Mexico | Mystical Migration of the Monarch

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.

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.)

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 are available to rent for a portion of the trail. The cost is about 200 Mexican pesos, payable in cash only. 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. In the late afternoon return to Hotel Don Bruno where you will take a walking tour through the town of Angangueo with Estela Romero, educator and conservationist who was born and raised here. 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. Estela will share firsthand insights on the importance of bridging cultural and ecological understanding between communities in Mexico and North America.

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. Birds we might find here or at the other sanctuaries include Red Warbler, White eared Hummingbird, Striped Sparrow, and Black vented Oriole. A portion of the hike can again be done by horseback rental. Once at the site, the day will be spent enjoying the colony with a boxed lunch, to be eaten at your leisure. Estela Romero will join you in the sanctuary to discuss her many years of observation. Estela is a certified educator with Monarchs Across Georgia and she does weekly blog posts to Journey North during monarch overwintering season in Sierra Chincua and El Rosario. Her reports include insights into monarch clustering, responses to weather patterns and the timing of migration depature. Please note, restrooms are located at the bottom of the mountain and not in the reserve. Later in the day, continue to Hotel Agua Blanca located in the lush mountains of Jungapeo. Set on 75 acres, this eco-resort’s grounds feature rivers, waterfalls, and subtropical forests providing a rich habitat for a variety of birds. The property also includes mineral rich hot springs which are perfect for relaxing after a day of butterfly viewing. After dinner, gather for a briefing on what to expect in the morning.
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After breakfast, visit local reserve. This visit may be a little more challenging than the previous days with a steeper hike and altitudes starting at about 10,400 feet. Horses will be available for the beginning portion of the hike and may be required due to trail conditions. Depending on the location of the colony, a 30 minute steep uphill hike may be required after the horse ride. As in the past visits, you will take boxed lunch and there will be no bathrooms in the reserve. Those who choose not to visit the 3rd reserve will be able enjoy Hotel Agua Blanco's mineral pools, gardens, trails and surrounding areas. The property is great for birding and a short walk will take you a picturesque waterfall.

This morning enjoy a leisurely breakfast and time for birding around the hotel grounds. The network of trails allows for exploration of different elevations and vantage points. Species commonly seen here include the Red-tailed Hawk, Indigo Bunting, Lesser Goldfinch, Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl, Squirrel Cuckoo, Violet-crowned Hummingbird, Russet-crowned Motmot, Golden-cheeked Woodpecker, Vermilion Flycatcher, Blue Mockingbird, Gray Silky-flycatcher, Rufous-backed Robin, and Streak-backed Oriole. Depart for Mexico City with lunch at a local restaurant en route. Return to the hotel on the Zócalo for farewell dinner at a local restaurant.

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.