Looking for experiential travel unlike anything you’ve seen or done before? How about an escape to one of Earth’s great deserts? Prepare to be amazed by the beauty and allure of some of the most desolate places on the planet. Sure, the world’s greatest cities have their charms, with museums, restaurants galore, and plenty of streets to wander. But there’s nothing quite like being alone in the awe-inspiring expanse of the desert.

Whether you’re looking to get away from the crowds, unplug and get a little off-grid, reconnect with friends and family, or simply encounter a place and a culture totally unlike your own, the world’s deserts are a great place to start.

Here, I’ll share five of my favorite desert destinations. Each of these are fantastic candidates for an overnight stay or a small extension to a larger itinerary. Enjoy the city sights, then escape for a few days to the quiet and solitude of the desert. Keep reading to discover your perfect desert destination!

Wadi Rum, Jordan

Ancient history buffs will love majestic Wadi Rum, also known as the Valley of the Moon. This otherworldly landscape on the western edge of the Arabian desert features tumbling red sand dunes and impressive sandstone arches. The region has been inhabited since prehistoric times, and it’s a treasure trove of petroglyphs, 12,000-year-old inscriptions, and temples.

The accommodations here are gorgeous, from luxurious glamping tents to traditional Bedouin tents and massive geodesic domes with world-class views.

Wadi Rum is a fantastic addition to a Jordan itinerary including Amman, Petra, the Read Sea, and the Dead Sea. It’s possible to spend only one day in Wadi Rum, but we recommend two if you have the time.

Sahara Desert, Morocco

Indulge in an exclusive stay at a tented camp near the dunes of Merzouga in the Sahara Desert for stay as part of your Moroccan itinerary.

Your journey to Northern Africa is hardly complete without a visit to the Sahara Desert. Covering an astonishing 3.6 million square miles, it’s the largest hot desert in the world.

Enjoy an exclusive desert tented camp near the dunes of Merzouga. You can travel with the convoy of 4x4 vehicles or even arrive in style by camel. The accommodations are decorated in the traditional Berber style with the perfect touch of luxury for your desert adventure. Even here in the desert, you’ll have every opportunity to indulge in the luxuries you expect, including private baths, air conditioning, sumptuous beds, and first-rate cuisine.

The Sahara is a great addition to a Morocco itinerary. It can also be included as an extension to travels through Egypt, Spain, Portugal, and other countries in the region.

Thar Desert, India

While visiting “The Golden City” of Jaisalmer in India, be sure to spend a night or two in the Thar Desert.

In the heart of India’s Thar Desert lies the city of Jaisalmer, nicknamed “The Golden City.” It stands on a ridge of yellow sandstone, and many of the homes and temples there are built of exquisitely sculpted sandstone. This little gem of a city is a wonderful place to spend a few days while traveling in the Indian state of Rajasthan in the northern part of the country. Jaisalmer is a bit off the main path, but it’s an absolutely worthwhile jaunt.

While in Jaisalmer, consider spending a night or two in a luxury camp where you can enjoy spa treatments in enclosed gardens, dine on both local delicacies and fine Western cuisine, and be serenaded by legendary Manganiyars musicians. Bask in the glow of a desert sunset with a Thar sundowner, your toes kissed by the soft sand dunes. And you can even go on a camel safari in the traditional Rajasthani style.

If your travels take you to northern India, a detour to Jaisalmer and the Thar Desert will not disappoint.

Namib Desert, Namibia

The vast Namib Desert stretches along the Atlantic coasts of Angola, Namibia, and South Africa. It’s almost completely uninhabited by humans, save for a handful of indigenous pastoral groups. Namibia’s Skeleton Coast, in particular, is startlingly beautiful. In this stretch of the Namib Desert, the juxtaposition of the ocean and the sand dunes is nothing short of spectacular.

Imagine seeing African wildlife against the stunning backdop of the desert in Namibia

A stay in the Namib Desert is worth a journey all its own. Stay in intimate and luxurious lodges and camps where you can enjoy the exquisite night skies, search for the largest population of desert-adapted elephant and black rhino in Africa, and roam the Skeleton Coast. The seals, shipwreck remains, and history alone are worth the visit.

Or venture farther south to the breathtaking Sossusvlei Dunes where you can explore the region by “fat bike” or hot air balloon—or both. The high red dunes are a sight to behold.

And if you haven’t fallen completely in love with Africa yet, be sure to check out 8 Reasons Why Your Next Escape Should Be to Africa.

Atacama Desert, Chile

Looking for a completely “different” desert experience? Explore the driest nonpolar desert on the planet, Chile’s Atacama Desert. The Atacama hugs the Atlantic Ocean for over 600 miles. It’s extraordinarily remote, sparsely populated, especially in the interior, and high-altitude. Devoted stargazers should note that Smithsonian Magazine hails it as perhaps “the best place on earth to enjoy a starry sky.”

Stay in one of the region’s experiential luxury lodges as your base to explore tha Atacama, in Chile, the driest nonpolar desert on the planet.

A stay in one of the region’s luxury lodges is the perfect addition to your travels to Chile, Argentina, Bolivia, or Peru. (And the landscape offers a wonderfully stark contrast to Patagonia if that’s part of your itinerary.) Enjoy a private 4WD vehicle and guided tour of the desert, including geysers, valleys and canyons, flamingos, petroglyphs, and more. Dine on exquisitely-crafted, locally-inspired fare. And sleep in absolute comfort (for as long as you like), knowing that the day’s schedule is yours to choose.

It’s important to note that given the altitude of the Atacama, most travelers should plan to spend about five days here in order to acclimate. This will allow you to fully appreciate the environment in comfort, and it will afford you enough time to explore all this beautiful region has to offer.

Find more inspiration for your journey to Chile here: 5 Experiential Travel Destinations Not to Miss in Chile.

The Takeaway

The world’s vast and beautiful deserts provide a welcome escape to anyone looking for a change of pace, totally new scenery, and experiences that will enliven and excite you at every turn.

And remember, while these destinations are certainly worthy of a trip all their own, they each make wonderful extensions to a larger itinerary. If your future travels take you to Jordan, Morocco, India, Namibia, or Chile, be sure to consider a stay in the desert. You won’t regret it.

Start Dreaming Today

It’s never too early to begin dreaming about your next dream destination, wherever your adventure-thirsty heart takes you. Give yourself something amazing to look forward to.

Now is a great time to start planning your future journey. And for all the latest Wandermust discoveries, sign up for our newsletter, The Wandermust Journal.

Special Considerations

Given the pandemic, at the time of publication some of the destinations listed here may not yet be readily open for U.S. travelers. It’s important to note that any travel in the foreseeable future should be considerate of the CDC’s current guidelines, as well as the requirements/restrictions of both your home country and any country that you are considering traveling to. Travel is complicated right now, and that will remain the case for some time.

We encourage all travelers to adhere to all recommended/required protocols and to travel safely for themselves and others.

There is also no universal set of standards or rules among airlines, hotels, accommodations, travel providers, etc. As such, protocols vary across the industry.

Circumstances are continually changing, and new information is being made available daily. So it is important to always stay tuned on the latest developments, right up to the time of travel.