Into the Sand: The Path of the Deserts Walker

Walking alone in the desert can be risky because of harsh conditions and navigation challenges. But if you prepare your routes well and have experience with camels, you can safely walk alone. Many travelers start with a guide or group before going solo to build confidence and skills.

I start getting ready well before the trip. I start by studying the maps to mark places for rest and refill food, train my body. I also check the weather and pack just the essentials

For me, the best time to cross the desert is between autumn and spring — especially from October to December, and again from March to May. The temperatures are milder, making long-distance travel more manageable.

You need basic gear—backpack, sleeping bag, tent, and sun-protecting clothes with a scarf. Most important, someone who knows camels, because they’re tricky. But with time, you learn them well and can cross the desert alone without a nomadic guide

Yes, I cross the desert on foot. It’s slow and challenging, but it helps me move carefully and appreciate every part of the journey

Before I start, I plan my route by marking key points and knowing the distances, stops, and supplies I’ll need each day. I carry a GPS and offline maps, but since there are no roads, the maps don’t show tracks—they do help me keep my direction, like south, east, north, or west. The nomads we meet guide us by sharing information about nearby water holes and confirming our route.

Everything feels like mine in the desert, the wide emptiness where there’s nothing else, yet everything is mine, Walking lets me connect with it deeply, feeling every step in a strange, beautiful way. In comfortable travel, you don’t focus on yourself, but out here, every step reminds me who I really am