MONARCH BUTTERFLIES &

MEXICO CITY

________

7 DAYS

South America Travel Centre can tailor make a private tour of Mexico perfectly suited to your travel style. Your holiday in Mexico will be at the pace you prefer with as many inclusions as you desire. This itinerary is focused on seeing the mystifying phenomenon of the Monarch Butterflies migration through Mexico. This itinerary is available from Late November to mid March.

ITINERARY SUMMARY

Day Place Highlights
Day 1-3 Mexico City Mexico City food tour, Lucha Libre, MUCHO Mundo Chocolate Museum, Hot Air Balloon Ride
Day 4-5 Zitacuaro El Rosario Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary, Sierra Chincua Butterfly Biosphere Reserve,
Day 6-7 Morelia City Tour, Purepechan cooking class
MexicoCity-and-Monarch-Map

Day 1-3 Mexico City

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.

Hot Air Balloon Teotihuacan Journey Mexico

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.

Featured Accommodation
St Regis Mexico City
St Regis Mexico City room picture

In the heart of one of the city’s most exciting zones, St. Regis Mexico City is located in the luxurious Torre Libertad building. Overlooking the Paseo de la Reforma, this 189 room hotel takes in sweeping views of the city’s historic plazas and bustling cultures.  With seven different dining options, guests can enjoy superb Mexican cuisine at the exquisite Diana Restuarant or delight in cocktails at the King Cole Bar. Guests may request St. Regis butler service at any time.

Day 4-5 Zitacuaro

monarch butterflies Journey Mexico
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.

monarch butterflies journey mexico

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.

Featured Accommodation
Rancho San Cayetano
Rancho San Cayetano

Rancho San Cayetano spans across 12 acres of large wooded gardens that invites it’s guests to get close to nature amongst it’s majestic settings. With 5 different room styles to suit travelers needs and wants, all thoughtfully decorated to create an authentic ranch experience. Relax in the spa on site, along with a 25 degree pool  all year round.

Day 6-7 Morelia

morelia journey mexico
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.

Featured Accommodation
Casa Grande
Casa Grande Morelia

Casa Grande  is an eighteenth century mansion, conveniently located in the historic centre of Morelia. Twelve suites are equipped with English tapestries, spacious bathrooms, avant garde furniture, exquisite amenities and fine attention to detail to make you comfortable and pampered. The hotels restaurant, La Aldaba offers a variety of  exquisite international dishes paired with the finest wines all enjoyed whilst taking in the panoramic view from it’s balconies.

We will tailor the perfect holiday to suit your needs.