Deserts are the most alien landscapes on Earth -- vast silence, impossible star skies, and a beauty that rewards those who come prepared.
The Great Deserts
Sahara (Morocco)
Erg Chebbi: golden dunes to 150m, camel treks, desert camps. $40-100/night. October-April only.
Wadi Rum (Jordan)
"Valley of the Moon." Filming location for The Martian and Dune. Jeep tours + Bedouin camps $40-80.
Atacama (Chile)
World's driest desert. Valle de la Luna, El Tatio Geysers at dawn, Salar de Atacama with flamingos, and unbelievable stargazing.
Namib (Namibia)
World's oldest desert. Sossusvlei dunes up to 325m. Deadvlei: 900-year-old dead trees against orange dunes. The most photographed landscape in Africa.
Thar (India/Rajasthan)
Jaisalmer golden sandstone fort rising from the desert. Camel safaris from Khuri village.
Practical Advice
Health
- 4-6 liters of water per day in hot deserts
- Deserts can drop 20-30C between day and night
- Don't wander from camps -- sand dunes are disorienting
Photography
- Extended golden hour in flat terrain
- Night sky: tripod + long exposure reveals the Milky Way
- Protect gear from sand with sealed bags
Camping
- Quality sleeping bag rated for cold (desert nights ARE cold)
- Sleeping under stars: some camps offer outdoor beds
- The silence is complete. Genuinely transformative
The Desert Mindset
Go expecting nothing. The scale of landscape, completeness of silence, and night sky with zero light pollution are quietly transformative.