On 1.1.2025 I am setting off on a historic expedition to become the first recorded person to cross the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from north to south on foot. Accompanied by camels and local guides, the five-month journey will span an epic 2,500km, taking me through the Kingdom’s vast deserts, oases, and mountains.

Saudi Arabia has only recently opened its gates to tourism. As a solo female explorer, crossing the  Kingdom where women only won the right to drive seven years ago, is an extraordinary endeavour. Women are at the heart of this adventure.  During my journey, I will meet a wide range of women to hear and reflect the diversity of their stories. 

Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve

I will also spend a week walking with Saudi’s first ever female wildlife rangers, learning how they are bringing back extinct plants and animals in the desert areas.

My expedition is driven by three main objectives: making new discoveries, amplifying the voices of Saudi women and shedding light on the Kingdom’s climate, landscapes, and conservation efforts. By retracing the ancient caravan routes, I want to unearth hidden stories from the land’s rich history while offering fresh insights into the rapidly evolving Saudi Arabia of today.

AlUla

One of the highlights of the first stage of the expedition will be AlUla, with its rich heritage of ancient civilisations and trade.  As you know, I am no stranger to AlUla, which was featured in my BBC show, Arabian Adventures: The Secrets of the Nabateans

Why am I crossing Saudi Arabia?

I have been studying Arabic and the Middle East for 40 years but Saudi has always been closed to me.  Now, I get to explore the heart of Arabia.  I want to get past the politics and meet the people.

My explorer superpower is being a woman. The view of Saudi women  in the West is very one dimensional. As a female explorer, I’m uniquely able to spend time with Saudi women and tell their stories.  

The route I am taking is stuffed with history so I’ll be searching for new sites. I’m also walking through climate change and will be recording my findings. 

The desert is a harsh mistress and I am sure she will be teaching me many lessons along the route.

I am a mid-life woman and I hope my adventure inspires others to get out and follow their dreams. I couldn’t have attempted this at 25, I needed the life experience to get me here.

Follow along on my historic expedition to become the first recorded person to cross the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from north to south on foot!

I’ll be podcasting every two weeks on Alice in wAnderland

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Instagram for pictures.

And TikTok if you enjoy Arabic.

Expedition Route

The route begins at the Jordan border near Halat Anmar, the crossing point of the historic Jejaz Railway. It continues through the mountains, hitting points of interest such as Darb al Haj, notably the traditional Attabukiya Hajj Pilgrimage Route, Prince Mohamed Bin Salman Royal Reserve, the volcanic regions of Harrat Ar Raha and Harrat Uwayrid, and ancient regional centres of Tabuk and AlUla. From Madinah, the route will cross towards the coast and down to Jeddah, turning eastwards for the approach to Makkah and Taif. Heading south, I will pass through Rijal Almaa and the Uruq Bani Ma’arid wildlife sanctuary. The expedition will end near Najran at the border with Yemen. 

As the route is too long to accomplish in one season due to hot weather and the month of Ramadan, I will do it in two halves over two winter seasons. The first stage will take 7 weeks over January and February 2025 and will take me from the border with Jordan to the gates of Madinah. I have been working with Alan Morrissey and Khalid al Rabiah on route and logistics.

Highlights from First Stage

Highlights from the first stage of the expedition include:

• Treading the pilgrims’ route – Darb Al Hajj

• Abbasid waystations and forts

• The Hejaz Railway, trains in the desert and bullet holes from the Arab Revolt in WW1

• Ottoman fortifications

• Bedouin waterways and secret tribal markings

• The PMBS Royal Reserve and the newly-reintroduced species of which only 600 remain worldwide in 3 places

• Walking with Saudi Female Rangers

• Stone Age traces

• Moses Mountain – where he brought down the tablets

• Processing camels through the old trading route of AlUla

• Arriving at the gates of the holy city of Madinah on the eve of Ramadan 

Huge thanks to my two sponsors: The Royal Commission for AlUla and Saudi Tourism Authority for their support.