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This trip is a wonderful way to get away from the rush of modern life. Being out in the expanse of the desert, sleeping under the clearest starry skies, walking with the camels, eating and singing round the campfire and enjoying the peace of the desert was just lovely.
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
It was wonderful to fall asleep listening to the quiet chatter of the camel drivers round the campfire and looking up at the astonishing number of stars in the sky..... then waking at dawn, snug in my sleeping bag, to see sand dunes and camels when I opened my eyes.
Stopping every now and then on the walks to take a moment to look around....and see sand, camels, dunes, and nothing else for miles in every direction!
I just loved the peace of the desert.
What did you think of your group leader?
Our leader Mohammed Jalila was very helpfu, particularly with the members of the group who took a little longer on the walks (me included!) as it was unseasonably hot on a few days. Mohammed spent time talking to each of us and was always ready to help if we had any questions or if there was something we couldn't find in camp (usually water or coffee!)
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Bring sweets - Oliver's boiled sweets and Anna's 3kg of Haribo were a lifesaver on the longer days!
Definitely bring plastic ziplock bags for phones and cameras, the sand is extremely fine like dust and it jammed cameras belonging to several of our group before the end of the trip. iPhone touch screen works through plastic, who knew?!
Because of the sand.... bring an old camera if you can.
Blister plasters were used by many in the group, even people who had never had blister problems before (myself included). We think this was a combo of hot weather, swollen feet and the very different gait that you have while walking on sand.
Dioralyte/rehydration sachets were used by some of us on the longer (unseasonably hot) days.
Bring a good First Aid kit including micropore tape, bandages, blister plasters, antiseptic cleansing wipes, surgical spirit. If you don't use it, someone else in the group might need it!
You will sleep well, the mattresses on the sand are so comfortable I thought I was in my own bed
Is there anything else you would like to add?
If you want a holiday that ticks these boxes....
Peace and quiet away from the rush of modern life.
Starry skies and shooting stars;
Laughing round the campfire;
Friendly camels;
Long enough walks so that you feel a sense of achievement at the end of every day;
No text messages or phone signals;
Beautiful isolation.......
.....then BOOK THIS HOLIDAY!!!!!
A very memorable and truly different holiday that met all my expectations. I was able to relax completely, do some meditating on my own when I wanted, or be part of the group. Ideal for getting away from everything and experiencing a basic but perfectly adequate way of life.
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
That bright starry sky has to be the most inspirational aspect of the whole trip. The first night when we looked up into the sky, with the Milky Way like a bright scar right across the top, we could hardly beleive what we were seeing. To fall asleep out in the open - tents were really only needed on one night when it was very windy, with the stars shining gently down on us, was amazing and never to be forgotten.
What did you think of your group leader?
Mohammed was quite excellent. Very knowledgeable and always had time for us. He appeared to have a very good relationship with his camel drivers and cook too. He never got upset or ruffled, was glad to talk about his own life and his country, and made extra efforts to teach us about the desert.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Don't underestimate the destructiveness of sand. I am one of those whose camera seized up completely from the fine sand getting in the shutter. If you take a good camera make sure it has plenty of protective sealed bags. What really surprised me was the quality of photos taken by those with smart phones - a really good solution as there are no moving parts. It was much hotter than we expected, so take clothes for all seasons - don't make any assumptions. Bags of sweets that can be handed round at water stops were very much appreciated and I wished I had taken some.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Go on - be brave - sign up now. I am pretty sure none of my group of 17 regretted it, indeed I think most of us enjoyed it immensely and learnt something about ourselves in the process.
Scott Reininga
SAHARA DESERT TREK
Written
It was a great trip. The diverse landscape, sleeping under the stars, and even a brief rain/sand storm that was incredible to watch as it came at us over the horizon. It was a well planned trip, food was great (semolina soup every night before dinner was so tastly), and there wasn't a lot of down time, except our daily lunch what the sun was its hottest.
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Shooting stars - They we beautiful and watching them everynight as I slept outside was awesome. The sunrises (I awoke every morning to watch) were a close second
What did you think of your group leader?
Amine was really good. Kept things moving, great to talk with, managed the trip really well.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
My biggest issue with the trip were that about half the group were not fit enough. It is 5-6 hours of walking in various terrain in 30+ degree heat. It slowed the pace and the attitudes were not great. While I personally would consider this trip as "Moderate", it need to be clearer that it is a challenge if you are are not at the gym 3-4 times a week as your regular fitness.
Also, bring an inexpensive/synthetic 3-4 season sleeping bag. There is condensation in the mornings with you sleep outside, and you will go home with sand in every thing. Those with expensive down sleeping bags were continually worried/trying to dry out. I tossed my inexpensive back when I got back, as it was going to be sand infused forever
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
This isn't the sort of trip with high mountains to climb, or amazing views, or breathtaking vistas, and so there wasn't a single moment. But the whole experience, the trek through the miles and miles of endless sand, the sharing of that experience with fellow travellers and with our guide, a glimpse into the life style of the nomads was incredible.
What did you think of your group leader?
Mohammed was brilliant. He was anxious to share with us his lifestyle, did everything he could to make the trek a momentous one. It was particularly good that he, and the camel drivers, all shared mealtimes with us and didn't stay seperately as is sometimes the case on these trips.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
We went in February and we expecting it to be cold at night, but it was absolutely (literally) freezing every night and the tents are flimsy to say the least. The Beduin tent is open to the elements and the little individual tents often had broken zips, take safety pins.
The food is excellent, all cooked over an open fire, lots of fresh fruit and veg, which we didn't expect and the bread cooked in the sand was a revelation, so no need to take your own supplies.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
This trek isn't hard walking, the sands are soft, but you don't sink in. There aren't heights to conquer, or downs to wreck your knees! The scenary is monotonous, and goes on forever, but that is what the desert is and so that is the experience. For four days you wander through this ancient landscape, with no sounds, no traffic, no aeroplanes, just the occasional bird song. Just you and the desert.
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Sitting round the campfire at night looking up at the unbelievable amount of stars while our guides sang. Amazing. And the incredible feeling of just looking out over the desert and not seeing another person or building never wore off.
What did you think of your group leader?
Mohammed was brilliant - very knowledgeable and friendly and always made sure everyone was okay and keeping up etc. The other local staff were also fantastic and really made sure we were looked after.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Take...Compeed! General opinion was that boots or sandals were good, walking shoes not so good as they just filled up with sand. The sand will get everywhere - nothing in your bag will remain sandless and there's no point in trying - so make sure you take sealable plastic bags for things you want to protect. I found energy snack bars quite useful, as was a compact camera for when there was a breeze so as not to ruin my big one (which I did manage to get out a few times).
It really did get very cold at night so thermals, hat, gloves etc are a good idea.
And learn some campfire songs! We were thoroughly shown up when asked to reciprocate.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
A reviewer a couple of years ago mentioned the broken zips on the tents - this needs looking into again as none of them worked.
Overall it was a brilliant trip, and it really was a shame it wasn't a week longer as I was just getting into the relaxing routine of walking. Embrace the sand and you'll have a great time!
full clear tunisian nights in Sahara lively campfire berber/cringeworthy uk songs ie head shoulders knees and toes warms by people in group. Unleveaned bread sand everywhere,quite nights when outside djerba port/town,warm natural spring on last day before going back to modern hotels airports ps tall snad dunes. 4 days in dunes, a trip across dhjerba ferry,4x4s stopoff at small cafes. wake at 7:30 set off for 4/5 hour trek.
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Having five days without city lights noise sitting round campfire
plus impromtu dancing round fire with local guide(s),
warm flat bread also saw way out back of beyond cafe's in said sahara
,short camel ride. good food.basic bedoin tent seeing shooting stars
warm natural oasis spring to cool off in.
turbans
seeing a old fort.
sunset/sunrise with camel(s) in picture
What did you think of your group leader?
Mohhamed was friendlyhad no hassle from within the walking group knew right speed to go walking knew small amount of the Sahara but needs more book materials to gain futher knowledge and has good work ethic
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Learn some lyrics to well know music and take basic /minimal amout of clothes to save packing and re packing holdall.
take card games ie uno.playing cards
take a small gift to give after final to last day of trek
Decide a fair overall tip to porters/chief guide/cook and hand to chief guide
when at start/end of hotel you will as usual get locals trying to get you into their shops/sell fakes/car rentals or get free beer for which in their country is mostly muslim and forbids to drink alcohol only hotels/airports are licensced to sell alcohol to tourists
Sand will get everywhere.
wolly hat/sun hat
thermals
suncream spf20 or higher
Is there anything else you would like to add?
just chill and enjoy good company both guides ans fellow travelers.
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
I think the desert landscape is beautiful. Walking through the Sahara with the camel team is a real privilege. I don't think I could ever tire of this trip.
What did you think of your group leader?
Mohammed is a great group leader - knowledgeable and good teacher; caring for the welfare and enjoyment of all the individuals in the group; a super musician. He was the group leader the first time I did this trip and I was so pleased to learn he was the lead when I did the trip again.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Stop watching your clock; let go of the schedule; relax, and just follow the camels through this beautiful landscape.
& on a practical note - its cold, so take lots of layers (thermals and fleeces, woolly hat, gloves, good sleeping bag). There are no bathrooms, so take baby wipes and don't forget 'nappy sacks' so you can take your litter out of the desert.... leave nothing but footprints!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
This trip was even better the second time around. I really think Exodus should support Free Tunisia by offering more walking holidays - what about longer desert treks, or the mountain ranges? Come on Exodus, do your bit to support those countries where real regime change for the better has and is happening.
from 47 reviews.
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