Learning Adventure Tour
Independent Tours
Winter Monarch Butterflies
Best season: Beginning of February to Middle of March
You will simply love this truly privileged trip that few enjoy. Marvel at the magic beauty of the shimmering color & movement of millions of Monarch Butterflies that winter near Morelia, Michoacán. The Oyumel Fir Tree Forest highlands of the western Sierras are the perfect refuge for the Monarchs. Commune with them as they personally greet you, resting on your arms & head.
Two hundred & fifty million of these fragile Monarch Butterflies migrate 2500 miles from Canada to the Western Sierra Madre mountain range in central Mexico for the winter. Learn about this epic journey & experience that special encounter as you meet these amazing creatures face to face in their winter refuge. On this enchanting trip spend two days walking through two of the protected winter sanctuaries of the Monarch Butterflies.
This enchanting trip offers the wonderful variety of a privileged visit to two of the protected sanctuaries of the Monarch Butterflies, colonial history, and the unique small colorful folk art villages of Michoacán with centuries-old traditions still alive today. It is suitable for anyone in good health that likes to walk and has a spirit of adventure to enjoy off-the-beaten-track places. Butterfly Sanctuary altitudes are 9,000-10,000 ft elevation & some walks are on steep, rocky paths. Horses are available in some places. All hotels are very comfortable and located in the heart of the historic districts.
Monarch Sanctuary
Day 1–Arrive in Morelia, Hotel Virrey de Mendoza, Morelia
Day 2–El Rosario Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary; Overnight in Angangeo
Day 3–El Chincua Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary; Hotel Virrey de Mendoza.
Day 4–Depart Morelia
This 3-night, 4-day trip net 2012 price is $760 (USD) per person per double room and $1340 for one passenger (USD) on the tour (this includes single room). A single room within a group is $1150 (USD). It begins and ends in Morelia. The package includes all hotels all entrance fees, private tours. The package does not include airfare nor airport transfers, meals, tips or trip insurance.
5-Day Monarch Butterflies Sanctuary Sample Independent Tour Itinerary
Day 1–Arrive in Morelia, Hotel Virrey de Mendoza, Morelia
Day 2–Transfer to El Rosario Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary; overnight in Angangueo
Day 3–El Chincua Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary; Hotel Virrey de Mendoza
Day 4- Folk Art in Patzcuaro, Purepecha Archeological Sites, Hotel Virrey de Mendoza
Day 5–Depart Morelia
The 2012 Monarch Butterflies net price is $1030 (USD) per person per double occupancy. One passenger on the tour is $1790 (USD)(this includes single room). For a single room within a group, it is $1460 (USD). It begins and ends in Morelia. The package includes 4-nights of hotels, all entrance fees, private 2-day tour with driver to the butterfly sanctuaries, l private day tour to the folk art villages. The package does not include airfare nor airport transfers, meals, tips or trip insurance.
6-Day Monarch Butterflies Sample Independent Tour Itinerary
Day 1–Arrive in Morelia, Hotel Virrey de Mendoza, Morelia
Day 2–Transfer to El Rosario Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary; overnight in Angangueo
Day 3–El Chincua Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary; Hotel Virrey de Mendoza
Day 4–Folk Art in Patzcuaro, Purepecha Archeological Sites; Hotel Virrey de Mendoza, Morelia
Day 5- Morning Historic Walking Tour of Morelia; Hotel Virrey de Mendoza, Morelia
Day 6- Depart Morelia
The 2012 Monarch Butterflies net price is $1145 (USD) per person per double occupancy. One passenger on the tour is $1970 (USD) (this includes single room). For a single room within a group it is $1660 (USD). It begins and ends in Morelia. The package includes 5-nights of hotels, all entrance fees, private 2-day tour with driver to the butterfly sanctuaries, l private day tour to the folk art villages, l private historic walking tour. The package does not include airfare nor airport transfers, meals, tips or trip insurance.
