Lost in the Dunes is a side quest in Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom that finds you helping a group of merchants in Kara Kara Bazaar who have lost something important - their friend!

Ponthos is one of a group of merchants travelling to Gerudo Town in Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. After certain events happened in Kara Kara Bazaar, Ponthos got separated from their friends and is now, quite literally, lost in the dunes.

Without further ado, we're here to show you how to complete the Lost in the Dunes side quest in Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom.

How to start the Lost in the Dunes questHow to find PonthosHow to rescue PonthosTo see this content please enable targeting cookies.Manage cookie settings 10 Things We Wish We Knew Before Starting The Legend of Zelda Tears of the KingdomWatch on YouTube

If you'd like to learn more about Link's adventure, visit our Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom walkthrough.

How to start the Lost in the Dunes quest in Zelda Tears of the Kingdom

Before you venture off to begin this quest, we strongly advise completing the Riju of Gerudo Town quest first. Even if you don't get all the way to the end of the quest (though we recommend doing so as it makes this quest easier), you will need to complete the part where you defend Kara Kara Bazaar from a Gibdo Attack.

If you've done the above, then you need to head to Kara Kara Bazaar. If you've not found it already, the Bazaar is north east of Gerudo Town, south west of Gerudo Canyon Skyview Tower and south east of Gerudo Highlands Skyview Tower.

We've marked its exact location on the map below and the coordinates for Kara Kara Bazaar are (-3269, -2543, 0023).

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When you get to the Bazaar, you need to find the two merchants standing outside the General Store at (-3272, -2580, 0023).

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Talk to either merchant and they will inform you that one of them, Ponthos, has been missing since the Gibdo attack happened. This is the beginning of the Lost in the Dunes side quest.

How to find Ponthos in Zelda Tears of the Kingdom

Robsten will then tell you that they saw Ponthos running out of the west exit (which is the exit closest to the merchant duo right now).

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Head out of the west entrance and look left. Your compass around your mini map should say you're looking south.

You should now see a tall rock formation with a small camp fire in front of it.

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Head over here and you should see a sinkhole with equipment around it at (-3357, -2678, 0028).

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Jump into the sinkhole and let it suck you down to the lower level. Once you've gone through, you should land in an area called 'Oasis Source'.

Once you've landed, follow the path forward and you'll find Ponthos sitting on the ground. Speak to them and find out that they cannot find a way out, but don't worry, you can.

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How to rescue Ponthos in Zelda Tears of the Kingdom

Before moving forward we recommend having at least one of the things we've listed below:

Yunobo's sage abilityMinimum of four Bomb FlowersHammer (can be made by fusing a rock to a melee weapon - there are a few rocks scattered around Ponthos.) Image credit: Eurogamer/Nintendo

Once you have one of the above, look at the river to the left of Ponthos. You'll want to follow it but walk against the flow of the current through the first archway/opening.

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Once through here, you should see that the next opening is blocked with rocks. Use one of your chosen methods from the list above to clear the rocks.

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In the next area, you'll see a blocked entrance to the rear and one on the right. Head to the one at the rear of the area and clear this (this should be the one near/on the river).

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Then, you will come to a slightly larger area. Some Stone Pebblits may attack you here, but just whack them with a hammer or your chosen rock-smashing method.

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Continue to follow the river (against the current) here and you'll eventually come to a ladder. If you've already found it, your target is the Kara Kara Bazaar Well.

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When you find the ladder, Ponthos will appear and thank you before leaving. Then, you need to climb up the ladder back to the Bazaar and go to find Ponthos with the other merchants outside the general store again to claim your reward.

Your reward is the strange looking Orb on the ground next to the trio, which will be important for the Mysterious Eighth quest you can find in Gerudo Town.

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That's it for this quest! If you feel like you want to get away from the Desert for a bit, then it may be time to tackle Hateno Politics with the Mayoral Election quests. Alternatively, if you want to learn more about cooking delicious meals, take a look at our recipes list.

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