Four old friends, members of the New York Explorers Club, decide to search for a legendary camel caravan that disappeared in 180 A.D. somewhere in the Empty Quarter of the Arabian Peninsula.

Although past their prime, these adventurers are determined to make one last great discovery in the spirit of the brave explorers of the 19th Century. A retired American war correspondent, a former Russian Cosmonaut, an aging British mercenary, and a beautiful actress—and runaway wife of one of Osama bin Laden's brothers—set off together.

The quest starts as something of a lark yet evolves into a struggle for survival as they encounter soaring temperatures, sandstorms, rogue sheikhs, bandits, and other unforeseen dangers. Along the way, they rediscover the skills, resilience, and ingenuity that have kept them alive throughout their long and exciting lives.