Note: On Day 3 during the Waterfall Adventure, there is some uphill and downhill rock scrambling and a ladder climb.
Day 1 - Arrive in San Jose del Cabo, Mexico
Fly to San Jose del Cabo for an overnight stay in the Cabo area.
Accommodation: Tropicana Inn or similar - 1 night
Day 2 - San Jose del Cabo / Todos Santos
Transfer from Cabo to Todos Santos. Upon arrival, enjoy a brief tour of the town and artists' galleries before lunch at the Hotel California. The afternoon begins with an introduction and discussion about the diverse origins of Mexican cuisine at Casa Tierra. Learn to identify various dried and fresh chilies followed by a demonstration on making “agua frescas” or fresh seasonal fruit drinks, and salsa fresca. Class today will focus on the preparation of a typical Mexican five course “comida” or meal.
Accommodation: Todos Santos Inn or similar - 5 nights
Day 3 - Waterfall Adventure / Tortilla Making
Today begins with a walk through a desert canyon in which we encounter three waterfalls. Enjoy the oasis effect of the lush foliage that the waterfalls unleash in the desert, as well as the unusual effect of the gushing water being consumed by the thirsty sands. After a picnic lunch, return to the cooking school for a demonstration on making homemade tortillas. You will create antijitos, or Mexican snack foods, and prepare tortilla soup and shrimp in chipotle salsa. We will then continue our study of chilies and offer a cheese tasting of important Mexican varieties.
Day 4 - Mountain Potters / Cooking Class
Spend the day with mountain potter Doña Ramona and her family on their working ranch in the Sierra de la Laguna. While Doña Ramona's family puts together an incredibly delicious lunch for us, Ramona puts on a pottery class for the group, and shares stories from her life in the mountains. Once you've created your own Baja pottery masterpiece, Doña Ramona gives her own tortilla-making class in the traditional style. Return to Casa Tierra for an evening cooking class using local seafood to prepare the appetizer (ceviche), unique Mexican paella, shrimp and guava salad, and a delicious dessert (pears con piloncillo). A Tequila tasting is also offered.
Day 5 - Cooking Class / Free Afternoon
Today's class features barbacoa, a traditional method of slow cooking in a deep pit. The meat (lamb, goat, or pork) is seasoned with achiote paste wrapped in banana leaves and steamed underground until fall-off the bone tender. Our class and menu will include: Cochinita pibil or pit-roasted pork, corn humitas, and sopa de albondigas (meatball soup). This afternoon is free to engage in any activity you like: horseback riding, fishing, surfing lessons, massage, or simply do nothing.
Day 6 - Cooking Class / Cliff Walk / Fiesta
This morning enjoy the ritual of tamale making and learn the intricacies of a great mole. Afterwards we take a cliff walk starting at Punta Lobos, where the local fishermen launch their boats each morning and bring in the daily catch each afternoon. At the top of the hill we have breathtaking views of crashing surf, and eventually arrive at the beach of San Pedro where a picnic lunch is waiting. San Pedro features a marsh filled with bird life and here we'll eat, relax, swim, and enjoy the bliss of being in Baja. Return to Casa Tierra in the evening for an all-out Mexican fiesta complete with music, dancing and fun! A certificate of completion is given at this time.
Day 7 - Depart Todos Santos
After breakfast transfer to the airport. Schedule flights to depart after 2 pm.