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Spirit of the Sahara - Tunisia

Based in Douz, ‘the Gateway to the Sahara’, we specialise in environmentally and culturally friendly desert treks which promote the Bedouin lifestyle.

Our aim is to provide maximum flexibility for trekkers by offering treks from one night to 10 days for individuals and groups of any size, which can be arranged with a weekend or weekday start.

We are child friendly and children from the age of 3 can be safely accommodated on our 6-day treks. For the young ones a special saddle can be constructed which will keep the child secure on the camel - even if they fall asleep.

We offer a choice of 5 treks as standard:

1. 6 day / 5 night circular trek beginning and ending in Douz.

2. 6 day / 5 night trek, with transfer by 4x4 vehicles to Timbain, deeper into the Sahara, for a circular trek past warm springs and the warm lake at Hwidhat Errachad.

3. 6 day / 5 night trek from Douz, ending at the ruins of the palace at Ksar Guilane.

4. 10 day trek from Douz, with transfer by 4x4 vehicles to Timabin, for a circular trek past warm springs and the warm lake at Hwidhat Errachad and ending at Ksar Guilane.

5. Our speciality trek. A 1 or 2 night stay at a Bedouin camp, either as a stand-alone option or as part of a 6 day trek ending in Douz.

Whichever trek you choose you will live the Bedouin lifestyle. You will cook, ride camels, and learn some of the camp-craft of the Bedouin: fetching wood, rounding up the camels and constructing daytime shelters from the midday sun. You will see the splendor of sunrise and sunset and the desert sky at night, sitting around the fire surrounded by darkness with evenings of traditional music if you wish.

In the Bedouin camp, you will live among them, helping with the goats and working in the camp, collecting wood or fetching water from the well. Children, of course, are particularly welcome.

Our prices are extremely competitive and in addition to the desert trek, include all airport transfers, 2 nights hotel accommodation and meals on days of arrival and departure.

EcoTourism Policies

POLICY AIMS

• To make the beauty and peace of the desert accessible to others.
• To support the local economy by employing only local men and using local produce.
• To conserve natural resources and respect the environment.
• Promote the Bedouin lifestyle and culture

ECONOMIC POLICY

Our policy brings work to an area where employment opportunities are limited and ensures that the financial benefit remains within the local community.

• All guides / camel drivers are local men – their expert knowledge of the region essential give the nature of Saharan treks.
• We use local, family run services, such as hotels, restaurants and airport transfers.
• All products and provisions are purchased from local providers.

ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY

• We are not office based and do not generate paper in any form and have no waste products to recycle.
• The desert environment places significant restrictions on water usage. We carry an adequate (but finite) supply of drinking water.
• We adopt the Bedouin lifestyle – every article has multiple functions, there is no waste and limited natural resources such as wood are used with care.
• We neither tolerate, nor leave, litter.

SOCIAL POLICY

• We provide advice on minimalising the impact on local culture.
• We employ local men and use local goods and services.
• Trekkers will have an introduction to the Bedouin life style, and learn something of their customs and cultures.
• We organise a fund to supplement medical care for the Bedouin.
  

 

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