Monarch Migration to Mexico

Depart from the U.S. and arrive in Mexico City. Upon arrival you will be met at the airport and transferred to the hotel located on the Zócalo in the heart of the historic center of the city. This evening meet in the hotel lobby at 7pm for a briefing orientation and welcome dinner. Check-in time at 3:00pm.

This morning depart for the colonial town of Angangueo, located high in the mountains in the state of Michoacán, about 100 miles west of Mexico City. Upon arrival in Angangueo check in at Hotel Don Bruno and have lunch there. In the afternoon visit the Alternare Center which has more than 20 years’ experience working with rural communities with the goal of helping conserve the butterfly habitat. The main challenges are income for the people living in and around the sanctuary, the use of agrochemicals in food production, and logging. Alternare is a school to teach sustainable farming techniques, the construction of adobe houses, wood-saving stoves and water conservation practices. Return to the hotel for dinner. Have a briefing to help prepare for the next day

This morning, visit Sierra Chincua Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary. The journey starts with a hike up the mountain to about 10,000 feet. Horses are available to rent for a portion of the trail. The cost is about 100 Mexican pesos, payable in cash only. Some walking will be required, but it can be done at your own pace and with stops and rest as needed. Once at the site, you have the day to enjoy and photograph the spectacular colony with a boxed lunch to be eaten at your leisure. Please note that restrooms are located at the entrance of the reserve and are not along the monarch trails. You will have a short time to buy souvenirs at the craft market at the bottom of the mountain. Later this afternoon, take a walking tour through the town of Angangueo with our guide. Founded in 1792, the town served as a main mining center, providing wealth for the area. Today the town derives its income from butterfly tourism and agriculture. As we explore the cobblestone streets, our guide will share sites of interest and the importance of butterfly conservation to the town. Dinner is at the hotel.

This morning have an early breakfast and then begin the journey to El Rosario Monarch Sanctuary, en route enjoy a short visit to a local school with Estela Romero Vazquez to learn about environmental education and monarch conservation here. Continue the short drive to the El Rosario Monarch site. This large overwintering colony normally contains well over 100 million adult monarchs and has an excellent trail system winding through the fir-covered slopes on which the colony is located. At this time of year, they may take flight for an hour or more to water, nectar, etc., before returning to their roost on the tree limbs or trunks. The hike to reach the colony may reach up to 10,000 feet and will require hiking up the mountain. The hike will be at your own pace with birding opportunities along the way. A portion of the hike can be by horseback rental (around 100 Mexican pesos, cash only). Once at the site, spend half of the day enjoying the colony with a boxed lunch to be eaten at your leisure. Restrooms are located at the bottom of the mountain and not in the reserve. Then return to the lodge for dinner.

After breakfast, depart for the Mexico City area and the pyramids at San Juan Teotihuacán. After a delicious lunch near the pyramids, you'll have the afternoon to explore this world-famous archaeological site, which covers 32 square miles and contains many structures including two large pyramids. The Pyramid of the Sun, at a height of more than 200 feet, is one of the largest structures created in the pre-Columbian New World. After time to explore the ruins on your own, return to your hotel, freshen up and have dinner at restaurant.

Breakfast will be included depending on your departure time. Airport shuttle service transfers out are included and will be coordinated based on flight times. Check-out time at 12:00pm.