Ben and James Versus the Arabian Desert

2013 • bbc

4.5

6 reviews

Eligible

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Season 1 episodes (2)

1 Episode 1

26/12/13

Season-only

James Cracknel and Ben Fogle trek deep into the Empty Quarter of the Arabian Desert in the footsteps of explorer Wilfred Thesiger. They train with Bedouin tribesman and, with only four grumpy camels for company, push themselves and their friendship to the limit.

2 Episode 2

27/12/13

Season-only

Ben Fogle and James Cracknell continue their expedition across the Arabian desert. After only four days they are already behind schedule, with increasingly angry camels. As they try and pick up the pace, disaster strikes and Ben suffers a serious injury. The trip and their relationship are stretched to breaking point as they battle sandstorms and boiling temperatures to follow in Thesiger's footsteps.

About this show

Adventurer Ben Fogle and former British Olympian James Cracknell embark on their greatest challenge yet - to be the first Westerners to cross the Empty Quarter of the Arabian Desert alone and unguided. This is an area larger than France, Belgium and Holland combined, with mountains of sand as high as the Eiffel tower, where temperatures can reach 40 degrees Celsius. But with only the stars and the shifting patterns of the dunes for navigation, occasional oases for supplies and each other for company, how will these two intrepid adventurers cope?

Ratings and reviews

4.5

6 reviews

william smith

8 April 2014

All about why these two can't get on with each other. Not much about the desert. They don't even bother to interact with the locals much or actually take any advice.