We got to see something UNBELIEVABLE this week. From the town of Valle de Bravo where we were camping in our Jeep, we took a tour to the monarch butterfly sanctuary of Piedra Herrera. After a steep, 3/4-mile hike, we arrived in fairyland: the winter home of MILLIONS of monarch butterflies.
The butterflies roost together in the trees, sometimes 15,000 to a branch. (Yes, you read that right.) Being together in bunches helps them stay warm and make it through the cold night temperatures at such high elevation.
As the sun rises and hits them, they start to drop to the ground to drink the dew. You can see them beating their wings, trying to warm up.
Once they’re warm enough to fly, they start to descend the mountain (with us, as we hiked down!). They fly to nearby lakes to get a drink of water.
Just wait until you see it for yourself! We’re so excited to share this experience with you in our video this week. Watch here:
The feeling of standing on the mountain, the air full of swirling monarch butterflies, is really indescribable. You have to take every foot step with care, making sure there isn’t a butterfly in front of you on the ground. They are everywhere!
Have you ever visited a monarch butterfly winter home? Mexico is the most common destination, but some monarchs winter in Florida or southern California. Or maybe you know someone who has created a monarch butterfly waystation, to provide food and water during their migration? We’d love to hear your stories.
What’s next for us?
We had a wonderful time in the Valle de Bravo area. We got to camp on the lake, visit the town (another Pueblo Mágico), see waterfalls, and–of course–visit the butterflies at Sanctuario Piedra Herrera.
Yesterday, we drove east. We arrived in Cholula, home to the largest pyramid by volume known in the entire world! We were here back in early 2019, during our first overlanding trip to interior Mexico. We’re happy to be back in the Puebla area again for the rest of January, with the priority of spending time with Eric’s aunts, uncles, cousins, and their children!
Our love for Mexico grows and grows. We’re thankful for the people we get to meet, and the culture they generously share with us. Our time in this country is now half over, but we want to fit as much into the next three months as we can!
-B
We’ve visited Wendy Park in Cleveland Ohio, on the southern shore of Lake Erie to see the migrating monarchs in the fall. They stop there for nourishment after crossing the lake from Canada. Not nearly as many as you saw, but it was pretty amazing. Thank you for sharing your adventures!
Wow, how interesting! I didn’t know that was a gathering spot for them.