Best Desert Hikes Worldwide: Our Top 11

1.Real Adventure – Gareja & Rainbow Desert 4×4 + Hike

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 464 reviews · 9 - 10 hours · from $44Our pick

Ride a 4x4 from Tbilisi into Georgia’s semi-desert, hike the colorful hills by Mravaltskaro Lake, visit St. John cave monastery and David Gareja, then stop for Georgian food in Udabno. Small groups, guides such as Koba, Salomea, and Nini, and skilled off-road drivers make this a full, active day.

“This was the best tour I went on all week. Even though I get motion sick, I was able to do this trip without feeling that sickness. It can get bumpy but the view is so worth it. Sali was my guide and she was so peppy and knowledgeable. I was amazed at the ease she could go up and down the rainbow mountains and how she patiently waited for me to get up and down. She felt more like a friend than a tour guide talking at us which I loved”

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2.Private Tour to Oasis and Trekking in the Desert of Erg Chigaga

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 115 reviews · from $614Best guided

Travel privately from Marrakech to Morocco’s remote Erg Chigaga dunes with a driver-guide such as Ali or Mustafa. Visit Ait Benhaddou, Ouarzazate, the Draa Valley, and M’Hamid, then spend two nights in a Berber desert camp with camel trekking, nomadic lunch, music, and starry skies. Three dinners and breakfasts plus one lunch are included.

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3.Palm Springs Hike to an Oasis and Amazing Desert Views

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 106 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $67

Join Carlos of Trail Ahead for a 2.5-hour, moderately paced hike on quieter Palm Springs trails. Expect about 800 feet of climbing, rocky ground, sweeping Coachella Valley views, a small palm oasis, bottled water, a granola bar, and practical lessons about desert plants and Cahuilla traditions. Groups are limited to 10.

“Really enjoyed the 5 mile hike! Carlos was a great tour guide and the views of Palm Springs and the neighboring cities were beautiful. Definitely for experienced hikers but would do it again for a good workout!”

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4.Full Day Desert Tour, Jeep & Hiking

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 98 reviews · from $100

Set out from Wadi Rum Village at 10 a.m. for a six to eight-hour jeep tour through Wadi Rum. A local guide takes you to Lawrence’s Spring, Khazali Canyon, rock bridges, Mushroom Rock, sand dunes, and a desert lunch, with a 40-minute hike through Abu Khashaba Canyon. Groups are capped at six.

“Wadi Rum Magic Tours was fantastic. The tour and the guide were amazing. Wadi Rum is a beautiful place with much to see and the guide made sure we got to see everything. He would let you spend as much time as you wanted at each location. He was extremely flexible, helpful and courteous. I would highly recommend this tour to anyone interested.”

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5.8-Day Morocco Adventure: Imperial Cities & Sahara Desert Trek

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 37 reviews · from $825

Travel by private air-conditioned vehicle from Casablanca through Rabat, Chefchaouen, Volubilis, Meknes, Fez, the Atlas Mountains, Erg Chebbi, Ait Ben Haddou, and Marrakech. You’ll ride a camel to a private desert tent, enjoy two camp dinners, and tour Fez and Marrakech with local guides.

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6.2 Days Desert Agafay and Atlas Mountains Trek From Marrakech

★★★★★★★★★★3.8 · 33 reviews · 2 days · from $100

Travel from Marrakech into the Atlas Mountains for a three-hour village walk, waterfall visit, Berber meals, and one night in a mountain riad. The next day brings a camel ride and lunch in the Agafay Desert before returning to Marrakech. Small groups, multilingual guides, transport, and meals are included, but confirm the day-by-day plan before departure.

“Excursion absolument incroyable mais organisation complètement aléatoire. Nous étions les seuls à dormir à la montagne et le reste du groupe faisait l’aller retour dans la journée, nous avons donc été un peu délaissé par les organisateurs (dont on ignorons encore l’identité). La beauté des paysages et la gentillesse des habitants sont imbattables, mais le programme n’a pas du tout été respecté nous avons fais la balade à chameau et le désert d’Agafay le premier jour au lieu du deuxième laissant place à l’inconnu pour le reste du séjour, nous avons donc dû forcé pour savoir ce que nous allions faire le 2eme jour et comment nous rentrerions et où…”

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7.Amazing Two-Hour Guided Hike in the Sonoran Desert

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 17 reviews · 2 hours · from $125

Spend two hours hiking the Phoenix Mountains Preserve with a small group of up to 10 people and an English-speaking guide such as Michael, Jay, Doug, or Kyndle. Follow switchbacks toward a mountain saddle or Cholla Peak, learn about Sonoran Desert plants and geology, and look across Phoenix, Scottsdale, Camelback Mountain, and more than 40 miles of desert.

“Cooper was a great guide. He was very knowledgeable about the area and everything we saw surrounding it. This was great activity for small groups, Going into this, I was a little bit nervous about hiking in the heat, but it was a really enjoyable hike, and I think if I came back, I could do something bigger and a little bit more challenging next time. I really enjoyed this evening sunset hike.”

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8.San Pedro de Atacama: Desert Tour with Canyoning & Trekking

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 13 reviews · 6 hours · from $189

From San Pedro de Atacama, you’ll ride 25 minutes by SUV to a canyon reached by a medium-difficulty archaeological trail. Guides Gary and Sebastian teach four rappels through waterfalls and cliffs, with time to jump into clear pools and learn about local Indigenous culture, plants, and wildlife.

“Such a fun, adventurous way to spend a day in Atacama! It was our first time doing something like this and we really enjoyed it. Great guides!”

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9.Sonoran Desert Guided Sunset Hike

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 11 reviews · 2 hours · from $125

Meet your guide near Phoenix Mountains Preserve and follow a scenic Sonoran Desert trail toward a mountain saddle. Guides such as Steve Hill, Jay, Matthew, and Cha Cha explain plants, rock formations, and local ecology while you climb switchbacks above Phoenix, Scottsdale, Camelback Mountain, and Piestewa Peak. Water, packs, snacks, and post-hike refreshments are included.

“This was the second time I've done this hike, but the first with my husband. Our guide, DiaLinda AKA Cha Cha, made the trip so enjoyable and as educational as the first time. Cha Cha really knows her stuff about the area, the trails, the vegetation. She has a great energy, and we really enjoyed hiking with her. She also took amazing posed and candid pictures of us along the way that I was happy to share with family and friends and social media. Finally, in advance of the hike, Cha Cha had great communication with us. She also asked if we were celebrating anything special, and I commented on…”

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10.Full-Day Hiking in Wadi Rum’s Desert with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 8 reviews · from $70

Start in Wadi Rum Village with a Bedouin hiking guide whose route can match your ability. Walk past Lawrence’s Spring, a desert map, soft sand dunes, Khazali Canyon, and the Little Bridge. A traditional Bedouin lunch and tea are served in mountain shade during the six-hour outing.

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11.Fiji Adventure: Biausevu Waterfall & Dunes hiking Combo Tour!

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 8 reviews · from $139

Travel from Denarau Island with a professional guide such as Anand or Valentine’s team for an eight-hour journey to Biausevu Waterfall, Baravi Handcrafts, and Sigatoka Sand Dunes. Expect forest trails, stream crossings, swimming, kava tasting, local crafts, and a school visit. Hotel pickup, entry fees, and drop-off are included.

“Anand was an excellent tour guide. I would highly recommend this tour. It was a great way to see the southwestern part of the island.”

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