HISTORY & MONARCH BUTTERFLIES
A ROAD OF RICHES
"This was a great introduction to this unique region of Mexico. Jennifer is knowledgeable and passionate and ensured we had comfortable landings after each full day of adventure. I will happily repeat this tour as well as engage Jennifer snd Copper Moon Travels in other Mexico Tours."
- Robbin (Women are Sacred 2023)
A ROAD OF RICHES
FROM ANCIENT TRADERS & GUERRERO'S WEALTHIEST SILVER MINE TO THE MONARCH RESERVES
STARTS: San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato
ENDS: San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato
DATES: January 5-13, 2026
DURATION: 8 Nights / 9 Days
OVERNIGHT LOCATIONS: Tepoztlan (2 Nights), Taxco (3 Nights), Rancho San Cayetano (3 Nights)
PRICES INCLUDE TAXES AND ARE BASED ON COST SHARING. IF YOU WOULD LIKE A PRIVATE ROOM FOR 1, THE EXTRA COST IS $11,500 MXN. PLEASE REQUEST A ROOMMATE, AND WE WILL TRY TO MATCH YOU WITH SOMEONE TO AVOID THIS EXTRA EXPENSE.
PRICE FOR 6 GUESTS: 64,000 MXN Ea (Approx $3400 USD / $4600 CAD)
PRICE FOR 8 GUESTS: $55,000 MXN Ea (Approx $2900 USD / $4000 CAD)
PRICE FOR 10 GUESTS: $50,000 MXN Ea (Approx $2600 USD / $3600 CAD)
PRICE FOR 12 GUESTS: $46,000 MXN Ea (Approx $2420 USD / $3300 CAD)
PRICE FOR 14 GUESTS: $42,000 MXN Ea (Approx $2200 USD / $3000 CAD)
INCLUSIONS: All Taxes, 8 Breakfasts, 1 Lunch, 1 Picnic, 2 Dinners, all entrance fees & activities (unless otherwise noted), lecture and tour with award winning research scientist Dr. Pablo Jaramillo Lopez, private transportation, bilingual services with Licensed National Guide. This tour raises important funds for science research.
CURRENCY CONVERTER
TRIP OVERVIEW
From artisans to ancient cultures, colonial towns and tranquil nature...
We are fortunate to live in a diverse nation with an abundance of subjects and places to explore. We are excited to offer this extended monarch butterfly tour to include the famous silver town of Taxco de Alarcon and the picturesque village of Tepoztlan. This region offers us some wonderful options for day-time exploration, including a visit to the pottery studio of Javier Servin for some of the most intricately ornamented ceramics in Mexico, the handsome Jardinas de Mexico and the UNESCO protected archaeological site of Xochicalco, which will captivate your imagination...
this tour includes a fascinating lecture and tour with Dr. Pablo Jaramillo...
Those of you who have been following our tours know that we generally only organize select trips each season to the Monarch Butterly reserves, but when we do, we travel with a scientist. As an award winning research scientist, Dr. Jaramillo has spent his career dedicated to the monarchs, and the information you will learn is beyond the questions most of us could even think to ask. We will enjoy a visual presentation with discussion, followed by our tour the following day. Dr. Jaramillo will lead us into the Sierra Chincua reserve, and will be offering fascinating insights into the reserve itself, as well as the monarchs and their migration. We will also visit the El Rosario Reserve prior to Dr. Jaramillo's arrival, as this is usually the largest colony, albeit also the most crowded sanctuary. We are pleased to offer you the contrast of two very different reserves during this adventure, and hope you enjoy the educational and insightful information on offer...
Settled in 200 BC, Xochicalco thrived in the Epiclassic Era (700-900 CE)....
UNESCO protected Xochicalco is an incredible city to explore, as the influences here include Maya, Matlazinca and Teotihuacan. Many speculate Xochicalco may have impacted the fall of Teotihuacan, though there are countless theories that remain unanswered here. A cosmopolitan city, there are some fantastic temples here, such as the Temple of Quetzalcoatl. The observatory is a bewildering feat of engineering and astronomy, and of 3 visible ball courts, one of them has very steep walls with a high-strung ball hoop like the one at Chichen-Itza. This city is also noted for her water capture and irrigation system...
and now boasts a well-maintained park & fantastic museum...
We will visit the site first, to understand the layout of the city. Guests must be mobile, as there are some hills and steps, though the terracing allows for breaks between the ascending layers. After we have explored the city, we will head to the museum to cool off and enjoy a wonderful collection of the pieces found here...
We will explore the silver shops and history of Taxco....
The streets of Taxco are picturesque and vibrant, as are the silver shops a candy store for art and jewelry lovers! We will visit the spectacular Church of Santa Prisca, which was constructed between 1751-1759 in the Baroque style with Churrigueresque features. Enjoy a mine tour and the option of free time to keep exploring, or a side-trip to visit Pozos Azules de Atzala...
with the option of swimming in the frigid Pozos Azules de Atzala...
In the afternoon, we will take a trip to nearby Pozos Azules de Atzala, where brave guests can slowly descend into the crystal-clear, turquoise waters that are as frigid as they are refreshing. If you don't want to swim, you may still enjoy the beautiful landscape here. On our way back to Taxco, we will stop at the El Cristo look-out point, with panoramic views of Taxco from above...
Stay in Tepoztlan's iconic Posada del Tepozteco....
With over 70 years of hospitality service, Posada Del Tepozteco has hosted world-renowned painters such as Diego Rivera, Rufino Tamayo, Cordelia Urueta and David Alfaro Siqueiros, actors such as Dolores Del Rio, Angelina Jolie, Antonio Banderas, Diego Luna and Gael García Bernal and writers as Juan Rulfo, Carlos Pellicer and Salvador Novo...
The property features a temzacal sweat lodge, spa services and a heated pool.
People watch in the charming and artistic village of Tepoztlan....
Nahuatl for "Place of abundant copper" or "place of broken stones," Tepoztlan has an abundance of history, including pottery and other ceramics unearthed here that date back to 1500 BCE. Legend tells us Amatlan, which is located in Tepoztlan, was the birthplace of Ce Acatl, also known as Topiltzin Ce Acatl Quetzalcoatl, giving rise to the theory that the iconic feather-plumbed serpent god Quetzalcoatl has origins here...
or commune with the god of pulque atop the Temple of El Tepozteco...
For those of you who are fit and eager, locals liken a climb to the Temple of El Tepozteco as a spiritual journey. The climb is steep, but for those who join us for this hike, we will move very slowly. We would like to start early in the morning before the heat of the day, so if you do not wish to come, enjoy the morning to browse through the boutique shops of the Centro. For those who do make the climb, the views from the top are breathtaking and the experience is unforgettable...
Unwind at the tranquil Rancho San Cayetano....
We are confirmed for 3 nights at Zitacuaro's star resort, Rancho San Cayetano. At this time of year, the region is chilly, so you can cozy up with a wood-burning fire by evening. During the day, it gets quite hot so bring your swimsuit in case you want to brave the pool....
and enjoy a lovely breakfast in the garden...
Our guests love the breakfast at Rancho San Cayetano, especially their own brand of honey, from their bees right here in Zitacuaro. The ranch features a wonderful gift shop, so you can take some jars of honey home for friends, along with lovely handicrafts from around the area....
HIGHLIGHTS OF THIS TOUR
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Sierra Chincua Butterfly Sanctuary with award winning research scientist
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El Rosario Butterfly Sanctuary
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Las Grutas de Cacahuimilpa
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Pozos Azules
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UNESCO Protected Archaeological Site of Xochicalco
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Pueblo Magico Tepoztlan
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Pueblo Magico Taxco de Alarcan
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Pottery Studio near Maravatio
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Jardines de Mexico
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Walking Tour of Tepoztlan
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Walking Tour of Taxco
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Ex Hacienda near Jungapeo
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Hope for the Monarchs Lecture by Dr. Jaramillo Lopez
This trip is accessible from anywhere in the world...
Visitors to San Miguel de Allende usually fly in through the Queretaro or Leon airports. Please contact us for assistance with our flights, if you are arriving from outside of the San Miguel de Allende area...
We also recommend arriving early and leaving late if it's your first time....
If you have never visited San Miguel de Allende before, we recommend arriving early or extending your stay following our tour, so you can properly explore this exceptional UNESCO art haven. We can connect you with guides there, if you would like a guided tour of the Centro or outlying historical areas...
QUESTIONS?
Please do not hesitate to contact Jennifer if you have any questions or would like to schedule this tour at a different time for a private group.
Email: coppermoontravels@protonmail.com
WhatsApp: +52 443 639 2782 (Please text first)
