2 days · 1 night
Dunas con la Luna
Climbing to the top of the dunes just as the sun goes down, and walking back by the full moon.
From $4,999 MXNSee experience
UNESCO World Heritage · Departing from Hermosillo
Noche de Estrellas in El Pinacate
A night of camping under the clearest sky in north-west Mexico.
A two-day tour from Hermosillo, with camping, a stargazing talk and a telescope.
- 2 days · 1 night
- New moon and the Milky Way
- From $4,999 MXN
The essentials for booking Noche de Estrellas
Price and conditions
From $4,999 MXN per person when booking 30 days ahead or more. Valid August 2026 — June 2027.
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, Sonoyta. 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.
Confirm availability on WhatsApp. 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
Nothing survives here by accident
Millions of years ago magma looked for a way out and found water instead. The collision opened craters kilometres wide that are still there, intact, as if the explosion had happened yesterday.
What was left is a field of lava, dunes the wind is still moving, and a silence like no other.
At first sight it looks like a place where there is nobody. But El Pinacate is not empty: it is full of life that learned how to last. Every saguaro you will see took decades to raise its first arm.
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
A night of camping under the clearest sky
Two days inside the El Pinacate and Gran Desierto de Altar Biosphere Reserve, with a night of camping in the heart of the volcanic shield.
We walk to the rim of a crater 1,600 metres across, climb a cinder cone before sunrise and, in the months when the heat allows it, cross the largest field of moving dunes in North America.
And in between, the night: a stargazing talk, a telescope and a night photography session under the Milky Way that you take home with you. Dates are set close to the new moon, when the sky is darkest.
We travel in 16-seat vans. On some dates two go out, and on the busiest there may be a third. If you want to know how many are going on your date, ask us before you book.
- Interpretive hiking
- Stargazing
- Photography
- Geology
- Ecosystem observation
Itinerary
Day by day
Day 01
From tarmac to volcano
Departure from Hermosillo, 6:00 AM sharp.
- Breakfast in Santa Ana
- Last stop in Sonoyta before entering the reserve
- Sahuaro Danzante · the landmark we put on the map in 2017
- La Laja · the Mars Zone, red lava formations
- El Elegante crater · 1,600 m across and 250 m deep
- El Tecolote camp · campfire, dinner and a night photography session
As you enter the reserve the ground changes colour: black ash and red clay as far as you can see.
Day 02
Volcanic sunrise
Before first light we climb Cono Mayo, about 20 minutes, to watch the sun rise over the volcanic shield. It is worth every minute of sleep it costs.
- Breakfast and breaking camp
- Cerro Colorado crater
- Schuk Toak Museum and Visitor Centre
- Hike to the dunes of the Gran Desierto de Altar · October to April
- Puerto Peñasco seafront
Return to Hermosillo around 11:30 PM, to the same departure point.
The order may change if the coordinator considers it necessary. Every site is always covered.
The night
The clearest sky in north-west Mexico
When the last lamp goes out, the desert does the rest. With no cities nearby and no humidity in the way, the Milky Way rises whole from one horizon to the other.
The stargazing talk
A guided tour of what you are looking at: constellations, planets and how people here found their way before there were maps.
The telescope
The craters of the Moon, and whatever the season lets us see that night.
The photos
We photograph you under the Milky Way. It is the picture everyone takes home and the reason many people come. We share them with you 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.
Then the campfire, dinner and the sound of the desert, which is like nothing else either.
The sky on your date
What will you see that night?
Pick one of our upcoming departures or any date, and see where the Milky Way, the Moon and the stars will be over El Pinacate, hour by hour.
Drag to look around
Noche de Estrellas (new moon)
2026
2027
Dunas con la Luna (full moon)
2026
2027
Positions of the Sun, the Moon, the guide stars and the Milky Way calculated for the reserve, in Sonora time (UTC−7). The landscape is illustrative. Milky Way photograph: ESO/S. Brunier (CC BY 4.0).
Gran Desierto de Altar
The dunes
The largest field of moving dunes in North America, and the most demanding walk of the trip. Five kilometres in total, there and back: an hour out, an hour back and 30 minutes at the top taking in the landscape. Between 2.5 and 3 hours.
The effort is moderate for an average person; for anyone who hikes regularly, it is easy. From the top you can see the Sea of Cortés, the Sierra del Pinacate, the Sierra Blanca and the whole of the nearby desert.
From November to March it goes ahead. In April and October it depends on the forecast: above 30 °C it does not. From May to September it is not done, and there is no replacement activity: in that heat no outdoor 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 the dirt track
- You prefer silence and places where there is nobody else
- You walk because you like walking, even in the heat and on uneven ground
- You want to understand how life survives where it almost never rains
- 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
- 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 sky very few people have seen.
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 at El Tecolote
- Tent and personal lamp
- Dinner on day 1: sausages to grill, marshmallows, vegetable sandwiches and crisps
- Breakfast on day 2: coffee with coyotas (a Sonoran filled pastry) and cheese quesadillas
- Stargazing talk and telescope
- Daytime photographs at every site and a night photography session
- 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.
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 · 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 at Restaurante Elba in Santa Ana, and lunch, bought in Sonoyta, the last stop before entering. Inside the reserve there are no shops or cash machines.
There is no dinner stop on the way back. We tell you now so you can plan for it.
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 | $200 |
| 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 Zubeldia | 6:00 AM |
| Santa Ana | Restaurante Elba | 8:30 AM |
| Santa Ana | Tufesa | 9:30 AM |
| Caborca | Gasolinera Las Palmas | 10:30 AM |
| Sonoyta | Vip Market | 12:30 PM |
Estimated times. The rate is the same from any pick-up point. Hermosillo to Sonoyta is five hours of direct driving, not counting stops.
Pick-up in Puerto Peñasco: on the way out the route does not pass through Peñasco, so collecting you there is a detour and is only offered for groups of more than 4. Ask before you book.
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 collect you. Message us on WhatsApp before you buy anything and we will work it out with you.
Calendar
Departure dates
Dates are set close to the new moon. From May to September the dune hike is not done.
2026
- 2–3 OctoberFri – SatFew places leftHold a place
- 10–11 OctoberSat – SunSold out
- 6–7 NovemberFri – SatAvailableHold a place
- 14–15 NovemberSat – SunMeteor showerAvailableHold a place
- 4–5 DecemberFri – SatAvailableHold a place
- 13–14 DecemberSun – MonMeteor shower☄ Geminids meteor showerAvailableHold a place
2027
- 8–9 JanuaryFri – SatAvailableHold a place
- 30–31 JanuarySat – SunMexican long weekendAvailableHold a place
- 5–6 FebruaryFri – SatNew moon on a weekendAvailableHold a place
- 26–27 FebruaryFri – SatAvailableHold a place
- 5–6 MarchFri – SatAvailableHold a place
- 12–13 MarchFri – SatMexican long weekendAvailableHold a place
- 26–27 MarchFri – SatGood FridayAvailableHold a place
- 2–3 AprilFri – SatAvailableHold a place
- 9–10 AprilFri – SatAvailableHold a place
- 1–2 MaySat – SunAvailableHold a place
- 5–6 MayWed – ThuEta Aquariids meteor shower☄ Eta Aquariids meteor showerAvailableHold a place
- 7–8 MayFri – SatAvailableHold a place
- 4–5 JuneFri – SatAvailableHold a place
Confirm availability for your date on WhatsApp before you pay.
Rates
Per person, on a group tour
Valid August 2026 — June 2027
Advance booking
$4,999 MXN
≈ US$280
- Booking 30 days ahead or more
- Card payment through Mercado Pago
Standard
$5,999 MXN
≈ US$335
- 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.
Deposit per person
$500 MXN
Bookings made up to 30 September 2026: $500 MXN per person. New bookings from 1 October 2026: $1,000 MXN per person. It depends on when you book, not on the year of the trip.
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 29 September 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.
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
| More than 30 days before | 50% of the deposit is refunded |
| Between 30 and 16 days | The deposit is not refunded; if you paid in full, the difference is returned |
| 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.
Refunds on card payments are net of the processing fee.
If we cancel
If weather, safety, the closure of the reserve or not reaching the minimum group size stop us from departing, you choose: a full refund or a new date. Refunds are processed within 5 working 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. Full terms and conditions; the Spanish original is the version that applies.
How to book
Booking is simple
- 01
Message us on WhatsApp
At +52 662 464 6648, to confirm your date and that you want to book. Bookings are handled only this way.
- 02
Fill in the form
We send you a short form for your details and those of anyone travelling with you.
- 03
Ask for your payment link
We send you a Mercado Pago link to pay by card. It is the only payment method for travellers from abroad.
- 04
Hold your place
Bookings made up to 30 September 2026: $500 MXN per person. New bookings from 1 October 2026: $1,000 MXN per person. It depends on when you book, not on the year of the trip.
- 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.
Message us on WhatsAppFAQ
What people ask us most
How much does Noche de Estrellas cost?
The standard rate is $5,999 MXN per person, or $4,999 MXN booking 30 days ahead or more, VAT included. On top of that, foreign visitors pay $650 MXN in cash for reserve entrance and community land fees ($430 for Mexican nationals).
Where does the tour leave from?
From Hermosillo, at 6:00 AM, from Plaza Emiliana de Zubeldia. You can also board in Santa Ana, Caborca and Sonoyta at the same rate. Puerto Peñasco is only offered for groups of more than 4.
Are there bathrooms at camp?
No. There are no bathrooms or showers at camp. On arrival, the coordinator explains how to manage without leaving a trace.
Do I need to bring a tent?
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.
Will I see the Milky Way?
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.
Is there a minimum age?
There is no minimum age to travel. Children aged 10 and under get $500 MXN off the rate that applies to them.
What time do we get back to Hermosillo?
Around 11:30 PM on the second day, at the same departure point. There is no dinner stop on the way back.
You might also like
Other experiences
Plan your trip