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Kingdom of the Monarchs

The Amazing Migration of 300 Million Butterflies

Perhaps the most impressive of all of North America’s natural events occurs with one of its smaller creatures, the delicate monarch butterfly. Every year, nearly three hundred million monarchs set flight on a 2,500-mile journey from Canada and the northeastern U.S. to their ancestral wintering grounds in Mexico.

Until recently, the location of their breeding grounds remained a mystery. Now, accompanied by a small group of nature enthusiasts and Mexico’s premier naturalist guides, you can experience this soul-stirring natural phenomenon.

From Mexico City, we travel through the central highlands where the snowcapped volcano Xinantecatl towers over deep-green pine forests. We continue on to the mountain village of Angangueo. Here narrow, historic streets grace a traditional mining village set in forested hills.

From Angangueo, we venture out for our first encounter with the "king of the butterflies." Ride in the back of an open truck – with our eyes to the sky – through the pastoral countryside to Rosario Butterfly Sanctuary.

Exiting our vehicle, we'll see our first butterflies fluttering about. The path winds up a groomed, but sometimes steep, trail, with convenient benches for occasional rests. As we climb higher, the density of winged life thickens until we reach the epicenter of the resting monarchs.

Millions of monarchs cover the tall, oyamel fir trees. As the sun warms their black-and-orange wings, the butterflies fill the air, illuminating the entire area! Mexico’s sanctuaries are the only places in the world where you can actually hear butterflies’ wings beating.

The beauty of the butterflies is so ethereal that many Mexicans still hold the Aztec belief that the souls of the dead are reborn as monarchs.

In the tiny mountain village of Angangueo, we may stay at Posada Don Bruno. This is the most elaborate and charming accommodation in this remote region, but even so, amenities are limited. The hotel is not heated, but extra blankets and a fireplace make this quaint hotel a delight.

Our second encounter with the monarchs will be at the Chincua Butterfly Sanctuary. We'll ride horses most of the way, then walk down into the area of high butterfly density.

This group is all smiles on the way up to see the monarchs.

The length of the migration exceeds the normal life span of most monarchs. The last generation of the summer may live up to seven months, and does not reproduce until it leaves the overwintering site. It is the next three generations that fly north in the spring. How the species manages to return to the same spots over a gap of several generations is still a subject of research.

Experts say the greatest threat to the butterflies is habitat destruction. Logging pressure on 75% of the forested reserve areas is heavy. Your participation in this trip supports the livelihood of the local people in these wintering sites, ensuring that the phenomenon of migration doesn't disappear.

We'll also visit Valle de Bravo, a town with narrow, cobblestone streets and tile-roofed houses along the shores of Lago de Avandaro. "Avandaro" means "dream place" in the Tarascan Indian language. Here, the lush tropical vegetation attracts a multitude of birds.

During our free time in Valle de Bravo, you may opt to take a short walk to a waterfall.

Our final journey to the butterflies will be at Piedra Herrada Sanctuary. Once again, horses will take us most of the way, and then we'll walk to the spot where the butterflies are located. This area is “wilder” than the other two sanctuaries and often provides a more remote nature experience.

As Mexican millionaire and butterfly enthusiast Carlos Gottfried says, “When you stand in a monarch sanctuary, your soul is shaken and your life is changed."

Shake your soul by standing in the presence of three hundred million monarch butterflies! Change your life – and help protect theirs – by joining us on a journey to witness one of the world's great natural phenomenons.

Natural Habitat Adventures
Box 3065
Boulder, CO, USA 80307
(303) 449-3711
(800) 543-8917

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