Here's something most people don't realise: you don't have to pick between desert dunes and snowy mountains. There are actually countries where you can experience both in a single trip. Imagine riding camels through golden sand dunes in the morning and trekking through snow-covered peaks a few days later. Same country. Same trip. This isn't some far-fetched travel fantasy. Countries like Morocco, Chile, and Iran offer exactly this combination, and they're not even that hard to reach from India. For years, we've been conditioned to think deserts mean hot, dry places with zero vegetation. Snow means cold mountains far from any desert. But geography doesn't always follow our assumptions. Some countries sit at the crossroads of extreme landscapes, where deserts meet mountain ranges, where you can see sand and snow in the same view. These destinations aren't just ticking boxes on your travel list. They're giving you two completely different adventures without the hassle of multiple visas, flights, or itineraries. So if you've been planning a trip and can't decide between a desert safari or a mountain trek, stop choosing. Do both.
Here Are 8 Countries to Experience a Desert Safari and Snow Trek in Just One Trip
1. Morocco: Sahara Sand and Atlas Snow
Morocco is probably the easiest option for Indians wanting this combination. It's got the Sahara Desert in the south and the snow-capped Atlas Mountains running through the middle. You can literally see the desert from snow-covered peaks.
The Desert Experience:
Head to Merzouga or M'Hamid for the classic Sahara experience. Golden dunes stretching forever, camel treks at sunset, overnight camps under stars. The best time is November to February when temperatures are bearable (18-22°C during the day).
The Snow Experience:
The Atlas Mountains, especially around Toubkal (4,167m), get serious snow from December to March. You can ski at Oukaimeden Ski Resort or trek to Toubkal summit. The views from snow-covered peaks looking down at the Sahara are unreal.
How to get there: Direct flights from Mumbai and Delhi to Casablanca (around 8-9 hours). Marrakech is the best base for both experiences.
Visa: Indians get visa on arrival for 90 days. Just carry your passport, return ticket, and hotel bookings.
Must-visit: Marrakech (Jemaa el-Fnaa square, souks), Fes (old medina), Chefchaouen (blue city), Ait Benhaddou (ancient kasbah), Todra Gorge.
2. Chile: Atacama Desert and Andes Glaciers
Chile stretches 4,300 kilometres from north to south, giving you the driest desert on earth in the north and massive glaciers in the south. One country, completely opposite landscapes.
The Desert Experience:
The Atacama Desert is the driest non-polar desert in the world. It's like Mars. Visit Valle de la Luna (Moon Valley), salt flats, geysers, and flamingo lagoons. The stargazing here is insane because of zero light pollution and high altitude.
The Snow Experience:
Head south to Patagonia for Torres del Paine or north to the Andes near Santiago for skiing. The Andes have peaks permanently covered in snow. You can even ski near Santiago from June to September.
How to get there: Fly to Santiago via Dubai or Europe (no direct flights from India). Once there, domestic flights connect to Calama (for Atacama) and Punta Arenas (for Patagonia).
Visa: Indians need a visa. Apply online or at the Chilean embassy in Delhi. Tourist visa allows 90-day stay. Process takes 2-3 weeks.
Must-visit: Santiago, Valparaíso (colourful port city), San Pedro de Atacama, Torres del Paine National Park, Easter Island (if you have extra time).
3. Iran: Lut Desert and Mount Damavand
Iran is massively underrated. It's got some of the world's hottest deserts and the highest peak in the Middle East, all within easy reach of each other.
The Desert Experience:
The Lut Desert is officially the hottest place on earth. The Kaluts (rock formations) look alien. Maranjab Desert near Kashan is easier to access and stunning. Best visited October to April.
The Snow Experience:
Mount Damavand (5,609m) is a dormant volcano with a snow-covered peak year-round. You can trek or ski depending on the season. The Alborz Mountains offer world-class skiing from December to March.
How to get there: Direct flights from Mumbai and Delhi to Tehran (around 4-5 hours).
Visa: Indians can get visa on arrival at Tehran airport (valid 30 days). Costs around €50-75. Alternatively, apply for e-visa in advance for smoother entry.
Must-visit: Tehran (Golestan Palace, bazaars), Isfahan (Naqsh-e Jahan Square, mosques), Shiraz (Persepolis, tombs of poets), Yazd (old city, Zoroastrian temples), Kashan.
4. Jordan: Wadi Rum Desert and Snowy Highlands
Small but packed with contrasts. Jordan gives you red desert landscapes and occasional snow in the northern highlands.
The Desert Experience:
Wadi Rum is the star. Red sand, massive rock formations, Bedouin camps. It's where Lawrence of Arabia and The Martian were filmed. Jeep safaris, camel rides, overnight camping.
The Snow Experience:
Northern highlands around Ajloun and Jerash get snow in January-February. Not heavy trekking, but beautiful snowy landscapes. Petra can also see light snow in winter.
How to get there: Fly to Amman via Dubai, Doha, or Abu Dhabi.
Visa: Indians can get visa on arrival at Amman airport (40 JOD, around ₹4,500) for 30 days.
Must-visit: Petra (ancient city), Wadi Rum, Dead Sea (lowest point on earth), Amman (capital), Jerash (Roman ruins).
5. Oman: Empty Quarter and Jebel Shams
Oman is the hidden gem of the Middle East. You get massive deserts and the Grand Canyon of Arabia with occasional snow.
The Desert Experience:
Wahiba Sands is classic Arabian desert. Endless dunes, Bedouin culture, camel farms. The Empty Quarter (Rub' al Khali) is one of the largest sand deserts in the world.
The Snow Experience:
Jebel Shams (3,000m), Oman's highest peak, gets snow in winter (December-February). Not guaranteed every year, but when it happens, it's spectacular. Even without snow, the mountain landscapes are stunning.
How to get there: Direct flights from Mumbai, Delhi, and Bangalore to Muscat (3-4 hours).
Visa: E-visa for Indians. Apply online, costs around OMR 20 (₹4,000-5,000) for 30 days. Very straightforward process.
Must-visit: Muscat (Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, souks), Nizwa (fort, markets), Jebel Akhdar (Green Mountain), Wahiba Sands, Sur (coastal town).
6. USA (Southwest): Deserts and Rocky Mountains
If you have the budget, the American Southwest offers crazy diversity. Desert canyons and snow-capped peaks within driving distance.
The Desert Experience:
Arizona and Utah have incredible deserts. Monument Valley, Antelope Canyon, Sedona, Death Valley. Red rocks, slot canyons, unique formations.
The Snow Experience:
Colorado Rockies, Utah mountains, or even Arizona's Flagstaff get heavy snow in winter. You can ski in Aspen, Vail, or Park City and be in desert canyons within a few hours' drive.
How to get there: Fly to Las Vegas or Phoenix via connecting flights (usually via Europe or Middle East).
Visa: B1/B2 tourist visa required. Interview at US embassy in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, or Hyderabad. Process can take weeks to months.
Must-visit: Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, Antelope Canyon, Las Vegas, Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon, Aspen/Vail (ski resorts).
7. Argentina: Patagonian Desert and Andean Glaciers
Photo Credit: Unsplash
Argentina gives you desert landscapes in the north and massive glaciers in Patagonia down south.
The Desert Experience:
Northwest Argentina near Salta has desert-like landscapes with colourful mountains and salt flats. Not classic sand dunes, but stunning arid beauty.
The Snow Experience:
Patagonia in the south has glaciers, snow-covered peaks, and winter skiing near Bariloche. Perito Moreno Glacier is one of the world's most accessible glaciers.
How to get there: Fly to Buenos Aires via Europe or Middle East. Domestic flights connect to Salta and Patagonia.
Visa: Indians don't need a visa for stays up to 90 days. Just show passport and return ticket.
Must-visit: Buenos Aires, Iguazu Falls, Salta, Bariloche, El Calafate (Perito Moreno Glacier), Ushuaia (southernmost city).
8. Kazakhstan: Singing Dunes and Tian Shan Mountains
Least known on this list, but Kazakhstan offers exactly this combination.
The Desert Experience:
Altyn-Emel National Park has the famous Singing Dunes that make eerie sounds when wind blows. The deserts here are unique with multi-coloured mountains.
The Snow Experience:
Tian Shan Mountains offer serious trekking and skiing. Shymbulak Ski Resort near Almaty operates from November to April.
How to get there: Direct flights from Delhi to Almaty.
Visa: Indians can get e-visa for 30 days. Apply online, straightforward process.
Must-visit: Almaty (Panfilov Park, Green Bazaar), Big Almaty Lake, Charyn Canyon, Turkistan (ancient city), Astana/Nur-Sultan (modern capital).
These eight countries prove you don't have to choose between sand and snow. One trip, two opposite experiences. From Morocco's easy access and visa-free entry to Iran's dramatic landscapes and Persian hospitality, Chile's otherworldly Atacama to Jordan's Biblical sites, each destination offers its own flavour. But all of them deliver something most travellers never think possible: riding camels through desert dunes one day and trekking through snow the next. So stop treating deserts and snow mountains like they belong on separate trips. These countries are literally waiting to prove they can give you both. Pack your sun cream and your snow jacket. You're going to need them.
