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CATHERINE W GICHUKI
DOHA
ARE you a desert adventure-loving woman looking for trips specially organised for women? If yes, get ready for a new season of the trips in October when winter start to set in.
The trips are being organised by Qatari Noura al Amri, founder of Tartebkum, a startup company offering modern day desert expeditions and adventures for women.
Speaking to Qatar Tribune recently, Amri said she started the initiative when she realised that there was no offerings that cater to the need of Arab women's privacy on such trips."I developed the idea when I thought of women, especially in my country Arabs and Muslims who need outings that are organised specifically for them to have fun together but cannot find such occasions. Then I came up with an initiative that is different from what others have been doing," she said.
Amri added her motive was to do something that would promote not only Qatar but also the entire GCC region as a woman-friendly adventure hub.
"Although participants in the previous editions have been Arab and Muslim women who are always on the look out for a private trip, other nationalities are welcome to join the fun," she said.
She reiterated that privacy for the women was very important not only for Arab Muslims but all ladies irrespective of their backgrounds.
"There are people from different nationalities who like adventure and when they come to know that there is a group that comprises women only, they are more eager to join," Amri said.
She said each trip lasts for a day.
"The trips take place from morning until around 8pm. It is difficult to make women sleep outside of their homes, especially in this country that is why I haven't made a plan for them to sleep outside," she said, adding that she has not got facilities that would provide the participants the needed privacy to sleep outside.
According to her, she started the venture last year when she took the participants to Al Ghariya, where she put up a tent.
Talking about how they spend the day, Amri said that they leave Doha around 8am and take about an hour to reach the destination.
"When we reach the location, we normally have breakfast together and then engage in various fun-filled activities such as sports, yoga and meditation, and take a lunch break before taking part in more activities in the afternoon. After that, we sit and share our life experiences which can be of help to others. We also hold many competitions where women win prizes," she said.
According to her, the charges for these trips depend on the place where they want to go.
"Going to the desert costs only between QR75 and QR100. However, the charges are different for the inland sea," she said.
