The 25-Day Camel Trek Retracing Lawrence of Arabia’s Route Led by UK Special Forces Veterans

A team of former UK Special Forces veterans completed the Lawrence Trek, a 1,100km camel expedition across the Arabian desert, retracing the historic route taken by T.E. Lawrence during the Arab Revolt in 1917.

The expedition followed the path that led to the capture of Aqaba and took place over 25 days, crossing some of the most challenging terrain in the Middle East.

The journey followed the original path through the Hejaz Mountains, Wadi Rum and the Nefud Desert, culminating in a ceremonial arrival at Aqaba Fort. It marked the first time the historic route had been completed on camels since the original mission more than a century ago.

The trek was supported by International SOS, through its group company Iqarus, a global leader in health and security risk services, helping to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the team throughout the journey.

Alongside honouring a remarkable chapter of military history, the expedition has raised over £800,000 for the Special Forces Club Benevolent Fund, supporting former members of the UK Special Forces community and their families.

Retracing a Historic Route

The expedition retraced the 1917 route taken by T.E. Lawrence and his allies during the campaign that culminated in the capture of Aqaba.

Travelling by camel through the Hejaz Mountains, Wadi Rum and the Nefud Desert, the team followed the original path across challenging desert terrain.

Temperatures regularly exceeded 40°C, with prolonged exposure, limited access to water and restricted evacuation options requiring continuous monitoring throughout the journey.

For the veterans involved, the trek required the same resilience, teamwork and endurance that defined their military careers.

Supporting the Special Forces Community

At the heart of the expedition is the Special Forces Club Benevolent Fund, which provides vital support to former members of the UK Special Forces community and their families.

The charity supports individuals facing challenges such as:

• financial hardship
• health issues
• family crises
• transition after service

Funds raised through the Lawrence Trek will contribute directly to this ongoing work.

Supporting the Expedition

The Lawrence Trek was supported by International SOS and Iqarus, which provides organisations and individuals with medical, security and travel risk services around the world.

Operating in remote and complex environments requires careful planning and expert support. International SOS helped ensure the team had access to specialist advice and risk management support throughout the expedition.

Celebrating Veteran Achievement

Expeditions like the Lawrence Trek highlight the continued impact of the Armed Forces community long after service.

Many veterans continue to apply the resilience, leadership and teamwork developed during their military careers to new challenges, charitable initiatives and community projects.

These stories help raise awareness and support for organisations working across the Armed Forces community.

Learn more about International SOS and their work supporting organisations and individuals in complex environments