Mexico - Whales, Trains, Butterflies and the Pacific coast

A combination of Mexico?s unique wildlife watching opportunities: seeing whales come to breed at Magdalena Bay and the butterflies gathering in Michoacán, travelling on the stunning train journey in the Copper Canyon, enjoying the quaint town of Patzcuaro, and culminating in a relaxing stay on the beautiful Pacific coast.

La Paz and Espirito Santo

Days 1-2: Arrival in La Paz and spend 2 nights at the Angel Azul, with simple rooms set in a courtyard around a pretty garden.

Days 3-4: You will be driven to the village of López Mateos for 2 days whale-watching in Magdalena Bay, breeding ground of the endangered Californian grey whale.

Day 5: Return to La Paz and the Angel Azul.

The Copper Canyon

Day 6: Take the afternoon ferry (approximately 6 hours) to Topolobampo and transfer to El Fuerte for a night in the Hostería El Fuerte, a charming hacienda full of character and bursting with antiques.

Days 7-8: Take the wonderful Chihuahua-al-Pacífico train which winds its way up into the Sierra Madre Mountains and into the Copper Canyon. Spend 2 nights at El Mirador Hotel, located on the edge of the canyon itself with views of the deepest section of the Urique and Copper Canyon. All rooms have a balcony with views to the Canyon and there are many paths around the hotel should you wish to do any hiking in the area.

Days 9-11: Take the train to the frontier town of Creel for 2 nights at the Lodge at Creel, a comfortable wood-beamed hotel in the heart of the Tamahuara Sierra. Continue by road to Chihuahua (4 hours) for a final night in the Quality Inn.

Mexico City

Day 12: Transfer to the airport for your flight to Mexico City and overnight stay at La Casona, located in a relatively quiet area of town.

Michoacán

Days 13-14: Transfer to Anganganeo near Morelia, Michoacan. Here you stay at Don Bruno for 2 nights, from where you will visit the Monarch Butterfly reserve of El Campanario.

Days 15-16: Continue by road to Patzcuaro, a quaint town near Patzcuaro Lake. Stay at the Posada de la Basilica for 2 nights. From here you visit the Purepechan site of Tzintzuntzan and the artisan town of Santa Clara del Cobre, famous for its highly skilled copper workers.

Manzanillo to Acapulco

Days 17-19: Transfer to the coast at Zihuatenejo for 3 nights at the Casa que Canta, a small and beautiful cliff-top boutique hotel with amazing beaches below. There is a nearby town with a shops, bars and restaurants.

Day 20: Transfer to the airport for your onward connections.

To enquire about this itinerary, or one like it, please email us at info@lastfrontiers.com, and one of our specialists will get back to you within 48 hours.