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A monarch butterfly with vibrant orange and black wings rests on a green leaf among tall purple flowers during the migration in Mexico.
Mexico

Mexico’s Monarch Migration: Butterflies, Local Heritage & More

Program No. 24845RJ
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Itinerary
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. Read More.
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
8 days
7 nights
What's Included
18 meals ( 7B, 6L, 5D )
10 expert-led lectures
8 expert-led field trips
1 hands-on experience
An experienced Group Leader
7 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
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Activity Note
Hotel check-in from 3:00 p.m. Remember to bring your nametag (sent previously).
Afternoon:
After checking in to the hotel and confirming the meeting room with the front desk, take some time to freshen up and relax. 6:15 p.m. Gather in the hotel lobby to register with the program staff and walk a short distance to a local restaurant. Settle in a private room for orientation and the welcome dinner. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will receive a welcome packet containing the up-to-date schedule that reflects any changes, and other important information. We will then discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. Our knowledgeable Group Leader will also serve as our Study Leader on field trips and other group activities, presenting important aspects of Mexican history, culture, traditions, and economy during transfers. Transportation will be via private motorcoach unless noted otherwise. Periods in the daily schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. For meals designated on your own, you may join the Group Leader at a designated restaurant, if desired. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding. If you arrive late, please ask for your packet and instructions from the Group Leader at the hotel front desk when you check in.
Dinner:
In a local restaurant
Evening:
Return to the hotel, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach, city driving. Walking up to 3 miles on city sidewalks and museums, generally flat and uneven with short uphill, at an elevation of 7,200 ft. Standing up to 2 hours. Climbing steps and one flight of stairs with and without handrails.
Breakfast:
On the scenic terrace of the hotel.
Morning:
As the ancient center of the Aztec Empire and the first and most significant of Spanish colonial marvels in the New World, Mexico City offers a rich blend of culture and history within a vibrant, dynamic setting. We’ll board our motorcoach to begin exploring this fascinating metropolis, traveling along the majestic Paseo de la Reforma, where each roundabout features an iconic monument. We will arrive to one of the most visited areas of Chapultepec Park, among the largest and most beautiful urban parks in the world. Its origins date back to the Aztec era, when ahuehuete (Montezuma cypress) trees were planted near natural springs, some of these ancient trees still stand today. The Aztecs also built an aqueduct here, later destroyed during the Spanish conquest. Today, the park offers expansive green spaces as well as museums, a zoo, lakes, and cultural attractions, making it a favorite gathering place for both locals and visitors. One of its highlights is Chapultepec Castle, perched on a hilltop. Originally constructed as a residence for the Spanish viceroy, it has served various roles over time and has housed the National Museum of History since 1939. With our expert Group Leader, we’ll explore the museum, gain insight into Mexico’s complex past, and admire sweeping views of the city. We’ll then stroll through a lively section of the park, enjoying its diverse plant life and relaxed atmosphere, before reboarding our motorcoach for a short ride to a taquería, where we’ll savor a traditional Mexican taco lunch.
Lunch:
In a local restaurant
Afternoon:
Back on the motorcoach, return to the city center to get to know the zocalo. Led by the Group Leader, we will enter the Metropolitan Cathedral, constructed with stones from the destroyed Aztec city of Tenochtitlan. We will view from atop the recently excavated Templo Mayor archeological site where the base of Tenochtitlan’s main pyramid has been unearthed. We will also learn the importance of the imposing National Palace, currently the home of Mexico’s President. Since the days of the Aztecs, the plaza has been and still is the site of political, religious, and social events. It is always busy and lively. The remainder of the afternoon and the evening are free to explore on your own. The group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Dinner:
This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 110 miles, approximately 3 hours riding time; Walking up to 1.5 mile; Standing up to 2 hours.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We’ll board our motorcoach and leave Mexico City behind, passing the ultra-modern skyscrapers of the Santa Fe district before continuing through rolling hills and open countryside. Along the way, we may catch sight of the snow-capped peaks of the volcanoes that form part of the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt. As we travel, our Group Leader will introduce the cultural traditions of the Sierra region and its inhabitants, including its Indigenous communities. We’ll stop in the village of Crescencio Morales to visit the Mazahua Community Center, established to help preserve and promote the culture of the Mazahua people. At the distinctly decorated local church, the mayordomos—community leaders—will explain their roles and responsibilities within village life. Then at the Cultural Center, we’ll enjoy a traditional Mazahua lunch prepared by local women, with the opportunity to make our own tortilla by hand to accompany the meal.
Lunch:
At the Mazahua Cultural Center
Afternoon:
After lunch, we’ll spend time learning more about Mazahua traditions while watching artisans at work—embroidering, weaving, or carding wool—and perhaps enjoying a local music group. We’ll then arrive in Coatepec, where we’ll spend the next two nights at a ranch immersed in nature. Rustic yet comfortable cottages and inviting gathering and dining spaces face a lovely garden surrounded by forest. After settling in, you’ll have time to enjoy the property at your leisure—stroll through the grounds, take a swim in the heated pool, or simply find a quiet place to read and relax If you wish, you may also schedule a spa treatment during your stay. Before dinner at the hotel, we’ll attend an introductory talk on monarch butterflies presented by a local specialist.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure. Enjoy the peacefulness of the ranch.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 65 miles, approximately 3 hours riding time (round trip) on winding mountain roads. Hiking up to 4 miles in sanctuary at altitudes of 9,000 to 11,000 ft, generally 2-3 hours round trip with approximately 800 ft altitude gain; gravely uneven uphill trail with some steep stretches. Riding horses can be an included option for part of the trail.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
Today we begin our first Monarch butterfly encounter. We’ll depart by motorcoach for Sierra Chincua, one of the quieter and more secluded butterfly sanctuaries, offering an especially immersive experience in nature. Each year, Monarch butterflies migrate more than 2,500 miles from the United States and Canada to the mountains of central Mexico—an extraordinary journey and a fascinating story of survival that spans four generations, each with a different life span, to complete the cycle. In Mexico, they overwinter in the oyamel fir forests (Abies religiosa) at elevations between 9,000 and 11,000 feet, where a highly specific microclimate is essential to their survival. Because the colonies shift with changing weather conditions, their exact location and altitude can vary. Access to these remote areas is primarily on foot with limited opportunities of riding horses; however, the overwhelming sight of millions of butterflies filling the sky rewards our effort. After leaving the motorcoach, we’ll begin our hike to the sanctuary, with the option of horseback riding to ease the uphill climb. As we approach, small clusters of Monarchs begin to appear, until we reach the main colony. There, the landscape fills with orange—a breathtaking reward for the climb. Sensitive to cool temperatures, these delicate creatures cluster on tree branches during the night and on chilly days, sometimes in such numbers that the branches bend under their weight. As the sun warms the air, they take flight, shimmering overhead or settling on nearby flowers, their fluttering wings can even be heard. When ready, we’ll make our way back down the trail and enjoy a well-deserved lunch at the base.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant at the base of the sanctuary.
Afternoon:
On our return drive to the hotel, we’ll pass through the colorful former mining town of Angangueo, tucked into a narrow canyon. Along the way, our Group Leader will discuss the impact of past and present economic activities in the Sierra, including logging, mining, agriculture, trout farming, and, of course, tourism. Back at the hotel, you’ll have time for independent exploration or relaxation before we gather again for dinner.
Dinner:
At the hotel
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 100 miles, approximately 3,5 hours driving time mostly on winding mountain roads. Hiking up to 5 miles in sanctuary at altitudes of 9,000 to 11,000 ft, generally 3-4 hours round trip with up to 1,400 ft. altitude gain; gravely uneven uphill trail with steep stretches and approximately 500 steps. Riding horses can be an included option for part of the trail.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
After checking out of the hotel, we’ll depart by motorcoach for El Rosario Sanctuary for a second opportunity to experience the Monarch butterflies up close. En route, our Group Leader will discuss the importance of conserving this fragile ecosystem. Monarch butterflies face serious threats to their survival. Along their migration route, the declining availability of milkweed—the plant they depend on for feeding and laying eggs—has contributed to population loss. Protecting their overwintering sites in Mexico from logging and improper land use has also posed ongoing challenges. Conservation efforts began in the 1980s with the creation of protected sanctuaries and the designation of a biosphere reserve. In 2008, the mountainous region containing most of the monarchs’ overwintering grounds was recognized as the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. More recently, climate change has added yet another challenge to their migration cycle. El Rosario is considered the principal Monarch sanctuary, typically receiving the largest concentration of butterflies—and, as a result, attracting more visitors. The trail begins with a section of steps and handrails, making the initial part of the hike more manageable. As we ascend, butterflies gradually begin to appear—fluttering through the forest and gathering at puddles—until their numbers increase near the colony, where we are once again rewarded with the extraordinary sight of millions of Monarchs filling the air or covering the trees. Horses may be available to ease part of the uphill climb. After returning to the base, lunch awaits.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant in El Rosario
Afternoon:
We’ll then board our motorcoach and continue to Valle de Bravo, a scenic mountain retreat centered around a picturesque lake, where homes, resorts, and villages nestle along the steep hillsides. Because of its natural beauty and close proximity to Mexico City, the region has long been a favorite getaway for Mexican travelers. Set amid nature, the expansive grounds of our resort hotel offer ample opportunities for relaxing, hiking, and leisurely walks.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
We’ll gather with the Group Leader and fellow participants to share thoughts and any unanswered doubts about our small fluttering friends.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 30 miles, approximately 1.5 hours riding time on winding mountain roads. Hiking up to 6 miles in sanctuary at altitudes of 9,000 to 11,000 ft, generally 3-4 hours round trip with over 1,000 ft altitude gain; gravely uneven uphill trail with steep stretches. Riding horses can be an included option for part of the trail.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We depart by motorcoach for our final Monarch butterfly sighting. Depending on the weather, time of day, subtle shifts in migration, and the unique characteristics of each site, every sanctuary offers a distinct experience. As on previous days, we begin the required uphill hike, with the option of horseback riding for part of the ascent. After bidding farewell to these resilient and remarkable creatures, we’ll make our way back down the trail and enjoy a well-deserved lunch at the base.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant at the base of the sanctuary
Afternoon:
We’ll then return to the hotel and adjourn for the day. The remainder of the day is on your own to take advantage of the hotel facilities and to explore the surroundings. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Please note that the period scheduled as free time is subject to change depending on local circumstances and opportunities for independent exploration.
Dinner:
On your own
Evening:
At leisure to enjoy the peacefulness of the hotel. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 100 miles approximately 3 hours driving time. Walking up to 3 miles on flat gravel paths at altitudes of 8,000 ft and on city sidewalks at altitudes of 7,200 feet; standing up to 2 hours.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We’ll leave behind the peaceful seclusion of our hotel as we make our way back to Mexico City. En route, we’ll detour into the forested mountains on the outskirts of the city to visit Desierto de Los Leones (Desert of the Lions). Declared a forest reserve in 1876 and later a national park in 1917—the first of its kind in Mexico and Latin America—it is neither a desert nor home to lions. In the 17th century, Carmelite monks established a convent deep within this dense forest. Seeking solitude for prayer and meditation, they referred to the remote setting as a “desert,” while Leones comes from a family name linked to the history of the forest. Upon arrival at the former convent, we’ll take in its atmospheric setting, gardens, and courtyards before exploring its intriguing past with a local expert. Our visit includes the chapel, kitchen, refectory, monks’ cells, and tunnels.
Lunch:
In the restored ex-refectory of the convent.
Afternoon:
We will drive the last stretch of the program while the Group Leader will impart a lecture on Mexican art, specifically on Frida Kahlo and her husband Diego Rivera, a leader of the muralism movement. We’ll arrive in Mexico City where we will get to know another of its highlights - Coyoacan, a picturesque colonial neighborhood with a bohemian flair. Restaurants and markets abound around its plazas and cobblestone streets. Frida Kahlo was born and spent much of her life in Coyoacán. Both her childhood and adult homes are now museums, and we will visit one of them to gain insight into the fascinating life of this renowned artist. We will then walk to the main plaza for free time to independently enjoy the atmosphere. You may stroll in the plazas and through the Mexican crafts or produce markets, enter the Church or just sit in a café to people watch.
Dinner:
At a restaurant in Coyoacan. Share favorite experiences and enjoy camaraderie with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.
Evening:
We’ll board the motorcoach and transfer to a hotel by the Mexico City International Airport to provide easy departures the following morning. We’ll check in and confirm the time for your shuttle to the terminal in the morning. The Group Leader will assist you to arrange your transfer, explain departure details, and check your passports, permits and flights status for the next day. Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a shuttle; minimal driving. Hotel check-out by 12:00 Noon. See your program’s “Getting There” information regarding transfers. Personal travel permits must be returned upon leaving Mexico; the airline will collect them during check-in.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
Shuttles are provided at the hotel to Terminal 1 or Terminal 2 of the Mexico City International Airport for your return flight. We’ll depart independently. The Group Leader will be available for assistance. This concludes our program. If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!
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