Camel Treks Australia Ethical, AnimalCentric, Eco-Tourism

03/03/2025

Standing on an impressively large clay pan which has fossilised remains of times past.

The camels are meanwhile surveying for the exit button to deliciousness!

Anyone who has ever met our camels, who knows a thing or two about camels, will share how healthy & content they are. It’s multi factored including being in a perfect landscape for them, and no fear. They can take each stride in peace.

Join us to meet the camels who are our life companions.

www.cameltreksaustralia.com.au 🐪

02/03/2025

Join us this Easter 2025 to experience roaming like this camel who left his track behind on the edge of Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre North in remote Outback South Australia.

Our camels rarely meet up with those who have no masters or any sense of boundaries, but it’s possible of course that adventures become more adventurous!

www.cameltreksaustralia.com.au 🐪

25/02/2025

We don't offer short rides or market-festival experiences. Instead, our offerings provide a journey that nourishes both the body and soul.

These retreats are pure magic

13/02/2025

You’ll find these two on every trek, facilitating Australian Outback journeys between April - October.

With vehicle back up, deluxe super sized swags, chef and riding camels, as well as bushwalking & camel handling options, there’s no need to be nervous!

Join us for an authentic Aussie getaway adventure in 2025 😎🐪

12/02/2025

🐫 From Festival to the Open Dunes – A Mongolian Experience 🏔️

Following our time at the Thousand Camel Festival, we camped nearby in traditional Gers, with personal chefspreparing meals—an experience that blended comfort with the raw beauty of the Mongolian winter. ❄️🔥

From there, the journey deepened as we spent time with local nomadic herding families, each guest riding their own Bactrian camel 🐫🐫 and embracing the hospitality of our camel herding families. It’s hard to choose which video or moment to share—so many incredible memories were captured. 🎥✨

There’s a saying here: “There is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing.” And while the winter air was crisp, the warmth and generosity of the nomads made the experience unforgettable. Moments like these leave a lasting impression—so much so that returning feels inevitable, and sharing these experiences with others becomes a calling.

📸 More to come! Stay tuned for videos and stories from Mongolia 🇲🇳

🎥 Video credit: Odgerel Odko & Karen Jane Ellis

12/02/2025

🐫 Thousand Camel Festival – A Unique Cultural Experience 🏔️

The Thousand Camel Festival is a remarkable winter gathering celebrating Mongolia’s Bactrian camels and the nomadic way of life. Since 1997, it has been held to:

Support and grow the two-humped Bactrian camel population 🐫🐫
Bring nomadic communities together to share traditions and skills 🏕️

This year, our journey to the festival was enriched by Aussies mingling with locals, preparing to ride as the only Westerners in the Opening Ceremony, and proudly standing before the main festival banner. 🇦🇺🌏

We also spent time with the archers, both male and female, whose strength and skill were evident not only from the ground but also while riding camels. 🏹🐪 The festival was a kaleidoscope of tradition, with almost everyone in traditional clothing, and camels adorned in intricate decorations—even down to their ankles!

This experience is one best felt rather than described—a rare opportunity to witness living history and the deep connection between people, animals, and the land.

I look forward to returning next year with a program that brings more insight into the nomadic way of life. If this resonates with you, perhaps you’ll join us.

📸 More images to come!

10/02/2025

🐪✨ Thousand Camel Festival – A Heartfelt Thank You! ✨🐪

Thank you Ariunsanaa Sanaa and all those involved for making this the best Thousand Camel Festival yet! 🙏💛 The festival was packed with magnificent Bactrian camels 🐫🐫, locals in splendid attire, and passionate travelers who journeyed far to take part, adding vibrancy to this incredible event.

As an international visitor, it is always a privilege to witness such a proud lineage of tradition and culture on full display. A huge thank you to the many people who made this visit possible: Ariunsanaa Sanaa, Nikhita, Anand, Buya, Odko and fellow drivers, Baagii, and Camel wranglers Нялхаа Х and family. 🙌🐫

I truly hope to return and share this epic festival with more Australians ready to embrace such a once-in-a-lifetime experience. 🇦🇺✨ This year, we continued the tradition of riding in the Opening Ceremony, likely as the only Westerners—an honour beyond words.

I hold onto the hope that camels will one day be valued in Australia as they are in so many other countries I’ve had the great privilege of visiting. 🌍🐪

📸 More pics to come! Stay tuned! 🎥📷 Anne Moore & Karen Jane Ellis

03/02/2025

Akin to being on a movie set. The colours, nomad Mongol attire, sounds from hundreds of camels and the obvious pride the Southern Gobi community has for its traditions is on full display at “The Thousand Camel Festival”.

26/01/2025

🌌 Embracing the Offline Journey in Mongolia

As we venture offline into the Southern Gobi Desert with a non-touristic nomadic family, this journey offers something many of us crave but rarely find—a chance to truly disconnect from the noise of modern life. Away from the pull of posts, algorithms, and constant connection, the mind can finally settle into a quiet place, allowing a sense of calm and clarity to take over.

This nomadic family shares their Big Blue Sky, simplicity, and way of life with outsiders just once a year, and we are most fortunate to be the recipients.

These journeys aren’t just about travel—they’re about offering you the freedom to reconnect. To step away from cities and the grid of electronic communication systems, and to rediscover the simple joy of being present. They are an opportunity to slow down, align with nature, and experience the profound connection between yourself, the landscape, and the people who live in harmony with it.

Whether in Australia or abroad, we invite you to join us for experiences that go beyond the normal.

Stay tuned for images of this year’s incredible adventure—they’ll follow once we’re back online.

🌌 🐪 🇲🇳 🌿 ❤️ 🌍

26/01/2025

What I Have Affirmed in India 🌏🐪✨

During my time in India, I have come to affirm that as individuals, we are deeply drawn to meaningful experiences. More than that, there is a universal yearning for a sense of spirituality and connection—a feeling of “this makes sense” and “this feels right”, where both the mind and body embrace the moment without resistance.

This sense of goodness, of witnessing and participating in enriching moments between nature and ourselves, animals and ourselves, and the landscapes around us, is incredibly important. It’s about seeing all of these elements appreciated, valued, and cared for.

I want to express my gratitude to the Raika, who continue to welcome us with open arms, and to Ilse, Hanwant, and Ramesh, who work tirelessly to care for and uphold the cycle of life they believe in so deeply.

Special thanks to Kate, our group’s appointment talented photographer, for capturing this moments so beautifully. 📸

These moments of connection and care remind us of the profound interdependence we share with the world around us, and I am grateful to witness and be a part of it.

🌍 🐪 💛 ✨ 🌿 🏜️ 🌏 🇮🇳 🐪 💫

24/01/2025

Beautiful Bella taking a nap during lunch break on an Outback Safari.

It brings enormous personal delight to watch my camels delight in what is their natural habitat, an arid landscape.

Camels are natural relaxers, they can teach us about self prioritising, meditating, and chilling out. Their energy when content is lovely to be around.

Yes you’ve heard the stories of high drama, spitting, biting etc., and there’s a reason for that. Camels are super intelligent and like us, enjoy respect and thrive in such circumstances. Where they live and how we engage with them is why we have so many repeat guests who have become like family to us, and our camels - the luckiest camels in the world!

So if you need to chill, take time out to contemplate, and rest your mental processing, join a 2025 journey.

Lots more information on the website linked in top comment 🐪

23/01/2025

It was a delight for our Australian travellers joining the India Journey to meet the gentle Raika of Rajasthan.

Constantly living alongside their camels for generations untold in an environment that can offer hyenas, leopards, bears, wolves, crocodiles, monkeys and varieties of deer with prolific bird life.

This gives new meaning to the necessity for companion shepherding, however the bond between man and his camel is warm and palpable when meeting the Raika who truly love an are appreciative of visitors company.

Camping overnight with them in an expansive creek-bed with multiple Raika families represented, as well as Ilse, Hanwant and Ramesh who make these experiences possible, was a highlight for everyone attending.

In today’s world we are at a massive risk of disassociating with nature as the focus shifts to AI and merging technologies. Make no doubt about it, a spiritually Is lost. Humans are of the earth and such moments fill our cups like nothing else can provide.

This emotive image was captured by talented photographer Kate, and we look forward to sharing more soon. Thank you Kate 🙏

📸

13/01/2025

🌏 From Elephants to Elegance: A Day in India 🐘✨

Yesterday was a meaningful day of travel, taking us from Delhi to Agra with a visit to India’s first and only Elephant Conservation and Care Centre (ECCC) in Mathura, Uttar Pradesh. Established in 2010, the centre provides a safe haven for elephants rescued from abusive conditions.

Hearing about the elephants’ pasts was both sobering and heartwarming. Seeing them now at peace and receiving excellent care reminded us of our own work with camels—helping them heal from trauma and learn to live without fear.

The day ended on a lighter note as we were warmly welcomed into fabulous accommodation in Agra. Some of our group embraced the moment by dressing in traditional Indian attire for a live theatre performance that brought to life the romantic love story of Emperor Shah Jahan and his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal, which inspired the creation of the Taj Mahal.

Today, we continue the journey with a visit to the real Taj Mahal and other iconic sights in Agra—a day rich with history, culture, and beauty.

12/01/2025

🇮🇳 Exploring India: Day 2: Old Delhi to Agra 🕌✨

Our group has had an immersive start to the journey, wandering the Old City of Delhi dominated by narrow lanes filled with colourful merchant offerings.

From exploring historical sights to tasting delicious ghee-based sweets, it’s was a sensory adventure on Day 1.

The day also included visits to monumental historical sights—reminders of the architectural brilliance of the Mughal Empire and creations that have stood for hundreds of years, telling the stories of another period.

Today, we shift gears as we move towards an Elephant Sanctuary and then on to Agra, home to the iconic Taj Mahal. The journey continues, blending history, culture, cuisines and unforgettable India experiences.

🇮🇳 🕌 🌍 ✈️ 📜 🌟 🐘 😊 🐪 🌏

11/01/2025

29/12/2024

🐪 From the Outback to India: Follow Our Journey! 🌏

It’s that time of year when the summer heat makes trekking too hot, and our camels enjoy a well-deserved holiday—eating, sleeping, and resting to their hearts’ content. They must be the luckiest camels in the world!

For us, it’s the perfect opportunity to continue learning and deepening our understanding of camel culture. This year, our journey takes us to India, followed by Mongolia, and finally Malaysia, where we’ll meet camels in a zoo setting.

In India, we’re exploring vibrant provinces, uncovering the magic of ancient architecture, the flavours of incredible cuisine, and the stories behind bustling markets and tranquil villages. Whether it’s camel culture 🐪, hidden gems, or moments that make you want to pack your bags, we’re here to inspire your next adventure!

Follow along for colourful updates, insider travel tips, and a front-row seat to this unforgettable experience. See India through our eyes and discover why it’s a country that always leaves us in awe.

A big thanks to Shane & Debbie Oldfield, Peter Coultard, and our amazing property caretakers for making this trip possible.

Cheers,
Paul & Karen Jane Ellis