Join us for an experience of a lifetime to visit the Monarch Butterfly migration at two of the butterfly sanctuaries.  We will spend time in Morelia as well as visit a few of the crafts villages around Lake Patzcuaro to include several pottery workshops, weaving workshops, the straw market, mask makers and reed basket makers. See the copper making process in Santa Clara de Cobre. Learn about the Purepecha culture and history in this part of Mexico.

Small group tour limited to 12 travelers.  

NOTE: This is the last time this tour will be offered as I will be retiring from coordinating tours over the next few years.

Thursday, January 22 (D)

Tour starts with your arrival at Morelia airport at a designated time to meet the flight from DFW.  Group transfer to hotel will be provided.  Individuals arriving at other times will need to take a taxi from the airport to the hotel at their own expense.  Group Dinner. Overnight in Morelia.

Friday, January 23     (B,L)

Morning walking tour of Morelia with our private guide. Sites will include the Historic Center, Cathedral on the Zocalo, Palacio de Gobierno, Plaza de Armas, Palacio de Justicia and Casa de Las Artensanias.  Free time to explore after lunch. Dinner on your own. Overnight in Morelia.

Saturday, January 24    (B,L)

Depart Morelia for the Lake Patzcuaro region. Along the way a stop at Capula where the “Catrinas” are made. We continue on to the village of Santa Fe de Laguna to visit a pottery workshop. In the town of Tzinzutzan we will visit the straw market, the Convent, a pottery workshop and the archaeological site.  Dinner on your own. Overnight in Patzcuaro.

Sunday, January 25      (B,L) 

Morning walking tour of Patzcuaro that will include Basilica of Our Lady of Healty, Gertrudis Bocanegra Library, Las Casa de los 11 Patios and if time permits the Museo de Arts Populares.  After lunch we will take a boat ride on Lake Patzcuaro to the island of Juanitzo.  Dnner on your own. Overnight in Patzcuaro.

 Monday, January 26    (B,L)

After breakfast we will visit several villages around Lake Patzcuaro which may include, masks, reed baskets and handwoven shawls.  In the 1500s, a Spanish bishop turned a collection of pueblos around the Mexican town of Pátzcuaro into a center for craftsmanship. The people here are still making and marketing their wares in much the same way as they did hundreds of years ago.  Dinner on your own.  Overnight in Patzcuaro.  

Tuesday, Jauary 27     (B,L)

After breakfast we head to Santa Clara del Cobre to visit the copper museum and copper making workshops. Climb to the top of the church bell tower for a great view of the city and surrounding area. Next stop will be in Tupataro to visit the Temple de Santiago Apóstol which is referred to at the Sistine Chaple of Michoacan. Afternoon will be spent driving to Zitacuaro area. Overnight in Zitacuaro. Dinner on your own.

Wednesday, January 28     (B,L)

Today we venture out to for our first encounter with the Monarch butterflies. Usually the highest concentrations of monarchs are found at the El Rosario Sanctuary. Monarchs are located at elevations of 8,000 – 10,000 feet above sea level. After a steep hike of approximately one mile we will finally find the millions of Monarchs covering the tall oyamel fir trees, and as the sun warms their orange and black wings, the butterflies take flight. Mexico’s sanctuaries are the only places in the world where you can actually hear butterflies wings beating. Optional horse ride up the mountain to the butterflies. A short walking tour in the village of Angangueo. Overnight in Zitacuaro.  Dinner on your own.

Thursday, January 29     (B,L)

Breakfast at the hotel, then off to visit the Sierra Chincua Butterfly Sanctuary for our second memorable experience with the Monarchs. Since the butterflies are located further away, horses are highly recommended to reach the butterfly area. No worries, you don’t need to know how to ride a horse, they are very tame, sturdy and know the path and their owners lead them for us. Lunch along the way, then an afternoon drive back to Morelia.  Overnight in Morelia.  Dinner on your own.

Friday, January 30 (B,D)

Free day in Morelia to just relax or get in a little last minute shopping or seeing the sites. Farewell Dinner at a restaurant in Morelia. Overnight in Morelia.

Saturday, January 31 (B)

Group transfer to the Morelia Airport