ITINERARY

Day 1: Arrive Mexico City, Mexico
Upon arrival in Mexico City,you will be met and transferred to the Hotel Imperial located downtown. This evening we will have an orientation/welcome dinner at 7:00pm.

Day 2: Rosario / Angangueo
From Mexico City, we travel through the central highlands. The surrounding countryside is breathtaking – the enormous snow-capped volcano Xinantecatl towers over deep green pine forests. We will continue on to the picturesque mountain village of Angangueo to check into our hotel and have lunch. Angangueo is magical indeed; narrow historic streets grace this traditional mining village, with forested hills surrounding its simple beauty. In the afternoon, we will venture out to the nearby Rosario Butterfly Sanctuary for our first encounter with the king of the butterflies. Our journey begins in the back of an open truck as we drive through the picturesque pastoral countryside to the starting point of our first butterfly excursion. When we exit our vehicle, we will typically see our first butterflies fluttering about. The path takes us up a groomed, but sometimes fairly steep, trail with convenient benches for occasional rests. As we continue up the trail, the density will thicken until we reach the epicenter of the resting monarchs. Millions of monarchs cover the tall oyamel and fir trees, and, as the sun warms their black-and-orange wings, the butterflies fill the air, illuminating the entire area – including us! Mexico’s sanctuaries are the only places 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
In the morning we drive to the Chincua Butterfly Sanctuary for our second memorable experience with the monarchs. For those who choose, horses are available for this excursion. As Carlos Gottfried, president of Mexico’s Monarca A.C., says, “When you stand in a monarch sanctuary, your soul is shaken and your life is changed.” In Chincua, we ride our horses most of the way then walk down into the area of high butterfly density. This afternoon we enjoy a tour of the lovely village of Angangueo.

Day 4: Valle de Bravo
Today we travel to the lovely village of Valle de Bravo, a typical Mexican town with narrow cobblestone streets lined with red-tile roofed houses along the shores of an enormous man-made lake, Lago de Avandaro (Avandaro means “dream place” in the Tarascan Indian language). Tropical vegetation,from bougainvillea tumbling over terraces to brilliant flowers in the Plaza Independencia, attracts a multitude of birds. We will have the opportunity to relax in luxury after two days of butterfly tracking. We can also take a short walk to a local waterfall, where birdlife often appears. We will spend the night at the luxurious Hotel Avandaro Spa & Resort.

Day 5: Piedra Herrada Sanctuary / Toluca / Mexico City
Our final journey to the butterflies takes us to the Piedra Herrada Sanctuary, the newest spot opened for viewing the monarchs. Once again, horses take us most of the way and we then walk, often through thick vegetation, to the spot where the butterflies are located. This area is “wilder” than the other two sanctuaries and often provides a more remote nature experience. We will continue on our return trip to Mexico City with a stop in Toluca, originally an Indian settlement dating back to the 13th century. Here we visit Cosmo Vitral Jardin Botanico, a spectacular botanical garden lit by stained-glass panels created by Tolucan artist Leopoldo Flores. Tonight we will enjoy a wonderful dinner at one of Mexico City’s fine traditional restaurants.

Day 6: Mexico City / Home
This morning you will be transferred to the airport for your flight home, or to Puerto Vallarta for the Humpback Whale Extension.

Trip Details

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
The visits to the butterfly sanctuaries require walking about two miles at altitudes up to 10,000 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.