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México: Migrating Monarchs
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Feb. 10-16, 2025 Experience México, a country rich with culture, biodiversity, and history as vibrant as the monarch butterflies that migrate there.
México is a vibrant country brimming with history, culture, and remarkable biodiversity. We’ll explore Mexico City's historic center, including the world-renowned National Museum of Anthropology, which features an impressive collection of pre-Columbian art and archaeology. The highlight of our experience awaits at the monarch butterfly sanctuary at Piedra Herrada—the butterflies' vibrant scales create a stunning orange hue as they flutter amongst the treetops. Witnessing the millions of monarch butterflies return to this sanctuary every year, filling the sky with their flight, is a truly exceptional experience. The trip concludes with a visit to Teotihuacán, one of Mesoamerica's largest and most impressive archaeological sites.
- When: February 10-16, 2025
- Activity level: Moderate
- Price: $4,390-$5,140 (based on party size)
Explore more details below!
Save your spot!
Click the "Register now" button below to reserve your spot through our tour partner, Royal Adventures.
Single Rooms are currently full, please click the "Reserve" button below to be added to the Single Room waitlist. Double Rooms are still available.
Please note: You must be an Academy member or donor to register for this trip.
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Your Academy expert
Tim Wong, Senior Biologist
Tim Wong provides care for Steinhart Aquarium's living collection of tropical butterflies, African penguins, and fish in the Philippine Coral Reef. His passion for butterflies has taken him from Golden Gate Park to the Amazon rainforest to better understand their interactions with plants and people.
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Upcoming Adventures
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Trip highlights
- Begin your trip with a guided journey through Mexico City’s historic center.
- Visit México’s Anthropological Museum (Museo Nacional de Antropologia) before taking in the sights of Chapultepec Park’s botanic garden.
- Spend two days in Piedra Herrada visiting the migrating monarch butterflies, guided by Tim Wong, an Academy senior biologist.
- Embark on a day trip to Teotihuacán to see the impressive Pyramids of the Sun and the Moon.
Itinerary
Day 1 (Monday, February 10) Arrive in Mexico City: Welcome to México! You will arrive at Hotel Barceló Mexico Reforma, where your Academy host will join you for a welcome dinner.
Day 2 (Tuesday, February 11) Mexico City: Journey to Mexico City’s historic center, which is where the ancient capital of Tenochitlán once stood. Soak in the country’s rich history from iconic art like the Diego Rivera murals at the National Palace to the rich architecture around the city. There is mucho to see!
Day 3 (Wednesday, February 12) Mexico City: Continue taking in the culture of México with a visit to the Anthropological Museum, one of the most significant institutions in the country, displaying Pre-Columbian art and the famous Aztec calendar. From there, we’ll take in the sights of Chapultepec Park and its lush botanic garden.
Day 4 (Thursday, February 13) Piedra Herrada: ¡Adiós a Ciudad de México! We’re heading to Piedra Herrada to see the monarch butterflies! Take in the magic of their migration with a visit to the reserve they descend upon. We will stay overnight in Hotel Misión Grand Valle de Bravo.
Day 5 (Friday, February 14) Piedra Herrada / Toluca / Mexico City: Return to the monarch reserve to see the butterflies in a new light! After taking in the sights once more, we’ll journey to Toluca to visit Cosmovitral, one of the most important glass murals of the 20th century, featuring 400 species of plants, trees, and shrubs from México and around the world. We’ll then return to Mexico City, where you’ll have the evening to explore at your leisure.
Day 6 (Saturday, February 15) Teotihuacán: Depart for Teotihuacán, one of the largest archaeological sites in Mesoamerica. Take in the impressive Pyramids of the Sun and the Moon. We will return to the city for a farewell dinner!
Day 7 (Sunday, February 16): Depart Mexico City and return home!
Details
Pricing:
- $4,390 per person based on double occupancy
- $5,140 per person based on single occupancy ($750 single supplement)
Payment schedule:
- $500 deposit is due to reserve your spot
- Up to November 4, 2024: $300 cancellation fee
- November 5, 2024: Final Payment due (100% non-refundable on or after this date)
What's included:
- Lodging
- All meals in trip itinerary
- Water throughout, beer with all dinners and lunches, wine with welcome and farewell meals
- All transportation within trip itinerary
- Guided field trips, excursions, and tours
- Gratuities to local guides, drivers, and wait staff
What's NOT included:
- International airfare to and from Mexico City
- Passport or visa fees
- Room service
- Personal room charges (phone calls, baggage charges, laundry)
- Travel or medical insurance
Travel insurance:
- We strongly recommend the purchase of trip cancellation insurance as the cancellation penalty listed above and in the trip registration will apply. An application for trip cancellation insurance will be available upon confirmation. Most insurance plans must be purchased within 14 days of paying the initial deposit in order to waive preexisting medical conditions as well as to purchase “Cancel for Any Reason” insurance.
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