Rosario Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary
The Rosario Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary is about a 30 minute drive up the mountain from Minera de Aguangueo. The climb was pretty tough for us, but we made it to the top. It is a little early in the year, so the monarchs are just starting to arrive, but we still got to see a lot of butterflies.
On our drive up the mountain looking down at the beautiful valley and town below.
The early steps are pretty easy.
The stairs go on and on. I've heard that there are over 600 of them and they get you about half the way up the mountain.
Some of the way is hard packed dirt.
Our guide patiently waiting for us while we rest.
You can choose to rent horses that take you up to this medow which is just past the end of the stairs. It is still only 2/3rds of the way at most and then you have to hike the rest of the way.
The trail get a lot rougher as we go on.
We have finally arrived at the top.
We found a dead butterfly on the ground, but the guides wouldn't allow us to take it with us.
One of the guides had this live monarch and let this young boy hold it on a stick.
On the way down we met a group of horses at the drop off point. We are tough though and soldiered on on foot!
A beautiful flower in the forest.
Back at the parking area. There are lots of stalls around the parking, but only a few were open serving food and selling souvenirs.
This is the view of a little town near the sanctuary as we drive down the mountain.