Desert Dweller

Trip Highlights

Embah’s Desert Dweller program starts from Dahab, where you will have a chance to acclimatize and have a safari briefing in preparation for the next day departure to the desert. The aim of this program is to introduce you to the Desert lifestyle of the present day Bedouin and their ancient traditions. You will also cover a diverse array of scenic landscapes and terrain, and stay at a Bedouin camp. It is here that you will see the day to day life of Bedouin families and how certain ways are still practised as they were hundreds of years ago. The Bedouin Sheikh of the area and his family, our partners in the Desert are always ready to welcome you with a glass of Bedouin Tea. From here you shall head into the Desert and explore many different areas of uncivilized beauty, including locations such as Wadi Ghlim, a valley surrounded by limestone rock formations and Ein Hudra Oasis a natural spring with gardens of pomegranate, olives, lemon and fig trees. Each day consists of waking with the sun, enjoying an energy boosting breakfast and continuing the trek into areas of vastness and sand dunes, canyons, plateaus. The Desert Experience takes you to the heart of local culture and into the homes of our Bedouin families, observing the daily lifestyle of their ancient civilisation.

Price Details

Price

From: EUR275 per person (7 Days)

Price Includes

• Airport meet & assist
• Airport transfers
• 6 Days Trekking - FB
• 2 x nights 3* Hotel BB
• Experienced English speaking Desert Guide
• Bedouin Crew & Camelleers

Price Excludes

• Tipping & souvenirs while in desert. Meals while not on safari.

Departure Dates

Scheduled dates for 2009:

Feb 8-15
March 15-22
April 11-18
May 1-8
Sept 6-13
Oct 18-25
Nov 1-8
Dec 16-23

Other dates can be arranged for groups of four and up.

Itinerary

Day 1
Meet & Assist at Sharm el Shiekh airport. Transfer to Dahab app 1.15 min. Check into Hotel 3*on a BB basis.
Welcome meeting with Embah Representative and depending on time of arrival, pm safari briefing.

Day 2
Dep from Hotel app 8am and to the accessible heart of Sinai, to the location where the camels will be awaiting and equipment loaded. Here we shall meet the Bedouin Sheikh of the area and his family, our hosts for the journey. From here you shall head into the Desert trekking app 3hrs through Wadi Ghlim with a visit to the Narrow canyon and set up camp at Wadi Rum. Dinner is served around the fire, with tales from the elder Bedouins. Sleep under the star in our communal Bedouin tent or private dome tents.

Day 3
After breakfast we move North East from Wadi Rum, towards Wadi Hudra, descending into the valley with great views of the Ein Hurda Oasis. The Oasis is an ideal location for base camp with spectacular surrounding desert to explore around the camp. It is within the oasis that we can observe the daily rituals of Bedouin Life, from food prep & cooking on the open fire, bread making and handling & care of livestock. Both women & men of the family are present and we can enjoy a wonderful interaction with the whole family.
Wadi Hudra is a wide valley of sandstone mountain, with a sculpture of the Frozen Rock created by wind erosion. Sand dunes at this area are in abundance and variety of wildlife throughout this region varies from the Desert Fox, Gazzelle, wild goats and the chirping of the wheatear birds. Dinner is prepared and cooked on the open fire, with another evening under the stars.

Day 4
Rising with the sun is always a good start to the day, after breakfast we set off on the trek. All aspects of Desert Survival can be absorbed from day to day, from food preparation, camel handling, weather anticipation and general desert orientation. Heading North out of the valley, we ascend the White Canyon, bringing us back to ground level. Moving on we enter the colourful limestone area of Matamir, with mountains soaring to 1000m high, sand dunes and canyons and the ancient Rock of Inscriptions : a message board used by many on the ancient trade route. Lunch is prepared on location and the trek continues on to Mount Matamir. Camp is set up at the foot of the Mt, while you have the option to walk to the summit for amazing panoramic sunset views of the whole South Sinai valley. Dinner served and we settle down for an evening of relaxing and Sinai folktales.

Day 5
After breakfast we continue to trek South, through Wadi Zaranig, with it’s sand dunes and open valley. Visiting Bir Safra, which takes it’s name from the salt water well. Here we can take the opportunity to “shower” and freshen up. Lunch is taken on location, and camp set up at Mount of Wonder, presenting plenty of time to relax or explore the surrounding area and another wonderful sunset. To appreciate the intense beauty of this location, the rest of the day is spent exploring this area, before returning to camp for the evening. App 6hrs trekking.

Day 6
Heading on into the “Laurence of Arabian Desert”, an amazing expanse of diverse landscape, introducing, dunes, rock sculptures and a great stillness and panoramic view.
Lunch is taken within this area and set in set up at a spectacular point. Dinner is prepared and served around the camp fire, and we enjoy our last evening sleeping under the stars.

Day 7
After breakfast we trek on the spectacular area of the Dunes of Hadoudah, the largest & highest dunes in the Sinai. Lunch is taken with in the valley and after relaxing we move towards the asphalt where our conventional transport, transports us back to civilization : Dahab.
Check into Hotel 3* BB. Meet for farewell dinner in Dahab.

Day 8 Free day til departure transfer to Sharm el Sheikh airport.

Other Info

Accommodation Details

All Hotels in Dahab used by Embah are locally owned, comfortable & characteristic.
For the Desert Dweller Program, our choice of Hotel is based on a 2/3* level, and depending on availability within our Hotel Coral Coast.

The Hotel is situated on the shores of the renowned dive site Eel Garden, the location is idyllic for it’s views, weather and sheer natural beauty. Coral Coast accommodates 30 en suite rooms with all necessary facilities, providing guest with a comfortable and authentic lodging for their trip. All rooms boast amazing sea views and each with a private balcony, allowing guests to enjoying and absorb the surroundings in privacy.

Our Roof Top Restaurant serves an assortment of Local and European cuisine, providing you with the chance to taste & indulge in traditional meals, while more familiar European dishes are also served at Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner. For relaxation and chill out, the Bedouin Tent with it’s open fire focal point is the perfect space for recollecting thoughts of the day and thinking over plan for the day ahead.

Bearing in mind the new wave of tourism, our Roof Top studio has been designed to accommodate workshops, conferences, talks and slide shows and also to hold yoga sessions for visiting instructors and their groups. Telecommunications are available from Reception, including international telephone, faxing and internet secretary services. A Baby sitting service is also available on request, with a kids club within walking distance from the Hotel.