Sociedad Audubon de Mexico, A.C.

The migration of the Monarch Butterfly Danaus plexippus is an amazing journey of more than 2000 miles from Canada and United States, each year an special generation of these extraordinary butterflies find the place for wintering in the highlands forests of central Mexico in Michoacan and Estado de Mexico.

The Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve has been designated a World Heritage site by UNESCO. The Sanctuaries located in Michoacan are the perfect setting for visitors to live and share a unique experience, not only because of the hundreds of thousands of butterflies that overwinter there but also because of the breathtaking natural landscapes and the efforts of local landowners to keep the area pristine and ecologically healthy through sustainable tourism practices.

Sociedad Audubon de Mexico A.C. invites you to form part of this story of conservation and to enjoy this natural wonder.

ITINERARY 2 days 1 night - March 9-10, 2010

March 9, 2010
09:00 Leave St Paul’s Church at 9:00AM
12:00 Lunch at bus*
- Turkey breast or Vegetarian sandwich (let us know your favorite at least two days in advance by sending a mail to rodrigo@travelian.com.mx)
- Coffe, Tea, bottled juice or water.
- Chocolate
- Chips
13:30 Arrive at our hotel and check in
14:00 Workshop for making traditional tamales and bread at hotel
17:30 Happy hour and Monarchs' movie show in common room of hotel
19:00 Dinner
March 10, 2010
07:00 Brief birding at hotel's garden (optional)
08:00 Breakfast at hotel
09:00 Leave for Monarch sanctuary
09:30 Arrive at Monarch sanctuary
13:00 Short stop at crafts stores in the sanctuary
13:30 Leave Monarch sanctuary for hotel
14:00 Lunch at hotel
15:00 Leave hotel for San Miguel
19:30 Arrive at St Paul’s Church San Miguel

FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS:

The fee is USD $ 185.00 Per person in double occupancy

The single suplement is USD $ 19.50 You will be charged a single supplement if you desire single accomodation, or if you prefer to share but have no roomate and we cannot provide one for you.

Note: Prices are for Audubon members only, if you are not an Audubon member, and extra USD $30.00 wil be charged.

Full payment of the trip cost is required on booking, please send your payment to: L Whynman Box 547B La Connexion.

The fee includes:

Transportation to and from the Monarchs Sanctuary in 24 seat ETN bus complete with air conditioning, TV, coffee, tea, sodas, water and Bathroom
Local Guide to assist in climb to Monarchs (Requirement of the site)
Accommodation in the countryside near the Monarch's sanctuary, each room comes with a fireplace
One box of fire wood is included in the trip price
Meals:
Box lunch on bus (March 9)
Dinner on night of arrival (March 9)
Breakfast next morning (March 10)
Lunch on return to hotel after viewing Monarchs (March 10)
All gratuities
Contribution to Sociedad Audubon de México A.C.

Not included in the fee:

Any alcoholic drinks with meals and at Happy Hour
Additional loads of firewood

SIGNING UP:

All Audubon trips are limited to a small number of participants -usually no more than twenty- so it's important to sign up as soon as you can if they appeal to you. To sign up for Audubon's Monarch Butterfly trip, call Linda Whynman at 152-2139, email her at vellum1@mac.com, or go to the web site: audubonmex.org.

CLOTHING AND CLIMATE:

Weather will be generally cool, however nights and early mornings in the mountains of Michoacan can be chilly (30s to 40s ° F) you should pack a warm sweater and/or jacket. A rain jacket is recommended too.
A hat, sunglasses and sunscreen are also recommended for protection mainly if we have sunny days.
Be sure to have a pair of good hiking boots or comfortable walking shoes, one hiking stick could be helpful.

DIFFICULTY:

Reaching the Monarch Butterflies overwintering area involves a 1.5 hour hike uphill and being on foot in the sanctuary for about 1 hour, as well as 1 hour hike downhill to get back for the bus.

DOCUMENTS:

Be sure to bring an official ID such as your Passport or your FM3.
Although they are not needed at any moment in our trip, can be eventually useful at a police-checkpoint stop.

ITEMS TO BRING:

Water bottle or small canteen which can filled up with purified water in the bus or hotel. (this way we reduce waste of disposable plastic bottles) "Ecotourism is to traveling to a natural place in a way that both conserves the place and the culture associated with it"
A supply of resealable plastic storage bags can be very handy for storing food items from the breakfast, to be used as mid-morning snacks on the trails.