10 sublime holiday destinations in the desert

Because the deserts are not just endless stretches of sand, discover our top 10 of the most beautiful holiday destinations in the desert.

Do you want to escape the excitement of the city and exile yourself in the heart of a desert landscape? Offer a calm bracket and enjoy it to recharge the batteries? We offer you to explore 10 sublime holiday destinations in the desert.

Discover destinations that will meet your escape needs while meeting local cultures. Whether on the African, Asian, American and even European continent, you will enjoy breathtaking landscapes to refocus on yourself.

And for those who would still like to stay connected during their holidays, you must know that the use of the internet in the desert can sometimes be dangerous. Thus, to navigate in peace, do not hesitate to promote the use of a VPN .

1. Wadi Rum Jordan

Wadi Rum, also named Wadi Ram (but pronounced Wadi Rom), is a desert not like others. Situated south of the Jordan , two hours from Petra, it reveals exceptional colors. This holiday destination in the desert will give you a spectacular spectacle to the levers and sunsets. Indeed, yellow and white colors will then be projected under your eyes marvelled.

In the heart of this desert, accompanied by the Bedouin people, you can also admire many tourist sites. Thus, you will discover the seven pillars of wisdom, the ruins of the Nabatean temple or the Khazali Canyon . Once the night has fallen, you will also be able to lift your eyes to the sky in order to appreciate the grandiose view offered on the Milky Way.

Alone or accompanied during an organized tour, the activities will not be missed during your next holidays in the Wadi Rum Desert.

2. The Sahara Morocco

If you are planning a trip to the Sahara, you must first know one thing: this desert extends over 9 million km2, and represents the third largest desert in the world after the Arctic and the Antarctic. So you will need to make a more precise choice regarding your next holiday destination in the desert!

Extreme hiking enthusiasts will find their happiness here, confronting endless orange sand dunes. Starting from Ouarzazate , in 4×4, you can enjoy this desert by car or on the back of camels and dromedaries. The discovery of the Sahara Desert is then made with the Drâa Valley, the river irrigating with multiple oasis.

By meeting the Berber people, you will also have the opportunity to discover the traditional Moroccan cuisine , which will enchant your next holiday in the desert.

3. Liwa in the United Arab Emirates

Larger than France (650,000 km2), the Liwa Desert is as inhospital as it is attractive. Indeed, he who bears the name of his main oasis is now empty of all fauna and flora, so the climate is almost arid throughout the year.

Yet, its dunes (the highest in the world) still attract some brave visitors every year. In addition, its many tourist attractions make it an ideal holiday destination in the desert. You can thus visit many Bedouin villages, learn to hunt with the faucons, initiate archery and obviously give you to the camels and dromedary back hikes.

Finally, we particularly recommend the visit of the fortress of Jabbanah and its three towers, for a visit filled with historical anecdotes.

4. Namib in Namibia

The Namib Desert, extending over 2,000 kilometres long, is one of the oldest deserts in the world. And if, first of all, it seems that all its ribs and dunes are similar, it is nothing! It is when we look more closely at his history and geography that we understand why it is worth visiting.

Indeed, you will be able to discover Sossusvlei the place where fauna and flora join in the middle of the desert. When the rain falls on Namib, the plateau fills with water and effectively attracts the animals of the region that come in mass to drink there, for a magical show. You can then move to Fish River Canyon , which will offer you a sublime view of the surroundings.

Then move to the Skéleton , where the desert joins the ocean and thus offers you the view of the most beautiful ship wrecks of all ages. Finally, stay in Lüderitz, a small town founded in the 19th century by German explorers, and take the forms of a Bavarian village.

5. Atacama in Chile

Looking for an ideal holiday destination in the desert? The Atacama will necessarily meet your expectations! Here, it is not a sandy desert that really awaits you, but it is a desert. And in this place where the rocks replace the dunes, it is an exceptional stay that offers to you!

Indeed, if the climate conditions are hostile, oscillating between the very cold and the very hot, in an atmosphere always arid, the local flora has been able to adapt to avoid losing its rights. This is how we find on site a particular biodiversity provided. To discover it in its entirety, it is several months of travel that will be necessary for you... But reassure yourself, you can still discover a large part in just a few days.

For this, we advise you to move towards San Pedro , the enchanted village, before taking the direction of Sel . Then follow the valley of the Moon to enjoy an exceptional view, before returning to the vicinity of San Pedro, in the valley of death... A last thrill guaranteed for your holidays in the desert.

6. Red Center in Australia

If Australia is covered to 90% of desert, that of the red center is to be visited at any cost! Also named Red Center in English, it bears its name particularly well, in view of the red earth covering it and coloring the entire region of this particular complexion. Moreover, this land is at the origin of the rustic coat of the kangaroos.

Like the country, the red central desert is particularly large, and cannot be visited in its entirety: you must make choices! For example, you can start your visit by the Uluru , the mythical Australian rock placed at UNESCO World Heritage since 1984. Then go to the assault Kata Tjuta , the round-headed mountains, before discovering the region Alice Springs then. King Canyon .

Our little plus? Try to debust Glen Hélène Gorge , in order to take the time of a small bathing inside it.

7. Gobi in Mongolia

Unique in the world, the Gobi Desert is both the largest in Asia, with more than 1,300,000 km2, but also the coldest! Indeed in winter, its temperatures can descend to... – 40°C! If one can think that the Gobi Desert is an ideal destination to enjoy long stretches of sands and dunes at a loss of sight, it is nothing. The largest desert in Asia is only covered by 5% sand!

Thus, during your holidays in the Gobi Desert, you will explore more rocky roads in search of the Mongol families. You will discover them Flaming Cliffs , cliffs dug by water and wind, as well as exceptional valley of eagles .

For lovers of sands and walks don't worry about it, you can still enjoy the sand dune Khongoryn to ease your desires!

8. Thar in India

As a refuge for alopecia, gazelles, lynx and foxes in the desert, the Thar Desert stretches over 200,000 km2 north of India. Although it is nicknamed “the country of death”, the Thar Desert is not without resources, allowing fauna and flora to cohabit.

By living the holiday experience in the Thar Desert as a local, you can sleep in the desert, after long walks with camels or dromedaries. You will then discover a very special culture, whose customs and customs will surprise you. Indeed, the small remote villages taking place in this desert immensity will welcome you, the time of a drink or a meal, and will share with you their secrets. A unique and unforgettable experience...

9. Bardenas Spain

If you are told that it is not necessary to travel to the other end of the world to spend your vacation in the desert, but that the Spain Can you offer such landscapes? It is in the region of Navarre, not far from the city of Tuleda, that actually takes place the desert of Bardenas!

Constituted with clays and rigors that have been eroded for several million years, the desert today offers atypical landscapes reminiscent of those of Nevada in the United States. If the weather is dry in the summer, you can still enjoy green landscapes in spring and autumn, for a stunning show.

10. Sonora in the United States

Renowned for its saguaro cactus with an elongated shape up to 5 meters high, the Sonora Desert is certainly the best known in North America. extending from California to Arizona to the north of Mexico , it is every year visited by millions of travelers. If it is particularly arid once summer temperatures are reached, it nevertheless offers exceptional vegetation in March and April.

If it is not a sandy desert like the Sahara, the Sonora is just as impressive, and we can only advise you to spend your next vacation in this desert.