Magical Mexico, Butterfly Biosphere and Ocean Adventure

The tremendously diverse vastness of Mexico provides visitors of all kinds with remarkable natural splendour and untold reward throughout the year. The winter is a stand-out season, though, in the World Heritage highland forests of Michoacán and the marine enclaves of Baja California. As the days grow shorter, determined creatures ranging in size from 3-4-inch featherweights to school bus-sized 30-40-ton giants make their way in by air and sea, delighting and mystifying human observers. Join Monarch butterflies and eastern Gray Whales in their annual sojourn and learning about conservation issues that threaten the future of these precious ecosystems. Explore historic Morelia, kayak the Sea of Cortez, and snorkel with wild sea lions. Along the way, expert naturalist guides will reveal many charms of Mexico, proven here to draw repeat visitors from great distances.

Trip Type: Adventure, Cultural, Family

Day By Day

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
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

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
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

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
Meals: Breakfast

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
Meals: Breakfast

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
Meals: Breakfast

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
Meals: Breakfast

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
Meals: Breakfast

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
Meals: Breakfast

Day 10 – Depart La Paz

Ahead of your flight, you will be transferred from your accommodations to the La Paz International Airport.

Meals: Breakfast

Pricing

Package Level: Deluxe

Pricing for this package is on request. Please call a Swain Destinations Specialist to customize this journey.

Terms and Conditions

Prices are per person, twin/double share in USD. All highlighted savings are reflected in the price. Price does not include airfare unless otherwise stated. Travel may be limited to certain days of the week. Hotels and tours remain subject to availability. Cancellation penalties and other booking or alteration restrictions may exist. Please note blackout dates may apply to Christmas, New Year and local special event periods. Pricing may increase over Holiday and special event periods and may not be reflected in price grid. Prices indicated remain subject to change without notice. Prices are not guaranteed until full payment is received and processed. CST #2012413-20 See our full Terms and Conditions: www.swaindestinations.com/terms