It's not everyday you get to ride camels through the desert and sleep under the stars! Such an incredible experience ? One of their favorite expressions here in India is if you can love a camel, you can love anyone ?? ••• ? by @diffeyewear (promo code 'passport' for 15% off) ••• Now, I realize this photo may raise some contention, given I recently brought up the issue of riding elephants in my previous post. So the question is, if it is so inhumane to ride elephants, what about riding camels? I had to ask myself this question and really do my research before partaking in this activity. There are a number of reasons why I decided that ethically, I felt it was okay to go on this particularly camel ride. However, everyone needs to do their own research and make these decisions for themselves.

1. I have been travelling with the amazing tour company @gadventures, who are strong advocates against any form of animal cruelty for tourism. They DO NOT support elephant riding or any other activity where animals are being mistreated. However, they did offer camel rides as an optional activity and knowing just how much value the company puts on sustainable, cruelty-free tourism, I trusted their judgement. I was informed by my tour leader that the camels we would be riding are individually owned and cared for by their Cameleers. He ensured me that these Cameleers treat their camels even better than they treat their children! Of course, this definitely isn't the case with every camel ride out there, so it is very important to know how the camels you are planning to ride are treated.
2. There is a big different between riding an elephant and a camel. Elephants have always belonged in the wild and not in captivity. They are not designed to be ridden and they really suffer when they are forced to do so. Camels, on the other hand, have been domestic animals for thousands of years. Similar to horses, they have been trained to carry loads/ people. However, it is essential they are being properly fed, watered, not overloaded with weight and treated in the correct way by their owners to live happy and healthy lives.