Mexico | Mystical Migration of the Monarchs with Dallas Zoo
About this trip
One of the most amazing phenomena in nature is the annual migration of Monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus) southward from their breeding grounds in the United States and Canada to overwintering sites high in the mountains of southern Mexico. Hundreds of millions of Monarchs fly along the Gulf Coast, or across the Gulf of Mexico, to eventually reach the belt of high volcanic mountains which stretches across the southern end of the central Mexican plateau. At about a dozen isolated places within the high-altitude forests of this zone, Monarchs pass the winter in aggregations that can exceed 2 billion individual butterflies. Join Dallas Zoo to stand amid the fir-covered mountains and witness this awe-inspiring spectacle firsthand as the monarchs flutter, dip, and swoop overhead.
Highlights
- Hike or ride horseback to two 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.
- Spend time exploring colonial Angangueo, which was once a mining town but now derives most of its livelihood from butterfly ecotourism and agriculture.
- Take part in a service project with ECOLIFE while learning about their Clean Stove initiative, which protects local community health and the monarch butterflies.
- Explore the charming town of Metepec, renowned for its vibrant artisan culture and its Tree of Life sculptures depicting folkloric and nature-inspired themes.
Meet your leader
Marti Copeland
Marti Copeland is the Senior Director of Education at the Dallas Zoo, where she leads a dynamic team of educators facilitating experiential learning opportunities throughout the Zoo, including in-park interpretive interactions, family programs, youth volunteers, camps, school partnerships, education events, guided tours, field trips, and a full-time nature preschool. She holds a Master’s in Education and is a certified teacher, with a deep passion for place-based learning and more than 20 years of experience in environmental education. Marti has served on statewide environmental education boards and contributed to national conservation initiatives, including African Penguin SAFE. She finds joy in exploring wild places, fostering connections to nature, and spending time outdoors with her husband and daughter.
Activity Level 4: Moderate-Strenuous
This journey is for fit and active nature enthusiasts. Daily activities last for 5 or more hours. There are challenging excursions to butterfly colonies that may require walking for approximately 2 miles at altitudes of up to 10,660 feet on some trails that are narrow and rugged. These may involve both steep uphill and downhill hikes of 30 minutes or more (hiking at your own pace), and require horseback riding for part of the way; please note there is a maximum weight limit of approximately 260 lbs to ride the horses. Restrooms are only available at the base of the mountain. Weather in the Central Highlands during the migration is typically cool and dry with average temperatures in the 50s. Though days are typically sunny, there can be some windy conditions, and nights occasionally drop below 30°F. Also included are walking tours in provincial towns and in Mexico City.
Additional Notes
During site visits, the days entail walking around the butterfly sites on your own and photographing and watching butterflies. Please be prepared to be independent during butterfly watching.
Please also see the information about Safety & Risk Management under the Travel Info tab.
Mexico City
Feb 3, 2026
Upon arrival in Mexico City, you will be met in the airport and transported to your hotel, situated in the historic district on the Zócalo. The Zócalo is the largest plaza in Latin America, and it is surrounded by the National Palace, Metropolitan Cathedral, Templo Mayor, and many restaurants and historical architecture. This evening, meet in the hotel lobby at 7 pm for a welcome dinner and program orientation at a nearby restaurant. Check-in starts at 3 pm.
Dinner included
Overnight at Zócalo Central Hotel
Angangueo
Feb 4, 2026
Begin today with a short exploration of Mexico City during a brief walking tour of the Zócalo, Cathedral, and Templo Mayor; a boxed lunch will be provided. Depart for the colonial town of Angangueo, high in the mountains in the state of Michoacán, about 100 miles west of Mexico City. Check in at Hotel Don Bruno. After settling in, enjoy a delicious Mexican dinner and then gather for a briefing to help prepare for the next day. (Elevation at Hotel Don Bruno is 8,460 feet. Please note that it can get cold at night and in the early morning, and most rooms do not have heat. It is recommended that you bring warm sleeping clothes.)
Breakfast-Lunch-Dinner included
Overnight at Hotel Don Bruno
Angangueo
Feb 5, 2026
This morning, visit Sierra Chincua Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary. This is one of several nearby monarch sites and is more isolated than El Rosario, which we will visit tomorrow. The journey starts with a hike up the mountain to about 10,000 feet. Horses will be available for a portion of the trail. Some walking will be required, but it can be done at your own pace and with stops and rest as needed. Once at the site, you have the day to enjoy and photograph the spectacular colony with a boxed lunch to be eaten at your leisure. Please note that restrooms are located at the bottom of the mountain and not in the reserve. You will have a short time to buy souvenirs at the craft market at the bottom of the mountain. Later this afternoon, take a walking tour through the town of Angangueo with our guide. Founded in 1792, the town served as a main mining center, providing wealth for the area. Today the town derives its income from butterfly tourism and agriculture. As we explore the cobblestone streets, our guide will share sites of interest and the importance of butterfly conservation to the town. This evening Ecolife video. Dinner is at the hotel.
Breakfast-Lunch-Dinner included
Overnight at Hotel Don Bruno
Jungapeo
Feb 6, 2026
Early this morning, check out of the hotel and visit the monarch sanctuary of El Rosario, the largest overwintering site. The colony normally contains well over 100 million adult monarchs. An excellent trail system winds through the fir-covered slopes on which the colony is located. Additionally, there is a nearby stream where the butterflies may fly at midday to drink water. At this time of year, they may take flight for an hour or more for water, nectar, etc., before returning to their roost on the tree limbs or trunks. The hike to reach the colony may again reach up to 10,000 feet and will require hiking up the mountain. The hike is at your own pace, and birding can be done along the way. A portion of the hike can again be done by horseback. Once at the site, the day will be spent enjoying the colony with a boxed lunch, to be eaten at your leisure. Restrooms are located at the bottom of the mountain and not in the reserve. In the late afternoon, continue on to the hotel. After dinner, gather for a briefing on what to expect for the next day.
Breakfast-Lunch-Dinner included
Overnight at Hotel Agua Blanca
Jungapeo
Feb 7, 2026
This morning, have breakfast and depart for a service project in partnership with Ecolife. In the afternoon, have time to enjoy the hotel grounds and mineral pools before dinner at the hotel.
Breakfast-Lunch-Dinner included
Overnight at Hotel Agua Blanca
Mexico City
Feb 8, 2026
Depart early for the Mexico City area. En route, stop in Metepec to visit with the Tree Of Life artists and have lunch. Continue to Mexico City, upon arrival, have a short exploration of Mexico City during a brief walking tour of the Zócalo - the largest plaza in Latin America - and the surrounding Metropolitan Cathedral, and Templo Mayor. Return to the hotel on the Zócalo for a farewell dinner at a local restaurant.
Breakfast-Lunch-Dinner included
Overnight at Zócalo Central Hotel
Feb 9, 2026
Breakfast will be included depending on your departure time. Airport shuttle service transfers are included and will be coordinated based on flight times. Check-out time at 12 pm.
Breakfast- included