Traveling 100 kilometers through the desert on camelback might not be everyone's idea of entertainment, but the Arabian Desert Camel Riding Club (ADCRC), based in Dubai, has a history of breaking from convention.

As the home of the UAE's first all-female camel racing team and the founders of the nation's inaugural camel racing league for women, the club is no stranger to pushing boundaries.

In August, they participated in Saudi Arabia's first-ever women-only camel race at the Crown Prince Camel Festival, and their spirited races at the Dubai Camel Racing Club are open to the public at no charge. The club's recent expedition to Wadi Rum, Jordan, marked another significant milestone. A team of six riders and two Bedouin guides embarked on this journey, sleeping under the stars on mats and blankets, with only a car carrying essential supplies providing assistance.

Jana Schmiedel, a member of the ADCRC camel racing team, organized the trip and explained their approach: "Whenever we do rides overseas, we try to travel sustainably and work with local people instead of huge tourism companies. We want to give back to the countries we visit."

For Coralie Viroulaud, an ADCRC member, this was her first long-distance camel ride outside the UAE. She shared her thoughts: "It was an incredible experience, and one that I will always remember. It was so nice to be away from city life and with no phone signal to distract us, it was a great chance to connect with nature."

The ride extended over two and a half days, covering some of the most remote and less-visited areas of the picturesque desert. They rode for approximately eight hours each day.

Schmiedel emphasized the unique experience: "The peace and quiet was amazing, and to be able to hear the echo of the camel's footsteps off the wadi walls was very special. There was no light pollution, and we saw so many shooting stars and different constellations. The desert was so clean where there were no tourists, too."

The ADCRC, based in Al Ain, has been involved in camel riding since 2019. Their primary goal is to raise awareness of camel conservation and sustainability. They prioritize camel welfare, ensuring humane treatment and sustainable riding practices.

Camel riding also serves as a powerful connection to the history and culture of the UAE. ADCRC's female members come from various nationalities and backgrounds, including Emiratis. The next race is scheduled for November 25, and the racing season runs from October to March.

As Schmiedel put it, "Connecting with a camel is good for the soul," and ADCRC aims to make camel racing accessible to all, with a particular focus on encouraging more women to participate and expanding their presence beyond the borders of the UAE.