Lost in the Desert with Nick Knowles

Lost in the Desert with Nick Knowles (2025- )

UpcomingDocumentary show

Nick Knowles returns to 5 for a truly spectacular adventure, this time in the most desolate place on earth - the Gobi Desert.

At five times the size of the UK, with the smallest population on earth, Mongolia is vast and remote and the stunning wilderness of the Gobi covers a third of the country.

As Nick discovers, the land of Genghis Kahn and dinosaurs is not only steeped in rich traditions but is also home to some of the most warm-hearted people in the world.

From a horse academy keeping alive the remarkable horseback archery skills of the Kahn's warrior hoard to a bout of Mongolian wrestling, followed by a visit to a shaman, this adventure both moved and fascinated Nick beyond expectation.

Network
Scheduleevery Friday at 21:00 (60 min)

Next Episode

Episode 1
Season 1Episode 160 min

Episode 1

Nick's first encounter in Mongolia is truly awe-inspiring. Thundering towards him, the riders of the Namnaa Horse Archery Academy, in traditional dress, effortlessly galloping with bows and arrows at their sides and clouds of desert dust billowing around them, they're reminiscent of the Mongolian army that swept across Asia 800 years ago.

The lead female rider, Baaska, demonstrates her extraordinary archery skills at a gallop. Nick bravely accepts the challenge to master this ancient and highly skilled sport.

A bus carrying a miniature mobile dinosaur museum isn't the first thing you expect to see in the desert but world-renowned palaeontologist, Prof. Bolortsetseg Minjin, drives it to a local school to educate children about Mongolia's dinosaur hunting history.

Later, among the Gobi's Flaming Cliffs, one of the greatest fossil beds on earth, she brings a boyhood dream to life for Nick. Together they unearth dinosaur remains from 80 million years ago, an experience Nick finds profoundly moving.

Travelling through the empty landscape with no people, houses or signposts for miles on end, Nick is surprised to find himself suddenly in the lap of luxury. At the Three Camels Lodge he discovers how sustainable 5-star decadence is achieved in no-man's land.

The horse head fiddle, suppressed during the Soviet era, is Mongolia's most famous musical instrument. This two-stringed fiddle produces a mournful, highly melodic sound. Nick likes to try local sounds and can usually pick up a tune – but not this time!

Nick journeys deeper into the barren desert to meet Australian author and adventurer, Tim Cope who spent two years travelling alone on horseback across Mongolia. They camp, nomad style, using fragrant dung as fuel for cooking as Tim gives Nick an insight into his journey through a land where hospitality is revered above all else.

The Gobi Desert makes a huge impact on Nick in the first of his three part adventure to this wild and magical corner of the world.

Aug. 15, 2025

Cast

Nick Knowles

Nick Knowles

plays himself
View all cast

Characters

Nick Knowles

Nick Knowles

View all characters

Also known as

  • Big Adventures: Into the Gobi Desert with Nick Knowles
  • Into the Gobi Desert with Nick Knowles (New Zealand)

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