Monarch Butterfly Private Tour (Morelia)

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Morelia, Mexico

8 hours (approx.)
Pickup offered
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

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Overview

Spend a day amid the monarch butterflies on a private day trip to Santuario del la Mariposa Monarca. Set on a volcanic mountainside, the reserve is one of the best spots in Mexico to see the butterflies as they fly there to survive the winter weather. You’ll reach the site with minimum fuss, with private transport, hotel pickup, and admission organized in advance.

Enjoy a relaxing start with hotel pickup from your Morelia accommodation
Skip the crowds and travel in the company of your sole group
Learn about the monarch butterflies from your guide as you travel
See some impressive Michoacán scenery on the round-trip route

What's Included

Private transportation
Boleto de entrada al Santuario

Breakfast

Antes de la salida y/o durante la excursión
Lunch

Antes y/o después de la observación de mariposas

Meeting and Pickup

You can head directly to the meeting point, or request pickup

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

Pickup details

When you book the tour, you probably don´t book hotel room yet. Please go to the meeting point at Casa Grande Hotel in downtown.

Meeting point

Panoli
Portal Matamoros 98 A, Centro, 58000 Morelia, Mich., Mexico
Panoli cafe downtown, at the corner of Abasolo and Allende (facing Main square) Front door of Casa Grande hotel, wait there!

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Start time
.7:30 am

Itinerary

Santuario de la Mariposa Monarca

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Not recommended for travelers with back problems
No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
Not recommended for pregnant travelers

Not wheelchair accessible
Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate

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Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Gallery picture 1 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 2 (from a traveler's review)

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Gallery picture 4 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)

Reviews

5.0

based on 32 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

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The most efficient way to see the monarchs

Abigail_H, Mar 2026

We were two girlfriends (Americans) traveling together, and seeing the monarchs was the ultimate reason for our trip to Mexico, so we were willing to splurge a bit to see them. In reality, while the cost of this tour seemed like a splurge at the time of booking, when you take into account the distance from Morelia to the sanctuaries, it would have been very difficult to find a better deal that was both as convenient and as efficient as this tour was. We had read such fabulous reviews about Alfredo as a tour guide, and we were excited to meet him, but instead he brought in his partner Rubén to serve as our guide for the day. However, Rubén was amazing, and we had a wonderful time with him. He was friendly, funny, hospitable, and even helped me practice my Spanish a bit! He spoke English well (he lived on the south side of Chicago for many years!) and we were able to communicate easily (I have some Spanish, but my travel partner had less, so I was specifically looking for an English tour so that she would not miss out on any aspect of the experience). Alfredo and Rubén both communicated with me via WhatsApp before our tour so that we would know what to expect. We were picked up and dropped off directly at our hotel in Morelia, which was awesome and unexpected as the booking listed Burger King as the meeting point. Rubén was right on time for pick-up. The booking indicated that meals would not be included, but we stopped for breakfast about halfway through the drive in Maravatío. When my friend and I went to pay, Rubén informed us that breakfast was included. Another nice surprise! We had packed snacks, so we did not end up stopping for lunch, but I am confident that Rubén would have taken us somewhere for lunch if we had asked. He did a great job of offering at multiple points during the trip to stop for bathrooms or water. Notably, I am prone to motion sickness, and the drive was at times steep, windy, and absolutely full of speedbumps - but I never felt the least bit sick the whole drive - a testament to Rubén's smooth driving! The drive was between 3 and 4 hours each way. We visited El Rosario and not Sierra Chincua - Rubén told us that Sierra Chincua is more "rustic." When we arrived, Rubén left us in the capable hands of the guides that El Rosario provides to each group hiking or riding horses up the mountain. Our wonderful guide was Elvia, who has been serving as a guide at El Rosario for 22 years! Fair warning: If you are not used to altitude, the hike is strenuous and challenging! But it is relatively short (just over 1 mile to the top, then 1 mile down), and you can choose to ride a horse to the top if you don't wish to hike. The horses would have cost an additional 300 MXN/~17 USD, but admission to the sanctuary was included in the cost of the tour. After the tour, Rubén sent us some great photos he had taken of us and some recommendations for the rest of our brief stay in Morelia. We couldn't have asked for a better way to see the monarchs!

Response from Host, Mar 2026

Me and my team were very greatful when reading your experience at the Monarchs Abigail. We are so thankful about every single word you included in this descriptive review that can help other travelers to come and watch this wonder of nature!

Great experience -...

Khoi_H, Feb 2026

Great experience - Alfredo is a very knowledgeable guide and a local with decades of knowledge. We had an amazing time and Alfredo got us there safely and quickly. I would recommend this tour to anyone - with this, you are also supporting local businesses and Alfredo as well.

Response from Host, Feb 2026

Thanks a lot for this review Khoi. Keep travelling to enjoy beautiful Mexico!

Worth every minute and nickel spent!!

Diana_R, Mar 2025

I can’t begin to express how life-changing this experience was! I have set up milkweed plants and different parts of my yard and have made sure so that my pups and cats stay away from these beautiful creatures when they are going through their metamorphosis. I learned so many new things not only about but about how the migration happens and how brave these little creatures are despite the odds. Definitely a line to cross off my bucket list and very, very happy I was able to come while I’m still

Response from Host, Mar 2025

I thank you for posting this review Diana. Glad to know you came and had a great experience!

A once in a lifetime experience

Kaylene_P, Nov 2024

Alfredo was an amazing tour guide. He not only told us so much about the butterflies but he also told us of the cultural significance of the area. You’ll really feel welcomed on this tour and it’s honestly a once in a lifetime experience. It is a long day but it goes by super quickly. We were lucky and it was a bright sunny day which means the butterflies were super active. Since it’s a private tour you really can go at your own pace. Alfredo made sure we didn’t feel rushed and was very patient with us and made sure we were okay multiple times throughout the hike. I would absolutely recommend and book this tour again if you’re in Morelia

Response from Host, Nov 2024

I feel glad to read every single word you posted Kaylene, and is great from you to let other travelers know about the #OMG DAY we had at the monarch's site! Happy holidays! 😃

Amazing Tour!

Benjamin_W, Mar 2024

Alfredo was an incredible tour guide! He was super knowledgeable about the Monarch’s and the history of the reservation, as well as Morelia, the geography of the area, and Michoacán! My parents and I had a wonderful time! Highly recommend booking this tour!

Response from Host, Mar 2024

Thank you very much Ben. It was a pleasure to drive your family to the Monarchs! See you soon!

Monarch sanctuary tour guide

Gabrielle_W, Feb 2024

This was such an amazing experience. Alfredo was so knowledgeable, and kind. He went above and beyond to make the trip to see the butterflies memorable. Everything went extremely smooth, given that he is an expert in what he does. He also accommodates breakfast and lunch with local restaurants, so you truly get an authentic experience. I 10/10 recommend Alfredo for anyone looking to experience the Monarch sanctuary!

Response from Host, Feb 2024

It was a pleasure to drive you up to the monarchs and admire the real wonder of nature Gabrielle. Keep traveling to Mexico! 😎

Once in a lifetime experience!

Gretchen_D, Feb 2024

Spectacular experience! Raymundo was so patient with the pacing for my young daughter. One of the most memorable experiences with the natural world I have ever had

Response from Host, Feb 2024

Thanks a lot Gretchen! Good to know you had a memorable experience at the monarch's site 🦋

butterfly high!

Harold_S, Feb 2024

Climbing El Rosario on horseback and on foot with Alfredo providing us with everything we needed and handling every detail and transaction. The excitement of getting closer to the clusters, and the cathartic release at the apex of the climb. The comradery of the people.

Response from Host, Feb 2024

Thanks for this review Harold. It was a great day with you at the monarch's site 🦋

A great day with a great guide

Imaan_R, Dec 2023

Alfredo was an amazing tour guide and made the experience so great. He is very knowledgeable about the butterfly preserve but also about Morelia as a whole, and the entire day was enjoyable with him as our guide. We would 100% return and have Alfredo as our guide again. We highly recommend the experience.

Response from Host, Dec 2023

Thank you very much for this review! I want you to come back to do next tour! Happy holidays!

Great experience and great guide.

Rafael_A, Feb 2023

Alfredo, our tour guide was great. He was very will informed and was very accommodating. We highly recommend his services.

Response from Host, Mar 2023

Thanks a lot Rafael! See you next time in Morelia!

Great private tour from Morelia to see the Monarchs

Karen_H, Jan 2023

Great private tour with Alfredo who was a fantastic host and very knowledgeable about the area, wild life and butterflies. Great breakfast and lunch suggestions too! Highly recommend!

Response from Host, Feb 2023

Thank you very much for this review, Karen. Hope I can drive you to the next time in Morelia. Adiós!

Magical and unforgettable

Anna_S, Jan 2023

What a wonderful experience it was to see the Monarch butterflies flickering under the sun amongst the Michoacán pine trees in January! Our trip started in Morelia where Alfredo picked my friends and I to drive us to the Monarch butterflies sanctuary . Along the way Alfredo shared a lot of knowledge about the region, the landscape, as well as informing us about the butterflies and why they migrate to Mexico at this time of the year. We stopped for a very delicious typical Mexican breakfast midway. Once we got to the sanctuary we hiked through the forest and ascended to where the butterflies gather. It was the most magical experience! Out of a dream On the way back and before setting for the road back to Morelia we sat down for wonderful homecooked food made by the local community. We are so happy to have experienced this natural wonder, and so thankful to Alfredo who is the most knowledgeable and kind guide. We strongly recommend this tour !