Tour Guide / Trip Leader
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Throughout my 25 year career in tourism I have been a tour guide, trip leader, tour escort and expedition leader. I planned and guided tours with Meaningful Trip to Nepal and Iran. I have been Expedition Leader for school groups throughout Seattle and the Pacific Northwest. I lead outings for Seattle Outdoor Adventurers Meetup – with 20,000+ members, it is one of the biggest activity and adventure-based Meetups in the USA. Throughout 10 years with REI Adventures I served as Tour Escort on 2 trips annually; these always focused on activity, adventure, ecotourism, small ship expedition cruising, cultural immersion and responsible tourism. I’ve also worked with groups, nonprofits and more.

If you are interested in having me lead a trip for your travel company, group, nonprofit, school or alumni group,  please contact me:

Email: Joe.Staiano@gmail.com Phone: 206-305-2200

Please click here to see my various Travel Services offered.

Join Me on Adventures in 2020:

Baja Adventure Week, Feb 23-29, 2020

Woman in bikini snorkeling with whale shark

Join me and other Seattle Meetup members in BAJA Mexico!

Specially curated adventures to some of the world’s most exciting destinations, offering the activities you adore, value-pricing, comfortable lodgings, culinary delights, local guides, authentic touches, giving back, and, of course, Meetup fun and camaraderie.

BAJA ADVENTURE WEEK
This will be our second season for Meetup folks to head to magical Baja Mexico. Last year’s trip sold out within 1 week. With kayaking, SUP, whales, beaches, Mexican culture its easy to see why. Check out the highlights below.

HIGHLIGHTS:
Kayaking past pristine islands and beaches
Snorkeling w Sea Lions at Espiritu Santo
Snorkel alongside Whale Shark — a once in a lifetime experience
Hiking cactus-studded landscapes
Up close encounters with Grey Whales n Puerto Chato
Experienced local guides
Tons of Meetup fun

OVERVIEW:
7-Days, Feb 23-29, 2020
Land Cost: $1,395 (airfare extra)
Group Size: 10

Itinerary:
((Request a full detailed Itinerary at joe@MeaningfulTrip.com))
Day 1 – Arrive. San Jose Del Cabo, transfer 2 1/2 hours to La Paz, Mexico. Free Time. Hotel.
Day 2 – Kayaking day, end at our deluxe beachfront camp. Two nights of Happy Hour, dinner, stars and laughter.
Day 3 – Boat trip out to Los Islotes to snorkel with Sea Lions. Afternoon SUP, Standup Paddle Boarding fun! Camping
Day 4 – Whale Shark Adventure. Getting in the water with these gentle giants is a once-in-a-lifetime experience! Return to La Paz hotel.
Day 5 – Gray Whale Watching in protected bays
Day 6 – Desert and oasis hiking
Day 7 – Depart

Included:
• 4 nights in La Paz (hotel)
• 2 nights delux camping
• Kayak, SUP and Snorkel gear
• Certified, English-speaking naturalist guides
• Whale Shark Adventure, Whale Watching in Puerto Chato
• Carbon Offset

NOT included:
• Airfare
• Travel Insurance
• Most dinners in La Paz
• Drinks in La Paz
• Guide gratuity

To RSVP:
(1) RSVP on Meetup:  https://www.meetup.com/SeattleOutdoorAdventurers/events/266113987/
(2) Email Meetup Organizer, Joe Staiano at joe@MeaningfulTrip.com
(3) Pay $500 deposit  Zelle or Venmo at 206-305-2200 or joe.staiano@gmail.com. 

(Final Payment of $895 is due by Dec 20, 2020).

 

GENERAL INFORMATION:

Visa and passport
Must have a US Passport valid for 3 months from the tour end date. Visa is not required for USA citizens. You will be given free Tourist Permit by the airport.

Flights to La Paz
Alaska Airlines flies SEA to San Jose Del Cabo (SJD). We then take a 2 1/2 hour transfer (included) to La Paz.

• Weather
Winter is the ideal time to visit “Baja Sur”. Average winter temperatures are around 75-degrees daytime, and cools down to 50’s at night. Water temperature is typically around 65 – 70 degrees. February is thee ideal time for moma and baby Gray Whales in the protected Pacific lagoons.

Activity Level: Moderate
Beginners welcome on kayaking, SUP and snorkeling but should have an enjoyment for camping, comfortable in the water, and a sense of adventure.

• Travel Organization
This Meetup Adventure Tour has been planned by Joe Staiano. In addition to being a Meetup Organizer and Co-organizer for 7+ years, Mr. Staiano is a travel and tourism professional with 25 years experience. He spent 10 years organizing and planning adventure trips for REI Adventures. Joe is owner of Meaningful Trip travel company and has a Seller of Travel Permit for Washington State. Tours are planned in partnership with high-quality, vetted local international tour providers who provide all accommodations, services and English-speaking guides.

• How to RSVP
RSVP on Meetup:  https://www.meetup.com/SeattleOutdoorAdventurers/events/266113987/  

* Meetup RSVP does NOT guarantee a spot!  Reservation is guaranteed upon receipt of $500 deposit. * 

Submit $500 deposit via Zelle or Venmo to 206-305-2200 or joe.staiano@gmail.com. 

Final Payment of $895 is due December 20, 2019. Deposit is fully refundable if cancelled by Dec 20, 2019.

• We adhere to the Meetup Terms of Service and Release of Liability.

• Upon receipt of Deposit participants will receive additional info

• Upcoming 2020 Meetup Adventure Tours:
– NEPAL, Annapurna Highlights (Mixed and Women’s Only) (Mar)