El Pinacate and Gran Desierto de Altar Biosphere Reserve, Mexico - UNESCO World Heritage Site

 Place: El Pinacate and Gran Desierto de Altar Biosphere Reserve, Mexico

Weather: Windy with lots of sunshine, 79/92F

Route: From Casas Grande 857km WNW on Mexico 10, Mexico 2, NM-81 N, NM-146 N, I-10 W, AZ-86 W, AZ-85 S, Mexico 8.

Significance: El Pinacate in the east is home to a dormant volcano, whereas Gran Desierto in the west has large sand dunes. There are large circular craters formed by volcano eruptions followed by collapsing of the cone. Although distinct - both areas have a lunar landscape appearance.

Websites: UNESCO World Heritage Site, Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources

Images:

Collapsed volcano cone (from iucn.org)

Gran Dieserto (from dreamplango.com)