A Million Monarchs: The Butterfly Kingdom of Mexico
Mexico City
Toluca
Angangueo
Chincua
El Rosario
Valle de Bravo
Extension to Puerto Vallarta
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- A Million Monarchs: The Butterfly Kingdom of Mexico
Program Overview
Program Details
Duration: 6 Days
Locations: Mexico City
Toluca
Angangueo
Chincua
El Rosario
Valle de Bravo
Extension to Puerto Vallarta
Program Highlights
Witness the amazing migration of 300 million butterflies.
Explore the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Be surrounded by towering fir trees, roosting sites for millions of bright orange and black monarch butterflies.
See the amazing humpback whales on a post-trip extension to Puerto Vallarta.
Itinerary
Day 1: U.S. / Mexico City
Arrive in Mexico City and transfer to your hotel. Late afternoon orientation to the program followed by cocktails and a welcome dinner. (1 Night)
Day 2: Toluca / Angangueo / El Rosario Sanctuary
Depart for Toluca to visit the Cosmovitral and botanical garden. Built in 1909 as a market, the building now houses lovely gardens lit through 48 stained-glass panels. Travel on to Angangueo, a charming old mining village, surrounded by forested hills and the snowcapped peak of Xinantecatl volcano. Make your first entry into the monarch kingdom at El Rosario Butterfly Sanctuary and travel to the epicenter where millions of resting monarchs cover the tall fir trees. El Rosario Sanctuary usually receives the highest concentration of monarch butterflies in the area. In the quiet of the sanctuary, hear the beating of the butterflies’ wings. (2 Nights)
Day 3: Chincua / Angangueo
After breakfast drive to the Chincua Butterfly Sanctuary. Travel is first by horseback and later on foot to where the butterflies are concentrated. Along the way enjoy scenic vistas across the valleys below. Later in the afternoon attend a lecture on the butterflies and the fascinating issues concerning their migration that has intrigued scientists from around the world.
Day 4: El Rosario / Valle de Bravo
This morning return to El Rosario sanctuary to see the monarchs for one last time. Transfer to Valle de Bravo, a magical pueblo on the shores of Lake Avandaro. The colonial lakeside town is peppered with white stucco houses trimmed with wrought-iron balconies and red-tile roofs. The afternoon is free to enjoy the forested setting or visit the nearby town. (1 Night)
Day 5: Valle de Bravo / Mexico City
After breakfast enjoy a short hike to a nearby waterfall. Transfer to México City. Tonight, gather for a festive farewell dinner. (1 Night)
Day 6: Return to U.S.
Transfer to the international airport for flights home.
Puerto Vallarta Humpback Whale Post-trip Extension
Fly to the Pacific coast city of Puerto Vallarta. Go on whale watching excursions, snorkeling in warm waters, and city tour. (3 Nights)