Butterfly Monarch Tour From Mexico City

If you're debating about making this trek, stop hesitating. My 10-year-old daughter and I had an amazing visit. We will never forget the magic of all those butterflies! The ride was long, the hike was dusty, but really not all that strenuous for us. The scenery was beautiful, even without the thousands of fluttering wings. Our guides were kind, knowledgeable, and flexible, and we felt well-cared for. I highly recommend- no regrets for spending a day of our CDMX trip visiting the sanctuary.

One of the most beautiful and fascinating tours we’ve been on. It was well worth the drive and hike. Our tour guides were super knowledgeable and friendly. Would highly recommend!

I wanted to give my husband a wonderful taste of Mexico City and the surrounding areas so getting out of the city for the day to see God's Monarch butterflies out in their habitat was a great way of balancing out all the fun stuff we were doing in the city. The pickup was prompt and friendly. We enjoyed chatting to Sandra and Rudolfo all the way there and back. And the local guide, Daniel, was so helpful to me as by the time we went, the butterflies has moved and the trail got a bit hairy but I was able to get there and come back. We ended the hike with a delicious meal made my the people who run the sanctuary. Would 100% do again as it was a beautiful park and the butterflies were GORGEOUS. Don't miss out on this. Just do it. You won't regret it.

Marta was SUCH an incredible guide. I feel so fortunate to have had such a knowledgeable, kind, friendly guide to lead us through this magical experience. On the hike we linked up with a local tour guide who works at the sanctuary and he showed us so many plants used for herbal remedies and animals that are native to the area. It is an experience I will never forget. It is worth every penny and more.

Travelers should know there is a steep climb to and from the area where butterflies can be seen high in the pine trees. The altitude is 11,000 ft and may affect one’s ability to make the climb. The trail is dirt and rocks with no ropes or railings along the way. Plan on taking a pair of sturdy hiking sticks and boots. Horses are available to guests over the steepest, rockiest part of the trail - though even after the ride, the terrain can be demanding. In spite of the rigor of the hike, seeing the gray masses of dormant butterflies hanging on tall pine branches awaiting the sun to fly away was breathtaking. And, importantly, the guides that accompanied us all the way to and from were fabulous! Extremely knowledgeable about the biosphere housing the butterflies, the continued preservation of it, and the pine forest, our expert guides shared their dedication to their work and inspired us to support where we could. One suggestion for this tour would be for the biosphere managers to engage with the guides regularly about bad spots on the trail so repair or alternate routes are made available. It will prevent falls. It was a great tour notwithstanding the notes above and very popular with the local population.

Had a lovely guide and driver. The drive was about 3.5 hours there and 4 hours back which was kind of brutal but they were sweet enough to take us very close to our hotel which was not in the pickup/drop off zone! The experience was beautiful and I highly recommend. However I would caution anyone who is not steady on their feet, has bad joints, or has a condition that is exacerbated by altitude (COPD for example). You can hire a horse/guide for about 1/3 to 1/2 the way up but must walk the rest and the path to the butterflies is a scramble. Wear hiking shoes if possible, not just sneakers. They also told us to bring a bottle of water but between my husband and myself we went through about 4 liters for the day. There is nowhere to purchase more except at the front. Same goes for snacks. Otherwise a fabulous time!

We had such a great time. Marta, Alonso, and Daniel were the perfect team of guides. A wonderful experience from the long drive to the serene hike through the mountains to the monarch sanctuary! We will definitely remember this as a highlight of our trip! Pre trip communication was a bit slow when confirming pick up time and location.

Amazing to see so many butterflies! Martha was a great guide along with Daniel. I definitely recommend this tour for anyone who has time for a day trip out of CDMX.

It was a beautiful experience. I enjoyed the lunch, hike, sanctuary and getting to know others on the tour.

Our driver, guide and local guide were all terrific. Seeing massive numbers of monarchs and learning about their life cycle is fabulous. It is a bucket list experience.

The guides were wonderful and the tour size wasn’t too large. We had a wonderful breakfast at the local town which is completely supported by the tours. We did end up hiking the entire trail, however horses are available if you’d like to ride for a very reasonable price (cash only). Even with a very significant time commitment for the drive, the experience is completely worth it.

Seriously recommend!! The company ran a very smooth operation. The butterflies were beautiful!

Excellent trip from CDMX to see the monarch’s. Marta and Olanso were great. We really enjoyed it. Thank you.

If you want to see tens of thousands of butterflies in forest, this tour is for you. Our guide Martha picked us up at the meeting location on time. She provided us information about the sanctuary and Monarch butterflies. She was very accommodating and took pictures for us. For a few extra pesos, we got to ride a horse 1/2 the way up. At 11,000 feet, it was a good choice. Lunch was amazing at the butterfly sanctuary. This is a unique tour to see such a rare site. Getting in and out of Mexico City and the sanctuary’s remote location makes this tour an all day event.

I had a great experience. They picked us up with another couple and drove us out to the sanctuary. It was a 3 and half hour car ride both ways, but luckily I was able to sleep most of it. Our tour guides were very nice and knowledgeable. They made sure to be aware of everyone's fitness level and took a break anytime one of us needed it while hiking to and from the butterflies. That Elevation is no joke! I definitely recommend renting the horse for 200 Pesos, which made the biggest difference and was a super fun experience.

From mexico city it takes about 3.5 hours by car to reach the destination and another hour of hiking to 11000 ft elevation to view the monarchs. We were picked up at our hotel which was a bit out of the pickup zone, which was awesome. The car itself was uncomfortable with no leg room. There were 6of us and felt very cramped. The drive itself was uneventful and flavorless. No talks, explanations , small talks, nothing. Just driving from point a to b. The hike was strenuous but so worth it to see the monarchs. The provided lunch was spectacular. The drive back was straight 3.5 hours in silence. We were dropped an hour away from our destination and that is just not acceptable. We had to pay another 300 pesos for uber.

Martha and Alonso were excellent guides. Do not hesitate to book this tour, as it will not disappoint. We have been to other butterfly tours and this will be our favorite. It is a steep hike but doable. We chose to ride the horses up and it was so worth it. As it was going to cloudy later in the day, we chose to eat after our hike up which was a very wise choice. The monarchs were plentiful and with each burst of sun they would get active. It was so exciting to see. We were given lots of time for photos and both guides answered our questions and taught us so much. The food after was amazing. Blackberry Atole and Chile Relleno were delicious. A+ highly recommended

Wonderful experience with knowledgeable and simpatico guides! I learned so much and enjoyed the beauty of the place. It was an experience I’ll never forget!

Incredible. Magical. Would do it again in a heartbeat. Our guide Marta was very knowledgeable and so nice. We had such a fun day!

Marta was a great guide. Very accommodating and informative. Whole trip felt safe and was well planned. I definitely recommend! It was perfect!

This was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The guides were so kind, knowledgeable, and helpful. Since the butterflies are only viewable a few months out of the year, I feel so fortunate to be able to have seen them.

The trip met our expectations 100%. Our guide and driver; Martha and Alfonso were both very knowledgeable and professional. We couldn’t have asked for better experts to take us to Sierra Chincua and see the gorgeous Monarch butterflies in the habitat. The entire trip was outstanding.

The driver and tour guide were both very knowledgeable and professional would definitely recommend it! An Unforgettable experience

As a long time butterfly enthusiast, this has been on my bucket list. I’m so glad I made the time to travel to Mexico to see the monarchs. The driver was very safe and knowledgeable of the roads. It took us 3.5 hours from Mexico City but they did stop for bathroom break. At the end of the hike and butterfly experience, we were also given our choice of lunch and drinks. When we got there, we were also accompanied by a local tour guide (Daniel) along with our tour guide (Marta). They both informed us of the monarchs and other plants and animals of the area. They were both very nice and accommodating to us and the rest of the group. The hike was an hour long on a steep and tiny mountain trail but so worth it! We were able to see so many butterflies flying around as the sun came out. It was an emotionally beautiful experience!!

A magical place where the energy flows from the forest. Take a deep breath and feel the life of the forest floor and the skies above you. Well worth the experience. Martha, Alonso, and the sanctuary guide Daniel were all amazing, knowledgeable + accommodating. We learned sooooo much about all the plants and wildlife there is to! Coming back hopefully someday soon to experience the Chinca Sierra Sanctuary.

This tour to the Sierra Chincua butterfly sanctuary was an unforgettable adventure! The 3-hour drive was smooth, and upon arrival, we began a 45-60 minute guided hike to witness thousands of monarch butterflies in their natural habitat—an absolutely breathtaking sight. The local guide provided great insights into butterfly migration, local fauna, and wildlife. Horses were available to rent for part of the hike, making it more accessible. Lunch was included at the sanctuary, which was a nice touch. The entire experience was well-organized, and we felt comfortable throughout. Highly recommend this incredible tour!

What an awesome experience. I will never forget the sight of countless butterflies flying through the forest at the top of the mountain. It brought tears to my eyes. We will definitely go on more tours with them when we're next in Mexico City.

Our guide and experience were excellent. I would highly recommend it. The butterflies were magical and it is only two months out of the year.

We had a fantastic day. We were picked up outside a metro station which worked well for us. Marta and the driver were on time . We were the only couple on the tour that day. Marta was able to answer all our questions . We had a specific local guide on the site who was really knowledgeable. Also very attentive to our walking and stopped whenever we needed to. We were really pleased we booked this trip.

Gorgeous forest, abundant monarchs, and a fabulous guide. A great day overall. It's a bit pricey but worth it if you can. It included delicious breakfast at entrance of reserve.

It was a wonderful experience in the deep mountains of Mexico! Martha and Alonso were so kind and professional! We went there with our kids (7 and 3 years old), and they had a great time. Unfortunately, it was cloudy bit cold so we didn't see many butterflies flying, but it was a mystical and wonderful experience! Highly recommended!

An amazing hike to the top of the mountain on a beautiful warm day where thousands of monarchs swirled around you. Our guides, Marta and Daniel were the best. Very friendly, compassionate ( the altitude and hike were too strenuous for my friend), and helpful. We truly enjoyed their company. The entire tour was well organized, from pickup to return. Tour sizes are small you get personal attention. It was only 2 of us that day. I highly recommend this tour, but only if you are physically prepared to hike uphill over rocky paths at 9000-11,000 ft elevation. Walking poles and hiking boots are helpful.

What an amazing trip! The car ride was long but it was very comfortable. The guide we had in the car with us was so nice and she really enjoys and appreciates sharing the site with her guests. And the butterflies! We saw several trees covered with them. The food was good, they might decide to have you eat breakfast instead of lunch so that the temperature rises and the monarchs are more active. There were many roosting in the trees and many flying around as well. The climb up isn't too bad, and this is from someone who doesn't do well with uphill climbs, especially at 11,000 feet! It's cold there in the morning so wear a jacket or sweatshirt. At the restaurant get the traditional hot drink. It's amazing!

We had a great day with Martha, Daniel and our wonderful driver who I'm sorry I don't recall his name. It was a special time to be able to see the monarch butterflies with such wonderful guides. Our lunch was delicious. We highly recommend this tour!

We had an excellent experience with Marta, Alonso, and Daniel! We had a smooth drive there and back to the city, and enjoyed a delicious breakfast (and later lunch) in the community at the foot of the hill. We felt very welcome by the community and were happy to support tourism that works with and supports the local community. The hike was short and relatively easy if you don’t have significant health or mobility issues. We learned about the flora and fauna of the area, including the monarch butterflies. And they were so majestic. Seeing so many of them fly around, rest in the trees, and to hear their wings flap amid total silence was a spiritual, beautiful, and once-in-a-lifetime experience. I highly recommend it! Being led and taught by Marta, Alonso, and Daniel was so lovely, as we share the same values and it was wonderful to see their passion for serving and collaborating with the local community (which Daniel is a part of), providing sustainable and educational tourism practices, and just respecting and loving this unique natural environment, and knowing it deeply with all the complexity it deserves. You should definitely do this trip!

This was a unique and extraordinary experience. We felt very fortunate to be able to see these beautiful butterflies in their environment and the tour guides were wonderful.

For someone who booked this a few days before the tour, it was worth every penny. You have to make sure the weather is at least 60 F and that it's sunny or else you won't see butterflies. You also have to know that Monarch populations have been dwindling and set realistic expectations for what you'll see at the sanctuary. For Paseos part, they were on time, provided safe transportation and knowledgeable guides, who said they were fairly compensated. You set out on the tour early early morning from Polanco in CDMX, get a rest top break, then arrive in beautiful mountains. There are rustic restaurants (make sure to get the Atole, it'll warm your soul). Then you hike for 50min or so to look at the Monarchs from afar. It's a majestic sight and made me thank my lucky stars. Everyone looks at them from afar, quietly in awe as if we were in church.

We had an amazing time on the tour. Marta, our guide, was excellent and very knowledgeable about the butterflies and their migration. It was a long 3.5h drive from Mexico City but absolutely worth the trip. The hibernating butterflies in the trees were spectacular!!

Long drive, private vehicle, to get to the monarch colony but WORTH IT!! Once you get there, it's a somewhat difficult hike. I did find, as I do alot of walking. Still....caution to anyone thinking about it; it's challenging. On good thing; there's no rush. You can stop at anytime and just catch your breath or just watch the butterflies and birds.

From being picked up at 6:30AM at my hotel to my return at 9PM, everything was enjoyable, well-organized. As I chose a private tour, had plenty of time along the trail to the Monarch colony to take hundreds of pictures. It's at least a 3-hour drive there but comfortable. We stopped along the way for me to get a breakfast snack. The trail to the colony is long. Be advised that you should take horse ride unless you can handle and steep challenging hike. However, if you can, the hike is amazing, absolutely amazing. I just took my time, as I'm a wildlife photography enthusiast. Thanks to my guide, Nelly, driver, and local guide, I totally controlled the amount of stops I wanted, so I could take pictures. I took advantage of Nellie and was constantly passing off my iphone to her when using my camera. I didn't carry anything but the camera. She took care of everything else....so helpful!! We spent over about 6 hours along the trail. I had plenty of sunscreen on but really didn't need it as we were in the shade alot. Also didn't need insect repellent...no bugs to be concerned about. All three of my "assistants" were very good to see that I was safely handling some of the rugged parts of the trail. It was much more challenging than I had expected but did fine as I'm a very active outdoors person, even at heading towards 76. Again, when we returned to main area, we had a lovely very late lunch(included in the price). There were lots of choices on what I ate. Afterwards I requested alittle time to shop...butterfly t-shirt, earrings and cap!! Then back in the car and returning to my hotel. I did arrange with them while determining my trip, that they were able to pick me up at my hotel. I knew I wanted to stay at the Mexico City Internation Airport Hilton. That was agreeable with them too. Initially all communication was through email. Later on they suggested, if I had "whatsap" that we correspond that way. So that's what we did and really worked great, as responses became so much quicker. The company was so professional and helpful throughout. Can't say enough about that. Forgot one thing...they stongly suggested that I visit on a Monday or Tuesday, as it's less people. That's what I did. We went to the colony on a Monday.

Fantastic tour - the butterflies and scenery was incredible. I believe that this reserve is the best to visit (good blend of mountains + a lot of butterflies). Staff was great and very informative.

What an utterly fantastic trip . Our guide ( Martha ) and driver ( Alonso) were perfect . Martha was so knowledgeable …..we learned so much . But best of all we’re the butterflies . So beautiful . Daniel and Martha gave us so much time to watch / marvel and absorb . Walking to the special place made the anticipation grow . The sanctuary was very special and we enjoyed a lovely breakfast and lunch too . Thank you so much for helping to make the whole day quite magical ….

A bucket list adventure that lived up to all expectations (and then some).. a truly beautiful and inspirational tour that will never be forgotten.. Martha and our local tour guide Daniel did an excellent job in providing a great overview of the sanctuary including local vegetation and inhabitants.. the beauty of the butterflies protected by the locals in this sanctuary was breath taking and brought my girlfriend to tears..An amazing tour and highly recommend to all my family and friends.. Thank you again Martha and Daniel for sharing your knowledge and passion for this little piece of heaven on earth!

It was a full day. Our guide Martha was an excellent guide and host. As we approached the butterfly area, Martha explained to us the flowers and plants that attracted the butterflies to this area. Very knowledgable and a good sense of humor. We enjoyed the entire trip and learned a lot about the area and the challenges that the Butterflies have to just survive. We thank all of Mexico for this sanctuary.

This excursion was probably the most magical experience I've had in my life. The weather was perfect and the monarchs were flying EVERYWHERE. Pictures don't do it justice. If you love nature, you need to do this. It is a long day, as you're going further out compared to other monarch viewing areas (this one is better maintained and not as steep as others) but it is so worth it. We went on Monday and avoided weekend crowds. My parents hired the horses (only 150 pesos each way) which was perfect for them. I joined the rest of our small group and hiked up. It was a beautiful day.

Pictures really don’t do this experience justice. The day was very long, very worth it and nothing short of magical when we were walking quietly in this beautiful place surrounded by these monarchs. The weather was perfect for this as well, clear and sunny, so the monarchs could warm themselves and fly around. My parents took the horses up, which was perfect for them, and I hiked up with the group, enjoying the amazing scenery. This tour doesn’t go to the other town anymore since covid, so we had more time to enjoy the butterflies and ate lunch there at the communities restaurant; it was delicious! This location is further than many others but they told us this one is better run than closer ones bec the community takes care of it. Proceeds here help the community. Additionally the ride up on horse is only 15 min vs closer ones you’d have to ride for an hour and it’s much steeper. We went on a Monday and it was very empty and amazing! Martha and Alonso were great guides!

Words can’t describe how amazing this experience was. The tour leaders were extremely professional, knowledgeable & fun. Martha & Alfonso rock! We were picked up on time in a van with five other people, when arrived at the site, was given ample time to see & experience the butterflies! Hundreds of thousands of butterflies were there. Had an option of hiking or horseback riding to the main area of clusters of butterflies. Lunch was included, & it was delicious! This company knows what they are doing & created once in a lifetime experience for us! THANK YOU!

We really enjoyed this trip, and thought it was well-worth the long drive. Having been on my bucket list for some time, seeing one of the monarch butterfly overwintering sites was fantastic! We had a local guide at the sanctuary show us the trail to the site, along with some explanations of their behavior and background history behind the insects and Mexico. Our driver and guide were very helpful, and took us to get some tea on the way to the sanctuary as well!

Wonderful experience. Quite a long day from Mexico City (over 12 hours) but guides were very good, had plenty of time to view butterflies while walking and stationery (close to an hour). Recommend horses if a bit unsteady on feet. Nice lunch included.