Mexico | Migration of the Monarch Butterfly with Biologist Paulette Bierzychudek

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. Check-in starts at 3 pm.

This morning you will depart for the colonial town of Angangueo, located high in the mountains in the state of Michoacán, about 100 miles west of Mexico City. Upon arrival in Angangueo check-in at Hotel Don Bruno and have lunch there. This afternoon take a walking tour through town with resident and monarch guide, Estela Romero. 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 you explore the cobblestone streets Estela will share sites of interest and the importance of butterfly conservation to the town. After dinner at the hotel gather for a briefing to help prepare for the next day.

After breakfast, ascend into the mountains to approximately 10,000 feet elevation to visit Sierra Chincua, one of several nearby Monarch sites. The day will start with a hike up to the reserve entrance. Horses are available for rent as an option for this portion. Once at the entrance to the reserve, continue up the mountain on foot until you reach the site where the butterflies are roosting. The hike is uphill but you will be able to walk at your own pace and stop and rest as needed. The remainder of the afternoon entails walking around the butterfly site on your own and photographing and watching butterflies independently. A boxed lunch will be provided to eat at leisure. Bathroom access is at the base of the mountain and can be reached by walking or renting a horse. There are also vendors at the base selling food, beverages, and local crafts. The site is typically shaded so remember to dress in layers due to high elevations. Late in the afternoon, return to Hotel Don Bruno for dinner. Evening briefing.

Today visit El Rosario Reserve to see your second Monarch colony and the one most generally accessible to the public. The journey begins with a hike or you can rent a horse to journey up to the site. 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. Have a simple picnic lunch while enjoying this spectacular phenomenon and watch the butterflies go through their daily cycle of activities. At this time of year, they may take flight for an hour or more to secure water, nectar, etc., before returning to their roost on the tree limbs or trunks. Please be prepared to be independent today during butterfly watching. In the late afternoon, return from the mountains to the picturesque colonial town of Angangueo. You will have free time to enjoy the hotel gardens, walk and photograph the interesting scenes and people in this beautiful town, or to just relax.

After breakfast, depart for the Mexico City area and the pyramids at San Juan Teotihuacán. After a delicious lunch near the pyramids, you’ll have the afternoon to explore this world-famous archaeological site, which covers 32 square miles and contains many structures including two large pyramids. The Pyramid of the Sun, at a height of more than 200 feet, is one of the largest structures created in the pre-Columbian New World. After time to explore the ruins on your own, return to your hotel located on the Zócalo and get ready for a farewell dinner at a local restaurant.

This morning you will be transferred to the airport for your flight home. Check out is at 12:00 pm. Breakfast will be included depending on your departure time. Please be aware that you need to be at the airport 3 hours ahead of your scheduled departure flight time. This goes for the flight to Mexico as well as on the way back. Please pay careful attention when you book your return flight as a 7:00am departure from Mexico City means that you will need to have to wake up at 3:30am to get to the airport by 4:00am. If you choose to make an early morning booking there is no problem in terms of getting you to the airport on time, but we want you to be aware of the 3 hour check in time.