Trips & Travel

International Trips

The Gardens’ Center for Global Initiatives offers trips that traverse many continents.

Space is limited for all trips.

Magical Mexico: Mexico City, Monarch Butterflies and Valle de Bravo

Jan. 24-30, 2026

Immerse yourself in the vibrant heart of Mexico, where art, history and nature collide in a journey unlike any other. From the charming streets of Coyoacán and the intimate world of Frida Kahlo to the breathtaking expanse of the Zócalo, Mexico City’s rich cultural tapestry comes alive. Marvel at the ancient grandeur of Teotihuacan from the skies in a sunrise hot air balloon ride, then stand amidst millions of fluttering monarch butterflies in the UNESCO-listed Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve. This journey takes you from the city’s architectural wonders to Valle de Bravo’s tranquil landscapes, offering a perfect balance of exploration, discovery and awe-inspiring beauty. Collaboration trip with the Gardens is hosted by Denver Botanic Gardens’ Yvonne Garcia Bardwell, associate director of community relations.

Mexico City, Monarch Butterflies and Valle de Bravo Itinerary

Price: $5,250 per person double occupancy. Single room supplement: $1,650
Register: Call Reefs to Rockies at 303-860-6045 or email admin@reefstorockies.com for more information about this trip.

Blue Travel: Healing and Health in Montezuma, Costa Rica

Feb. 7-14, 2026
SOLD OUT

Located at the southern tip of the Nicoya Peninsula in Costa Rica is the small, charming town of Montezuma—a blue zone that boasts lush jungles and pristine beaches. Blue zones are regions where common living practices contribute to a healthy, long-living, vitality-filled population. Join us for a deep dive into Montezuma, one of the world's most beautiful and healing blue zones. Trip leader is Denver Botanic Gardens’ Blake Burger, associate director of horticulture and curator. Blake is also a certified yoga instructor.

Be immersed in the local landscape, hike through the jungle, tour waterfalls and local farms, participate in classes focused on healing plants, practice daily yoga and build community over locally sourced farm-to-table meals.

Price: Single occupancy $3,400; double Occupancy $2,800; Female-Only Bunkhouse $2,200
If you would like to be added to a wait list, please contact adult.programs@botanicgardens.org. 

Rome, Matera and the Amalfi Coast: Health and Wellness Italian Style

April 7-15, 2026
SOLD OUT

Spend eight nights in Rome, Matera and the Amalfi Coast learning about Denver Botanic Gardens’ connections to Italy – ranging from food and water security collaborations to the importation of a line of herbal remedies. Eat, drink and incorporate a bit of yoga and herbalism, if you’d like, while exploring the Eternal City as well as the regions of Campania and Basilicata. Co-led by Blake Burger, the Gardens’ associate director of horticulture and curator, and Jennifer Riley-Chetwynd, the Gardens’ interim CEO, this is the fourth time this trip has been offered, but this edition includes the new destination of beautiful Matera.

Please contact jennifer.riley@botanicgardens.org to get on a wait list.

Croatia: Flowers of the Dalmatian Coast

April 21-30, 2026

The dramatic twists and turns of the Dalmatian coast and its myriad islands present a beguiling landscape, ripe for exploration. Spring sees the waysides colored with wild irises, bold spurges and bright macchie shrubs, and hidden among these are a plethora of delicate orchids, fritillaries, anemones and cyclamen. The rugged limestone mountains hug the coast and in places rise steeply into different worlds where late snow is fringed by crocuses and pretty dog’s-tooth violets. The cooler, more humid hinterland offers a great contrast to the Mediterranean coast and nestled among their emerald beech woods is the waterfall wonderland of Plitvice. Trip leader is Denver Botanic Gardens’ Mike Bone, associate director and curator of steppe collection.

Croatia Itinerary and Register

Price: $4,075 per person, double occupancy. Single room supplement: $650.
Email Mike Bone at horticulture@botanicgardens.org for more information about this trip.

South Africa: Botanical Safari

Aug. 30 – Sept. 9, 2026 with optional pre and post extensions

Discover the breathtaking floral kingdom of South Africa, where ancient cycads meet vibrant proteas and the world's most diverse botanical treasures await. Journey through Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden at the foot of Table Mountain, explore the succulent wonders of Karoo Desert and immerse yourself in Cape Floral's legendary fynbos, all while enjoying luxurious accommodations and expertly curated experiences. Your trip leader is Hannah Craft, the associate director of learning engagement & interpretation at Denver Botanic Gardens, where she designs experiences that spark curiosity and foster deeper connections to art, nature and one another. Join us for an unforgettable expedition that will transform how you see the world around you.

South Africa Itinerary and Register

Price: $8,596 per person, double occupancy; $11,168 for single occupancy. 
Contact UJUZI African Travel or Hannah Craft at hannah.craft@botanicgardens.org for more information about this trip. 
 

Japan Garden Tour

Nov. 1-10, 2026

This thoughtfully designed tour will take travelers through Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka—three of Japan’s most iconic and culturally rich cities. Guests will explore celebrated sites such as the Meiji Shrine, Fushimi Inari Shrine, Nijo Castle, Kinkaku-ji Temple, and Osaka Castle, many of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The itinerary features immersive experiences including a traditional rickshaw ride through a bamboo forest, a hands-on sushi-making class, and a visit to the amazing digital art museum. Free time is woven throughout the journey for relaxation, shopping or personal exploration.

Collaboration trip with the Gardens is hosted by Denver Botanic Gardens’ Panayoti Kelaidis, senior curator and director of outreach.

Japan Itinerary and Register

Price: $8,595 per person double occupancy. Single room supplement: $2,000.
Email masahiko@johnshorstravel.com for more information about this trip.
 

The Gardens has several future trips in development, with destinations including New Zealand and India. If you would like more information on these trips, have general inquiries or would like to be added to a wait list for a sold-out trip (when possible), please contact travel@botanicgardens.org.