Monarch butterfly migration refers to the phenomenon of annual migration of the eastern/northeastern population of Danaus plexippus from southern Canada and the US, to overwintering sites in central Mexico. It also refers to the migration of the western population of monarch butterflies which migrate seasonally from regions between the Rocky Mountains and the coast of California. Monarch differ from most butterflies resident in temperate climates which typically enter winter diapause as an egg, larval or pupal state.
By the end of October, the population of monarchs east of the Rocky Mountains migrates to the sanctuaries of the Mariposa Monarca Biosphere Reserve within the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt pine-oak forests in the Mexican states of Michoacán and México.
Option 1: Monarch butterfly in the state of Mexico
4 days / 3 nights
Valle de Bravo
Day 1 . Arrival in Mexici City. Transfer to the hotel.
Day 2. Mexico City sightseeing tour. Tour to Teotihuacan.
Breakfast at hotel. Mexico City Tour: Mexico City is one of the largest and most populous cities in the world. Its age is a paradox. If reference is foundation of Mexico – Tenochtitlan by ancient Mexica, by mid-14th century, then it is a young city. If focus on its historical nature as the agglomeration of some 50 small regions, all of them ancient city-states, then its age goes beyond 2,000 years.
You will be able to visit Tenochtitlan, the historical center of the city, as well as Plaza de la Constitución, more commonly known as Zocalo, with its government buildings and the Cathedral. You will visit the National Palace, the seat of the Federal Executive Power. See the staircase of the Empress, Presidential balcony, Central and Back Patios, Murals by Diego Rivera. Then you will be amused by the majestic view of the Cathedral with its Altar of the Kings, Archangel, Pinnacle, Metropolitan Sacrarium and Alta of Forgiveness. You will enjoy the view of one among main city avenues: Paseo de la Reforma with its historical monuments.
Teotihuacan is one of the most impressive sites of the Aztec World. It is located only one hour outside of Mexico City. You will have a chance to see the complexities of Aztec treasures, climb the magnificent Pyramids of the Sun and the Moon. See also the Butterflies Temple, the Avenue of the Dead, and the Temple of Quetzalcoatl. By afternoon, back to hotel. Overnight
Day 3. Mexico City – 71 km – Cosmovitral Botanical Garden (Tolula) – 69 km – Piedra Herrada (Temascaltepec) – 25 km – Valle de Bravo – 158 km – Mexico City
Breakfast at hotel
You will visit the Cosmovitral-Botanical Garden: Completed in 1910 as part of Mexico’s centennial celebrations, the former City of Toluca Market boasts 5,000 square meters of space holding 400 plant species within its walls and comprised for 3,000 square meters of stained glass. The market was closed in 1975 and five years later the building was rededicated as the Cosmovitral-Botanical Garden.
The stained glass, finished in 1990 by Leopoldo Flores Valdes, includes 28 different colors of glass and is considered one of the largest artworks in the world. In the glass, Flores Valdes sought to depict his interpretation of time, movement and the contradictory phenomena taking place in matter, from a cosmogony perception.
Piedra Herrada & Valle de Bravo: It is unique in that you’ll often encounter swarms of butterflies before even arriving at the sanctuary. Each day around noon, millions of butterflies head down from the mountains and out along the road leading to the reserve on their way to a nearby river which serves as a butterfly watering hole. Standing in the forests of the reserve as millions of orange and black Monarch butterflies swarm overhead is a magical experience, and it’s not unusual for the butterflies to land on visitors. While you’re visiting the reserve, you might also stop off in some of the nearby towns and villages. The Pueblo Magico (magic town) of Valle de Bravo is located just down the road from the butterfly sanctuary at Piedra Herrada and makes a pleasant stop along the route to or from the reserve. Back to hotel in Mexico City. Overnight.
Day 4. Breakfast. Leisure time. Transfer to the airport.
Recommendation: This circuit fits well with the beach rest or with the classic circuits.
Option 2: Monarch butterfly in the state of Michoacan
5 days /4 nights
Morelia
Day 1 . Arrival in Mexici City. Transfer to the hotel.
Day 2. Mexico City sightseeing tour. Tour to Teotihuacan
Breakfast at hotel. Mexico City Tour: Mexico City is one of the largest and most populous cities in the world. Its age is a paradox. If reference is foundation of Mexico – Tenochtitlan by ancient Mexica, by mid-14th century, then it is a young city. If focus on its historical nature as the agglomeration of some 50 small regions, all of them ancient city-states, then its age goes beyond 2,000 years.
You will be able to visit Tenochtitlan, the historical center of the city, as well as Plaza de la Constitución, more commonly known as Zocalo, with its government buildings and the Cathedral. You will visit the National Palace, the seat of the Federal Executive Power. See the staircase of the Empress, Presidential balcony, Central and Back Patios, Murals by Diego Rivera. Then you will be amused by the majestic view of the Cathedral with its Altar of the Kings, Archangel, Pinnacle, Metropolitan Sacrarium and Alta of Forgiveness. You will enjoy the view of one among main city avenues: Paseo de la Reforma with its historical monuments.
Teotihuacan is one of the most impressive sites of the Aztec World. It is located only one hour outside of Mexico City. You will have a chance to see the complexities of Aztec treasures, climb the magnificent Pyramids of the Sun and the Moon. See also the Butterflies Temple, the Avenue of the Dead, and the Temple of Quetzalcoatl. By afternoon, back to hotel. Overnight
Day 3. Mexico CIty – 305 km – El Rosario Monarch Butterfly Preserve (Ocampo) – 10 km – Angangueo – 152 km –Morelia.
Breakfast at hotel and check out. You will visit El Rosario. It is the largest, best known and most visited area of the reserve. The Monarch butterfly observation point at El Rosario is situated at an elevation of 10,000 feet above sea level and reached via a steep climb up the hillside. At El Rosario, the butterflies make their home in the branches of more than 1,500 evergreen and oak trees that tower an impressive 100 feet above the forest floor.
After know the Monarch’s Sanctuary, you will go to Angangeo, this great town, famous for its mining past, can be found in the Sierra Madre Oriental of Michoacan. The name indicates the geographical features of its location and has several meanings: “town between mountains. It is one of the fortunate spots chosen by the Monarch butterfly as a sanctuary, so during certain months of the year its skies are filled with the beating of golden wings.
By afternoon City Tour of Morelia: The colonial city is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site, and from its breathtaking architecture. We can enjoy of its colonial spectacle of its buildings and elegant, vibrant streets, to a delicious regional cuisine. Drop off at hotel. Overnight
Day 4. Morelia – 233 km – Tula de Allende (Hidalgo) – 94 km – Mexico City.
Breakfast at hotel and check out. From Morelia toward Tula de Allende: it takes approximately 2 hours. When arriving to Tula, a city tour around the ancient city of Tollan-Xicocotitlan, capital of the Toltec Empire. There are few places where you can see such imposing monuments as the Atlanteans, carved in basalt stone and almost 16 feet high. According to the ancient inhabitants, if an enemy army approaches, the Atlanteans will awaken from their sleep to protect the city. To the north of the Atlanteans there is a ball game court and the Palacio Quemado (Burned Palace), where the sculpture of the Chac-mool rests, as well as many other objects found in the area. By afternoon continue to Mexico City. Drop off at hotel, overnight
Day 5. Breakfast. Leisure time. Transfer to the airport.
Recommendation: This circuit fits well with the beach rest or with the classic circuits.
