Butterflies Sanctuaries, Mountain Villages, Pink Stone Capital & Thermal Springs
- Information
- Tour Plan
- Gallery
- Similar Tours
What's included
- All-day transportation across all locations
- Breakfast every day of the tour
- Certified bilingual guide (SECTUR-licensed)
- Comfortable private vehicle with A/C
- Entrance tickets to museums, viewpoints, and historic buildings in Morelia
- Entrance tickets to workshops and artisan areas in Tlalpujahua
- Entrance to Los Azufres Thermal Springs
- Entrance to the Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary
- Guided tours in all visited locations: Morelia Historic Center, Tlalpujahua Sierra Villages, Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary, Los Azufres Thermal Springs
- Hotel accommodation for all nights of the tour
- Pick-up and drop-off from your selected location
- Travel insurance during the tour
- Alcoholic drinks during meals
- Any expenses of a personal nature, such as shopping or souvenirs
- Lunch and dinner
- Optional activities not mentioned in the itinerary
- Personal travel insurance
- Tips to guide and driver
Visiting:
Morelia, The Pink Stone Capital
Begin your journey in Morelia, a UNESCO World Heritage city celebrated for its architecture carved in warm pink cantera stone. Once one of the wealthiest cities of colonial Mexico, Morelia’s legacy shines through its elegant plazas, shaded gardens, and centuries-old arcades that invite slow exploration. The grand aqueduct, stretching gracefully across the city, remains a symbol of its prosperity and vision. Whether admiring the baroque cathedral, exploring museums, or simply observing the city’s rhythm, this is where history unfolds not in monuments alone, but in the living harmony between past and present.
Tlalpujahua, Sierra Villages
High in the pine-covered mountains lies Tlalpujahua, known as the City of Eternal Christmas for its artisanal ornament tradition that fills its workshops with color and light all year long. Once a rich mining town, its cobblestone streets, tiled roofs, and baroque majestic chapels preserve the spirit of colonial Mexico in an intimate mountain setting. The village tells stories of resilience — from the rise and fall of its generous, once highly productive mines, to its rebirth through craftsmanship. Surrounded by misty forests and the scent of pine, Tlalpujahua embodies the beauty of Michoacán’s highlands: enduring, creative, and deeply connected to its land and people.
Monarch Butterflies Sanctuaries
High in the mountains of Michoacán lies one of nature’s greatest creations — the annual arrival of millions of Monarch Butterflies after an astonishing journey of nearly 4,000 kilometers. While in the north they spread across vast forests of Canada and the United States, it is here, in Mexico, where they gather and unite each winter in sacred stillness. The butterflies rest and reproduce among towering oyamel fir trees, a species found only at these high altitudes. Their fragile wings fill the air with a quiet, golden movement, creating spectacles of sound and color. As we take a peaceful, unhurried walk through the sanctuary, surrounded by pine scent and sunlight, we witness nature’s mysteries at their most profound — a living miracle of beauty and endurance.
Los Azufres, Thermal Springs
Hidden among pine-covered mountains, Los Azufres is a geothermal wonder where the earth breathes warmth and life. Steam rises softly from natural pools rich in volcanic minerals, long believed to cleanse, detox, and restore balance to the body. The air carries the scent of pine and sulfur — a reminder of the fire that shapes these highlands from within. After days of exploration, this is a place to pause, submerge, and let the stillness of nature take over. Surrounded by forests and mirror-like lakes, the experience is one of deep regeneration — a peaceful conclusion to your journey through the heart of Michoacán.
- TOUR PLAN
Duration: 4 days / 3 nights
Departure: From Guadalajara or Lake Chapala area (pick-up at your selected location)
Walking Level: Easy to Moderate — short walks through historic towns, forests, and natural areas
Transportation: Comfortable private vehicle with A/C
Important Notes:
Times and duration at each location can be adapted depending on travelers’ interests and rhythm.
For visitors with mobility challenges or special requirements, we can adjust walking distances and provide additional assistance upon request.
Most visited sites are wheelchair accessible, except for certain areas within the Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary and Los Azufres, where terrain may be uneven.
Day 1 – Departure & Morelia
- Departure: Early morning departure from Guadalajara or the Lake Chapala area by land.
- Lunch: Stop along the route for lunch at a traditional restaurant.
- Arrival: Arrive in Morelia, a UNESCO World Heritage city known for its pink stone architecture and colonial elegance.
- Historic Center: Afternoon walk through plazas, aqueduct, and main landmarks.
- Dinner: Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant facing the illuminated cathedral.
- Hotel: Overnight stay in Morelia Historic Center.
Day 2 – Sierra Villages & Tlalpujahua, the City of Eternal Christmas
- Departure: Morning drive through the pine-covered highlands toward Tlalpujahua, one of Michoacán’s most picturesque mountain towns.
- Scenic Route: Enjoy the mountain views and traditional rural life along the way.
- Eternal Christmas Town: Explore Tlalpujahua, known as the City of Eternal Christmas for its artisanal ornament tradition that fills its workshops with color and light all year long. Once a rich mining town, its cobblestone streets, tiled roofs, and baroque chapels preserve the spirit of colonial Mexico in an intimate mountain setting — a place of resilience, beauty, and creativity.
- Lunch: Lunch in Tlalpujahua or at a nearby mountain restaurant.
- Arrival to Butterfly Region: Continue to the Monarch Butterfly Reserve area and settle into your eco-lodge surrounded by forest.
- Dinner: Evening dinner at the eco-hotel or nearby village restaurant.
- Hotel: Overnight stay at an Eco Hotel near the Butterfly Sanctuary.
Day 3 – Monarch Butterflies & Los Azufres Thermal Springs
- Monarch Sanctuary: Early morning visit to the Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary to witness the butterflies in motion among the oyamel forests.
- Lunch: Enjoy lunch inside the Sanctuary area after exploring the Monarchs — no rush, just time to relax and take in the mountain air.
- Departure: Continue the scenic drive toward the volcanic region of Los Azufres.
- Arrival: Arrive around midday and settle into accommodations inside the forested thermal area.
- Thermal Springs: Spend the afternoon relaxing in the natural hot springs and mineral pools surrounded by pine forests.
- Dinner: Enjoy dinner at the park restaurant or local cabin-style eatery.
- Hotel: Overnight stay inside Los Azufres Thermal Park.
Day 4 – Morning at Los Azufres & Return
- Morning: Free time to rest, walk through the forest trails, or enjoy another swim in the thermal pools.
- Lunch: Lunch at the park before departure.
- Return: Afternoon drive back toward Guadalajara or the Lake Chapala area. Arrival by evening.
