logo

British Explorer Becomes First to Walk Across Saudi Arabia

Gulf Insider10 hours ago

After seven blistered weeks, more than 930km of desert terrain, and the company of two camels named Lulu and Juicy, British adventurer Alice Morrison has completed the first stage of what may be the most ambitious trek of her life: Walking the full length of Saudi Arabia from north to south.
With the Hajj season now complete and pilgrims dispersing from the holy cities, Morrison's parallel journey, quieter, slower and laced with both pain and revelation, has inspired audiences in Saudi Arabia and beyond.
The expedition, which began in March near Jordan's border, has taken her through ancient Nabataean ruins, remote mountain passes, and the shifting sand seas of the Arabian interior.
Along the way, she has uncovered Bronze Age relics, walked with Saudi Arabia's first female wildlife rangers, and documented the fast-changing social and environmental landscape of the Kingdom.
'This is one of the hardest but most rewarding journeys I've ever done,' Morrison said from AlUla, where she ended her first leg. 'We're walking a half-marathon each day, while also filming, interviewing, and wrangling camels. It's exhausting, but I feel so alive.'
Known for her work on BBC's Arabian Adventures and her previous expeditions across Africa and the Middle East, Morrison is no stranger to endurance. But this walk, which will resume in October for its final 1,300-kilometre stretch to the southern border, is different. It's a kind of pilgrimage, she says, not only across a country but through history, culture, and change.
Alongside her were her animal companions and a small crew, including Saudi guides and camel handlers. They slept under the stars, bathed in wadis, and lived, she said, 'at the speed of the land.'
Morrison, who speaks fluent Arabic and studied Middle Eastern languages at the University of Edinburgh, sees her journey as a way to challenge global perceptions of Saudi Arabia, particularly around gender and tradition.
'I've walked with women leading conservation projects, managing camels, doing archaeological work,' she said. 'They're changing things from within and they're proud of it.'
Among her most moving encounters was with female wildlife rangers in Wadi Al Disah, who spoke candidly about breaking barriers in male-dominated fields. 'At first, they said it felt strange. Now it feels normal. That's progress,' she said.
The team's discoveries have included 4,000-year-old rock carvings, pieces of the old Hejaz railway, abandoned in the desert like history's breadcrumbs. In one memorable moment, an archaeologist found what appeared to be a shift schedule carved in stone 'an ancient timesheet,' Morrison said.
But the expedition has not been without hardship. On the first day, she developed severe blisters. 'I was in agony for three weeks,' she admitted. 'But you learn to manage the pain. You keep walking.'
Her previous journeys include cycling from Cairo to Cape Town, walking the length of Jordan, and trekking with Amazigh nomads across Morocco's Atlas Mountains. Each journey, she says, is a lesson in humility and endurance.
She's also raised attention and money for environmental and educational initiatives along the way, and has used her growing digital audience to tell daily stories from the road.
'Walking through a place gives you access to it,' she said. 'You're not just seeing it you're part of it.'
Stage Two of the walk begins in October from Medina. She expects it to take another two months.
As for what drives her? 'I only have one life,' she said. 'And I want to live it fully. These journeys make me grow. They show me, and hopefully others, what's possible when you just begin.'
Also read: Saudi Pavilion At Expo 2025 Osaka Celebrates 70th Anniversary Of Diplomatic Relations With Japan

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Telling Bahrain's Hajj Story
Telling Bahrain's Hajj Story

Daily Tribune

time4 hours ago

  • Daily Tribune

Telling Bahrain's Hajj Story

TDT | Manama While thousands of Bahraini pilgrims focused on worship and reflection during this year's Hajj, a small team worked behind the scenes to capture every moment. Bahrain's official Hajj Media Committee produced 68 media items across video, audio, social, and broadcast platforms, showcasing not only the pilgrims' spiritual journey but also the Kingdom's coordination, hospitality, and commitment to its citizens abroad. Unseen but essential From live TV and radio interventions to news reports and social media coverage, the media team documented the efforts of the Bahraini Hajj Mission with precision and professionalism. The team's work was widely seen as helping reflect Bahrain's honourable image during the pilgrimage season, with strong emphasis on the government's organisational and logistical support. The committee credited the team's success to the leadership of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, noting their support in ensuring Bahrainis received the best services at every level, including media. Support from senior leadership Special thanks were extended to H.E. Dr. Ramzan bin Abdulla Al Nuaimi, Minister of Information, for his direct backing of the team's logistical and technical needs, and to H.E. Nawaf bin Mohammed Al Maawda, Minister of Justice, Islamic Affairs and Waqf, for ensuring the committee's integration into the broader Hajj mission structure. Praise was also directed toward Shaikh Adnan bin Abdullah Al-Qattan, head of the Bahraini Hajj Mission, whose leadership fostered the team spirit that enabled smooth and respectful coverage throughout the rituals. As the committee wrapped up its operations, it emphasised that future efforts would aim even higher, with plans already under way to expand and evolve the Kingdom's Hajj media strategy in the coming years.

British Explorer Becomes First to Walk Across Saudi Arabia
British Explorer Becomes First to Walk Across Saudi Arabia

Gulf Insider

time10 hours ago

  • Gulf Insider

British Explorer Becomes First to Walk Across Saudi Arabia

After seven blistered weeks, more than 930km of desert terrain, and the company of two camels named Lulu and Juicy, British adventurer Alice Morrison has completed the first stage of what may be the most ambitious trek of her life: Walking the full length of Saudi Arabia from north to south. With the Hajj season now complete and pilgrims dispersing from the holy cities, Morrison's parallel journey, quieter, slower and laced with both pain and revelation, has inspired audiences in Saudi Arabia and beyond. The expedition, which began in March near Jordan's border, has taken her through ancient Nabataean ruins, remote mountain passes, and the shifting sand seas of the Arabian interior. Along the way, she has uncovered Bronze Age relics, walked with Saudi Arabia's first female wildlife rangers, and documented the fast-changing social and environmental landscape of the Kingdom. 'This is one of the hardest but most rewarding journeys I've ever done,' Morrison said from AlUla, where she ended her first leg. 'We're walking a half-marathon each day, while also filming, interviewing, and wrangling camels. It's exhausting, but I feel so alive.' Known for her work on BBC's Arabian Adventures and her previous expeditions across Africa and the Middle East, Morrison is no stranger to endurance. But this walk, which will resume in October for its final 1,300-kilometre stretch to the southern border, is different. It's a kind of pilgrimage, she says, not only across a country but through history, culture, and change. Alongside her were her animal companions and a small crew, including Saudi guides and camel handlers. They slept under the stars, bathed in wadis, and lived, she said, 'at the speed of the land.' Morrison, who speaks fluent Arabic and studied Middle Eastern languages at the University of Edinburgh, sees her journey as a way to challenge global perceptions of Saudi Arabia, particularly around gender and tradition. 'I've walked with women leading conservation projects, managing camels, doing archaeological work,' she said. 'They're changing things from within and they're proud of it.' Among her most moving encounters was with female wildlife rangers in Wadi Al Disah, who spoke candidly about breaking barriers in male-dominated fields. 'At first, they said it felt strange. Now it feels normal. That's progress,' she said. The team's discoveries have included 4,000-year-old rock carvings, pieces of the old Hejaz railway, abandoned in the desert like history's breadcrumbs. In one memorable moment, an archaeologist found what appeared to be a shift schedule carved in stone 'an ancient timesheet,' Morrison said. But the expedition has not been without hardship. On the first day, she developed severe blisters. 'I was in agony for three weeks,' she admitted. 'But you learn to manage the pain. You keep walking.' Her previous journeys include cycling from Cairo to Cape Town, walking the length of Jordan, and trekking with Amazigh nomads across Morocco's Atlas Mountains. Each journey, she says, is a lesson in humility and endurance. She's also raised attention and money for environmental and educational initiatives along the way, and has used her growing digital audience to tell daily stories from the road. 'Walking through a place gives you access to it,' she said. 'You're not just seeing it you're part of it.' Stage Two of the walk begins in October from Medina. She expects it to take another two months. As for what drives her? 'I only have one life,' she said. 'And I want to live it fully. These journeys make me grow. They show me, and hopefully others, what's possible when you just begin.' Also read: Saudi Pavilion At Expo 2025 Osaka Celebrates 70th Anniversary Of Diplomatic Relations With Japan

Saudi Arabia Welcomed Pilgrims On 7,000 Flights From 238 Cities
Saudi Arabia Welcomed Pilgrims On 7,000 Flights From 238 Cities

Gulf Insider

timea day ago

  • Gulf Insider

Saudi Arabia Welcomed Pilgrims On 7,000 Flights From 238 Cities

As the annual Hajj pilgrimage draws to a close, Saudi Arabia has revealed that more than 7,000 flights from 238 cities worldwide brought pilgrims to the Kingdom this year, in what is being described as one of the most integrated and technologically advanced Hajj operations to date. Speaking at the annual reception for distinguished Hajj guests hosted by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dr. Tawfiq Al Rabiah emphasized the unprecedented levels of coordination and efficiency that marked the 2025 pilgrimage. Dr. Al Rabiah announced the enhancement of the Nusuk app, which now provides more than 130 digital services to pilgrims from visa facilitation to guidance for every stage of the journey, including their safe return home. The Minister also cited the expansion of shaded areas to more than 300,000 square meters, including 170,000 square meters along pilgrim routes and the planting of 23,000 trees to improve comfort and reduce heat exposure at key sites. Saudi authorities boosted the electric grid's capacity at the holy sites by 95 percent, a project costing over 3 billion riyals, and distributed more than 7 million cubic meters of water across Mecca and the pilgrimage sites. Transportation saw similar upgrades: over 4,700 Haramain train journeys, 2,500 trips on the Mashaer Metro, and a fleet of more than 20,000 buses moved crowds efficiently between sacred locations. Healthcare capacity also reached new heights, with a more than 60 percent increase in hospital beds, the opening of a new emergency hospital, and the deployment of 71 rapid-response medical points throughout the holy sites.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store