Trekkup Dubai ✔

Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan each offer many incredible sights, but the loudest “wows” are usually heard by their pristine, high-altitude lakes, ranging from deep blue to green to electric turquoise. So we’ve cooked up a trip which takes in the most stunning bodies of water in the region, sure to take your breath away – especially if you decide to take a dip!

Mysterious, mountainous Kyrgyzstan awes visitors with its idyllic backdrops of green pastures, alpine lakes and glaciers, surrounded by dense forest and jagged mountain peaks. Exploring these untouched landscapes on foot and by horseback, traversing hills and valleys where nomads roam, it’s possible to witness a traditional Kyrgyz way of life which continues as it has for centuries.

Scenic vistas abound in the magnificent Tchu Valley, in the northern part of the famed Tien Shan Mountains, a massive mountain range that runs throughout the ‘stans’ and all the way to China. This beautiful, forested river valley stretches more than 100 km from east to west, and is home to an array of wildlife such as alpine ibex, ermines, snow leopards, deer, golden eagles, saker falcons, and bearded vultures.
Enjoying the pure air and clear, starry skies, our adventure will take us to verdant jailoos, high-altitude summer pastures that Kyrgyz nomads take their flocks to for grazing in the warmer months. Staying with friendly locals, we’ll learn about the nomadic way of life and spend our nights in cozy yurts.

Kazakhstan, the world’s ninth largest country, is a rugged natural wonderland of steppes, mountains, woodlands, canyons and lakes. Within its borders lies a section of the Tien Shan range, offering up the gorgeous Alpine terrain of forests, valleys and snowy peaks found in the Kolsay Lakes National Park.

In this magical landscape shaped by time and tectonics, more than 100 years ago, a great earthquake shook these mountains, resulting in the formation of a new body of water: Lake Kaindy, with its eye catching, bright turquoise waters. What makes this lake really stand out are the partially submerged spruce trees which stand in its waters to this day. Ghostly, bare trunks rise out of the chilly waters, making for a striking panorama – and amazing pictures!

Nearby are the Kolsay Lakes, known as the "Pearls of Tien Shan", reached by a hike through dense, tranquil forest. Trails connect these stunning bodies of water which range from altitudes of 1800 to 2850 meters, making for a great excuse to stretch our legs.

We’ll descend from green heights to dusty depths as we trek into the gorge known as Kazakhstan’s Grand Canyon. Known for its stunning similarity to its bigger brother in States, Charyn Canyon National Park’s red sandstone rock formations are a stark contrast to the country’s mountainous regions. The second largest canyon in the world, Charyn Canyon stretches about 154 km (96 mi) along the banks of the Charyn River. Over millennia, the elements have weathered and shaped the sedimentary rock into pillars, winding corridors and crevices just begging to be explored.

Ready to lake it all in? Let's go!

DAY 0 // TUE 3 JUNE // DXB DEPARTURE
Meet at DXB Terminal 3 at 20:30 for our 22:45 flight to Bishkek.

DAY 1 // WED 4 JUNE // KYRGYZSTAN ARRIVAL, JAILOO VISIT & KÖL-ÜKÖK LAKE HIKE
Welcome to Kyrgyzstan! We’ll arrive in Bishkek in the early hours. Once we’ve cleared immigration, we’ll grab some breakfast before hitting the road to spend time visiting nomadic villages and immersing ourselves in the rhythm of rural life.
We’ll make the 2-hour drive to Kochkor village, heading towards the valley to Tez-Tör jailoo (summer pasture). There, we will hop on our horses and make the 3-hour journey to our yurt camp (2400 m). After lunch and a short rest, we’ll discover more about the flora and fauna of the high mountains, and learn how nomadic communities have thrived here for generations. In the afternoon, we’ll tackle the hike to Köl-Ükök lake (3000 m), offering a beautiful view of the glacier. Dinner at the camp and overnight in our yurts.

DAY 2 // THU 5 JUNE // NOMAD LIFE, ISAKEEV HIKE & TCHU VALLEY
This morning we’ll enjoy a traditional nomad breakfast and the warm hospitality of our hosts, sharing in the daily life of a Kyrgyz family in their environment. After, we’ll hit the trail for a 3-hour hike to Isakeev, then transfer to Kochkor village, where we’ll enjoy another local welcome with lunch at a home stay. In the afternoon, we’ll make the drive through the beautiful Tchu Valley before arriving back in Bishkek, where we’ll visit the market for a bit of souvenir shopping, followed by dinner. Overnight in hotel.

DAY 3 // FRI 6 JUNE // INTO KAZAKHSTAN & ALMATY
Today we’ll set off on the drive to Almaty, taking in the stunning scenery along the way. We’ll make the land border crossing into Kazakhstan and stop for lunch. Upon arrival, we’ll take a quick city tour of Almaty, then head to our hotel for overnight.

DAY 4 // SAT 7 JUNE // KOLSAY LAKES & LAKE KAINDY
After breakfast we’ll hit the road to Kolsay Lakes National Park. Today we’ll power through two treks, first making our way between the Kolsay lakes, taking in the fresh air and natural beauty that surrounds us. We’ll enjoy a picnic lunch, then follow the trail to Lake Kaindy, where there will be plenty of time to get some incredible pictures of this submerged forest. In the afternoon, there’s an option to do some horse riding at the village. Overnight at a homestay.

DAY 5 // SUN 8 JUNE // CHARYN CANYON
Today we head into a completely different landscape, driving through semi-arid desert to reach Charyn Canyon. Home to a large number of rare and endangered species of animals, and featuring impressive cliffs and dramatic rock formations, we’ll trek inside the gorge to see it from various angles and marvel and at the multicolored layers of sediment, worn and shaped by weather and time.
In the afternoon we’ll return to Almaty and enjoy dinner in local restaurant followed by overnight and airport transfer for return flight to Dubai. Bye bye Lakes x

Level of difficulty: easy, available for beginners.
Activities: trekking, sightseeing, optional horse riding.
Accommodation. & meals: included - accommodation in yurts, hotel, guesthouse - double sharing, local meals. Single room at extra cost, subject to availability.

Cost: AED 4200 excl. flights until July 15th.
Past this date please inquire about cost and availability.

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

Visas: cost not included in trip budget. It is sole responsibility of participant to secure entry to country of destination at the time of travel.

If you've ever dreamed of discovering the true face of Africa - this trip is for you: surreal landscapes, breathtaking views of mountainous dunes, rich flora and fauna in their habitat, unique cultures. NAMIBIA electrifies visitors and for a reason it is called the most photogenic place on Earth!

It is difficult to describe the color of hot sand warmed from the sun, you just have to see it. The impressive Skeleton Coast, called by the former Portuguese sailors "the gate to hell", located on the Atlantic with shipwrecks on it. It's no secret that the coast is also a favorite seal place that you can often find there.

People living here regardless of whether they represent the tribe of Bushmen Damara, Herero, Bantu, Hottentots or Himba adhere to the principle that the cheapest and easiest way to improve their image is to smile. You'll also find out how much truth is said that we Europeans have watches and Africans have time.

What awaits you here are unforgettable joint evenings with the greatest sunsets, campfires under a canopy of stars, camps set up in the middle of the wildest corners of the world and the company of animals known so far mainly from National Geographic programs. We will experience the rhythm of communing with wildlife and experience the diversity of nature, meet unknown cultures and tribes.

Now you can get on the road with us and set off to the wilderness of some of the most remote places on African continent. Namibia is a real DESERT QUEEN, ruling its kingdom with the wind that carves the dunes, shapes beaches, rocky peaks and river banks.

Let's go!!

Day 1: Windhoek
Arrival, check in to hotel, rest.

Day 2: Palmwag
Today we leave to Palmwag (Damaraland) with beautiful scenery, landscape and mountain roadside pictures. Optional kayaking with seals.

Day 3: Swakopmund
After breakfast, we set off into Skeleton coast, on our way visit Cape Cross. Nearby is the world's largest African seal colony - their population is about 260 thousand individuals. We will have the opportunity to kayak among them to take a close look at these clumsy creatures and involve all our senses with this strange place.

Day 4: Namib desert
Today we set off on our way to the world's oldest desert - Namib. On the way stop at Kuiseb canyon view point, tropic of Capricorn.

Day 5: Sossusvlei
Wake up early morning. We jump into the cars to catch the sunrise in the heart of the tallest dunes of the world, called Dune 45 and head. The most famous sandy colossus is reaching up to 400 mtrs in height. Once we are done with picnic breakfast at the feet of the dune, we will go for a walk through Deadvlei, where the vast expanse of white salt contrasts with the surrounding red dunes and dried tree stumps.

Day 6: Sesriem - Windhoek
It time to hit the road back to Windhoek. Quick look at the city, overnight in hotel.

Day 7: Departure
Last souvenir shopping and heart breaking good bye to Namibia!

Activities:
Trekking, desert drives, sightseeing, encounter of wildlife and indigenous tribes, optional kayaking with seals.

Accommodation & meals: boutique lodges and hotels - double sharing. Meals excluded.

Cost: 6750 AED excl. flights until JULY 23.

Specifically excluded: Visa, meals, optional activities.

Recommended flights: Ethiopian via Addis at 3,450 AED.

Abracadabra, Rwandagandarundi!

This is a cross-country East African journey through Uganda, Rwanda, and Burundi!

Waterfalls that quake at your feet, gorillas that make you shake in your shoes, and high-jump drumbeats that’ll have you tapping your toes! It’s Rumble in the Jungle meets Lords of the Drums with a little wanda’in Rwanda.

The Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, on the south-western edge of Uganda, along the Albertine Rift, contains nearly half the world’s population of mountain gorillas. Coming face-to-face with these KINGS, the silverback is overwhelming, a little bit scary, enough to leave you breathless. He’s imposing, majestic, elegant, strong … and gorgeous! Their eyes speak as much as a human gaze, their lips can tell us if they’re smiling, worried, or angry, and their hands nearly identical to ours, you’ll want to reach out and introduce yourself.

The gorillas are not the only thing that rumbles! Uganda is home to massive national parks full of wildlife, famed forests, and the breath-taking spectacle of Murchison Falls, where the Nile forces its way through a gap in the rocks, only 7 meters wide, to then tumble 43 mts before flowing into Lake Albert.

Rwanda is a study in contrasts, mainly in comparison to her neighbours. As we wind our way through lush hills and gentle cattle-farms on our way to Kigali you’ll notice how pristine is the landscape, neat villages and cafes along the road, green grounds around every bend and turn.

Crossing through dense forests in search of silverbacks, standing atop ground-shaking waterfalls, exploring rolling hills and savannahs dotted with wildlife, watching pristine landscapes unfold from border to border, it’s Rwandagandarundi!

Let’s go!!

Day 1 // Kampala to Murchison
After arrival and immigration formalities in Uganda, we’ll leave Kampala behind and drive north-west into the plains of Nakasongola – to Rhino Sanctuary. We will have a stop for lunch before we go into the wild. Ziwa is the last refuge of Uganda’s white rhino, previously hunted to extinction during more turbulent times. We should be lucky enough to spot Shoebill. We’ll reach our lodge among the savannahs in time for dinner, sunset, and rest.

Day 2 // Murchison Falls
Early morning breakfast and game drive at sunrise when the wildlife is most active. After we check out of our lodge, we’ll make our way to the top of Murchison Falls where the rumble in the jungle is the falls at our feet! After we dry off, continue onwards to Queen Elizabeth NP for a few more spots of wildlife and settle in to our camp.

Day 3 // Buhoma
Breakfast at camp and pack up our gear for journey to Buhoma. We’ll catch a glimpse of Lake Edward and have lunch on the road and make a few roadside stops before we reach our community rest camp for the evening and dream of our gorilla trekking tomorrow!

Day 4 // Bwindi
The gorillas are early birds, so we’ll pack up our breakfast and head to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest for a quick briefing before we hit a trail in search of primates! After our unforgettable encounter, we’ll head back out of forest and on the road back to Buhoma with a stop to see pygmies on the way.

Day 5 // Rwanda & Kigali
We’ll pack up and check-out of rest camp and start our journey across the border to Rwanda all the way to Kigali! With an early start, we should reach our destination in time for late lunch before heading out to explore this remarkable city, with few stops at Genocide Memorial and quick glimpse of Hotel Rwanda.

Day 6 // Burundi & Gitega
We will say au Revoir to Rwanda and head to Burundi, transfer to Gitega the second largest city of Burundi and the political capital. On a hill outside of Gitega stands several straw-roofed structures wich was formally the palace for the monarchy (disbanded in 1996). There we witness an impressive music performance from the world famous and talented burundian drummer.

Day 7 // Karera waterfalls
After breakfast we hit the road to admire the Karera Waterfalls and drive further south, to see the source of the Nile - the site marked by a compact pyramid.

Day8 // Bujumbura
Before we head off to airport, we will take a boat on Rusizi river, to bid farewell to Africa with hippos and crocodiles!

Activities:
Experience raw and authentic Africa, gorilla trekking, game drives, boating, cultural immersion.

Room & Meals:
Lodges and hotels - double sharing. Meals in Uganda included.

Cost: AED 9700 excl. flights until JULY 15th.

Excluded: international flights, visa, insurance, meals in Rwanda and Burundi.

NOTE: At the time of writing, border Rwanda - Burundi remains closed. If closure continues, you will need to purchase additional flight KGL- BJM at 300 USD.

Visa:
Multiple entry evisa to UG+RW,
Burundi: transit visa on arrival.

YELLOW FEVER Vaccine mandatory.

See yah at Rwandagandarundi x

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 1 // Departure

Meeting at airport for a direct flight to Colombo. Arrival, immigration procedure, transfer for overnight; sneak peak at night life if you can't sleep.

Day 2 // Elephants + Ambuluwawa

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. We will visit Ramboda Falls and one of tea factories.

Day 3 // 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 quick look at 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 4 // Sigiriya - The Lion Rock

After breakfast start a short trek through the scrub jungle to the world-famous Lion Rock fortress. As the ascent 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, Bye bye Sri Lanka…

Level of Difficulty: Easy
Duration: Long weekend
Activities: Hiking, sightseeing, boating, swimming, tuk-tuking, train riding.
Room & Meals: 4 star hotels - double sharing, 2 breakfasts + 2 dinners included.

Cost: 2850 AED excl. flights until JULY 27th.

Recommended flight: Etihad from AUH at approx. 2100 AED, otherwise Emirates or flydubai. Arrive earlier / depart later rule applies.