Pachico's Eco Tours es una organización única en observación de ballenas y vida Silvestre operada por la familia Mayoral, los verdaderos pioneros en la observación de ballenas en la Baja California! Pachico Mayoral, un pescador local de La Laguna San Ignacio desde 1960, es conocido por ser la primera persona que tuvo contacto físico con una ballena amistosa. Una leyenda en la observación de ballenas, como elocuentemente lo detalla la "Biblia de Observación de Ballenas," escrita por Dick Russell en el 2001 de nombre El Ojo de la Ballena, Pachico empezó llevando viajes de observación de ballenas desde mediados de los 70's, después de su primer encuentro amistoso en 1972. Ahora el maneja la única empresa turística 100% Local, operada por su familia y amigos de la región. Los hijos de Pachico nacidos y criados en las playas de La Laguna San Ignacio y crecieron como Pescadores y guías de observación de ballenas.

Elija Pachico's Eco Tours para garantizar una inolvidable experiencia en La Baja presentado por los reconocidos pioneros en la Observación de ballenas. La familia de Pachico tiene raíces en La Laguna San Ignacio con fecha de 1800's. La familia Mayoral ha crecido con las ballenas, delfines, tortugas, aves, y todas las otras criaturas marinas y desérticas, que hacen de La Laguna San Ignacio uno de los destinos más espectaculares- y ellos quieren compartir su conocimiento y experiencias con usted. Pachico's Eco Tours provee todo lo necesario para divertirse, la experiencia de unas vacaciones relajadas que pueden llegar a cambiar su vida!

Traduccion en Español !muy pronto!
Pachico, a coastal fisherman for 45 years, became the chosen one. On a winter day in 1972 Pachico was fishing in the Lagoon when a gray whale approached his small 18 foot wooden panga - a typical Baja open boat similar to a dory. Until that day there had been no known contact between gray whales and man without one or the other ending up dead.

Pachico tried to get away from the whale, but with every attempt the whale would surface next to the panga. Knowing little about whales at the time, Pachico knew the large marine mammal double the size of his panga was now in charge. The whale went under the panga, not giving Pachico an option other than staying still. Pachico was surprised that the whale wasn’t showing any signs of aggression; as the old fisherman tales had described. Instead, the whale gently rubbed itself against his panga, raised its head a couple feet out of the water right where Pachico was sitting. Though fearful, he timidly reached out his hand to the gray whale and touched it with his fingers. To his amazement the whale didn’t back away, but instead moved closer to him. Pachico soon realized that petting the giant was OK. The gray whale had chosen Pachico to be the first human to experience a close and friendly relationship. On that winter day, in San Ignacio Lagoon, the gray whale and man began to trust one another.

Returning to the fishing village that day, Pachico told the story of the friendly gray whale. Everyone in the Lagoon thought he was out of his mind. Pachico started taking his friends out in the Lagoon and they soon discovered that what he had told them was true. The word spread and soon visitors and those wanting to have the same encounter arrived to experience this wonderful new relationship between man and the gray whales.

The gray whales, that had been hunted and abused by for so many years, had now forgiven man and had reached out for a new and better relationship.

Pachico has been involved in many different projects related to the whales in San Ignacio Lagoon. He has worked with researchers, scientists, and documentary filmmakers. Pachico's mesmerizing experiences with the whales have also been documented in many different books, magazines and films.

Pachico has resided in San Ignacio Lagoon, (Laguna San Ignacio) since 1960. He is married to Carmen Aguilar, who has lived in San Ignacio for her entire life. Carmen’s father was one of the founders of the Lagoon. Pachico and Carmen have 6 children who were all raised with the shores of the Lagoon as their front yard.

Pachico still drives his panga with the gray whales. He is always willing to share his knowledge, experiences and great stories of over 30 years of watching the gray whales. Today, Pachico and his family organize and lead tours in the San Ignacio Lagoon.

Traduccion en Español !muy pronto!
Jesus, Pachico's youngest son, better known as “Rana”, is entering his 21st season guiding whale watching trips in San Ignacio Lagoon. He brings a respect and understanding of the gray whale’s natural history that can only be gained growing up alongside the whales. Fluent in English, he manages the camp and shares his love for the Lagoon and it’s wildlife with Pachico’s guests.

In 1995-96 Jesus was one of five locals from San Ignacio Lagoon selected to participate in a nature training course developed by RARE, an organization that offers local community members in areas of high biodiversity the training they need to protect their natural surroundings, practice sustainability, and take pride in their heritage. Through this course Jesus was given the opportunity to study English, Environmental Education, Ecology, Biology, Oceanography, Marine Mammals, Plants, Birds, and Guiding Skills. His graduation from Rare gave him the tools to unite his years of wildlife observation with formal natural history interpretation.

Jesus enjoys exploring the Baja Peninsula and the rich waters that surround it while sharing his passion for this unique environment with people from all over the world. He often works with photographers and wildlife filmmakers drawing upon his natural history and boat captaining experience to provide them with the best angles.

In 2008 Jesus began collaborating with a US based non-profit to develop community projects focusing on trash collection and recycling at San Ignacio Lagoon. He is currently providing assistance seeking to develop the infrastructure for trash removal, finding an environmentally safe destiny for the trash and the promotion of recycling at the Lagoon. This will become increasingly important as the road to the Lagoon is paved bringing greater access and increased numbers of both visitors and residents to the area. Until this infrastructure is in place Pachico’s Eco Tours under Jesus’ vision is endeavoring to reduce the waste produced from camp and use recyclables in creative projects.

From the time Jesus was a young child Pachico taught him not only the ropes of whale watching but to care for and respect the whales as wild animals. Pachico explained to his children that the whales are in charge and though they may be close they are not pets - they are family. The safety of the whales and Pachico’s guests is the top priority for Jesus.

Jesus looks forward to sharing the natural sanctuary of San Ignacio Lagoon with you and your family.

Permitanos ayudarle a planear su aventura en La Laguna San Ignacio!

Correo electronico:
pachicosecotours@hotmail.com