Trekkup Dubai ✔

Join us for adventure in Socotra, place like no other, where the Dragon Bloods sway and the blue waters spray.

This time the flights are available from Jeddah, so short 3hrs flight from UAE is now required to reach the departure point.

Lying in turquoise seas between Arabia and Africa hundreds of kilometers off the coast of Yemen is one of the world’s most untouched archipelagos, the Galapagos of the Indian Ocean, a treasure trove of biodiversity found nowhere else on Earth! From the umbrella-like Dragon Blood trees to the freshwater crabs scurrying across white sandy beaches, even the small population going about their lives unaffected by the world around them, you’ll think you’ve discovered a lost world on another planet.

Used since antiquity as a medicinal cure-all, the crimson-red resin of the Dragon Blood tree earned its name through legends of battles between dragons and elephants and withstood millennia on this island paradise since the dawn of humankind. Recognized for its strange appearance, like an upside-down umbrella, it’s found only on Socotra and cannot survive anywhere else on Earth.

Besides the Dragon Blood tree, Socotra is home to more than 300 species of flora and fauna endemic to the island, from tiny Socotri scorpions and terrestrial reptiles to countless birds, ghost crabs, bats, and chunky, pink-flowered bottle trees, the entire island is a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site!

Life evolves on Socotra uninterrupted from the modern world, before the airport was built in 1999, the only way to see the island was on a cargo ship! When such paradise is in our own neighborhood, making extended weekend possible to a place where such beauty is not long for this world to the Island of Happiness.

Let's go!!

Day 1 :: Qalansiya / Detwah Lagoon / Shuab Beach
After arrival and immigration clearance we kick start our expedition with heading westbound. Our first stop is Qalansiya, a traditional fishing village. From here, we will take a boat to Shuab Beach, where we might see spinner dolphins and beautiful rock formations. At Shuab, you can swim, relax, and explore the white sand with rock formations and crystal clear water.

After returning to Qalansiya, we head to Detwah Lagoon, a protected area known for its amazing scenery. You can also swim in the lagoon or just relax on the beach.

Dinner and overnight at Detwah campsite.

Day 2 :: Dixsam Plateau / Derhur Canyon / Fermhin Forest
After breakfast, we will drive towards Dixsam Plateau via Shebahon viewpoint, at elevation of 700m, for the first views of the famous Dragon’s Blood trees. These umbrella-shaped species are the symbol of Socotra, and their red sap, called “Dragon’s Blood” is used for medicine and cosmetics.

We will continue into Derhur Canyon, lined with palm trees, where we will swim in clear natural pools.

Next is Fermhin Forest, known for the largest concentration of Dragon’s Blood trees.

Dinner and overnight at Fermhin Forest campsite.

Day 3 :: Aomq Beach / Dagub Cave / Hayf and Zahaq Dunes
Wake up early to enjoy serene walk in Fermhin Forest before breakfast.
Today we head to the southern coast of Socotra, where to see the turquoise-blue Indian Ocean and endless white sand beaches.
In the evening, we will visit the Hayf and Zahaq sand dunes, beautiful and peaceful spots perfect for photos, especially at sunset. Time allows, we will visit Dagub Cave. Inside the cave you will find stalactites, stalagmites, and a small stream of fresh water, a rare sight on the dry south coast.

Lunch, dinner, and overnight at Aomq campsite.

Day 4 :: Wadi Defarhu / Dihamri
Today we will travel from the south to the north of the island, crossing Wadi Defarhu. Along the way, we will cross the traditional villages, date palms, freshwater pools, and desert rose trees on the canyon walls.
After lunch, we will visit the Dihamri Marine Protected Area, which has one of the richest coral reefs in Socotra with 70 endemic coral species.
Dinner and overnight at Dihamri campsite.

Day 5 :: Homhil & Wadi Kalisan
After breakfast at camp, we’ll pack up and drive to Wadi Shafa and start our trek up to the Homhil protected area with more fabulous sceneries, you’ll think you’re in prehistoric times! The moderate ascent takes approximately 1.5 hours up the ravine.

Once we reach the top, we will explore surrounding walking trails through the dragon blood and bottle trees. Some of the most spectacular views await while floating above the sea and mountains. After we’ve explored the area, we’ll descend back down the ravine and move onwards to Wadi Kalisan.

We’ll take a short walk down the wadi and take a dip in smooth white stone pools before heading to our camp for the night in Delisha surrounded by stunning mountain views and Dragon Blood trees.

Day 6 :: Hoq Cave / Arher Beach and Freshwater Creek

After an early breakfast, we will drive to Terbak village to visit Hoq Cave, also known as Treasure Cave. Archaeologists found ancient Aramaic writings here dating back to 258 AD.
We will hike about 1.5 hours to the cave entrance and spend about 1 hour inside exploring stalactites, stalagmites, and underground water pools.

Then we will continue to Arher Beach, where white sand dunes meet the blue ocean. Next to Ras Erisel, the eastern tip of the island, where the Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean meet.

Dinner and overnight camping at Arher Beach.

Day 7 // Delisha Beach
If you wake up early, you can take a final climb up the dune and bathe in the freshwater stream at Arher.

Today we are back to the city! Visit Hadibo city and Delisha beach with white sands full of crabs. You can relax while swimming in the sea and a enjoy endless walks. Dinner and Overnight at Delisha.

Day 08 // Farewell Socotra

After breakfast. we will leave for Socotra Airport. On the way, we will stop at a heritage and souvenir shop run by Socotri women, which helps support local families.

Bye, bye Socotra!

Level of Difficulty: Moderate with limited facilities ahead.
Activities: Trekking/swimming/caving/camping.
Duration: 8 days
Trip Start & End: Direct flights from JEDDAH, SAUDI.
Accommodation & Meals: Camping, all meals included.

You'll need light sleeping bag; tents and mattresses provided.

Cost: AED 10,450 all incl. flights and visa, until SEP 15. Past deadline we do not guarantee availability or the cost.

Flights:
JED – SCT 11:00-14:00 Report at check-in at 08:00AM
SCT – JED 15:00-19:00

Specifically excluded:

• Connecting flights from Dubai to Jeddah, available on Emirates, flydubai, Saudia, flynas starting at 1,100 AED.

Allow 4hrs buffer for return JED-DXB flight.

Visa:
Yemen - included in trip budget.
Saudi - no visa for transit upto 12hrs, otherwise visa on arrival or e-visa for UAE residents.

See yah in Socotra x

Trekkup Crew

There are not many places in the world as Simien Mountains. Located in Northern Ethiopia, this mountain range offers the most spectacular landscapes in the world. The high enscarpments and passes make astonishing trails, covered with patches of meadows and flowers accompanied by low flowing clouds. It is in fact highest Savannah in the world, classified by the population of Labelias growing here in population of thousands.

Welcoming villagers will show us their daily ceremonies, with their traditional Ethiopian coffee brewing. Each day with so different ambience makes this place absolutely special.

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.

Let's go!

DAY 1 :: Oubangui River
Morning flight lands in Bangui just after noon. You’re met with big smiles, cold water, and the unmistakable smell of red earth and river breeze. A short drive through the colourful streets drops you at the hotel, then straight onto the wide Oubangui River for a sunset cruise. On one side the skyline of Bangui, on the other the endless green wall of the Democratic Republic of Congo – the perfect welcome cocktail to Central Africa!

DAY 2 :: Bangui
Today is all about the capital’s heartbeat: the bustling central market, the National Museum (Boganda’s story is still remembered), Cathedral of Notre-Dame, and key historical monuments. In the afternoon, visit local communities for presentation of traditional Banda and Gbaya dances.

Evening turns up the volume! Dinner followed by a proper Bangui banger, a night out in a local dance bar where the bass is loud and the moves are fearless.

DAY 3 :: Pygmies and falls
Early start south-west to the rainforest edge and the Aka pygmy village of Bossongo. The chief and his singers escort you into the green tunnel for the full immersion: jungle survival lessons, finding medicine plants, honey hunting from towering trees, net and bow practice, and building your own leaf hut before the whole village throws an epic dance party.
Afternoon drive to the thunderous Boali Falls, a quick walk across the creaky liana bridge, and a stop at the hydroelectric dam that keeps Bangui’s lights on. On the way back we pass through a Fulani cattle camp – tall herders, long-horned cows, and another reminder that Africa never runs out of surprises.

DAY 4 :: Departure
Souvenir shopping before airport transfer for return flight home. Bye, bye Central Africa!

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

COST: 4,600 AED + 380 AED visa = 4,980 AED

Cost valid until SEP 01. Past this date cost will change.

Flights:

• flydubai + Ethiopian 3,750 AED
• Ethiopian 5,050 AED

Requirements: Yellow Fever Vaccination certificate, malaria prophylactics compulsory.

Visas:
Visa support available for every passport, 880 AED.

YELLOW FEVER Vaccination Certificate is mandatory for entering CAR.

See yah in CAR x

Lebanon is that pocket-sized powerhouse that somehow fits 10,000 years of history, ski slopes, beach clubs, Roman mega-temples, and the world’s best mezze into an area smaller than Qatar. You can literally have breakfast by the Mediterranean, lunch in the mountains, and dinner in a rooftop bar that feels like Paris and Dubai had a baby. Buckle up – this place hits different.

They don’t call it the “Switzerland of the Middle East” for nothing: snow-capped peaks, ancient cedars older than Jesus, and valleys so deep monks built monasteries into the cliffs just to flex. The name “Lebanon” even comes from the ancient word for “white” – yeah, those snowy mountains have been the national brand since forever.
History? Phoenicians invented the alphabet here, Romans dropped the most over-the-top temples outside Italy, Crusaders built castles, Ottomans added souks and soap empires. Modern chapter got messy – civil war, heartbreak, rebuild, repeat – but Beirut rose from the ashes like the ultimate comeback kid and reclaimed its title: “Paris of the East 2.0”.

And the food? Mezze spreads so good you’ll forget calories exist. Labneh that slaps harder than your ex, grilled meats dripping with garlic sauce, and enough olive oil to keep the Mediterranean shiny.

Ready? Let’s roll.

Day 1 // Touchdown Beirut

Meet at DXB, hop on the direct FZ-159 to BEY. Land, breeze through arrivals, and get whisked to the hotel. Night owls? First taste of Beirut nightlife – the city that never sleeps (and probably invented after-parties).

Day 2 // Jeita Grotto, Harissa & Ancient Byblos

Road-trip north for a day of natural wonders and ancient vibes.
We start with Jeita Grotto, a jaw-dropping natural wonder, regularly ranked among the world’s most spectacular caves. Explore the stunning upper galleries, then take a boat ride through the lower cavern, gliding beneath dramatic stalactites and stalagmites in this underground fantasy.

Continue to Harissa - ride the iconic cable car up for breathtaking panoramic views over Jounieh Bay and the Mediterranean. At the summit stands the majestic Our Lady of Lebanon Shrine, a major pilgrimage site and one of the country’s most recognizable landmarks.
Further north to Byblos (Jbeil) – one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities on Earth (over 7,000 years of history).

Explore the Crusader Castle, the ancient Phoenician harbor, and the impressive archaeological site perched above the sea. Wander the charming old souk with its boutiques, cafés, and traditional houses.

Dinner and overnight in Byblos, with time to enjoy its lively bars and vibrant nightlife by the sea.

Day 3 // Tripoli, Batroun & Back to Beirut

Continue north to Tripoli, Lebanon’s underrated second city packed with medieval charms. Head to Citadel of Raymond de Saint-Gilles, the largest Crusader fortress in the country, with sweeping views over the old town and its maze of alleys. Further to Hammam Ezzedine, a beautifully preserved Mamluk bathhouse that reflects the urban life of Tripoli’s past. Dive into the bustling souks: spices, vintage finds, traditional crafts, and culinary treasures. We’ll not miss Khan Al Saboun, where legendary olive-oil soap being handmade in the historic soap palace.

Next stop: charming coastal Batroun. one of Lebanon’s most charming seaside destinations. Walk through the historic streets and visit the ancient Phoenician sea wall, carved directly into the coastal rock more than 2,000 years ago. Batroun is known both for its rich historical heritage and its lively atmosphere, especially during the summer season, with water sports, beach clubs, and vibrant nightlife, as well as its craft beer and traditional lemonade.

Free time at the beach. Evening return to Beirut for the night.

Day 4 // Chouf Mountains, Cedar Giants & Departure

Breakfast and check-out. Our trip would not be completed without a visit to Chouf Mountains.

First to Beiteddine Palace, a masterpiece of 19th-century Lebanese architecture built by Emir Bashir II. Marvel at the elegant courtyards, arcades, fountains, and intricate mosaics.

Continue to the Barouk Cedar Reserve, home to one of Lebanon’s largest and most majestic cedar forests. Enjoy a serene short walk among these ancient national symbols that have watched over Lebanese history and culture for millennia. Back to Beirut for a final city tour: historic Downtown (Phoenician roots to Ottoman elegance), Martyrs’ Square, and the iconic Pigeon Rocks in Raouché for those classic Mediterranean cliff views.

Sunset mezze, rooftop drinks if time allows, then transfer to Beirut International Airport for departure flight.

Grade: Easy – available for everyone.
Activities: Cultural immersion, trekking, sightseeing.

Cost: 3,550 AED excluding flights, until OCT 10th.

Accommodation & Meals: 3 and 4 star hotels - shared rooms, meals excluded.
Specifically Excluded: Visa expenses (if any), meals.