Tour of Mexico's Monarch Country
February 17 - 21, 2023
You are invited to join us this February to see one of Nature's wonders, the gathering of millions of Monarch butterflies in the mountains of central Mexico, after their 3,000-mile journey from Canada and northern USA. For the first time in 3 years, I will be leading a small group of friends to visit the largest of the Monarch's overwintering 'sanctuaries', El Rosario, two hours west of Mexico City.
After two fun-filled days in cosmopolitan Mexico City and nearby Teotihuacan with its famous pyramids, we will head to 'Monarch Country' to connect with Nature at a place where all you can hear are butterfly wings amongst majestic oyamel fir trees.
Great food and entertainment are an integral part of the 4-day tour. Please join me if you can and follow in the footsteps of other Rotarians who have made the trip with me in years past.
Hoping you can join us!
William Dent
Program Director / Monarch Sister Schools Program (Mexico)
williamdentjr@gmail.com
Text to (202) 487-5343
See trip itinerary below, or download it from here.
LAND PACKAGE – Detailed itinerary
MEXICO CITY AREA
Feb. 16th - Thursday (Optional "preview day")
Introductory walking tour: Monument to the Revolution, family-friendly Alameda Park, and Palacio de Bellas Artes, followed by dinner at the beautiful Casa de Los Azulejos. The following morning (Friday), we visit Chapultepec Park and the historic "Castillo" palace with its breathtaking views of the City.
Feb. 17th - Friday (Day 1)
-Meet those arriving today at the Airport / 2:30 pm - Tour of the sights around the Zócalo including the Presidential Palace (with Diego Rivera murals), the excavated AztecTemplo Mayor & the Metropolitan Cathedral (the largest in the Americas).
- Check in to hotel / Welcome dinner with live music & authentic Mexican cuisine.
Feb. 18th - Saturday (Day 2)
Breakfast / Morning trip to Pyramids of Teotihuacan led by guide Alex Ramirez Cruz.
Late lunch, followed by a tour of the world-famous National Museum of Anthropology, highlighting the rich history of Mexico’s pre-colonial civilizations. / Evening: Free
MONARCH COUNTRY - 2 days and 2 nights
Feb. 19th - Sunday (Day 3)
Early departure from Mexico City / Transfer in our private mini-bus to “Monarch Country”
9:30 am. Visit to one of our Mexican sister schools
11:00 am- 2:30 pm. Visit to El Rosario Monarch Sanctuary with local guide
Feb. 20th - Monday (Day 4)
Breakfast / Trip to the magical gold mining town of Angangueo (or return to El Rosario).
Afternoon. Visit to award-winning Alternare for presentation on their work with local communities promoting sustainable agricultural practices (fascinating!) and Monarch preservation / Evening: Farewell dinner
Feb. 21st - Tuesday (return to Mexico City, or optional extension)
Breakfast / Minibus transfer to Mexico City Airport for those returning home. We arrive at the airport by 10:15 am for return flights to the U.S. departing early afternoon.
Main Land Package - Pricing
4-DAY Package price: $1,425 per person (double occupancy)* / $200 Single Sup.
* Price includes lodging, meals (that are underlined), transportation & guide services.
5-DAY** Package price: $1,625 per person (double occupancy) / $250 Single Sup.
** for those arriving Thursday, February 16th with extra night at hotel & breakfast
Air travel. We can suggest flights to get you there on time, but leave the booking to you.
Two-day Monarch Festival Extension:
Our colorful Monarch Festival begins on February 21st. By staying two more days, you will get to see the opening of the Festival with traditional local folk dancing. The next day, we will attend the colorful Monarch-themed parade with the participation of hundreds of local school children.
Feb. 21st – Tuesday
10:00 am - National Monarch Festival – 10th Year: Opening ceremony, with
· Traditional folk dancing by the colorful “Raíces Otomies” Dance Company & others
· Brief presentations of students and local authorities
1:30 pm - Lunch (La Comida, main meal of the day) at La Hacienda Restaurant
3:30 pm - Guided tour of the historic sites of Zitácuaro, including city hall with historic murals
6:00 pm - Social Hour, followed by optional light dinner (la cena) in Zitácuaro
Return to Hotel Villa Monarca
Feb. 22nd – Wednesday
7:30 am - Breakfast
9:00 am - Excursion to the San Felipe pre-Columbian archeological site
11:30 am - Visit to the City’s ‘Mirador’ with a commanding view of the Valley
1:30 pm - Lunch (La Comida, main meal of the day) at Casa de Memo restaurant
4:00 pm - Festival Parade
Return to Hotel Villa Monarca
7:00 pm - Social hour, followed by optional light dinner (la cena) at the hotel
Feb. 23rd – Thursday
6:15 am - Breakfast
7:15 am - Return trip to Mexico City (direct taxi to the Airport in Mexico City)
TWO-DAY EXTENSION PRICING: $475
Two-day Extension package includes:
· Hotel (2 nights)
· Breakfast and ‘La Comida’ (main meal of the day)
· Local transportation (small van or VW Kombi) to event sites
· Local guide and interpreter
Not included:
· Light dinner (La cena), snack, and beverages
· Return transportation options to Mexico City
MEXICO MONARCH TOUR / Statement on Security
Those who have not visited Mexico before may be anxious about security. Much of Mexico, however, is at least as safe as the United States. Some 1.6 million Americans make Mexico their permanent home. Of course, no matter where you travel, we know there are always places that one should avoid. That is part of the reason why we work with local guides and have local partners.
Our veteran guide in Mexico City, Alex Ramirez, has been doing tours throughout Mexico for over 35 years, including 10 years with us. Prior to us, he led eight tours for Carla Cohen, co-founder of the Politics & Prose Bookstore, the largest in Washington, DC. Mexico was Carla’s favorite country to visit for its warm hospitality, rich culture, charming small towns, and wonderful food.
All these factors contribute to making Mexico the #1 international destination of Americans. Mexico City will be the ‘gateway’ of our tour. Our 4-star hotel in one of the City’s most vibrant neighborhoods, just steps away from the new Senate building and the famous ‘Monumento’ to the Mexican Revolution. Nearby Alameda Park and the Palacio de Bella Artes (the City’s grand theater) are also within an easy walk. The tree and statue-lined main avenue called Paseo de la Reforma reminds one of the boulevards of Paris.
Mexico City. Tour members are met on Day 1 at the International Airport and accompanied by our Guide, Alex Ramirez, and Tour Coordinator, William Dent. We will have our own exclusive van and driver to take us to the main sights in Mexico City, including the (very secure) Presidential Palace, Cathedral, and Templo Mayor (excavated the Aztec temple). Along the way, we stay together under their watchful eye, which makes the experience seamless and comfortable.
Monarch Country. On Days 3 and 4 of the Tour, we are in Mexico’s Monarch Country, which straddles the border between the State of Mexico and the State of Michoacan, where for the past ten years we have operated the Mexican part of our Monarch Sister Schools Program with a local team that is well known and respected. While the State Department urges caution in Michoacan, we will be hours away from the western region of the State that has gained notoriety for drug trafficking and violence. With the local presence of our National Program Director, Jesus Arriaga, we have built strong alliances with local communities, government authorities, and nonprofit leaders, all contributing to a safe operation.
‘El Rosario’, the Monarch butterfly sanctuary that we will visit (in easternmost Michoacan) is managed by the local indigenous community and is one of the most peaceful places that one could imagine. The Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is under the active oversight of the local office of the equivalent of our National Park Service. Officials are present where we will visit.
We welcome any questions and will be glad to discuss any remaining concerns.
Best, William Dent, Tour Coordinator
Email: williamdentjr@gmail.com / Phone : (202) 487-5343
