For the most authentic desert experience, there's no substitute for a camel trek. See the shifting colours of the sky and sand as the sun sets and rises and as the moonlight casts its night-time glow. Surrounded by sandscapes that seem to stretch to the horizon, it's a humbling and moving experience, not just a physical journey but a spiritual one too.

Many nomadic tribes used the camels in the past, but as technology improves fewer people of Egypt use the camel. Now, the main purpose of camels is for tourist rides and racing. Let us hope that the symbol of the desert traders continues on for many more generations. Gliding across the sands with that characteristic rocking gait, giving a romantic, exotic air to the pyramids of Egypt, the camel will forever be an important part of the way people imagine Egypt.

When many people all over the world think of Egypt, they think of the Pyramids with a graceful caravan of camels passing by them. It’s easy to imagine the caravans of the traders heading into the desert. With no food or water needed for the beasts of burden, we fancy that the journey was made easier. It is a romantic dream of many people to view such a caravan. The truth is, by far, stranger than the myths that have grown up around the camel, the beast of burden which helped spread wealth around the ancient world.

While having a reputation for being an unpleasant animal, the camel is actually a friendly animal. The grunting and groaning when rising are similar to a grunt from us upon lifting a heavy weight. A distressed camel will spit a noxious stream of stomach contents, but generally a camel is a pleasant, hard working, intelligent animal.