Monarch Butterflies

Tour Date
February 22 – 24, 2027
3 days – 2 nights

Join our Monarch butterfly and Morelia tour, where nature and history meet in a spectacular journey. Witness the awe-inspiring Monarch butterfly migration deep in the forests of Michoacán, then explore the colonial beauty, charm, and culture of Morelia — one of Mexico’s most iconic cities.
The concentration of the Monarch Butterfly in its natural refuge during winter is one of the most spectacular wonders. The Monarch is an exquisite specimen of the lepidopterous family: its tones of deep orange, clear white, and silky black stand out even more against the green forest and azure sky of Michoacan, where they gather year after year. They paint a unique picture, one that surpasses any artist’s brush, leaving visitors breathless.
The fluttering of innumerable butterflies as they travel between fir and pine trees and blanket the branches with their vibrant colors is a gift. Visitors, travelers, and tourists alike are invited to witness this extraordinary natural wonder, where nature offers a chance to marvel at the beauty of one of its most inspiring creations.

Highlights of the Monarch Butterfly and Morelia Tour

Morelia City.
The colonial city of Morelia is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site, and from its breathtaking architecture, it’s clear to see why. Besides being the capital of the State of Michoacan, it is also the seat of government institutions and the most prestigious higher education institute in the region: the Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo (Michoacan University of Saint Nicolas of Hidalgo). Like the rest of the state, Morelia has an enormous amount to offer its visitors, from the colonial spectacle of its buildings and elegant, vibrant streets to delicious regional cuisine.

Conservatory of Roses
The name was invented by the people of Valladolid, now Morelia, in the late 18th century.
The School of Santa Rosa, the antecedent of the conservatory, was a space designed to receive, exclusively, women (children and youths), which had a loggia, an architectonic element profusely used in Italian architecture of the 18th century, a sort of gallery or corridor that is open on one of its sides, sustained by columns and arches.
This loggia is four meters above the ground, and it was only from there that the girls had permission to see the world on Sundays. From this solemn height, they contemplated the gravity of the world.
In this school, music was taught because the girls played musical instruments as a part of their education. It was a conservatory, and the beautiful (we were told) youths of Santa Rosa were “the roses”.
The Conservatory of Roses is today one of the music schools with a great tradition in our state.

The Cathedral of Morelia is perhaps Morelia’s most representative building. Built between 1660 and 1744, the building features elements of Neoclassical, Rococo, and Baroque architectural traditions. The building houses an organ from Germany with a staggering 4,600 pipes, making it one of the largest in Latin America. The cathedral is truly a sight to behold, especially on Saturday evenings when the building is flooded with sound and light.
Constructed out of pink quarry stone, its baroque interior is full of neoclassical touches, although one, in particular, stands out from the pre-Hispanic era: the Cristo de la Sacristia (Christ of the Sacristy or Vestry) crafted from a paste made from corn cane. At night, a spectacular light show illuminates the cathedra

Government Palace This baroque-style building has two levels and three courtyards. Its frontal façade is one of the most beautiful in the city. The building’s interior is decorated with beautiful murals by the painter, Alfredo Zalce, (with the help of Juan Torres Calderón) in which they portrayed several scenes of the state’s history, as well as diverse passages of the Mexican Revolution.

San Nicolas School
The College of San Nicolas Obispo was founded in Patzcuaro during the sixteenth century by Bishop Vasco de Quiroga and relocated to Valladolid in 1580, following the change of residence between the church and state.
Don Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla was the professor and principal of this school in the early nineteenth century, and José Maria Morelos y Pavon was his pupil.
Today it is a school that preserves relics such as the heart (yes, really!) of Melchor Ocampo. In 1930, it was declared a national monument. The building is an eclectic style due to the multiple modifications that it has had. However, it still manages to keep its baroque essence.

House and museum of handicrafts. The museum is housed in the Former Convent of Buenaventura, a building annexed to the Former Convent of San Francisco, which dates from the 16th century. This museum, founded in 1972, aims to exhibit the work of local master craftsmen as well as the collections of the many handicraft types practiced throughout the state. It is located on the top floor of the building. Shares space with the House of Handicrafts.

Don’t miss the chance to be part of our Monarch butterfly and Morelia tour — a truly unique and unforgettable experience.

Learn more about the Monarch butterfly migration through the link below.
UNESCO page on Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve