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MEXICO: Monarch Majesty

One Monarch is a thing of beauty as it flutters from flower to flower in the early Autumn breeze in Cape May, NJ. However, gathered together by the millions, as they do each year in the highlands of Mexico, they are transformed into a swirling carnival of color. Trees disappear under a deep blanket of orange wings. Sometimes, the weight of a mass of butterflies can bring branches crashing to the ground, the butterflies erupting like the flames of a bonfire! This spectacle is matched by few other phenomena in the natural world—truly a wonder of nature. In Spring they leave these serenely beautiful landscapes of the Mexican Highlands and head north throughout the USA and Canada. Eight months—and about 5 generations later—they are back, a hundred million of them cramming into just a few mountain top fir forests! Mexico’s unique highland Oyamel forests also host a richly varied bird life with beautiful trogons, orioles and grosbeaks, and many stunning hummingbirds. Bromeliads and orchids cling to tree branches, their splash of color attracting hummingbirds and many species of butterflies. Even with all their beauty, these forests are in severe danger of logging destruction. The only way to save them is through tourism and education. Please join us on this fantastic exploration into the life of the Monarch and the culture of the towns and villages which surround their winter home. Enjoy visits with local families and school children and participate in the wonderful educational programs helping to inspire the love and protection the Monarchs need to be able to continue the spectacle of their annual migration cycle.

Itinerary

DAY 1 Mexico City / Holiday Inn-Javier Rojo Gomez Ave
Arrive in Mexico City and transfer to hotel. Dinner will be available for those arriving early enough in the day.

DAY 2 Angangueo / La Margarita Hotel
6:30 AM Breakfast before an 8:00 AM pick-up from Hotel and travel to Angangueo. Here we´ll visit Santuario de Sierra Chincua. We’ll have lunch near the entrance of the park. Depending on the location of monarchs we should walk between 30-60 minutes, or go by horseback if they are more than an hour’s walk. We will spend the whole afternoon exploring the area for monarchs, birds and other wildlife.
5:00 PM Arrival at our hotel. Dinner around 6:00 PM.

DAY 3 Angangueo / La Margarita Hotel
6:00 AM Depart with breakfast snack for birding/hiking in Santuario El Rosario. We´ll have a special permit to go to an area off the regular path where birds should be less disturbed. After birding, locals will offer a hot, mid-morning snack. After that we´ll head towards the colony of butterflies. Lunch at the sanctuary followed by more exploration.
5:00 PM Return to hotel. Dinner around 6:00 PM.

DAY 4 Zitácuaro / Hotel Villa Monarco
6:00 AM Depart with breakfast snack for birding/hiking in Santuario Cerro Pelón on our way to the monarchs. We’ll have lunch on the mountain, followed by more hiking and exploration.
5:00 PM Arrive at Hotel Villa Monarco. Dinner around 6:00 PM.

DAY 5 Zitácuaro / Hotel Villa Monarco
6:00 AM Depart with breakfast snack for birding and exploring in the beautiful archaeological site of San Felipe, almost unknown to tourists, but just as impressive as the better known ruins. This area is a magnificent place for birds and other wildlife. We’ll have brunch at Villa Monarca Hotel. Afterward we’ll visit the colonial area of the San Felipe indigenous community. Then we´ll go to the Canyon of Jungapeo, which is a drier habitat offering different birds, wildlife and flora.
5:00 PM Arrive at Hotel Villa Monarco. Dinner around 6:00 PM.

DAY 6 Mexico City / Holiday Inn-Javier Rojo Gomez Ave
6:00 AM Breakfast at our hotel
7:00 AM Depart for Mexico City. Lunch along the shores of a beautiful lake in Valle de Bravo. After lunch we’ll walk through town.
5:00 PM Arrive at our hotel. Dinner around 6:00 PM.

DAY 7 Departure for USA
Transfers throughout the morning to airport for flights to USA

Accommodations
Hotel La Margarita: Small, quiet with spacious rooms, some with a fireplace.

Hotel Villa Monarco: This countryside hotel offers spacious rooms, some with fireplaces. A pool and other 4-star ammenities make this a great place to relax at the end of the day!