Trekkup Dubai ✔

The most mysterious and least explored of the Central Asian “stans”, Turkmenistan has long been one of the hardest countries to approach. It shares borders with Kazakhstan to the northwest, Uzbekistan to the north and east, Afghanistan to the southeast, Iran to the south and southwest, and the Caspian Sea to the west. For centuries, Turkmenistan stood at the crossroads of civilizations. In medieval times, Merv was one of the great cities of the Islamic world and an important Silk Road stop, a vital link in the trade route between China and the West until the mid 15th century.

Annexed by the Russian Empire in 1881, Turkmenistan later played a prominent role in the anti-Bolshevik movement in Central Asia. In 1924, it became the Turkmen Soviet Socialist Republic, a constituent republic of the USSR, and gained independence in 1991.

The country became famous for the dictatorship of Saparmyrat Niyazov, who ruled as ‘Turkmenbashi’ (‘leader of the Turkmen’) and governed until his death in 2006. His era left a surreal legacy: golden statues of himself and grand monuments celebrating the so-called “golden age” of Turkmenistan.

Yet the essence of Turkmenistan lies beyond its politics — in the warmth and generosity of its people, whose legendary hospitality makes visitors feel instantly welcome.

Ashgabat, the capital, is a billion dollar display of national pride, with endless white marble buildings stretching across a long, dry valley. At sunrise or sunset, the city glows with a strange beauty, resembling more a scene from a sci-fi movie than an earthly settlement.

A visit to the Köw Ata Underground Lake offers a unique experience. Descend into a cave at the base of a mountain, walking down a staircase 65 meters underground, into a world of warm, sulphurous air. At the bottom, a crystal-clear lake, naturally heated to around 36°C, invites you for a surreal swim deep beneath the earth’s surface.

Turkmenistan doors to hell…

And then there is Turkmenistan’s most famous spectacle: the “Doors to Hell”. In the desert village of Darvaza, home to around 350 tribal residents, life had been unchanged for centuries. Nothing could interrupt the peaceful and quiet lifestyle of the nomadic tribe, aside from sitting on a valuable cache of natural resources.

Initial estimations of the site’s reserves were extremely low. In the early 1970s, Soviet scientists attempted to burn off escaping gas after a drilling mishap. When they lit the gas, it erupted and never stopped burning. Over forty years later locals call it the Doors to Hell.

In the heart of the African continent lies the Central African Republic, still known to some as the Empire of Central Africa, which suffered under a corrupt government for decades. However, the situation is gradually changing, making the country increasingly safer and attractive on a travel map.

Bangui, the capital of the CAR, and biggest city with population of 400,000 is one of the bustling centres of the region. The most important lifeline of Bangui is the Ubangi River, the second largest tributary of the Congo.

Although houses are made here of unfired bricks, with roofs covered in metal (in wealthier areas) or thatch (in villages), dominate the country's architecture, capital influences of French architecture are still visible - wide boulevards and avenues almost all lead to the Place de la Republique.

The heart of Ubangi district is surrounded by an impressive residential district where the city's upper class resides.

One of remarkable highlights is Boganda Museum providing detailed insight into the history of the country, development and traditions of the ethnic groups of Central Africa. Their culture is expressed by dance, art, and tradition. Another popular destination is the central market, which conveys the African way of life at first hand.

The overall landscape of the Central African Republic includes hilly terrain, large areas of wet and savannah forests, a somewhat drier and barren northern region, parts of the Chad and Congo basins, the Mongos Mountains, and the 1,420m high Kayagangiri. Some areas of the country are noticeably sparsely populated, and where there are people, you will find Bantu, various Sahelo-Sudanese groups, Azande people, and pygmies who were the first inhabitants of the area.

The residents of this constantly plundered country, live in accordance with the spirit of "true" Africa, and do not cease to be open, friendly, and generous people.

Pygmies
The legendary Pygmies who live here are known as the Ba'aka. They are one of the few primitive hunter-gatherer tribes on Earth. The Ba'aka are very kind, quiet people who are shy around strangers, but they are extremely helpful and peaceful. However, they struggle to adjust in situations where they are forced to leave the forests and settle on the savannahs because they are unable to build suitable homes for open spaces. They do not understand the concept of money or property rights as they are children of nature. Unfortunately, their time is limited as they are being forced to settle and lose their identity, which ultimately leads to their demise along with the forests that are being irresponsibly destroyed by companies from Lebanon or Yemen.

Day 1 // CAR :: Bangui
Morning departure, immigration adventure, welcome to Central African Republic! We ll head for lunch and city tour, time allowing: President palace, Boganda Museum, Jean Bedel and the Bokasa Old palace, craft and central markets. Overnight in hotel.

Day 2 // CAR :: Boali waterfalls
After early breakfast hit the road to Boali waterfalls, north west part of Bangui. Short walk to watrefalls, visit the liana bridge and walk along Mbali river. After lunch we ll follow to the dam supplying electricity to Bangui. Shortly after hit the road back to Bangui. Dinner and overnight.

Day 3 // CAR :: Pygmies
Early start and head to Bossongo, pygmies village in the South West part of Bangui. Welcome ceremony by the chief of the village accompanied by singing assistants, will bring us into the village in Forest. Here we will start with jungle survival presentation, commencing on how to find medicinal plants in the jungle. Followed by honey collection skills we will learn net and bow hunting. After building our own hut, we will celebrate the day with the village dance party. Back to Bangui for spectacular sunset on Ubangi river, constituting border between CAR and DRC.

Day 4 // Crocodile Lake
Today we will head outskirts to visit famous Crocodile lake and Foulani village, for the outlook on their lifestyle and traditions. Return to Bangui for overnight.

Day 5 // Departure
Bye, bye CAR, time to hit the road to airport and fly back home.

Level of Difficulty: Easy, raw Africa.
Duration: 5 days
Activities: Trekking, boating, sightseeing, wildlife and indigenous tribes encounter.
Rooms: New 4 star hotel – double sharing, single at extra cost subject of availability at the time of booking.
Meals: Restaurant meals excluded. Breakfasts included.

COST: 5,550 AED + 480 AED visa + 3900 AED flights. Total: 9,880 AED.

Requirements: Yellow Fever Vaccination certificate, malaria prophylactics compulsory.

Visas:
Visa support available for every passport, 480 AED.

YELLOW FEVER Vaccination Certificate is mandatory for entering CAR.

See yah in CAR x

Imagine yourself walking through a forest of beech trees, their leaves kissed the colour of autumn, glistening red, yellow, and gold under the afternoon sun.

This autumn weekend takes you to the Areni Wine Festival in Armenia, and promises fewer tourists, perfect autumn weather and simply stunning landscapes.

Located in the South Caucasus, Armenia is an extraordinary place, somewhat frozen in time as it moves to its own rhythm. Also, the first country in the world to adopt Christianity as its state religion, Armenia’s history is rich and shrouded in legends. It was on holy Mount Ararat, now located in Turkish territory, that Noah's Ark is believed to have stopped. While the miracle of Saint Gregory the Illuminator, who managed to survive in a cell under the Khor Wirap monastery, also took place in Armenia.

Although you may only be able to admire Mount Ararat’s snowcapped peaks from a distance, there are fortunately many more places in Armenia worth visiting. There are so many beautifully unique temples, monasteries and khachkars (stone crosses) scattered all over the country that it’s nearly impossible to count them. Khachkars began to pop up in Armenia right after the adoption of Christianity to replace pagan temples and later decorate crossroads, gardens and tombstones.

Yerevan, established in 782 BC, is 29 years older than Rome! Which was founded in 753 BC. And despite its history, and the fact that it’s Armenia’s capital, it doesn’t have a charming old town. This ancient city delights with something completely different – a mixture of modernity and ancient history, sprinkled with flavours of a bygone communist era.

Our weekend away in Armenia is dedicated to celebrating autumn in all its glory – from the beautiful colours it has to offer, to the perfectly crisp, yet warm, fresh weather. And we will experience it all in raw nature, as we traverse Armenia’s forests and meadows.

Let’s go!

DAY 1 // OCT 03 // Friday

Meeting at SHJ Int. at 06:00am for a direct flight to Yerevan at 08:05am.

Today we start to Tavush Marz, passing by the legendary subject of Armenian proud - Sevan lake. We will start our hike near Lake Parz at an altitude of 1220m all the way to 1600m, continuing to 1570m where we will find the picturesque Gosh village. It's a lovely place with unique charm. Today's trek is 5.6 kilometers, around 2.5 hours.

Drive to Yerevan. Check in and free time.

DAY 2 // OCT 04 // Saturday

After breakfast we head out towards Vayots Dzor province; the road trip offers stunning views of the landscape along the way, making it a visually memorable experience.

First stop will be Khor Virap Monastery with the best view on Ararat Mountain.

Then we will visit an impressive Areni Birds Cave. The oldest leather shoe of the world was found right there.

Next stop will be Noravank monastery, where a short trekking will be organized. The monastery in surrounded by red rocks what gives that place special energy and beauty.

After that we will drive to Areni village to participate in Areni Wine Fest.

The festival consists of several zones:
· Homemade Wine Zone, designed for the residents of the local and neighboring villages to present their homemade wines and dishes,
· Production Area and Food Zone, Armenian winemakers will present their 100 types of wines and their best pairings with food from traditional Armenian restaurants.
· Music Zone, guests are granted the chance to enjoy high-quality music.

Free time at a festival. Return to Yerevan.

DAY 3 // OCT 05 // Sunday

Check out. Drive to the only remaining pagan temple in Armenia devoted to the God of Sun – Myrth.

From here we take a short walk to Azat Gorge. It obtained the name "Symphony of Rocks" due to spectacular views. The fantastic landscape of the canyon will shake our imagination. Family hosted lunch in village house with watching of “Lavash” (Armenian traditional flat bread baked in stonemake oven) making process, testing authentic Armenian food, get acquainted with local village life. Further on we head back to capitol with a stop at viewpoint of Azat Lake.

Transfer to the airport. Bye, bye Armenia! Back home shortly after 8pm.

Grade: Easy
Accommodation and meals: City center 3 star hotel - double sharing. Dinners excluded.

Cost: 2,360 AED excl. flights until OCT 01. After deadline cost will change.

Specifically excluded: dinners, lunch on day 2 (during festival), visas, insurance.

Shiraz, the city of poets, gardens, wine, nightingales and flowers, boasting treasure of Persian culture, once the centre of arts and literature in the 13th century, home to astronomers, mathematicians, and Iran’s most famous poets. Hafez and Saadi were from here, with their tombs dotting the cityscape, crafts of inlaid mosaic, silver, and carpets are still designed here. The palaces, mosques, tombs, and citadels of this ancient city rings a bell of a once mighty empire.

From the tombs of Saadi and Hafiz, Shah Shoja’ and Haft Tanan, to the mountaintop mausoleum of Baba Kuhi, the oldest mosque of Iran, Atigh Jame’ and the most colourful stained glasses and mosaics of Vakil and Nasir al-Mulk mosques, the old quarters of the city with it’s famous houses of Zinat-ol-Moluk and Gahavam’s House, and the gardens around every corner, from the Eram Garden and mansion to the Afifabad Delgosha, and Jahan Nama, it’s an explosion of culture from city gate to city center!

Persepolis, the ceremonial capital of the Achaemenid Empire which ruled from 550-330 BC, situated at the foot of the Zagros Mountains, conceived by Cyrus the Great, constructed by Darius I, and destroyed by Alexandar the Great, the ruins of this massive palace complex are filled with towering grand columns, inscribed with cuneiform texts and stairway reliefs to tell the stories of this empire and it’s mysterious purposes for this once imposing structure, let’s discover it’s secrets!
As the final resting place of the kings of the Achaemenid Empire, Naqsh-e Rostom is a necropolis of rock reliefs cut into the mountains, most notable tombs are that of King Darius the Great and his son, Xerxes. Reminiscent of other ancient civilizations like the Nabateans, who created complex structures carved directly out of rock faces, with intricate facades and figures above doorways leading to sarcophagi chambers, it’s one of Iran’s most unique and spectacular archaeological sites!

Let’s go!!

Day 1 // Shiraz, Qalat

Midday flight to Shiraz, immigration formalities, well deserved lunch in the city. We’ll venture to the idyllic mountain village of Qalat for a short trek and taste some more of Persian cuisine before heading back to Shiraz for a few more sights.

Day 2 // Persepolis, Naqsh-e-Rustam

Early breakfast before we take a short drive to Naqsh-e-Rustam and nearby Persopolis. After wandering the many ruins of the Achaemenid Empire, then we’ll head back to the city of poets and gardens, as the Hafez Tomb, Karim khan citadel and Vakil bazaar, with some serious selection of silk carpets, await us.

Day 3 // Departure

Our trip to Shiraz would not be completed without visit at Pink Mosque and Quavam House. If time allows, souvenir shopping before transfer to airport for flight back home.

Activities: Trekking, sightseeing, cultural immersion.
Duration: Long weekend including Friday.
Accommodation and meals: 5-star boutique hotel double sharing, meals included. Single room subject of availability and extra cost at the time of booking.

Cost: 3,500 AED all incl. flight on Flydubai - cash payment during briefings only. Cost valid until OCT 01.

Specifically excluded: E-visa cost payable on arrival or in Consulate (we apply for your evisa). UK, USA, Canada – lead-time of 30-45 days.

See yah in Persepolis x