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Tue, Jan 13, 2026 | Rajab 24, 1447 | Fajr 05:44 | DXB 
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'Our tents flew off': 33 camel trekkers brave rain, strong winds as they reach Dubai
'Despite the bad weather, the camels stayed calm. They were fine the whole time. They handled the rain better than us,' said a trekker
Heavy rain poured through the desert. Strong winds shook tents through the night. Sleeping bags became wet, and the land beneath the tents flooded. Some trekkers could not sleep at all. But for the 33 adventurists riding camels across the UAE desert, stopping was never an option.
As rain and wind swept across parts of the country, the group was in the final days of a 1,000km camel trek across the UAE. The journey, one of the longest of its kind, tested their strength, patience, and teamwork.
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For Huo Xiaozhe from Henan, China, this was the toughest trek she has faced in seven years.
“This year was very different because the route was much longer, over a thousand kilometres,” she said. “We passed border areas and even trekked near the sea. It was very beautiful, but the rain made it very hard.”
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Huo said the worst moment came at night. “Our tents and sleeping bags were wet. One night, we could not sleep at all,” she said. “The rain was heavy and the wind was strong. Everything inside the tent was damp.”
Instead of sleeping, the group stayed awake together. “We sat and talked through the night until morning,” he said.
Despite the bad weather, the camels stayed calm. “The camels were fine the whole time. They handled the rain better than us,” said Huo.
Having taken part in the trek for seven years, she said things have improved a lot.
“Every year, the planning gets better. The organisers choose the route more carefully now, and camels are given to riders based on weight and experience. That really helps when conditions are bad.”
'The wind was very scary'
For Dr Rachel Stratton, the storm was frightening but unforgettable. “It was honestly terrifying,” she said. “The wind was so strong that our tents were shaking all night.”
She said some tents were blown away. “Part of our tent flooded. So all of us went into one tent. We were sitting very close together while rain kept falling on the tent.”
Still, the group stayed safe. “We made it through the night,” she said
Dr Stratton said the journey was also one of the most beautiful she has ever seen.
“We started in the northwest of the UAE, where the white sand and blue sea looked like something I was experiencing for the first time. Then we moved through deep desert, near the Saudi border, towards the Omani border, and through the Empty Quarter,” she said.
Dr Stratton was surprised by how different the landscapes were. “Every day looked different. For one country to have this much variety is amazing.”
She praised the organisers for taking care of the group. “Even during the storm, everything was handled well. We always felt safe,” added Dr Stratton.
Finishing the long journey meant a lot to her and she would be willing to participate in years to come. “Being part of something like this feels very special. I feel proud and honoured.”
Camels stayed calm during the storm
David from Colombia, another long-route rider, said endurance was the biggest challenge. “We had to do the full three-week trek with the same camels. We were not sure if it would work, but it did.”
During the storm, he kept checking on his camel to confirm its safety. “My camel was completely fine. Camels are made for this kind of environment, I believe,” added David.
David was surprised with how camels protect themselves. “They close their nostrils so sand doesn’t go inside, and their eyes are naturally protected. My camel was calm even during the storm.”
When it rained on Wednesday, it brought new problems for the riders. “We crossed puddles, water, and soft ground. We had never experienced that on a camel trek before,” said David, who had participated last year as well.
He was amazed by the beautiful terrains of the country and said that the trek also showed him a different side of the UAE. “We went through areas that normal people cannot visit. Some places are private, protected, or restricted.”
After 21 days in the desert, returning to city life felt strange for the Colombian expat. “Being around cars and crowds feels odd now. The desert becomes your routine,” added David.
‘Much better organised than before’
David Berney, an expat residing in the UAE and an adventurer who also joined the trek four years ago, said this year showed how much the event has grown.
“Four years ago, we were still learning how to manage a trek like this. Now everything feels smoother and better organised,” said the Spanish expat.
He said the route was made longer on purpose to test their endurance and experience, and it made him feel something out of this world. “Earlier, or last year's trek, was around 550 kilometres. This year, the idea was to test limits for riders, camels, and the team by doing over 1,000 kilometres.”
Benita missed the worst storm because he had to return to Dubai briefly for work. When he came back, he saw the damage. “Seeing what happened after the storm was shocking. It showed how tough the conditions really were.”
Asked if he would do it again, he did not hesitate. “If the route includes Liwa and the Empty Quarter, I will do it again. It’s very hard, but that’s why it is special,” added David.
As the camel caravan moved closer to Dubai, the storm became just one more memory in a journey filled with hardship, beauty, and teamwork. “This journey that tested our strength, showed the calm power of camels, and revealed a side of the UAE desert few people ever see,” said Huo.
SM Ayaz Zakir
SM Ayaz Zakir is a Senior Correspondent with a flair for extraordinary stories. His playground? Every corner of the UAE. He often ventures into remote corners of the country to capture compelling news and human interest stories.
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