From sweaty adventures to stylish stays, deserts just got interesting
From sweaty adventures to stylish stays, deserts just got interesting
All that sand, heat, and the distinct possibility of discovering what dehydration really feels like. But beyond the clichés and cracked lips lies a world of surprisingly cool experiences.
Soak in Chilean hot springs that feel like nature’s jacuzzi, try not to face-plant off a sandboard in Peru, or float silently above Oman in a hot air balloon while trying not to drop your phone. Throw in a technicolour desert festival in India that puts Coachella to shame, and a stay at Morocco’s most photogenic luxury camp, and suddenly, “I’m heading to the desert,” sounds a lot more like a flex than a farewell.
WE ARE ALL A LITTLE WEIRD.
All that sand, heat, and the distinct possibility of discovering what dehydration really feels like. But beyond the clichés and cracked lips lies a world of surprisingly cool experiences.
Soak in Chilean hot springs that feel like nature’s jacuzzi, try not to face-plant off a sandboard in Peru, or float silently above Oman in a hot air balloon while trying not to drop your phone. Throw in a technicolour desert festival in India that puts Coachella to shame, and a stay at Morocco’s most photogenic luxury camp, and suddenly, “I’m heading to the desert,” sounds a lot more like a flex than a farewell.
1. Take to the skies
in a hot air balloon — Oman
Waking up at stupid o’clock on your holiday suddenly feels worth it when you're floating over Oman’s desert at sunrise in a giant balloon.
Royal Balloon Oman lifts you into a floating fairy tale, where the desert transforms beneath you and every moment feels like pure magic in motion. One minute you’re sipping coffee in the dunes, the next you’re drifting silently above sandscapes that look like they’ve been Photoshopped by Mother Nature. The Al Sharqiya desert stretches out in golden ripples below you, the light’s all soft and cinematic, and you’re just... floating. No traffic, no tourists elbowing you for a selfie spot, just peace, perspective, and a ridiculous amount of awe.
It’s the kind of experience that makes you consider quitting your job and becoming a balloon pilot (don’t do it, but still). Whether you’re chasing romance, bucket list bragging rights, or just a break from the ground, this is one of those once-in-a-lifetime moments you’ll actually remember. Just hold onto your hat — it gets breezy up there.
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2. SOAK
in the Puritama Hot Springs — Chile
Feel like you’ve been bouncing around the Atacama Desert like a dehydrated tumbleweed? Then it’s time to soak your dust-covered soul in the Puritama Hot Springs.
Hidden in a canyon like a steamy little secret, these geothermal pools are the ultimate reward for surviving sunburn, altitude, and that one dodgy empanada. The water’s rich in minerals, which apparently means it can heal you, though let’s be honest, it’s mainly curing your bad mood and sore hiking legs.
The pools cascade down through a lush ravine (yes, greenery! In the desert!), and the whole place feels like nature’s version of a bougie day spa. Floating in warm, crystal-clear water while red rock cliffs tower above? You’ll feel like a smug little desert mermaid/merman in no time.
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3. Celebrate
at the Jaisalmer Desert Festival — India
Spice up your India itinerary with a pit stop in Jaisalmer for the utterly bonkers Desert Festival. Set against the backdrop of golden sand dunes and ancient forts, this three-day spectacle in February is where Rajasthan turns the drama dial up to a whopping 11 (out of 10).
Expect moustache competitions so intense they deserve their own fan clubs, camels dressed better than most people at weddings, and folk performances that will have your jaw on the floor (or at least your head bobbing along awkwardly). It’s loud, it’s proud, and it’s bursting with colour, chaos and questionable stunts involving fire.
There’s even turban tying, puppet shows, and sword-fighting (like what?!?) There’s absolutely no doubt you’ll leave this celebration sunburnt, sand-covered and totally smitten. Why not swap the guidebook for some desert glitter and jump headfirst into the madness? Your camera roll will never be the same.
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4. CAMP OUT
at Caravan Dakhla — Morocco
Staying at this place feels like you've stumbled into a mirage dreamed up by a very stylish nomad. Tucked between the Sahara and the sea, this boutique desert camp by Habitas is the finest example of glamping.
Think earthy Berber design, woven textures, neutral tones, and luxury that whispers rather than screams. You’ll wake up in your canvas-and-wood tent, stare out at vast golden nothingness, and seriously question your city-dwelling life choices.
Days here are a delicious blend of slow and surreal: sunrise yoga, dune hikes, desert feasts, and stargazing so good you’ll start naming constellations after yourself. Not to mention the kitesurfing, because apparently the wind here is as iconic as the design. It’s both a spiritual retreat and a boho fever dream with just enough Wi-Fi to make your friends back home jealous on Instagram.
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5. Sandboard
in Huacachina — Peru
If you’ve ever looked at a massive sand dune and thought, “Yeah, I want to yeet myself down that,” Huacachina is your spiritual home. This tiny Peruvian desert oasis is basically the Vegas of sandboarding, minus the casinos, but with camels (well, dune buggies).
Strap a board to your feet (or belly, if you’re feeling chaotic), hike up a dune that will absolutely humble your cardio fitness, and prepare for a high-speed exfoliation session straight down nature’s biggest sandpit. There’s something wildly fun about flinging yourself down a slope of hot sand while screaming with a mix of fear and delight (kind of like snowboarding, but with the potential for heatstroke).
And hey, the views are worth it: golden dunes, a mirror-like spring, and your own pride left somewhere halfway down it. Add a pisco sour afterwards, and you’ve got yourself the best Peruvian adventure.
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get in the know Some desert dunes produce eerie, deep hums or booming sounds when the sand moves. Scientists call this “singing sand.”
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