The 15 Best Desert Hikes

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 with guides such as Koba, Salomea, Nini, or Alex. Hike the colorful hills by Mravaltskaro Lake, visit St. John and David Gareji monasteries, stop for Georgian food in Udabno, and add wine tasting on private tours.

“I would highly recommend joining this tour. I had so much fun hiking the rainbow mountains and visiting the monasteries, plus the super cool hidden gems. Our tour guide, Salome, and the driver were super nice and friendly. Salome was super chill and not in a rush, following our hiking speed and giving us time to take pictures. He was also generous to give us some gifts by the end of the trip.”

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

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

Join Carlos of Trail Ahead for a 2.5-hour Palm Springs hike on quieter local trails. Expect rocky hills, about 800 feet of climbing, wide Coachella Valley views, a small palm oasis, Cahuilla plant lore, water, snacks, and a moderate workout.

“Carlos is an excellent guide. The hike took about 3 hours and we kept a moderate pace and all of the hikers were challenged with the incline and the pace. Carlos knows the area very well and we were able to take less traveled routes so we really had the place to ourselves for most of the hike. Carlos taught us a lot about the ecosystem and the views were amazing. I am so glad I did this hike and I would definitely recommend this hike.”

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3.Full Day Desert Tour, Jeep & Hiking

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

Spend 6 to 8 hours exploring Wadi Rum from a 4WD vehicle and on foot. This small-group tour for up to six people includes Abu Khashaba Canyon, Khazali Canyon, rock bridges, dunes, desert lunch, sunset, and a local guide sharing Bedouin traditions.

“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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4.1-2 Hour Sonoran Desert Private Guided Hiking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 76 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $70

Join Paul of Arizona Adventure Guides for a private two-hour hike from the Pima-Dynamite Trailhead in Scottsdale. Expect a flexible pace, desert plants, wildlife, snacks, water reminders, and possible route choices toward creek areas, petroglyphs, and broad views.

“My husband and I had a memorable and enjoyable hike. Paul was professional. Day before, he texted to confirm with us. On the hike he often checked on how we were doing. We hiked the entire 2 hours. Paul was friendly and knowledgeable. I would recommend to those who enjoy the outdoors and want to see Creek Cave AZ wirh a guide!”

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5.Quad Bike, Sunset, and Dinner Show in Agafay Desert

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 49 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $32

Travel from Marrakech to Agafay in an air-conditioned vehicle, visit an argan oil cooperative, ride your own quad for about 45 minutes, and watch sunset from the desert. Guides such as Hassan, Youssef, Zakaria, and Aya lead the outing, which ends with dinner, Berber music, dancing, and a fire show.

“A great trip! Ilyas was a superb guide and really helped my aunty navigate the climb up and down to the waterfalls which was very kind and much appreciated 🙂 would recommend!”

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

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

Meet your English-speaking guide at Piestewa Peak Park for a two-hour hike through the Sonoran Desert. Expect switchbacks, cactus, geology, Valley of the Sun views, water, snacks, and lightweight packs. Guides such as Michael, Jay, Doug, and Jennifer adjust the pace to the group.

“Hiking route was great, not too challenging, and the views at the top were amazing. Our guide Doug was very knowledgeable and allowed us to take the hike at our pace.”

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7.5-Day Desert Hiking Adventure from Merzouga

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 13 reviews · from $2,093

Start in Merzouga at 8:30 am for five days of walking across Erg Chebbi, dry river beds, bare mountains, old mines, and remote camps. Eva and Hassan can help shape the trip, while camels carry luggage, water, and camp supplies. You return to Merzouga on day five.

“If you want to become one with the grandiose nature of the Sahara, the beloved camels and the life of the nomads, BAT is the place for you. It was great! The hike with our small caravan led us through dreamy landscapes far away from civilizatRead more”

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8.Sonoran Desert Guided Sunset Hike

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

Meet your English-speaking guide near Phoenix Mountains Preserve for a two-hour easy to moderate sunset hike. Follow switchbacks to mountain views over Phoenix, Scottsdale, Camelback Mountain, and Piestewa Peak. Water, snacks, a backpack, park fees, and post-hike refreshments are included.

“This was a phenomenal experience. We didn’t know the tour would be private because the description didn’t include the word private. The guide Steve Hill was very attentive and made us feel safe even though this was our very first time hiking. He was also very informative and easy to understand. We loved the sights, and also we appreciated the equipment and the abundance of water that he had ready for us”

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9.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, then walk to Lawrence’s Spring, a desert map, soft sand dunes, Khazali Canyon, and a little bridge. Your guide can adjust the route to your ability, with Bedouin lunch and tea served in mountain shade.

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

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 8 reviews · from $139

Spend about eight hours exploring Biausevu Waterfall and Sigatoka Sand Dunes with hotel pickup, a professional guide, kava tasting, a school visit, and time at Baravi Handcrafts. Guide Anand has earned praise for flexible timing. Bring water, bug spray, and sturdy water-friendly footwear.

“Had a great time going to Biausevu Waterfall and visiting the dunes on the Coral Coast. Would highly recommend bringing aqua socks or similar footware for walk to the waterfall for the seven stream crossings along the way. Also enjoyRead more”

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11.Atlas Adventure, Hike, Camel Ride &desert & lunch

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 7 reviews · 1 day · from $22Best value

Spend a full day from Marrakech visiting the Atlas Mountains, Imlil Valley, Berber villages, and Agafay Desert. Hike to waterfalls, eat lunch in a local home, visit an argan oil cooperative, and finish with a 40-minute camel ride. Guides speak English, French, Spanish, or Arabic.

“The private trip with Reda was more than we expected. He showed us around Ourika and Imlil giving us the possibility to chose freely where to go. Reda is a layed back, funny and simpathetic guy, who knows everything about the local culture. His english and french is on point and he even gave us some basic lessons of Berber language during the car ride. Moreover he proved that he knows the region like his own pocket. The Camel ride, the tee at the valley of Ourika, the olive oil, honey, argan and amlou tasting at a local women's cooperative, the hiking tour in Imlil to the waterfalls and the…”

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12.Agafay Desert Camel Ride And Atlas Mountains Hike

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 7 reviews · from $94

Join a guide such as Hassan for a six-hour small-group trip from Marrakech to Imlil Valley. Visit mountain villages, eat a full Moroccan lunch in a local home, see waterfalls, then ride a camel near Agafay Desert and Kik Plateau.

“Great trip with our tour guide Hassan. He was friendly, great English and told us everything about life in the Atlas Mountains.”

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13.Sunrise Guided Desert Hike in Los Cabos

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 5 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $69

Start at 7:00 am with hotel pickup, then ride off-road to Deer-Cliff Point for a guided Baja Desert hike. Guides such as Pablo or Alex explain cactus, medicinal plants, and local wildlife before you reach the Arch of San Cristobal. Lunch, water, and bilingual guiding are included.

“Awesome experience our driver, hiking guide, and photographer were all friendly and accommodating! Had a great time”

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14.Port Stephens, from Newcastle: Whales, hike & sand dunes!

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews · 8h 30m · from $184

You’ll ride from Newcastle in an air-conditioned van, hike 2.2km up Mount Tomaree or take a flat coastal walk, cruise for migrating humpback whales, eat lunch at the Game Fish Club, and view Birubi Point’s huge moving dunes.

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15.Desert Classic Guided Hike | Amazing Scenery!

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · 2 hours · from $145

Join a certified Mad Desert Trekking guide for a five-mile loop in Scottsdale’s McDowell Sonoran Preserve. You’ll climb switchbacks to a mountain saddle, learn about Sonoran Desert plants and geology, and enjoy water, snacks, and summit refreshments at your own pace.

“Jay was EXCELLENT! We couldn’t have been paired up with anyone better! This was our first real hike and he made us feel very safe! He was very genuine in wanting to get to know us and making sure to check on us periodically during the hike! I would recommend this company and Jay without reservation.”

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