Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary in Valle de Bravo with Private Transport (FROM NOVEMBER TO MID-MARCH)

AVAILABLE FROM NOVEMBER TO MID-MARCH

Piedra Herrada Sanctuary, located in Temascaltepec near Valle de Bravo (about 25–40 km away), located 4 hours from Mexico City., is part of the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve, which was established in 1980 during the presidency of José López Portillo, formally designated in 1986, and officially renamed in 2000. The reserve was declared a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site in 2008 for its “superlative natural phenomenon and exceptional beauty.”

The reserve spans more than 57,000 hectares across the states of Michoacán and State of Mexico, and consists of mixed forests of oyamel and pine, which provide ideal conditions for the monarch butterflies to hibernate and reproduce, due to the altitude (~3,000 meters above sea level), humidity, and temperature.

The migratory phenomenon was scientifically confirmed in the 1970s thanks to research by Fred Urquhart, and was later reinforced by the Monarch Watch tagging program (launched in 1992), which documented the migration routes from Canada and the United States to Mexico. A remarkable case occurred in 2023, when a tagged butterfly from Iowa was found in Valle de Bravo, having traveled more than 3,200 km.

Each year, between November and March, millions of monarch butterflies travel between 3,000 and 4,500 km from North America to these sanctuaries to spend the winter. In addition to Piedra Herrada, the nearby sanctuaries of El Capulín and La Mesa—all accessible to the public via hiking trails or horseback—offer breathtaking views of this natural wonder.

Tour Availability
Only available from november to Mid-March
Language
English and Spanish
Guide
Bilingual Local Guides
Payment Method
PayPal or Bank Transfer
Hotel Transfer
Pick up and Drop off
Transportation
Car or Van after 4 people

Overview

Itinerary

Cost

FAQs

OVERVIEW

This is a private and personalized tour only for you and your love ones. The total duration is 12 hours and taking the transfers time. This tour includes private transport, pick up and drop off at your address in Mexico city, your tourist guide/driver, 1 bottle of water and 1 little bag of snacks per person. After 4 people the vehicle is a new van with air conditioner.

You can personalized this tour.

HIGHLIGHTS

Piedra Herrada is part of the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve, declared a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site in 2008.
Its oyamel and pine forests at 3,000 meters above sea level provide perfect conditions for millions of butterflies to hibernate each winter.
Monarchs travel up to 4,500 km from Canada and the U.S.; in 2023, a tagged butterfly from Iowa was found in Valle de Bravo.

PICK UP TIME :

AT YOUR ADDRESS IN MEXICO CITY

Your guide will contact you before pick up time. The pick up will be at your accommodation address. You can choose the pick up time from __ am to __ _m

TRANSFER TIME :

ON OUR WAY TO VALLE DE BRAVO

Usually travel time from central tourist areas is approximately 4 hours, although this may vary depending on traffic.

ARRIVAL AT :

MONARCH BUTTERFLY SANCTUARY, PIEDRA HERRADA

We'll begin our tour at the magnificent Piedra Herrada Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary, where we'll witness the impressive natural phenomenon of thousands of butterflies gathered in their winter refuge.

We'll continue through the beautiful cobblestone streets of Valle de Bravo, strolling through colonial alleys and historic facades.

TOUR TIME :

4 HOURS OF TOUR

The full tour includes a visit to the Piedra Herrada Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary, and we'll conclude our tour with a stroll through the narrow streets of Valle de Bravo, where every corner tells a story.

OPTIONAL TIME :

FOR LUNCH

If you wish, we can have time for lunch or breakfast at the floating restaurant "Los Pericos" (add extra time at an extra cost of $40 USD per group) or take time out of our tour time.

DROP OFF AT :

ADDRESS ACCOMMODATION

The drop off will be at your address or any other place in Mexico city. If the place is far away it can generates extra cost.

FAQs

Expand all

-Cant this tour be done year-round?

No. This tour is only available during a specific season of the year, but you can check out our other options that are available year round

-Is this a private tour?

Yes. A private tour only for you and your special people. At this moment We don’t have groupal tours.

-What type of vehicle?

At this moment We are a small growing agency. Our agency has 1 new vehicle 2025 + 3 new vans 2024. So when the tour is from 1-3 people the vehicle is a car (it can be our new vehicle or the vehicle of your guide). We use a van or minivan after 4 people.

-Is My guide the same driver?

Usually if the tour is for 1 to 3 people the guide is the same driver. After 4 people We use a van with 10/13 seats or minivan for 7 passsengers. Usually in minivan is the same guide the driver.

-Have the guides a certification?

Our team is made by local guides, lovers of our culture and destinations. They have a lot of experience in our tours: driving & the story. OF COURSE SOMETIMES WE WORK WITH CERTIFICATE GUIDES. WHEN THE CUSTOMER REQUEST FOR A CERTIFICATE GUIDE WE CAN DO IT (WITH EXTRA COST)

-CANCELLATION POLICY

Full refund cancellation + 24 hours according to pick up time
No refund cancellation – 24 hours according to pick up time
No show by customer = no refund
Bad weather = No refund
Full refund in case We cannot to do the tour according to no show guide, not available vehicles, the place is closed or any situation that We cannot to do the tour
The refund is by the same way You do the payment. Sometimes it can take some days

-Can I personalized this tour?

Of course! Contact us and We can personalized every detail and improve this tour you.