TREKKING - CAMEL TREKKING

List of Essentials:

 

Luggage

• One sturdy travel bag or one frameless backpack (maximum 15 kg). Remember, this is for the comfort of our dear porters!

• Absolutely no suitcases.

• One small backpack for carrying daily essentials (water bottle, camera, sunscreen, etc.), the same one you used as a cabin bag on the plane.

• Possibly a waist bag, very handy for frequently used items.

 

Clothing and Footwear

Summer Weather:

• It gets hot in summer, with temperatures possibly reaching 40°C.

• Nights are usually very mild.

• A sudden storm is always possible, so pack a warmer garment just in case, such as a Kway or poncho.

 

General Clothing Tips:

• It is advisable to bring light, natural fabric clothing that covers but is loose enough to allow air circulation.

 

For the Daytime:

• 2 light, comfortable pants, preferably with pockets (handy for carrying toilet paper and a lighter).

• 4 to 5 T-shirts, some with long sleeves for sun protection.

• 1 long-sleeved shirt (for a possible cool breeze, sun protection, and flies during siesta).

• Underwear.

• 1 "chèche" (long strip of fabric), multifunctional, to be bought on-site (about 5 €).

• A cap or wide-brimmed hat (to be worn possibly under the chèche) for sun or sandstorm protection (especially in April/May).

• 1 pair of hiking shoes (trekking shoes and/or trekking sandals) and suitable socks.

• Since the ground is mainly sandy, no need for specific shoes; a regular pair of sneakers is sufficient, though they will need frequent emptying of infiltrated sand.

• Sandals are advantageous as they let sand in and out. Very pleasant in this season. Avoid new shoes if you are prone to blisters.

• Possibly bring a replacement pair of shoes.

 

For the Evening and Night:

• At night, even while sleeping, do as the nomads do and keep your chèche on your head.

• 1 complete tracksuit or pajamas.

• 1 long-sleeved T-shirt/sweatshirt.

• 1 sweater or fleece.

• Another pair of more comfortable shoes. These could be slippers. These shoes should be closed for walking at night.

 

Clothing Care:

• The sand damages everything, so don't bring your finest clothes. Consider a non-sandy outfit for the return from the desert after a shower, which is more pleasant. This can often be the same outfit as for the outward journey.

 

Toiletries and Medications

• Water is scarce in the desert. We do not restrict drinking or cooking water, but we use little or none for washing.

• You'll see that you can do without and won't feel dirty even after six days. The fine sand constantly cleans.

• For a more Western-style wash, you can use wipes.

• Like the nomads, you can also use water when passing by a spring, but using non-biodegradable products is harmful.

 

Toiletry Kit:

• A fully closable toiletry bag with your personal care items.

• A small towel.

• Baby wipes.

• Sunscreen, total sunblock (careful, you can burn very quickly in the desert!), lip balm, Biafine-type cream for sunburn.

• Water purification tablets.

• The water is drinkable, but it’s safer to purify it. Hydroclonazone tablets are available at pharmacies.

• Bring 2 water bottles to always have drinkable water without waiting two hours for purification.

• You might want to bring syrup or something to flavor lukewarm water at this time of year.

• Care for possible blisters or cuts (gauze and adhesive bands rather than plasters that quickly come off in the sand).

• Anti-diarrheic, intestinal disinfectant, paracetamol, possibly a broad-spectrum antibiotic.

• Physiological serum and single-dose eye drops for cleaning eyes (and nose) after a sandstorm.

 

Miscellaneous Equipment

• One sarcophagus sleeping bag, not needed in summer.

• One pair of high-quality, well-covering sunglasses, possibly two in case of loss or breakage.

• Two 1-liter minimum water bottles.

• A flashlight or headlamp, with new batteries and bulb.

• Toilet paper or tissues and a lighter or matches in a non-transparent bag.

• A pocket knife (packed in your checked luggage for the plane).

• A spare pair of shoelaces, thread, and a needle.

• Small plastic or better paper bags to use as trash bags to be burned in the morning before leaving the bivouac.

• Some waterproof freezer bags to protect your belongings, especially the camera.

 

All camping equipment, including cutlery, ground mats, mattresses, and blankets, is provided by us.