Join expedition leader, Mark Evans at the Royal Geographical Society in London for the launch of The Jewel of Arabia Expedition.

Subscribe to the podcast here: Jewel of Arabia Expedition podcast

In the presence of, and hearing from expedition co- patrons His Royal Highness Sayyid Theyazin bin Haitham, and His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales this 30-day journey on foot, by camel and 4x4 retracing the 1928 journey of British Explorer Bertram Thomas will celebrate Oman’s rich biodiversity and shine a spotlight on young Omani’s working in the green arena.

Starting on 6th January 2025 you can join the expedition team as they set off near Ras al Haad, the Eastern most point of the arab speaking world and share their journey traveling down the coast to the southern city of Salalah through this podcast which tells stories of people, place, and culture and innovation in this unique country.

Find out more by visiting the Expedition website: The Jewel of Arabia Expedition

The Jewel of Arabia Expedition podcast is produced by Adventurous Audio

In the final days and nights of the Heart of Arabia Expedition the team, and Philby, faced some of the hardest terrain of both their expeditions. Vast open expanses of desert dunes followed by the ancient volcanic fields of harat.

As Mark, Reem, Ana-Maria and Alan get closer to their goal of Jeddah, their minds are drawn to the Red sea coast, but it also gives them time to reflect on the connection they have felt to nature and to Philby during their time crossing Saudi Arabia.

But, as Mark knows only too well from previous expeditions, they must keep their focus on the day to day because just like Philby before them, illness and fatigue strikes the team again.

After spending Christmas in Taif and skirting Mecca, Mark fulfils one of the main expedition ambitions, to journey with purpose, when he visits the Jeddah Prep and Grammar School to hear how the pupils there have been following the expedition and enriching their lessons across the curriculum.

Having arrived in Jeddah and dipped their toes into the sea, there is a reception from the British Consulate with a congratulatory note from the expedition patron, HRH The Princess Royal.

After all the celebration is done, each member of the Heart of Arabia Expedition team sit down and reflect on what it has meant to them to follow in the footsteps of the greatest of Arabian explorers.

Philby left a remarkable legacy. The legacy of The Heart of Arabia Expedition is only just beginning. Follow the social links below and keep an eye on the website for news about forthcoming lectures, exhibitions and conferences in the UK, Saudi Arabia and the USA in the coming months.

Expedition website: The Heart of Arabia Expedition

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The Heart of Arabia Expedition podcast is produced by Adventurous Audio

Re-join Mark and The Heart of Arabia Expedition Team at the ancient site of Old Diriyah, the birthplace of the first Saudi state, historical crossroads of pilgrims and traders. It is also where Philby left Riyadh behind and followed the Pilgram Road west to Jeddah.

The terrain, climate and geology of the second leg of the expedition are very different to the first leg in the eastern deserts and Empty Quarter and this brings with it different challenges for the team. But their connection to Philby continues to grow and Mark immerses himself in Philby’s writing as they travel.

For his original Heart of Arabia Expedition Philby was awarded the Royal Geographical Society’s Founders Medal in recognition of the field data he returned to London. Today’s RGS President, Nigel Clifford explains how significant a contribution to our understanding of Arabia’s geography Philby made.

And finally Mark explains why the whole team - Reem, Ana, Alan and himself - spent several hours walking in circles looking like policemen!

Expedition website: The Heart of Arabia Expedition

Follow the Expedition on social:

Twitter

Instagram

Facebook

The Heart of Arabia Expedition podcast is produced by Adventurous Audio