Travel Tip 83
How to do noctourism
Part of my experience in Salinas Grandes, Argentina, included a lesson in night photography. The salt flats look like snow and lightening lit the clouds on the horizon.
What is noctourism?
One of the big travel trends predicted for this year is noctourism: all the amazing things you can do at night. While this could include nighttime activities like clubbing, the trend is focused on nature at night. This is perfect for night owls and those who haven’t yet adjusted to jetlag. If you love the night sky, noctourism is for you!
Where to go for noctourism?
If you’re in Peru and want to see stars, my favorite place is Amantaní Island on Lake Titicaca. You’re up at over 12,500 feet above sea level, so there’s not much atmosphere between you and the stars. Also, the highest point on the island doesn’t have trees or light pollution, so there’s nothing obscuring your perfect 360º view. Another perfect place for noctourism is the Atacama, especially from the town of San Pedro.
Cities like Marrakech and Kyoto have started to offer evening tours and the trend is spreading, so check destinations you want to visit to see if they offer evening and nighttime tours. Night markets also offer entertainment to keep you up until you’re ready to go look at the stars. My favorite night market is in Kota Kinabalu, on the Malaysian side of Borneo. If you’ll be in Borneo on any of the dates below, enjoy the food and people watching at the market, then walk out onto the beach to enjoy the night sky.
Wildlife at Night
Another noctourism option is wildlife spotting. I’ve experienced nighttime activities for spotting both moths and birds. My favorite moth experiences have been at the Tambopata Research Center (top left) and in Manizales, Colombia (center and right). As for birds, just about anywhere is amazing and if you love bats, it’s even better. Night is also the best time to look for frogs and capybara. The ones below I saw in the Peruvian Amazon rainforest near Puerto Maldonado.
Whatever country you find yourself in, if you want to see stars, head for the deserts where you’re less likely to have cloud cover and consider how much light pollution your destination will have. If possible, get some altitude to minimize how much atmosphere is between you and the stars.
What to see in the sky in 2025
Here are some of the big 2025 celestial events that you should plan your trips around. Always check that the phenomenon will be visible from your destination, and at what time to look up into the sky.
There’s already been some cool sights in the night sky this year, but I’m just including the ones that you could potentially plan a trip around.
February 28: Seven planets align
You should be able to see Saturn, Mercury, Venus, Jupiter, and Mars with the naked eye but you’ll need binoculars or a telescope to see Uranus and Neptune.
This isn’t a blood moon. It’s the sun during a wildfire, more sinister but something we’re sure to see in 2025.
March 14: Blood Moon
There will be a total lunar eclipse this night, but since the Earth only blocks the Sun’s direct light, sunlight refracted by the Earth’s atmosphere still reaches the Moon, making it look red.
March 18-21: Dual Visibility of Venus
Venus is called the evening or morning star, depending on when it appears. However, for a few days you’ll be able to see Venus in both the morning and evening.
This painting shows the Inca constellations: the dark spaces in the Milky Way form a scene of a shepherd and llama at a riverside, with a fox, frog, bird, and snake.
March 29: Partial Solar Eclipse
Get your eclipse glasses and check what time this partial eclipse (magnitude 0.9376) will be visible from wherever you happen to be on this day! This is a Northern Hemisphere event, so those of us in the Southern Hemisphere will need to go north.
May 5-6: Eta-Aquariid Meteor Shower
Here’s an event for my Southern Hemisphere readers! During the peak of this meteor shower, in the Southern Hemisphere we should be able to see up to 50 meteors per hour. This is an early morning event, so check the optimal time for your location and set an early alarm.
August 12: Venus and Jupiter get close
Just before sunrise, you’ll be able to see Venus and Jupiter so close that you can cover them both with one finger outstretched. Venus will be brighter and Jupiter a bit fainter, but still visible to the naked eye.
September 7: Another Blood Moon
This is another total lunar eclipse in most of the world and a partial eclipse in the Americas. For people in Asia, Australia and central Russia, the eclipse could last up to an hour and 22 minutes. If you’re considering a trip to Asia or Western Australia in 2025, check flight prices for early September.
September 21: Saturn at its brightest
Saturn will be at “opposition,” when a planet is exactly opposite the Sun and will shine the brightest you’ll ever see it. It’ll be visible all night.
November 3: Taurid Swarm & Biggest Full Moon of 2025
A swarm is when two branches of a meteor shower are at their peak, in this case the Southern and Northern Taurids. The effect will last about a week, starting November 3. The Southern Taurids are set to peak on November 5 and the Northern Taurids on the 12th. The full moon on the 5th could complicate viewing, especially since it’s the biggest full moon of the year. It will appear 7.9% larger and 16% brighter than average. Check moonrise for your location and try to watch the sky when moonlight isn’t diminishing your view of meteors.
November 25: Venus and Mercury get close
These two planets will appear very close about an hour before sunrise, but be sure to check what time viewing will be optimal in your location.
December 14: Geminid Meteor Shower
This night will be the peak of the Geminid Meteor Shower and the most impressive one of the year, with up to 150 meteors per hour. The Moon will be a waning crescent, so it won’t complicate viewing as much as on November 3rd.
2025 is going to be another great year for the Northern Lights, so check local news frequently for events.
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