Mexico | Migration of the Monarch Butterflies

About this trip

One of the most amazing phenomena in nature is the annual migration of Monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus) southward from their breeding grounds in the United States and Canada to overwintering sites high in the mountains of southern Mexico. Hundreds of millions of Monarchs fly along the Gulf Coast, or across the Gulf of Mexico, to eventually reach the belt of high volcanic mountains which stretches across the southern end of the central Mexican plateau. At about a dozen isolated places within the high-altitude forests of this zone, Monarchs pass the winter in aggregations that can exceed 2 billion individual butterflies. Stand amid the fir-covered mountains and witness this awe-inspiring spectacle firsthand as the monarchs flutter, dip, and swoop overhead.

Highlights

• Hike or ride horseback to two different monarch reserves in Michoacán, where millions of individual monarch butterflies gather.
• Photograph the dramatic colors of the butterflies as they hang in clusters from the trees, drink from streams, feed on wildflowers, and soar in the air above.
• Visit the pyramids at Teotihuacán, one of the most architecturally significant Mesoamerican sites of pre-Columbian times. 
• Take a brief walking tour of Mexico City's historical city center, including the Zócalo, Metropolitan Cathedral, and Templo Mayor. 

Activity Level 4: Moderate-Strenuous

This journey is for fit and active nature enthusiasts. Daily activities last for 5 or more hours. There are challenging excursions to butterfly colonies that may require walking for approximately 2 miles at altitudes of up to 10,660 feet on some trails that are narrow and rugged. These may involve both steep uphill and downhill hikes of 30 minutes or more (hiking at your own pace), and require horseback riding for part of the way; please note there is a maximum weight limit of approximately 260 lbs to ride the horses. Restrooms are only available at the base of the mountain. Weather in the Central Highlands during the migration is typically cool and dry with average temperatures in the 50s. Though days are typically sunny, there can be some windy conditions, and nights occasionally drop below 30°F. Also included are walking tours in provincial towns and in Mexico City. Here, at the Teotihuacán archaeological site, you can choose to climb two pyramids: the largest is over 200 feet high with 248 steep steps.

Additional Notes

During site visits, the days entail walking around the butterfly sites on your own and photographing and watching butterflies. Please be prepared to be independent during butterfly watching.

Please also see the information about Safety & Risk Management under the Travel Info tab.

Meet Your Leader

Samantha Junker is a native Californian, spending most of her childhood in the Mojave Desert, rock climbing and searching for lizards and snakes. Living right next to Joshua Tree National Park meant that being outside in nature was a daily occurrence, and Samantha has kept that ethic through adulthood.

She graduated from the University of California, Santa Barbara with a bachelor’s degree in Zoology and a minor in History. Samantha has worked in the animal field for the past 20 years, including animal care roles at Santa Barbara Zoo, Alabama Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, and Houston Zoo. She has experience with various species of birds, hoofed stock, and carnivores. Her favorites include raptors, tapirs, jaguars, and African painted dogs.

Samantha is currently the Director of Guest Engagement and Volunteers at Houston Zoo, managing a robust volunteer program and ensuring the engagement of over 2 million annual guests with the Zoo’s mission. She also serves as the Education Advisor for the Association of Zoos & Aquariums’ African Painted Dog SAFE program and Species Survival Plan.