The migration of the Monarch Butterfly Danaus plexippus is an amazing journey of more than 2000 miles from Canada and United States, each year a special generation of these extraordinary butterflies find the place for wintering in the highlands forests of central Mexico in Michoacan and Estado de Mexico.
The Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve has been designated a World Heritage site by UNESCO. The Sanctuaries located in Michoacan are the perfect setting for visitors to live and share a unique experience, not only because of the hundreds of thousands of butterflies that winter there but also because of the breathtaking natural landscapes and the efforts of local landowners to keep the area pristine and ecologically healthy through sustainable tourism practices.
Sociedad Audubon de Mexico A.C. invites you to join us for this journey.
Day one
07:00 am
Leave St Paul’s Church (Cardo no. 6, Centro SMA)
09:00 am
Breakfast while traveling:
Panini pork ham + gouda cheese + egg + tomato + spinach and coffee
(let us know your favorite in advance to rodrigo@travelian.com.mx)
12:00 pm
Arrival to hotel - Check in
01:00 pm
Lunch
02:00 pm
Time for relaxing and enjoying the thermo mineral hot spring water pool
04:30 pm
Hiking around Agua Blanca's gardens towards the waterfall
06:00 pm
Cocktail time (drinks not included) & Monarch's movie presentation
07:00 pm
Dinner
Day two
06:30 am
Breakfast
07:00 am
Check out
08:00 am
Leave for the Monarchs biosphere reserve
09:15 am
Arrive at Monarchs biosphere reserve, El Rosario
09:30 am
Hike to get to the butterflies colony or ride horse (horse not included*)
10:30 am
Arrival to the Monarch Butterflies colony, enjoy the butterflies.
12:30 pm
Leave the sanctuary, hike or ride downhill towards the bus.
01:30 pm
Bus Leaves for San Miguel de Allende
02:00 pm
Lunch, box lunches will be provided on the bus
07:00 pm
Arrival to San Miguel de Allende
Itinerary is subject to changes without prior notification
Bring an official ID such as your current Passport and/or INAPAM ID if you have one
Water bottle or small canteen, which can be filled up with purified water in the hotel
Binoculars
Camera
Hat, sunscreen, sunglasses and rain gear
Day pack
Light-weight walking/hiking shoes
Hiking sticks (Helpful at El Rosario Biosphere Reserve)
Weather will be generally cool, however nights and early mornings in the mountains of
Michoacan can be chilly (30s to 40s ° F) you should pack a warm sweater and/or jacket.
A rain jacket is recommended too.
Bathing suit (optional)
A supply of resealable plastic storage bags can be very handy for storing food items
from the breakfast, to be used as mid-morning snacks
Reaching the Monarch Butterflies wintering area involves a 1 hour hike uphill and being on foot in the sanctuary for about 1 hour, as well as 1 hour hike downhill to get back for the bus.
The sanctuary has well paved trails with handrails and benches for resting.
Horses will be available for rent at the entrance of the sanctuary, nonetheless the availability might be limited, please let us know at least 48 hours if you are going to need horses so that we can reserve them.
Price of the horse: MXN $200.00 pesos
The tour fee is as follows:
Participants
Price per person
Pesos
US Dollars
4 - 6
MXN $ 5,250.00
USD $ 410.00
7 - 9
MXN $ 4,600.00
USD $ 360.00
10 -15
MXN $ 4,000.00
USD $ 310.00
16 - 22
MXN $ 3,700.00
USD $ 290.00
Single Accommodation Supplement: MXN $ 350.00 / USD $ 26.00
Discounted price for Audubon Members only:
Participants
Price per person
Pesos
US Dollars
4 - 6
MXN $ 4,900.00
USD $ 385.00
7 - 9
MXN $ 4,300.00
USD $ 335.00
10 -15
MXN $ 3,650.00
USD $ 285.00
16 - 22
MXN $ 3,400.00
USD $ 265.00
Single Accommodation Supplement: MXN $ 350.00 / USD $ 26.00
If you are traveling alone we will try our best to match you with another single traveler of the same gender. Otherwise we offer single accomodations for an extra fee.
The fee includes:
Accommodation
Transportation
Tips for hotel, transportation and meals
El Rosario site entrance fee
Breakfasts (2), Lunches (2), Dinner (1)
Contribution to Sociedad Audubon de Mexico, A.C.
Payment deadlines:
Trip date
Payment deadline
February 8-9
January 26th
February 23-24
February 2nd
February 27-28
February 6th
March 7-8
February 16th
If you are interested in going to this trip please contact: Colleen Besman | Audubon Board Trip Coordinator viajesconaudubon@gmail.com
Phone: (415) 152-3644
Cancellation policy:
Due to the cancellation policies of our providers, we must retain 30% of your payment if you cancel your reservation 7 or more days prior to departure.
If you cancel less than 7 days prior to departure 100% of your payment becomes nonrefundable.
>>Reservations will be confirmed once the full payment has been received<<
Payment method:
If using an American bank account make a check payable to: Colleen Besman.
If using a Mexican bank account make a check payable to: Colleen Besman.
Please put your check or cash in a sealed envelope addressed to Colleen Besman, with your name on the envelope as well.
Please put your phone number and email address inside the envelope with your check, so that we may contact you with further important details.
If you are paying by check, deliver your sealed envelope with your payment and your Trip form to La Conexion at Aldama #3 -- with Colleen Besman PMB 236-B on the envelope
All cash, along with your Trip form, must be delivered to Colleen in person.
Contact Colleen at: viajesconaudubon@gmail.com or Tel. 152 3644
A spot on the reservation list can be immediatly secured with a non-refundable deposit of $USD 40.00 or $MXN 500.00, which will be applied to your trip fee.
The remainder of the trip fee will be due and owing by: -Your selected tour payment deadline (see payment deadlines)-
Reservations will be considered confirmed for the first 15 payments received
Please remember to update your Audubon membership
($30 USD / $350 pesos per person or $50 USD / $600 pesos per family)
Testimonials:
The trip to see the Monarch butterflies with the Audubon Society was a fabulous experience. The guide was so well organized, informative, and was attentive to everyone's needs. I would be honored to go on another journey with him in charge.
Sincerely, Alison Sabul
It was perfect, down to the last detail. Rodrigo and Carmen's kindness was contagious, and the group was so compatible in no small way due to their helpfulness. Aqua Blanca Hotel was a dream come true. Thank you!!!
Marianne Koerner
Rodrigo, Carmen,
Thanks for the lovely photos and your amazing patience with all our travellers!
Allan Amey
Thank you for the wonderful pictures of our trip.
Joy and I enjoyed the trip very much.
Please keep us informed of your plans.
Thank you,
John Bitner
I had a wonderful time on the trip.
Say hello to Carmen.
Sociedad Audubon de México, A. C., based in San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, Mexico, is the only Audubon organization in Mexico. From San Miguel de Allende, we spread out to work with local communities to help preserve and restore bird, wildlife and plant habitat, and to foster biodiversity in general. To make our mission a reality, we develop events, programs, conferences and projects. Learn more about our mission and programs at www.audubonmex.org
