Want To Go See the Monarchs in Mexico? Let's GO!

As if it wasn’t exciting enough yesterday, when I announced my upcoming new book, The Monarch: Saving Our Most-Loved Butterfly, I’ve got more exciting news today.

I’ve mentioned that the number one thing on my bucket list is to visit the monarchs at their overwintering location in central Mexico. Each fall, they travel up to 3000 miles one way to the oyamel fir forests high in the Sierra Madre mountains. The habitat there is perfect for them to spend the winter until it’s time for them to make their way north in March.

This location in Mexico wasn’t known by those studying monarchs until 1975. Of course the locals knew the monarchs came there. How could they not know? I have a copy of the 1976 National Geographic magazine, telling the story of the discovery to the rest of the world.

Now, I’m going to be traveling to the state of Michoacán in central Mexico to see them for myself! I can’t tell you how thrilling this is for me. But not only am I going, I will be the co-host, along with a local guide, for a small group tour. This means YOU can go with me!

This is a six-day trip (February 28 – March 5, 2017) that will take you to two of the monarch sanctuaries, where you will stand surrounded by thousands and thousands of monarchs, dripping from the trees, and fluttering all around you. It will be magical.

The monarch sanctuaries and the greater Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve are located about 60 miles northwest of Mexico City, in the Transvolcanic mountains of central Mexico. They have been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) and as such, is legally protected by both the Geneva Convention, The Hague Convention, and international law.

But first, we'll visit one of the local villages and experience culture that is native, and we’ll see an archeological site. Then, after two days of visiting the monarch sanctuaries near Angangueo, we’ll travel to Toluca to see the Cosmovitral Botanical Garden – a football-sized building, whose walls and ceiling are stained glass works of art. There are over 500 different species of plants showcased in the garden, but you’ve never seen anything like this beautiful structure.

Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons/Lexaxis7

We’ll begin and end our trip in Morelia, the state capital, which is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and you’ll need to arrange your airfare to and from the airport there (MLM). You’ll find all the details and the itinerary for the trip here. Our tour agency, S&S Tours, is based in Sierra Vista, Arizona, specializing in small-group tours to various parts of Latin America. They’ve been in business since 1993 and have a BBB rating of A+. They've been visiting the monarch sanctuaries in Mexico every year since 2003.

Due to the sensitive nature of the sanctuaries, the number of people allowed in at one time is controlled. Our group will be no larger than 10 people, including me. I already know of one other person that’s going on the trip, so that means there are only 8 more that can go. To secure your spot on the trip, you can download the application here and follow its instructions.

If you have any questions that aren’t answered on the tour brochure or application form, just email me at ourlittleacre@gmail.com or call the travel agency direct at 866-780-2813

I hope you’ll join us! It’s sure to be a fun adventure!