Morelia Monarchs 2026

 For more information on hotel and places we will visit, please click the links below or type them into. Please, take your time and explore each site to prepare and “Know Before You Go” everything needed to make your visit more enjoyable 

● Morelia https://www.visitmexico.com/en/michoacan/morelia 

● Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monarch_Butterfly_Biosphere_Reserve

●  Monarch Winter Migrations https://www.mexperience.com/mexicos-monarch-butterflies/

● Pátzcuarohttps://www.mexperience.com/travel/colonial/patzcuaro/

● Santa Clara del Cobre https://www.visitmexico.com/en/michoacan/santa-clara-del-cobre

● Morelia the capital of the state of Michoacán boasts spectacular beauty, so it wasn’t surprising it was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1991. The city was originally called Valladolid, but its name was changed in 1828 honoring José María Morelos y Pavón, Mexican Independence Movement heroe born in this beautiful city. It is highly recommended to walk along the Calzada de Guadalupe, since you will be able to admire close up several of the monuments catalogued as architectural masterpieces. In fact, the Historical Center of Morelia is the site with the most buildings named as such throughout the Mexican territory.

● The Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve (Spanish: Reserva de Biosfera de la Mariposa Monarca) is a World Heritage Site containing most of the over-wintering sites of the eastern population of the monarch butterfly. The reserve is located in the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt pine-oak forests ecoregion on the border of Michoacán and State of Mexico, 100 km (62 miles), northwest of Mexico City. Millions of butterflies arrive in the reserve annually. Butterflies only inhabit a fraction of the 56,000 hectares of the reserve from October–March. The biosphere’s mission is to protect the butterfly species and its habitat.

● Monarch Winter Migrations these migrating Monarch butterflies travel in colonies of about 20 million insects and will travel between 80-120 nautical miles per day, depending on the wind and other weather conditions. The Monarch Butterflies settle in the Oyamel fir tree forests which are situated west of Mexico City; along the eastern perimeter of the Mexican state of Michoacán, also bordering the State of Mexico.

● Patzcuaro is a colonial town which still remains true to its indigenous (Purepecha and Tarasco) heritage. The town has successfully blended its indigenous and colonial roots and provides an excellent hub from which to explore the other towns and villages in the area.

●  Santa Clara del Cobre nestled in the Michoacán mountains one hour from the city of Morelia, in Salvador Escalante municipality, this Purepecha’s heritage town has shaped the preference among its visitors based on the strong hammering of the magical and experienced hands of its artisans who keep alive the tradition carving handicrafts in copper, hence the name of this community whose patron saint is Santa Clara.

● Sierra Chincua every fall millions of monarch butterflies migrate 4000 km from the US and Canada to a couple of tiny mountaintops in eastern Michoacan Tlalpujahua is their favorite one. If you take all of the monarchs from the US and concentrate them in a couple of little winter colonies, the density of butterflies becomes staggering. 

Weather: Morelia Weather in January-March: These months are considered as the best time to visit Morelia owing to temperatures ranging from 36℉ to 88℉. An ideal situation to get around exploring all the points of interest in Morelia. Expect an average precipitation of 15.51 mm

Horseback riding, El Rosario does not have a horse path, but Sierra Chincua does. Horses can only go so far up the mountain; when the intensity of the butterflies increases, you will need to dismount and complete the journey on foot, so some physical exercise will be involved.

Keep to the trails You must keep to the trails inside the reserve areas—this minimizes the impact of walkers and visitors on the butterflies. Hiking off the trails is prohibited anywhere inside the biosphere.

Afternoon walking On warmer afternoons, the butterflies fly low to settled at ground level, seeking the cooler air and moisture. Inevitably, some butterflies get crushed by visiting walkers… watch your step and try to be as gentle as possible on your feet.

  This tour requires a lot of walking, possibly standing for long periods of time, the ability to sit and ride in the bus for up to 4 hours, ability to withstand possible high temperatures in the afternoons as well as exposure to full sun. Most sites are handicap accessible, but some may not be and walking rocky terrain is possible and not every place has an elevator.

  The tour includes hotel, breakfast, air and ground transportation, entry fees and gratuities for daytime activities. You can expect to pay for your own lunch and supper as well as any night time activity service fees, entry fees and tips. You will also need to pay for all personal items, medical supplies, alcohol and tobacco products and any incidentals you may need along the way. If separated from the group, you are will be responsible to pay your own transportation costs to rejoin the group.