The Kingdom of the Monarchs
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Perhaps the most impressive of all of North America's natural events occurs with one of its most unlikely creatures- the delicate and beautiful monarch butterfly. Every year, nearly 300 million of these brilliantly hued orange and black butterflies spread their wings and set flight on a remarkable 2,500 mile journey, from Canada and the northeastern United States to their ancestral wintering grounds in the spectacular Transvolcanic Range in Michoacan, Mexico. CODE NH
For thousands of years the location of their sanctuaries remained a mystery until they were discovered in 1975. Tragically, 25 years later, this critical habitat is being threatened by logging and pesticides. But the benefits of ecotourism are creating a new awareness among the local people of the importance of preserving this ecosystem so the magnificent butterfly phenomenon can continue.
Itinerary back to top
Day 1: Mexico City, Mexico Upon arrival in Mexico City, Mexico, your Program Leader will meet you and transfer you to our hotel. This evening we will have an orientation/welcome dinner at 7:00pm.
Day 2: Toluca/Rosario/Angangueo From Mexico City, we travel to Toluca, originally an Indian settlement dating from the 13th century. The surrounding countryside is breathtaking: deep green pine forests and the enormous snowcapped volcano Xinantecatl. In Toluca, we will stop to visit Cosmo Vitral Jardin Botanico, a spectacular botanical garden lit by stained-glass panels created by Tolucan artist Leopoldo Flores. We continue on to the pretty mountain village of Angangueo to check into our hotel and have lunch. Visitors have called this village the Shangri-la of Mexico. In the afternoon, we will venture out to the nearby Rosario Butterfly Sanctuary for our first encounter with the king of the butterflies.
Day 3: Chincua/Angangueo In the morning we drive to the Chincua Butterfly Sanctuary for our second memorable experience with the monarchs. Millions of monarchs cover the tall pine and fir trees, and, as the sun warms their black-and-orange wings, the butterflies fill the air, illuminating the entire area- including us! Mexico's sanctuaries are the only places in the world where you can actually hear butterflies' wings beating. The beauty of the butterflies is so ethereal that many Mexicans still hold the Aztec belief that the souls of the dead are reborn as monarchs. Have your camera and binoculars ready to capture one of the wonders of the natural world. As Carlos Gottfried, president of Mexico's Monarca A.C., says, "When you stand in a monarch sanctuary, your soul is shaken and your life is changed."
Day 4: Rosario/Valle de Bravo Today we return to Rosario Sanctuary to see the butterflies one last time. Then we travel to Valle de Bravo, a Mexican town with narrow cobblestone streets lined with red-tile roofed houses along the shores of an enormous man-made lake, Lago de Avandaro (avandaro means "dream place" in the Tarascan Indian language). Tropical vegetation, from bougainvillea tumbling over terraces to brilliant flowers in the Plaza Independencia, attract a multitude of birds. Overnight at the luxurious Hotel Avandaro Spa & Resort.
Day 5: Valle de Bravo/Mexico City This morning, walk to a beautiful waterfall, followed by lunch in Valle de Bravo before traveling back to Mexico City. Tonight we enjoy our farewell dinner.
Day 6: Mexico City/Home This morning you will be transferred to the airport for your flight home, or to Puerto Vallarta for the Humpback Whale Extension.
Included All transportation within Mexico; all accommodations; all meals except breakfast on Day 6 (many flights leave too early for the group to meet for breakfast); soda and beer with meals; bottled water; gratuities, except for Program Leader tips; all park entrance fees; taxes and service charges except Mexico's departure and airport taxes.
Not Included R/T transportation between your home city and Mexico City; alcoholic drinks (except for beer with meals); gratuities to Program Leader(s); airport and departure taxes; breakfast on Day 6; and travel insurance.
Physical Requirements The hikes to the butterflies can be several miles, sometimes over steep terrain, particularly in Rosario.
Getting There & Getting Home You will need to make air arrangements from your home city to Mexico City, Mexico. Our dinner orientation begins at 7:00 pm at our hotel (you will be picked up upon arrival at the airport on Day 1). We are prepared to handle all your round-trip travel arrangements, including flights for your humpback whale extension. Please call our Travel Desk.
Extension Options Humpback Whale Extension Off the Pacific coastal village of Puerto Vallarta lies the mating and breeding ground of hundreds of humpback whales. From our first-class tropical accommodations, classic bungalows set on the beach, we will head out by small vessel to view these giant leviathans. We will also have the opportunity to snorkel and bird watch on this wonderfully tropical wildlife extension.
Included: Three nights in 4-star hotel; transfers; two whale watching excursions; two breakfasts and two lunches. Not Included: Airfare between Mexico City, Puerto Vallarta and your home city; meals except for two breakfasts and two lunches; personal expenses (telephone, alcohol, etc.).
Group Limit Approximately 10-12 travelers
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