The camels of Al Sheehaniya beckon

Before summer sets in on Qatar in full blast, a weekend trip to the famed camel land of Al Sheehaniya, around 40km from Doha, can be a rewarding experience.

Professional camel racing began in Qatar in 1972, and the sport centres around Al Sheehaniya, according to the Visit Qatar website (www.visitqatar.qa).Al Sheehaniya Camel Racing Track is the hub of the activities. Nearby are camel barns. A trip to the area in the afternoon can be replete with sights of cameleers driving long queues of some of the best racing camels in Qatar to their barns from the track (pictured).This year's His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani Sword Festival for purebred Arabian camels will be held from March 19 to 31.