Magical Mexico with Denver Botanic Gardens
January 25-31, 2025
Magical Mexico: Mexico City, Monarch Butterflies, and Valle de Bravo
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. When masses of butterflies are in flight, it sounds like rain falling. Their cumulative weight can even bend branches of towering oyamel fir trees.
In addition to spending two days at monarch butterfly sanctuaries, travelers will also explore vibrant Mexico City known for its thriving art scene, charming neighborhoods, world-class gastronomy, and its unique blend of old and new.
Collaboration trip with Denver Botanic Gardens hosted by Yvonne Garcia Bardwell, Associate Director of Community Relations.
About Your Host: Born and raised in South Texas, with a bilingual-bicultural background, Yvonne Garcia Bardwell brings a great mixture of experiences and knowledge to the tour. As the Associate Director of Community Relations at Denver Botanic Gardens, she is responsible for diversifying the Gardens’ constituency by establishing and strengthening relationships with community organizations across the Denver metro area. Since 2011, she has orchestrated Denver Botanic Gardens’ observance of Día de los Muertos – a celebration that has grown into a vibrant annual event celebrating one of Mexico’s greatest cultural legacies. Her multicultural orientation has developed through not only extensive world travel but also significant work and volunteer experiences as well as an academic focus on international and Spanish-language marketing. This tour offers an opportunity to educate and inspire, to create a connection to our past, and to learn about the cultural traditions of Mexico.
ITINERARY
Day 1 (Sat, Jan 25): Arrival to Mexico City ~ Upon arrival to Mexico City, we’ll be met for our transfer to Hotel Habita in the Polanco district, our home for the next three nights. 
DETAILS
Price: $4815* per person based on two people sharing double occupancy accommodations. If you prefer private, single occupancy accommodations, add $1045**.
Includes: accommodations, airport transfers on arrival and departure days, private transportation on Days 2-6, bilingual trip leader, host from Denver Botanic Gardens (Yvonne Garcia Bardwell), meals as listed, activities and entrance fees as listed, horse + ejido horse assistant at butterfly sanctuaries when applicable, and basic $0 trip cost travel insurance. Pre-departure cancellation benefits can be added to the basic insurance policy for an additional cost.
Excludes: flights (we will assist with flight arrangements), passport fees, room upgrades, optional travel insurance policy with pre-trip cancellation and interruption benefits, optional activities, optional gratuities for hotel staff, and personal expenses.
*Price is based on payment by check. Credit card fees, if applicable, will be assessed at time of payment based on card used.
**If you are a solo traveler that prefers to share a double occupancy room, we will try to pair you with another traveler. If we can’t find a suitable roommate for you, the private room surcharge will apply.
Group Size: Min 7, Max 12 + DBG Host + Trip Leader
Level of Difficulty: Participants must be prepared to ride a horse as well as hike over sometimes steep, rocky, uneven terrain at elevations between 9000-11,000 ft when visiting the monarch butterfly sanctuaries. This trip is designated as moderately difficult due to the monarch sanctuary visit days.
A Note About Gratuities – Your trip cost includes gratuities for local guides and drivers, as well as at restaurants. This allows us to reliably and equitably compensate everyone working so hard to keep you happy, healthy, and safe during your trip.
Important Information: Itinerary has been built to allow flexibility to accommodate activities and sightseeing. Butterfly sanctuary visits will be finalized closer to travel dates based on recent sightings. Every effort will be made to carry out all activities as planned and advertised, however, trip leaders reserve the right to make alterations, deletions, or modifications to the itinerary deemed necessary due to circumstances beyond their control.