ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME MEXICO: Explore the Flora, Fauna, Culture & History of This Magnificent Country and the Unforgettable Monarch Butterfly Migration
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ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME MEXICO: Explore the flora, fauna, culture & history of this magnificent country and the unforgettable Monarch Butterfly migration. FEBRUARY 22-MARCH 2, 2019 February 22 Rise early this morning and meet at the Cross Border Express for your included direct Volaris flight from Tijuana to Mexico City. Arrive to bustling Mexico City in the early afternoon and enjoy some time at leisure to get settled. Mexico City is one of the most dynamic cities in all of Latin America. Built on the ancient site of Tenochtitlan , it was once the prosperous Aztec capital controlling the surrounding region. The famous Zocalo main square is located at the centre of the city and is flanked by the National Cathedral, the largest and oldest in Latin America, and the National Palace which during colonial rule was the seat of power of the Spanish viceroy. This evening, a special welcome dinner is planned for the group in the vibrant Polanco District at an authentic local restaurant. Overnight in Mexico City at the Hotel Marquis Reforma Mexico City or similar February 23 Enjoy breakfast at your hotel this morning before setting out to explore the city. Meet your local guide in the lobby of your hotel and transfer towards the charming historic city center. You’ll begin this fascinating tour by walking through the Calle Francisco I. Madero , a narrow, pedestrian avenue surrounded by colorful galleries and quaint shops until finally reaching the historic city center. Here, you’ll learn about both the history and contemporary context of the Zócalo main square , Palacio Nacional and the National Cathedral . Your guide will help you to appreciate the intricate colonial architecture and rich culture of this must-see area. Next you’ll continue onto the Templo Mayor , a fascinating archaeological site which sits right next to the Zócalo. There are many treasures to be found and this visit will allow you to view areas that are still being excavated. Next, continue onwards to Antiguo Colegio San Ildefonso , a former Jesuit boarding school that now serves as a museum and cultural center; also considered to be the birthplace of the Mexican muralism movement. Lunch is included at a local restaurant while you are in the historic center, before visiting the beautiful Palace of Fine Arts. Otherwise know as the “cathedral of fine art” due to its dramatic architecture, here you will see excellent examples of the Mexican muralism movement including colorful works depicting the evolution of Mexican culture and politics. Late this afternoon, you’ll return to the hotel to freshen up before heading out on an exciting evening excursion. Meet in the lobby of your hotel to depart for the National Museum of Anthropology, where a special after-hours visit has been exclusively arranged for your group. Get behind the scenes with your expert guide in this incredible space, which contains one of the world’s largest collections of archaeological and anthropological artefacts from pre-historic Maya civilization, prior to the Spanish conquest. Following your exclusive after-hours tour, transfer to a colorful local restaurant for an included dinner. Overnight in Mexico City at the Hotel Marquis Reforma Mexico City or similar February 24 After breakfast at the hotel this morning, your guide will lead you to the La Roma neighborhood to meet the fabulous host chefs that will be taking you on a culinary journey through Mexican culture. Your hosts Beto and Jorge will welcome you to one of Mexico City’s most well-known historic colonial mansions, Casa Jacaranda , dating back to the year 1913 and the earliest years of the Colonia Roma. Art gallery, treasure trove and funhouse all in one, the mansion is everything that Beto and Jorge love in life. The first portion of your day is dedicated to visiting the local market and in Mexico, visiting the market is a dialogue! It’s unique smells, tastes and colors inspire and shape the experience to come. Back at Casa Jacaranda, your hosts will help you to develop your own, one-of-a-kind sazón. Sazón means seasoning in Spanish and you’ll chop and dice herbs and spices to create a flavour that appeals to you. Everything is completely made from scratch. You’ll get the hang of Mexican cooking and gain an intuitive skill that you can take home and recreate after your Mexican travels end. Lastly, you will of course savor your creations! An intimate al fresco lunch will be set at a magnificent vintage table in the rooftop garden , beneath the namesake jacaranda tree. Fill up on flavorful, homemade creations and reflect everything learned as well as the aromas and tastes at the table. Artisanal mezcal also makes an excellent aperitif. At the end of the day, return to the hotel for a bit of time at leisure, before an included dinner hosted in the city’s historic center. Overnight in Mexico City at the Hotel Marquis Reforma Mexico City or similar February 25 After breakfast this morning, check out of your hotel and say farewell to Mexico City as you transfer into the countryside and specifically, Valle de Bravo (approximately 2.5 hours). Once in the area, head to the unforgettable Piedra Herrada Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Every year, millions of Monarch Butterflies (danaus plexippus ) arrive to Piedra Herrada traveling over 3,000 miles from Canada to breed in Mexico´s warm, elevated hills. Take it easy and enjoy a picnic lunch on arrival to adjust to the elevation, before exploring the sanctuary. The beautiful landscape of Piedra Herrada is truly one of a kind as it has a forest full of Oak Trees ( quercus ), Pine Trees ( pinus ) and other abundant vegetation and is inhabited by a large number of species of endemic flora and fauna. Located at over 10,000 feet, it will be challenging (but rewarding) to reach the butterflies . You will begin your ascent on horseback heading up a steep marked trail and once near the top, it will be necessary to hike on foot. It is important to note that this journey is strenuous, but it is well worth the effort! Ultimately, you will arrive to find thousands of butterflies covering the trees so that they are alive with activity and appear almost animated. In total, the Sanctuary is more than 11,409 square hectares, full of beautiful rivers and trees. A great place to breathe in the fresh air and enjoy nature, you’ll relax and admire its beautiful scenery observing the behaviour of the striking Monarch Butterfly. Mid-afternoon, continue onwards to Valle de Bravo town for a walking tour. In 1971, Valle de Bravo was recognized by the Mexican government as a “typical city” and then it was again recognized in 2005 for being one of Mexico’s official “magical towns”. Your afternoon will be dedicated to exploring the center of Valle de Bravo town on a guided visit through the cobblestone streets and along the shores of Lake Avandaro . Tonight, enjoy an included dinner at the hotel. Overnight in Valle de Bravo at the Rodavento Hotel or similar February 26 Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at your hotel this morning before checking out. Your guide will then meet you in the lobby of your hotel to transfer to the Zitacuaro area (approximately 1.5 hours) en route to another fascinating butterfly sanctuary. A picnic lunch will be provided en route. On arrival, you’ll have the opportunity to visit the famous El Rosario Butterfly Sanctuary where over 20 million Monarchs gather each year! Open to the public since 1980, El Rosario has become an incredibly popular place to visit and will be the busiest of the sanctuaries that you will visit. Please note that there is an Eco Tourism Center here, where you can expect to find several food stands, artisan vendors, bathrooms and more. Next, you’ll then begin your journey towards the butterflies. The area of butterfly hibernation is found at over 9,000 feet located among the mountains and is reached via another horseback ride followed by a challenging hike through the Oyamel Fir Tree (abies religiosa) forests. Tonight, reflect on your experiences so far over an included group dinner at the hotel. Overnight in Zitacuaro at the Rancho San Cayetano or similar February 27 This morning following an included breakfast, enjoy some time at leisure. If you’d like, stroll into Zitacuaro town and browse the local shops and artisan stalls. After an included lunch, resume your adventure with a visit to Sierra Chincua Butterfly Sanctuary. After El Rosario, Sierra Chincua is the second most visited butterfly sanctuary and offers the most accessible, gentle route to the butterflies. Most of the ascent into the mountains is done by vehicle, on a road that passes through the scenic village of Angangeo . Once in the mountains at over 10,000 feet , the trail leading to the butterflies is gentle, lasting about 45 minutes. It is also possible to go by horseback ride; however, most travelers will be comfortable with walking this route. The trees here are almost all Oyamel Fir Trees (abies religiosa) , making for striking dark green surroundings that contrast well with the bright orange of the Monarch Butterflies. This evening, return to the hotel for an included dinner. Overnight in Zitacuaro at the Rancho San Cayetano or similar February 28 Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before checking out mid-morning, to transfer to colonial San Miguel de Allende (approximately 4 hours). Upon arrival, stretch your legs in the beautiful city center before an included lunch at an authentic local restaurant.