Day 1-3 Mexico City

Overview:

Welcome to the cultural hub that is Mexico City! Set in high altitude, surrounded by a magnitude of mountains the city is bursting with culinary and cultural delights waiting to be explored. You will be greeted at the airport and privately transferred to your accommodation. Fully immerse yourself in Mexican culture by going to the Famous Arena Mexico to watch an authentic, live Mexican wrestling match. Your private guide will interpret and explain the story lines whilst you watch villains and superheroes perform in the ring.

Enjoy a private historic centre food tour to taste the best of Mexican food in a gastronomic adventure through the traditional flavors of Mexico, from pre-Hispanic food to contemporary culinary dishes. Walk through the streets of Mexico City to learn about it’s stories, the emblematic buildings and be amazed with the legends that have made downtown Mexico City a magical place for 700 years. Afterwards, be privately transferred to the Mucho Mundo Chocolate museum, a cultural and educational institution where you will use your 5 senses to appreciate the delicate artisan cacao.

On your third day in this enthralling city, enjoy a breath taking experience as you take delight in a private hot air balloon ride over the Teotihuacán Pyramids during the first hours of the morning. Once you have landed your expert guide will lead you on an exploration of Teotihuacán archaeological site, which in Nahuatl means ‘the birthplace of the Gods’. Teotihuacán is considered one of the most important Mesoamerican sites. You will have the opportunity to climb the 65m tall Pyramid of the Sun an/or the 43m high Pyramid of the Moon and look out across the city and valley of Teotihuacán.

Day 4-5 Zitacuaro

Overview:

Start your journey towards the rugged and verdant winter home of the brilliantly coloured Monarch Butterflies as you experience two days of exploration amongst the migrating Monarchs. Your first stop will be the El Rosario Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary where you will begin a trail to a fir tree forest favoured by the butterflies. As you continue along the trail and the forest thickens you will make your way to the congregation of anywhere from 60 million to more than a billion butterflies that have arrived after eight months and four generations of migration. The sun warms and lights their wings to reward you with a unique and remarkable display of light and colour. After you learn about the ecology, natural history and conservation issues in the sanctuary you will make your way back along the trail to be transferred to your hotel for the evening.

Set out on another adventure the following morning journeying to Sierra Chincua Butterfly Biosphere Reserve for your privately guided tour. Upon entering the reserve you will have the option between riding horseback or walking the approx. one hour walk to the phenomenal butterfly gathering. In the quiet of the forest you will be able to hear the beating wings of these delicate creatures, a truly remarkable experience.

Please note, sanctuaries’ visited will depend on the location of the migration, local conditions and participant´s physical condition – the sanctuaries visited may be amended in accordance with these things and to ensure your enjoyment of the trip.

Day 6-7 Morelia

Overview:

A private comfortable transfer will take you the 3 hours from Zitacuaro to Morelia. Your guide will lead you through to colonial streets of Michoacán’s capital city, visiting the large main square flanked by the pink stone cathedral. You will also visit the House of Morelos, a museum based in the house of José Maria Morelos, a hero of the Mexican Independance, learning about Mexico’s history and independence from Spain over 200 years ago. You will also visit the Music Conservatory, The Bishops Palace and the College of Saint Nicolás as you learn all about Morelia’s history.

The highlight of this excursion will be to experience a private Purepechan (Michoacán’s Indigenous) cooking class. Taking place at the famous San Miguelito Restuarant in Morelia City, you will experience an interactive cooking class where you will learn the fine art of grapping Tamales with the corn husk. After learning about this ancestral tradition, you will sample some of the regions most delectable specialties along with an abundance of tamales!

The following morning your driver will take you via a private transfer to Morelia International Airport for your connecting flight to continue on your adventure.