Trekkup Dubai ✔

Along the banks of the Holy River Ganga breathes the mystical city of Varanasi, one of the holiest sites of Hinduism, where the Buddha preached his first sermon, and pilgrims from across India and the world seek enlightenment, redemption, and absolution.

Ghosts of Babylon, resurrected Nebuchadnezzars, kings declaring themselves gods atop ziggurats, it’s the Cradle of Civilization in the City of a Thousand and One Tales on the Tigris and Euphrates, with ruined empires from the ancient to the modern. It’s Baghdad to Babylon to Basra with a little Ur on top!

The seat of the ancient Babylonian Empire of Mesopotamia, with foundations thousands of years old, estimated to have been the largest city in the world and the first city to ever reach a population of 200,000, the ancient remains of Babylon have many tales to tell, some of which can be found in the Bible itself!

Known for constructing dozens of palaces across Iraq and hiding his whereabouts among them, Saddam had a taste for the gilded and extravagant, carrying on the legacy of the ancient kings and crowning himself the next Nebuchadnezzar.

One of the most distinctive architectural inventions, the ziggurat is like a pyramid of four sides and rises up to the realm of the gods, most often used as a site of religious rituals, with a high-priest residing at the apex. This temple complex was begun as a shrine to the moon god Nanna, the patron deity of Ur, and completed by King Shulgi who promptly declared himself a god.

Comprised of many different ancient tribes and a culture which evolved and centred around the natural resources of the marshes, the Marsh Arabs have struggled and survived on the raising of water buffalo and cultivated crops, living in arched reed houses, and being as comfortable on the water as the Bedouins are in the dunes of Arabia.

From One Thousand and One Nights to pyramidal ziggurats to modern-day Nebuchadnezzars, the wonders of Babylon, Baghdad, and Basra await!

Let’s go!!

Day 1 : Baghdad
After arrival and immigration adventure. We will start with Fardos Square, where the iconic scene of the Saddam Hussain statue has fallen by the hands of Iraqi people. Next we’ll head to Liberation Square and Al-Mutanabi Street, take a few selfies at Al-Muwaffaqia.
In the evening, we will visit the modern parts of Baghdad to observe the daily life of the people. On our way back, we will stop at the Abu Nowas river walk, before we check-in at the hotel for well-deserved rest.

Day 2 : Samara
Today we set compass to north of Baghdad and start with Great Mosque of Samarra, known for its iconic spiral minaret. This mosque is considered an archaeological site, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and was the largest mosque in the world during its time. Next, visit the Virgin Palace with its large pool in the center, then explore the Medieval Times prison. Afterwards, head to the Abo Dalaf spiral mosque to climb to the top before returning to Baghdad to visit one of the most beautiful examples of Islamic architecture.

Day 3 : Babylon + Karbala
After breakfast and check-out, we’ll start our journey to Babylon! Along the way, stop at the Martyr Monument for some selfies on the half-shell before we reach the ancient ruins in the cradle of Mesopotamian civilization. Reputed to be the site of the Hanging Gardens it was truly one of the Seven Wonders of the Hellenic World, although its exact location remains a mystery! After wandering the mazes and mudbricks, we’ll head up to Saddam’s palace overlooking Babylon, subject of governmental approval. After a picnic lunch on the floor we’ll hop back in the bus and continue journey to Nasiriyah with a stop at the tomb of Al-Abbas Imam Ali.

Day 4 : Ziggurat of Ur & Marshes
One of the most distinctive architectural inventions, the ziggurat is like a pyramid of four sides and rises up to the realm of the gods, and rather than used as a tomb, it was the site of many religious rituals. With few remaining today, the Ziggurat of Ur is considered the best preserved in the world! After our elevated explorations, we’ll go deep into the marshes, the largest wetlands in the Middle East, a habitat for fish and birds, and home to thousands of Marsh Arabs, a people with mysterious ancient origins, some theories consider them descendants of the Nabateans!

Day 5 : Basra
We will start our day by exploring the old city of Basra, nicknamed "Venice of the Middle East." Along the way, we will visit a couple of Christian churches, we will take a walk on the Cornish, a river walk along the Shat Al-Arab River, created by the confluence of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. Lunch next to the river before heading to the airport for our flight back.

Grade: Easy, available to everyone.
Activity: Sightseeing, cultural immersion.

COST: 7,700 AED all incl. flights until SEP 30th.

Room & Meals: Hotel, guesthouse – double sharing, meals excluded.
Specifically excluded: Meals, visa, insurance.

Visa: Western and Gulf passports get visa on arrival. Other passports - visa support available.

It is participant sole responsibility to assure admission to country of destination.

See yah at Saddams x

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