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Monarch butterfly migration
Highlights of Michoacan with Butterflies
All prices are in USD per person, based on double occupancy.
From January to March
One of the world’s most outstanding natural events occurs each year in North America, featuring one of its most unlikely creatures, the delicate Monarch butterfly. Up to 300 million Monarch Butterflies fly from Canada and the US southward, for up to 3,000 mile and overwinter in Mexico for approximately five months without breeding until the end of March when they reach sexual maturity.
Day 1
Puerto Vallarta – Morelia
Spectacular Colonial City
Day 2
Visit Rosario reserve and back to Morelia
Encounter with the monarchs, city tour in Morelia.
Day 3
Morelia-Patzcuaro-Janitzio
Boat trip in Janitzio.
Day 4
Tzintzuntzan-Capula-Tlaquepaque
Catharina work shop, archeological site.
Day 5
Guadalajara – Puerto Vallarta
Morning walking tour through Guadalajara.
| Monarch Butterflies Migration Tour Rates | Price (USD) | Duration |
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TBD | 5 days |
| TBD | 5 days | |
| TBD | 5 days |
This tour operates with a minimum of 8 people, max 14. Small groups only.
Upcoming tours:
2021
Due to the current Covid Situation we can not confirm any dates for our shared tours yet. At this moment we only offer private tours.
| Private Package | ||
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Included in the tour:
- Ground transportation in Mercedes Sprinter with a/c
- Local bilingual guide
- 4 nights lodging: 2 in Morelia, 1 in Patzcuaro and 1 in Tlaquepaque, all with breakfast
- Visit and Entrance Fee to the “El Rosario” monarch butterfly sanctuary
- Entrance fees for TzinTzunTzan
- Boat trip to Janitzio
- bottled water during transportation
Not included in the tour:
- Meals not mentioned in the itinerary
- horse rental in case you prefer to go by horse instead of hiking to the butterflies (recommended)
- Gratuities, tipping to local guides, driver, bellboys, horse owners, etc
- Travel Insurance
- Expenses of personal nature or any other expenses not mentioned in the above cost
Our group tour is guided in English.
Monarch Butterflies in Michoacan Tour
Until recently, the location of the Monarch Butterflies` breeding grounds remained a mystery. How an infant generation of Monarch butterflies finds it a new each year is still an enigma. Learn about their amazing migration and photograph the monarch butterfly in its natural habitat on this one of a kind Mexican expedition. Besides this unique experience, will visit cities as Morelia and Guadalajara, plus the Magic village of Patzcuaro and surroundings. This “Superior” Tour is not to be missed!
Day 1. Monday Puerto Vallarta – Morelia
In our comfortable vehicle with a/c, we will travel to Morelia. We will explore the City upon arrival with our walking tour. See all highlights of the Capital of Michoacan and have dinner at one of the many restaurants close to the Main Square.
Day 2. Tuesday Morelia- El Rosario Sanctuary-Morelia
After breakfast at the hotel today we will venture for an encounter with the monarchs. Usually the highest concentrations of monarchs are found at this Sanctuary. Monarchs are located at elevations of 9,000 to 11,000 ft above sea level. After a steep hike of approximately one mile we´ll finally find the millions of monarchs covering the tall oyamel fir trees, and as the sun warms their black and orange wings, the butterflies fill the air. Mexico’s sanctuaries are the only places in the world where you can actually hear butterflies’ wings beating. After this amazing experience we will have lunch closeby and will drive to Morelia. Upon arrival you have some free time on your own. This City, listed on the world heritage list of the Unesco, can be considered as one of the most beautiful of the country. It´s like walking around in a City of Southern Spain, the architecture is amazing.
Day 3 Wednesday Patzcuaro & Janitzio.
Today we travel to a “Magic Village”; Patzcuaro. Before this, we will visit Cocula, famous for the Catharina-dolls, where we will visit a work shop. The drive is along a beautiful landscape in the highlands of Michoacan. Upon arrival in Patzcuaro we will make first a boat trip to the Island of Janitzio, where we will visit the statue of Josè Maria Morelos. This is the heart of the Tarascan indigenous people. Janitzio is a delightful island with tons of stores to buy some great souvenirs. After the boat trip we will make a walking tour through Patzcuaro with it`s beautiful plazas, churches and an amazing mural in the library. One night in Patzcuaro.
Day 4 Thursday Patzcuaro-Tzintzuntzan-Tlaquepaque
Still in the highlands of Michoacan, we visit the town of Tzintzuntzan. The most wonderful handicrafts can be found on the little market. Furthermore we visit the Archeological site just out of town. A must to visit when visiting Michoacan! In the late afternoon we continue to Guadalajara, where we will spend the night at Tlaquepaque art district. Having some time to go around shopping and exploring the main plaza
Day 5. Friday Guadalajara – Puerto Vallarta
This morning we spend with a walking tour through Guadalajara. Have you been to Guadalajara before? No worries, you can spend some time on your own before we head back to Puerto Vallarta.
RECOMMENDATIONS
- We will primarily be traveling in a mountainous, cool environment (yet close to the sun). Weather is typically windy and cool
- Temperatures will vary during the day, as well as depending upon the time of year in which your expedition takes place. For those expeditions departing from January to mid-February, be prepared with warm, windproof clothing to wear while in mountainous areas
- For those expeditions departing in late February and March, heavy clothing may not be necessary. As mornings can still be chilly, you will want to be prepared with layer able clothing that you can remove throughout the day as temperatures increase (i.e. T-shirt, fleece, etc.)
- This tour is mainly on high elevated areas; make sure you are in good conditions. The hike to the area where the butterflies are is pretty steep and good condition is a must, even if you rent a horse, due to the altitude.
RECOMMENDED GEAR
- Lightweight, waterproof rain jacket
- Windproof fleece
- Lightweight, water-resistant hiking shoes or tennis
- Warm sleepwear , the hotels in the highlands can get very cold at night
IMPORTANT; read our terms and conditions before making your reservation.
