2 days · 1 night
Noche de Estrellas
A night of camping under the clearest sky in north-west Mexico.
2027 pre-sale $4,499 MXN · January–June trips, bank transfer only
From $4,999 MXNSee experience
UNESCO World Heritage · Departing from Hermosillo
Dunas con la Luna
Climbing to the top of the dunes just as the sun goes down, and walking back by the full moon.
A two-day tour from Hermosillo to the dunes of the Gran Desierto de Altar, with a sunset hike and camping.
- 2 days · 1 night
- Sunset and full moon over the dunes
- From $4,999 MXN
The essentials for booking Dunas con la Luna
Price and conditions
From $4,999 MXN per person when booking 30 days ahead or more. Valid August 2026 — June 2027.
2027 pre-sale: $4,499 MXN by bank transfer for trips from January to June; each month has its own closing date.
See all rates and conditionsDuration and departure
2 days · 1 night. Main departure from Hermosillo at 6:00 AM.
There is also pick-up in Santa Ana, Caborca, Puerto Peñasco. Confirm your point when you book.
See the itineraryBefore you pay
The tent is included. You bring or rent your sleeping gear; entrance and community land fees are paid separately, in cash.
Book online with the form: it only offers dates with places left. The balance is paid 5 days before.
Check what is and is not includedOur tours are guided in Spanish only: at the moment we do not run tours in English. Before you book, make sure you are comfortable following a trip in Spanish.
The place
A sea of sand that is still moving
The Gran Desierto de Altar is the largest field of moving dunes in North America. It is not a finished landscape: the wind keeps building and unbuilding these mountains of sand, and some grow in the shape of a star, with arms reaching out in several directions at once.
Next to it, the volcanic shield. Millions of years ago magma looked for a way out and found water; the collision opened craters kilometres wide that are still there, intact, surrounded by lava flows and fields of black ash.
The reserve spans three municipalities of north-west Sonora — Puerto Peñasco, Plutarco Elías Calles and San Luis Río Colorado — and UNESCO has declared it a World Heritage Site. For the Indigenous peoples of this region it is territory with memory.
We come only to look. And to leave no trace.
The experience
Reaching the top just as the sun goes down
Two days inside the El Pinacate and Gran Desierto de Altar Biosphere Reserve, with a night of camping in the dune area.
On the first day we cross the state to the sea, have lunch on the Puerto Peñasco seafront and enter the reserve by the Schuk Toak museum. As the afternoon falls we walk to the top of the dunes to watch the sunset, and return to camp with the moon overhead.
The second day dawns in the desert and we give it to the craters: El Elegante, 1,600 metres across, and Cerro Colorado, with its reddish cinder cone.
Dates are set at full moon. It is the same desert as Noche de Estrellas, in the opposite phase of the moon: here the moon is the star, not the Milky Way. This tour does not include a stargazing talk or a telescope.
- Interpretive hiking
- Photography
- Moon watching
- Geology
- Ecosystem observation
Itinerary
Day by day
Day 01
From the desert to the sea
Departure from Hermosillo, 6:00 AM sharp.
- Breakfast in Santa Ana
- Puerto Peñasco · lunch and a walk along the seafront
- A last stop to stock up before entering the reserve
- Schuk Toak Museum and Visitor Centre · one hour, with a talk by museum staff
- Setting up camp in the dune area
- Hike to the top for sunset, and back by moonlight
- Campfire and dinner at camp
Day 02
The crater route
We get up a little before sunrise to watch it from camp while breakfast is made. Then we break camp and head into the volcanic zone.
- El Elegante crater · 1,600 m across and 250 m deep
- Lava flows and ash fields
- Cerro Colorado crater · 900 m across and 120 m deep
- Lunch in Sonoyta
- Stops in Caborca and Santa Ana
- Return to Hermosillo around 11:00 PM
The crater route is 80 kilometres of dirt track.
The order may change if the coordinator considers it necessary. Every site is visited unless weather, safety or official instructions prevent it.
The moment
The view from the top of the dunes
We walk in the afternoon, once the sun is low enough for the sand to be walkable. The last stretch is uphill, and at the top the desert opens completely in all four directions.
To the west
The Sea of Cortés and Baja California, with the Sierra de San Pedro Mártir cut out against the sunset.
To the north
The sea of dunes, and behind it the Sierra del Pinacate.
To the east
The lava flows and the Sierra Blanca, lit by the last light.
And then, the moon. It rises while the sky still holds its colour, and it is what lights our way back to camp. Walking down in that light is the part nobody expects and everybody remembers.
If it clouds over, the trip goes ahead just the same; there is no way of knowing before we are there.
We photograph you up there and share the photos after the trip. We may also use them to show the experience; if you would rather we did not, tell us in writing before departure.
Gran Desierto de Altar
The hike
Five kilometres in total, there and back. An hour up, one to two hours at the top watching the sunset and the moonrise, and an hour back. Between 3 and 4 hours of activity.
The effort is moderate for an average person; for anyone who hikes regularly, it is easy. The last stretch is uphill and sand is more tiring than firm ground. People in very good shape and people in little shape come along: everyone reaches the top for the sunset.
The hike is open from age 6. The trail is walked from September to May, and since we climb in the afternoon, once the heat has dropped, the activity is safe.
Who this trip is for
The desert does not adapt to anyone
We are the ones who adapt to it. That is why we would rather tell you what it is like beforehand, not afterwards.
This trip is for you if
- Getting up early costs you nothing
- You enjoy the long road, the highway and 80 km of dirt track
- You can walk five kilometres on sand, with the last stretch uphill
- Walking back at night, with a torch and the moon, does not bother you
- You prefer silence and places where there is nobody else
- You sleep well in a tent
- You can spend two days offline
Think twice if
- You are looking to rest more than to explore
- You need a bathroom and a shower close at hand: there are none at camp
- Walking on soft or sloping ground is hard for you
- You prefer the settled schedules and services of a hotel
In El Pinacate there are no bathrooms and no shops, and there is no signal at camp. There is signal at the high points, and the coordinator knows where to find it if needed. What there is: someone who explains on arrival how to move without leaving a trace, and a desert very few people have seen at night.
If reading this made you want to come more, this is your trip.
The camp
What’s included
- Round-trip van transport from your pick-up point
- 1 night of camping in the dune area
- Tent and personal lamp
- Dinner on day 1: sausages to grill, marshmallows and sandwiches
- Breakfast on day 2: coffee with coyotas (a Sonoran filled pastry) and cheese quesadillas
- Photographs at every site, including the top of the dunes
- Water throughout the route
- Stove, pot, grill and firewood for the campfire
- First aid kit, emergency procedures and coordination with reserve staff
- An experience coordinator throughout the trip
If you travel alone, the tent is yours alone; couples share. We never put you with a stranger.
Vegetarian, or any allergy? Tell us when you book and we adapt your menu.
This tour does not include a stargazing talk or a telescope.
Transparency
What’s not included, and the cash to bring
We would rather you do the full sum now and not along the way.
- Meals outside camp, including those on the road
- Reserve entrance and community land fees
- Sleeping bag, inflatable mattress or any equipment not listed
- Tips
- Medical or travel insurance
- Accommodation before or after the tour, and flights: we can help you arrange them
Cash to bring, in Mexican pesos
| Item | Mexican nationals | Foreign visitors | Teachers and students |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reserve entrance · two days | $230 | $450 | $110 |
| Community land fee · Cerro Colorado | $100 | $100 | $100 |
| Community land fee · Puerto Peñasco | $100 | $100 | $100 |
| Total per person | $430 | $650 | $310 |
Children under 12, holders of Mexico’s INAPAM senior card and retirees do not pay the reserve entrance.
Both days of entrance are always charged, by administrative rule of the area. The Schuk Toak museum is now free.
This cash is paid when you board, not along the way, and in the exact amount: we do not carry change. Bring Mexican pesos: inside the reserve there are no cash machines and cards are not accepted.
The vehicle carries passenger insurance during transfers. Inside the reserve, activities are undertaken at your own risk: we recommend travel insurance. If you are coming from outside Mexico, make sure it covers medical care abroad and in remote areas.
Before you pack
What to bring
- Toilet paper and a torch (we can lend you one)
- Changes of clothes, as many as you see fit
- Hat or cap, and sunscreen
- At least 2 litres of water per person. We bring water too; bring a flask to refill
- A sleeping bag or blankets, enough for the time of year you travel
- A plate, cup, mug and cutlery. We do not use disposables
Suggested outfit
Long trousers and a T-shirt or long-sleeved shirt to cover you from the sun · Closed shoes or trainers that can handle sand · A jacket or sweatshirt · Something to sleep in.
You can bring a personal-sized cool box for your food or drinks; we bring a large one. Compact folding beach chairs are welcome too.
Meals
Included: dinner on day 1 and breakfast on day 2, at camp.
On you: breakfast on day 1 in Santa Ana, lunch on day 1 on the Puerto Peñasco seafront and lunch on day 2 in Sonoyta.
Before entering the reserve we make a last stop for you to stock up: inside there are no shops or cash machines. There is no dinner stop on the way back.
Equipment rental
Travel light
If you are coming from further away or would rather not carry gear, rent it from us and arrive with just your suitcase. Not everyone needs everything: you choose.
| Single inflatable mattress | $100 |
| Double inflatable mattress | $200 |
| Single sleeping bag | $250 |
| Single sleeping bag, XL | $300 |
| Double sleeping bag | $400 |
| XL tent with panoramic roof | $300 |
| XXL tent | $500 |
| Folding chair | $50 |
| Folding chair, XL | $100 |
| Personal folding table | $50 |
| Folding cool box | $50 |
| Power bank | $50 |
Prices in MXN per item, per trip. Request them when you book; subject to availability. Rented equipment that is damaged or lost is paid for by the customer.
Pick-up points
Departures
| Town | Place | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Hermosillo | Plaza Emiliana de Zubeldía | 6:00 AM |
| Santa Ana | Restaurante Elba | 8:30 AM |
| Santa Ana | Tufesa | 9:30 AM |
| Caborca | Gasolinera Las Palmas | 10:30 AM |
| Puerto Peñasco | Plaza del Camarón | 12:30 PM |
Estimated times. The rate is the same from any pick-up point. This trip is a loop: we enter via Puerto Peñasco on day 1 and leave via Sonoyta on day 2. There is no pick-up in Sonoyta.
We wait 15 minutes at each pick-up point. After that the van continues and the place is lost with no refund.
You can leave your car at the plaza, but we do not recommend it and cannot be responsible for it.
Coming from further away? We can help you arrange your hotel in Hermosillo and your flight. If you book the hotel through us, we take you from the hotel to the departure point and, after the tour, back to your hotel. Transfers between the airport and the hotel are not included. Message us on WhatsApp before you buy anything and we will work it out with you.
Calendar
Departure dates
Dates are set at full moon.
2026
- 24–25 NovemberTue – WedSupermoonAvailableBook my place
2027
- 22–23 JanuaryFri – SatPre-sale $4,499 MXN until 16 NovemberSupermoonAvailableBook my place
- 20–21 FebruarySat – SunPre-sale $4,499 MXN until 5 DecemberAvailableBook my place
- 20–21 MarchSat – SunPre-sale $4,499 MXN until 2 January 2027Easter weekAvailableBook my place
- 20–21 AprilTue – WedPre-sale $4,499 MXN until 6 February 2027AvailableBook my place
- 20–21 MayThu – FriPre-sale $4,499 MXN until 6 March 2027AvailableBook my place
- 18–19 JuneFri – SatPre-sale $4,499 MXN until 3 April 2027AvailableBook my place
Places are updated from our booking system, and the form only offers dates with places left. Questions? Message us
Rates
Per person, on a group tour
Valid August 2026 — June 2027
2027 pre-sale
$4,499 MXN
≈ US$240
- Trips from January to June 2027
- Bank transfer only · 8 places per date
- January trips: book by 16 November
- February trips: book by 5 December
- March trips: book by 2 January 2027
- April trips: book by 6 February 2027
- May trips: book by 6 March 2027
- June trips: book by 3 April 2027
- After that, the advance booking rate applies
Advance booking
$4,999 MXN
≈ US$265
- Booking 30 days ahead or more
- Card payment through Mercado Pago
Standard
$5,999 MXN
≈ US$320
- Bookings less than 30 days ahead
- Card payment through Mercado Pago
Junior Explorers · −$500
Off the rate that applies to you, for children aged 10 and under. There is no minimum age to travel; the dune hike is open from age 6.
Deposit per person
$1,000 MXN
An initial payment of $1,000 MXN per person confirms your place.
The rest is paid 5 days before the trip.
Prices per person on a group tour, in Mexican pesos (MXN), VAT included. Dollar amounts are approximate, at the exchange rate of 12 November 2026; your bank converts at its own rate. Limited places. Add $650 MXN in cash if you are a foreign visitor ($430 for Mexican nationals) for entrance and community land fees, plus anything you choose to rent. If you would rather travel privately, we can quote it.
What travellers say
4.9 out of 5 on Tripadvisor
139 reviews · No. 1 of 17 tours and activities in Hermosillo · Travelers' Choice 2026
Fue increíble, no imagine que tendríamos ese cielo y desierto en Sonora…
…Erika, Vanessa y el Sr Julio siempre fueron atentos, nos resolvieron dudas, y nos ayudaron en todo momento, genuinamente saben y conocen el Desierto del Pinacate...
Paisajes emblemáticos del desierto sonorense
Increíble experiencia en un entorno de conexión con la naturaleza con un equipo de guías muy amables que crean un ambiente ameno con el grupo
Excelente agencia para viajar. Increíble Experiencia
…Viajar con ellos se siente como salir con amigos; te hacen sentir en familia desde el inicio…
10/10 en todo
Fuí sólo y en todo momento tanto las guías como otras personas fueron amables, abiertas a platicar de todo y generar buenas nuevas amistades 10/10…
Increíble experiencia!
Un experiencia increíble, el staff perfecto. Si eres fotógrafo la forma en que llevan el grupo, siempre buscan la mejor luz! Lo recomiendo ampliamente!
Enamorada de las estrellas
En el mejor lugar de Mexico para observar las estrellas, guiada y acompañada por el equipo de trabajo de Pinacate Tours. ¡Sin duda volvería viajar con ellos!
¡Genial Experiencia!
…me encantó la noche de estrellas y todos los bellos lugares que nos llevaron, te hace ver al desierto de otra manera…
Cielo estrellado en el Pinacate
…El lugar y el cielo una chulada… no exige un nivel extraordinario de condición pero si vas a caminar, desvelarte, cansarte y todo va a valer la pena…
Una aventura de conocimiento… renové mi energía en esos lugares mágicos.
…ver su mar y ser recibidos por Filomena de la Etnia Seri y cruzar hacia Isla Tiburón fue algo muy emocionante para mí y mi esposa…
Before you book
If something changes
Booking months ahead makes anyone nervous. This is exactly what happens if your plans, or ours, change.
If you cancel
If your trip is more than 10 business days away, you have 5 business days after booking to change your mind and get 100% back. After that:
| More than 30 days before | 50% of the deposit and everything paid beyond it is refunded |
| Between 30 and 16 days | The deposit is not refunded; everything paid beyond it is. With fewer than 30 days, no more date changes |
| 15 days or less | No refund and no change of date |
Can’t make it? Pass your place to someone else by letting us know 24 hours ahead. The change of name is free. The date can be changed 30 days ahead or more.
On refunds of card or OXXO payments, we absorb the processing fee: it is not deducted.
If we cancel
Each departure needs at least 6 travellers and we confirm it 30 days before. If we cancel for that reason, or due to adverse weather, safety risks, the closure of natural areas or force majeure, you choose: a 100% refund with no deductions, or a free date change. Refunds are made within 5 business days.
Final payment
Full payment is made at least 5 days before the trip. If it is not paid by then, a $500 MXN penalty per place applies.
This is a summary. Cancellation and refund policy · Terms and conditions; the Spanish original is the version that applies.
How to book
Booking is simple
- 01
Choose your date
The calendar shows the dates with places left, the Moon each night and the rates.
- 02
Fill in the form
About 5 minutes, right here on the site: your details, those of anyone travelling with you and any gear you want to rent. The form only offers dates with places left.
- 03
Pay your deposit
Right after booking you can pay your deposit online by card through Mercado Pago. It is the only payment method for travellers from abroad.
- 04
Hold your place
An initial payment of $1,000 MXN per person confirms your place.
- 05
Receive your confirmation
Your electronic receipt with a reference number arrives within 48 working hours. Between 2 and 5 days before the trip we message you on WhatsApp with the exact time, the meeting point and the final details.
You have 48 hours to make your payment; if the trip is 7 days away or less, 12 hours. After that the booking is released and the place offered to someone else. We reply from Sonora, Mexico (UTC−7, no daylight saving), eight to nine hours behind most of Europe: write at any time and we answer during our day.
FAQ
What people ask us most
How much does Dunas con la Luna cost?
The same as Noche de Estrellas: $5,999 MXN standard, or $4,999 MXN booking 30 days ahead or more, VAT included. For trips from January to June 2027 there is a pre-sale rate of $4,499 MXN by bank transfer, 8 places per date; each travel month has its own closing date, shown in the calendar. On top of that, foreign visitors pay $650 MXN in cash for reserve entrance and community land fees ($430 for Mexican nationals).
How is it different from Noche de Estrellas?
Noche de Estrellas is set at new moon and its star is the Milky Way, with a stargazing talk and a telescope. Dunas con la Luna is set at full moon: the central moment is the sunset from the top of the dunes and the walk back by moonlight. It does not include a stargazing talk or a telescope.
How hard is the dune hike?
It is 5 km there and back, 3 to 4 hours in total, with the last stretch uphill on sand. The effort is moderate; every group has reached the top. It is open from age 6.
What if it clouds over?
The trip goes ahead just the same. There is no way of knowing before we are there whether the moon will rise in a clear sky.
Where can I board?
Hermosillo, Santa Ana, Caborca and Puerto Peñasco. There is no pick-up in Sonoyta.
What time do we get back?
Around 11:00 PM on the second day, in Hermosillo. There is no dinner stop on the way back.
Plan your trip