2 Days in the Desert: A Small Group Tour Review (2025)

You know, there’s a certain idea about the desert that just sticks in your head. Well, I mean, you picture massive sand dunes, a pretty slow-walking camel, and a sky just full of stars. So, I recently took a small group tour, specifically the ‘2 days in the desert’ option, to see if it lived up to that mental picture. Frankly, picking a tour can feel a little overwhelming with all the choices out there. We opted for a small group setup, frankly, because the idea of being packed into a huge coach just didn’t sound appealing. As a matter of fact, the point was to feel the open space, not to be stuck in a crowd. This review is basically my honest take on the entire experience, from the moment we were picked up to that final, sandy goodbye.

Getting Started: The Journey Outward

So, the first day started quite early, you know, with a pickup from our hotel. The vehicle was a comfortable 4×4, which honestly was a relief. At the end of the day, you spend a good amount of time in that car. Right, there were only six of us in total, plus our guide, which felt like a really good number. You actually get to chat with everyone and it doesn’t feel impersonal. Our guide, Omar, was immediately very friendly and kind of put everyone at ease. The drive out from the city is, in a way, an experience in itself. You literally watch the buildings fade away, replaced by smaller towns and then, sort of suddenly, by these rocky, barren plains. It’s almost a slow reveal of what’s coming next. Omar was pretty great at pointing things out along the way, so the drive didn’t feel boring at all. I mean, we stopped for a quick tea at a little roadside spot, which was a nice touch.

The Camel Trek and The Sea of Dunes

Anyway, after a few hours of driving, we finally reached the edge of the real, sandy desert. And honestly, this is where the main event began. We met our camels, which were, frankly, much taller up close than you’d think. Getting on one is sort of a funny, lurching motion, but the guides were really helpful. And so, we started our trek into the dunes. The silence out there is just a little unbelievable. You know, you just hear the soft padding of the camel’s feet on the sand and maybe the wind. It’s a very different kind of quiet. The sun was starting to get lower in the sky, and it made the colors of the sand just incredibly rich and warm. The whole scene was, pretty much, exactly what you hope for. It’s a very peaceful feeling, just swaying along and looking out over an ocean of sand that stretches out forever. Obviously, you have to take a lot of pictures.

“Seriously, Omar told us something that stuck with me. He said, ‘In the city, you look at your watch. In the desert, you look at the sun.’ And you know, he was absolutely right.”

An Evening Under the Stars at the Desert Camp

Okay, so arriving at the camp as the sun went down was just a bit magical. The camp itself was actually more comfortable than I expected. We each had a private tent with, you know, a proper bed and blankets, which was extremely welcome when the night got colder. Dinner was served in a larger, central tent, and it was a delicious traditional tagine. At the end of the day, sharing a meal like that with a small group of new friends is a great part of the experience. After dinner, the camp hosts lit a big bonfire. Seriously, they brought out drums and started playing some local music. We all sat around, chatting and just listening. But frankly, the real show was above us. You just walk a little away from the campfire’s glow and look up. The number of stars you can see is actually shocking. We saw the Milky Way so clearly, and of course, a few shooting stars. It makes you feel very small, but in a really good way.

Waking Up to a Desert Sunrise

Someone from the camp staff, well, they wake you up before dawn. It’s still dark and a little chilly, so you definitely need to wrap up warm. Then, you basically climb up a nearby dune to wait for the sunrise. Frankly, that climb in the soft sand is a little bit of a workout, but it’s so worth it. To be honest, watching the sky change color from a deep purple to orange and pink over the silent dunes is a pretty unforgettable moment. You see the light slowly spread across the landscape, creating these long, dramatic shadows. It’s very quiet and just beautiful. After the sun was fully up, we went back to camp for breakfast, which was a simple but nice spread of bread, jams, and coffee. I mean, eating breakfast with that view is a really special way to start your day. Soon after, it was time to pack up and ride the camels back to the edge of the dunes where our 4×4 was waiting.

Is a Small Group Tour Worth It?

So, the question is, was the small group format the right choice? For me, definitely. You know, you have much better access to the guide. Omar, for instance, had time to answer everyone’s questions and really talk with us. In a larger group, you just don’t get that. Everything felt a bit more flexible and less rushed, you know what I mean? The whole thing had a more personal feeling. Instead of being one of 40 people, you were one of six, which made the whole experience feel more intimate and authentic. Of course, a small group tour might cost a little more than a large bus tour, but for what you get in return, I honestly think it’s a great value. You’re basically paying for a higher quality, more personal experience, and in a place like the desert, that really matters.

Quick Takeaways

So, you’re thinking about a trip like this? Basically, here are a few things to keep in mind.

• The Small Group Is Key: Seriously, the experience feels much more personal and less like you’re just another tourist.
• Pack Layers: Right, the desert gets very hot during the day but can be surprisingly cold at night, even in the summer.
• Manage Expectations: I mean, it’s a camp, not a five-star hotel. The charm is in its simplicity and location.
• Bring a Power Bank: Obviously, charging spots are limited or nonexistent at the camp, so a portable charger for your phone is a good idea.
• Just Be Present: Okay, you’ll want to take pictures, but also just put the phone away and soak it all in. The quiet and the stars are the real deal.

Read our full review: [2 Days In The Desert Small Group Tour Full Review and Details]
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