Top 10 Amazing Desert Landscapes in the World | Best Desert Destination

Desert Landscapes are basically the most desolate and dry regions in the world. But most interestingly, these amazing desert destinations cover almost one-third of the world’s land surface. From magnificent sand dune fields and vast expanses of sun-reflecting salt to gargantuan rock formations.

Amazing Desert Landscapes

Of course, there are so countless great desert landscapes around the world that you can find. But here we bring out those amazing ones which are voted best for short list of 10 to visit as a tourist. The special features and whereabouts involved in these landscapes are to be detailed in this particular article.

Let’s find out, which are the best desert landscapes in the world?

10. Valle de la Luna, Chile

Valle de la Luna is one of the most fascinating deserts in the Atacama, Chile. The breathtaking desert was probably formed due to centuries of winds and floods on the sand and stone. The large sand dunes and stone formations mimic the surface of the moon. In fact, that’s the main reason behind the name of this desert landscape, which actually means “Valley of the Moon”.

The landscape has quite a unique color, which is massively caused by the way the salt formations reflect the sunlight. Valle de la Luna is unbelievably beautiful for its changing spectrum of bright blue, yellow and green colors.

Major attractions:

• Experiencing sunrise at El Tatio Geysers
• Take a trip to Chaxa Lagoon
• Miscanti and Miñiques Lagoons
• Don’t miss the amazing mud-brick buildings of San Pedro De Atacama

09. The Pinnacles Desert, Australia

You will find this beautiful desert in the Nambung National Park, Western Australia. The place has a mystical appearance due to its very unusual finger-like limestone formations among vast sand dunes. As the day changes, with the movement of the sun, these formations cast eerie shadows across the desert.

One should expect to visit the beautiful landscape in between August and October when wildflowers enhance the desert’s beauty thousand times better.

Major attractions:

• Explore the botanical paradise, Lesueur National Park
• Enjoy local seafood at Cervantes Bar & Bistro
• Visit the Hangover Bay

08. McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica

Antarctica is believed to be the largest desert in the world with an annual precipitation of only 200 mm (8 inches) along the coast. And the most extreme desert region in this even less Island is the McMurdo Dry Valleys.

Though the Valleys are nestled in an ice-covered continent, once these were ice-free for thousands of years. The unusual and harsh katabatic winds blow through the desert at speeds of up to 320 km (200 miles) per hour. The wind force is truly capable of evaporating all moisture from the region. The McMurdo Dry Valleys are considered to be the earth’s closest equivalent to the surface of Mars.

Major attractions:

• The three McMurdo Dry Valleys
• Transantarctic Mountains
• Don’t miss the astonishing glacier, the Blood Waterfall

07. Death Valley, North America

Death Valley is one of the most imposing and diverse landscapes in the world. The desert stretches across parts of Nevada and California. Being the hottest location in North America, this desert is also known as the lowest and driest one.

Death Valley has recorded temperatures as high as 130 degrees. The unique & beautiful landscape of Death Valley is like no other place in the United States and it is featured with snow-capped mountains to colorful sand dunes. It includes the scenic area of Zabriskie Point and the mysterious moving mountains of Racetrack Playa.

Major attractions:

• Driving through Death Valley National Park
• Sand Dunes near Stovepipe Wells
• Badwater Basin
• don’t miss The Race Track
• Artist’s Drive and Artist’s Palette
• Harmony Borax Works and the Sand Dunes near Stove Pipe Wells
• Twenty Mule Team Canyon
• Ubehebe Crater

06. Sinai Desert, Egypt

Now, this is one fine location you must wish to visit once. The Sinai Desert is located along Egypt’s border with Israel. This one of the major tourist destinations due to its religious history, also never forget to mention its scenic beauty. Visitors here can get the spectacular views of the desert which is contrasted by the rugged mountains and golden sand and blue skies.

This amazing desert branches out to join the beaches of the Red Sea. I think you don’t need more to know after hearing about the amazing diving waters.

Major attractions:

• Ras Mohamed National Park
• Blue Hole
• Coloured Canyon
• Ein Khudra oasis and White Canyon
• Forest of Pillars
• Valley of Inscriptions

05. Erg Chebbi, Morocco

Being one of the top tourist attractions in Morocco, Erg Chebbi dunes are located in the most well-known Sahara Desert. The awe-inspiring dunes are as high as 150 meters tall. Definitely, you will find yourself amazingly small in their huge shadows.

Excursions to the dunes normally start from the village of Merzouga. This village is located on the edge of the erg. Travelers here in the desert are offered with Camel trekking. But to be specific, this most popular option is not truly the most comfortable way of traveling.

Major attractions:

• Overnight Camel trek
• Stay at barber tent
• Sandboarding in Merzouga
• Don’t miss to Savor the local dishes

04. Sossusvlei, Namibia

Undoubtedly Sossusvlei is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Namibia. This is mostly an enormous clay pan surrounded by gigantic, red sand dunes. And of course, it is located in the Namib Desert. There is a river named Tsauchab flowing through the desert. But it hardly floods the vegetation that survives in the clay soil.

The colors of the sand dunes are constantly changing at the time of sunrise and shine. It provides an opportunity for photographers. The wind here in this desert is also fierce, which continually alter the shape and texture of the dunes. Probably that’s one of the main reason, people call it the ever-changing desert landscape in the world.

Major attractions:

• Explore the Namib-Naukluft National Park, Deadvlei
• The 3km-long, 30m-deep Sesriem Canyon
• Visit the spectacular red dune, Elim Dune

03. Nazca Desert, Peru

The Nazca Desert is one of those exceptional deserts that occupies a strip along the northern Pacific coast. The famous Nazca Lines are located between the towns of Nazca and Palpa. According to historians reference, it was created between 200 BC and 700 AD the figures range from simple lines to stylized spiders, monkeys, fish, llamas, lizards, and human figures.

Unbelievably the lines were created on such a large scale that before 1920’s it was impossible to recognize the figures. When Peruvian airlines started to fly from Lima to Arequipa, the world got to know the figures in this third of the most beautiful desert landscapes in the world. The dry, windless, stable climate of the Nazca Desert has helped keep the lines uncovered to the present time.

Major attractions:

• Fly over the lines
• Marvel at the Cantalloc Aqueduct
• Visit the Cahuachi pyramid
• Discover the story of Maria Reiche
• You can Climb Cerro Blanco

02. Wadi Rum, Jordan

The Wadi Rum valley is famous for featuring wildlife and remarkable rock formations. The desert is actually located in the country of Jordan. Most definitely you can always enlist this valley in you tourism plan.

You can ride a camel or horse across the amazing desert and camp out under the clear, star-filled sky. One can also practice rock-climbing skills on the vast rock formations. Here, Jabal Rum is the second-highest peak in Jordan and that can meet the purpose well for the adventurists.

Major attractions:

• Camel rides can be done at the end of a Jeep tour
• Walk up to the Al-Shallaleh Spring above the Rum Village
• Visit the Al Hasany Dunes
• Don’t miss the incredible Alameleh Inscriptions

01. Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia

The Salar de Uyuni desert is located in the remarkable mountain ranges, Andes of Bolivia. It is undoubtedly the largest salt flat in the world. And probably that creates an unending white landscape during the dry season.

But I would suggest you take a ride there in the rainy season. It is most breathtaking when it is covered in water. The reflection of the blue sky creates an even more surreal landscape. But watching the salt is also not that less good!!

Major attractions:

• Visit the spectacular Isla Incahuasi
• Cementerio de trenes
• Don’t miss the breathtaking stargazing
• Visit planet Crait
• Tunupa volcano