Perhaps the most impressive of all of North America's natural events occurs with one of its most unlikely creatures, the delicate and beautiful monarch butterfly. Every year, nearly 300 million of these brilliantly hued monarchs spread their wings and set flight on a remarkable 2,500-mile journey, from Canada and the northeastern United States to their ancestral wintering grounds in the spectacular Transvolcanic Range in Mexico. Until recently, the location of their breeding grounds remained a mystery. Now, small groups of our travelers, accompanied by Mexico's premier naturalist guides, can experience this soul-stirring natural phenomenon.
ITINERARY
Day 1: Mexico City
Arrive in Mexico City and meet for an orientation dinner.
Day 2: Rosario / Angangueo
The urban landscape gives way to the fresh air and forests of the highlands, where the snow-capped volcano of Xinantécatl stands sentinel. Our destination is the mountain community of Angangueo, a traditional village of tile roofs, cobblestone lanes and cornfields clinging to steep hillsides. This afternoon we visit Rosario Butterfly Sanctuary, our first entry into the monarch kingdom. As we arrive in an open-back truck, a few butterflies are flitting about, a hint of the wonders that await. Ascending the trail through the forest, we see more and more of them, till we reach the heart of their resting place. What we find is an almost surreal sight. Millions of monarchs cover the tall oyamel fir trees in a delicate, quivering black and orange blanket. Boughs bend beneath their numbers, though each weighs less than half an ounce. As the sun warms their parchment-thin wings, the butterflies take to the air in a whirling cloud of color and, yes, sound. Mexico’s sanctuaries are the only place in the world where you can actually hear butterflies’ wings beating. The beauty of the butterflies is so ethereal that many Mexicans still hold the Aztec belief that the souls of the dead are reborn as monarchs.
Day 3: Chincua / Angangueo
We drive to Chincua Butterfly Sanctuary for another magical encounter with the monarchs. Riding horses most of the way, we hike the last bit to the mariposas. Sometimes the forest floor is carpeted in patches of orange as the butterflies descend to drink. We learn of efforts to preserve the fragile ecosystem that is the key to their survival. Our visit is one way to assist, demonstrating to the local people that ecotourism can be as viable a source of economic sustenance as logging.
Day 4: Valle de Bravo
Valle de Bravo is an inviting Mexican resort town on Lake Avándaro (Avándaro means “dream place” in the Tarascan Indian language). White stucco houses with red-tile roofs are covered in bougainvillea, while brilliant fl owers in the Plaza Independencia attract a multitude of birds. Here, we relax in lakeside luxury at the Hotel Avándaro Golf and Spa Resort after two days of butterfly tracking.
Day 5: Piedra Herrada Sanctuary / Toluca / Mexico City
Our last butterfly encounter is at Piedra Herrada, the newest and least developed sanctuary. We again ride horses and hike through dense forest to the roosting areas. On our return to Mexico City, we stop in Toluca, originally a 13th-century Indian settlement, where we’ll visit the Cosmovitral botanical gardens, aglow with stained-glass panels created by a Tolucan artist. Our trip concludes with a Mexican farewell feast at a fine restaurant en route.
Day 6: Return Home
Transfer to the airport for flights home or to Puerto Vallarta for the Humpback
Whale Extension, or remain in Mexico City for the Pyramids Extension.
Please Note: Itineraries for trips starting in March may vary depending on the movement of the butterflies. All trips will include three visits to sanctuaries, however, if the butterflies have departed from Piedra Herrada, we will visit El Rosario twice.
Trip Details
Group Size Limit: Approximately 14 Travelers
A very important feature of this Mexican natural habitat adventure is the limited group size as nature expeditions are best experienced with smaller sized groups of travelers. Watching the breathtaking flight of the monarch butterfly is a Mexico nature travel experience not to be missed.
Included
Accommodations, meals from dinner on Day 1 through dinner on Day 5, soda and beer with meals, bottled water, park entrance fees, horseback riding option at Chincua and Piedra Herrada, taxes and service charges except Mexico’s departure and airport taxes.
Not Included
Travel to and from Mexico City, alcoholic drinks (except for beer with meals), gratuities to Expedition Leader(s), airport and departure taxes, meals on Day 6, and travel insurance.
Physical Requirements
Moderate / Flexible
Visits to the monarch butterfly sanctuaries require walking about two miles at altitudes up to 10,660 feet, sometimes over rough terrain, and can be considered strenuous for people who are less active. Horses are available to ride in Chincua and in Piedra Herrada, but not in Rosario, often the steepest of the sanctuaries. Generally, the later trips in the season tend to be less strenuous since the butterflies move down the mountain. We suggest that travelers concerned with their physical capabilities contact our office for further details on the exact physical requirements of this trip, and their personal physician for his/her opinion.
Extension Options
Humpback Whale Extension
Off the Pacific coastal village of Puerto Vallarta lies the mating and breeding ground of hundreds of humpback whales. From our first-class tropical accommodations, classic bungalows set on the beach, we will head out by small vessel to view these leviathans. We may also have the opportunity to snorkel and bird watch on this wonderful tropical wildlife extension. 3 Nights / 4 Days Included: Three nights in 4-star hotel, transfers, 2 whale-watching excursions, two breakfasts and two lunches.
Not Included: Airfare between Mexico City, Puerto Vallarta and your home city, meals except for two breakfasts and two lunches, personal expenses (telephone, alcohol, etc.), gratuities.
