Mexico | Migration of the Monarch Butterflies

Upon arrival at the airport you will be met and transferred to Hotel NaNa Vida located in the heart of the city near the Cathedral and Plaza de Armas. Late this afternoon, the program officially starts with a Program Orientation by your local Mexican guide and then a talk about Monarch Biology by Susan Meyers and Kim Bailey, and a talk by local group leader about local conservation efforts and local cultural significance of the Monarchs. Transfer to local restaurant for dinner. Please plan to arrive before 3:30pm.

After breakfast, explore Morelia with our local guide or participate in an optional cooking class (at an additional cost of $80 per person due with final payment, max 10 persons). During the exploration of Morelia, learn the history of the city that dates back to the 16th century. It is a great example of urban planning that combines Spanish Renaissance and Mesoamerican architecture. Visit landmarks like the Clavijero Palace, the mile-long aqueduct, and the Tarascas Fountain while learning about the city's rich history. Enjoy lunch in historic downtown and then have time to explore a little more. For those that choose the cooking class, the day will begin with an engaging walk through the lively stalls of a local market, guided by the knowledgeable Chef Cynthia Martínez. As you explore, you'll discover the rich aromas, colors, and textures of authentic Mexican ingredients, gaining an appreciation for how they come together to create traditional dishes. After the market tour, step into the welcoming kitchen of México Mágico, where the main event begins. Together, you'll prepare approximately eight flavorful dishes, forming a complete meal. Once the cooking wraps up, sit down to enjoy your creations in a home-style meal setting, where the shared experience of food and cooking makes the flavors even more enjoyable. This is more than just a meal, it's an opportunity to connect with Mexican culinary traditions in a hands-on way. The class typically runs from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., giving you plenty of time to dive into the techniques and stories behind each dish. The menu is flexible and can accommodate lifestyles like veganism or specific dietary needs, making the experience enjoyable for all. Some of the class's standout dishes include unique options like avocado gelatin, refreshing avocado water, and handmade vegetable corundas-each showcasing the creativity and variety of Mexican cuisine. This evening the group will enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.

After breakfast, depart for Sierra Chincua Butterfly Sanctuary. After the 2.5 hour drive, enter the sanctuary and hike up the mountain to about 10,000 feet. Optionally, and at additional cost, horses will be available to rent for a portion of the trail. The cost is about 200 Mexican pesos each way, cash only. Some walking will be required but can be completed at your own pace. Once you reach the site where the Monarch colony is located, you will have the afternoon to enjoy and photograph the spectacular colony. Please note that there are no restrooms in the reserve and they are located at the bottom of the mountain. Lunch will provide an opportunity for trying your hand at preparing tortillas made from local blue corn then cooking them on a comal and traditional wood-fired stove. There will be time to visit small shops and cafes located at the entrance area. In the late afternoon, travel to Hotel Don Bruno in Angangueo where you will have free time to enjoy the hotel gardens, walk, and photograph the interesting scenes and people of the town.

This morning check out of the hotel to visit the Monarch site of El Rosario. Estela Romero will join us this morning and there will be a stop at a local school for a visit of approximately 1 hour. After the school visit, we will continue to El Rosario; this large overwintering colony normally contains well over 100 million adult Monarchs and has an excellent trail system winding 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 to find 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 will be at your own pace and birding can be done along the way. A portion of the hike can again be done by horseback rental. This is optional and at an additional cost as detailed in Tuesday’s description. 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, we will bid Estela farewell in Ocampo and continue to the Cerro Pelon Butterfly B&B near the entrance to the Cerro Pelon Butterfly Sanctuary.

After breakfast, visit the Cerro Pelón reserve. This visit will be a little more challenging than the previous days with a steeper hike and altitudes starting at about 10,400 feet. Trucks or horses may be required due to road or trail conditions. Depending on the location of the colony, a 30-minute steep uphill hike might follow the truck or horse ride. Cerro Pelón is the least-known monarch reserve, and because of the rougher conditions it is the least visited, resulting in a more intimate experience. As with the past visits, you will have a boxed lunch and there will be no bathrooms in the reserve. Upon our return to the B&B in late afternoon, you may choose to relax and enjoy the gardens and pool or participate in the Cottage Industries tour (extra cost of 1000 pesos). This activity was created to allow families not directly involved with the butterflies to also benefit from tourism. Take a stroll around the village of Macheros to visit people’s houses and see the kinds of home industries they’ve organized to make a living. Stops may include a cozy kitchen and tortilla business, local bakery, backyard piñata factory, avocado orchard or even herbal health tonic/moonshine making and sheepherding. Translation by a bilingual guide form the B&B and compensation for participating families are included.

This morning, return to Morelia, with lunch en route, arriving in the afternoon. After lunch, check into Hotel Casino, an 18th century mansion located in the heart of downtown near the Cathedral of Morelia. The remainder of the afternoon will be free to explore, go shopping or take stroll through the Plaza de Armas. This evening will conclude with a special farewell dinner menu featuring the regional ingredients and cuisine of Michoacán.

Transfer to the airport for your flight home.