Do you crave solitude and tranquility in a place where vast skies hang over views that stretch for miles, where crowds of people are unheard of?
If you’re done following the herd to the beach or ski slopes and really want to escape the modern world, you might consider exploring one of the world’s deserts. Bonus: It’s unlikely to rain.
A fifth of the Earth’s landmass is designated desert—places that receives less than 10 inches (25 centimeters) of precipitation a year. From stargazing in Chile’s Atacama Desert to exploring the sand cathedrals of Chad, desert adventures can be had on every continent. Here are eight of the best:
Ancient Sands: Namib Desert
Barely changed in more than 2 million years, the 81,000 square kilometers of ever-shifting grit and sand make the Namib—translated as “Vast Place”—one of the world’s largest desert environments. Coastal fog provides just enough life-giving moisture to plants and animals adapted to the harsh conditions.
This nine-night trip, led by an expert naturalist guide, ticks a lot of boxes. From trekking in the Sossusvlei—which claims to have the world’s highest sand dunes—to exploring the eerie shipwrecks along the Skeleton Coast and tracking the desert-adapted black rhinoceros in the rugged Palmwag Concession, the Namib proves that emptiness needn’t mean a lack of adventure.
Namibia’s Desert and Coast, Wildlife Worldwide: 9 nights, from $7,528 per person
Tough Trip: Ennedi Desert
Northern Chad is probably not at the top of your vacation list; it’s difficult to get to, with little infrastructure and even less comfort. But the Unesco World Heritage Site of the Ennedi Massif, in the middle of the Sahara, is something to behold. Wind and water have sculpted the sandstone plateau into extraordinary rock formations, including the stunning 120-meter-high Aloba Arch.
In the region’s south you’ll find the Ennedi’s desert ponds, or gueltas, home to desert crocodiles. Add local markets and chance encounters with the nomadic Tubu people and their camel caravans, and the region is ripe for exploration. But glampers beware: The terrain is tough, and accommodation is seriously no-frills.
Sand Cathedrals and Camel Caravans, Chad: Steppes Travel, 15 nights, from $4,050 per person
Bespoke Beauty: Sahara Desert
If you can’t bear the thought of slumming in the sand, this lies at the other end of the comfort spectrum. With Black Tomato’s personalized “Blink” service, you can customize practically every detail of your trip to the Erg Chegaga sand dunes in Morocco’s southern Sahara region. From the dinner menu to the décor of your tent, every detail is yours to dream up.