THE INCENSE ROUTE EXPEDITION 2025
A Desert OdysseyFollowing the 2,000 km ancient trade route through the length of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
A major Anglo-Saudi expedition walking with camels through the length of the kingdom from the south west to north west
This audacious endeavour is the final and major part of a Desert Trilogy and the jewel in its crown.
It carries with it a message of global relevance with the Trilogy's mission of identifying the impact of climate change upon different environments and their communities, their means of adaption and the Saudi vision of a sustainable future built on its cultural heritage.
In following the ancient Incense route, the expedition sought to:
Illustrate how the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is building on its past to create a sustainable future with:
- the revival of traditional and ancient crafts through education of skills with provision of commercial opportunities
- the extensive ongoing excavational and restoration work on heritage sites
- the large-scale development of sustainable living concepts to help reinforce the transition from a fuel-economy
- Through Saudi-Anglo sponsorships, partnerships and connections, helped lend impetus to the growing appetite for trade opportunities between the two Kingdoms.
- Highlighted the evolving role of women in Saudi society under the stewardship of HRH Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Learning from the past to build a sustainable future
EXPEDITION GOALS
“Cultural heritage is a concept which offers a bridge between the past and the future with the application of particular approaches in the future”
Central European University of Cultural Heritage Studies
Embracing Vision 2030
Highlighting Cultural Heritage
The expedition immersed itself in the various aspects of Saudi Arabian culture, as a major feature of its drive away from a fuel-economy to one of high-end sustainable tourism. The expedition stayed true to following its route, with diversions to important cultural hubs from the 10,000 year old rock art of Hima to the ongoing impressive restoration projects of AlUla.
Exploring Women's Evolving Roles
In seeking to understand the extent of the more liberal role being afforded to the women of the Kingdom under the stewardship of MBS, the expedition team engaged with various Saudi women of all walks, from the Bedouin women in the desertscapes to the modern urban working women.
Connecting Kingdoms
Through the expedition connections and Saudi-Anglo sponsorships, the expedition will use its public platform to continue to encourage the significant trade opportunities and accompanying benefits between the two Kingdoms.
The expedition experienced the various impacts of climate change from weather patterns to water supplies and conservation
THE EXPEDITION TEAM
Core Team
Participatory Team
Rose Cecil
Andrea Tennant
Expedition Advisory Team
Dr Ahmed Alatawi
Dr Chris Crowe
Nicholas Hopton
Expedition ME Advisor & Director General of the MEA (Middle East Association)
Bedouin Team
Dr Ahmed In-country Manager
Faisal Awad Al-Atawi “Faisal Senior”
Faisal Awad Al-Atwi “Faisal Junior” Deputy Manager & Cook
Abu Mohamed Camel Keeper
THE ROUTE
The expedition followed the ancient Incense Trading Route, along the length of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, once travelled by traders at the beginning of the first millennium. A distance of some 2,000 km, this epic three-month journey covered dramatically diverse terrain. Starting in the far southwest of Najran, a major trading junction, then progressing north, the route crossed two deserts, the Empty Quarter and the Nafud, the Sarawat mountain range, and passed through major cultural hubs and heritage sites that punctuate the western side of the Kingdom, including Hima, Bisha, Medina, Khaybar, AlUla and Tabuk. The expedition continued through NEOM to the coast, where the journey concluded by the Red Sea.
The expedition team followed in the footsteps of the early traders, for whom this was the main artery for moving their precious commodities of frankincense and myrrh from Southern Arabia, Ethiopia and Somalia to the Mediterranean.
As a C21st expedition, this immense journey captured the timeless and magnificent cultural heritage of Saudi Arabia, offering the world a focused glimpse of the very real possibility of a sustainable future, as it unfolds, through the kingdom's Vision 2030.
The Empty Quarter & Hima Cultural Area
Sarawat Mountains
Jeddah
Medina
Hijaz Railway
Hegra & AlUla
Tabuk
The Nafud
Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve
Neom
Ras Alsheikh Hamid
Research, Training & Planning
Months of research, logistics & planning are the foundation before any successful expedition
Research
Logistics
Planning
Transport, supplies, security & communications are all part of the planning process
TRAINING PROGRAMME
Each team member is coached by Lee Watts to high levels of fitness, along with first aid and survival skills.
Training for the physical demands of the expedition is an integral part of the preparation
RESEARCH
Psychological and Physical
Rosie will continue to develop her passion for conducting research with her team on both the psychological and physical impact of immersion in remote environments for prolonged periods, coping with physical hardships and overcoming mental challenges in order to achieve ambitious goals.
The data is analysed by the expedition team Sports Psychologist, Juliette Lloyd, for publication in scientific documents for reference by athletes.
The Expedition Charity Programme
Each expedition from the Trilogy carries with it a charitable cause; The Incense Route Expedition will support two, both a British and a Saudi-based Charity promoting and supporting the work of:
THE TURQUOISE MOUNTAIN TRUST
The Turquoise Mountain Trust was established in 2006 by His Majesty King Charles III to revive historic areas and traditional crafts, to provide jobs, skills and a renewed sense of pride. Working in Afghanistan, Myanmar, Jordan. and Saudi Arabia, the expedition will promote the ongoing work in Saudi Arabia where more than 1,000 Saudi artisans have been trained, mentored and employed - the vast majority of whom are women in order to help them build thriving crafts businesses that generate income and provide independence whilst reinforcing a sense of integrity.
Instagram: @turquoisemountain
SCIENTIFIC EXPLORATION SOCIETY
Royal Patron HRH Prince Edward, The Duke of Edinburgh
The SES is a British charity that promotes exploration, researching climate change, environmental protection, conservation and leads community projects in remote areas. With a focus on encouraging the younger generation of explorers, the SES provides funding, mentoring and training for its young pioneers.
Instagram: @sesexplore
SPONSORS & SUPPORTERS
VIKING
MYNM FORD
