Monarch Butterflies of Mexico
Including Morelia, a UNESCO World Cultural City
Each winter, millions upon millions of monarch butterflies migrate to the fir forests of Mexico's Central Highlands. To walk among them and listen to the air hum with the vibration of their wings, is a truly magical experience. We'll make our first foray into the monarch kingdom at Piedra Herrada sanctuary before moving on to El Rosario, the largest monarch butterfly sanctuary in the country. The beauty of the butterflies is so ethereal that many Mexicans still hold the Aztec belief that the souls of the dead are reborn as monarchs. In addition, we'll explore Morelia, a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site and one of Mexico's most beautiful cities. Come join WTT as we experience a side of Mexico that we'll be talking about for years to come.
Monarch Butterflies of Mexico
February 20 - February 26, 2020Highlights
- Enjoy millions of butterflies in the wild
- Explore Morelia, a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage city
- Visit two butterfly sanctuaries and see the butterfly migration
- WTT Tour Leader to enhance the individual & group experience
- Small group no larger than 16
- Time to explore personal interests
- Suggestions for things to see and do
- And More...See itinerary for details
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Itinerary
Thursday, 20 February 2020: Arrive Mexico City; Welcome Dinner (D)
Welcome to Mexico City, a city rich in culture, history, food and markets. Schedule your flight at your convenience but arrive no later than 4:00pm. Airport transfer provided. The tour begins at 6:00pm in the lobby of the hotel. Our Welcome Meeting will be followed by dinner at the hotel to get better acquainted. Overnight Mexico City - 1 night
Friday, 21 February 2020: Piedra Herrada Butterfly Sanctuary; Valle de Bravo (B,D)
Today, we'll depart Mexico City and head toward Valle de Bravo. En route, we'll visit Piedra Herrada, the newest sanctuary opened in Mexico to see millions of monarch butterflies in flight. Walking through this sanctuary feels like walking through a postcard. We continue to Valle de Bravo, named "Pueblo Magico" (magical town) in 2005, with its terracotta-tiled roofs, iron balconies and cobbled streets. After dinner together, we'll have time to walk around Lake Avandaro or simply enjoy the boardwalk. Overnight Valle de Bravo - 2 nights
Saturday, 22 February 2020: Walking Tour; Afternoon Free Time (B)
After breakfast, we enjoy a walking tour of Valle de Bravo, including a visit to the local handicraft and food markets. We'll taste authentic Mexican street food at several stalls. The afternoon will be at leisure to explore the town, which is a favorite weekend getaway for Mexico City's celebrities.
Sunday, 23 February 2020: Monarch Sanctuary of El Rosario; Morelia (B,D)
After breakfast, we'll head to the El Rosario Sanctuary, the largest monarch butterfly sanctuary in Mexico. Located within Mexico's Butterfly Biosphere Reserve, El Rosario is a must-see destination. Presidential decrees in the 1980s declared these areas, still largely privately owned, as a federal reserve. In 2008, the reserve was designated a World Heritage site. Upon first glance, the trees here appear orange, but take a moment to look closer. The orange color is actually millions of butterflies, whose collective weight can actually make the branches sag! We continue on to Morelia for the night. Overnight Morelia - 2 nights
Monday, 24 February 2020: Morelia City Tour; Free Afternoon (B,D)
After breakfast, we'll enjoy a tour of Morelia, a lively city with a university and much cultural activity. The streets of the Central District are lined with colonial buildings with arches, baroque facades and walls of pink stone. It is one of the most important colonial cities in Mexico and is a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site. We'll see the magnificent Cathedral, the Plaza de Armas, the Palacio de Gobierno, the Palace of Clavijero, and the Sanctuary of our Lady of Guadalupe. The afternoon is free and we'll gather for a group dinner this evening.
Tuesday, 25 February 2020: Cuitzeo; Ex-Convent of Santa Maria Magdalena; Farewell Dinner (B,D)
This morning, we depart for the magical town of Cuitzeo with its beautiful cobblestoned streets that lead us to the Ex-Convent of Santa Maria Magdalena from the sixteenth century. The church, its atrium, the cloister and the colonial art museum are beautiful examples of Mexico's architecture. We continue on to Mexico City, and after checking into our hotel, we will gather this evening for our Farewell Dinner. Overnight Mexico City - 1 night
Wednesday, 26 February 2020: Return Home from Mexico City (B)
Sadly, our monarch butterfly adventure has come to a close. Schedule your departure at your convenience. Transfers are not included. Your WTT Tour Leader can help facilitate ride-sharing to the airport.
Monarch Butterflies of Mexico
February 20 - February 26, 2020Pricing
Room Share
$2,392.00Single Room
$2,931.00Non-Members
ADD $100.00Status of this Tour
Trip Full and Closed
Tour Pricing Includes
- All meals and activities expressly listed in the itinerary, PLUS...
- All tipping of local guides
- WTT Tour Leader to enhance the individual & group experience
- Arranged room sharing with another solo traveler
- Travel Dollar credits (a benefit of WTT membership) toward future travel with WTT
Not Included In The Price
- Airfare or other transportation to and from the tour
- Departure transfers
- Meals and activities not specified in the itinerary
- Beverages other than coffee, tea & still water unless otherwise noted
- Any personal expenses or expenditures
- Any pre- or post- tour arrangements
- Visa and/or passport fees
- Any gratuities for the WTT Tour Leader
- Travel Insurance
Payment Dates -and- Cancellation Terms for This Tour
At Space Reservation: Initial Deposit is due.
Saturday, 24 Aug 2019: Initial deposit cannot be parked and is forfeited if traveler cancels after this date.
Tuesday, 12 Nov 2019: Payment in full. 50% cancellation penalty after this date.
Sunday, 22 Dec 2019: 100% forfeited if traveler cancels after this date.
Please review our travel and cancellation policies before making your reservation. You will be asked to confirm you have read and understood WTT's travel polices before we will accept your reservation.
Travel Insurance: We highly recommend purchasing travel insurance to protect you in the event you need to cancel your tour. WTT will mail you information from 2 reliable travel insurance providers at the time we confirm your reservation.
You can review the insurance information from TravelGuard to get an idea of rates.
Monarch Butterflies of Mexico
February 20 - February 26, 2020Flights, Transfers & Lodging
Arrival & Departure Information
Travelers will make their own air arrangements as follows.
Arrival Airport: MEX - Mexico City, Mexico (Mexico City Int'l Airport)
Arrival Date: Thursday, February 20th. Arrive no later than 4:00pm.
Arrival Transfer: Group Transfers included. Details will be provided in Final Travel Instructions.
Departure Airport: MEX - Mexico City, Mexico (Mexico City Int'l Airport)
Departure Date: Wednesday, February 26th. Depart at your convenience.
Departure Transfer: Use local shuttle or taxi service. WTT Tour Leader will assist in coordinating ride sharing.
Lodging / Hotels
Mexico City: Hotel NH Centro Historico
Valle de Bravo: Hotel Mision Valle de Bravo
Morelia: Hotel La Alameda
Mexico City: Hotel NH Centro Historico
In the unlikely event WTT is unable to provide the hotel accommodation(s) listed, for whatever reason, WTT will substitute similar quality accommodation(s) at no additional cost to the traveler.
Want to Arrive a Day Early?
- The room (standard check-in times apply)
- Breakfast the following morning
- Transfer from airport to hotel
- Tour to Teotihuacan Pyramids with lunch
$218.00 Roomshare $309.00 Single
Additional Reminders About This Tour
- Travelers are required to have a valid passport. Most countries require your passport to be valid a minimum of six months after your return home date, and have at least two consecutive blank pages.
- Travelers from the United States and Canada do not require a visa to enter Mexico.
Monarch Butterflies of Mexico
February 20 - February 26, 2020Destination Information
What do others say about this tour and traveling with WTT?
How Does Room Sharing Work?
Traveling Solo? Most of the women on your tour are traveling solo!
- If you wish to share with another solo traveler, select this option on the Reservation Form and your tour price will automatically be based on the room share price.
- Or, you may select a single room, when available, on the Reservation Form and your tour price will be automatically based on the single room price.
- These choices are clearly stated on the Reservation Form.
- All shared rooms are non-smoking
- Your roommate will be of similar age
- No special requests about your roommate can be accommodated
- See "Frequently Asked Questions" for more details
How Active is this Tour?
Because of this requirement, WTT tours are not suitable for anyone who is physically challenged, walking impaired, or is a slow walker that cannot keep up with the pace of the group.
The activities on this tour are rated as follows:
- 40% Easy
- 60% Moderate (hiking in butterfly sanctuaries, and multiple walking tours along cobblestoned streets)
If you are in doubt as to your ability to meet the physical activity requirements, you should not sign up for this trip.
Read more about Activity Levels
What meals are included and how are dietary restrictions accommodated?
- Breakfast daily
- 5 Dinners (a combination of meals at hotels and restaurants)
Selections for the included lunches and dinners will highlight the local cuisine. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free dietary requests can be accommodated on this tour with limited selections.
What clothing and items should I pack for this trip?
In general, depending on the location, the average temperature during the day will likely range from the mid-70s to the low 80s with nighttime lows in the 40s and 50s. We recommend dressing in layers.
For This Trip You Will Need—
- Comfortable walking shoes with good tread
You May Also Want—
- Hat, sunglasses, sunscreen
- Lightweight but warm jacket/sweater for the cool mornings and evenings or the unusually brisk day. Due to the tree cover and higher altitudes, it will be cooler when visiting the butterfly sanctuaries.
- Insect repellent and long pants
- Smart-casual wear if you'd like to dress up a bit for dinners.
- Swimsuit—one of the hotels has a pool.
- Bring what you need to get a good night's sleep, such as ear plugs, white noise generator, sleeping pills, etc. Unfamiliar noises of all types can disrupt your rest.
Good Packing Habits—
- Pack a limited amount of comfortable, casual clothing that layer and coordinate. Your fellow travelers will not mind or even notice – seeing you in the same clothing.
- Bring only two pairs of everyday shoes: one pair of well-broken-in walking shoes, and a second pair that could do double-duty as a walking shoe or a slightly dressy shoe.
- Pare down your beauty regimen to the bare minimum and always pack travel-sized toiletries.
- Pack medication in your carry-on and pack only as much as needed for the duration of your tour plus a few extra days as a precaution.
What are the luggage restrictions for this tour?
On every WTT tour, our policies regarding luggage restrictions are driven by the physical space limitations of the vehicles we use and the requirement that all travelers be able to manage their own belongings without assistance.
- It is best to travel as lightly as possible. Most travelers regret when they have packed too much.
- We strongly recommend you bring only one suitcase no larger than 26 inches high as measured from the FLOOR to the top of the retracted handle, plus 1 carry-on. The small or medium-size in a 3-piece luggage set easily meets this requirement and should be plenty roomy for this length of trip.
- You are responsible for managing your own belongings. We expect you to take your belongings from the coach to your room and to bring it back to the coach on days we change hotels. We do not provide luggage pulls; they are not safe and are inconvenient.
- Steps exist at most hotel entrances. On occasion the coach must unload passengers and luggage some distance from the hotel entrance.
- If you carry a purse, it should be able to be worn across your body, hands-free.
What are the phone and internet recommendations for this tour?
Only you can determine your need to stay in contact while traveling. Internet access is available in most hotels, sometimes for a fee.
- If you are bringing a cell phone, contact your cell phone service provider before departing about adding international calling and/or texting features. Texting internationally is often less expensive than placing a cell phone call.
- Learn how to make an international call BEFORE you leave. Consult your cell provider and check out the web site www.HowtoCallAbroad.com.
What are the electricity requirements for this tour?
How much money should I bring on this tour?
Only you can determine the optimum amount of cash to take on tour. When budgeting for out-of-pocket expenses, there are several aspects to consider: the number of meals you are responsible for, the amount of money you like to have on-hand for snacks and drinks, and your individual shopping interests and habits.
- Notify your credit card issuer that you will be traveling and provide dates of travel.
- Mexico's official currency is the Mexican Peso.
- Credit cards are widely accepted in many hotels, restaurants, and stores; however, small merchants likely won't take credit cards, so be sure to have some cash on hand. Many banks charge a currency exchange fee (anywhere from 3%-10%) on most transactions. Check with your bank. There are credit cards that impose no foreign transaction fees.
- Debit cards can be useful for cash advances. ATMs are typically the best way of obtaining cash as they are found in most airports and big cities and tourist areas. However, there are no guarantees that your credit or debit cards will actually work overseas. Some foreign countries limit the amount that can be withdrawn daily. You must know your PIN number for your debit card to use ATMs. Always use caution when withdrawing money.
- Most ATMs are in English and Spanish but when withdrawing, the money amount will always be shown in Mexican pesos.
- Do not rely on credit or debit cards as your only source of money.
- Exchange $100+ into local currency so you have cash upon arrival. Be sure to keep smaller denominations of cash on hand for taxis, small purchases, etc.
What are the tipping guidelines for this tour?
All tips to local guides during your tour have already been paid on your behalf.
- You are responsible for tipping wait-staff, porters, or other individuals who provide a service to you at the hotel, or other public locations.
- In Mexico, some restaurants add a service charge (propina) of 10%. You do not need to tip more if this is added to your bill. If a service charge is not included, it is customary to leave a tip of 15%.
- You may want to tip your WTT Tour Leader for an outstanding job. The amount is entirely a personal preference. If you'd like a guideline, consider $8-$10 per day.
What other Additional Information do I need to know?
- Travelers are required to have a valid passport. Most countries require your passport to be valid a minimum of six months after your return home date, and have at least two consecutive blank pages.
- Travelers from the United States and Canada do not require a visa to enter Mexico.
Can I transfer my deposit to another tour?
To get off this tour and register for another tour, you must follow these steps - in the order shown:
2) WAIT before submitting your new reservation! You must receive the Cancellation Confirmation email before submitting your new reservation. This can take up to 2 business days. The Cancellation Confirmation email will list the amount of parked credits from this tour that are now available to use on a new reservation.
3) COMPLETE the new Reservation Form and USE the parked credits towards your deposit on the new tour.
Note: If you used Parked Credits to pay the deposit on this tour, these credits cannot be used a second time and are not eligible to be transferred.
What happens if I need to cancel this tour?

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