When we think of deserts, we often envision vast sand dunes and scorching heat. However, our planet’s ecosystem is incredibly diverse, and the conventional desert image doesn’t hold true for all deserts. Why is that? Because cold deserts offer a stark contrast to the hot ones we’re more familiar with. Imagine freezing temperatures, expansive glaciers, and unique wildlife like penguins, bears, snow leopards and whales – that’s the essence of a cold desert. But here’s the twist: each of these cold deserts in the world has its own unique offerings that can’t be found elsewhere.
What are cold deserts?
Cold deserts are arid lands located at higher elevations or polar regions around the world. These regions are characterised by scarce annual precipitation in the form of snow or fog. In these areas, you’ll typically find sparse vegetation, with shrubs and grass being the predominant plant life.
Explore the chilling beauty of these cold desert destinations
Ladakh, India
Hidden away in the Himalayas, Ladakh is a union territory of India that is recognised by UNESCO as part of the Cold Desert Cultural Landscape of India. Ladakh’s natural wonders make it feel like a place out of this world, with gravity-defying roads that seem to lead to lunar landscapes. Spread across 117,000 sq km, Ladakh stretches across the upper Indus River Valley and maintains its chilly climate throughout the year.
Places to see and things to do in Ladakh
Explore the barren valleys and sand dunes of Nubra Valley, one of the best spots to experience the cold desert’s unique charm. Head to Hemis National Park to learn more about the local wildlife that thrives in this region, with a chance to spot elusive snow leopards. Despite being a desert, Ladakh has beautiful water bodies, including Pangong Tso, the world’s highest saltwater lake, Tso Moriri Lake, the Indus River and the Zanskar River. Experience the thrill of cold river rafting on the Indus and Zanskar Rivers.
Drive on the world’s highest motorable road, Khardung La Pass, and feel the incredible Magnetic Hill, where cars seem to defy gravity. Check out Ladakh’s bustling capital, Leh, and immerse in its history and culture by visiting Shanti Stupa, Leh Palace, Thiksey Monastery, Namgyal Tsemo, Diskit Gompa and the Hall of Fame. Astronomy geeks should head to Hanle, India’s first dark sky sanctuary.
How to reach Ladakh: Ladakh has its own airport, Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport, in Leh.
Book your stay at The Indus Valley via Booking.com
Book your stay at The Indus Valley via Agoda
Related Stories
Patagonia, Argentina
Stretching 673,000 sq km across Argentina, Patagonia is a natural marvel in South America that defies desert stereotypes. Extending from the Argentinian Andes to the Atlantic Ocean, this region is a treasure trove of diverse landscapes, including glaciers, penguins, grasslands, snow-capped mountains, and even fossils. Patagonia’s varied geography leads to a wide range of climates, with some areas experiencing scorching highs of 45 degrees Celsius and chilling lows of -33 degrees Celsius.
Places to see and things to do in Patagonia
Known as the largest desert in Argentina, Patagonia houses four UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Los Glaciares National Park, Península Valdés, Los Alerces National Park and Cueva de las Manos. Witness the mighty Perito Moreno Glacier at the Los Glaciares National Park. Go whale watching at the Península Valdés and spot the Southern right whales and orcas around Puerto Piramides, Puerto Madryn and Punta Norte. Explore the local flora and fauna at the Los Alerces National Park.
Archaeology buffs can see the cave paintings of Cueva de las Manos and dinosaur fossils at Museo Paleontológico Municipal Ernesto Bachmann. For adventure seekers, a hike through the Torres del Paine National Park is a must. Don’t miss the chance to spot penguins at Punta Tombo (part of Península Valdés), Chiloe Island, Isla Magdalena, Isla Marta and Tierra del Fuego.
How to reach Patagonia: Ezeiza International Airport in Buenos Aires is the main international airport in Argentina (also known as Ministro Pistarini International Airport). Since Patagonia spans almost half of Argentina, your choice of airport will depend on the specific destinations you plan to visit within Patagonia. You will need to take a domestic flight from Buenos Aires to the relevant domestic airport based on your travel itinerary.
Book your stay at NH Buenos Aires City via Booking.com
Book your stay at NH Buenos Aires City via Agoda
Great Basin, the US
The only cold desert in the United States, the Great Basin is spread across major parts of Nevada, Utah, and some parts of California, Idaho, Oregon and Wyoming, covering an expansive area of 492,000 sq km. Its unique name comes from its geographical setting, surrounded by several mountain ranges, which naturally form a basin. This region is home to the Great Salt Lake, the largest saline lake in the Western Hemisphere and the eighth largest in the world. The dramatic landscapes of the Great Basin are credited to the ancient glaciers that once dominated this area.
Places to see and things to do at the Great Basin
As Nevada is completely covered by the Great Basin, explore the unique terrain and climate of this cold desert at the state’s Great Basin National Park. Go on a trek to see the Wheeler Cirque Rock Glacier, the last remaining glacier in the cold desert. Take advantage of the clear skies in the Great Basin, making it an ideal location for stargazing. The National Park even hosts the annual Great Basin Astronomy Festival in September for astronomy enthusiasts. Several walking trails within the park allow you to trek through the cold desert with a chance to witness the local flora and fauna. Explore the hidden caves within the mountains of the Great Basin, known as Lehman Caves, offering a unique underground experience. The Great Basin also has several archaeological wonders to explore, like the Baker Archaeological Site and Upper Pictograph Cave.
How to reach the Great Basin: Harry Reid International Airport in the Las Vegas Valley and the Reno-Tahoe International Airport in Washoe County are the main international airports for Nevada.
Book your stay at Ramada by Wyndham Ely via Booking.com
Book your stay at Ramada by Wyndham Ely via Agoda
Gobi, Mongolia
Over 1,300,000 sq km across Southern Mongolia and Northern China make for the vast Gobi desert. This cold desert experiences a wide range of temperatures, mirroring the climatic variations found in Patagonia, with highs reaching up to 40 degrees Celsius and lows plummeting to -40 degrees Celsius. Historically, the Gobi Desert served as a crucial segment of the Silk Road, the ancient trade route connecting China to Rome. Today, it is the habitat of several threatened or endangered species, like the Asiatic wild ass, the wild Bactrian camel and the Gobi brown bear. The Mongolian side of the Gobi desert is included in UNESCO’s tentative list of World Heritage Sites.
Places to see and things to do in the Gobi Desert
Explore the diverse landscapes of the Gobi desert in Mongolia at the Gobi Gurvan Saikhan National Park, where you’ll find dry valleys, oases, desert dunes, gravel plains, salt wetlands, springs and rugged mountains. The Gurvan Saikhan Mountains, also known as the ‘Three Beauties’, are home to the endangered snow leopard and other at-risk wildlife species. Visit the picturesque Khongoryn Els, known as ‘Singing Sands’, explore the dramatic Flaming Cliffs and venture into the deep gorge of Yoyn Am Ice Field.
How to reach Gobi: Chinggis Khaan International Airport in Ulaanbaatar is the main international airport in Mongolia.
Book your stay at Novotel Ulaanbaatar via Booking.com
Book your stay at Novotel Ulaanbaatar via Agoda
Antarctica
Antarctica, the largest and the coldest desert in the world is spread across 14.2 million sq km. It is considered colder than the polar deserts of the Arctic, with temperatures as low as -89 degrees Celsius. As the fifth-largest continent in the world, Antarctica stands as a unique geographical marvel devoid of any permanent human settlements. While it may appear as a vast expanse of ice, this frozen continent conceals several mountain ranges beneath its imposing glaciers.
Places to see and things to do in Antarctica
Antarctica is not a typical tourist destination, and any visit to this remote realm must be arranged through specialised tourism companies operating under the authority of the Antarctic Treaty. These companies organise expeditions and cruises, allowing adventurers to catch a glimpse of the frigid desert’s magnificent terrain and rich wildlife like penguins and whales.
Nunavut, Canada
Covering the vast expanse of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago, Nunavut sprawls over one-fifth of the nation’s total land area. As the newest and largest province in Canada, having joined the country in 1999, Nunavut is also the least densely populated, primarily inhabited by the Indigenous Inuit community, who have adapted to its challenging frigid conditions. Categorised as a polar desert, the archipelago has a diverse landscape with mountains, fjords, arctic tundra and glaciers. This complex and rich environment is the habitat of several species like walruses, polar bears, narwhals, beluga whales and muskox.
Places to see and things to do in Nunavut:
Deeply rooted in Nunavut’s history and culture for over 4,000 years, dog sledding is the traditional Inuit mode of transportation. One of the most authentic ways of exploring Nunavut is through full-day dog sledding tours in Arctic Bay, Igloolik and Iqaluit. More fun ways of exploring the islands and their wildlife are through arctic cruises, canoeing expeditions and sea kayaking tours. Nunavut is also an excellent location for witnessing the Aurora Borealis, or the northern lights.
Several national parks capture the essence of this cold desert. Auyuittuq National Park, which translates to “the land that never melts” in Inuktitut, is known for its rich Inuit culture. Quttinirpaaq National Park, meaning “land on top of the world”, is the northernmost national park in Canada, characterised by massive glaciers. Sirmilik National Park also encapsulates the Inuit culture, Arctic wildlife and glacial landscapes.
How to reach Nunavut: Iqaluit International Airport is the only international airport in Nunavut. You can travel to the other islands of Nunavut by boat or by taking domestic flights.
Book your stay at Aqsarniit Hotel via Booking.com
Book your stay at Aqsarniit Hotel via Agoda
Svalbard, Norway
This Norwegian archipelago is another polar desert where travellers get a chance to experience the frozen landscapes of the Arctic Tundra. Svalbard’s administrative centre, Longyearbyen, is a certified Sustainable Destination committed to preserving the rugged glaciers and frozen tundras of the archipelago. You can find unique wildlife, like polar bears, Svalbard reindeer, whales and Arctic foxes.
Places to see and things to do in Svalbard
As the world’s northernmost permanent settlement, Svalbard has exciting natural wonders that will leave you in awe. Explore the majestic glaciers of Svalbard using boats, kayaks or a hybrid-driven catamaran. Guided tours to ice caves allow you to uncover the hidden beauty within the glacier. Besides Svalbard’s icy wonders, the archipelago is home to the Svalbard Global Seed Vault, where seeds are stored in permafrost to secure the world’s food production. Gruve 3, or Mine 3, encapsulates the mining history of Longyearbyen, providing a glimpse into the mysteries of the mining tunnels. Dogsledding is also an excellent way to explore Svalbard. Furthermore, you can even witness the northern lights from this unique location.
How to reach Svalbard: Svalbard Airport is the main airport of the archipelago in Longyearbyen.
Book your stay at Radisson Blu Polar Hotel, Spitsbergen via Booking.com
Book your stay at Radisson Blu Polar Hotel, Spitsbergen via Booking.com
Greenland
Known as the biggest island in the world that is not classified as a continent, Greenland is an autonomous territory under the Kingdom of Denmark. More than 80 per cent of this Arctic nation is covered in ice caps, presenting the world’s second-largest ice sheet after Antarctica, making it one of the coldest deserts in the world. Greenland is also home to the indigenous Inuit community. The Arctic desert experiences bone-chilling temperatures, plummeting as low as -34 degrees Celsius, and its allure lies in its stunning glaciers, breathtaking fjords, massive mountains and rich wildlife.
Places to see and things to do in Greenland
The icebergs of Greenland are so gorgeous that they have earned the UNESCO World Heritage Site title, especially in Disko Bay. To experience the might of Greenland’s ice sheet, head to the Northeast Greenland National Park, the world’s largest single national park and the largest land-protected area on the planet. The Jakobshavn Glacier, also known as the Ilulissat Glacier, was Greenland’s fastest-moving and fastest-thinning glacier in the 2000s. Scoresby Sund is another beautiful fjord system that is worth exploring. Greenland is a prime location for spotting whales and observing the northern lights. The nation also offers several dog sledding and snowmobile tours.
How to reach Greenland: Kangerlussuaq Airport and Narsarsuaq International Airport are the main airports of Greenland.
Book your stay at HOTEL SØMA Sisimiut via Booking.com
Book your stay at HOTEL SØMA Sisimiut via Agoda
Shop the best travel experiences here
Hero and feature image credit: Shutterstock
Related: Significant Snow Fell In The Arizona Desert — Photos Of The Unlikely Winter Wonderland
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
– What are the temperature extremes in cold deserts?
Cold deserts can experience temperature extremes, with lows reaching as frigid as -89 degrees Celsius (such as in Antarctica).
– Do cold deserts receive precipitation?
Yes, cold deserts do receive precipitation, but it is typically in the form of snowfall, fog, or minimal rainfall.
– What kind of vegetation is found in cold deserts in the world?
Cold deserts typically feature sparse vegetation, primarily consisting of shrubs and grasses.
– Are there any animals adapted to cold desert environments?
Yes, each cold desert has a unique ecosystem with a variety of animal species that have adapted to survive in these harsh environments.
– Can people live in cold deserts?
The Inuit community are known for inhabiting cold deserts, standing proof that people can live in cold deserts.
Written By
Priyaja Bakshi
Priyaja took her love for reading to the next level by majoring in English and minoring in Journalism at Lady Shri Ram College For Women (DU). She is extremely curious about the world and wishes to visit all the countries once in her life. She identifies as a foodie and loves to spend her free time exploring different cuisine and curating new dishes. ..Read More
