Join us on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure to witness the majestic Monarch butterflies in their wintering grounds.
This three day/two night tour takes you to the heart of Mexico's butterfly country, where millions of these delicate creatures congregate in a spectacle of nature. We also explore two Magic Towns the charming town of Tlalpuhajua, also know at the Eternal Christmas Town, and the Magic Town of El Oro.
This three day/two night tour takes you to the heart of Mexico's butterfly country, where millions of these delicate creatures congregate in a spectacle of nature. We also explore two Magic Towns the charming town of Tlalpuhajua, also know at the Eternal Christmas Town, and the Magic Town of El Oro.
We will meet in Ajijic, Jalisco, on Tuesday morning, March 3, behind Black Coffee (across from Walmart) and drive our van to the town of Tlalpuhajua, where we will stay for two nights - it is very close to the butterfly sanctuaries, making our time in the van a little less than if we stayed in a larger town. The town is famous for its renowned blown-glass Christmas sphere production. The town's name is derived from the Nahuatl words "tlalli" (earth) and "poxohuac" (spongy or fluffy), referring to its volcanic soil. Historically a prominent gold and silver mining center until the 20th century, Tlalpujahua now captivates visitors with its colonial architecture, cobblestone streets, and artisan workshops producing Christmas ornaments, traditional sweets, and other crafts.
After we check in at our hotel, we will have a walking tour of the town, with our English speaking guide, Augustin, and then be on our own for the evening.
Wednesday morning, we will depart for the Monarch sanctuary (depending on the weather and the number of butterflies, Augustin will suggest the best sanctuary to visit, either Chincua or el Rosario. At the entrance to the Sanctuary, we will ride horses about 40 minutes up through the Oyamel Fir forest. Once we reach the area where the butterflies congregate, we'll be silent as we walk among them, as they often land on our hands, or move in rivers of thousands of tiny wings beating through the air. Later, we can either walk back down to the sanctuary entrance, or ride horses back to where we will have time for lunch. Afterwards, we'll drive back to Tlalpujahua and we'll be on our own for the rest of the day.
Thursday morning, after breakfast, we'll drive to the historic town of El Oro (the gold). Known for its rich history as a major gold and silver mining town from the 17th to the early 20th centuries. The town's architecture reflects its European influence, particularly from England and France, which is evident in its Neoclassic and Art Nouveau designs. Then, we'll check out of our hotel and return to Ajijic, with optional time for lunch along the way.
Price: $525 USD - Double Occupancy (We don't have a single supplement on this trip because the space is very limited for these dates). Includes round trip ground transport from Ajijic, all professional guides, entrance fee to sanctuary, breakfasts, lodging, horse transport up to the butterflies in the sanctuary (on your own back down). Not included: airfare, tips.
Space is limited; no refunds.
THIS TRIP IS FULL....
Space is limited; no refunds.
THIS TRIP IS FULL....