Monarch Butterfly Tracking Mexico ..the most enchanting wilderness chill out retreats on Earth = vacationtechnician.com

Vacationtechnician personalized luxury adventure travel transports you to the most exquisite wilderness and chill out retreats on Earth. Conserving rare biodiversity through low volume tourism; our aim is your indulgence -at no one's expense. Plan now to be assured a rejuvenating escape at a restful pace -to an unspoilt gem in the purest sense.

The Kingdom of the Monarch Butterfly
The Amazing Migration of 300 Million Butterflies! Tracking, Observing and Photographing Monarch Butterflies in Mexico's Highlands.

Perhaps the most impressive of all of North America’s natural events occurs with one of its most unlikely creatures, the delicate and beautiful monarch butterfly. Every year, nearly 300 million of these brilliantly hued monarchs spread their wings and set flight on a remarkable 2,500-mile journey, from Canada and the northeastern United States to their ancestral wintering grounds in the spectacular Transvolcanic Range in Mexico. Until recently, the location of their breeding grounds remained a mystery. Now, small groups of our travelers, accompanied by Mexico’s premier naturalist guides, can experience this soul-stirring natural phenomenon.

Day 1: Arrive Mexico City, Mexico
Upon arrival in Mexico City,you will be met and transferred to the Hotel Imperial located downtown. This evening we will have an orientation/welcome dinner at 7:00pm.

Day 2: Rosario / Angangueo
From Mexico City, we travel through the central highlands. The surrounding countryside is breathtaking – the enormous snow-capped volcano Xinantecatl towers over deep green pine forests. We will continue on to the picturesque mountain village of Angangueo to check into our hotel and have lunch. Angangueo is magical indeed; narrow historic streets grace this traditional mining village, with forested hills surrounding its simple beauty. In the afternoon, we will venture out to the nearby Rosario Butterfly Sanctuary for our first encounter with the king of the butterflies. Our journey begins in the back of an open truck as we drive through the picturesque pastoral countryside to the starting point of our first butterfly excursion. When we exit our vehicle, we will typically see our first butterflies fluttering about. The path takes us up a groomed, but sometimes fairly steep, trail with convenient benches for occasional rests. As we continue up the trail, the density will thicken until we reach the epicenter of the resting monarchs. Millions of monarchs cover the tall oyamel and fir trees, and, as the sun warms their black-and-orange wings, the butterflies fill the air, illuminating the entire area – including us! Mexico’s sanctuaries are the only places in the world where you can actually hear butterflies’ wings beating. The beauty of the butterflies is so ethereal that many Mexicans still hold the Aztec belief that the souls of the dead are reborn as monarchs.

Day 3: Chincua / Angangueo
In the morning we drive to the Chincua Butterfly Sanctuary for our second memorable experience with the monarchs. For those who choose, horses are available for this excursion. As Carlos Gottfried, president of Mexico’s Monarca A.C., says, “When you stand in a monarch sanctuary, your soul is shaken and your life is changed.” In Chincua, we ride our horses most of the way then walk down into the area of high butterfly density. This afternoon we enjoy a tour of the lovely village of Angangueo.

Day 4: Valle de Bravo
Today we travel to the lovely village of Valle de Bravo, a typical Mexican town with narrow cobblestone streets lined with red-tile roofed houses along the shores of an enormous man-made lake, Lago de Avandaro (Avandaro means “dream place” in the Tarascan Indian language). Tropical vegetation,from bougainvillea tumbling over terraces to brilliant flowers in the Plaza Independencia, attracts a multitude of birds. We will have the opportunity to relax in luxury after two days of butterfly tracking. We can also take a short walk to a local waterfall, where birdlife often appears. We will spend the night at the luxurious Hotel Avandaro Spa & Resort.

Day 5: Piedra Herrada Sanctuary / Toluca / Mexico City
Our final journey to the butterflies takes us to the Piedra Herrada Sanctuary, the newest spot opened for viewing the monarchs. Once again, horses take us most of the way and we then walk, often through thick vegetation, to the spot where the butterflies are located. This area is “wilder” than the other two sanctuaries and often provides a more remote nature experience. We will continue on our return trip to Mexico City with a stop in Toluca, originally an Indian settlement dating back to the 13th century. Here we visit Cosmo Vitral Jardin Botanico, a spectacular botanical garden lit by stained-glass panels created by Tolucan artist Leopoldo Flores. Tonight we will enjoy a wonderful dinner at one of Mexico City’s fine traditional restaurants.

Day 6: Mexico City / Home
This morning you will be transferred to the airport for your flight home, or to Puerto Vallarta for the Humpback Whale Extension.

Location of Adventure: Mexico

Included
Accommodations, meals from dinner on day 1 through dinner on Day 5, soda and beer with meals, bottled water, park entrance fees, horseback riding option at Chincua and Piedra Herrada, taxes and service charges except Mexico’s departure and airport taxes.

Not Included
Travel to Mexico City, alcoholic drinks (except for beer with meals), gratuities to Expedition Leader(s), airport and departure taxes, meals on Day 6, and travel insurance.

Physical Requirements
Moderate/Flexible
The visits to the butterfly sanctuaries require walking about two miles at altitudes up to 10,000 feet, sometimes over rough terrain, and can be considered strenuous for people who are less active. Horses are available to ride in Chincua and in Piedra Herrada, but not in Rosario, often the steepest of the sanctuaries. Generally, the later trips in the season tend to be less strenuous since the butterflies move down the mountain. We suggest that travelers concerned with their physical capabilities contact our office for further details on the exact physical requirements of this trip, and their personal physician for his/her opinion.

Getting There & Getting Home
Plan to arrive in time for our 7:00pm orientation dinner at our hotel. You are free to depart anytime on final day. We can best serve you if vacationtechnicians’ Travel Desk makes these reservations for you as they are intimately familiar with the special requirements of these programs and can arrange the most efficient and costeffective travel.

Humpback Whale Extension
Off the Pacific coastal village of Puerto Vallarta lies the mating and breeding ground of hundreds of humpback whales. From our first-class tropical accommodations, classic bungalows set on the beach, we will head out by small vessel to view these leviathans. We may also have the opportunity to snorkel and bird watch on this wonderful tropical wildlife extension. 3 Nights / 4 Days

Fee: $795 per person double occupancy
Deposit: $250
Single Supplement: $345

Included: Three nights in 4-star hotel, transfers, 2 whale-watching excursions, two breakfasts and two lunches.

Not Included: Airfare between Mexico City, Puerto Vallarta and your home city, meals except for two breakfasts and two lunches, personal expenses (telephone, alcohol, etc.), gratuities.

MEXICO CITY EXTENSION
Visit the fabulous pyramids of Teotihuacan located one hour from Mexico City. Explore the pyramids of the sun and moon as well as the new museum on this half-day trip. vacationtechnician will book your hotel rooms and you can arrange your excursion upon arrival at the hotel’s travel desk.

Dates 2005
Jan 9 - 14
Jan 16 - 21
Jan 17 - 22
Jan 23 - 28
Jan 24 - 29
Jan 30 - Feb 4
Feb 6 - 11
Feb 13 - 18
Feb 20 - 25
Feb 21 - 26
Feb 27 - Mar 4
Feb 28 - Mar 5
Mar 6 - 11
Mar 13 - 18
Mar 14 - 19
Mar 20 - 25

2006
Jan 8 - 13
Jan 15 - 20
Jan 22 - 27
Jan 23 - 28
Jan 29 - Feb 3
Feb 5 - 10
Feb 6 - 11
Feb 12 - 17
Feb 13 - 18
Feb 19 - 24
Feb 26 - Mar 3
Feb 27 - Mar 4
Mar 5 - 10
Mar 6 - 11
Mar 12 - 17

Fees 2005
$2,495 per person double occupancy
Single Supplement: $495
Deposit: $500
Please note: Fees may increase for 2006

Hotel Avandaro Spa

Situated in a lush natural environment amidst a forest in the heart of Sierra Madre Mountains, is the Hotel Avandaro Spa. Junior Suites with fireplaces and terraces, overlooking nearly 300 acres of landscaped gardens, provide a welcome luxury. Avandaro is a full service resort that offers State of the art spa facilities with professional trained staff. In addition, guests can enjoy a junior Olympic size swimming pool, 7 tennis courts, 1 paddle court and other recreational activities such as hiking, horseback riding, golf and water sports which are only minutes away.

Hotel don Bruno is located in the tiny mountain village of Angangueo. Here, limited amenities, but enormous charm and authenticity, are the rule. This is the most elaborate of the accommodations in the region and, even so, the hotel is not heated, and you must run the shower for a long time to get warm water. But extra blankets and a space heater are provided in each room and the remote charm adds to our trip. We have chosen this town (and the Hotel don Bruno) for the unique ambience, its involvement in monarch preservation and its realtive access to Rosario Butterfly Sanctuary.

Comments

Sylvia Richardson

"As I walked into each of the butterfly sanctuaries, I felt as if I was entering a cathedral or that I was standing on holy ground. I felt humbled by the profound stillness and silence of the place. The gifts of beauty and grace I received from this experience with the butterflies will be a part of me forever and I will be changed in some way by being present to this miracle. Thank you for your hand in that. Karel Beets was a kind and generous person. I loved having him as a guide!"

Joana Thomas

"It was a truly wonderful adventure- I loved the small group size. We made some great friends. We hardly ever go on tours, because we mostly travel independently, but we will definitely travel with vacationtechnician in the future."

Scheduled Wilderness Itineraries