Trekkup Dubai ✔

Afghanistan may fascinate, enchant, although this love can be difficult. In 2021, the Americans finally withdrew from Afghanistan, and the Taliban took power almost without a single shot being fired. They quickly established relative safety in the country, although unfortunately women lost many rights under the new regime. Nevertheless, Afghanistan once again became a country that is possible to visit.

Afghanistan has a fascinating history and material evidence of it. The hospitality of its people, beautiful landscapes, mountains, customs, and monuments will make you forget of any association with the conflicts.

Kabul – the capital and largest city of Afghanistan – will certainly make you think and feel many things, a destination for the bold at a time when many will have a word or two to share about your adventure choice, let’s have a quick look and see for ourselves. High in a mountain valley between the Kabul River and the Hindu Kush, dense with history dating back thousands of years, a Silk Road destination half-way between Istanbul and Hanoi, a crossroads between Tartary, India, and Persia, and ruled by dynasties and empires from the Kushans and Hindu Shahis to the Turks, Samanids, and Mongols, among many others.

The historical site of Bamiyan in Afghanistan was once home to several large Buddha statues. Before the destruction of the statues in 2001, there were two prominent statues known as the Bamiyan Buddhas. One statue was 53 meters tall, and the other was 38 meters tall. These statues represented the culmination of the Gandhara Buddhist art style and served as significant religious and cultural landmarks in the area.

DAY 1 :: Bamian

Meeting at airport for a direct flight to Kabul. Arrival, immigration, quick coffee and drive to Bamian. Start exploration by visiting the Buddha Niches. These ancient caves used to house large Buddha statues, some of which were tragically destroyed during the Taliban regime. Continue to nearby caves, still inhabited by Hazaris.

Continue to the city of Zhonk. Visit the historic Qala Kephthar fortress, which overlooks the city and offers breathtaking panoramic views. Take a stroll through the local bazaars and interact with the friendly locals. If time allows: Shahr-e Gholghola (City of Screams) the ruins of an ancient city thought to have been built in the 13th century by the Mongol leader Genghis Khan. Admire the fascinating archaeological remnants and learn about their historical significance. In the evening traditional Afghan dinner, at rooftop restaurant (subject of trip karma) to check out delicious dishes like mantu (dumplings), kebabs, and qabuli pulao while enjoying the evening breeze and take in the panoramic views of the city and its surroundings. Overnight in Bamian.

DAY 2 :: Band E-Amir and Kabul

Early start to visit Band E-Amir lakes (subject to local approvals) and return to Kabul.

Subject to traffic condition, we should have ample time to visit Sakhi Shrine, Babur Garden, which is a charming and well-maintained historic garden with a Persian-style design. It was constructed in the 16th century by Babur, the founder of the Mughal Empire. This garden is renowned for its breathtaking terraces, pavilions, and vibrant flora. Followed by Shah-e Soh Shamshira Mosque. In the evening kebab dinner. Overnight in Kabul.

DAY 3 :: Shopping time & departure

After having cake and milk breakfast, we will visit a couple of intriguing markets in Kabul.

We’ll start with photo studio using a 100-year-old camera to take your passport photo. The carefully preserved camera not only produces crisp, high-quality images but also offers a tactile connection to the nostalgic age of the dawn of photography, when light first learned to write memory on paper.

Next, we continue to the Ka Faroshi Bird Market, a vibrant and centuries-old bazaar which is a Cathrin for cherished hobby among the locals. The market bustles with the flutter of wings and the sounds of lively bargaining, offering a glimpse into a beloved cultural tradition.

From there, we head to the iconic Chicken Street, once a legendary stop on the historic 'Hippie Trail' of the 1960s and 70s. Today, it’s a colorful stretch filled with local handicrafts, handmade carpets, antique jewelry, and rare treasures that are hard to find anywhere else. We’ll enjoy our final lunch together at local kebab bistro, savoring traditional flavors one last time before transferring to the airport for our journey back home.

Grade: Easy.
Activities: Sightseeing, trekking.
Accomo & meals: local hotels - shared rooms, meals included.

Cost: 5700 AED all incl. flights, until JUNE 05. Past this date cost will change.

Visas: Costs related to visas are specifically excluded from the budget. We will guide you throughout visa process.

See yah in Bamian x

Trekkup Crew

The natural world is full of extraordinarily shaped creatures and none more so than the outlandishly elongated giraffe, one of natures true curiosities. With a neck so long, it can feed from the tops of trees where no other animal can reach. It’s hugely imposing, intriguing in appearance biologically mysterious, the giraffe cannot fail to impress.

In the early days of their discovery, giraffes were freaks of nature, strange horned camels whose humps had been flattened by the stretching of their necks. Early biologists wondered how a creature as high as six meters with legs as long as their neck could hold the weight of their head so high. The neck is composed of a long thick cable-like ligament which when relaxed remains tight and thus requiring very little effort to balance. Only when the giraffe bends down is much effort and awkwardness required.

With mysteries and speculations still circulating around this extraordinary mammal, our discovery should be one of awe and wonder on our safari adventure of cycling through wild plains, trekking across curious rock formations, and learning the biology of not only the giraffe but the elephants and ostrich too. We will go on a boat trip across the lake full of hippos and swim in geothermal spa.

Welcome to Africa – land of Giraffes and curiosities!

Day 0 // JUN 20 // Departure

Meeting at 14:00 at T3 for a direct flight on Emirates 15:55-20:00, immigration clearance, overnight.

Day 1 // JUN 21 // Baby Elephants, Giraffes and Ostrich ride

Early breakfast and start first safari ride. We will continue spotting all BIG 5 until we reach Elephant Sanctuary nearby as its about the time baby elephants are having their lunch, lets go there and feed them!

Next, we will pay a visit to family of giraffes to congratulate them on their day and learn a bit biology about their amazing body too!

Further on to the Ostrich Farm, where the most daring of you would be able to ride it! After such long-necked adventures, we retreat for dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Day 2 // JUN 22 // Bicycle safari, Lion King and Volcanoes

We’ll need a hearty breakfast before venturing to Hell’s Gate for cycling safari, nature walks, and swimming at the geothermal spa!

Named for the intense geothermal activity within its boundaries, it is a remarkable quarter of the Great Rift Valley. Spectacular scenery including the towering cliffs, water-gouged gorges, stark rock towers, scrub clad volcanoes and belching plumes of geothermal steam make it one of the most atmospheric Parks in Africa. We will cycle across the park and hike the gorge with animals and warm volcanic springs aside us. We will cross the location, that will seen familiar to you! Its is a rock from Lion King gathering, that inspired the movie makers to include the location in their cartoon.

Right after cycling we will jump into geothermal pool with water straight from fumarole geyser... be careful its very hot! In the afternoon, we will pay a visit to Masai Village to interact with the tribe and get an understanding of their daily lives and rituals. After such a full day of activities we’ll settle into our resort located at the lake shores for dinner and rest.

Day 3 // JUN 23 // BIG 5 and Hippos lake

Breakfast at the resort before setting out on the lake for boat ride in the morning light. There is lot of game here, but our cameras will be directed to the several families of hippos, who made the lake shores their home. Shortly after the boat trip, we will proceed to celebrate Africa in one of world famous restaurants in Nairobi and head to the airport. In the evening departure back home 22:45-04:50 (+1).

Level of difficulty: Easy, available for everyone
Activities: Safari, cycling, swimming, short trekking, close encounter with BIG 5.
Duration: Extended weekend including Monday, you ll be back to Dubai on Tuesday morning 5AM.

Cost: 3700 AED excl. flight, 5980 AED incl. Emirates flights. Cost valid until JUNE 13. Past this date please inquire about cost and availability.

Accommodation & meals: included, hotels and lodges - double sharing. Meals included except: dinner DAY 0 and 3, due to variety.
Requirements: daypack, trekking shoes, swimsuit, hat, sunscreen, sunglasses.
Specifically excluded: visa (ETA), insurance. Any extras such as extra water, drinks etc.

Whatever fantastic tales you’ve heard of Sri Lanka is surely correct! Gigantic jungle chunks, every square meter infused with thousands of plants, blended with tea plantations, roaming elephants, and monkeys swinging from tree to tree. Picture perfect country-wide, central Sri Lanka draws our attention with rock fortresses among rolling hills and lush green plains.

Set on plateaus of tea plantations and tropical rainforests surrounded by mountain-scapes sits the city of Kandy, famed for its sacred Buddhist sites and temples and the last capital of the ancient kings of Sri Lanka.
The Temple of the Tooth within the royal palace complex of the former Kingdom of Kandy houses the relic tooth of the Buddha, it is believed that whoever holds the tooth, holds the governance of the country. For many reasons, this temple is considered one of the most sacred places of worship in the Buddhist world!

The surrounding city of Kandy, with its architectural gems of shrines and temples of Indian and Sinhalese designs set among the grand structures of the British colonial period make for picture perfect strolls along the lake and city streets.

Situated in the Central Province of Sri Lanka close to Dambulla lays Sigiriya, or “Lion Rock”, a fortress complex of ruined palace atop a massive 200-meter rock among the jungle plains. A UNESCO World Heritage Site and the most treasured historical monument in Sri Lanka, this spectacular fortress features ancient frescoes painted high above the ground along the famous mirror wall, with legends of drama and fate of the ruler who built it awaiting you at the top!

Let’s go!!!

Day 0 // Departure
Meeting in Dubai Airport in the afternoon for a direct flight to Colombo.

Day 1 // Elephants + Ambuluwawa
Arrival, immigration formalities. Overnight in nearby guesthouse. After breakfast hit the road to elephant orphanage for some unforgettable views of bathing and river crossing. Next, we will head to spiral tower of Ambuluwawa for bit of thrilling experience during narrowing climb to the peak, awarded quickly with breathtaking views from the top. From here we drive to hill county of Nuwara Eliya, famous for tea plantations and stunning waterfalls. Here we will visit Ramboda Falls and one of tea factories.

Day 2 // Scenic train + Kandy + Pidurangula
Sri Lanka can easily compete with Switzerland over the most the scenic train routes, so get your camera ready as we start the day with the train ride across bridges, jungle, villages and tea plantations. When in Kandy, we will start with Tooth Temple and glimpse on the colonial quarter near lunch hour. Shortly after it’s a time to hit the road to Sigiriya. Today we will stretch the legs over a short trek to the top of nearby hill for a sunset view over the Lion Rock. Overnight in the jungle lodge, surrounded by the chirping of the Jungle Fowl.

Day 3 // Ballooning + Sigiriya
Early morning optional ballooning above Sigiriya plains. Back to hotel for breakfast and start short trek through the scrub jungle to the world-famous Lion Rock fortress. As the trek unfolds, we’ll take in views of this ancient fortress from every angle, every step from the entrance to the top is a marvel of constantly changing surroundings. Climb to the top takes less than an hour.

Further on, we’ll stop for a walk along village paths and dry zone lakes before we jump on a bullock cart to village house where we’ll start picking vegetables for our lunch as the head man’s wife explains recipes. We’ll take a quick boat ride while lunch is getting ready. If time allows, we can wander across the cultivation lands to help the villagers work on a small tractor.

Time for souvenir shopping and a dinner before heading to airport for return flight, with pockets full of memories! Bye, bye Sri Lanka…

Level of Difficulty: Easy

Activities:
Hiking, sightseeing, boating, swimming, tuk-tuking, train riding, optional ballooning (approx. 260 USD – early booking required).
Duration: Long weekend
Room & Meals: 4 star hotels - double sharing, 2 breakfasts + 2 dinners included.

Cost: 2850 AED excl. flights until JUNE 20th.
Recommended flights: Emirates at approx. 2300 AED

Welcome to Kazakhstan! 9th largest world country is filled with diverse nature, steppes and mountains, which makes it difficult for us to choose its best locations. The most representative to the whole region are Tien Shan Mountains, massive mountain range that runs all throughout stans, all the way to China. What is remarkable here is the gorgeous Alpine landscape with forest, valleys and snowy peaks.

We will travel North to Kolsay Lakes to experience its tranquility and stretch our knees over some wonderful trails nearby, before we hit the Gorge called Grand Canyon, known for its stunning similarity to its bigger brother.

Let's go!

DAY 1 // Friday
Meeting at Abu Dhabi Airport at 12:00 for a direct flight to Almaty at 14:15. Arrival, immigration clearance, overnight in hotel.

DAY 2 // Saturday
Transfer to Kolsay lakes with breakfast on the way, short rest.

Kolsay Lakes area is one of the most beautiful examples of Kazakhstan nature, known as the pearl of Northern Tien Shan. The lakes are located 1800, 2250 and 2700 meters above sea level. Kolsay is a perfect place for camps, trekking and mountain biking. The lower and the middle lakes are filled with playing trout at sunsets. The Upper Kolsay is located 4 km further and 600 meters higher than the second lake, while Kyrgyzstan border is 6 kilometres away from the lake.

There is a great view here of the Kyrgyz Lake Issyk-Kul from the Sary-Bulak pass (3278 masl). If you visit the place, you will never forget its beauty, quietness and tranquility surrounding it. When the water is perfectly calm, it reflects the sky and the fascinating mountainous scenery.

We will do 2 treks today: along Kolsay (1hr) and Kayindy (2hrs) lakes, enjoying crystal clear, natural beauty at its best.

After lunch, we move further on to Kaindy. You can optionally do horse riding at the village.

Lake Kaiyndy is a mysterious place in a piedmont area 1800 meters above sea level, surrounded by a spruce forest and mountain peaks. Kaiyndy in Kazakh means "birch". The paradox is that the Kaiyndy Lake is surrounded by a magnificent pine forests. The explanation is simple: the biggest birch grove on the entire Tien Shan is in the gorge below the lake, which gave its name to the gorge, river and lake.

The reservoir was created after tectonic collapse as a result of the catastrophic earthquake in early twentieth century.

Overnight at homestay.

Day 3 // Sunday

Charyn Canyon is an astonishing natural monument comprising of rock, sediments, pillars and towers from around 12 million years ago. It is one of the unique natural objects, where the erosion process played the artist and sculpted the fragile sedimentary rocks in the artwork. The canyon is often compared to the North American Grand Canyon. Gorge is located in the Charyn national park created to preserve its natural and geological objects, a home to a large number of rare and endangered species of animals. We will have a chance to trek inside the Canyon to see it from various angles. Further on we will go back to Almaty, enjoy dinner in local restaurant. Transfer to airport for a a flight back to Abu Dhabi. Back home at 00:25 am.

Level of difficulty: easy, available for beginners.

Activities: trekking, sightseeing, optional horse riding.

Cost: AED 2370 excl. flights from ABU DHABI on Wizz, until JUNE 22nd.

Accommodation. & meals: included - accommodation in local house and hotel - double sharing, local meals.

Specifically excluded: Any costs related to visas, insurance, meals on transfers (Almaty), optional horse riding, entry fees if any.

Visas: cost not included in trip budget:

At the time of writing 60 nationalities are visa free: EU, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Belarus, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Ecuador, Georgia, Hong Kong, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Israel, Japan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Liechtenstein, Malaysia, Mexico, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Philippines, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Thailand, Turkey, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Uzbekistan, Vietnam

Other Passports: Evisa or Consulate visa.

It is sole responsibility of participant to secure entry to country of destination at the time of travel.

See yah in Kazakhstan x