'The Frankincense Trail' is an epic four part documentary series that traces the ancient frankincense trade route of Arabia across the amazing modern world of the Middle East. Intrepid presenter Kate Humble follows the two thousand mile trail that first connected the Arab world with the West on a quest that’s steeped in history, searing with desert heat, and is full of characters and adventure.

For three thousand years before the birth of Christ, frankincense was more valuable than gold. Its sweet smelling aromatic smoke was treasured by Pharaohs and Caesars. Their insatiable demand for frankincense created a trade route from the southern coast of Oman to the Holy Lands. Along its path, men waged war and civilisations thrived and crumbled.

The treacherous two thousand mile journey from the Arabian Sea to the shores of the Mediterranean was undertaken by masterful desert traders. Vast camel caravans carried thousands of tonnes of frankincense across tribal lands - known today as Oman, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt, Israel and Palestine. Following the trail across these seven modern nations Kate explores ancient skyscraper cities, temples to long-forgotten gods, grand palaces and magical ruins buried in sand yet alive with legend.

The Frankincense Trail leads Kate to the characters of contemporary Arabia who live along its route today; from camel jumping athletes in Yemen, to Saudi Arabia’s richest man, to veiled women who bless their new born babies with frankincense smoke, to a daredevil female pilot who soars above the ancient camel path in the desert valleys of Jordan.

With remarkable access to the hidden worlds of the Middle East, this is a journey full of surprises, both for Kate and the viewer. Here, astounding modernity coexists with ancient traditions and Kate discovers what it means to be a western woman in Arabia. This is a world of extremes – where endless desert meets impossibly blue skies, where rich and poor collide, a fragrant world of ancient legend and modern adventure.