The desert is a natural ecosystem that fascinates everyone who visits it, especially if they know what to focus on and how to make the most of the experience. And that is what Mandala Tours agencies are specialized in: here we show you some spectacular deserts that are part of our circuits or that, if you wish, we can integrate into a fully customized trip.
Wadi Rum in Jordan, a World Heritage Site
We open our list of spectacular deserts with Wadi Rum, in Jordan. And we do not do it by chance: it is the only one in this list that has been declared Intangible Heritage of Humanity by Unesco. Its landscape of bare, reddish mountains, unlikely sand bridges and canyons with petroglyphs are simply unique. In addition, it is closely related to Lawrence of Arabia, which makes it more suggestive.
Sahara Desert, Morocco
The Sahara Desert is the largest desert in the world and crosses many countries in Africa. With Mandala Tours you can discover some of its most beautiful fractions, in the south of Morocco. In particular, its ergs or dune fields, such as Erg Chebbi (Merzouga desert) or Erg Chigaga (Zagora desert). Overnight stays in the Berber tented camps are an experience, as well as reaching them by camel or 4×4. In its surroundings, it is also possible to learn about the life of semi-nomadic families or even witness live performances by Gnawa musicians, a folklore that is also protected by Unesco.
The Negev Desert, Israel
Located in the Southern District, in the south of the country, this desert is a pleasant surprise, especially for geology lovers. Among its main attractions are its three craters, especially the makhtesh Ramon, considered one of the largest non-meteoritic crater formations in the world. It is also one of the most accessible deserts for all types of people, thanks to its good signage and other support resources, even for people with reduced mobility.
Western Desert (and its colors), Egypt
Egypt is one of the countries in the world with the most desert terrain, as it extends on both sides of the Nile, this river being the exception (despite concentrating almost all of its population in its valley). The Western Desert is the largest in the country, and is dotted with several oases of great interest: Bahariya, Siwa and Farafra, among others. In this desert there are several areas of great interest, marked by their color: the White Desert and the Black Desert. The first, dominated by white limestone, with formations in the form of natural sculptures due to the effect of erosion. The second, for its volcanic stone.
Sinai Desert, Egypt
Another of Egypt’s great deserts is the one that extends along the Sinai Peninsula: it is actually an extension of the Arabian Desert of the neighboring peninsula of the same name, and is striking for its mountainous character. This, together with the sacred sites it houses, make for a unique visit. In particular, climbing Mount Sinai (Mount Horeb for the Jews), where Moses received the Tablets of the Law. Or visit the nearby monastery of Santa Catalina, with monumental architecture and places full of symbolism, such as the Burning Bush of Moses himself.
As you can see, no two deserts are alike and all of them hide spaces full of great interest. If you want to discover them or practice fascinating activities such as yoga or stargazing, just contact us to set up a tailor-made trip.
