HIGHLANDS OF MEXICO
A HUNDRED MILLION MONARCHS
The Monarch Butterfly creates a spectacle that can be matched by few other phenomena in the natural world – truly a wonder of nature. Each spring millions leave the serenely beautiful landscapes of the Central Mexican Highlands and head north over much of North America. Five generations and eight months later they are back, a hundred million of them cramming into just a few mountain top firs!
Alone, the Monarch is a thing of beauty, but gathered together in their millions they are transformed into a swirling carnival of colour. The experience is mesmerising as they flutter all around us. Fir needles disappear under a deep blanket of orange and peach wings. Sometimes the sheer weight of butterflies brings branches crashing to the ground, the butterflies erupting upwards like a strontium powered firework! Speaking of eruptions, we may well see one, as the perfect 12,400 feet cone of Volcan de Fuego does so regularly. Our viewing of Vermilion Flycatchers, black and red Swallowtails or Nine-banded Armadillos, may be interrupted by the spectacle!
Mexico's unique highland pine and oak forests also host a richly varied bird life with beautiful Mountain Trogons, Orioles and Grosbeaks, and many stunning Hummingbirds. Amongst Bromeliads and Epiphytic Orchids, and on flowery banks draped with Penstemons, Dahlias and scarlet Salvias, we'll see lurid Red Warblers, endemic Blue Mockingbirds, and tiny Bumblebee Hummingbirds. Over farmland hunt Crested Caracaras and Whitetailed Kites whilst Tricoloured Herons, Jacanas and Snow Geese decorate fabulous wetlands. Morelia is one of the loveliest cities you'll ever see. The immense cathedral dominates a city centre of broad avenues and arcaded plazas lined with 17th century mansions that are all still so perfect that the whole city has been declared a national monument! This is a really special part of Mexico and we can enjoy both the wildlife and atmospheric towns and villages from some exceptionally pleasant hotels.
INFORMATION
Focus
Butterflies, Birds, Flowers, Mountain Landscapes and Morelia.
Leaders
Walking
Relaxed and fairly easy. Up to three or four miles a day and always at a slow pace, perfectly suited to flower and butterfly photographers. Some quite steep but well-made paths. Please note that though the Monarch roosts are at eight to ten thousand feet above sea level, we take a whole week to gradually acclimatise you to the altitude, moving up steadily during the week.
Included in the Price
All flights. All transport, meals and accommodation in Mexico. Services of your leaders. Please note: drinks, tips and items of a personal nature including insurance, are not included.
Group Size
The minimum is 5 and the maximum is 15.
Accommodation
We start with three nights at the basic but welcoming Laguna Maria, close by spectacular Volcan Fuego, and just a short walk from a beautiful lagoon set in an extinct volcano crater and surrounded by forest. Then, after a night at the pleasant Quinta del Sol on the outskirts of Ciudad Guzman, we’ll move to Morelia where we have three nights in the gorgeous Hotel de la Soledad. Formerly a coach house, this delightful colonial building has been transformed into a comfortable hotel with rooms surrounding a lovely central courtyard. In Angangueo we’re at the very welcoming Don Bruno for four nights. Pleasant rooms look out onto a courtyard where hummingbirds regularly feed. Lastly we have three nights at Hotel Rancho Las Margaritas in fine countryside near Valle de Bravo. All hotels have en suite rooms.
Climate
Warm and sunny with only occasional showers. Sometimes quite cool at higher altitudes especially where the Monarchs winter.
How To Book
Download a booking form (or contact us and we will send one to you)from the Booking Information section. Complete and send to us. You will receive confirmation of your place and then a detailed information pack will be dispatched to you about twelve weeks before departure. This will contain up-to-date health news. Trip reports and bird, mammal and butterfly checklists are available.
