Hidden behind endless sands and fierce storms, Gerudo Town remains one of Hyrule’s most elusive destinations. Reaching it in Tears of the Kingdom requires clever strategy, the right gear, and a clear understanding of the harsh desert that guards its gates.
Navigating through the sandstorm wouldn’t be such a problem – if it didn’t completely obscure your map while you’re in it. (When you’re not in the sandstorm, however, you can see the region’s topography on your map.)
Before you start, make sure to grab the Gerudo Canyon Skyview Tower, which will reveal the area.
Our guide details how to get through the sandstorm in Gerudo Desert and how to actually get into Gerudo Town below.
How to get through the Gerudo Desert
The Gerudo Desert is harsh and scorching during the day, with freezing nights that can quickly drain your health. Bring heat-resistant and cold-resistant gear or elixirs to survive the temperature changes. Use sand seals to move more quickly across the dunes, as walking slows you down and drains stamina. Watch for sandstorms that obscure your map and make it easy to lose direction-placing pins or memorizing key landmarks can help you stay on track. Keep an eye out for oases and waypoints to rest and resupply before pressing toward Gerudo Town.
Before you head out, you should have some form of cold resistance and heat resistance. The temperature in Gerudo Desert spikes during the day and drops at night, so prepare for both.
You also do not have to go to Gerudo Town on foot. By combining a Zonai sled, steering stick, and fan, you can make a cool vehicle to dash through the desert sand. We ran through on foot, which we detail below.
Around the desert, there are several updrafts you can use to glide upward, giving you an idea of your position. You’ll want to take advantage of these the best you can.
The first updraft is right where the sandstorm starts at the edge of Kara-Kara Bazaar:
Ride up and just start gliding straight towards Gerudo Town. Your best bet is just to keep heading as straight as you possibly can, trying your best to avoid making any unnecessary turns.
You will see more updrafts and even tall rock structures along the way, all which you should use to get an idea of where you are.
If you keep heading straight, there’s a high chance you’ll see hit the Desert Rift, a large canyon that you’ll have to cross. You can glide and climb up, go around, use rockets, etc., to get through.
You’ll also encounter Gibdo – a special type of monster that takes reduced damage from physical attacks – on the way to Gerudo Town. You’ll need to hit it with an elemental attack (like a shock fruit on an arrow or a flame-emitter), which will deal massive damage. Once it’s been hit with an elemental attack, it’ll turn white and take normal damage from physical attacks temporarily.
If you continue along, you will hit Gerudo Town. You’ll notice it is very empty.
How to get into Gerudo Town
To enter Gerudo Town, don the Vai disguise by speaking to the woman at the Kara Kara Bazaar south of the town entrance. She sells the Gerudo Vai outfit for 600 rupees-purchase and equip all pieces to pass as female. Approach the large gate from the Gerudo Desert, and the guards will wave you through without issue. Once inside, remove the disguise if desired, but wear it again to re-enter or shop with Gerudo vendors.
Outside of some extra Gibdo skulking around, Gerudo Town is completely empty. Enter the cavern in the middle of the stairs to the throne room to see a Gerudo woman standing guard in front of a bunker. Obviously, since Link is a guy, they won’t let him in.
If you use Ultrahand on the nearby box and jump on that to peek in, you’ll get a hint on where to go next, but you can skip doing this if you don’t care.
Head back outside and jump into this well to the left of the bunker, if you’re facing the entrance.
Jump in and swim up the current, toward where the letters-in-a-bottle are drifting down. Once you get to the end of the well (where there’s a vase on a rope), Ascend up. Ta-da! You’ve now shocked and scared a ton of women by invading their war bunker.
After some clarification, Link will obviously be allowed to stick around, and you’ll be able to freely come and go from the Gerudo Shelter if you speak to the guards.
Gerudo Town will eventually return to its former glory, but you’ll need to finish the “Riju of Gerudo Town” quest line first, which begins shortly after you enter the shelter.
Best fast travel points near Gerudo Town
Soryotanog Shrine stands out as the top fast travel point right in Gerudo Town. Activate it by using Ascend from the throne room in the central building after entering the shelter. This provides instant access to the town center.
Key Nearby Shrines
Mayatat Shrine at Kara Kara Bazaar offers the closest external access. Located northeast of the sandstorm’s edge, it serves as a staging point for gliding or vehicle trips into the desert. Use it before entering the storm since maps fail inside.
Other useful points include Gerudo Canyon Skyview Tower. Launch from there (-2432, -2178, 0307) to glide southwest toward town coordinates (-3820, -2898, 0044). It helps with orientation above the storm.
Strategic Tips
Pin the town on your Purah Pad before the storm to track progress. Once inside, Soryotanog ensures quick returns despite the male ban above ground. Combine with Mayatat for efficient desert runs.
Which shrine gives the closest fast travel to Gerudo Town
Soryotanog Shrine provides the closest fast travel point, located directly above Gerudo Town. Access it by entering the town’s shelter, reaching the throne room in the central building, and using the Ascend ability through the ceiling.
Why It’s Closest
This shrine sits atop the palace structure at coordinates around -3833, -2906, 0093, offering instant access to the town center despite the surface male ban. No other shrine matches its proximity within the walled area.
Runner-Up Options
Mayatat Shrine at Kara Kara Bazaar serves as the next best external point, northeast outside the sandstorm for staging desert approaches. Miryotanog Shrine lies west of town, useful for western desert navigation.
