#ExperiencesNotStuff: Holiday Gift Idea #8 of 12
#ExperiencesNotStuff: Holiday Gift Idea #8 of 12
Camel Trekking or horse trekking
There are many places you can ride a camel, including a few spots here in the United States, however, taking a long trek by camelback to a Bedouin camp in the Sahara makes you feel like Laurence of Arabia plodding through the vast dunes. The vistas are incredible, think Star Wars sand dunes dotted with lush green oasis and mud villages. The easy way to access this type of adventure is in Morocco in the Erg Chebbi desert, which we did on a family trip to Morocco last summer…check it out:
Can’t get to Morocco this year? Another alternative would be horse trekking. Similar to riding horseback, trekking incorporates multi-day rides with camping or ranch stays along the way. Or, you could visit a dude ranch. Staying on a real ranch is exciting and offers lots of opportunities to learn the tricks of the trade and have fun. Good news for Phoenicians is that you don’t have to go too far. Arizona has many opportunities to stay on a dude ranch. Spend mornings and afternoon riding horseback through the meadows and add a smattering of activities like leatherworking, archery, fishing, and woodworking and it becomes something akin to family summer camp.
Carrie and Seamus riding horses at Hidden Meadows Ranch in Arizona
Horseback riding in unique destinations can make that destination even more exciting. We rode through the Caribbean waters in Jamaica on a family vacation there.
and through herds of zebra when we traveled as a family to South Africa…
AMAZING!
Tips:
– Book your camel tour during the winter months…summers can get very hot
– Ask what ages horse trekking companies mostly work with and what rider levels they accept
– Always wear a helmet when it’s available
– Get kids comfortable with the animal they are going to ride by letting them feed and pet it (with permission from owner)
Happy Holidays from our family to yours! Look for the next holiday gift idea for the kids tomorrow. And remember, #ExperiencesNotStuff!
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