Monarch Butterfly Reserve: Piedra Herrada Magical Valle de Bravo

Duration12h 30m

Free cancellationFull refund up to 24 hours before

Instant confirmationYour booking is confirmed right away

TicketMobile or paper ticket accepted

LanguagesGerman, Russian, English, Italian, French, Spanish

Private tourOnly your group will participate

Overview

Experience the Monarch Butterfly Mexico Reserve and discover Piedra Herrada, one of the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve‘s sanctuaries, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008. Later, stop at Valle de Bravo to wander its charming cobbled streets, markets, squares, parks, and numerous cozy spots to enjoy a bite. Don’t miss out on this colorful flight!

Highlights
Discover one of the sanctuaries of the UNESCO-listed Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve.
Experience in your flesh one of the most spectacular natural phenomena and learn all about these unique insects from a local guide.
Visit Valle de Bravo and walk down its beautiful cobbled streets from the 16th century in its historic center.
Make a stop at the Folk Art Museum and get to know about Mexico's artistic heritage.
Visit a breathtaking waterfall.

You will spend the time of the tour purely on its activities and sightseeing: no visits to souvenir shops and restaurants (unless you ask).

Options

Small-Group

MINIMUM NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS: We need 2+ participants to confirm the group tour.
LANGUAGE(S): English & Spanish (our guides are bilingual).
TRANSPORTATION: shared (with other participants in the group tour).

GROUP SIZE: up to 12 travelers.

PICK UP: not included; meet your tour guide at the entrance of Hotel City Express Plus by Marriott, close to the Angel of Independence

Private Tour

MINIMUM NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS: 1+ (the tour is 100% confirmed for any group size).
PICKUP: included: from your accommodation or any other place of choice in Mexico City (please indicate it during the booking).

TRANSPORTATION : private (just for your group).
LANGUAGE(S): Spanish & English, other languages (e.g. French, German, Italian, Portuguese) upon prior request (based on availability).

GROUP SIZE: any (only your group will participate).

What's included

Service of a multilingual local guide.
Round transportation from Mexico City.
Pick up (only for private tours)
Non-alcoholic drinks and snacks.
Entrance and guided visit to Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary, Waterfall, and Museum of Popular Art.

Personal expenses.
Travel insurance.
Tips.

What to expect

Mexico City
2h 30m

Meet your guide and transfer to Sierra Chincua (~3-3.5 h depending on the traffic conditions), learn about the places you pass on the way, and enjoy diverse landscapes.
Piedra Herrada Sanctuary
3h 15m · Admission ticket included

Our route leads to Piedra Herrada, one of the official Monarch Butterfly Sanctuaries, offering a front-row seat to the remarkable annual Mexico Monarch Butterfly migration, a true wonder of nature that unfolds from November to March.
Optional lunch (~45 min).
Valle de Bravo
2h

Transfer to Valle de Bravo (-1 hr) and visit the incredible Velo de la Novia Waterfall.
Valle de Bravo
2h

Stroll in its historic center, and try authentic local food. The heart of this magical city, mostly built in the 16th century, has it all: historical buildings, cobbled streets, markets, and more. Visit the Joaquin Arcadio Pagasa Cultural Center, Independence Square, and more while enjoying artisanal ice cream.
Mexico City
2h 30m

After a day full of adventures and new experiences, get to our vehicle and relax on the way back to Mexico City (~3-3.5 hours depending on the traffic conditions).

Meeting and pickup

Meeting point

Meet your guide at the entrance of Hotel City Express Plus by Marriott (please do not enter and meet your guide outside), close to the Angel of Independence.Make sure your phone number is available on the day of the tour in case the guide needs to contact you.

End point

Meet your guide at the entrance of Hotel City Express Plus by Marriott (please do not enter and meet your guide outside), close to the Angel of Independence.Make sure your phone number is available on the day of the tour in case the guide needs to contact you.

Additional information

Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
CONTACT: Please provide a valid contact phone number with the international prefix (e.g., +11111111111) as our guide may need it for pickup. Please ensure it's available on the day of the tour. Alternatively, if we cannot find and reach you, the tour will be considered a no-show.
SEASON & WEATHER: The butterfly sanctuaries' season runs November-March, peaking December-February. Daily sightings vary with weather - cold or rain reduces activity.
NOTE: The butterflies’ habitat is a natural wonder that shifts with the changing seasons and weather. Reaching the sanctuary typically takes 1 to 2 hours of hiking, depending on the butterfly location and your fitness level. The trail ascends from 2,800 to 3,400 meters (9,200–11,150 feet) in elevation, with distances ranging from 1.2 to 3 kilometers (0.75–1.86 miles) and elevation gains between 220 and 800 meters (720–2,620 feet). A moderate level of fitness is usually required. Locally available horses can be hired (at an additional cost) to assist with the steeper parts of the trail, but they only cover about half of the journey.
MEETING POINT: Please note that hotel pickup and drop-off are only included in the private tour option. For the group tour, you will need to meet your guide at the designated meeting point.
PRICE: Please note that the price you paid includes a commission from the online platform where it’s sold—often up to 30%—which limits our flexibility to offer discounts or other price reductions.

Cancellation policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Reviews

4.9 (15)