This unforgettable trip takes you to Michoacan to witness millions of beautiful Monarch Butterflies as they finish their migration from thousands of miles away. As the sun illuminates the millions of orange and black wings, you’ll quickly understand why this is a trip of a lifetime. Your experience will be enhanced by our guide, who will illuminate and explain the “discovery” of the Monarch’s wintering migration grounds. 

In addition to several days with the Monarchs, you will also get to visit the town of Patzcuaro in Michoacan’s gorgeous countryside. Patzcuaro (originally translated as “door to heaven”) is a cultural and artisan center for the State of Michoacan that is sure to take your breath away. 

Highlights

El Rosario sanctuary

• The annual home to millions of Monarch Butterflies

• Expert guide to enhance your viewing experience

Sierra Chincua Reserve

• Another butterfly sanctuary to which millions of Monarchs migrate each year

• Expert guide to enhance your viewing experience

Tzintzuntzan, Cucuchuco, Ihuatzio, and Patzcuaro

• Private tour of Tzintzuntzan, Cucuchuco, Ihuatzio, and Patzcuaro

Enjoy the incredible beauty of this countryside area with its rolling hills, deep lakes, winding rivers and green valleys

 

Dates

January to March

Price Includes

Because this itinerary will be custom tailored to your liking, please inquire for pricing

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Itinerary

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Day 1

ARRIVE MEXICO CITY You will arrive at the Mexico City International Airport. Our representative will meet you outside of the customs gate for your transport to Rancho San Cayetano (approximately 3:30 hours) (No Meals Included)

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Day 2

Upon arrival to El Rosario, you then enter the reserve on foot; the path into the Reserve follows a groomed, but sometimes fairly steep trail (Please note: the reserves altitude above sea level spans from 8,000 – 10,000 ft. above sea level and require the ability to walk at a steep incline for over an hour and are considered moderately strenuous). As you continue up the trail, the forest thickens, until you 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. Your explorations are enhanced by discussions with your expert guide who will illuminate and explain the "discovery" of the Monarch's wintering migration grounds. After witnessing this amazing natural phenomenon you will have lunch and then return to your hotel to relax before our group dinner. (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner Included)

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Day 3

After breakfast, we will visit the Sierra Chincua reserve (The reserve may change depending on local conditions and to maximize your interaction with the highest concentration and aggregations of Monarch Butterflies). Again you will experience this magical interaction with the magical Monarchs that have traveled thousands of miles to find sanctuary in the high pine forests of Michoacan (Please note: the reserves altitude above sea level spans from 8,000 – 10,000 ft. above sea level and require the ability to walk at a steep incline for over an hour and are considered moderately strenuous). We will have a picnic lunch before continuing on to Morelia (3 hours) (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner Included)

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Day 4

After breakfast, you will have a private tour to Tzintzuntzan, Cucuchuco, Ihuatzio, and Patzcuaro with lunch included. You will then return to your hotel for a group dinner. Patzcuaro (PAHTZ-kwah-roh) is a small colonial gem in the state of Michoacan, a land of immense natural beauty. Michoacan's countryside is a vast expanse of rolling hills, deep lakes, winding rivers and green valleys. Patzcuaro is a cultural and artisan center for the State of Michoacan, Mexico. The original name was "Tzacapu-ansucutinpatzcuaro" that is translated as "door to heaven" or "place where the blackness begins" The beautiful central plaza remains a tribute to its namesake; Vasco de Quiroga moved the capital from Tzintzuntzan to the beautiful mountain city of Patzcuaro in 1533 and built a large basilica. He also founded the Colegio de San Nicolas Obispo in Patzcuaro. (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner Included)

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Day 5

After breakfast you will be privately transported to the Morelia airport for your flight home.

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My wife and I, and our dear friends have just completed six delightful days with Alfredo de la Cruz touring Morelia & Patzcuaro, Michoacan. To see the monarchs we were escorted to the El Rosario Sanctuary, Alfredo’s experience and extensive local contacts, enabled us to moved at the monarchs with a minnimum of effort. The monarch experience was more that we have hoped for. Alfredo is resourceful, flexible, efficient and thoughtful. His knowledge of the area, past and present, is impressive. His restaurant selections produced a variety of Michoacan cuisine that satisfied and educated us all. Our experience with Alfredo has been exceptional and one we will remember with pleasure.

Gordon and Susan Carson

By Gordon and Susan Carson on 2011 04 11

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