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PRACTICAL INFORMATION AND BOOKINGS
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How fit do I need to be? Moderately fit, rather than super fit. On some days, we will be walking for 4-5 hours, but we will have long rest periods during the hottest part of the day. There will be camels available for some of the group to ride. The temperatures in the Sahara at this time of year are benign: highs of 80-85°F (26-30°C), and lows around 50°F (10°C), though you need to willing to tolerate exceptional highs or lows outside this range. The travel into and out of the desert is in comfortable 4x4 vehicles mostly on good tarmac roads, so not too demanding.
How much free time will there be? While we are in the desert, there will be considerable free time, typically several hours per day, as well as 2 or 3 group sessions, usually no more than 1 hour long. For safety reasons, the Bedouin will ask you to check out with them any plans you have for going off walking in the desert on your own, but we will try to meet individual preferences where possible.
What about medical/health problems? You should not come on this journey unless you are reasonably fit, and also willing to travel at your own risk, accepting that there are inevitable hazards in the Sahara . Tunisia has a good medical system, based on French training, but remember that in the desert, we may be up to two days journey from the nearest road, and beyond mobile phone coverage. Many hazards can be avoided through common sense. However, we do ask you to take out your own medical and travel insurance.
How much spending money will I need? The price for the journey includes all travel, accommodation and most food. You will need to bring about £60 to buy and burnous and chech, and to cover meals/snacks before and after the desert part of the journey. Apart from this there will be some opportunities for you to buy local crafts and souvenirs including rugs, jewelry etc., made by the Bedouin families: £20-100 should cover this.
How to book
Please contact Alan Heeks to check if there are places available, and to request a booking form. Phone +44 (0)1747 835835 or email
WHAT TO BRING
Introduction
A couple of general points: please keep your packing as light as you can, since everything you bring will be transported through the desert by camels. Also choose luggage that is robust and has some resistance to sandstorms, since bags will be hung over the back of the camels by ropes. You should also avoid bringing fragile items that could be damaged whilst on the camels.
Equipment
Small backpack for walking days.
Good sleeping bag: night temperatures can be down to 40°F
Bivvy bag: this is a bag for your sleeping bag to fit into. This is needed in case of sandstorms and high winds at night. It’s preferable to have a bag using Gore-tex or other breathable material, but a plastic survival bag would do.
Thermarest mat, air mattress or similar: you will probably want some kind of soft layer under your sleeping bag, but it needs to be very compact for transport.
It is not necessary to have a tent and best not to bring one!
Clothes
Trekking sandals or shoes. Most people prefer sandals.
Comfortable trousers for walking and riding camels.
Light clothes for hot weather, eg short sleeved shirts.
Warm clothes for the evenings.
Light rain gear: there could be showers!
Swimwear.
Other items
Towel.
Wet wipes: water is very scarce, so these are a great way of cleaning.
Good sunglasses.
Goggles for use in sandstorms (swimming or ski goggles).
Sun protection cream, lip salve.
Insect repellent: flies can be a nuisance (pyracanthus or lavender spray are good)
Toilet paper
Water bottle (eg 0.5 or 1 litre)
Torch and spare batteries
Plastic bags to carry rubbish (small bags with ties: use these to carry used toilet paper, tampons etc until they can be burned)
Personal medicines and first aid
If you wish to bring a camera or video, please make sure that you have a case which will protect against sandstorms
Dried fruits, nuts, chocolates and other goodies to enjoy during breaks, especially during the long daytime siestas. Also any herb teas you’d like.
You may also wish to bring other goodies to refresh yourself and the group during the long hot siestas eg rosewater spray, massage oil.
The Bedouin who are our guides have very low money incomes, and will welcome any gifts that you can leave at the end of the journey, including clothing, batteries, torches, penknives and children’s toys.