Go West in Mexico
Mexico City – Monarch butterfly – Morelia – Patzcuaro – Guadalajara
The drive west starts in Mexico City and will end at Guadalajara finding some interesting tourist destinations in between. First is the Monarch Butterfly site which is one of 35 Mexico’s UNESCO destinations. The #NewNormal about the impact of travelers in tourist destinations, have reset the rules to avoid the crowd, in order to enjoy the real #wonderofnature. This tour goes to the winter site of butterflies that leaved Canada & the United States mountain areas in the fall, and they come & hide in the woods of “El Rosario” sanctuary (Michoacan, Mexico). Followed by Morelia, a beautiful UNESCO hidden treasure in central Mexico, established 1541. One more interesting destination is Patzcuaro where you can see the famous “Butterfly nets” and the local fishermen performance the “Dance of the old men”. Welcome to discover the real Mexico on this journey! This tour can be customized to groups +4 people.
Sightseeing Tour Highlights:
Day 1. After depart at 12:00 PM from Mexico City, the scenic drive takes us beyond pine trees to a National Park “La Marquesa” at 3000 meters above sea level.
Lunchtime will take place on the way to Toluca, to the first stop. The bill is not included. After lunch, stop at Toluca to enjoy the walk in the famous Cosmovitral; a large botanical garden with an interesting collection of flora & fauna next to colorful stain glass.
By the sunset, check in the hotel in Zitacuaro to rest and get ready for the next morning.
Day 2. Today the tour will start 7 AM to drive up to the mountains, in order to start the hike before the crowd comes. The further we hike in the woods, the more monarchs we can see, flying between trees and, sometimes around people!
Tour 1: Monarch Butterfly Tour effective Nov-20 to Mar-20. Wintertime only!
Visiting The El Rosario site in Angangueo
Tour 2: Mining towns tour, effective Mar-25 to Nov-15. All year round
Visiting Tlalpujahua and El Oro mining towns
Lunch time will take place at the Monarchs, to enjoy the local specialties. Bill not included. After this hike & lunch, the drive back to the green valley in Zitacuaro is by the sunset around 6 pm, to stay overnight there and to achieve all good memories and great photos taken.
Day 3. Today we will be getting ready for breakfast and organize the trip to Morelia. Enjoy the scenic drive to find landscape with volcanic mountains and valleys having beans, chickpeas, corn & winter wheat, plus the lakeshore of Cuitzeo, a long shallow lake that looks like a winter paradise for ducks and birds from North America. Lunchtime will take place in Morelia. Time for lunch will be provided but, the bill is not included.
After having lunch, discover the importance of the city established 1541 and how UNESCO recognizes the local baroque style that goes like a combination of Madrid-Rome in architecture, as we do the walking city tour of downtown. Tour goes around the main square and the local Cathedral and will be no more than 2 hours. Star overnight in Morelia.
Day 4. Starting 9 AM, first we will do the boat ride to Janitzio Island to watch the volcanic landscape & meet the fishermen with famous butterfly nets. Time for lunch will be provided but, the bill is not included. When the boat ride is over, we do the walk of the city in downtown talking about local history, culture & traditions. When doing the walk of the city, many of the handcraft shops can be found on the way to see the important buildings from XVI century like the House of the eleven patios, the old Cathedral, The Jesuit College & the main church named Basilica after 1926. Return to Morelia is programmed by 6 pm to your hotel lobby.
Day 5. This morning after breakfast, we will be getting ready to organize the trip to Guadalajara. This drive will end by 1 pm at the hotel lobby where you can stay in the city or the local airport (GDL) to catch flight on time. Time for lunch will be provided but, the bill is not included. Services will end at hotel/airport in Guadalajara.
Tour lasts: 4 nights, 5 days.
Tours included Monarch Butterfly, City Tour Morelia & Patzcuaro lake.
Included: Transport & bilingual Guide-driver, fuel, toll roads, parking and admission tickets.
Not Included: Tax, hotel rooms, meals & other means of transportation. Effective: Nov-20 to March-20 every year.
Tour presentation:
This journey is the best way to discover hidden treasures of Mexico in a week, away from the crowd at the popular beaches. Important UNESCO sites are included in this itinerary next to famous magic towns or “Pueblos Magicos” that picture the real country, with an intricate combination of Spanish and indigenous culture and art expressions.
The drive Mexico City to Guadalajara doesn´t have to be boring! Take this this journey to the western area of Mexico and enjoy the landscape.
