BUTTERFLY TOUR
HOPE FOR THE MONARCHS

STARTS: San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato

ENDS: San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato

DATES: January 28-29, 2026

DURATION: 1 Night / 2 Days

PRICE: $6,000 MXN / $1000 MXN Single Supplement

Please Note: This tour departs and returns to San Miguel de Allende, but if you have your own transportation, you can meet us in Tlalpujahua. Contact us for more info.

WHY BOOK THIS TOUR?

We invite you to join us for a magical experience in the UNESCO protected Monarch Butterfly Biosphere in Mexico. You are probably wondering what makes our tour unique, or why you should choose our company over many others. If you enjoy educational pursuits and are willing to spend more than traditional day-trips to the reserves, this may be the right tour for you.

One should feel refreshed after spending time in nature, which is why we have not organized group day-trips to the reserves for several years. Making the pilgrimage from Mexico City, Morelia, San Miguel de Allende or Queretaro involves approximately 6-7 hours in a vehicle (return), which doesn't include bathroom breaks, hiking & observation time, or lunch!

This tour starts in San Miguel de Allende at 8:40 AM, with a 2 hour commute to a fabulous pottery studio with highly collectible pieces. From there, we will commute to Frida's Bistro in Tlalpujahua for lunch, followed by a walking tour of this enchanting village before our late-afternoon lecture about Monarch Butterflies with Dr. Jaramillo begins. The lecture will begin at 5:30 PM, with dinner served at approximately 7 PM. We will have guacamole and chips for the lecture, and drinks are available from the bar. (Please order your drink before the lecture begins for fewer interruptions).

On the morning of our visit to the sanctuary, rather than rushing out the door at 6:30 AM half-awake for a fast-paced race to the colonies and back, you will be fast asleep or enjoying coffee in bed. Breakfast is scheduled for 9:00 AM, with departure from Tlalpujahua at 10:30 AM. By 11:30, we will be on our way to the colony on foot with Dr. Jaramillo, who will regale us with stories about his mentor, the famous late etymologist Dr. Lincoln Brower. Dr. Jaramillo will point out various efforts being made inside the reserve, some of which are problematic and none that are known to the majority of guides who offer day trips here. Learning is our passion, so our desire is for you to make the most of this once-in-a-lifetime journey.

The joy of visiting the Monarchs with a scientist is amplified by Dr. Jaramillo's contagious passion for their migration patterns, habitats and survival. It is impossible to provide this kind of experience on a day trip from afar, when everyone is drained and worried about time. The whole point of coming here is to soak up the tranquility of the forest and to learn about our own trespasses against the survival of this migration, so we can personally work towards mitigating disaster through our own knowledge and choices.

By the time you've returned from the mountain with an inspired heart, we will break tortillas in a traditional kitchen with a special story. Yadira (born in 1999) was raised in the reserves, as her grandmother often led the scientists to the monarchs starting in the late 1970's when they first started arriving. Yadira accompanied Dr. Jaramillo many times throughout his visits, but her family did not have the resources for her to dream of a university degree. After graduating from school, she moved to Mexico City to work as a maid, and found herself observant of the food prices in the market, compared to what her family could sell their foraged products for. With a plan in mind, she returned to her family, determined to find a way to study. Their answer was the kitchen we will be eating in. Through a lot of hard work, they managed to raise enough money for Yadira to obtain a Bachelor of Science, and in May of 2025 she will have completed her Masters Degree. Of course, there's much more to tell - and you will have the chance to meet Yadira and sample her delicious cuisine while hearing about her journey. We are pleased to keep supporting her when we are in the area, as she is inspiring other young people in her community to seek an education that will protect the natural habitat at Sierra Chincua.

After lunch, guests will embark on the return commute to San Miguel de Allende, which takes approximately 3.5-4 hours. You will still return home at around 7:30 PM, like those who have done this on a day trip, but you will have started with a restful morning. It's been our observation that a leisurely morning sets an important intention for how guests approach this experience, mainly because you arrive at the reserve well rested, instead of needing a nap, a meal and a bathroom. (We still recommend using the bathroom before our hike!)

If you are on a time crunch and insist on taking a day trip from afar, please contact us about our private tours. We can sometimes offer private experiences with Dr. Jaramillo, depending on how our schedules align with his.

We are honoured to work with Dr. Jaramillo and to offer educational eco-tours that raise funds for critical research, as it is one way of making sure our footprint is lighter and that our guests see this experience as an important investment for future generations. Please share whatever knowledge you attain from this journey and inspire your family, friends and colleagues to join us in our plight against the devastation of our environment and fragile ecosystems.

Thank you for considering this tour.

WHAT ARE THE CHALLENGES?

WEATHER:

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.

ALTITUDE:

Tlalpujahua is seated at an altitude of 2590 meters (8,460 feet), so if you live at sea level and have trouble with altitude, please contact us to discuss what issues you have.

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.

MOBILITY:

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.

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.

HORSEBACK RIDING:

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 $150 MXN each way. (You are not required to ride both ways)

TLALPUJAHUA IS COLD AT NIGHT:

If you live in Mexico, consider packing a warm blanket for the hotel - including an electric blanket if you have one. Night time temperatures in this enchanting village can be frigid and the hotels are not equipped for heating. We thought we had found one hotel that was warm, alas, their heating system failed last year and they have yet to fix it. Please bring warm pajamas, warm socks, and for the hike - a toque and mitts in case it's a cold day.

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.

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.

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.

From Ann 2025 - If you want to see the butterlies, this is the tour to take!

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.

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!

PRICE INCLUSIONS & RESERVATIONS

The tour price of $6,000 MXN includes your hotel based on shared accommodation for 2. If you are travelling solo, the single supplement is $1000 MXN. If you are willing to share a room, we will try to match you with a roommate, but if we cannot, you are responsible for the single supplement.

Ground transportation from San Miguel de Allende (return) is included.

The price includes dinner and breakfast in Tlalpujahua and a special prepared lunch at the Sierra Chincua Reserve.

Dr. Jaramillo's Hope for the Monarchs lecture and tour is included, as is your entrance fee for the monarch butterfly sanctuary. We will also hire a local guide to host us in the sanctuary, which is included.

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.