Join Butterfly Pavilion for an unforgettable winter journey to Mexico's magical monarch butterfly sanctuaries. This five-day trip will immerse you with the monarch butterflies overwintering habitat and includes visits to three butterfly sanctuaries, an afternoon waterfall hike, and a visit to the Butterfly Garden at Chapultepec Park in Mexico City.
Picture yourself wandering beneath the towering fir trees of a magical forest in the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve of central Mexico. The sun is warm, and the breeze flutters the wings of millions of bright orange monarch butterflies resting on the massive boughs of native Oyamels. This is the nesting ground they return to annually. They have traveled thousands of miles (?) from their summer homes in central Canada and the United States to overwinter here. You breathe in deeply, the air smells fresh like pine sap and greenery. Experiencing this amazing natural phenomenon, you are reminded how incredible invertebrates are.
You can make this dream come true by signing up for Butterfly Pavilion’s trip with Reefs to Rockies to Mexico! Join Butterfly Pavilion’s Vice President of Science and Conservation, Dr. Rich Reading and Lepidopterist, Shiran Hershcovich as they journey into the incredible Biosphere Reserve. Along with visits to the Biosphere reserve, you’ll be treated to delicious and unique cuisine at renowned chef, Enrique Olvera’s, cafe. Trip members will also visit charming tourist destinations like Valle de Bravo, one of Mexico’s Pueblos Magicos (“Magical Towns”).
Itinerary:
Day 1 (Mon, Jan 20): Arrival ~ Upon arrival to Mexico City International Airport (MEX), you’ll be met for your transfer to your hotel.
Day 2 (Tues, Jan 21): Mexico City to Angangueo ~ Get to know fellow travelers, your guide, and Butterfly Pavilion hosts during our Welcome Breakfast at Eno, Chef Enrique Olvera’s casual cafe. Olvera’s first restaurant project in Mexico City was the famed Pujol, consistently rated as one of the world’s best restaurants.
The Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve is a UNESCO World Heritage Site containing most of the overwintering sites of the eastern population of monarch butterflies. The reserve is located in pine-oak forests of the Trans-Mexico Volcanic Belt on the border of two Mexican states northwest of Mexico City – Michoacan and Mexico. Today, we’ll visit our first monarch sanctuary, likely Sierra Chincua. Be prepared to travel by horse and on foot to cluster sites at elevations between 9000-11,000 feet. The air is thin here and it takes some work, but your effort will be worth it! Our rustic accommodations tonight provide easy access to two monarch sanctuaries close by.
Day 3 (Wed, Jan 22): Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve and Valle de Bravo ~ No two days at the monarch sanctuaries are alike so we’ll enjoy another sanctuary visit today. The location of our visit will be determined by recent sightings and butterfly cluster locations. After time with the monarchs, we’ll continue to Valle de Bravo.
Day 4 (Thurs, Jan 23): Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve and Velo de Novia Waterfall ~ Today brings a third monarch sanctuary, likely Piedra Herrada in the State of Mexico. This afternoon, we’ll enjoy a nature walk to Velo de Novia, a stunning waterfall that’s 115 feet tall. It takes its name from its resemblance to a wedding veil (“velo de novia”). The path to the waterfall is short but scenic. The birding here is also top notch.
Day 5 (Fri, Jan 24): Valle de Bravo to Mexico City ~ We’ll make our way back to Mexico City with a stop at Chapultepec, Latin America’s oldest and largest urban park. At Chapultepec Park’s Butterfly House, thousands of butterflies fly freely, much to the delight of visitors. A trip to this part of the zoo consists of two areas: a building displaying butterfly specimens and the actual insectarium. While inside the butterfly garden, you’ll see an incubator full of cocoons. A Nahuas legend says that if you make a wish on a butterfly on its first flight, your wish will come true. Relive trip highlights during this evening’s Farewell Dinner.
Day 6 (Sat, Jan 25): Departure ~ Transfer to the airport in time for our flight home.
Trip Dates: 1/20/25 – 1/25/25. Includes most meals, double occupancy accommodation, airport transfers, local guides and park entrance fees. Flights, passport/visa fees, hotel upgrades and optional gratuities not included.
For more information, see trip details or contact us at development@butterflies.org.