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A group of four women and nine men have taken to the UAE's golden desert dunes to begin their week-long adventure during the third 'Camel Trek'.
Organised and supervised by the Hamdan Bin Mohammed Heritage Centre (HHC), the riders - hailing from Oman, USA, Egypt, France, the UK and the UAE - set out from Dubai's Nakhra area early on Saturday morning.
The riders were selected after expressing interest in following the footsteps of people who lived in the desert in years gone by, with each covering between 40-50km each day. With 13 Emiratis and expatriates making up the convoy, the expedition will culminate on January 28 when they return to Global Village after their marathon journey.
"We are heading south East and will be using old navigation methods. Everybody is ready now and their bodies are fit to go on this trip. All are raring to go on this exciting journey. We have a lot of support from the organisers with cars following us in case of emergency or to provide first aid. We have logistics on ground," said Khalifa bin Sabeen, the leader of the 'Camel Trek'.
"We have to follow the tracks. There are certain areas for resting and we have to camp before the sun sets so we can set up the tents. We will work as a team with some people taking care of the camels and saddles, some will do the tents and some others will cook the food," he explained.
Among the four women are two British nationals, Rhian Adams and Hina Webb, who climbed Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, last year. So for them, adventure is in their blood. But both acknowledge that the physical challenge will be different while riding a camel on the desert than trekking a mountain on foot.
"Rhian is a very good friend of mine. I used to do personal training with her as well. She helps me get fit and try new things. She took me up to Kilimanjaro last year. This year she has invited me to join her on this trek," Webb said.
No stranger to the outdoors, Adams said she has spent more time in a sleeping bag over the past 12 months than in her own bed.
"So I'm basically a hiker. During the last year, I climbed Kilimanjaro and Everest base camp. I love the outdoors, love challenge of camping," the fitness trainer said who is riding a camel which is about to deliver a baby. Although Adams is fit as a fiddle, she is more confident after the training she received.
"It's been really progressive from just sitting on a camel to getting up and down. I'm learning to hold on properly to going around on my own on a camel and guiding him and also setting up the camel like the braces to the saddle. It obviously has to be very precise and very strong."
For Webb, it will be an experience of a lifetime but she is up for the challenge. "Other trekking has typically been on my legs. This is with a very beautiful animal, in a very different landscape with the Arab culture and hospitality. So looking forward to experiencing the traditions and great adventure ahead," the lawyer who loves working out said.
reporters@khaleejtimes.com
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