Name: Birds and Butterflies of Central Mexico
Start: 2023-01-07T00:00:00.000Z
End: 2023-01-12T00:00:00.000Z
Location: Mexico City, CDMX, Mexico

Reefs to Rockies

Email address verified

89 reviews

Jan 7 - 12, 2023

Group size: 7 - 10

Birds and Butterflies of Central Mexico

Mexico City, CDMX, Mexico

Book Now

Ask A Question

Reefs to Rockies

Email address verified

89 reviews

$2,350

Deposit: $750

Jan 7 - 12, 2023

Group size: 7 - 10

Every winter, montane cloud forests in central Mexico host millions of over-wintering monarch butterflies. This aggregation of monarchs in Mexico’s central highlands ranks as one of the most impressive wildlife spectacles on the planet. It’s a must see for nature lovers!

The monarchs aren’t the only winged highlights to be discovered in Central Mexico. In addition to two days at the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve, we’ll explore birding hotspots in Mexico City, Valle de Bravo, and surrounding areas in search of avian highlights, including an array of endemics. Join Reefs to Rockies and Denver Audubon for this 6-day wildlife expedition highlighting Central Mexico’s natural and cultural wonders.

Reefs to Rockies Co-Founder Sheridan Samano is thrilled to host this small group wildlife expedition to Central Mexico. If you’ve ever had the chance to hear Sheridan talk about Mexico, you’ve likely heard her refer to it as “the most underrated wildlife destination on the planet.”

During this trip, her love for her father’s home country will be unmistakable as she takes you into the heart of the region’s best wildlife viewing destinations. Local expert guides will join us throughout making this immersive wildlife experience unforgettable.

Private room supplement

$525

Deposit: $0

If you prefer private, single occupancy accommodations, add $525.

Mexico City Extension - 3 nights Hotel

$237

Sold Out

Deposit: $0

Mexico City Exten. - 2 nights + 3 nig

$373

Sold Out

Deposit: $0

2 nights at Circulo Condesa ($155/night/room) + 3 nights at Zocalo Central ($145/night/room).

Total cost: $745

Cost per person: $373

Mexico City Extension - Zocalo Only

$580

Sold Out

Deposit: $0

4 nights at Zocalo Central.

Cost per night - $145

Day 1 (Sat, Jan 7)
Day 1 (Sat, Jan 7)
Arrival to Mexico City
Upon arrival to Mexico City, we’ll be met by our local guide and transferred to our hotel conveniently located close to neighborhood parks and markets. For those arriving early enough today, we’ll head over to a park close by for our first birding outing of the trip.

Accommodations: Circulo Condesa

Meals: Dinner
Read more
Day 2 (Sat, Jan 8)
Day 2 (Sat, Jan 8)
Mexico City’s Birding Hotspots
Mexico City, one of the busiest and largest cities in the world, may not be the first place that comes to mind as a birding destination. However, the city is home to Latin America’s largest urban park, ancient canals and floating gardens dating back to Aztec times, and bird-rich botanical gardens. We’ll spend our first full day in Mexico City exploring it’s birding hotspots including UNAM Botanical Gardens, perhaps the best birding site within city limits, and Xochimilco Floating Gardens.

Accommodations: Circulo Condesa

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Read more
Day 3 (Mon, Jan 9)
Day 3 (Mon, Jan 9)
Mexico City, Lerma Marshes, Piedra Herrada Monarch Sanctuary
Early morning departure from Mexico City. Our first stop today is at Lerma Marshes home to Black-polled Yellowthroat, as well as a variety of waterfowl and waders. After birding at Lerma, we’ll continue west to Piedra Herrada Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary, the closest reserve to Mexico City. It’s possible we’ll be greeted by masses of monarchs in flight down the hillsides even before hitting the trail.

We’ll travel by horseback and on foot uphill to the heart of the sanctuary to witness massive aggregations of monarchs. Standing in the forests of the reserve as millions of orange and black monarch butterflies swarm overhead is a magical sight. Today, we’ll experience it first-hand. There’s also time for birding at Piedra Herrada before continuing to Rodavento, our mountain retreat and home for the next three nights.

Accommodations: Hotel Rodavento

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Read more
Day 4 (Tues, Jan 10)
Day 4 (Tues, Jan 10)
Valle de Bravo and Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve
No two days at the monarch sanctuaries are alike so we’ll enjoy a second visit today. In addition to time with the monarchs, we’ll explore on foot in search of birds. Exact locations today will be determined based on current monarch aggregation behavior and locations, weather, and recent sightings.

Accommodations: Hotel Rodavento

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Read more
Day 5 (Wed, Jan 11)
Day 5 (Wed, Jan 11)
Valle de Bravo & Surrounding Area
Today, we’ll spend the day exploring birding hotspots near Valle de Bravo and the surrounding area. Exact locations will be determined on recent sightings, group’s interest, and what we’ve seen so far. Relive trip highlights this evening during our Farewell Dinner.

Accommodations: Hotel Rodavento

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Read more
Day 6 (Thurs, Jan 12)
Day 6 (Thurs, Jan 12)
Departure
Transfer back to the airport in time for our flights home. Flights must depart at 12 pm or later.

Meals: Breakfast
Read more

Day 1 (Sat, Jan 7)

Arrival to Mexico City

Upon arrival to Mexico City, we’ll be met by our local guide and transferred to our hotel conveniently located close to neighborhood parks and markets. For those arriving early enough today, we’ll head over to a park close by for our first birding outing of the trip.

Accommodations: Circulo Condesa

Meals: Dinner

The entire trip was a blast! Our guides, driver and host's were all very friendly and informative.

By Sean W for American Academy Costa Rica 2025 on Mar 04, 2025

I had a great time. The variety of experiences, the food, the locations and the people were all excellent. A huge thank you to Ruben and Yvonne for creating a magical experience. I would travel with them again anytime.

By Tracy M for Magical Mexico with Denver Botanic Gardens 2025 on Mar 02, 2025

The birding was excellent. Chip is a good birding guide. My one complaint is that Chip does not plan dinners well. One night he was still fiddling around trying to find a place for us to eat and it was already 8:00 pm. We finally said, let's just go to Olive Garden. Plus, he likes food that guys like. We were a group of 8 women. We tend towards foods like chicken and brocolli, not spicy heavy BBQ - which by the way is ok once in a while. I think it would be helpful to have dinner reservations made in advance of our trip. I understand Chip's desire to avoid chain restaurants but sometimes that's the best choice available. Also it would be nice to have a little "down time" between birding and dinner time.

By Jane B for South Texas Winter Birding Hotspots - Whooping Cranes & More on Feb 28, 2025

My second time signing up for this trip and it fulfilled all my wildest hopes for finding so many unique owl species. We were thrilled to spend time and photograph 7 different species in the 6 days of the trip. Not to mention all the fun smaller birds (super cute Red Pols, Cross bills and Grosbeaks) and exciting mammals (pine marten!) Sheridan had our mojo going and an amazing travel group rounded out a wonderful adventure (despite sub zero temps - who noticed?)

By Melanie P for Minnesota’s Winter Owl and Wildlife Hotspots on Feb 27, 2025

This was a top-notch trip with fun people and a wonderful guide. Sheridan was incredibly knowledgeable and accommodating. She was also extremely respectful of the wildlife and their well-being. She was very good at making sure everyone's needs were met and focused on any target species we wanted to see. We all came away very pleased and excited about all the wildlife we saw. I am definitely looking forward to another trip with Reefs to Rockies.

By Julie P for Minnesota’s Winter Owl and Wildlife Hotspots on Feb 25, 2025

Show More Reviews

More Photos

More Photos

Birds and Butterflies of Central Mexico

Birds and Butterflies of Central Mexico

About this trip

About Your Expedition Leader

What’s included

What’s not included

Available Packages

Available options

Itinerary

Your Organizer

Reviews

Photo Gallery