You know the feeling – you’re back from your day of exploring, freshly showered, and ready for the evening ahead. Perhaps this is your favorite part of a vacation, when the sun begins to set and a whole new world of possibility opens up. But – did you know there’s a word for that? It’s called noctourism.
Noctourism is simply exploring the world after dark, and entered the cultural lexicon in 2025, however it’s no flash in the pan trend. At Trafalgar, we’ve been staying up late since before it was cool. To prove it, here are 8 after-dark experiences we think are worth feeling a little bit tired for, from starry nights in the Jordanian desert to aurora hunting in the Alaskan Arctic.
1. Stargaze under Sequoias
Sequoia National Park is like stepping into alternate world, where trees have taken over and grown to towering heights. Your journey here will bring you to an unforgettable MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, spending an evening stargazing through the treetops of this incredible forest. Noctourism doesn’t get much more immersive than this.
You’ll meet a Local Specialist, who will tell you stories of this magical place and update you with the latest astronomical news under one of California’s most brilliant skies. Gaze up as the Milky Way spills out across the sky, as your local naturalist takes you on a tour of the view above through constellations, galaxies, planets, and the history of human space and exploration. This experience advances United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 15: Life on Land.
Experience it on: California’s Great National Parks
2. A night in Wadi Rum
Wadi Rum Desert is known as Jordan’s ‘Valley of the Moon’, and in the moonlight this otherworldly landscape comes alive in a whole new way. The striking red sand and clear desert skies give way to a kaleidoscopic sunset, before more stars appear in the sky than you’ve ever seen before.
You’ll experience this during your Stays with Stories in the Al Ammarin camp in the Wadi Rum Desert, where you’ll be totally immersed in the Bedouin way of life. The Bedouins are Jordan’s nomadic people, nomadic camel-raising tribes that call this desert home. You’ll stay in their traditional handwoven tents, set among an endless desert backdrop. You’ll sleep in a goat hair tent, sip sweet tea and Arabic coffee around the campfire as you watch a breathtaking sunset and listen to traditional music, experiencing the legendary Bedouin hospitality and learning about their nomadic history. The star-studded sky takes center stage for the rest of the evening – stay up as late as you like.
Experience it on: Jordan Experience
3. Sunset over Uluru
The sandstone monolith of Uluru has stood proudly in Australia’s Outback for some 550 million years, reflecting and amplifying the sunrise and sunset every single day. At 348 meters high (taller than the Eiffel Tower), the majesty of this ancestral rock must be seen to be believed – and you’ll have plenty of time to marvel at it when you travel with us.
After arriving in Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, you’re treated to a classic Uluru sundowner: sparkling wine and light refreshments amidst the red dirt and blowing spinifex grasses as the Outback sky ignites in shades of red, yellow and purple with a view of Uluru rock.
The evening continues if you choose to join an Optional Experience where you’ll then have an exclusive dinner with Uluru as your backdrop for the evening – the only evening experience inside Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. There’s even time for star gazing, and your driver guide will give you a tour of the night sky, pointing out some of the visible constellations.
Experience it on: Australian Highlights
4. Aurora hunting in Alaska
Perhaps the most famous noctourism experience: aurora hunting. No time is wasted on your Alaska Northern Lights trip: on your very first night you’ll head out after 10pm to hunt down the iconic aurora in Fairbanks. Alaska’s Arctic is located directly beneath the Auroral Oval (a ring-shaped region centered around the North Pole), and that combined with its unique geography that encourages stable, clear weather, makes it one of the best places in the world to see the Northern Lights.
This is one of the most comfortable ways see see the Northern Lights – your location offers indoor heating and warm beverages, with the option to step outside when the lights put on a show.
Experience it on: Alaska Northern Lights
5. Sundowners in Samburu
After your daytime drive through the Samburu National Reserve, you have the chance to experience that same landscape as the sun disappears on this Optional Experience. Your driver will find the perfect spot to watch one of Africa’s most beautiful sunsets, where you can enjoy your sundowner and debrief with your fellow travelers about your successful day on safari. Big cats begin their evening hunts, while elephants and giraffes are often seen on the move as the heat of the day subsides – perhaps your safari isn’t quite over yet.
Experience it on: Wonders of Kenya
6. Feel the rhythm of the Luau
Heart-pumping drums, Polynesian dancing and the sound of the conch shell are the soundtrack to your evening as you’re immersed in the lively tradition of the Hawaiian luau. Tuck into a delicious traditional luau feast, featuring local flavours and tropical cocktails under the hala trees. Singing, dancing and storytelling come to life under a canopy of stars for an unforgettable island experience.
Experience it on: Hawaiian Explorer
7. Canyonlands by night
On your trip through Utah you’ll have seen the incredible views of Canyonlands National Park from 1,000 feet above – in the same day you’ll have the chance to experience it from below, with an Optional Experience onboard the Moab Queen II.
Your noctourism experience starts with a cowboy-style Dutch oven dinner overlooking the Colorado River, before boarding your flat-bottomed jet boat for a peaceful ride through the canyon. The sun gradually sets, the red stone cliffs reflecting the last of the daylight, and once darkness falls the show begins. Powerful lights illuminate the towering canyon walls while stories of pioneers, native legends, and the natural forces that shaped Canyonlands are brought to life through music and narration.
Experience it on: Best of the Canyonlands
8. Hanoi street eats after dark
Hanoi is a city lived on the sidewalk, known for its countless street food vendors sizzling up something delicious at all times of the day. When you visit Vietnam’s capital with Trafalgar, you have the chance to use your evening to explore this city after sunset on an Optional Experience.
Guided by a Local Specialist, take a leisurely evening walk through the city’s bustling Old Quarter to discover the best of Hanoi’s street food culture. Mouthwatering traditional dishes like Pho Ga, the nation’s beloved chicken noodle soup, and Banh Mi, Vietnam’s famous sandwich, will keep you fuelled for your stroll through the bustling Dong Xuan Night Market. Here you can test your bargaining skills before ending the evening like a local – with a crisp glass of fresh Bia Hoi at Beer Corner.
Experience it on: Highlights of Vietnam