Top Gear - Middle East Special Full |link| Episode Jun 2026
The burqa joke didn't endear them to everyone.
Before leaving Erbil, the producers give the team a laminated card of "Do Nots." Among them: Do not take pictures of military installations; do not mention a certain religion; and do not, under any circumstances, show the soles of your shoes. Within ten minutes, Clarkson shows his soles to a police officer.
The episode is regularly available on BBC iPlayer and the Dave streaming app (Uptv). top gear - middle east special full episode
The Top Gear Middle East Special stands as one of the most ambitious, culturally significant, and enduringly popular episodes in the history of the BBC’s hit motoring show. Originally broadcast as a Christmas special on December 26, 2010, the episode features hosts Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May attempting to retrace the journey of the Three Wise Men across the Middle East. Balancing high-stakes automotive challenges with the region's complex geopolitical realities, this iconic episode redefined what a television road trip could achieve. The Premise: The Three Wise Men in Budget Roadsters
Chose a 2000 Fiat Barchetta , leaning into its Italian flair and lightweight design, though plagued by typical Fiat electrical woes. The burqa joke didn't endear them to everyone
Unlike the Polar Special or the Bolivia Special, where the environment was the primary antagonist, the Middle East Special introduces a unique tension: the proximity of active conflict zones. As the presenters pick their steeds, the reality of where they are sets in almost immediately.
Filmed just months before the devastating Syrian Civil War began, this segment serves as a beautiful, bittersweet time capsule. The hosts drove through the historic streets of Aleppo and Damascus, experiencing incredible local hospitality, ancient architecture, and bustling markets. The episode is regularly available on BBC iPlayer
Decades after its release, fans still hunt for the full episode to relive its perfect blend of political tension, breathtaking landscapes, mechanical disasters, and unmatched camaraderie. The Premise: The Three Wise Men
Fans searching for the often ask: "Is it as good as The Grand Tour ’s 'Seamen' or 'Lochdown'?"
The episode begins with the presenters being dropped off at an airport in Iraq. Their mission? Travel 1,200 miles through Turkey, Syria, and Jordan to reach the birthplace of Jesus in Israel. True to the show's format, they were restricted by a modest budget and a requirement that their vehicles be open-top two-seater sports cars. The Iconic Cars
Top Gear: Middle East Special (Series 16, Episode 2), Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May retrace the 1,200-mile journey of the Three Wise Men from Iraqi Kurdistan to Bethlehem. The Mission & Rules The trio had to buy a second-hand two-door convertible sports car that could survive the varied terrain of the Middle East. Jeremy Clarkson Mazda MX-5 – painted in a "Technicolour Dreamcoat" style. Richard Hammond Fiat Barchetta Riviera