Mexico City Monarch Migration
FEBRUARY 10-16, 2025 • $3999
Journey with the Western Monarch Migration to the oyamel fir forests between the Mexican states of Michoacan and Estado de Mexico. An estimated 21 million butterflies take flight to overwinter in this ideal microclimate. We’ll begin in Mexico City to soak in the food, art, and modern city life before journeying to CDMX’s fringes to canoe Xochimilco’s floating gardens with resident axolotl researchers. Trek with ethical guides along dirt paths know only to locals as well as to protected gems like the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve (a UNESCO World Heritage Site).
Expedition Supports: Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation
FEBRUARY 10-16, 2025 • $3999
Journey with the Western Monarch Migration to the oyamel fir forests between the Mexican states of Michoacan and Estado de Mexico. An estimated 21 million butterflies take flight to overwinter in this ideal microclimate. We’ll begin in Mexico City to soak in the food, art, and modern city life before journeying to CDMX’s fringes to canoe Xochimilco’s floating gardens with resident axolotl researchers. Trek with ethical guides along dirt paths know only to locals as well as to protected gems like the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve (a UNESCO World Heritage Site).
Expedition Supports: Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation
FEBRUARY 10-16, 2025 • $3999
Journey with the Western Monarch Migration to the oyamel fir forests between the Mexican states of Michoacan and Estado de Mexico. An estimated 21 million butterflies take flight to overwinter in this ideal microclimate. We’ll begin in Mexico City to soak in the food, art, and modern city life before journeying to CDMX’s fringes to canoe Xochimilco’s floating gardens with resident axolotl researchers. Trek with ethical guides along dirt paths know only to locals as well as to protected gems like the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve (a UNESCO World Heritage Site).
Expedition Supports: Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation
“The 56,259 [hectare] biosphere lies within rugged forested mountains about 100 km northwest of Mexico City. Every autumn, millions, perhaps a billion, butterflies from wide areas of North America return to the site and cluster on small areas of the forest reserve, colouring its trees orange and literally bending their branches under their collective weight. In the spring, these butterflies begin an 8 month migration that takes them all the way to Eastern Canada and back, during which time four successive generations are born and die. How they find their way back to their overwintering site remains a mystery.”
DETAILS
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February 10-16, 2025
7 days, 6 nights
Ethical Roamers (Yep, that’s you!) meet in Mexico City. -
Transfer from Benito Juárez International Airport
3 nights in Mexico City (CDMX) in a Trip Advisor Traveler’s Choice hotel, nestled into the Roma Sur neighborhood
3 nights in the lakeside region of Valle de Bravo
Welcome reception
Walking tour of CDMX’s historic sites
Canoe through Aztec-era floating farms of Xochimilco, guided by biologists and researchers who are working to restore axolotl populations on natural reserves.
Exploration to 3 unique sites which home approximately 21 million overwintering Monarch butterflies
Horseback riding through Michoácan forests
Visits to two UNESCO World Heritage sites
Admission to The National Museum of Anthropology
Transfers to and from each location
English speaking local guides
24/7 Expedition Leader
Carbon/GHG offsets
Meals
Breakfast Daily
Traditional lunch prepared on a Xochimilco chinampa
Welcome reception beverages
Optional Add-Ons
Trajinera Experience! What is a trajinera? Imagine floating along ancient waterways on colorful party barges, surrounded by culture, mariachi music, and tequila. They can present an issue with litter, but with a little help, you can party ethically and responsibly!
Frida Kahlo Museum - Visit la Casa Azul (Blue House) where the famed artist lived, painted, and hosted luminaries of the 1940s and ‘50s.
Not Included
Airfare to and from Mexico City
Solo accommodations. All rooms are double occupancy unless otherwise dated.
Most meals other than breakfast
Entry fees to historic sites such as Templo Major ($5 USD) and Palacio de Bellas Artes ($4 USD)
Gratuity
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When the weather is sunny and warm, the butterflies take flight as part of their mating ritual. They may even happily land on calm and patient humans.
On cool days the butterflies huddle together in clusters known as roots or bivouacs, resembling dry leaves.
Unlike the monarchs, you won’t have to physically fly 2,800 miles on this journey, but it will require a moderate fitness level. This expedition involves walking, hiking, horseback riding…and of course, eating!
All hotels are double occupancy. Contact us to inquire about single occupancy upgrade availability.
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$600 deposit
$3999 Total
Single room upgrade invoiced separately when requested and available.
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Deposits are non-refundable. We use these deposits not only to reserve your space on the log, but also to improve cash flow for the local businesses we support. Any additional payments may be refunded when canceled more than 90 days prior to the expedition date. Deposits may be transferred once to another trip departing within 12 months and incur a $100 rebooking fee.
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Proof of travel insurance is required to protect you and your investment in the expedition.
If you prefer not to purchase travel insurance, please sign our opt-out waiver.
ITINERARY PREVIEW
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Journey to Mexico City. Fair Travel expedition crew will collect you from the airport and get you settled at your hotel in the beautiful Roma Sur neighborhood. There you can rest from a long day, walk the streets as a local, or venture to the neighboring areas of La Condesa (CDMX’s trendy hipster scene) and Roma Norte (a lively, upper-class neighborhood your stomach will thank you for exploring.) In the evening, we’ll join for a welcome reception and brief you on the days to come.
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MEXICO CITY
Throw on your walking shoes to tour Mexico city’s best sights! Spend the afternoon exploring the world’s largest collection of Mexican artifacts at the acclaimed Museo Nacional de Antropología (National Anthropology Museum).
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XOCHIMILCO
Paddle through the pre-colonial waterways of Xochimilco with biologists and axolotl researchers for an authentic, behind the scenes view of life amongst the chinampas. Share a traditional meal with your fellow Ethical Roamers.
Break off from the group for a solo taste of Mexico city, or for an optional tour of la Casa Azul, Frida Kahlo’s former resistance turned museum.
Consider spending the afternoon on a trajinera, a colorful party boat! Take this challenge to hone your ethical roaming ways while also throwing back a few cervezas! -
ZITACUARO
Take in the views of mountains, lakes, and forests as we we say goodbaye to CDMX in search of this winter’s monarch migration.
Encounter the eastern population of monarch butterlies at The Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage site. -
ZITACUARO
Wake up and enjoy breakfast at your basecamp hotel near Zitacuro.
Introduce yourself to a strong and well-fed horse, your companion for the day. Together you’ll wend into lesser know roosting areas, some guaranteed to feel like your own private sanctuary.
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Lean on your local guide’s intimate knowledge to select the best of 3 locations to view the butterflies. Trusted by National Geographic and the Smithsonian Institute, Alejandro will find us a remarkable encounter.
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Return to Mexico City. Says goodbye to your new friends, or perhaps stick together for the next leg of your Mexican adventure!
