Traveler Testimonials
S. Richardson
"As I walked into each of the butterfly sanctuaries, I felt as if I was entering a cathedral or that I was standing on holy ground. I felt humbled by the profound stillness and silence of the place. The gifts of beauty and grace I received from this experience with the butterflies will be a part of me forever and I will be changed in some way by being present to this miracle. Thank you for your hand in that. Karel Beets was a kind and generous person. I loved having him as a guide!"
S. & D. Emory
"There were simply millions of monarchs up in the mountains. It was a fantastic experience for us and our entire small group. What stands out the most was the services of the guides and how they not only educatedus, but also made the trip successful with their caring manner. We'll never, ever forget this trip."
H. Masterson
"I made this trip with my brother. He and his wife had planned to make this trip together, but her health was never good enough for her to travel before she passed. My brother, being the loving and caring man he is, invited many of his family along on this trip. The look on his face when he saw the millions of butterflies hanging in clusters on the trees was worth the world to me. His wife had been a fifth grade teacher all her life and gathered monarch caterpillars every fall to share with her classes, to watch their development into butterflies. This was perfect!"
J. Thomas
"It was a truly wonderful adventure -- I loved the small group size. We made some great friends. We hardly ever go on tours, because we mostly travel independently, but we will definitely travel with Natural Habitat in the future."
M. Brown
"Both leaders were the best guides we've ever had on a trip. They were excellent interacting with a group of different personalities and seemed to enjoy every aspect of their jobs."
M. E. Varn
"The whole butterfly experience was unforgettable -- from the ride up the mountain roads and the horseback ride over rock trails to the blizzard of butterflies. What a magical place!"
J. Genser
"This was a flawless, exquisite experience. I am impressed with your organization in every way. No details were overlooked. Everything was planned to perfection. Astrid and Karel went far beyond their professional obligations on this tour. They were genuinely involved with everyone and extended themselves not only as guides but in friendship as well. As a photographer, this trip was a visual feast. As a spirit, it was entirely a different journey that has touched the very core of my being. I applaud everyone on your staff for their efforts. I will never forget the beauty I witnessed in the forest. Thank you."
J. Montgomery
"Witnessing the incredible number of butterflies, seeing the clusters leave a tree and hearing the beating of the wings is what I'll remember most. Photos don't do justice to the magnificent sightings of the incredible numbers of beautiful monarchs."
E. Laney
"The experience of viewing the millions of overwintering monarchs has to be my top experience. Although I had seen documentaries, videos on YouTube, and attended slide show presentations on monarchs, there was nothing to fully prepare me for our day in El Rosario where the 'snowfall of big flakes' of fluttering monarchs abounded, with their beating wings sounding like rustling taffeta. This day will remain a memory I cherish the rest of my life. I felt so small as I witnessed this timeless miracle and was humbled by the resilience of these tiny, jewel colored insects despite the hurdles presented by us humans."
C. Augustine
“I love to travel with NaturalHabitat, because you offer professional and knowledgeable Expedition Leaders that not only know what they are guiding but also seem to have a real passion for what they do. I also like that a portion of the money helps WWF and the local conservation areas.”
J. Powell
"There were other members of the tour that have traveled with Natural Habitat - and I totally understand why - everything is looked after from the first time you meet your leader/leaders until the time you check your luggage at the airport to go home. I have only good things to say about the whole tour. The lodging was excellent - the local staff always willing to try to help - the meals were tasty and a good selection and the transportation was exceptional. Our guides knew every detail of the tour and made it exciting. Their sense of humour and attention to detail made the tour flow seamlessly. I was so excited to get up every morning to see what the day would hold in store. They encouraged discussion among the group - they are truly extraordinary people."
A. Birnie
“I really cannot find the words to let you know how very grateful I am to all of you for making my trip to see the mariposamonarcas everything I had dreamed it would be and so much more! Claudia, the tears of joy you saw, come to my eyes every time I look at my pictures. I hope that does not sound too silly but seeing 20 million monarchs had a profound impact. The enthusiasm and passion you have for this natural phenomena burns brightly I believe, not just in me, but everyone in our group. It was the trip of a lifetime because of you! I don’t think that pictures or words can ever do it justice. It is something one must experience. I shall never forget it! If you asked me to sum up the trip in two sentences it would be this: I don’t want to, but if I died tomorrow it would be ok. Life has a certain completeness now. The “I don’t want to” part is because I am planning on the whale sharks next summer! I wish all of you the very best and hope our paths cross again. “Thank you” seems so inadequate for the experience you have given me, but THANK YOU!”
M. Carter
"I loved everything about the trip. The butterflies were, ofcourse a highlight. I also loved that the guides made such great use of the times when we were not at the butterfly preserves - visiting local markets, churches, schools, town centers, stopping at vistas (a sunset view over Angangueo with wine and snacks!), the Toluca stop at the Stained Glass Botanical Gardens, bird walks, short hike to bridal falls... all with excellent commentary and info from the guides. I loved every bit of it!"
"As I walked into each of the butterfly sanctuaries, I felt as if I was entering a cathedral or that I was standing on holy ground. I felt humbled by the profound stillness and silence of the place. The gifts of beauty and grace I received from this experience with the butterflies will be a part of me forever and I will be changed in some way by being present to this miracle. Thank you for your hand in that. Karel Beets was a kind and generous person. I loved having him as a guide!"
S. & D. Emory
"There were simply millions of monarchs up in the mountains. It was a fantastic experience for us and our entire small group. What stands out the most was the services of the guides and how they not only educated
H. Masterson
"I made this trip with my brother. He and his wife had planned to make this trip together, but her health was never good enough for her to travel before she passed. My brother, being the loving and caring man he is, invited many of his family along on this trip. The look on his face when he saw the millions of butterflies hanging in clusters on the trees was worth the world to me. His wife had been a fifth grade teacher all her life and gathered monarch caterpillars every fall to share with her classes, to watch their development into butterflies. This was perfect!"
J. Thomas
"It was a truly wonderful adventure -- I loved the small group size. We made some great friends. We hardly ever go on tours, because we mostly travel independently, but we will definitely travel with Natural Habitat in the future."
M. Brown
"Both leaders were the best guides we've ever had on a trip. They were excellent interacting with a group of different personalities and seemed to enjoy every aspect of their jobs."
M. E. Varn
"The whole butterfly experience was unforgettable -- from the ride up the mountain roads and the horseback ride over rock trails to the blizzard of butterflies. What a magical place!"
J. Genser
"This was a flawless, exquisite experience. I am impressed with your organization in every way. No details were overlooked. Everything was planned to perfection. Astrid and Karel went far beyond their professional obligations on this tour. They were genuinely involved with everyone and extended themselves not only as guides but in friendship as well. As a photographer, this trip was a visual feast. As a spirit, it was entirely a different journey that has touched the very core of my being. I applaud everyone on your staff for their efforts. I will never forget the beauty I witnessed in the forest. Thank you."
J. Montgomery
"Witnessing the incredible number of butterflies, seeing the clusters leave a tree and hearing the beating of the wings is what I'll remember most. Photos don't do justice to the magnificent sightings of the incredible numbers of beautiful monarchs."
E. Laney
"The experience of viewing the millions of overwintering monarchs has to be my top experience. Although I had seen documentaries, videos on YouTube, and attended slide show presentations on monarchs, there was nothing to fully prepare me for our day in El Rosario where the 'snowfall of big flakes' of fluttering monarchs abounded, with their beating wings sounding like rustling taffeta. This day will remain a memory I cherish the rest of my life. I felt so small as I witnessed this timeless miracle and was humbled by the resilience of these tiny, jewel colored insects despite the hurdles presented by us humans."
C. Augustine
“I love to travel with Natural
J. Powell
"There were other members of the tour that have traveled with Natural Habitat - and I totally understand why - everything is looked after from the first time you meet your leader/leaders until the time you check your luggage at the airport to go home. I have only good things to say about the whole tour. The lodging was excellent - the local staff always willing to try to help - the meals were tasty and a good selection and the transportation was exceptional. Our guides knew every detail of the tour and made it exciting. Their sense of humour and attention to detail made the tour flow seamlessly. I was so excited to get up every morning to see what the day would hold in store. They encouraged discussion among the group - they are truly extraordinary people."
A. Birnie
“I really cannot find the words to let you know how very grateful I am to all of you for making my trip to see the mariposa
M. Carter
"I loved everything about the trip. The butterflies were, of
