| Sahara-the name that invokes awe and | | | | envious at the way the Pharaohs promiscuously |
| tremendous interest. After all, it's for nothing that | | | | flirted with adventure, you can have your share |
| it's regarded among tourists and archaeologists as | | | | of fun as well. The Sahara desert offers the |
| the emperor of aridity. Imposing and extremely | | | | perfect launching pad for several marathons as |
| daunting, the Sahara desert seems to have | | | | well as motor rallies. But it's certainly not for the |
| captured the collective imagination of mankind | | | | faint-hearted. The famed Marathon-de-Sables is a |
| ever since the Pharaohs ruled the roost here. | | | | grueling 7-day, 145 mile ordeal that promises to |
| More than 3000 miles in length, this indomitable | | | | be the ultimate test of the human spirit. But don't |
| and at times inhospitable terrain spreads across | | | | get mortified at the thought of the marathon, |
| most part of Northern Africa, from east to west. | | | | there's a lot more than you can try you hand at. |
| The arid landscape, scorching temperatures and | | | | Check out the adventure holidays replete with |
| limited water resources have not deterred | | | | camel safaris and soak up the sun and the sand. |
| tourists and scores of travelers from venturing in | | | | It's the perfect way to learn about the rich |
| to the realms of this fabulous desert. Indeed, | | | | history of the place. I'm sure the sight of salt |
| vacations in the Sahara desert are a must for | | | | being loaded on to camel backs and traded for |
| every desert lover. | | | | manufacturing goods, millet and textiles will be |
| Few things that you didn't know | | | | greeted with wide-eyed fascination. Your vacation |
| So you've decided to go on the most romantic | | | | in the Sahara desert is incomplete without a visit |
| adventure of your life, in the Sahara. But there's | | | | to Matmata, a much sought after tourist |
| more to the place than just expansive sand | | | | destination. Don't forget to check out the |
| dunes. The parched landscape is peopled with | | | | sandstone rocks and mountains carved |
| seasonal water bodies and oasis, rocky plateaus | | | | generously by the insensitive winds at Djado. Your |
| and mountains and unrestrained sand seas that | | | | holiday gets a fillip with a stay at the picturesque |
| seem to go on for eternity. Some parts of this | | | | oasis town of Tima dotted with citrus fruit |
| awe-inspiring desert have never experienced | | | | plantations. But if you want an education in |
| something called rain; but you better be warned | | | | enjoying the simple pleasures of life, then take a |
| that when the rain Gods do display a rare sense | | | | camping trip in this godforsaken part of the world. |
| of magnanimity, it tends to pour. The place may | | | | It's sure to be an extremely insightful experience. |
| be barren, but that certainly is not the way you | | | | Painted at leisure by the scorching sun and |
| can describe its history and culture. The many | | | | sculpted to perfection by the unforgiving winds, |
| fables and legends that one gets to hear in these | | | | the Sahara desert offers the perfect getaway to |
| parts are the stuff that dreams are made of. | | | | tourists of all ages. Come; let's celebrate beauty in |
| What's in store for you? | | | | all its external manifestations. |
| Plenty, as a matter of fact. If you're kind of | | | | |