The Participants Are Enjoying A Unique Desert Experience

The 29 camel trekkers from 21 countries participating in the 8th edition of the annual Camel Trek are now on their fourth day of the 13-day, 640 kms navigation of the UAE desert.

The annual camel trek, organized by Hamdan Bin Mohammed Heritage Center (HHC), is a 13-day, 640km desert caravan from Liwa Empty Quarter to Expo 2020 Dubai. This is the biggest camel trek to date, with 29 participants coming from 21 countries.

The participants are enjoying a unique desert experience, such as living the old ways of the Bedouins. They will cover three emirates and 11 checkpoints over 13 days until they reach their final destination at Expo 2020 Dubai site on December 21.

Qaser Sarab

The camel trekkers left at dawn on Thursday (December 9) from Liwa Empty Quarter in the Western Region of Abu Dhabi. They are now at Qaser Sarab

The caravan is being led by HHC CEO Abdullah Hamdan Bin Dalmook, who expressed his happiness with the high number of participants and the diversity of nationalities in the annual camel trek.  

Bin Dalmook thanked the support and inspiration given by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, in promoting the UAE’s cultural heritage in the framework of spreading peace and tolerance among the different peoples and cultures of the world.

He added that it is only fitting that the final destination of the camel trek is at Expo 2020 Dubai. “It is a matter of pride and honor that we showcase the UAE’s cultural heritage at the world’s biggest stage,” he underlined. 

Emirati desert voyager

One of the participants, Emirati Saeed Mohammad Rais said: “I’m proud to represent the UAE for this annual camel trek. As an Emirati, this is a golden opportunity for me – as we celebrate the UAE’s 50 years – to retrace my roots and share my country’s rich heritage with other participants from various countries across the world.”

“This camel trek has become very popular among Emiratis and expats alike who wish to go back in time and relive the old Bedouin way of life,” he added.

Expats enjoy unique desert experience

All participants underwent a rigorous training programmed at a camel farm in Dubai, months prior to the camel trek. Now that they are in the middle, they are unanimous in saying that all their hard work and training paid off.

Polish expat Monika Teresa said she has improved her skills in riding a camel riding and now would like to get acquainted with the Emirati heritage more closely. She added: “As a financial manager, I’m happy to leave the office for two and embark on a unique desert expertise to learn more about Emirati heritage and culture”.

British expat Howard Leedham, 63, meanwhile, said: “I have a huge interest in Emirati culture but this camel trip has taken it to a completely different dimension and I thank the HHC and the UAE for this wonderful experience.”

The participants in the camel trek are: Emiratis Batool Hassan Ghaith, Hakima Hassan Ghaith, Khawla Al Blooshi and Saeed Mohammad Rais. They were joined by Howard Leedham from UK; Madawi Alahmad form Saudi Arabia; Andreas Wim Deges, Paulin Piesker, Emilia Piesker from Germany; Meriam Sehrewerdi from USA; Prijumon K Dominic, Bilal Gulammohiddin Palekar, and Ammar Ahmed from India; Nicola Bettio and Nicole Busetto from Italy; Joost Verploeg from The Netherlands; Mohamed Amehdar from France; Renate Antolkovich from Austria; Claudia Granberg from Nicaragua; Jana Vintrova from Czech Republic, Laura Ezzat from Estonia; Mariska Verploeg from Brazil; Monika Teresa from Poland; Ann Carine from Belgium; Silke Pfitzer from South Africa; David Pescador from Spain; Amina Samy from Egypt; Geul Bang from South Korea; and Nathaniel Alapide from The Philippines.