating fish tacos and delicious cuisine, daily yoga at our private studio or just reading your book and napping in a hammock. According to singletracks.com La Ventana boasts six of the top ten trails in Mexico.
Rental bikes and E-MTB's are available on this departure.
Looking for another trip in this region? Check out our eMTB Baja trip.
Trip Highlights:
- Settling into a relaxed pace where days are kept simple.
- Receiving riding tips from two of BC's top coaches, from cornering to climbing and much more.
- Having a riding goal to keep you going through the winter months and setting you up for the riding season ahead.
- Sitting around the campfire at night on the beach and gazing up at the night’s canopy of scattered-diamond stars.
- Devouring the freshest fish-tacos that you’ve ever eaten washed down with a margarita or cerveza.
WHAT’S INCLUDED?
- Expert leadership & daily coaching.
- 4 nights seaside resort hotel accommodation + 2 nights luxurious eco ranch (based on double occupancy)
- All breakfasts, one lunch, three dinners. Welcome drink and reception
- Airport transfers for group (on scheduled travel days only).
- One yoga session.
- Detailed pre-departure information & trip extension assistance.
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED?
- Six lunches & three dinners
- International airfare, airport taxes, excess baggage charges.
- Personal travel and medical insurance.
- Optional tipping to leaders.
- Your bike and related equipment needed to ride.
- Drinks and snacks (we suggest approximately $30 USD/day for extras).
Bike and equipment
High-performance bike rentals and eMTB’s are available. A lightweight full-suspension trail bike with 130-140mm travel that climbs and descends capably is best for this adventure. A hardtail would also suffice. As it is on most of our trips it is recommended that riders bring their own bikes. Tires should be 2.20” or above, medium-height tread, XC-oriented for reduced rolling resistance, one to two-ply casing for durability, puncture resistance and added control. Eye protection and knee pads that you can comfortably pedal in are highly recommended. Helmets are mandatory when on your bike. A smaller 6L backpack is recommended.
Suggested Bike
Trek Fuel
Suggested pack
EVOC Hip Pack Pro 3
ACTIVITY LEVEL
The minimum technical ability required for Baja Retreat is Novice+. This trip is suitable if you have been riding consistently for one to two years or more and are keen to improve your riding skills. You can climb and descend in control in mildly steep singletrack with some loose rocks and sometimes sandy surfaces. This trip is a Level 3/6 for fitness. On all days you can choose to ride longer if you wish. The accumulation of multiple days of riding will add up, as it is on all of our trips the fitter you are, the more fun you’ll have.
THE RIDING
Access to trails is a 15-20 min. pedal on asphalt and gravel road from our resort. Expect climbs & descents on purpose-built mtb singletrack on very dry desert trails that are sometimes loose with fine rocks with fun swoopy corners. Climbs can last up to 25-40 mins. and descents last up to 10 minutes. Cactus that line the trails add an element of challenge, as does the mid-day heat that takes some time to get used to.
LODGING AND FOOD
This retreat is based in the in the small village of La Ventana. For the first part of the week, we stay at the popular Pelican Reef Ventana Resort with a private beach, small restaurant and beach bar. Pelican Reef features several buildings and homes on a gated driveway and is popular with kite surfers. The group will then transfer to a luxurious eco ranch for the final two days. All breakfasts, one lunch and two dinners are included. Please let us know if you have any dietary restrictions.
CLIMATE
Baja, Mexico in the winter has great temperatures for mountain biking, with daily average around 25 degrees Celsius with 18 degrees Celsius overnight. We recommend bringing some warmer layers for cooler evenings and a raincoat, just in case.
YOUR SAFETY
Our trips take place in remote regions with limited evacuation options available. Our guides have basic first aid training, if a serious injury is suspected they will call helicopter search and rescue at the cost of the participant. Personal medical travel insurance is mandatory for all riders. If you choose to participate in our trips it is up to you to ride well within your limits, to ride conservatively, to walk sections if needed and to be safe as mountain biking is a dangerous sport. There are always risks and hazards on all trails that we ride. It is your responsibility to inspect your bike or rental bike daily and keep it in excellent condition. Helmets are mandatory and alcohol and drugs are not permitted while riding your bike.
THE NEXT STEPS
Please read and understand our Terms and Conditions and our Waiver. Then, email or call us to make sure that your desired departure is confirmed and there’s still space available. We’ll then send you a short Rider Questionnaire to learn about your riding experience and ensure that you are suitable for the trip. The last step is to complete our secure online Registration Form and pay your 25% deposit, and we’ll send you detailed Trip Preparation Guide that includes steps on preparing for your adventure.
A Travel Protection Plan protects your travel investment, your belongings, and most importantly, you. We strongly advise travelers to enroll in a Travel Protection Plan in case an unexpected event causes you to cancel or leave your trip. Please review Big Mountain Bike Adventures’ Cancellation Policy:
A Travel Protection Plan should be purchased once a deposit or any payment is made for a trip. Insurance must provide coverage for personal accident, death, emergency remote evacuation including helicopter evacuation, medical expenses and emergency repatriation. We advise travellers to confirm that it covers trip cancellation, curtailment, personal liability and loss of luggage and personal effects. You will be asked for proof of insurance in lead up to your trip; you will not be able to join the trip without it. If you choose to travel without adequate insurance coverage, Big Mountain will not be liable for any losses howsoever arising, in respect to insurance coverage that would have otherwise have been available.
“This trip far exceeded my expectations. Booking was a breeze and the rides were fun, challenging, good flow & well built. Nothing about this trip was left to chance and it made it effortlessly enjoyable! ”
