Photo Expedition to Mexico: Monarch Butterflies Through the Lens
January 10-16, 2027
This Reefs to Rockies photo expedition is more than a trip. It is a fully immersive nature photography workshop designed to help you return with compelling images and the skills to recreate them. Led by award-winning photographer guide Cheryl Opperman with expert local support, this small-group journey offers hands-on instruction, personalized feedback, and extended time with one of the world’s most remarkable wildlife spectacles. We specialize in total-immersion photography. That means unhurried days in the field to observe, study light, and photograph creatively. Each winter, millions of monarch butterflies cluster in Mexico’s high-altitude cloud forests. When they take flight, the forest fills with motion and sound—an extraordinary subject for photographers.
Logistics are seamless, with flexibility built into each day to respond to weather, light, and butterfly activity. Small groups allow space to slow down, refine technique, and remain with scenes as they evolve. Evenings are spent in comfortable accommodations where image review and learning continue in a relaxed, supportive setting.
WHY MEXICO?
Central Mexico’s Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve protects the wintering grounds of the eastern North American monarch population. From January through early March, butterflies cluster in oyamel fir forests at elevations of 9,000–11,000 feet.
Photographic opportunities include dense clusters, backlit wings in morning light, and mass flight as temperatures rise. You’ll explore composition, motion, macro and telephoto techniques, and environmental storytelling. Landscapes and waterfalls around Valle de Bravo provide additional creative variety.
This expedition is ideal for photographers seeking patience, repetition, and extended time with a single extraordinary subject in a globally significant ecosystem.
ACCOMMODATIONS & FIELD EXPERIENCE
You will stay in comfortable hotels chosen for convenience and proximity to key sites.
Photography days focus on extended sessions within the Biosphere Reserve. Trails can be steep and uneven at high elevation, but we move slowly and porters are available to carry heavy gear. Daily locations are selected based on butterfly activity and light, giving maximum opportunity for creative photography.
About Your Photo Expedition Leader: Cheryl Opperman
Cheryl Opperman is a nationally acclaimed nature photographer who has photographed on all seven continents, capturing unforgettable images of wildlife, natural landscapes, and indigenous cultures. Her work has appeared in The Denver Post, National Geographic Society publications, and the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History.
She’s earned top honors from organizations including the International Photography Awards, Nature’s Best Photography, and the National Wildlife Federation. A sought-after educator and keynote speaker, Cheryl leads with passion, patience, and a deep appreciation for the natural world. Whether you’re new to photography or a seasoned shooter, her teaching style inspires confidence and creativity.
ITINERARY
Accommodations: Holiday Inn Express Santa Fe
Meals: Welcome Dinner
Day 2 (Mon, Jan 11): El Rosario Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve ~ Morning departure to El Rosario Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary. El Rosario is easily the most famous sanctuary open to the public in the biosphere reserve. Today, we’ll experience it firsthand as we learn photography techniques for the days to come.
Accommodations: Misión Grand Valle de Bravo
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Days 3-5 (Jan 12-14): Photography Workshops at Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve ~ Three full days of photography sessions at the reserves. Sites will be selected based on current cluster numbers and locations. Expect hikes to take at least 30 minutes to over 1 hour each way at elevations between 9000-11,000 ft. Please call if you have concerns about hiking. The trail can be steep, but we go at a very slow pace.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Accessing the monarch cluster sites includes sometimes strenuous hiking at elevations between 9000-11,000 feet. We go at a very slow pace, so no one should feel rushed and porters will carry your heavy photography gear. You only need to carry your own food and water. Please call if you have questions or concerns.
Accommodations: Misión Grand Valle de Bravo
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Accommodations: Misión Grand Valle de Bravo
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 7 (Sat, Jan 16): Departure ~ Transfer to Mexico City International Airport (MEX) in time for our flights home. Flight departure needs to be at 2 pm or later.
Meals: Breakfast
DETAILS
Price: $7495* per person based on double occupancy accommodations. Add $995* if you prefer private, single occupancy accommodations.
Includes: accommodations (two people sharing a room); photo workshop instructor Cheryl Opperman with exclusive access to individual sessions; full-time local bilingual trip leader; transfer from airport to hotel on arrival day; private transportation Days 2-7; local ejido guides at monarch sanctuaries (includes gratuities); porter at monarch sanctuaries (includes gratuities); entrance fees; meals as listed (6 breakfasts, 5 lunches, and 2 dinners); and 24/7 in-country support. A donation to support local conservation efforts for monarch butterflies in Mexico will be made on behalf of all participants.
Excludes: flights; passport fees; room upgrades; travel insurance (quotes available); meals not listed (4 dinners); pre- and post- hotels; gratuities; and personal expenses.
*Reflects payment by check or ACH. Credit card fees, if applicable will be assessed at time of booking.
**If you are a solo traveler that prefers to share a double occupancy room, but we aren’t able to find a suitable roommate for you, the private room surcharge will apply.
Group Size: 4-6 participants + Cheryl Opperman + Local Bilingual Guide.
Level of Difficulty: Participants must be prepared to 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.
Important Information: Itinerary has been built to allow flexibility to accommodate activities and sightseeing. 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.
