WHY BOOK THIS TOUR?
This tour is aimed at guests who are interested in educational experiences that offer you the chance to engage with some of the local artists in our region, while also introducing you to an expert research scientist who is both passionate and personable. Dr. Jaramillo has worked in the reserves for many years and loves regaling guests with stories about his late mentor Dr. Lincoln Brewer, his research and award winning projects. This is beyond a normal butterfly tour - but an academic experience mixed with a lot of tacos, a bit of mezcal and a ton of laughter. Expect to return home feeling informed and inspired.
YOUR TOUR IN PHOTOGRAPHS
WHAT WILL YOU EXPERIENCE?
Your tour departs Zihuatanejo by 8:00 AM to reach a wonderful restaurant with lovely vistas of Lake Patzcuaro for lunch. From there, head to the Pueblo Magico of Santa Clara to meet award winning artist and friend Sergio, who will work with you over the course of an hour to instruct you through the process of making a beautiful, shiny copper bracelet. Sergio has a small gallery in his home, and is a top prize winner in state competitions, so it's quite an experience to visit his home and work alongside him in his workshop. From there, visit one of the most eclectic copper galleries in Santa Clara del Cobre, where the owners son also dabbles in tasty artisan beer. Depart at around 4:30 PM for the city of Morelia to check into your hotel and head for dinner at a fantastic, ambient restaurant for 7:00 PM.
The following day, depart for the Pueblo Magico of Tlalpujahua where you will stay overnight. Enjoy the enchanting pathways and buildings of this interesting village, with options to stay in town or visit the mine museum, where a tragic accident resulted in the death of several hundred residents. This evening we will enjoy a fascinating lecture by award winning research scientist Dr. Jaramillo, who originates from Ecuador and completed his PhD in Canada. A professor at the University of Morelia, Dr. Jaramillo offers a solution-based presentation about the monarchs, the obstacles they face, and how we can be involved in the preservation of their phenomenal migration. This is a top-level evening complete with time for questions and discussion.
Staying in Tlalpujahua means we don't have to rush in the morning, but can instead enjoy a lazy morning with breakfast starting 9:30. By comparison, most day tours from Morelia depart at 7 AM due to the lengthy commute each way. We will visit the Sierra Chincua Monarch Reserve with Dr. Jaramillo, and he will continue to regale you with stories about his mentor and famed Etymologist, Dr. Lincoln Brower, while discussing the environment, habitat, scientific theories about why the Monarchs return to this specific place, and more. We will have lunch with the locals before departing for our long commute to Patzcuaro.
While in Patzcuaro, enjoy visiting the Pueblo Magico of Tzintzuntzan, an illustrious estate in Capula, alongside Catrina galleries, have amazing molcajetes in Quiroga, a traditional meal with an internationally recognized P'urepecha cook, visit the Temple of Santa Muerte, tour a mezcal distillery and sip on spirits grown right in our region, and more.
On your way back to the beach, enjoy one last adventure in the pine forests to reach a historic church that was devoured by Paricutin volcano in the 1940's. We will enjoy a locally made meal with a P'urepecha family of backstrap weavers, where you can browse through their textiles and make purchases directly. (Please do not worry about making purchases, as we are paying the family for lunch. If some of you make a purchase, it's an extra bonus for the family.)
Ride to the church of San Juan Parangaricutiro
Ride to the church of San Juan Parangaricutiro
Ride to the church of San Juan Parangaricutiro
GET EDUCATED WHILE YOU TRAVEL
We strive hard to avoid fast tourism, instead opting for educational experiences that help our guests engage with the locals and spend time in their communities to learn about their perspectives. On this tour, you will have the chance to participate in a workshop to get your hands onto some copper, hammer and file to experience the challenges of a beginner. Getting to work in a traditional workshop is an added bonus for those who love interesting photographs and bragging rights! Getting to spend time with a research scientist whose life passion encompasses the environment, but who seeks tangible solutions rather than lecturing about the doom and gloom of our world is more than educational - it's also refreshing and hopeful. Having lunch with local P'urepecha women and showing an interest in their traditions is a unique experience for all parties involved - but for the young children in their communities, it is important for them to know that their culture is something to be proud of. I say this because in so much of the world, indigenous peoples have faced and endured intense racism that has caused much shame, where enthusiasm and pride was deserved.
This short, week long tour is more than a trip - it's a life-changing insight into the Mexico so many of us call home - experienced respectfully and without intrusion.
Monarch Butterfly Caterpillars
Women having fun at the monarch butterfly reserve!
Monarch Butterfly Colony in Mexico
Monarch Butterfly Caterpillars
HOW DOES THIS BENEFIT LOCALS?
This tour raises money for important research in the biosphere, whose creation has actually had adverse consequences for the local indigenous villagers who have relied on logging for decades before the Biosphere was declared a UNESCO site and thus protected from logging. Illegal logging persists because the locals still require income for sustenance. We highly recommend riding a horse into the reserve if you are comfortable, as this provides seasonal employment for the dozens of Mazahua guides who work in the reserves. We will enjoy lunch in the traditional kitchens, as this keeps many families employed here. There are a few shops that sell embroidered tortilla cloths, wool mittens, toques and locally made snacks that you can purchase. We will hire a watchman to travel with us, as this program also encourages the locals to protect their local habitat. We are continually looking for ways to benefit the locals, and welcome suggestions. If you would like to make a private donation for science research, we welcome any and all support on offer. Please contact us for more information.
Our art collection tour through the highlands brings much needed economy to the locals of the area, as they mainly rely on two major art festivals per year, other than select galleries who travel through the area to purchase wholesale. We will arrange two lunches with two local families, offering you the opportunity to try their local cuisine, while also offering them some extra income when we visit. Guests are not obligated to purchase art pieces, but those who do will certainly leave some huge smiles behind.
WHAT HAVE OTHER GUESTS SAID?
Please Note: Our company was registered as Soul of Mexico Tours in 2018, but was Trademarked by someone unscrupulous in 2023. We changed our company name to Copper Moon Travels in April 2023.
From Nancy 2022
What an adventure! This trip was unlike any I have ever taken before and blew me away - I learned so much about an area in Mexico that I had never been to before. The countryside was beautiful and the food was delicious, but what amazed me was the history and architecture of the area coupled with the incredible talent of the local artisans. I loved the intertwining of the 16th and 17th century Spanish influence with the local customs and traditions of the indigenous people and meeting artists in their workshops making the beautiful hand-made works of art the same way generations before them did it, and seeing how they are passing down their knowledge to their children and grandchildren like their ancestors before them. The pottery, copperware, woodworking and textiles they create are absolutely spectacular. Bring an extra suitcase because you will not be able to resist taking some home!!
From Taylor 2022
I just returned from the 10 day trip through Michoacán from Guadalajara to Mexico City. Jennifer was thorough in offering local art, nature, excellent guides and delicious food (some of which Jennifer baked herself for a wonderful picnic!). What more could one ask for?! And ALL of the accommodations were excellent. Visits to the artists homes and workspaces in various towns and villages gave the trip so much more depth and meaning. The very good-humored Mexican historian, Jaime, who accompanied us most of the way was EXCELLENT and he left no question unanswered. His presentations at murals, in zocalós of various towns or in churches were very interesting and comprehensive. The last 3 days were dedicated to seeing the monarch butterflies at 3 different locations in the nearby reserves. Trecia, the biologist who knows all things Monarcha Mariposa, was a perfect source of knowledge and enthusiasm for this natural phenomenon. She has been there many times and is part of the efforts to protect the Monarchs from Mexico to Canada. I HIGHLY recommend going on this tour with Jennifer and Trecia as your guides. Taylor Randolph
From Margaret 20220
Dear Jennifer and Trecia, Thank you Jennifer and Trecia for putting together such a magical trip! The butterflies were truly spectacular. Meeting local artists and spending time with them in their homes and workshops was such a unique experience only exceeded by Jamie's knowledge of the culture. The culture, art, and butterflies were something most people do not get to experience. I appreciate all you did to make this trip educational. It is one I will never forget. I came home with a much deeper understanding and appreciation for the culture and people of Michoacan..
To read more reviews, please click here. We also have some reviews on Trip Advisor, which we are trying to grow. If you come on tour with us, please consider leaving us a review, as they are so crucial for small businesses like ours!
Meet back-strap weavers who make exquisite textiles
Have lunch with a local family of artisans
A happy client and dear friend with her brand new rebozo, woven by Doña Santa!
Meet back-strap weavers who make exquisite textiles
Kicking up the dust!
Mating monarch butterflies
Monarch butterfly feeding on local nectar plant
Kicking up the dust!
Monarch butterflies in the biosphere
Monarch butterflies in the biosphere
Monarch butterflies in the biosphere
Monarch butterflies in the biosphere
CONTACT US
Contact: Jennifer Bjarnason
Email: coppermoontravels@protonmail.com
WhatsApp / Text: +52 443 639 2782
Monarch colony
Majestic monarch butterflies migrate to Mexico for winter Photo by Jennifer Bjarnason 2020
Monarch butterfly
Monarch colony