THE TREASURE OF THE SIERRA MADRE- MONARCH BUTTERFLIES

The mountains of the Sierra Madre hold a hidden treasure. Just an easy two-hour drive from the amazing and cosmopolitan area of Mexico City, there is a unexpected verdant landscape where a natural miracle takes place every year.

In the states of Michoacan and State of Mexico lies an adventurer’s haven, a promise of freedom surrounded in the distance by pretty much untouched forests and mountains.

But the vistas, that seem to go on forever, change drastically when the lushly green pines and fir trees turn multicolored with the arrival of millions of Monarch Butterflies that land in their trunks and branches to spend the winter.

Dear Traveler,

An incredible phenomenon takes place each fall when a myriad of Monarch butterflies travel the impressive distance of 4,500 kilometers to dwell in Mexico, escaping from the cold winters of Canada and the U.S. There are three identified migratory routes, but the largest group traverses the Sierra Madre Oriental arriving to their Mexican home between the first and third weeks of November.

More than 100 million of these beautiful black and orange creatures find shelter in our country, settling down for five months under the warm sun.

As these striking butterflies may only reach their sexual maturity in the warmth of the spring, they come to our pristine wooded valleys and mountains of the Sierra Madre, which protect them from chilling winds and brutal weather changes. It is believed that only this place offers them the perfect conditions and environment for reproduction! Here they find the right oxygen level, protection from direct winds, comfortable temperatures, and access to superficial concentrations of water and vegetation, which constitutes their food source.

After peacefully hibernating during the autumn and winter, the Monarchs start their reproduction rituals at the beginning of spring. The butterflies mate from the middle of February through the middle of March. After pairing off, male butterflies die, and females hatch their eggs. At the beginning of summer, they become beautiful adult butterflies, and return to the north, closing their circle of life.

The Mexican government has established a protected area of 56,000 hectares to guard the refuges of the Monarch butterflies, including five sanctuaries. However, only two of them, Sierra del Campanario and Sierra Chincua (the best preserved and the most wooded of all), are open to the tourists.

In the State of Mexico you will find the reserves of La Mesa in San Felipe del Progreso, El Capulin in Donato Guerra, and San Mateo Almololoa in Temascaltepec.

The visits to the natural butterfly reserves are permitted this time of the year for you to observe the amazing insect clusters.

Follow the Monarch Butterfly Route
The central states of the country have developed a regional tourism itinerary known as The Monarch Butterfly Route, which invite you to visit several destinations which have some common elements that appeal to a certain type of pioneer, like those who want unusual journeys and unparallel adventures. Aside from taking a close look to the wonderful Monarchs, you will have plenty of opportunities for sports and eco-tourism activities such as camping, hiking or paragliding, as well as picturesque towns that will transport you to a different world.

Valle de Bravo, a point of reference in the world of aquatic sports in Mexico
Valle de Bravo is a tranquil town with old colonial charm located just an hour and a half from Mexico City. It has become the favorite weekend destination for many citizens because of its breathtaking natural scenery. One of the highlights of “Valle”, as it is fondly referred to, is its splendid lake, which makes the town a water-sportsman’s dream: sailing, water skiing, windsurfing, fishing, canoeing and kayaking are available to everybody. But it also offers countless chances for a more relaxing stay, such as excellent restaurants with a rustic ambiance, an artisans’ market, and a sparkling nightlife.

Angangueo, home to the annual Festival of the Monarch Butterfly
Nestled in the extraordinary beautiful state of Michoacan, Angangueo is a municipality close to the Sierra Chincua sanctuary. It is an important mining region, and its name means “a very high point,” maybe because it is 2,350 meters above sea level. Its emerald and temperate forests are probably what attract the monarch butterflies year after year. Moreover, it is the main seat of the Festival of the Monarch Butterfly which begins in the middle of February to mainly encourage the knowledge and preservation of the butterflies habitat, and to promote eco-tourism and the history and traditions of the region. For two weeks, you will find lively events focusing on gastronomy, music, dancing, and arts and crafts.

But that’s not all. History and tradition, archaeological zones and colonial churches… thermal waters, waterfalls, and caves… are some of the additional attractions you will find in the region.

Taking care of our dear visitors
The monarch butterfly is of universal interest, and everybody must guard their environment. That is why it is forbidden to hunt, capture or collect any animal species; cut any tree or plant; throw trash or pollution to air, water or soil; make fire or smoke; walk outside the designed paths; eat or drink inside the sanctuaries; touch or in any way harm the monarch butterflies.

Did you know that:
The monarch butterfly takes about two months to fly from Washington to Angangueo?
The fat they need for their trip is stored in their abdomens?
One tagged monarch was recaptured 265 miles away from where it had been released the previous day?
They are genetically programmed to go to the right place at the right time?
They use the sun, and also probably the earth's magnetic field to know which way is south during the fall migration?They are able to travel such far distances by flying very efficiently, taking advantage of air currents and soar, without having to flap their wings all the time?
The number of monarch butterflies that arrive at the different refuges in Mexico varies between 100 and 140 million?
No butterfly completes the back and forth trip, because their cycle of life lasts only a few months?

Hasta la próxima!
Cesarinna Bustamante
TRAVELWHISPER