Google Street View Uses Camels to Capture Stunning Images of the Arabian Desert

Thanks to Google Maps' latest addition to Street View, viewers can now journey across the sands of the Liwa Desert in Abu Dhabi through the 360-degree images captured by Street View Trekkers mounted on camels. The ancient desert, which makes up part of the Arabian Desert, consists of vast expanses of sand dunes beneath the scorching sun. The Liwa Oasis, which is the largest oasis in the Arabian Peninsula, is home to a slew of lush trees and fruits that provide relief from the dry terrain of the desert.

Although Google has documented some of the world's most beautiful and remote locations using Trekkers, in the past they have captured the images from a car or a converted backpack. Their decision to mount the Trekker on a camel's back stemmed from the desire to collect truly authentic imagery while minimizing environmental impact. Through the captivating photos, viewers get a glimpse of what it may be like to trek across the sands as caravan merchants have for the past 3,000 years.

To navigate through the desert yourself, check out the Street View gallery.