The camel trek is the centrepiece of any Sahara tour. It’s iconic, it’s on every bucket list, and it’s absolutely something you should do. But let me tell you the honest version of what it’s actually like.

What a Camel Trek Actually Is

You sit on a camel. The camel walks slowly across sand dunes. You hold on and try not to fall off. That’s it.

Duration: 1-2 hours each way for standard treks. You do this at sunset one day and sunrise the next, getting two full desert experiences.

The camel does all the work. You’re just a passenger. There’s no racing, no adventure, no physical exertion. It’s slow, meditative, and surprisingly magical.

The Physical Reality

Comfort level: Low. You’re sitting on a camel.

Camels are bony. There’s a saddle and blankets, but you’re still sitting on a large animal. Your legs dangle. Your lower back gets tired. Your inner thighs might be sore the next day.

The camel’s gait is awkward. It’s not terrible but it’s not smooth either. If you have back problems, camel trekking will aggravate them. If you don’t, you’ll be fine, just slightly uncomfortable.

Motion: The camel moves at maybe 4-5 km per hour. It’s slow. There’s no jolting, just steady, swaying movement.

Duration: Each trek is 1-2 hours. This is long enough to feel the discomfort, not long enough to get seriously hurt. Most people can manage it.

Physical demands: Minimal. You’re sitting. You don’t need to be fit. Even very unfit people can complete a camel trek.

What to Wear and Bring

Clothing:

  • Loose, breathable trousers or long skirt (not shorts, sand and sun)
  • Long-sleeved lightweight shirt
  • A hat or cap, essential
  • Sunscreen on exposed skin
  • Comfortable, broken-in shoes (you walk to/from the camel)

In your daypack:

  • Water bottle (1-2 litres)
  • Sunscreen and lip balm
  • A thin scarf or buff (wind and blowing sand)
  • Camera or phone
  • Small snacks

You won’t have water on the trek unless you bring it. The guide brings tea but it’s not cold.

The Sunset Trek

You start around 4:00-5:00 PM, when the light is golden. You ride for 1.5-2 hours, climbing higher into the dunes.

The sand changes colour as the sun drops: orange, gold, red, purple. The light is genuinely magical. You understand why people come to the desert.

You stop at a high point to watch the actual sunset, then ride back down as darkness falls. Total time: 3-3.5 hours including descent.

The magic: Yes, it’s real. Watching the desert change colour from camelback is genuinely transformative. Photos don’t capture it.

The reality: Your legs are sore by the end. The ride down is bumpier than the ride up. You’re exhausted and sandy.

The Sunrise Trek

You start around 5:00-6:00 AM. It’s cold and dark. You ride in near-darkness to a high point.

You wait 30-45 minutes for sunrise, wrapped in a blanket, possibly with hot tea.

The sky slowly changes: deep blue to purple to pink to orange to full sun. It’s slower than sunset, but more profound. There’s silence and stillness.

Then you ride back, tired but exhilarated. Time: 3-3.5 hours total.

The magic: This is the most magical hour of the desert. Sunrise is quieter, more introspective than sunset.

The reality: The desert is cold at night, below 10 degrees in spring and autumn. Bring a warm jacket or the camp provides a blanket. You’ll be cold waiting for sunrise.

What Makes It Good

A good camel trek has:

  • A guide who knows the desert and can point out details
  • A well-treated camel that’s clearly comfortable
  • A pace that feels unhurried
  • Small group size (under 10 people)
  • Good timing for actually seeing sunset/sunrise (not arriving late, not leaving too early)

What Makes It Terrible

A bad trek has:

  • Too many people (15-20 in a line)
  • A guard rushing everyone to catch time
  • Poorly treated camels (thin, exhausted)
  • Noise and chaos instead of peace
  • Photo-obsessed tourists crowding
  • Starting too late or leaving too early for sunset/sunrise

This is why choosing your tour operator matters. Budget tours often have too many people doing treks simultaneously.

The Smell and Reality

Yes, camels smell. Their urine is pungent. The smell lingers on your clothes. It’s not pleasant, it’s just part of the experience.

The camel sweat, the dust, the effort of walking in sand: you’ll be dirty and sweaty by the end.

You’ll smell like camel and sand. You’ll feel it in your hair and clothes. Bring a change of clothes and plan to shower after.

Photography Tips

The light at sunset and sunrise is stunning for photography. But be careful:

  • Don’t spend the entire experience through your camera
  • Take photos, but also just watch
  • The real magic is in direct experience, not captured
  • Sunrise and sunset are brief, you miss them if you’re focused on framing shots

The best photos of sunrise in the Sahara are the ones where you’re not thinking about the photo, just experiencing it. Paradoxically, the worst photos are from people trying hardest to capture it.

For Those Who Can’t Ride

If you can’t ride a camel (disability, injury, pregnancy, extreme fear), you can:

  • Walk alongside the camel trek (it’s slow enough to walk)
  • Skip the trek entirely and do a dune walk instead
  • Do a shorter camel ride (some camps offer 30-minute versions)
  • Ride in a vehicle to the viewpoint instead of riding a camel

No shame in any of these. The desert is still magical without a camel.

FAQ

Will my legs be permanently sore? No. You might be sore the next day, like after any unusual activity. It passes.

Is it cruel to the camels? Camels are strong animals evolved for desert travel. A human rider is not burdensome. That said, camps vary in how they treat animals. Ask about camel treatment when booking.

Can I bring my phone or camera on the trek? Yes, but secure it well. Dropping it in sand is a disaster.

What if I’m terrified of heights? You’re not high off the ground (maybe 2 metres). It’s not a height issue. More of a balance/control issue.

Do you ride alone or with a handler? You ride alone. A handler walks beside the camel to guide it. You’re not steering, just sitting.

What if I need to use a bathroom during the trek? Tell your guide. They’ll stop. The desert is your bathroom, privacy is behind dunes.

Is the trek during the hottest part of the day? No. Sunrise and sunset are specifically chosen to avoid midday heat and because the light is best.

Can I request a different camel if mine is uncomfortable? Sometimes. Tell the camp before the trek.

What happens if I fall off? It’s unlikely. Camels are stable. If you do fall, you fall onto sand, which is soft. You won’t break anything, you’ll just be embarrassed.

Is one trek enough or should I do both sunrise and sunset? Do both if you can. Each is different and special. If forced to choose, sunrise is the most magical.