Each winter, two extraordinary wildlife migrations converge in Mexico, offering remarkable opportunities to witness nature at work. In the cool mountain forests of central Mexico, monarch butterflies arrive by the millions after traveling up to 3,000 miles (nearly 5,000 km) from breeding grounds across the United States and Canada. Within the protected sanctuaries of Piedra Herrada and El Rosario, the butterflies cluster on the branches of oyamel fir trees, forming dense colonies that blanket entire trunks and limbs in vibrant orange and black. As the sun warms the forest, the butterflies take flight, filling the air with movement and color. Guided visits to these sanctuaries provide close observation of this extraordinary phenomenon while offering insight into the delicate ecological balance that supports the monarch migration.
The journey then continues to the Pacific coast of Baja California and the remote waters of San Ignacio Lagoon, one of the world’s most important breeding areas for gray whales. Each winter, these immense marine mammals migrate from Arctic feeding grounds to the warm lagoons of Baja to mate and give birth. Spend three nights at a comfortable glamping camp overlooking the lagoon, where daily whale-watching excursions by small boat offer close encounters with mothers and calves in their natural habitat.
Beyond whale watching, the lagoon’s tranquil setting invites further exploration. Kayak along sheltered waters, observe shorebirds and migratory species, explore nearby estuaries, or join guided nature walks that reveal the unique desert-meets-sea ecosystem of the Baja Peninsula. The journey also includes time in vibrant Mexico City and the historic coastal town of San José del Cabo, adding cultural depth to this remarkable natural history experience.
Schedule by Day
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Arrive in Mexico City and check in at the Marquis Reforma Hotel on the elegant Paseo de la Reforma. This grand avenue, inspired by the great boulevards of Europe, is lined with monuments, museums, and historic landmarks in the heart of Mexico’s capital. Meet your fellow travelers at a welcome reception and dinner at the hotel.
Overnight: Marquis Reforma Hotel
Meals: R, D
Begin the day with an orientation and lecture, then discover Mexico City’s vibrant arts and culture at the nearby Modern Art Museum and Chapultepec Park, one of the largest and oldest urban parks in the Americas. After lunch, drive to Valle de Bravo, a charming colonial town set beside a scenic lake and surrounded by forested mountains. Check in to the stylish Cinco Rodavento Hotel, known for its contemporary design and relaxed atmosphere. Enjoy a flavorful dinner at a local restaurant.
Overnight: Cinco Rodavento Hotel
Meals: B, L, D
Visit the Piedra Herrada Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary within the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve and observe monarch butterflies overwintering in the oyamel forests of central Mexico. Each year, millions of monarchs arrive here after traveling thousands of miles from Canada and the United States. Enjoy a savory lunch featuring local foods such as quesadillas, sopes, huaraches, and tacos. Return to the hotel for an afternoon lecture, and enjoy dinner on your own this evening.
Overnight: Cinco Rodavento Hotel
Meals: B, L
Enjoy a guided visit to the El Rosario Butterfly Sanctuary. Walk through the forest to reach the epicenter of the resting monarch colonies, where millions cover the branches of fir trees. As the sun warms the woods, the butterflies’ black-and-orange wings begin to flutter through the open air in remarkable “clouds” of color. Located more than 9,000 feet above sea level, these mountain forests provide the ideal winter habitat for the monarch butterflies. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant near the sanctuary and return to the hotel for an evening lecture. Enjoy dinner on your own this evening in Valle de Bravo.
Overnight: Cinco Rodavento Hotel
Meals: B, L
Drive back to Mexico City and fly to San José del Cabo on the Baja Peninsula. Located at the southern tip of Baja California, where the Sea of Cortez meets the Pacific Ocean, the town is known for its historic mission church and vibrant art district. Check in to the boutique Casa Natalia Hotel, nestled in the heart of the district and within walking distance of galleries, shops, and cafés.
Overnight: Casa Natalia Hotel
Meals: B
Fly this morning by private charter to the landing strip at San Ignacio Lagoon, located within the El Vizcaíno Biosphere Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most important gray whale breeding lagoons in the world. This afternoon set out for your first gray whale encounter aboard a panga-style whale-watching boat. Each boat carries just 6–7 passengers and is accompanied by an expert naturalist guide. Gray whales in these lagoons are known for their curious nature and often approach the boats for close interaction. After your excursion, arrive at the glamping camp and settle into your beachfront accommodations overlooking the lagoon.
Overnight: San Ignacio Lagoon Camp
Meals: B, L, D
Spend two days observing the gray whales of Baja’s San Ignacio Lagoon with your naturalist guides. Each winter these remarkable animals migrate thousands of miles from Arctic feeding grounds to the shallow, protected lagoons of Baja California to mate and give birth. Enjoy close encounters with these social whales while staying at a comfortable glamping camp along the lagoon. In addition to whale watching, hike or kayak around the lagoon and explore this unique desert-meets-sea ecosystem that supports a wide variety of birdlife and marine species. Lectures offer additional insight into the region’s marine life, and meals are served at camp throughout your stay.
Overnight: San Ignacio Lagoon Camp
Meals: B, L, D
Spend a second day observing the gray whales of Baja’s San Ignacio Lagoon with your naturalist guides. Each winter these remarkable animals migrate thousands of miles from Arctic feeding grounds to the shallow, protected lagoons of Baja California to mate and give birth. Enjoy close encounters with these social whales while staying at a comfortable glamping camp along the lagoon. In addition to whale watching, hike or kayak around the lagoon and explore this unique desert-meets-sea ecosystem that supports a wide variety of birdlife and marine species. Lectures offer additional insight into the region’s marine life, and meals are served at camp throughout your stay.
Overnight: San Ignacio Lagoon Camp
Meals: B, L, D
After breakfast, fly by charter plane to San José del Cabo and connect to return flights to the U.S.
Meals: B
Pricing
Double Occupancy
Single Occupancy
$10,990 per person
$13,980
On-tour flights Mexico City/San Jose del Cabo, San Jose del Cabo/San Ignacio Lagoon/San Jose del Cabo: Approximately $950 (taxes included) per person (subject to change until ticketed)
Accommodations, meals, and excursions as specified in the itinerary • Comprehensive program of briefings, lectures and presentations • Shared airport transfers on group arrival and departure dates • Baggage handling • Gratuities to porters, waitstaff, guides and drivers • Entrance fees • Welcome and farewell wine receptions • House wine, beer, and soft drinks with lunches and dinners • Bottled water on motorcoaches • Professional tour manager throughout the program
U.S. domestic and international airfare • three on-tour flights Mexico City / San Jose del Cabo; roundtrip San Jose del Cabo/San Ignacio Lagoon/San Jose del Cabo on chartered airplanes, estimated at $950 per person • Passport/visa expenses • Medical expenses and immunizations • Private airport transfers or airport transfers outside of group arrival and departure dates • Travel and trip cancellation insurance • Excursions that deviate from the scheduled tour options • Airline baggage charges • Meals not specified in the itinerary; dishes and beverages not part of the included meals; liquor or soft drinks except as noted • Laundry or dry cleaning • Telephone, Internet and email charges • Room service • Other items of a personal nature
To reserve a space on this program, a $2,000 deposit is required per person. Final payment is due 120 days before departure (October 15, 2026) payable by major credit card, check, or wire transfer. Participants will receive an invoice directly from the tour operator, Criterion Travel for all subsequent payments after the initial deposit.
Notification of cancellation must be received in writing by HAA from the participant. Cancellations received within 14 days of booking are eligible for a full refund, provided that initial deposits were made 121 days or more prior to departure. After 14 days, $1,000 per person becomes non-refundable.
The program terms and conditions can be found here and must be acknowledged upon registration.
Accommodations
Maequis Redorma Hotel (one night)
Cinco Rodavento Hotel (three nights)
Casa Natalia Hotel (one night)
San Ignacio Lagoon Camp* (two nights)
*Set along the remote shores of San Ignacio Lagoon, this comfortable glamping camp offers an immersive stay in one of the world’s most important gray whale breeding areas. Spacious safari-style tents feature real beds, private bathrooms, and views across the lagoon’s quiet waters. Located within the El Vizcaíno Biosphere Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the camp provides immediate access to daily whale-watching excursions led by expert naturalist guides. Evenings at camp offer spectacular desert sunsets, fresh meals, and clear night skies far from city lights.
What to Expect
Activity Level 3
This promises to be a memorable journey, but as with all travel, a flexible attitude and a spirit of adventure will enhance your enjoyment of this program. We are sure you will be pleased with the exciting educational program provided, but we want you to be aware of the pace and activity level. This is a moderately strenuous program, at times physically demanding and busy, with some early departures from the hotels and activities scheduled throughout the day. Daily excursions can involve up to four miles of walking, unaided, over varied terrain (e.g., uneven walkways, steep trails, sandy beaches, dirt streets and paths in some locations). Some historic buildings do not have elevators, and stairways may not have handrails. You do not have to participate in all the scheduled activities, except when traveling to the next destination.
Local travel on land will be by modern air-conditioned motorcoach or vans on roads ranging from modern highways to unpaved and winding roads in more remote locations. Long drives will be broken up with rest stops and site visits. The drives to the butterfly sanctuaries can be up to 2.5 hours each way.
Participants should be fit, in active good health, and able to keep up with the group without assistance from tour staff. Those requiring assistance must bring someone to provide the necessary help. Medical service and treatment are generally not at the level found in the U.S. and we recommend that all participants obtain a medical evacuation insurance policy.
This promises to be a memorable journey, but as with all travel, a flexible attitude and a spirit of adventure will enhance your enjoyment of this program. We are sure you will be pleased with the exciting educational program provided, but we want you to be aware of the pace and activity level. This is a moderately strenuous program, at times physically demanding and busy, with some early departures from the hotels and activities scheduled throughout the day. Daily excursions can involve up to four miles of walking, unaided, over varied terrain (e.g., uneven walkways, steep trails, sandy beaches, dirt streets and paths in some locations). Some historic buildings do not have elevators, and stairways may not have handrails. You do not have to participate in all the scheduled activities, except when traveling to the next destination.
