Camel trekking into the dunes
Out at sunset for an hour and a half, or all the way to the bivouac for the night. Our own camels, our own guides, walking pace the whole way.
Two ways to do it
| Trek | What it is | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Sunset or sunrise trek | Out into the dunes and back. About an hour on the camel. | €20 / camel |
| Single tent | Ride out by camel or 4x4, dinner, music, the night, breakfast, ride back. | €100 |
| Double or twin tent | The same, for two people. | €150 |
| Triple tent | The same, for three. | €180 |
| Quadruple tent | The same, for four. | €200 |
What it is actually like
Camels have been the way to cross this ground for a very long time, and they are extremely good at it — wide soft feet that do not sink, and the ability to go a long time without water. Ours are calm and used to people. A guide walks the whole way on foot, leading them.
Getting on is the strange part. The camel is kneeling, you sit, and then it stands back legs first — so you are tipped forward hard for a second. Hold the front of the saddle and lean back. That is the entire technique, and once you are up it is a slow, rolling, surprisingly quiet way to travel.
Then the dunes. Erg Chebbi rises to about 150 metres and stretches roughly 28 km, and once you are over the first ridge the village is gone and it is just sand in every direction, changing colour as the sun drops.
What to bring
- Comfortable, loose, long clothing — long sleeves are cooler than bare arms out there, not warmer.
- A scarf or a hat. We can show you how to wrap a cheche properly.
- Sunglasses, sun cream, and a water bottle.
- A warm layer if you are staying the night. The temperature drop after dark surprises everyone.
- Closed shoes for walking, though most people end up barefoot in the sand anyway.
On the animals. Our camels work short shifts, are rested between treks, and are ours — not hired in for the season. If a camel is tired it does not go out. You are welcome to ask about any of them.