By Pinacate Tours · Tour operator based in Hermosillo, Mexico. Information about our experiences and advice for preparing your visit.
For Noche de Estrellas and Dunas con la Luna, bring clothes for sun and cold, sleeping gear, a flask, reusable utensils and cash for what is not included. The tent and a personal lamp are already included. On Sonora Salvaje the sleeping bag and the inflatable mattress are included too.
The following list is for Pinacate Tours trips. Always check the instructions we send before your departure: the warm clothing you need depends on that week’s forecast.
Packing list for two days and one night
- Toilet paper and personal toiletries.
- A hat or cap and sunscreen.
- A flask to refill with water. For NE/DL, our preparation list asks you to bring at least two litres per person; follow the team’s instructions for your date and activity.
- A sleeping bag or blankets and something to sleep on, your own or rented.
- A reusable plate, cup, mug and cutlery.
- A change of clothes and something to sleep in.
- A jacket or sweatshirt and warm layers suited to the night-time forecast.
- A power bank if you need to charge your phone or camera.
- Mexican pesos in cash: there are no cash machines inside the reserve.
What clothes and footwear to wear
Wear trousers and a long-sleeved shirt or T-shirt to cover you from the sun. Bring closed shoes you can use on uneven ground and sand. A layer for the hike is not the same as warm clothes for staying still during night-time observing.
If you are going on Dunas con la Luna, read the description of the effort before choosing a date: walking on sand takes more work than covering the same distance on firm ground. The hike is open from age six.
What gear each experience includes
| Gear or service | Noche de Estrellas / Dunas con la Luna | Sonora Salvaje |
|---|---|---|
| Tent | Included | Included on camping nights |
| Personal lamp | Included | Included |
| Sleeping bag and inflatable mattress | Bring your own or ask to rent | Included |
| Entrance and community fees listed in the itinerary | Paid separately | Included |
On the two-day experiences, if you travel alone you have your own tent; a couple shares theirs. We never put you with a stranger. That tent policy does not mean every room in the other accommodation is single: see how you sleep on Sonora Salvaje.
If you want to rent gear, ask when you book and confirm availability. Prices are per item and per trip; see the current list on your experience’s page.
Meals, water and dietary requirements
On the two-day tours, dinner on the first day and breakfast on the second are included, at camp. Meals on the road are paid separately. We stop to buy supplies before entering and bring water to refill flasks.
You can bring a personal cool box. If you have allergies or a special diet, tell us when you book so the team can plan the menu with you.
Sonora Salvaje includes four breakfasts and three dinners; midday meals are on you. Check its own list, as it lasts four days and includes activities on the coast.
How much cash to bring
On Noche de Estrellas and Dunas con la Luna there are entrance and community land fees paid when you board, in the exact amount. For foreign visitors it is $650 MXN per person. Check the breakdown for your tour before you leave: fees can change and not every visitor pays the same entrance.
- Entrance fees and costs for Noche de Estrellas.
- Entrance fees and costs for Dunas con la Luna.
- What is included on Sonora Salvaje.
Not having to pay the reserve entrance does not automatically remove other fees or trip costs. Besides the entrance fees, allow for meals that are not included and personal spending. Do not count on finding cash machines or card terminals in the areas you visit.
Are there bathrooms, sockets and signal?
At the El Pinacate camp there is no bathroom and no phone signal. Connectivity elsewhere should not be taken for granted. Bring what you need to spend the night without sockets and follow the coordinator’s instructions on hygiene and waste.
On Sonora Salvaje, conditions change over the three nights: check the table for each place you stay. Do not assume that the campsite, the hostel and the camp inside the reserve have the same facilities. If you are coming from Europe, bring a plug adapter: Mexico uses 127 V with flat-pin type A/B sockets.
Before you close your bag
Confirm the date of your trip, read the team’s preparation message and check that you have requested any rentals you need. If you are still choosing a season, see when to go to El Pinacate.
Do not take rocks, plants or anything else from nature. Take your rubbish back with you and follow the guides’ instructions to look after the places you visit.
Ready to see the desert at night?
See the upcoming departures or message us and we will help you choose.
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