Press Release Summary = A blanket of orange and black coats the volcanic highlands
of central Mexico
Press Release Body = Each year, some 250 million monarch butterflies arrive to the
luscious volcanic highlands of central Mexico. Guided to the area by an
inexplicable internal clock known scientifically as circadian, the monarch
butterflies travel up to 3,000 miles to the state of Michoacan, which becomes the
butterflies' winter getaway. Nature-goers can visit the butterflies anytime between
November and March, although the best time to see them is in February and early
March, right before they head north again.
Originally from southern Canada and the northern United States, the orange and black
monarchs hibernate during winter and mate in spring before returning back north.
Each year from late October to early November, the delicate creatures flee the
north's freezing temperatures and embark on a month-long trip south, flying some 70
miles per day to reach the Oyamel mountaintop fir forests of the Mexican state of
Michoacan. Those fortunate enough to live along the monarchs' route south are
frequently exposed to the site of large groups of butterflies flying overhead on
route to their winter sanctuary.
Once reaching the Oyamel forests, the monarchs cluster together by the thousands in
pine trees, weighing down branches with their sheer mass and making the forests glow
the like the bright orange of their wings. These butterflies spend the entire winter
in Michoacan, finally mating in the spring and then returning north, laying eggs
along the way.
The beautiful butterflies leave Mexico in late February and early March in a mass
migration and the monarchs should reach the central United States by mid-April. By
that time, the females will have laid their eggs for 1,000 miles as they make their
one-time trip. They return home exhausted and with tattered wings after the 3,000
mile trip. A typical butterfly will make just one round trip during its lifetime.
Witnessing this incredible migration is reason enough to follow the Monarchs down to
Mexico.
In the easternmost part of Michoacan is an immense monarch butterfly reserve
spanning nearly 100 square-miles. In 1986, the Mexican government declared the
region a special biosphere reserve where thousands of butterflies cluster together
in the early morning and nights, covering whole trees and branches.
Several of the monarch butterfly sanctuaries are open to the public, including
Sierra Chincua and El Campanario. Sierra Chincua is about a 30-minute drive north
of Angangueo, once an important mining town. El Campanario, also known as El
Rosario sanctuary is much more frequently visited. It lies above the small village
of El Rosario, almost an hour's drive up some rough terrain from the village of
Ocampo. Common departure points to the sanctuaries are Ocampo, Zitacuaro and
Morelia.
Spending a night in Angangueo is ideal because from there visitors can secure
transport to the reserve early in the morning, when the butterflies are still in the
trees. A comfortable hotel is the Albergue Don Bruno (tel. 011-52-715-156-0026).
Maruata (tel. 011-52-443-324-2120) runs 10-hour tours to the sanctuary including
transportation, food and bilingual guide for US$60. For those spending the weekend,
the 62-room Villa Monarca Inn (tel. 011-52-715-153-5362), located in the outskirts
of Zitacuaro, is an ideal place to go.
Angangueo, Zitacuaro and the nearby towns of Maravatio and Ocampo hold a monarch
Butterfly Festival each February, featuring traditional dance, music and craft
markets, in celebration of their annual winter visitors.
Local tourist areas include the beautiful colonial town of Morelia, Michoacan's
capital and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, giving travelers yet another reason to
visit. Other popular tourist stops, including Lake Patzcuaro, the quaint town of
Patzcuaro, Janitzio Island and the Tarascan Indian ruins of Tzintzuntzan, are also
nearby.
The beautiful butterflies leave Mexico in late February and early March in a mass
migration and the monarchs should reach the central United States by mid-April. By
that time, the females will have laid their eggs for 1,000 miles as they make their
one-time trip. They return home exhausted and with tattered wings after the 3,000
mile trip. A typical butterfly will make just one round trip during its lifetime.
About the Mexico Tourism Board
The Mexico Tourism Board (MTB) brings together the resources of federal and state
governments, municipalities and private companies to promote Mexico\'s tourism
attractions and destinations internationally. Created in 1999, the MTB is Mexico's
tourism promotion agency, and its participants include members of both the private
and public sectors. The MTB has offices throughout North America, Europe, Japan and
Latin America.
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