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Travelers who desire a stay in the Gobi desert should stay in a traditional ger, or yurt, for an authentic experience. The circular dwellings have been the main style of home there for centuries, and are deeply symbolic of Mongolian life and culture.
Their portable nature suits the nomadic lifestyle that's the norm in Mongolia. A ger is also the perfect base from which to explore the expansiveness of the desert.
Make sure your ger is based within reach of the legendary Flaming Cliffs of the Gobi desert, a site where dinosaur eggs were uncovered just a few years ago.
The remote landscapes of southern Tunisia are home to some of the world's best examples of troglodyte architecture. Dating back to the time of the Phoenicians, to this day, people still live underground there.
Carved into the Earth, these incredible homesteads offer a glimpse of past and present, a window into an enduring way of life.
Visibility is so good that the world-leading ALMA Observatory—the largest astronomical project in existence—was founded here. Free guided tours take place on Saturdays and Sundays, with pre-registration required.
Nestled between the Andes mountain range and the Pacific Ocean, the Atacama desert is one of the most unforgiving—and driest—deserts in the world.
While it's not a sand desert, it retains the typical desert qualities of remoteness and desolation. Here, silence is broken only by the intermittent grumble of breaking glaciers or icebergs.
Antarctica is home to some wonderful wildlife. A camping expedition could bring you into closer contact with native penguins, among other species such as albatrosses, seals, or seabirds.
The engulfing whiteness of the Antarctic might not be the first place you consider camping. However, some visiting ships offer the option.
After a day of outdoor activities in Wadi Rum, watch the spectacular sunset give way to a stunning Arabian night, with a stay in a Martian dome tent.
People come from all over the world to rock climb at the Wadi Rum, or to go on adventures hiking, biking, or on camelback. In spring, the red sands come alive with colorful wildflowers.
The expansive Wadi Rum Desert, also known as "The Valley of the Moon," was famously the setting for Lawrence of Arabia's exploits. The desert boasts 300 square miles of spectacular rock formations as well as historical sites at nearby Petra.
The Outback desert outpost of Alice Springs is the gateway to discover what was once known as Ayers Rock, the magnificent Uluru, in its dramatic, ochre-sand surroundings.
Alice Springs lies a short drive away (in Outback terms) of just five and a half hours, through Australia's epic Red Center.
Whether by campervan, four-wheel drive, or motorcycle, the dramatic scenery makes the trip a must-do from Australia's Simpson Desert westwards, to the sacred, 550 million-year-old Uluru site.
The colossal, breathtaking dunes are worth climbing to witness a sunset with a difference in Morocco's Erg Chebbi, where the Sahara Desert rises.
The rising and setting sun alters the color of the sand dunes, switching by the second between yellow tones. If you don't want to climb it yourself, why not get a lift with a camel instead?
Alternatively, a four-wheel drive vehicle will give thrill-seekers the opportunity to dune-bash too, against the landscape's stunning backdrop.
The Kalahari is home to wildlife species including lions, cheetahs, leopards, giraffes, hyenas, eagles, springboks, ostriches, wildebeasts, and antelopes, amongst others.
The sandy savannah of the Kalahari Desert stretches for 350,000 square miles (900,000 square kilometers). Filled with wildlife, it takes up much of Botswana as well as parts of Namibia and South Africa.
Take a game drive through rolling grasslands and deep, sandy plains for a good chance at glimpsing many of Africa's more elusive wildlife here.
A 'cold' desert, the almost treeless landscape contains wide, deep valleys, bookended by towering cliffs. Climbers will find much to enjoy here, while canyons can provide exhilarating experiences for adventure enthusiasts.
Start your 4WD journey in the Alpine city of Bariloche. it's just a three-hour drive from where the Patagonian Desert begins, and it means you can also take in the beauty of the Argentinian Lake District en route.
The Patagonian tableland in Argentina receives almost no rainfall, and has a steppe-like appearance making it perfect for four-wheel driving.
Get 360-degree views of the apricot dunes of Namibia's Sossusvlei Desert (and get the best photographs) from above with a flight in a hot air balloon.
At the Sossusvlei Desert, there is a beautiful contrast between sand, sky, and (in some areas) salt pan. Here the dunes can reach up to 400 meters, to spectacular visual effect.
Although the area's conditions are remarkably harsh, the region is still home to several species of flora and fauna: just one more reason why it's worth making the journey to see!
Sources: (Audley Travel) (Arch Daily) (Rethinking the Future) (Sossuvlei.org) (Britannica) (Northern Territory) (Forbes)
See also: Famous movies set in the desert
This labyrinth of Berber dwellings is a testament to the adaptability and resourcefulness of the region's settlers, who created them in perfect harmony with the natural environment.
High altitudes, remarkably clear skies, and a barren landscape make the Atacama a wonderful spot for skygazers. Stars, planets, and nebulas are clearly visible here at night.
The vast majesty of the desert has long captivated the most intrepid travelers. There are few natural environments that can inspire as much awe as the unique, unusual, and undeniably mystical desert landscape. From burnt red sands to bleached snow and temperate tableland, the world's deserts are diverse and home to an array of plant, animal, and mineral life. If you crave wide open spaces and destinations with a difference, you won't regret an adventurous desert expedition.
Intrigued? Click on to explore these unforgettable desert experiences.
Extraordinary desert experiences for adventurous travelers
The deserts of the world offer a taste of the surreal for adventurers
TRAVEL Extreme
The vast majesty of the desert has long captivated the most intrepid travelers. There are few natural environments that can inspire as much awe as the unique, unusual, and undeniably mystical desert landscape. From burnt red sands to bleached snow and temperate tableland, the world's deserts are diverse and home to an array of plant, animal, and mineral life. If you crave wide open spaces and destinations with a difference, you won't regret an adventurous desert expedition.
Intrigued? Click on to explore these unforgettable desert experiences.