Everything worth knowing before you come

The El Pinacate and Gran Desierto de Altar Biosphere Reserve is a protected natural area in north-west Sonora, Mexico, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It spans the municipalities of Puerto Peñasco, Plutarco Elías Calles and San Luis Río Colorado, and brings together volcanic craters, lava fields and the largest field of moving dunes in North America. From Hermosillo to Sonoyta is about five hours of direct driving.

Noche de Estrellas (2 days) departs at new moon and is for seeing the Milky Way, with a stargazing talk and a telescope. Dunas con la Luna (2 days) departs at full moon: the central moment is the sunset from the top of the dunes and the walk back by moonlight. Sonora Salvaje (4 days) crosses three protected areas — Tiburón Island, the Upper Gulf salt flats and El Pinacate — with accommodation, gear and entrance fees included.

Our 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.

Online, without having to message us: choose your date and fill in the booking form («Book my place» on each date), which takes about 5 minutes. Once you send it, you hold your place with a deposit per person, paid online by card on the same page. The rest is paid 5 days before the trip on the two-day tours and 10 days before on Sonora Salvaje, and you can pay it online at mi.pinacate.tours. Questions? Message us on WhatsApp at +52 662 464 6648.

By card through Mercado Pago, with the online payment button you see right after booking (and at mi.pinacate.tours for the balance). It is the only payment method for travellers from abroad. Prices are in Mexican pesos (MXN) and your bank converts at its own rate.

No. All three El Pinacate experiences include at least one night of camping, because what people come to see is the night sky. From Hermosillo we do offer day trips to Tiburón Island and San Carlos, as well as private trips: ask us on WhatsApp.

At the El Pinacate camp there are no bathrooms or showers, and we tell you before you book. On arrival, the coordinator explains how to manage without leaving a trace. On Sonora Salvaje, the first two nights have a shared bathroom and shower.

No. Most of our travellers have never camped. We explain everything, the tent is included and the rest of the gear can be rented from us (on Sonora Salvaje it is included).

There is no signal at camp. There is signal at the high points of the reserve, and the coordinator knows where to find it if needed. On Sonora Salvaje there are internet points in the common area on the first two nights.

On Noche de Estrellas and Dunas con la Luna, $650 MXN per person for foreign visitors ($430 for Mexican nationals, $310 for teachers and students) for reserve entrance and community land fees, in the exact amount and when you board. Children under 12 do not pay the reserve entrance. On Sonora Salvaje the entrance fees are included. Bring Mexican pesos: there are no cash machines in the reserves and cards are not accepted.

Every experience leaves Hermosillo at 6:00 AM, so arrive the night before. Hermosillo has an international airport (HMO). We can help you arrange your hotel and 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. You need a passport valid for your stay; entry requirements depend on your nationality, so check them with the Mexican consulate before you fly.

The vehicle carries passenger insurance during transfers. Inside the reserve, activities are undertaken at your own risk, so we recommend travel insurance that covers medical care abroad and in remote areas.

If your trip is more than 10 business days away, you have 5 business days after booking to change your mind and we refund 100%. 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 but the rest is, and with fewer than 30 days the date can no longer be changed; 15 days or less, there is no refund and no change of date. You can pass your place to someone else with 24 hours’ notice, and the change of name is free. Details in the Cancellation and refund policy.

Only with prior written authorisation, which depends on the size of the animal, the activity and the transport. If it takes up a seat, an additional place is paid.

Yes, in moderation. Illegal substances are forbidden, and risky behaviour or disrespect means leaving the trip without a refund (terms and conditions, section 13).

Some activities require good physical condition: «Plan your trip» shows how much walking each trip involves. Let us know about any medical condition when you book; for the safety of the group, the team will tell you which parts of the trip suit you and may suggest restrictions.

Yes. Let us know when you book and we adapt your menu for the included meals. On Sonora Salvaje we also adapt it if you are coeliac.

It depends on the month: in winter the days are mild and the nights cold; from May to September it is very hot, and we do not run trips in July. The dune hike on Noche de Estrellas and Sonora Salvaje goes ahead from November to March; in October and April it depends on the forecast: above 30 °C it does not. Dunas con la Luna walks in the late afternoon, once the heat has dropped, and its trail is walked from September to May. Typical temperatures for each month, and what happens if the weather changes, are on «Plan your trip» (pinacate.tours/en/plan-your-trip/).

The standard rate is $5,999 MXN per person, 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).

From Hermosillo, at 6:00 AM, from Plaza Emiliana de Zubeldía. You can also board in Santa Ana, Caborca and Sonoyta at the same rate. There is no pick-up in Puerto Peñasco.

No. There are no bathrooms or showers at camp. On arrival, the coordinator explains how to manage without leaving a trace.

No. The tent and a personal lamp are included. You bring your own sleeping bag and inflatable mattress, or rent them from us from $100 MXN.

Dates are set close to the new moon, when the sky is darkest, to see the Milky Way from horizon to horizon. As with any observation, it depends on a clear sky that night.

There is no minimum age to travel. Children aged 10 and under get $500 MXN off the rate that applies to them.

Around 11:30 PM on the second day, at the same departure point. There is no dinner stop on the way back.

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).

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.

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.

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.

Hermosillo, Santa Ana, Caborca and Puerto Peñasco. There is no pick-up in Sonoyta.

Around 11:00 PM on the second day, in Hermosillo. There is no dinner stop on the way back.

$12,999 MXN per person booking 30 days ahead or more, and $14,999 MXN with 29 days or less. For trips from January to June 2027 there is a pre-sale rate of $11,999 MXN by bank transfer, 8 places per date; each travel month has its own closing date, shown in the calendar. VAT included. Entrance fees to the three protected areas, community land access fees and the crossing to Tiburón Island are already included.

It includes transport from Hermosillo, 2 guides, the 3 nights of accommodation, full camping gear (tent, sleeping bag, inflatable mattress and lamp), 4 breakfasts, 3 dinners, snacks, water, photographs and all entrance fees. The stargazing talk and telescope are only on Noche de Estrellas. It does not include midday meals, tips, travel insurance, or accommodation and flights before or after.

At Azul Xerena and Campo La Salina there are shared bathrooms and showers; there is no private bathroom on any night. On the third night, in El Pinacate, there is no bathroom of any kind.

Same route, same price. The Starry Nights version departs close to the new moon, to see the Milky Way. The Full Moon version lights up the landscape at night and lets you explore by natural light, but the Milky Way is not visible. Every date in the calendar shows its version.

The crossing is suspended and we go to Campo Filomena, near Punta Chueca, where there is a beach facing the island and the same ceremonial songs of welcome take place. The activity is replaced, so there is no partial refund.

Yes, 6. Children aged 6 to 10 get $1,000 MXN off the rate that applies to them.

The tour leaves Hermosillo at 6:00 AM, so arrive the night before. Hermosillo has an international airport (HMO). We can help you arrange your hotel and 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. You need a passport valid for your stay; entry requirements depend on your nationality, so check them with the Mexican consulate before you fly.