BUTTERFLY TOUR
ANCIENT MONARCH HABITATS
STARTS: San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato
ENDS: San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato
DATES: February 4-6, 2026
DURATION: 2 Nights / 3 Days
PRICE: TBA (No Single Supplement Charged)
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Please Note: This tour departs and returns to San Miguel de Allende, but if you have your own transportation, you can meet us in Jungapeo. Contact us for more info.
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WHY BOOK THIS TOUR?
True tranquility is a well-deserved respite in nature, where one can unwind and relax after a day of adventure. This special two night tour offers guests an extensive Monarch Butterfly pilgrimage to two contrasting reserves, with lodgings at the lovely Agua Blanca Resort.
When you aren't shopping for exquisite pottery or observing thousands of monarchs in their roosts, Agua Blanca offers a number of wonderful spa treatments, such as having a massage, reiki session or simply soaking in their temperate but medicinal pools, which is fed by a nearby spring. One other exceptional experience on offer here, is a Temezcal sweat with a local medicine man from the Matlatzinca cultural group.
By nightfall, the pools are emptied for cleaning and guests can gather in the small outdoor bar, or request mats for lying on the grass for some late-night star gazing.
Agua Blanca offers lovely food, and will pack us one picnic lunch for our trip to El Rosario, so we are able to return in time for some afternoon swimming and spa sessions.
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OUR LODGINGS
Agua Blanca Resort is seated at just over 5000 feet above sea level, positioning it in a sub-tropical region of Michoacan state. The property has vast grounds with beautifully groomed gardens and lovely mineral pools that are fed from a nearby spring. There is a spa here that offers reiki, massage, facials and mud baths etc, and the property also features a temazcal (indigenous sweat lodge).
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The on-site restaurant serves healthy food that is lovingly prepared by the wonderful and accommodating staff. If you would like a drink, they also have a fully stocked bar on the property.
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By evening, it's possible to engage in a wildlife walk to visit the spring and enchanting waterfall by the light of a candle-lantern. Why do this at night? The trail we can take you along also has glow worms!
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This is a perfect space for unwinding in tranquility and enjoying the sound of the birds and surrounding nature.
MONARCHS
We will enjoy an evening lecture called "Hope for the Monarchs" by Dr. Jaramillo Lopez, which outlines the migration patterns, habitats and obstacles these winged-creatures face. Our lecture will include questions and be followed by discussion.
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We will visit the Sierra Chincua Monarch reserve with Dr. Jaramillo the following day, before he departs.
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On our last day, we will visit the El Rosario Monarch Reserve, which boasts the largest monarch colony but is also much more touristy. Guests will find both reserves beautiful and very different from one another. On this. day, we will be hosted by Estella Romero, who has worked with scientists for many years and who runs a wonderful program to educate children about the monarchs.
POTTERY STUDIO
Mexico is famous for many styles of pottery, with very few being as fine as where we are taking you! This fantastic ceramic studio exhibits three styles of pottery with three contrasting price points that define the work as everyday, fine and very fine. The studio has a wide range of price points, with shot glasses and small bottles ranging from $150-$300 MXN and coffee mugs that start at $1800 MXN. You can find exquisite lamps, serving pieces, dish sets, napkin rings, tea pots, planters and more. The studio does take credit cards and they package everything well for travel.
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We will spend about 1 hour here, unless everyone is shopping and soaking it up. Some groups take longer than others, depending on how much everyone is buying. This studio also has an enchanting garden that we can tour while the collectors have their pieces packaged!
TO RIDE OR NOT TO RIDE
Dr. Jaramillo Lopez will hike into the reserve with the guests, but some of you may choose to ride. Many ask if they should ride or hike, and it's a personal choice.
I personally ride due to the altitude vs breathing and also want to support the guides, whose work is seasonal. As the monarchs are only here from late November until mid-March, with most tourists visiting in January and February, that season is also short.
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If you struggle with flexibility, talk to us about any concerns you may have about mounting and dismounting. The reserves have platforms that are very helpful for getting on and off. As per the actual riding, the guides will lead your horse at a walking pace.
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For novice riders, Sierra Chincua is a great reserve to test the riding, as it has a wide path that inclines gradually. El Rosario, by contrast, has some narrow passages that are quite steep.
Questions? Just ask us!
MEALS
All meals are included for this journey, including one special feast that we will enjoy in the Sierra Chincua Monarch Reserve. Our friend Yadira is a 26 year old student of environmental science, who as of May 2025 will have her Masters Degree. Her family's kitchen played a major role in her affording tuition to complete her bachelor and masters.
When you meet Yadira, you will be inspired by her unlikely story of a young woman who grew up in a remote community with few prospects, but left service as a housekeeper in Mexico City to obtain her masters degree, with every intention of using that degree to help her community. We are excited to learn more about her future projects, and grateful to her family for cooking us an amazing and regional meal.
WILDFLOWERS
& OTHER WILDLIFE
Both the Sierra Chincua and El Rosario reserve are bursting with a plethora of lovely wildflowers and thistles, such as the one pictured above. These flowers are important in monarch habitats, as they do still feed on nectar plants while over-wintering, though rarely and mostly they come out of reproductive diapause and are ready to start their journey. Our local guide will help us identify some of the wildflowers in the reserve, for those who are interested.
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Also keep your eyes peeled for the Black-headed Grosbeak and Black-backed Oriole. Both of these birds are known predators of the monarch butterfly and we will teach you how to identify which is in the vicinity based on observations of the dead monarchs we find. Nature - it's so fascinating.
THE TEMAZCAL
What is a temazcal and how does it work?
The temazcal experience is spiritually, physically and emotionally healing. In Mexico, some health clinics have temazcals on their properties to promote healing. The herbal massage is said to increase circulation and assist with freeing the arteries of build-up. When one of our groups first experienced a temazcal, we all enjoyed it enough that most of us signed up to do it again the second night.
The temazcal at Agua Blanca was built by a Matlatzinca medicine man named Jacobo. Trained from youth in the ceremonies of his culture, Jacobo explains the sacred temazcal represents the womb of a woman. While inside the womb, through ritual, prayer and sweat, we are reborn.
Prior to our entry, hot rocks from the fire are moved to the centre of the small stone hut. Once we have been smudged (a cleansing ritual with the smoke of burning herbs), we will enter the temazcal and sit with our eyes closed as the ceremony begins. Jacobo will recite prayers to the elements, Mother Earth and the ancestors while dowsing herb infused waters onto the hot lava rocks. As the steam fills the air, the sweating begins. The herbs include rosemary, eucalyptus and citronella, among other wonderful, aromatic and healing medicines. As we practice deep-breathing, the medicines clear out sinuses while the sweat helps the body to rid impurities and toxins. The ceremony lasts for about one hour. Jacobo is very diligent with checking participants to make sure everyone is okay. If needed, he will open the door to allow fresh air inside. If anyone feels claustrophobic or short of breath, they are encouraged to leave.
At the end of the ritual, those who would like an herbal massage are asked to lie on their stomaches. Jacobo will drench the herbs in the stewing tea, then use it to hit the back of your body, from head to toes. This can be shocking at first swipe, but is actually incredibly refreshing and will leave you feeling about as flexible as a rubber band.
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​Once outside, due to being covered in mud from the wet floor of the hut, we will wash off in a small but lovely waterfall that serves as a natural bath. Expect your breathing to be clear, your skin to feel soft, and to sleep like a newborn baby.
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This is an optional activity, so the cost is based on how many participants we have. As it takes Jacobo about 3 hours to prepare the medicines for the sweat lodge and heat the rocks, we must book this in advance. (Pictured above is our lodgings with smoke from the sweat lodge fire, rising behind.)
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WHAT ARE THE CHALLENGES?
WEATHER:
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The flight of the butterfly depends on body temperature, which means they only fly when sunlight warms their wings. Climate can vary throughout the season, with warm days in all months, and cold days even in March. The weather is the most unpredictable challenge for butterfly tours, as a cold day means they will cluster with one another for warmth, being physically unable to fly.
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ALTITUDE:
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The monarch colonies move throughout the season and can reach altitudes of around 3350 meters (approximately 11,000 feet) above sea level. This puts guests in the danger zone for altitude sickness; however, as we go up and down within a few hours, it's rare for anyone to suffer here, so long as they are generally mobile and don't have COPD or breathing issues.
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MOBILITY:
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Aside from altitude, mobility in the reserves is a must. The reserve is a mountainous landscape with some steep hills, making it necessary to have decent stability and hiking stamina (especially if hiking at a high altitude is new). That all said, we have travelled with two ambitious women who were determined to make it, and did, One needed knee replacements, the other had just had hers replaced. The latter guest was so determined, she visited two reserves within two days! So if you have the strength of mind, this isn't an impossible feat. When you confirm your tour with us, please communicate any mobility issues you may have so we can offer feedback and suggestions.
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Wooden walking sticks are available for rent in the park, or if you have your own sticks, they are helpful to have. Please wear sturdy hiking shoes or boots with ankle support.
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HORSEBACK RIDING:
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We always encourage guests to ride horses in the reserve simply because the guides only enjoy a short season and this income is an important part of encouraging the locals to surrender illegal logging for environmental tourism. Many in our group will choose to hike, so those of us who ride will meet them at the area where riders must dismount. Upon dismounting, our group will have a discussion and commence our walking tour through the reserve, as Dr. Jaramillo shares information about the habitat. Horseback riding is optional and will cost about $200 MXN each way. (You are not required to ride both ways)​​
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 in 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 Mazahua 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.
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Supporting Yadira through her kitchen will continue to help her fund projects and dream of returning to school for her PhD. We will also stop at an incredible pottery studio along the way, which always entices guests to make a purchase, for their beautiful treasures are exquisite.
If you would like to make a private donation for science research, please ask us for more information.
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.
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From Mandy 2025 - A unique culturally enriching Monarch Tour
A very memorable, informative well organised overnight Monarch tour. A wonderful experience and so well managed by Jennifer of Copper Moon Travels including artisanal excursions. The group of 10 stayed at a very decent hotel; included was a hearty evening meal washed down with Mescal, even the Mescal cup was a thoughtful gift to keep. We were given a very good and informative talk by Dr Jaramillo Lopez on both Mescal and the Monarchs. Safe driving was by English speaking Heraldo. We were lucky to have prolonged viewing of the spectacular phenomenon of the Monarchs. Another highlight was the authentic and delicious lunch by Yadira and family and listening about her stoic approach to making a better life not only for herself with sponsored diligent study but helping her community moving forward with selected recipes for her cookbook, also giving awareness of growing produce for her people.
Kudos to Jennifer for introducing ethical tourism to the people of remote areas of this area 4 hours from San Miguel de Allende and when back in the vicinity I would love to discover her other tours elsewhere. I would highly recommend this tour and tour company.
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From Ann 2025 - If you want to see the butterlies, this is the tour to take!
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A group of 10 went on the butterfly tour. It was spectacular. First we stopped at a wonderfu pottery shop with a splendid garden, where we found unique types of complex glazes. Then we went to our comfortable hotel, where Pablo the botanist gave a fascinating and informative lecture about monarchs, and how climate change is affecting them. the next morning we hiked to sierra chincua, where the butterflies put on a magnificent show. Our leader, Jennifer, was wonderful in every way.
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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!
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PRICE INCLUSIONS & RESERVATIONS
This is an all inclusive tour - which means all ground transportation, hotels, meals, lecture, entrance fees and guided services are included. This money raises important funding for science research, which is included. If you would like to make an extra donation, please talk to Dr. Jaramillo when you meet him.
Drinks are separate.
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Tips for your team leaders and/or guide are discretionary.
CONTACT US
Contact: Jennifer Bjarnason
Email: coppermoontravels@protonmail.com
WhatsApp / Text: +52 443 639 2782
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