Mexico is a nation of many riches: culture, history, and landscapes. A Wonder Voyage to this beautiful country’s interior focuses on the monarch butterfly’s miracle. Due to the monarch’s short lifespan, it takes three to five generations of butterflies to make the entire 2500-mile journey from Canada to Mexico and back. To the native cultures of Mexico, the butterflies are considered sacred. In the three major butterfly sanctuaries where the monarchs spend the winter, the Oyamel trees seem to drip with butterflies, and it all becomes holy ground. Join us in Mexico and experience the miracle of the monarchs. Enjoy awe-inspiring sights, delicious cuisine, and the warm hospitality of small communities. This once-in-a-lifetime adventure is certain to fill you with wonder.
“When you stand in a monarch sanctuary, your soul is shaken, and your life is changed.” -Mexican butterfly conservationist Carlos Gottfried
Overview
- Hike or ride on horseback to experience the wonder of the monarch sanctuaries.
- Visit quaint villages and enjoy the regional cuisine of Michoacán.
- Learn to make pan dulce from a local Panadero.
- Join other pilgrims at the storied Basilica Shrine of Guadalupe.
- Immerse yourself in the old and new culture in the metropolis of Mexico City.
Itinerary
Every Wonder Voyage itinerary (mission trip and/or pilgrimage) is personalized to the desires, direction and personality of each group. This itinerary is only a description of the kind of journey we can create for your unique team.
- Day 1- El Milagro de las Monarcas
¡Bienvenidos a México! Diverse in culture, history, and landscape, Mexico is a nation of many riches. Your journey this week is focused on the miracle of the monarchs. With a journey of over 2,500 miles, monarch butterflies have the longest known migration pattern of any insect. Our road leads us first from Mexico City to the mountainous forests of Michoacán, where we settle in to prepare our hearts for the natural and cultural wonders ahead. - Day 2- Transfiguration
A caterpillar’s process to become a butterfly is called “metamorphosis.” This is the Greek word for “transforming”; this process is often likened to the transfiguration of Jesus. Just minutes from your door is the El Rosario Butterfly Sanctuary. As you take your first glance at the Oyamel trees dripping with monarch butterflies, think about what metamorphosis looks like in your own life. - Day 3- Resurrection
Due to the short lifespan of the monarch, it takes anywhere from three to five generations of butterflies to make the entire journey from Canada to Mexico and back. In the native cultures of Mexico, the butterflies are considered sacred. For Christians, the idea of emergence from a cocoon is easily compared to resurrection. From death to life, a new creation emerges. With this in mind, enter the orange wonderland of the Sierra Chincua monarch sanctuary in silence and consider the impact of resurrection on your life. - Day 4- Transformation
Mexican butterfly conservationist Carlos Gottfried is known to have said, “When you stand in a monarch sanctuary, your soul is shaken and your life is changed.” It is almost impossible to experience the wonder of God’s creation, the wonder of Christ’s resurrection, and not be shaken and changed–reflect on that today with a final visit to the Cerro Pelon sanctuary. The evening brings you from the silent sanctuaries of the monarchs to the bustle of historic Mexico City. - Day 5- Wonder
A new day finds you in a completely different world. The tranquility of the mountain forests gives way to the streets of a city that is both ancient and modern. The morning begins with a time of worship at a local church. In the afternoon, a tour of the historic city center acquaints you with some of the local wonders. Your final evening is a time of celebration and reflection about the wonders of the week. - Day 6 – A Life of Miracles
As your adventure in Mexico draws to a close, you have a final opportunity to ponder the idea of miracles with a visit to the Basilica Shrine of Guadalupe. What better place to experience the presence of God than where the appearance of the Virgin to a peasant made clear the truth that God’s love is available to all? As you begin the journey home, may it be with hearts and minds open to a life full of miracles and revelation. The afternoon lets you hit the bustling marketplace before you voyage back home.
Legacy Location
Legacy in Mexico Monarch Butterfly Adventure
- *This is the base cost of the trip. Your cost may differ depending on housing, activities, etc.
