India is a land of wonders. No doubt why we love calling it incredible India. On one side where the land blooms with its rich flora and fauna, some places are vast stretches of plain deserts yet rich with their cultural surprises and experiences.
There are many places that you’d love to visit and explore in India, but visit the deserts of India is one of its own amazing experiences. Deserts not only comprises of hot sandy areas but also, cold windy valleys. India has both these deserts with its narrative tale and experiences to offer its visitors. From stone fortresses to temples and road safaris, you can enjoy so much in these places. Here’s a list of the best top deserts of India.
Popular Indian Deserts
This is the list of popular deserts in India:
| Place | Situated in | Desert Type |
|---|---|---|
| Jaisalmer | Thar Desert | Hot and Dry |
| Jodhpur | Thar Desert | Hot and Dry |
| Rann of Kutch | Thar Desert | Salt Marsh |
| Ladakh | Himalayas | Cold Desert |
| Bikaner | Thar Desert | Hot and Dry |
| Barmer | Thar Desert | Salt Marsh |
| Spiti Valley | Himalayas | Cold Desert |
1. Jaisalmer
One cannot think of any other place first other than the majestic Jaiselmer in India when it comes to beautiful golden deserts. Just about 575 km away from the city of Jaipur is the beautiful desert Jaiselmer. The beauty of the place comes from the fact that most of the temples and houses are all made up of yellow sandstone. The place has a unique golden glare signifying the brightness of the ancient royal history of Rajasthan.
Tourists usually come here to enjoy the vast dunes, camel rides, and desert safari rides. The most lively experience to try here is camping in the mud cottages and Swiss tents. Most of the people love to camp here to witness the glorious night sky full of stars and the beautiful midnight moon views.
If you are still looking for something more here, there’s the iconic Jaiselmer fort which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The desert is truly one of the most amazing golden destinations to explore in India.
2. Jodhpur
Jodhpur is a city named after the former ruler Rao Jodha. The city captures the true essence of vibrant summer beauty with almost all the buildings painted in blue color. Just 65 km away from the main city of Jodhpur is Osian which has a beautiful expansion of the desert and some historic significance temples around the place. This iconic destination is another marvelous dessert spot in India that has a lot of historic backgrounds and ancient monuments in it.
Tourists usually visit here between October and March. Don’t forget to visit the Mehrangarh Fort in Jodhpur. It is one of their iconic destinations to visit. Jodhpur is also known as, “The Gateway to Thar”.
Read more, Most haunted places in Rajasthan
3. Rann Of Kutch
Located in the lands of Gujarat, Rann of Kutch is the largest salt plain in India. The area expands over 7500 sq km approximately. The place is known to see the extreme sides of both the weather. Extreme summers and heavy rainfalls as well. People all around the world come here to enjoy the rich and vibrant colorful culture of the place.
Apart from the beautiful vast dessert stretches, Rann of Kutch is also famous for the regional festival celebrated here somewhere between December to February. You can always check for the actual dates when the government announces them yearly.
4. Ladakh
To all those who believe deserts are only hot stretches of sand and sun, this place is one of the coldest desert regions of India. The desert heaven of India, Ladakh is located on the high altitudes of Jammu and Kashmir. This place is one of the best destinations to enjoy some glacial mountains, peaceful desert valleys, and mind-blowing landscapes around.
The best part is, Ladakh always has a pleasant breeze of weather to enjoy around and during the winters, the temperature drops down to an extreme level too. When it’s spring, the climate is pleasant and when it arrives in winters, the place wraps itself in the cold blankets of snow around. You can also go on rides as the place has the largest motorable pass in the world. It’s plain, beautiful, and peaceful to visit at least once.
Read More, Best places to visit in Leh Ladakh
5. Bikaner
Bikaner is another desert of India giving grandiose golden sand stretch views for the visitors. A Rathore king had established the city in the year 1488. This city is no less than an adventure in itself. There are beautiful desert vistas, historic castles, and some famous sandstones around this city.
Most of the royal palaces now have turned into heritage hotels that offer their customers exotic Rajasthan hospitality in all the authentic vintage style. Apart from discovering and diving into the deep interesting history of the place, Bikaner is famous for camel rides as well. There is a camel farm here where one can visit to see different kinds of camel breeds here.
6. Barmer
Barmer is the 5th largest desert in India. It is full of vibrant colors, rich culture, and local festivals. Just like other deserts in Rajasthan, this place is also home to many historic sites, temples, and forts. The best thing not to miss here is the occasional local festivals which are super amazing. The small mud houses here give you some traditional feels and also a good place for some vintage photography.
7. Spiti Valley
Located in the terrace lands of Himachal Pradesh, Spiti Valley is a desert region that hosts its visitors and tourists with the most scenic and peaceful views. From quaint villages to glacial streams and majestic mountains facing green backdrops, this place is no less than a treat to lay back and enjoy nature closely. It is one of the most beautiful cold deserts of India Also, this cold desert valley is famous for Buddhism history. The place has two of the most renowned Buddhist monasteries namely, Tabo Monastery and Kye Gompa. People also have different beliefs and stories attached to this place that signifies the importance of Buddhism since medieval times. You should add this place to your travel list if you are planning to explore incredible India.
Read More, Highest Waterfalls in India By Height
We hope you’ll love these places as much as we do. Make sure you pack the clothes according to the temperature of the place to enjoy well during your trip. It’s important to feel comfortable during your safari rides and desert treks.
Do share with us more if you know about Indian deserts.
Stay safe, Stay happy !
