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Ronald C2023-05-07Great historical tour. The tour is a walk tour with a very knowledgeable local guide. Rodrigo was great and help us to choose a great restaurant that offer local cuisine.Verificada
Jeff P2023-03-12A MUST excursion if you visit Morelia!! Rodrigo Rosales of Yei Tours has curated an excellent day trip to visit the Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary. Meticulously planned for your enjoyment, it kicks off with an early 6:30am start for several good reasons: 1) You skip heavy traffic getting there, 2) Parking isn?t an issue once you arrive, 3) You avoid the crowds that arrive later in the day (e.g. schools make this excursion part of their curriculum), 4) The butterflies are just beginning to wake up with the warmth of the sun so you get to see tree branches drooping with the weight of 4-5K monarchs, and 5) You return before the hot mid-day sun at an altitude of 11K feet bakes you into the landscape. Having worn shoes fit for a hike, we were nonetheless very appreciative that he offered hiking poles as most of the 3.5 km dirt path to see the butterflies has uneven surfaces (stones, tree roots) and moderate changes in elevation. He supplied us with water, carried a first aid kit for our safety, and provided a box lunch afterwards (sandwich, juice, and cookies). Rodrigo expertly navigated the hairpin curves on the mountain roads; his vehicle is immaculate and comfortable. He takes care of all the transportation from toll booths to entrance fees, etc. Honestly, all you have to do is show up to experience of one of the world?s most awe-inspiring natural wonders!!Verificada
Mélodie2023-03-02Best tour! I loved it all! The experience is really one of a kind and Rodrigo is the best guide ever! If you wanna see the monarchs during your stay in Morelia, this is the tour you should absolutely choose : - Rodrigo will pick you up early to make sure you?re the first one site to see the clusters. I saw that other visitors arrived too late to really see the clusters since the monarchs will disperse when the sun hits. - I could observe the clusters for an HOUR AND HALF! That?s so much more than the 20mn others visitors get. And the reason is you?ll be on site at 9am before everyone else show up. Sounds disturbs the monarchs, visitors are not allowed be too many (too loud) on the same spot + there?s not enough space anyways. - Spending so much time in total silence with the butterflies felt like a sacred experience and a privilege. - You will be escorted by the butterflies on your way back to the car. It means that you?ll get to experience both the quietness (on your way up and on site) + the liveliness of it all on your way back. - Rodrigo is the nicest, most helpful, passionate and knowledgeable guide. He even treats you with a lunch box to enjoy on your way back to your hotel. He was so nice to lend me his own binoculars and trekking pole. He really thinks about everything! He will provide you with fresh water from his cool bag. He also offered to keep the bottle of water I had on me in his cool bag for when we?d come back from the hike. I would definitely take his other tours next time I?m back in Morelia.Verificada
Gary W2023-02-27Wonders of Pre-colonial Mexico Amazing day learning about pre-colonial central Mexico!!! I highly recommend Rodrigo (of Yei Tours) for this 6-7 hour adventure into cultures few understand. Rodrigo was punctual, conversational, personal, informative, patient, and an expert in English and Spanish. What a day we had!He was so good we also hired Rodrigo for a Monarch Butterfly tour a couple days later.Verificada
260leonardm2023-02-24Wonderful overview of Morelia Wonderful overview of Morelia's people, history and important sites. Our guide, Rodrigo, was knowledgeable, informative and personable. We booked the tour for our first day in Morelia and it gave us information we needed on where we wanted to spend our days here. Very comprehensive. Enjoyed the 3 hour tour -- glad we had comfortable shoes.Verificada
Nahenahe012023-02-24Worth every peso Did the butterfly tour with Rodrigo today and can't say enough on how amazing this tour was. It was not only the opportunity to be a of this amazing experience, but it extend to our tour guide, Rodrigo. He was so warm and weighing and welcoming. He put us at eaze the entire time. He is extremely knowledgeable in the butterflies and shared many insights about the butterflies and their habits. When we got to the viewing sight he has glad to answer and questions we had making the experience more meaningful. We left the sanctuary with a greater knowledge of these magnificent creatures. He's very intune with his clients needs to make then feel comfortable. He even played music from his play list that was familiar to our age. He is as professional as they get.Verificada
Robert M2023-02-21Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary El Rosario and Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary Sierra Chincua This is for two tours.Thanks to our exceptional guide Rodrigo!The is a private tour by an amazing, knowledgeable and compassionate guide.We had an amazing visit to the Monarch Sanctuary at El Rosario and a couple days later to Sierra Chincua. His knowledge of butterflies, and his great enthusiasm and love for them made this a truly magical experience of a lifetime.We were picked up directly at the hotel at 0630 in the morning to avoid crowds.The vehicle is modern and the drive was pleasant and informative on the way there and back. There is a reason for the early departure as we were one of the first ones to arrive at the Monarchs and we didn?t see one person until we were at the viewing area for a bit. Being early we could also see the early clusters and then the transition as the butterflies started to fly around in the sun almost like falling snow.Wear layered clothing as mornings are chilly and take water, binoculars and camera. Also hiking poles and good boots are a must. Be prepared for an aerobic workout to reach the monarchs. On this tour we were also required to be accompanied by a local guide named Sophia and she graciously stopped and explained the plants and Fauna - one was actually used to help curb some altitude queasiness, which does disappear as one gets acclimatized. Mature travelers just need to take things slowly and pace yourself. They do offer horse rides up to a certain point for a fee (not included in the tour price but with considering if you don't feel physically fit) Rodrigo doesn't ride the horses but will hike up and meet you at the drop off point.He supplies a packed lunch and water and great conversation for the return drive.This tour is well worth the investment and time, it is awe inspiring and we dare say spiritual!We wish continued success for Rodrigo - go on one of his tours and experience the wonders of nature.Larga vida a las mariposas monarca!And:Thanks again to our exceptional guide Rodrigo!The is a private tour by an amazing, knowledgeable and compassionate guide.We had an amazing visit to the Monarch Sanctuary Sierra Chincua and a couple days earlier to El Rosario. His knowledge of butterflies, and his great enthusiasm and love for them made this a truly magical experience of a lifetime on both occasions.Once again we were picked up directly at the hotel at 0630 in the morning to avoid crowds.The vehicle is modern and the drive was pleasant and informative on the way there and back. There is a reason for the early departure as we were one of the first ones to arrive at the Monarchs and we didn?t see one person until we were at the viewing area for a bit. Being early we could also see the early clusters and then the transition as the butterflies started to fly around in the sun almost like falling like snow.We personally liked this sanctuary a bit more as the hike was longer but more even and natural - there is one point where you see the same horizon that is on the back of the 100 peso note.I don't think I mentioned in the El Rosario post about the birds and especially the humming birds you hear and see at the sanctuaries - just amazing! We feel we were lucky both days with the weather and the sun coming out and the waves of monarchs coming off the clusters as the sun warmed them. Flying to eat nectar, drink from the streams and mate.The walk back was beautifully graced by the monarchs flying around you. Again wear layered clothing as mornings are chilly and take water, binoculars and camera. Also hiking poles and boots are a must. Be prepared for an aerobic workout to reach the monarchs. The forest and Fauna and meadows were spectacular on this tour and Rodrigo was able to guide us unlike El Rosario which required a local guide as well. Again mature travelers just need to take things slowly and pace yourself. They also offer horse rides up to a certain point for a fee (not included in the tour price but with considering if you don't feel physically fit) Rodrigo doesn't ride the horses but will hike up and meet you at the drop off point.He supplies a packed lunch and water and great conversation for the return drive.This tour is well worth the investment and time, it is awe inspiring and we dare say spiritual!It was nice seeing both sanctuaries as a comparison and also not knowing what the weather conditions might be, in our case both days were warm with sunshine - but you may get cloudy and cool conditions where the monarchs stay clustered and not fly.So if you can, do two tours, I also think Rodrigo just does the week days to avoid the weekends where it gets more crowded and not as nice viewing experience or as much time allowed with the monarchs. We wish continued success for Rodrigo - go on one (or two) of his monarch tours and experience the wonders of nature.Larga vida a las mariposas monarca!VerificadaRobert M2023-02-21Excellent Walking Tour of Historic Morelia Wow! We can't say enough about our experience with Rodrigo and the tour.What a wealth of information. Very personable and fluid English as well.Rodrigo has the education, history, local experience, and above all passion! He delivers a well layed out and knowledgeable tour experience. We took this tour at the beginning of our stay in Morelia and based on all the information and highlights covered in the tour we were able to go back and revisit a lot of the sites and recommendations made during the tour.Morelia is a very walk able city and the tour took about three hours and was well paced with opportunities to stop and rest as Rodrigo shared his stories and insight.We started at the Art Institute of Michoacan which is worth revisiting, headed to Catedral de Morelia, Templo de Santa Rosa de Lima, Palacio Clavijero y Biblioteca Universitaria (worth a revisit for the exhibits), and walked down Main Street past the Aquaducts and ultimately to Santuario de Guadalupe y Exconvento de San Diego.These are the Major highlights and all the while your were given a history spanning over four centuries and connecting the dots from colonial times to present day - not only in Morelia but the surrounding areas and history. Intriguing!Along the way Rodrigo pointed out and suggested different restaurants and shopping (Museo del Dulce and the history of Ate and the nuns) was one of the many suggestions.Do yourself a favor and book this tour - it will not disappoint.VerificadaRobert M2023-02-20Tzintzuntzan, Santa Clara del Cobre, and Patzcuaro Day tour from Morelia Rodrigo is an amazing guide!Did I mention a wealth of information?Professional? Accommodating?We spent a week in Morellia and started our first tour with Rodrigo with a walking historic tour of Morelia which was exceptional!The next day we did El Rosario butterfly sanctuary - again exceptional and an aerobic workout to boot.We originally were meant to do the Patzcuaro and Janitizio tour and we opted out of walking up flights of stairs to the statue which I am sure is great to do Santa Clara del Cobre instead - gave us a break from hiking as we we did the Sierra Chincua butterfly sanctuary the next day - talk about accommodating! Our calves and thighs needed the break.The modified tour was as follows:The tour started at 0900 and we were picked up at the hotel.First stop was the archeological site of Tzintzuntzan, we walked the grounds as we learned about the history of the indigenous Purépecha Civilization, again intriguing.We took the scenic route to Santa Clara del Cobre via Lake Patzcuaro with some stellar views of the lake and islands.The stop at the traditional copper artisan workshop for the demonstration was remarkable.The artisan had been doing his craft for sixty years. You get a respect for the time and work it takes to complete each piece. Shopping opportunities.We then went and had an authentic lunch of local cuisine (Included in tour price except drink) which was such a great meal and so filling we didn't do the desert that was included or stop for any ice cream while walking the historic square in Patzcuaro!We found our way to the House of Eleven Patios (Casa de los Once Patios) where historically Nuns were cloistered.The bath house with hot and cold running water was amazing for the time.This also offered some really nice artisan shops to browse and purchase some items prior to returning to Morelia and capped of another wonderful tour and day with Rodrigo.He is the best!What great value on ALL of Rodrigo's tours.
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