BUTTERFLY & ART TOUR - SACRED MIGRATION
STARTS: Guadalajara, Jalisco
ENDS: Mexico City, Mexico
DATES: January 30 - February 6, 2025
DURATION: 7 Nights / 8 Days
PRICE: $46,000 MXN
​
Please Note: The cities of Guadalajara and Mexico City are incredible places to explore. We recommend arriving early and leaving later, if you have time and interest. Contact us for more information!
​
Visit the Monarch Butterflies
Visit the Monarch Butterflies
WHY BOOK THIS TOUR?
This travel experience through the highland region of Michoacan is a diverse offering that includes indigenous art studios, a church that was nearly devoured by Paricutin volcano, bird watching with an experienced ornithologist and an informative visit to the monarch butterfly colonies with award winning scientist Trecia E Neal, whose career has focussed on monarch habitats and gardens.
​
We will start in the art district of Tlaquepaque, Jalisco (fly into Guadalajara Airport) before departing on a rural path through a region untouched by tourism to visit an intriguing region of our state that offers stunning scenery, indigenous narratives and mediums such as textiles, handmade clothing, ceramics and more. As we reach the UNESCO protected Monarch Butterfly Biosphere, we will enjoy some informative lectures by Biologist Trecia E Neal, who will lead our group into two of the reserves for unique experiences with the overwintering colonies.
​
This is a once-in-a-lifetime adventure that will put you in touch with the best of what our state has to offer!
ART STUDIOS WE WILL VISIT
WHAT WILL YOU EXPERIENCE?
We commence our tour in a fantastic petatillo pottery studio in Tonala, which is near Tlaquepaque where we are staying. We then spend the night in Zamora, where Mexico's tallest Neo-gothic church resides.
Our journey into the P'urepecha Meseta will explore ceramic and textile studios, with picturesque roads connecting these small and unknown villages. We will be staying in the city of Uruapan to explore this region, which includes the Pueblo Magico of Paracho, where musicians such as Santiago have purchased guitars from the local luthiers. While we are in Uruapan, we will enjoy one early morning for birding with an experienced ornithologist, and will visit local installation artist Jesus Alexandre.
Our next stop is at Agua Blanca Resort, located in the small village of Jungapeo. The resort features temperate mineral pools for soaking in medicinal waters, and guests may also opt to enjoy a temazcal (indigenous sweat lodge).
Once in the UNESCO protected Monarch Butterfly Biosphere, guests should be prepared to climb into high altitudes that reach up to 3048 meters (10,000 feet) above sea level. If you suffer from COPD or have a medical condition that affects your breathing, please contact us before booking your tour. There are horses available, which are led by local indigenous guides who welcome your patronage. The cost is around $100 MXN + tip, each way. You can choose to ride one way or both. Regardless of horseback riding, you will still be required to hike for about 1/2 an hour on mixed terrain, depending on where the colony is located (they move throughout the season based on the climate, so we never know where we are going until we arrive). Both paths have some steep inclines, but we will travel slowly and at least one of the guides will stay at the end of the line. There are hiking poles near the entrance that you may rent for around $15 pesos. We recommend bringing water, sturdy hiking shoes and a backpack with a warm coat, mitts and toque in case it is cold (it has been known to snow and hail occasionally, and can get very chilly). On the other hand, it can also be very warm and sunny, in which case, you will be glad to have dressed in layers that you can peel off.
​
When we visit the Cerro Pelon Reserve, please be prepared for a difficult ride. We will move at a walking pace, led by local Mazahua guides, but there are some steep inclines on the way in, with sharp declines on the way out. If you have trouble riding, please contact us for more information.
​
Finally - you will witness a phenomenon so rare and full of mystery, when you first lay eyes on the thousands of monarchs clustering in the trees and you will understand why so many of our first-time guests return to experience this again and again.
Ride to the church of San Juan Parangaricutiro
Ride to the church of San Juan Parangaricutiro
Cupatitzio National Park
Ride to the church of San Juan Parangaricutiro
GET EDUCATED WHILE YOU TRAVEL
Travelling with cultural expert Jaime Hernandez Balderas (of Animecha Tours) is always a fascinating experience, as he is so gifted at imparting his knowledge about the artists, their mediums, regional history and more. Not everyone with knowledge is a good teacher, but Mr. Hernandez makes learning fun and his teaching style is easy to follow.
​
We will enjoy some birding with Ornithologist Adrian Ceja Madrigal, who is currently completing his PhD on Invasive Bird Species of Mexico. Mr. Ceja will present an informative and interesting lecture about birds while we are in Uruapan.
​
Trecia E Neal is a Monarch expert and biologist from Atlanta, with a special passion for creating monarch friendly gardens along the migration path. Mrs. Neal will present two lectures during our tour - one that covers the biology and metamorphosis of monarchs, and another that focuses on monarch gardens called "Take a Monarch to Lunch."
Between these 3 incredible and dedicated experts, you will leave Michoacan armed with much knowledge about local handicrafts, history and nature.
If you live along the migration path between Mexico and Canada, this lecture will be of special interest to you, as there are also things you can do for the monarchs in your own garden, which will vary depending on where you live.
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 Meseta 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.
Agua Blanca Resort
Agua Blanca Resort
Agua Blanca Resort
Agua Blanca Resort
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
PRICE INCLUSIONS & RESERVATIONS
The tour price of $46,000 MXN includes your hotel based on shared accommodation for 2. The single supplement is $8500 MXN, if you prefer a private room.
​
Ground transportation from San Miguel de Allende (return) is included.
The price includes breakfast in Tlalpujahua. All other meals are separate.
Dr. Jaramillo's Hope for the Monarchs lecture is included, as is your entrance fee for the monarch butterfly sanctuary.
​
Horseback riding is optional, as some guests may prefer to hike.
​
This tour raises funds for important scientific research. Please contact us if you would like to contribute an additional donation.
​
Tips for your team leaders are discretionary and appreciated.
​
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