Day 1 – Arrival in Morelia
You will be met by your driver in the arrivals hall of Morelia International Airport. Transfer to your city hotel by private vehicle.
Starting Accommodation: Villa Montana, Morelia
Day 2 – Travel Morelia to Zitacuaro
After breakfast in Morelia, you will journey toward the rugged and verdant winter home of the brilliantly coloured Monarch Butterfly.
Starting Accommodation: Hotel Rancho San Cayetano (B, D)
Day 3 – Butterfly Biosphere Reserves
This morning your guide will drive you approximately 35 minutes to the first sanctuary. Upon arrival in El Rosario, you will leave the vehicle behind to walk a groomed but at times fairly steep trail into the fir tree forest favored by the butterflies. As you continue along the trail, note how the forest thickens toward on approach to the destination you share today with 60 million to more than a billion butterflies congregating in the forest after eight months and four generations of migration. The sun warms and lights their wings to reward visitors with a unique and remarkable display of light and color.
Your expert guide will ensure that you experience this unparalleled and mysterious phenomenon as more than simply an extraordinary spectacle; pause to discuss ecology, natural history and conservation issues in the sanctuary. Enjoy a picnic lunch today in a nearby forested location. After lunch, you will return to your lovely hotel.
Please note: the reserve altitudes vary from 8,000 – 10,000 feet above sea level and these encounters require the ability to walk for over an hour along a steep incline that can be considered moderately strenuous.
Starting Accommodation: Hotel Rancho San Cayetano (B, D)
Day 4 – Butterfly Biosphere Reserves
After breakfast this morning, you will board your private vehicle for the approximately one-hour trip to the butterfly Reserve (reserves are selected based on butterfly concentration and are therefore subject to change). Upon entering the reserve, you will have the option to ride horseback – or walk if you prefer – for approximately an hour to another phenomenal butterfly gathering. In the quiet of the forest, you can hear the beating wings of these delicate creatures. Enjoy a picnic lunch in a nearby forested location. After lunch, you may decide to return into the reserve or explore another depending on local conditions. You will depart the sanctuary at 4:30pm for the return drive to your hotel.
Starting Accommodation: Hotel Rancho San Cayetano (B)
Day 5 – Zitacuaro to Morelia with Sightseeing
Today, you will depart from the butterfly gateway of Zitácuaro for historic Morelia, recognized globally for its intellectual traditions and eclectic mix of the medieval and Renaissance spirits. Enjoy a half-day tour of the city, visiting the central square and seeing masterfully restored 17th and 18th century colonial mansions. Drop of at your Morelia hotel.
Starting Accommodation: Hotel Rancho San Cayetano (B)
Day 6 – Travel to La Paz
Takeoff to La Paz and continue on the next stage of your adventure.
Starting Accommodation: Hotel Posada De Las Flores (B)
Day 7 – Espíritu Santo Island Kayak Excursion
Today, you may sea kayak or snorkel (arriving by high-speed motorboat) at Espiritu Santo Island. Along the way, your expert guide will provide an orientation to provide beginners with important information on safety and the basics of operating a sea kayak. Hop into the turquoise waters to paddle beneath volcanic cliffs until lunchtime, when a beach picnic awaits. A natural history walk follows and a ride to a sea lion island colony. There is no thrill like swimming and snorkeling among sea lions in the wild.
Starting Accommodation: Hotel Posada De Las Flores (B)
Day 8 – Magdalena Bay Overnight Whale Watch Adventure
Depart from La Paz early en route to Lopez Matos (4 hours drive) in the Magdalena Bay. Breakfast will be provided en route at a favorite local ranchos. Arriving at Lopez Mateos your whale watching adventure begins, you will depart in boat from Lopez Mateos towards San Carlos, along the way exploring the mangrove canals, massive sand dunes, as you observe different species of birds, marine mammals and whales. Your guide will share a little bit of natural history from the region.
Next you will arrive to the area in which you will have lunch, located at the foot of the majestic sand dunes. After lunch, you will have the opportunity to walk through the sand dunes and embrace the natural beauty of the fusion of desert and sea before continuing your boat trip. Arriving at Puerto San Carlos, you will settle into your hotel and enjoy rest of evening at leisure.
Starting Accommodation: Hotel Mangrove Inn (B)
Day 9 – Magdalena Bay Overnight Whale Watch Adventure
Today after breakfast you will meet your guide for a 1.5 to 2 hour whale watching private excursion. After lunch (not included) you will board your private vehicle and return to La Paz (4 hours drive).
Starting Accommodation: Hotel Posada De Las Flores (B)
Day 10 – Depart La Paz
Ahead of your flight, you will be transferred from your accommodations to the La Paz International Airport.
(B)
