Join us for six nights and five full days as as we witness the natural wonder of the Monarch migration and explore the art and culture of Morelia and the surrounding area.

All of our tours offer a wide variety of unique experiences while also providing chances for travelers to adjust the plans to match their desired speed and intensity.

Read the tour Itinerary summary below for more details.

Throughout the trip we will have the opportunity to dine at a wide variety of extraordinary restaurants (from casual street food to fine dining). While the tour offers many unique scheduled experiences, its casual structure also provides daily opportunities for travelers to adjust the plans to match their interests and desired speed and intensity.

IDENTIFICATION ~ A passport valid for 6 months beyond the tour start date is required.

ALTITUDE ~ Morelia: 6,300 ft   ~  Tlalpujahua: 8,465 ft   ~  El Oro de Hidalgo: 8,990 ft

WEATHER ~ In January, the daytime temperatures for Morelia and the surrounding areas are in the mid-70s with nighttime temperatures dipping down to the lower 40s. This is the dry season, so there is very little chance of rain.

TRANSPORTATION ~ We will travel in and between cities in a van. We will take taxis to dinners and occasionally walk. While at the butterfly preserve we will have the option to access the site via a 40-minute gradual climb or a 30-minute horseback ride.

PHYSICAL EXERTION ~ Moderate Exertion (3 of 5) – This tour consists of mostly in-town, moderately paced walking on hilly cobblestone streets.

MEDICAL FACILITIES ~ Morelia is a major city with modern medical services available. While in Tlalpujahua and El Oro de Hidalgo, we will be 2 to 3 hours away from major medical services.

Friday – Travel/Arrival day – the only scheduled event this day is our welcome dinner

Saturday – Wednesday we will explore the colonial city of Morelia, the towns of Tlalpujahua, El Oro de Hidalgo, & Santa Clara del Cobre (all three are “Pueblos Magicos”), and Patzcuaro, the first capital of the pre-colonial Purépecha Empire.

The itinerary includes:

• An excursion to the Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary located in the mountainous pine forest

• Visits to a variety of regional artists and artisans including weavers, potters, painters, and glass blowers who make world-famous ornaments

• Guided tour of sites and history of Morelia

• Guided tour of sites of Patzcuaro

• Guided tour of Santa Clara del Cobre

Thursday – Travel/Departure day – there are no official tour events scheduled for this day