AAA Hoosier - AAA Sojourns Vacations

Detailed Description
Itinerary

Package details include:
Get set for an amazing journey to central Mexico’s Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve, where up to 100 million monarch butterflies undertake an annual 2,000-mile migratory journey to their ancestral wintering grounds. Accompanied by an English-speaking naturalist guide, you’ll visit two butterfly sanctuaries to witness first-hand the ethereal beauty of this soul-stirring natural phenomenon.

Begin with a visit to the Rosario Butterfly Sanctuary where each year millions of monarch butterflies cover the oyamel and fir trees. As the sun warms, their black and orange wings illuminate the sky and fill the air with the rarely heard rhythm of the beating of butterfly wings. The next morning, drive to the Chincua Butterfly Sanctuary where you’ll ride by horseback into the area of high butterfly density. The beauty of the butterflies is so magical that many Mexicans still hold the Aztec belief that the souls of the dead are reborn as monarchs.

Other highlights of this remarkable vacation include visits to cultural stops in the region: the traditional Otomí town of San Felipe de Los Alzati; Pátzcuaro, a town with cultural significance and historic relevance; and Uruapan, one of Mexico’s oldest cities. Conclude your adventure with a visit to Cosmovitral in Toluca, where you’ll tour a spectacular botanical garden lit by one of the largest stained glass artworks in the world.

Price includes:

• 7 nights accommodations: 2 nights each in Mexico City and Pátzcuaro, and 3 nights in Zitácuaro
• Daily breakfast, 1 lunch and 6 dinners
• Local English-speaking naturalist guide throughout
• Guided visit to El Rosario Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary
• Half-day horseback tour of Sierra Chincua Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary
• Excursion to Pátzcuaro, one of the United Nations’ 100 Historic World Treasure Cities
• Full-day excursion to Uruapan, one of Mexico’s oldest cities
• Visits to: Anthropology Museum in Mexico City; the excavation site at San Felipe de Los Alzati; Isla de Janitzio; Eduardo Ruiz National Park; Toluca, the highest city in the Mexico; and Cosmovitral with its botanical garden and stained glass artworks
• All on-tour transportation
• Round-trip airport transfers

Day 1 - Arrive Mexico City
Arrive into Mexico City International Airport where your naturalist guide will meet you and assist with a transfer to the hotel in Zócalo Plaza in the heart of the city.
Accommodation: Majestic Hotel - 1 night

Day 2 - Mexico City / Zitácuaro, Michoacan
Visit the Anthropology Museum in Mexico City before departing for Zitácuaro, Michoacan. This afternoon, tour this beautiful colonial city and visit the traditional Otomí town of San Felipe de Los Alzati, which surrounds an impressive though not fully excavated stepped pyramid. The four groupings of pre-Classic constructions at the site, including three temezcal (steam) baths, are believed to have marked the eastern frontier of the Purepechan Empire (AD1200-1500). Dinner is included at the hotel this evening.
Accommodation: Don Bruno - 3 nights

Day 3 - El Rosario Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary
This morning visit the El Rosario Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary. Butterflies absorb your view completely. They coat the oyamel fir trees in vast, fiery bunches, weighing down the branches in their huge numbers, and they make a sound like light rain with the beating of their wings. In the afternoon enjoy a walking tour of Angangueo, including visits to the Inmaculada Concepción Temple and San Simon Temple. The day concludes with a lecture about the biology and migration of the monarch butterflies.

Day 4 - Sierra Chincua Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary
Today you visit the Sierra Chincua Monarch butterfly sanctuary. You’ll take a horseback ride of approximately 50 minutes from the entrance to the area where the monarch butterflies are located. The afternoon is set aside for your leisure. Dinner is included at the hotel.

Day 5 - Pátzcuaro
Travel to Pátzcuaro, one of Mexico’s “Pueblo Mágicos,” a program highlighting towns around Mexico that offer visitors a "magical" experience by reason of their natural beauty, cultural riches, or historical relevance. Pátzcuaro is also one of the United Nations’ 100 Historic World Treasure Cities. Visit Isla de Janitzio with its 130-foot-high statue of War of Independence hero José María Morelos raising his fist from the top of the island. Walk through the narrow alleys and visit the colorful markets. You may also climb to the top of the island if you wish.
Accommodation: Hosteria San Felipe Hotel - 2 nights

Day 6 - Uruapan
Visit Uruapan, one of the oldest cities in Mexico, located along the shores of Rio Cupatitizio. Explore the tropical rainforest trails and waterfalls of Eduardo Ruiz National Park, where the Rio Cupatitizio begins. Return to Pátzcuaro in time for dinner at the hotel.

Day 7 - Toluca / Mexico City
En route to Mexico City today stop in Toluca, the highest city in Mexico at an altitude of 8,844 feet above sea level. Visit the Cosmovitral, which houses an amazing botanical garden and has one of the largest stained glass artworks in the world. Continue to Mexico City for a farewell dinner at a local restaurant.
Accommodation: Majestic Hotel - 1 night

Day 8 - Depart Mexico City
After breakfast, transfer to the Mexico City Airport for your return flight home.