Witness a spectacular natural phenomenon unlike any other: hundreds of millions of monarch butterflies at their overwintering grounds in the mountains of southern Mexico. Stand amid the fir-covered mountains and witness this awe-inspiring spectacle firsthand as the monarchs flutter, dip, and swoop overhead. With two full days at sanctuaries within the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve, you will have the opportunity to see Monarchs in staggering quantities: on the roosts in the early morning, in flight at midday, feeding on wildflowers, and watering at streams—so many at once that you hear the humming of their delicate wings and sense them as they touch down on your shoulders or hats. On this unforgettable learning adventure, you’ll also spend time in the colonial town of Angangueo and at the massive ancient Teotihuacán complex, exploring Mexico's rich history and culture. Join our small group experience, led by experienced naturalist and local guides.
Itinerary
Day 1. Mexico City
Day 2. Angangueo | The Zócalo
Day 3. Angangueo | Sierra Chincua
Day 4. Angangueo | El Rosario Reserve
Day 5. Mexico City
Day 6. Depart for USTrip Highlights
• Hike or ride horseback to three different monarch reserves in Michoacán, where millions of individual monarch butterflies gather.
• Photograph the dramatic colors of the butterflies as they hang in clusters from the trees, drink from streams, feed on wildflowers, and soar in the air above.
• Visit the pyramids at Teotihuacán, one of the most architecturally significant Mesoamerican sites of pre-Columbian times.
• Spend time exploring colonial Angangueo, which was once a mining town but now derives most of its livelihood from butterfly ecotourism and agriculture.