How hard is the climb to the monarch colonies in Michoacán?
The butterflies winter high in the mountains, and the last stretch to them is on foot. Most fit adults manage it, but the thin air surprises people who live near sea level. Below, the height, the length of the walk, the help on offer and the health limits the tour listings set.
How high the colonies sit
The wintering colonies cling to fir trees at about 3,000 m (around 10,000 ft) and sometimes higher. Yei Tours gives 3,300 m (11,000 ft) for the ground its private days cover, and describes the terrain there as rough.
For comparison, Mexico City sits at about 2,240 m (7,350 ft) and Morelia at about 1,900 m (6,200 ft). Most visitors start a tour from one of the two, so the last part of the climb is the steep one.
At that height each breath carries noticeably less oxygen than at the coast. A pace that feels easy at home can leave you breathing hard after a few dozen steps.
The butterflies pick this height for a reason, since the cool forest lets them rest through the winter. Our page on the 4,000 km migration explains why they settle so high.
The walk from the gate
The vans park at the sanctuary entrance, and everything after that is on foot or on horseback. For El Rosario, the Michoacán Mágico listing describes about 2 km (1.2 miles) from the entrance to the colony, around an hour each way at your own pace.
The colony moves within the forest as the winter goes on, so the walk can be shorter or longer from one week to the next. Our sanctuary guide compares the trails at El Rosario, Sierra Chincua and Piedra Herrada.
Time with the butterflies is often brief. Michoacán Mágico Tours, from ~$108, plans about 20 minutes at the colony, which leaves little room to rest at the top if the climb tires you. Entrance and food also cost extra on that day.
Steps, dust and mud
The paths mix packed earth with long stretches of steps, and El Rosario in particular is known for its many stairs. In the dry months the ground turns to fine dust that slides under your soles.
After rain the same tracks can turn muddy and slippery, especially on the way down. Shoes with a firm grip matter more than any other item you pack, and our clothing guide goes through the rest.
Walking sticks are often offered near the entrance. A stick takes weight off your knees on the descent, which is where tired legs tend to slip.
Horses for part of the way
Local horsemen usually wait at the gate to carry visitors part of the way up. The horses usually stop short of the colony itself, so riders still finish the last stretch on foot.
The tour prices do not include a ride, and the listings give no fee. Agree the price before you get on, and carry pesos in small notes. Our cost guide lists the other payments you may meet on the day.
Who the listings turn away
Every tour here sets health limits, and some of them are strict. Read them before you book, because the guide can refuse to take you up on the day.
- Alfredo Tour Guide excludes children under 12, pregnant travelers, people over 80 and anyone over 100 kg (220 lbs)
- The same listing turns away people with high blood pressure, epilepsy, mobility problems or recent surgery
- Mexitours excludes pregnant travelers and people with heart, mobility or fitness problems
- Michoacán Mágico names mobility, heart and breathing problems, plus a history of altitude sickness
- Yei Tours excludes pregnant travelers and people with breathing problems
Other listings set their own age and health limits, so read the one you choose before you book. Families can find more in our guide to monarch tours with kids.
Altitude sickness and how to avoid it
Mild altitude sickness shows up as a headache, shortness of breath or a light, queasy feeling. At 3,000 m it is usually mild and fades once you walk back down.
A few habits help a great deal. Walk slowly from the first step, stop whenever your breathing runs ahead of you, and drink water all morning. Skip alcohol the night before.
Spending a day or two in Mexico City or Morelia before the tour lets your body adjust. That gives the Morelia departures a small advantage, which our page on where to start weighs against the longer trip to get there.
A small group that climbs from Morelia
Alfredo Tour Guide drives up to 16 people from Morelia to El Rosario in about 9 hours, with the sanctuary entrance included. Meals are extra, and the health limits above apply.
Setting your own pace
In a group, the slowest walker sets the speed on the way up, and the guide plans the time at the colony around everyone. If you know you need many stops, a smaller group is kinder to you and to the others.
Alfredo Tour Guide's day from ~$179 also runs as a private trip for up to three people on GetYourGuide. A private tour lets you walk as slowly as you like without feeling watched.
Yei Tours runs private days from Morelia from ~$200, scored 5.0 from 60+ reviews. The drawbacks are that it is sold on Viator only and a solo traveler pays the highest per-person price.
Whatever the group, go early in the day if you can. Our timing guide explains why weekday mornings are quieter on the trail.