Avoid getting the hump!

Back in the 90's a traveller was left in a rather precarious position after taking a short cut with their travelling budget in India. He set out to find a way to experience the wonders of the Thar Desert, an area of over 200,000km2 that stretches far into neighbouring Pakistan. Experiencing remote desert villages and a dramatic view of the Milky Way, was only ever going to be achieved by a camel excursion, which he purchased cheaply within a local town. That, sadly, was a mistake. After an incredible first night sleeping under the stars, his camel train stopped at a remote settlement close to a rare watering hole and he began taking photos. A small local boy was fascinated with his camera and gestured to try it out. Once in his possession, the boy ran off. The traveller followed in pursuit, but the boy merely wanted to show this marvel of technology to his family. A cup of 'chai' and multiple rounds of 'pass the parcel' later, the family finally handed the camera back. Sadly, by the time he got back to the waterhole, the entire camel train had gone without him. Stranded. In the middle of a desert. Alone.

Naturally, excursions are best handled by a trusted organisation that has a track record of delivering in the most basic of areas, ie. not losing people. They had spare camels for the journey but lacked the responsibility of a trained guide who might have done well to have counted them before setting off without him!

Cheap rarely means value and so I always use reputable companies to ensure my own clients get the experience they deserve. Always consider:

• Safety: Are the guides trained and is the equipment well maintained? • Quality: Would the best guides be working at the bottom of the market? • Insurance & Liability: Does the operator have a clear policy when things go wrong? • Environment: Are standards in animal welfare, sustainability and protection of natural habitats being taken into consideration?

But what of the young traveller? Did he survive? Is he now herding goats by the waterhole? Luckily, a fellow traveller eventually noticed he was missing, and he was finally picked back up. Over 4 hours later!

Today, he's safe and well in Derby, booking amazing holidays, penning ramblings on all things travel and has never sat on a camel since.