7 Desert Landscapes That Feel Otherworldly

Rooplekha Das

Atacama Desert, Chile

A Martian-like expanse, the Atacama is one of the driest places on Earth. Salt flats, crimson valleys, and steaming geysers create a landscape so alien, it has doubled for Mars on film sets.

Atacama Desert, Chile | Unsplash

Namib Desert, Namibia

The world’s oldest desert stretches along Namibia’s Atlantic coast, a kaleidoscope of colour from ghostly whites to deep burnt orange dunes. Surreal landscapes of Deadvlei and towering dunes make it feel almost alien.

Namib Desert, Namibia | Unsplash

Sahara Desert, North Africa

Spanning 11 countries, the Sahara’s endless sandscapes conceal lush oases and ancient ruins. Its golden dunes, dramatic sunsets, and nomadic cultures lend it an epic, almost cinematic grandeur.

Sahara Desert, North Africa | Unsplash

Antarctic Desert, Antarctica

The planet’s largest desert, Antarctica is a frozen wilderness of endless white, jagged ice cliffs, and unique wildlife. Its stark, inhospitable beauty feels both humbling and out of the world.

Antarctic Desert, Antarctica | Freepik

Wadi Rum, Jordan

Known as the Valley of the Moon, Wadi Rum mesmerises with rose-red sandstone cliffs, vast plains, and ancient petroglyphs. Camel rides across its glowing sands feel like a journey through time itself.

Wadi Rum, Jordan | Unsplash

Simpson Desert, Australia

Australia’s sea of parallel red dunes stretches over 176,000 sq km. Sunsets cast a fiery glow, turning every ridge into a surreal ocean of molten colour, best admired from the iconic Big Red dune.

Simpson Desert, Australia | Unsplash

Thar Desert, India

A living desert, the Thar combines golden sands with vibrant culture. Camels traverse the dunes at sunset, and forts rise dramatically from flat plains, blending natural wonder with centuries of human history.

Thar Desert, India | Unsplash

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