The Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve in Michoacan hosts the most spectacular insect migration on Earth, where hundreds of millions of monarchs overwinter in dense clusters that bend the branches of high-altitude oyamel fir forests. Sanctuaries such as El Rosario and Sierra Chincua open from late November to March, and the coldest, sunniest days of January and February trigger the famous cascades of butterflies taking flight in orange clouds. Reaching the colonies means hiking or riding horseback to over 3,000 metres, a pilgrimage that directly funds the ejido communities protecting these forests.
Fauneya maps 1 Monarch Butterfly spots worldwide, with monthly sighting probabilities and practical info for each location.
