Monarch Butterfly Tour Mexico City: Cooking Class Experience

Watch thousands of monarch butterflies in the oyamel forest, then make tortillas in a pre-Hispanic cooking workshop.

An 11-hour tour from Mexico City to the oyamel forests of the States of Mexico and Michoacan, where you walk among migrating monarch butterflies and then join a pre-Hispanic gastronomy workshop to learn about ritual drinks, insects, quelites and traditional Mexican instruments while making your own tortilla. The tour includes lunch with regional ingredients, air-conditioned transport and entry ticket. A live guide speaks English or Spanish, and children are welcome from age 3.

Step-by-step itinerary

Monarch butterfly walk and workshop

• Walk through forest to butterfly colony
• Observe thousands of monarch butterflies
• Attend pre-Hispanic gastronomy workshop
• Learn about ritual drinks and insects
• Make your own tortilla

The experience

The day starts with a drive from Mexico City to the oyamel forests where monarch butterflies spend their winter. A walk of roughly 40 minutes brings you into the colony itself: thousands of butterflies moving around you, their wings audible as they fly. Along the way you'll learn about their biology, the migration route that starts in southern Canada, the dangers they face, their predators and their complete life cycle. If you prefer not to walk, horseback riding is available for an extra cost.

After time in the forest, you move into a pre-Hispanic gastronomy workshop where the focus shifts to making and learning. A guide walks you through ritual drinks, edible insects, quelites (wild greens) and the traditional instruments of Mexican cuisine. You'll make your own tortilla by hand, not a demonstration but something you do yourself. Lunch follows, built from ingredients grown in the region, so the meal connects directly to what you've just learned about.

The return to Mexico City happens around 6:30 pm. The full day is 11 hours, which means an early start and a late finish. Plan accordingly if you have evening plans. Transport is air-conditioned throughout, and the entry ticket to the butterfly sanctuary is included. A minimum of two travelers is required for the tour to run.

What’s included

• Air-conditioned vehicle transport from Mexico City.
• entry ticket to the butterfly sanctuary.
• a 40-minute guided walk through the oyamel forest.
• instruction in pre-Hispanic gastronomy where you make your own tortilla.
• lunch with regional ingredients.

Before you book

Days and timesMonday to FridayDeparts at 06:30

Book up to10h before

AgesAdult (9 and older) · Child (3 to 8 years) · Under 3: can't be included in the booking

GroupUp to 10

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsNo refund if you cancel.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 12 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical levelNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditions

Operated by Escapadas Edomex

Is this one for you?The 11-hour commitment means an early start and return near sunset, which rules out a second activity that day but keeps the butterfly migration and the cooking workshop both unhurried. Choose this tour if you want to spend real time in the forest and learn by making something with your hands, not by watching a demonstration.

Traveler reviews

4.27★★★★★★★★★★

15 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 8 years). Under 3: they can't be included in the booking.

How long does it take to walk to the monarch butterfly colony?

The walk to the butterfly colony takes approximately 40 minutes through the oyamel forest. If you prefer not to walk, horseback riding is available for an additional cost.

What will I actually make in the pre-Hispanic gastronomy workshop?

You will make your own tortilla by hand as part of the workshop. You'll also learn about ritual drinks, edible insects, quelites and the traditional instruments used in Mexican cuisine.

What's included in the lunch after the workshop?

Lunch is made with ingredients from the region and connects to what you learn in the gastronomy workshop. The meal is included in the tour price.

What time does the tour return to Mexico City?

The tour returns to Mexico City at approximately 6:30 pm. The full experience is 11 hours, so plan for an early departure from the city and a late return.