Monarch Butterfly Photo Expedition

Our monarch butterfly photo tour begins on arrival in Mexico City with a transfer to our hotel in the upscale Polanco district. Gather this evening for a welcome dinner with our Expedition Leaders, followed by an introduction to the exciting photo opportunities that lie ahead. During this orientation, get an overview of the best approaches for capturing stunning monarch images from our guides, whose experience and expertise will inform our shoots throughout the adventure. Each fall, tens of millions of monarchs set flight on a 3,000-mile journey from the northeastern U.S. and Canada to their ancestral wintering grounds in Mexico's volcanic Central Highlands. The location of their breeding grounds remained a mystery to the scientific community until researchers found it with the help of local people in 1977. How an infant generation of butterflies finds this spot anew each year is still an enigma. Filled with anticipation, we look forward to tomorrow's photography foray into the mystical kingdom of the monarchs.

From Mexico City, we drive northwest into the Central Highlands, passing dramatic vistas of snow-capped volcano Nevado de Toluca towering over the pine forests. During the journey, our Expedition Leaders provide background on the monarchs and their migratory phenomenon, beginning to share tips and advice for photographing this sometimes tricky subject. You'll get personalized coaching throughout the trip, with insight into camera settings, positioning and image composition.

Our destination is the mountain village of Angangueo, a tumble of pastel buildings set along narrow cobblestone streets that hug the steep slopes. Once a silver and copper mining town, Angangueo today thrives on butterfly tourism and local agriculture. We enjoy a traditional lunch of homemade Mexican fare before making our first foray into the monarch kingdom. With cameras ready, we arrive in an open-back truck at El Rosario Butterfly Sanctuary.  A few butterflies flit about overhead, a hint of what awaits. Riding small Mexican horses provided by the local community (and led by your own wrangler, so no horse experience necessary), we ascend the trail through the forest. Hummingbirds and red warblers accompany us en route to the heart of the monarchs' migratory breeding grounds.

What we find is almost surreal: millions of butterflies cover the oyamel fir trees in a delicate, quivering blanket of black and orange, at first glance resembling autumn leaves. Boughs bend beneath their numbers, though each weighs less than half an ounce. When the sun warms their parchment-thin wings, the butterflies take to the air in a fluttering cloud of color, so many that the air hums with the sound of their beating wings. The beauty of the mariposas is so ethereal that many Mexicans still hold the Aztec belief that the souls of the dead are reborn as monarchs.

An optional pre-breakfast workshop offers the opportunity to review yesterday's shots and receive expert feedback from your Expedition Leaders as you prepare for more monarch photography today. Part of an ongoing conversation with your photo pro guides, this workshop helps photographers integrate constructive feedback and builds excitement for another day of extraordinary photo opportunities.

After breakfast, we drive to Chincua Butterfly Sanctuary for our second magical encounter with the monarchs. Here, we board horses to ride most of the way over the steep mountain terrain, hiking in the last bit to reach the densest concentration of butterflies. Backlit by the sun, their wings in flight glow transparent orange, making for striking photos. Sometimes the stream along the forest floor is covered in orange as the butterflies descend to drink. As Mexican butterfly conservationist Carlos Gottfried said, "When you stand in a monarch sanctuary, your soul is shaken and your life is changed." At every turn, our Expedition Leaders help us get amazing shots, though nothing truly captures the wonder of standing among millions of moving butterflies.

As we hear about efforts to preserve the fragile forest ecosystem that is essential to the monarchs' survival, we learn that our visit is one way to assist, demonstrating to the local people that ecotourism can be as viable a source of economic sustenance as logging. This afternoon, we take a walking tour of the village of Angangueo, admiring the many bright murals the townspeople have created to honor the role of the monarchs in their lives, traditions and economy. Wrap up the day with an informal lecture by our Expedition Leader on the biology, migration and conservation status of monarch butterflies, knitting together the wondrous experiences we have had so far.

Return to El Rosario sanctuary at the start of the day to observe the butterflies in the early morning light. In contrast to our previous afternoon visit, we'll witness the monarchs as they awaken for the day, hoping the sun will shine and warm their wings, prompting lively activity. As the butterflies take flight, we may see them float down to drink nectar from flowers or even alight on your arm or shoulder. The largest of the monarch sanctuaries in the region, El Rosario offers the best opportunity to view large numbers of monarchs in one location. After lunch, continue to Jungapeo to reach our ecolodge and spa, tucked into the mountains of Michoacan. Renowned for its mineral thermal springs and soaking pools, our hotel’s lush grounds are home to myriad species of tropical birds. Spend the afternoon soaking it all in. Dip in the legendary springs, or scout for birds across the verdant grounds. Hike to a nearby waterfall, book a spa treatment, or simply relax.

Awaken to a chorus of tropical birdsong from the forest and gardens as we enjoy a peaceful morning at our eco-resort. An optional workshop is offered on basic photo editing techniques, covering some of the different editing programs available and successful strategies to sort, select and edit images. Those who might prefer to explore the grounds, hike to the waterfalls, search for birds, or soak in the thermal springs are welcome to do so. After departing Jungapeo, we stop at La Casa de la Cultura Mazahua for a traditional lunch showcasing regional flavors. Explore the cultural center’s gallery, courtyard and colorful murals while learning about the artistic traditions and cultural heritage of the Mazahua people, one of central Mexico’s largest Indigenous communities. We then continue to Mexico City, where we gather for a farewell dinner before a late check-in at our hotel.

Our monarch butterfly tour concludes with a transfer to the Mexico City airport for flights home.