EXPERIENCE NATURE'S MIRACLES
FEBRUARY 16-24, 2027
Monarch Butterflies and Gray Whales in Mexico
Two of nature’s most incredible journeys of beating the odds to create another generation of life. Experience the monarch butterflies and Gray Whales in Mexico at their winter migration destinations. Trip begins in Mexico City with visits to El Rosario and Chincua monarch butterfly sanctuaries, hike into the high forest to witness millions of butterflies in the forest clustering together to create warmth in the mornings and taking flight during warmer afternoons. Next you travel to Baja to see Gray Whales in their birthing and mating waters of San Ignacio Lagoon for four nights and 3 full days at Campo Cortez Ecolodge. Explore a variety of cultures within Mexico and see how small villages are integrating Eco-tourism to preserve the habitats for these migrating species.
Journey Highlights
Day 1 - Arrive in Mexico City
16-Feb-2027
Arrival and Check-in at Grand Fiesta Americana Chapultepec
Arrival
Meet our Shuttle service at the Mexico City airport and transfer to Grand Fiesta Americana Chapultepec and Check in to your room. We schedule your transportation to the hotel from the airport.
Check-in is at 3pm so if you arrive early, the hotel will hold your bags and you are welcome to use the hotel amenities and facilities while you wait.
Grand Fiesta Americana Chapultepec Hotel
Mariano Escobedo 756, Col. Anzures, 11590 Ciudad de México, Mexico
Grand Fiesta Americana Chapultepec Hotel. Mariano Escobedo 756, Col. Anzures, 11590 Ciudad de México, Mexico.
Welcome Dinner in the Historic District
After meeting your guide in the lobby and doing a breif orientation, we will head out to the historic district in Mexico City for a festive welcome dinner.
Day 2 - Angangueo and El Rosario Sanctuary
17-Feb-2027
Journey to Monarch Butterfly Reserve and Michoacan
Breakfast
Meet in Hotel Lobby for a breakfast buffet with fresh juices, a variety of fresh fruit and other delicious menu options.
Transport to Michoacan
Departure
Grand Fiesta Americana Chapultepec, Mexico City
Wednesday, Feb 17, 2027Destination
Michoacan, Monarch Butterfly Reserves
Load into the van and enjoy the scenic road trip through Mexico's trans volcanic belt to Michoacan, the home of the Monarch Butterfly Reserves.
Lunch
Enjoy local cuisine when we arrive to the sanctuary area.
El Rosario Butterfly Sanctuary
Option of Horseback Riding: Ascend the trail on horseback, individually guided horses by local caballeros, while enjoying sightings of hummingbirds and red warblers. Hike the last 20-40 minutes of the trail to reach the butterfly colonies or you can hike with a guide the entire distance- both are great options. Butterfly Viewing: Witness millions of monarch butterflies covering the oyamel fir trees, creating a breathtaking spectacle as they blanket the trees and take to the sky in a cloud of orange when warmed by the sun.
Transport to Hotel Agua Blanca
Departure
El Rosario Butterfly Sanctuary
Wednesday, Feb 17, 2027Destination
Hotel Agua Blanca, Jungapeo
When we are done visiting the first Monarch Butterfly Reserve, we travel to Hotel Agua Blanca in Jungapeo, our home base for the next two nights.
Agua Blanca Hotel
Camino Real a las Anonas Núm 1 Agua Blanca, 61470 Mich., Mexico
Check inWednesday, Feb 17, 2027
Check outFriday, Feb 19, 2027
Agua Blanca Hotel offers a scenic location surrounded by lush nature, making it an inviting retreat. Guests can enjoy the on-site gourmet restaurant serving local cuisine, while spacious rooms provide modern amenities and stunning views. The relaxing atmosphere is complemented by unique wellness offerings, including spa services. Also enjoy the warm water natural mineral pools amongst beautiful mountainous backdrop.
Dinner
Dinner in the Dining Room with fresh local produce and delicious family style meal.
Overnight at the hotel
Day 3 - Angangueo—Chincua Sanctuary
18-Feb-2027
Explore Sierra Chincua Monarch Sanctuary and Angangueo
Breakfast
Meet in the dinning room for a breakfast buffet with fresh juices, a variety of fresh fruit and other delicious menu options.
Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary Sierra Chincua
The Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary Sierra Chincua offers stunning natural scenery, where millions of migrating Monarch butterflies gather in winter. This protected area provides educational opportunities about butterfly conservation. Visitors can enjoy guided tours and witness the breathtaking sight of butterflies clustering on trees, creating a magical experience in nature.
Lunch
Lunch at the Reserve- We explore local cuisine in the food stalls at the base of the Reserve. Enjoy local favorites and authentic local dishes.
Depart for Angangueo town
Departure
Sierra Chincua Sanctuary
Destination
Angangueo
Explore Angangueo: Spend time exploring the village of Angangueo, renowned for its murals that celebrate the monarch butterflies and their importance to the community.
Return to Hotel
Departure
Angangueo
Destination
Agua Blanca Hotel
Return drive to Agua Blanca Hotel. Relax and wander the lush hotel grounds, schedule a massage or swim in the warm natural mineral baths at the hotel.
Overnight at the hotel
Day 4 - Return to Mexico City and Chapultepec
19-Feb-2027
Return Journey and Explore Chapultepec
Breakfast
Meet in Hotel Lobby for a breakfast buffet with fresh juices, a variety of fresh fruit and other delicious menu options.
Morning Activity
This morning’s activity will be selected by our guides before departing Agua Blanca. The decision will be based on current weather and trail conditions, butterfly activity, and the interests of the group.
The group will participate in one of the following activities:
Waterfall Hike and Birdwatching
Explore the beautiful natural surroundings of Agua Blanca on a guided morning hike. Watch for local birdlife along the trail and visit a nearby waterfall while experiencing another side of the mountain landscape.
OR
Return to Sierra Chincua Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary
Return to Sierra Chincua for another opportunity to experience and photograph the Monarchs. Temperature, sunlight, wind, and weather can cause butterfly activity to vary from day to day. A second sanctuary visit may offer a different view of the forest and the Monarch colonies.
Keeping this morning flexible allows our guides to select the most rewarding activity for the group based on local conditions and the experiences of the previous days.
Return to Mexico City
Departure
Agua Blanca Hotel
Destination
Grand Fiesta Americana Chapultepec
Return Journey to Mexico City- road trip journey back to Mexico City. Arrive at the hotel around 4pm and Check-in.
Grand Fiesta Americana Chapultepec
Calz. Gral. Mariano Escobedo 756, Anzures, Miguel Hidalgo, 11590 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico
Check inFriday, Feb 19, 2027
Check outSaturday, Feb 20, 2027
Experience the Grand Fiesta Americana Chapultepec, where stunning views of Chapultepec Park meet luxurious accommodations. Centrally located near cultural attractions, this hotel offers on-site gourmet dining featuring local cuisine and a rooftop terrace for breathtaking city views. Enjoy personalized service that makes your stay truly memorable.
Dinner
Dinner as a group to a local authentic Mexican eatery.
Day 5 - Mexico City Departure and Travel Day to Baja, CA
20-Feb-2027
Fly from Mexico City to Baja and Settle In
Transfer to the Airport
Departure
Grand Fiesta Americana Chapultepec
Destination
Mexico City Airport
Depart from Hotel for Airport- We will eat breakfast at the airport.
Flight to Tijuana and San Ignacio Lagoon
Mexico City Airport
Tijuana International Airport
Tijuana International Airport
San Ignacio Lagoon
Arrive in Tijuana to meet our ground crew and be escorted to the departure gate. Time to have lunch at the airport while we wait for the departing flight. Meet connecting flight to San Ignacio Lagoon at the Tijuana International Airport. Embark on a 2.5-hour aerial journey over the stunning Baja landscape aboard our commercially chartered aircraft. Departing from Tijuana, our experienced guides ensure a seamless and enjoyable flight experience.
Check-in to your cabins and get settled in
You’ll be given a detailed orientation on the camp, use of the facilities, and shown to your cabins.
Day 6-8 - Whale Watching and Ecolodge Adventures
21-Feb-2027
Whale Watching, Nature Walks, and Ecolodge Life
Whale Watching and Camp Activities
Spend three full days at our private Ecolodge, Campo Cortez, with two whale watching trips daily and enjoy the relaxing atmosphere - hiking, beach strolling or bird watching. Each morning, after a hearty breakfast you’ll depart on our skiffs to see the whales. Each trip lasts approximately two hours from the time we leave camp. You’ll witness the spectacular behavior of these gentle giants as they breach and spy hop all around us, sometimes approaching our skiffs for a better view of us. Observe mothers tending to their calves and males courting females. There is truly no place like this on the planet. Lunch is served midday and a second whale watch follows around 2:00pm.
Ecolodge Schedule and Activities
Daily Schedule:
7:00am: Coffee, cereals, fruit
8:00am Hot breakfast
8:45am Whale watching
12:00pm: Lunch
2:00pm: Whale watching
5:30pm: Happy hour
6:30 pm: Dinner
9:00pm: Lights out-Palapa
Activities:
Guided tide pool exploration & critter hunts
Naturalist led excursions & lectures
Up close whale observation & petting
Happy hour & incredible sunsets
Hike to the Gray Whale boneyard
Beach strolls & dark sky constellation gazing
Bird watching
Schedule will vary day to day based on tide movements and weather
Other Activities: After whale watching simply relax and absorb the ancient unbroken rhythms of the lagoon and its splendid wildlife; wander the shell strewn beaches; join an afternoon history excursion with our guides. All Activities & times will be listed in the Palapa on our Activity Board.
Happy Hour Daily at 5:30pm & Dinner at 6:30pm
At day’s end you’ll be treated to coffee, margaritas and other refreshments as the sun sets over the dunes in the distance, leaving a vermilion sky in its shadow. Sunsets are followed by authentic local Mexican meals with plenty of hand-made tortillas and fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Dinner is followed by informal lectures, slide and video presentations. At the end of each evening, you’ll retire to your cabin where you’ll relax to the sounds of the lagoon with whales breathing in the distance and coyotes howling to the moon.
Day 9 - Return to San Diego and Post-Trip Hotel
24-Feb-2027
Private Flight, Border Crossing, and San Diego Stay
Travel Day
Private Flight to Tijuana and transport to San Diego CA. Early departure from the lagoon this morning: Breakfast is served at 7am so we can get an early start back to San Diego. Before breakfast, check out of your cabin and bring your luggage to the palapa so that we can load the bus. Enjoy your last breakfast with the crew and your fellow guests. Your flight brings you back to Tijuana usually by 12:00-12:30pm local Pacific Time. After gathering luggage, we will use the CBX entry through the secure building and into US Customs and Immigration. We will not leave the secure Tijuana Terminal - CBX is designed as a solution to expedite the US Border crossing process. Once the group clears customs, you board our chartered vehicle back to the hotel. Return times to the hotel in San Diego are anywhere from 2:00-4:00pm. But delays can and do happen, so please do not plan other connecting air travel on this day. We recommend you plan your travel the following day. We have special booking rates available at our hotel.
Optional Hotel Stay in San Diego- Hotel rooms for this night are not included in the price of the trip.
Hilton Garden Inn San Diego Old Town/SeaWorld Area
4200 Taylor St, San Diego, CA 92110, USA
Check inWednesday, Feb 24, 2027
Check outThursday, Feb 25, 2027
Experience the Hilton Garden Inn San Diego Old Town/SeaWorld Area, where convenience meets comfort. Located near iconic attractions like Old Town and SeaWorld, it offers a complimentary shuttle service for easy exploration. Enjoy modern rooms, on-site dining, and relaxing outdoor spaces, making your stay enjoyable and memorable.
What's Included
What's included
Accommodations-
All Hotels and Campo Cortez Ecolodge
Professional Expedition Leaders
Meals
All meals from Dinner on Day 1 through Breakfast on the final day
All scheduled activities and voluntary activities
Transportation
Transportation from Mexico City to Tijuana and from Tijuana round trip to San Ignacio Lagoon
Entrance fee to Vizcaino Biosphere and Monarch Reserves – (added to your invoice)
Naturalist led walks & discussions
Tide pool exploration and nature walks
Private charter bus to local San Diego Hotel
What's not included
Flights to Mexico City and from San Diego
Passport and Visa Fees
Premium liquor or call drinks
Add on Activities- like spa services
Hotel stay in San Diego
Personal Items-
like laundry while in Mexico City and Aqua Blanca
Airline Baggage Fees
Lunch in Tijuana Airport
Travel insurance
Staff gratuity
Map
A. Grand Fiesta Americana Chapultepec
Calz. Gral. Mariano Escobedo 756, Anzures, Miguel Hidalgo, 11590 Ciudad de México, CDMX, MexicoB. El Rosario Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary
61467 Manzana Rancho Escondido, 61467 Mineral de Angangueo, Mich., MexicoC. Agua Blanca Hotel
Camino Real a las Anonas Núm 1 Agua Blanca, 61470 Mich., MexicoD. Chincua Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary
61295 Chincua, Michoacán, MexicoE. Angangueo
61410 Angangueo, Mich., MexicoF. Baja Ecotours - Campo Cortez
Campo Cortez, San Ignacio Lagoon, 23929 Laguna de San Ignacio, B.C.S., MexicoG. Tijuana International Airport
Aeropuerto S/N, Nueva Tijuana, 22435 Tijuana, B.C., MexicoH. Hilton Garden Inn San Diego Old Town/SeaWorld Area
4200 Taylor St, San Diego, CA 92110, USAContact Us
Questions?
Please reach out to us directly for Booking, availability or general questions about the trip.
541-912-6734
or email at oregonwhales@gmail.com