Mexico | Mystical Migration of the Monarchs with Dallas Zoo

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. Join Dallas Zoo to 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.
Spend time exploring colonial Angangueo, which was once a mining town but now derives most of its livelihood from butterfly ecotourism and agriculture.
Take part in a service project with ECOLIFE while learning about their Clean Stove initiative, which protects local community health and the monarch butterflies.
Visit the Chapultepec Zoo, which is considered the national zoo of Mexico and one of the top zoos in Latin America.

Meet your leader

Chris Corpus

Chris Corpus is a conservation biologist and the Director of Conservation at the Dallas Zoo, steering the Zoo’s efforts to protect species and ecosystems across the globe. The Dallas Zoo is an international conservation organization, participating in efforts across 4 continents and 23 countries, with a focus on saving species by helping people and wildlife live in harmony.

Chris is thrilled to experience Mexico with you and visit several local conservation efforts that protect Monarch butterflies from extinction. These beautiful butterflies are a crucial pollinator across Mexico, the United States, and even Canada. They also hold a deep cultural value to many people, particularly for these communities who experience millions upon millions of them all at once. Get ready for the trip of a lifetime to see the overwhelmingly brilliant Monarch butterfly colonies in their winter home.

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.

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.

Mexico City

Feb 11, 2025

Upon arrival in Mexico City, you will be met in the airport and taken to your hotel, situated in the historic district on the Zócalo. The Zócalo is the largest plaza in Latin America, and it is surrounded by the National Palace, Metropolitan Cathedral, Templo Mayor, and many restaurants and historical architecture. This evening, meet in the hotel lobby at 7 pm for a welcome dinner and program orientation. Check-in starts at 3 pm.

Dinner included

Overnight at Zócalo Central Hotel

Angangueo

Feb 12, 2025

Begin today with a short exploration of Mexico City, with a boxed lunch provided. Then, depart for the colonial town of Angangueo, located high in the mountains in the state of Michoacán, about 100 miles west of Mexico City. Check in at Hotel Don Bruno. After dinner, receive a brief orientation on the Monarch sites and our activities over the next several days. Please note that it can get cold at night and in the early morning so it is recommended that you bring warm sleeping clothes.