Travel

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Bucket List: 11 Amazing Desert Escapes

Deserts are primarily known for their tough conditions, from extreme temperatures to barren terrain and limited accessibility, but – looking at the water canteen half full – they also offer some of the starriest skies, most unique wildlife, most memorable sunsets and most ethereal landscapes in the world, not to mention a giant dose of vitamin D. Whether you’re considering a journey that could transform your perspective, or just looking to take a break from the maddening masses, these amazing barrens promise an escape from the ordinary.

By María Elisa Gómez Sosa

Travel

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Bucket List: 11 Amazing Desert Escapes.

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Tatacoa Desert, Colombia – As the second-largest barren territory in the incredible destination that is Colombia, the Tatacoa Desert, about a one-hour flight from Bogotá, has made a name for itself with its strikingly bright ochre and terracotta tones, its peaks and canyons, and its wide biodiversity. From eight-metre-tall cacti forests to fossil exploration paths, labyrinthine hiking trails, and natural pools fed by groundwater, there’s a lot to keep you busy here during the day. But the sun setting isn’t so bad, either, as the desert becomes an astronomical observatory by night, thanks to its year-round clear skies free of light pollution. Multiple camping (and glamping) options are the icing on the cake.

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Bucket List: 11 Amazing Desert Escapes.

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Arches National Park, USA – With over 2,500 sandstone arches, Arches National Park in southeastern Utah is home to some of the world’s most impressive natural structures and the largest concentration of arches. Most tourists prefer to explore the park by car or bike – which can be done in one day – but the site also offers short, easy, well-marked walking trails with astounding views, including a canyon maze, towering sandstone fins and one of the longest rock arches in the world. The 15-metre-high Delicate Arch, a hikers’ favourite, is a must-see, especially if you can make it there for sunset. Bed down in the nearby town of Moab for a few more days of exploration – from rafting in the Colorado River, to mountain biking and canyoneering, or even staying in desert campsites or modern bungalows with beautiful views.

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Bucket List: 11 Amazing Desert Escapes.

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Sossusvlei, Namibia – Considered the oldest and driest desert in the world, the Namib Desert is also home to the highest dunes and some incredibly adaptive fauna and flora, making it a natural wonderland for visitors. The main attraction? Sossusvlei, a salt and clay pan surrounded by high orange and red dunes. Visit Big Daddy and Dune 7 – two 325- and 388-metre-high dunes (two of the highest in the world) that offer magical views of the entire Namib Desert. Deadvlei is another highlight, a white clay pan that offers an impressive contrast of colours thanks to the dried black camel thorn woods, white clay grounds and reddish dunes. After exploring the area (you’ll need at least one full day), and before relaxing under a seriously dark night sky, grab a bite at the only settlement around, Solitaire – its famous apple strudel will be worth the trip.

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Bucket List: 11 Amazing Desert Escapes.

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Wadi Rum, Jordan – If you can’t travel to Mars (yet), you’ll find the best next thing in southern Jordan. With its red, orange and pink sands, sandstone dunes and granite mountains, UNESCO World Heritage site Wadi Rum is the closest place you’ll find on Earth – which explains why it has served as the backdrop for films like The Martian, Dune and Mission to Mars. And while it boasts stunning landscapes and colourful sunsets, Wadi Rum is also an important archaeological site: over 20,000 petroglyphs and inscriptions revealing early alphabet progress have been discovered. Take a camel safari, go sandboarding or hot-air ballooning, and enjoy the stargazing show at night while relaxing inside your bubble tent.

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Bucket List: 11 Amazing Desert Escapes.

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Tabernas Desert, Spain – Experience the Spanish Wild West and “Europe’s only desert” in Tabernas Desert. Located in Almería, the area was once completely covered by the waters of the Mediterranean Sea, making it a natural paradise for geology fans: from coral reef fossils to two-million-year-old salt formations and unique phenomena of erosion, science buffs will keep themselves entertained. However, cinephiles have their own attractions, too, as its beautiful landscapes were the set for many Western films of the 1960s and ‘70s, including Clint Eastwood’s The Good, the Bad and the Ugly and A Fistful of Dollars. Tourists can visit the sets at the Oasys Mini Hollywood theme park.

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Bucket List: 11 Amazing Desert Escapes.

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Uluru, Australia – Take a 3.5-hour flight from Sydney and land in the spiritual heart of Australia: Uluru. Located in the Red Centre, Uluru is a half-a-billion-year-old, 9.4-kilometre-wide, and 348-metre-high sandstone monolith that has been sacred to Indigenous Australians for millennia – as well as a spectacular draw for tourists. Here, you can take camel rides, explore ancient rock art, go birdwatching and discover Australian culture and heritage with ranger-guided tours, or simply enjoy some downtime contemplating the gigantic red plateau that rises before you. Recharge your batteries at a luxury resort or a local campground, and don’t miss the Field of Light, a mesmerising experiential art installation by British artist Bruce Munro that covers the desert fields with 50,000 solar-powered multicoloured spindles of light. Truly magical.

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Bucket List: 11 Amazing Desert Escapes.

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White Desert, Egypt – If you picture the Sahara as the iconic orange- and beige-toned desert, you’re right… except for a small section of it. The world’s largest desert is home to White Desert National Park, considered Egypt’s best-kept secret and a must on any desert travel itinerary. Far from the beaten path, many tourists find it hard to get there – it’s a seven-hour drive from Cairo. But those who make the effort can enjoy one-of-a-kind rock formations, frost-like dunes and blinding-white soft chalky sand. Enjoy a picnic at a natural oasis, go sandboarding in the Small Sand Sea, collect stray crystals from the hydrovolcanic Crystal Mountain, and put up your “leave no trace” open-air tent for a night under the stars, as close to nature as it gets.

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Bucket List: 11 Amazing Desert Escapes.

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Painted Desert, USA – While many deserts display a more monochromatic palette, northern Arizona’s Painted Desert flaunts an abundance of colours due to its rich mineral content. From dark purples and greys to light pinks and reds that cover the rolling hills, this photogenic destination offers a surreal experience (and if you visit in the evening, its sunsets make the colours come even more alive). Enter through the Petrified Forest National Park for the best road views, and make a stop at the Museum Demonstration Lab to chat with palaeontologists about the desert’s one-of-a-kind findings. Then visit the historic landmark Painted Desert Inn, or go hiking or biking along the 240-kilometre area of vibrant badlands.

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Bucket List: 11 Amazing Desert Escapes.

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Dalí Valley, Bolivia – For breathtaking views plus a hint of art, head to southern Bolivia to visit the Dalí Valley. Named after the Spanish artist, these barren lands offer transfixing landscapes with painterly rock walls and abstract formations that resemble surrealist elements – no need to explain the relation. With comfortably low temperatures, unique fauna (including vicuñas, foxes and over 80 species of birds), and incredible tourist sites in the surroundings, like the Salar de Uyuni salt flats and Andean lagoons, it’s a must for travellers in the country. While you’re there, make a quick detour to the Licancabur Volcano right on the border between Bolivia and Chile, or a few miles further up to the better-known Atacama Desert for the full natural wonder experience.

Travel

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Bucket List: 11 Amazing Desert Escapes.

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Thar, India – Also known as the Great Indian Desert, Thar is India’s largest desert by area and biodiversity, not to mention the most populated desert in the world. Native tribes and villagers imbue the area with their fascinating culture and colourful traditions that bring those beige dunes to life (several festivals are held throughout the year, and tourists are encouraged to take part). However, if you’re looking for some quiet time, there’s plenty of opportunity: visit wildlife sanctuaries, explore the historic Jaisalmer Fort, go boating at the artificial Gadisar Lake, or join a jeep or camel safari – and after watching the magical sunsets, spend the night in a traditional tent.

Travel

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Bucket List: 11 Amazing Desert Escapes.

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Highlands of Iceland, Iceland – Although not technically a desert, the uninhabitable semi-desert region of the central Iceland Highlands is covered in dark, coarse sand formed by glacial margins and volcanic eruptions, making it a beautiful arctic lava bed. In stark contrast with the black sand beaches, you’ll also find reddish rhyolite hills, geothermal hot springs, rocky craters and thick layers of ice – all in one visit. For obvious reasons, it is highly advisable to only visit the region during summer, but while you’re there, take a tour around the Landmannalaugar mountains, known for their different shades of pink, yellow, red, green and blue, and visit the Hveradalir Geothermal Area, which includes bubbling mud pools and hiking trails for any level. You can also explore ice caves or visit the Viti crater, a lunar-like landscape in the Askja volcano. You won’t find anything more other-worldly.