Dubai Camel Rides

Behind the backdrop of the Persian Gulf coast and the modern city of Dubai lies the vast desert. The Dubai Desert, known as Rub al-Khali to the locals, is part of the Arabian Desert and is one of the largest in the world. The history of this wasteland is linked to the Bedouin, Arab nomads from the North African and Arabian areas who lived in and around the desert. However, the name 'Bedouin' originates from the Arabic language and means 'desert dweller'.

Their history cannot be understood without the animal that gave them mobility and food, the camel. The Bedouin tradition has passed on all their knowledge about this animal, which has allowed us to enjoy today one of the most emblematic traditions of the desert. Camel rides are undoubtedly one of the things to do in Dubai.

The best, if not the only, way to enjoy a camel ride is as part of the desert tours from Dubai. Away from the tarmac, skyscrapers and hustle and bustle of the city, these tours are the best alternative if you want to enjoy the nature of the area. Desert excursions are offered as packages that include a wide range of activities to suit everyone's taste. Camel rides are a must on all tours and tend to be the most popular activity.

Here's everything you need to know about camel trekking tours and the complementary activities you can do. All of this to suit everyone's pocket. If you want to find out which are the best desert excursions, here are the best options.

Option 1: a budget tour

If your main interest is camel riding and you're not interested in other activities, you're in luck. The cheapest desert tour options always include camel riding as a permanent activity, as it is the most popular activity among tourists. The cheapest tours are offered for between 20 and 40 euros per person. Prices for desert tours in Dubai are approximate, but always within this range, as it depends on the company you book the tour with.

Many of the hotels in Dubai serve as the starting point for these tours. You'll be picked up in a 4x4 and driven into the desert sands where you'll usually set up a typical Bedouin base camp. Once there, you'll usually be offered a welcome snack of local produce. Camel rides usually take place before sunset, as temperatures start to drop, giving you a chance to admire and photograph the spectacular desert sunset. These excursions take around 5 or 6 hours from the time you leave the hotel to the time you return.

Option 2: intermediate price

The operation and dynamics is the same as described above. With pick up at the hotel and arrival at the camp. The basic "intermediate" tours, so to speak, include everything I have mentioned but with the possibility of including new activities. Adding some of the extras that I am going to mention below, the prices usually start from 40 euros to 70 euros and the complete tour lasts around 7 hours. It all depends on the activities offered by the organisers and what you hire. With the camel ride included, of course. These extras can be:

• Arabian coffees and teas.
• Henna Painting (temporary Arab tattoos).
• Sandboarding (Sand Skiing).
• Traditional Arab dresses for photography.
• Traditional dance performances
• Typical buffet dinner with vegetarian options

For me, there is virtue in the middle and this type of tour is the most advisable. Camel rides usually last about an hour per ride and for the benefit of the camel itself. So a trip through the desert to "just" take a camel ride can be a bit short. For a little more money, adding some of these activities such as a buggy tour of the Dubai desert will give you a complete experience that is sure to leave you more than satisfied.

Option 3: the premium tour

If you want the most complete desert experience and have no budget limit, the premium tours offer everything you need to complete a day, including an overnight stay, that you won't forget. The main difference is that these tours include an overnight stay in the desert. The experience includes all the activities we have seen, the ones you want to do of course, plus the added bonus of spending the night in the desert like a real Bedouin. The prices are already close to or over 100 euros and offer the following extras:

• Some of the premium experiences offer safaris to see the wildlife of the desert.
• Dinner included with vegetarian options and all kinds of drinks.
• Nightly dance and fire shows.
• Overnight stay in the Dubai desert in a typical Bedouin tent including all mod cons.
• The night also offers spectacular views and photographs of the night sky (if the sky is clear, which is usually the case).

Just for the dinner and show in the Dubai desert, plus the added bonus of sleeping in the desert, the extra expense is justified.

Camel trekking tours are usually very well organised and have all the amenities. However, it is advisable to go to the desert more prepared than usual to enjoy the experience 100%. Here are a few tips for visiting the Dubai desert to keep in mind:

The most important thing is to be prepared for the heat. Temperatures in Dubai usually exceed 30 degrees Celsius all year round and the heat is especially intense from June to September (avoid these months if you can). So don't forget to:

• Wear comfortable, cool, light-coloured clothing (forget about Dubai's dress code as this is a tourist activity).
• A hat, cap or scarf is a must to protect your head.
• Sunscreen is a must.
• The tours include water, however, it is advisable to bring your own water bottle or canteen.

Carrying a heavy backpack can be uncomfortable when moving around in the desert, but there are certain things you should bring with you. In addition to all of the above to combat the heat in your rucksack you should pack:

• A camera (or smartphone if you don't have one) is a must on these excursions. Camel rides usually have a stop at sunset to contemplate the beauty of the dunes. It's a moment you'll want to immortalise and it makes for some spectacular photographs.
• Bring a plastic bag or similar to protect your camera, phones and other electronic devices from the desert sand.
• Don't forget to pack a pair of sandals in your backpack. Walking in the desert or doing a desert tour with sandboarding in the dunes your shoes will get sandy and it is very uncomfortable. Sandals are the way to go at these times.
• If you are prone to motion sickness in the car, take some medication for it. The 4WD trip through the dunes or the quad bike adventure through the Dubai desert can be quite hectic.
• The excursions include lunches, but it's a long day in the desert so it's a good idea to pack some extra food in your rucksack. Avoid foods that can't withstand the heat.

As a final tip, I recommend that you explore all available tour options and book in advance to avoid problems and plan your trip as well as possible.

Normally I do not recommend visiting monuments on Fridays, as it is the Islamic day of rest and people in and around Dubai take the opportunity to go out and visit these places. This is not the case with camel rides.

On Fridays, shops and tourist attractions either close or reduce their opening hours, making it a good day to visit the desert. The organisation of tours is generally very good. As a result, there are rarely crowds of people or long waiting times for camel rides.

As for what time of day is best, you don't have to worry about that. The excursion times are fixed and are always in the afternoon when the temperature starts to drop and dusk arrives.

It's up to you to choose the best months to visit Dubai and its desert. If possible, avoid the months of June to September. The heat and aridity of the desert at this time can be unbearable. That's why the peak tourist season is between October and April. My personal recommendation is to visit the desert in December, January and February.

As you will understand, the city is not the most suitable environment for camels. Camels are highly respected by the local population, so there are no camel rides in the city, at least not officially.

If you are in the city and don't want to travel to the desert to see these animals, you have an alternative. In the historic district of **7 Best Things to Do in Al Fahidi Quartier in Dubai ** you can occasionally find shepherds who bring their camels with their typical gear to show tourists the life of these animals. This is not a regular activity, but you can go to the visitor centre in Al Fahidi itself to ask and they will be able to let you know when it is taking place.
##Alternatives: Camel racing and gastronomy.

Camel rides are not the only way to enjoy camel culture. There are other less common and lesser-known options for tourists to experience the Bedouin camel experience:

Camel racing

A popular spectacle among the local population and also recommended for visitors. The racing season runs from October to April and takes place on Fridays and Saturdays in the early hours of the morning.

There are many tracks all over Dubai, but if you want to watch the races live the best is Al Marmoom Camel Racetrack. Dubai's largest racetrack is located in the village of Al Marmoom, just half an hour's drive from the city. You can get there by taxi and there are even buses that will take you right to the gate of the venue.

Gastronomy

The camel also produces products that are typical of the best places to eat in Dubai in the area, such as meat, milk and chocolate. Not many restaurants offer camel meat on their menus, but if you want to try it in the Al Fahidi area there are several places that are official suppliers of camel meat.

The milk obtained from the camel is mainly used to make milkshakes, ice cream and to accompany coffee. It is a lower fat milk and contains less cholesterol, making it ideal for sensitive stomachs.

One of the most popular camel milk products is made from camel milk. Chocolate. There are all kinds of bars, ice creams and sweets that contain camel's milk and are a good option for gifts and souvenirs or simply to enjoy.

As you will have discovered, the camel is a fundamental part of Dubai's culture and you can enjoy your trip with unforgettable experiences.