Chasing Monarchs: A Lakeside Retreat in the Mexican Highlands — February 8–12, 2027

Just three hours west of Mexico City, Valle de Bravo — a colonial lakeside town and weekend getaway from the city surrounded by pine forests, dramatic hills, and the winter home of millions of Monarch butterflies. Heritage by Hand invites you to join us for five unhurried days of sailing, horseback riding, artisan markets, and time spent simply enjoying one of the most peaceful corners of the country. February is the height of the Monarch migration, and the forest at the Herrada Biosphere Reserve will be as full as the season allows.

This trip pairs beautifully with our Mexico City Art Week & Zona Maco Art Fair trip, February 3–7. Join us for both and we will all gather for dinner together on Sunday evening, February 7, before departing for Valle de Bravo the following morning.

Itinerary

Sunday, February 7 — Arrival in Mexico City
Arrive in Mexico City and settle in independently. Lodging recommendations will be provided upon booking. That evening, Valle de Bravo participants join the Art Week group for a welcome dinner together — a lovely way to begin the journey and meet your fellow travelers before heading into the countryside the next morning.

Monday, February 8 — Mexico City to Valle de Bravo
We meet in the morning and depart together for Valle de Bravo, with a stop along the way for lunch at a beloved local spot in the countryside outside of Valle de Bravo. It is both relaxing and elevated, as we had risotto with duck confit for lunch last year. We arrive at the villa in the early afternoon, settle in, and gather for dinner as a group in our villa.

Tuesday, February 9 — Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve
The heart of the trip. We depart after breakfast and drive to meet our guide, then make our way into the Herrada Biosphere Reserve — one of the most extraordinary natural spectacles in the Americas. At peak season, the oyamel fir trees are draped in millions of Monarch butterflies, their wings creating a living, shifting canopy of orange and black. We explore the reserve by horseback or on foot, with a guide leading the way. Plan for approximately 2.5 to 3 hours in the forest. We stop for lunch on the way back before returning to the villa for a quiet afternoon by the fireplace. Dinner is at the villa — a relaxed evening with a fire and S’mores to close the day.

Wednesday, February 10 — Valle de Bravo Village
A morning in the village — we explore the local arte popular museum, browse the artisan market, and have free time to wander the cobblestone streets and visit the shops at your own pace. After lunch in the center of town, the afternoon is yours: walk back through the village, take a boat tour of the lake, or simply return to the villa for a restful few hours by the water. In the evening we gather for a BBQ dinner in the villa’s outdoor kitchen and lounge — a relaxed evening with a fire and good company.

Thursday, February 11 — A Day on the Lake
A slow morning at the villa before we head out for a half-day sailing excursion on Lake Avándaro — picnic lunch on board as we drift across the water, the forested hills and colonial church tower reflected in the lake around us. The afternoon is entirely free: the pool and jacuzzi (weather permitting), the fireplace, the views, a nap. This is the day to do absolutely nothing, and to do it well.

Friday, February 12 — Return to Mexico City
Breakfast at the villa before we load up and depart for Mexico City. Departure timing will be coordinated based on participants’ flight schedules. You may depart Friday afternoon or stay an additional night in Mexico City on your own before flying home Saturday morning.

The Villa

We stay together in a private villa with views over Lago Avándaro. The villa has a pool and jacuzzi, an outdoor kitchen and lounge area, fireplaces indoors and out, and a cook on-site to prepare breakfast every morning and dinner every evening during the stay. The house is spread across multiple levels — please keep this in mind if you have mobility considerations.

General Information

What the program fee covers: All ground transportation from Mexico City and back, all lodging at the villa for the duration of the trip, daily breakfast and all dinners at the villa, the Biosphere Reserve entrance fee and guide, the horseback ride, the sailing excursion, and Heidi’s expertise and curation throughout.

What participants cover independently: International airfare to and from Mexico City, hotel and meals in Mexico City before and after the trip, lunches in town, and tips for guides. Lodging recommendations in Mexico City will be provided upon booking.

Pricing

$1,350 per person
Deposit: $650 due upon booking
Final payment: $700 due November 1, 2026
Maximum 8 participants. Four double rooms available. No single supplement — solo travelers are warmly welcome.

Cancellation Policy

• Cancel before August 1, 2026: full refund minus a $150 administrative fee
• Cancel between August 1 and November 1, 2026: 50% refund
• Cancel after November 1, 2026: no refund

We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance to protect your investment in the event of unforeseen circumstances.

Health and Activity Levels

There will be a moderate amount of daily walking (6,000–8,000+ steps) in Valle de Bravo. The Biosphere Reserve visit involves a meaningful uphill section — approximately 15 minutes on foot even for those who ride horseback for the main portion. Valle de Bravo and Mexico City are both mile-high cities; participants with altitude sensitivity may wish to arrive a day early to adjust. The villa is spread across multiple levels with staircases throughout. Please keep your physical abilities in mind when booking.