Mexico | The Mystical Migration of the Monarchs

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. 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.
• Enjoy several opportunities for birding and seek out species typical of the region, such as the Violet-crowned Hummingbird, Russet-crowned Motmot, Golden-cheeked Woodpecker, and Blue Mockingbird.
• Spend time exploring the trails, waterfall, gardens, and mineral pools on Hotel Agua Blanca's 70-acre property.
• Visit the pyramids at Teotihuacán, one of the most architecturally significant Mesoamerican sites of pre-Columbian times. 

Meet your leader

Ben Jones

Benjamin Jones grew up in southeast Texas spending much of his childhood happily lost in the Big Thicket’s pine forests and along the marshes and beaches of the Gulf coast.

He graduated from Texas A&M University with bachelors and master’s degrees in the sciences then worked for Arthur Andersen as a business analyst. Ben served the National Audubon Society in multiple roles including Texas state director of education and center director of the Trinity River Audubon Center. He served the Dallas Zoo for 15 years in various capacities including senior director of conservation where he was responsible for the strategic direction of Dallas Zoo’s work saving wildlife locally, across the state, and around the world.

Ben joined the Texas Conservation Alliance, state program of the National Wildlife Federation – our country’s largest wildlife organization – as executive director in 2020. He leads TCA’s work to protect Texas wildlife and their habitats across the state.

Interested in science, education, and conservation, especially as they intersect; Ben is passionate about nature as a context for life-long learning, stronger communities, and enriched life.

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 early mornings on the mountains can be near-freezing. Also included are guided walks on the trails of Hotel Agua Blanca and in Mexico City. At the Teotihuacán archaeological site, you can choose to climb two pyramids: the largest is over 200 feet high with 248 steep steps.

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.