Trekkup Dubai ✔

Nothing seizes the imagination or satisfies the wanderlust like an exploration of the treasures of Southern Yemen! One of the oldest areas of human civilization and often out of reach for even the most intrepid of travelers, the out-of-this-world architectural wonders and lost-in-time lifestyles of the Yemenis will capture an explorer’s heart.

South Sudan where cattle population is higher than population of people, recently hosted a pope and despite being officially newest country on the world map, still struggles for international recognition.

Juba, the capitol, is a home to one of the worst traffic organizations in Africa. Central round about can proudly compete with Dhaka rush hours. Nearby streets are filled with entrepreneurs’ outlets, on Custom Road you will find Fast Food Rolex, Dubai Mall, Doha stores, amongst many others.

Among the tallest people in the world, towering over the cows and bulls of their cattle camps, the Mundari are one of the most fascinating tribes on the planet, their way-of-life far removed from the modern world. The fertile region of South Sudan, home to wildlife migrations, raiding tribes and warriors, and everyday rituals sure to shock you out of the ordinary!

The Mundari are a small ethnic group of South Sudan and one of the Nilotic peoples, indigenous to the Nile Valley, and composed of cattle-herders and farmers. Like much of South Sudan, the land they occupy is low-lying area prone to flooding, providing very fertile basis for cattle grazing. The Mundari people have close connection to their cattle, from giving them names and having them take part in their rituals and practices.

The most treasured cattle among the Mundari are the Ankole-Watusi, the “Cattle of Kings”, with the most impressive having horns that can reach over 2 meters long. The cattle themselves have heritage dating back thousands of years, from the combination of the Egyptian Longhorn of Africa and the Zebu Longhorn of India.

Relying on the herding of cattle, sheep and goats to obtain milk, blood, meat and leather, the tribe also have a reputation for being fierce warriors, where status and wealth are measured in cattle and loaded weapons. Low-level warfare to rustle and raid cattle is not uncommon.

South Sudan is a place for the true explorer, with expedition into this remote and unknown part of the world for those wishing to see what few others can!

Let's go!

Day 1 // Arrival + sunset at Mundari
Morning flight, followed by Immigration adventure. Local lunch and hit the road for one of the best sunsets you can have in Africa – orange horizon between Mundaris, ocean of curved horns cattle and the smoke, used as repellent from mosquitos. Head back to city for dinner and overnight in the hotel.

Day 2 // Mundari morning, Juba + wrestling
Early wakeup call and drive for sunrise and Mundari morning ceremony. Come back for breakfast and hit the city. Between the cathedral and mosque, we will surely find time to visit Konyo Konyo – the biggest market, where ladies can order Mundari dress for the afternoon wrestling show. Lunch at the bank of the river, before we move to the wrestling ground, followed by local dance show. After dinner, we will have possibility of checking the night life, rooftop bars and perhaps the casino, where Chinese expats bet high with locals. Overnight in the hotel or optional wedding crashing, subject of availability.

Day 3 // Nile boat trip
Breakfast and check out from the hotel. Morning boat trip on a Nile, refreshing sneak peek on how the riverbanks prepare for Sunday mass in the church. Afternoon time airport drop off and return flight back home. Bye, bye Juba!

Level: Easy.
Activities: Tribe encounters, sightseeing, boating.
Room & Meals: Hotels, double sharing. Meals excluded except breakfasts.

Cost: AED 4000 excl. flights until FEB 20th. Past this date cost will change.

Flights: 3400 AED (Ethiopian).

Specifically Excluded: Meals, any cost related to visa on arrival, photography permits for professional cameras.

Visa: Based on entry permit, cost excluded from trip budget, 130 USD.

Yellow fever certificate mandatory to enter South Sudan.

Photography: Expect 150-200 USD for “photography permit” if you are bringing professional camera equipment.

See yah in South Sudan x

Are you ready to spend your weekend away Indiana Jones style and pocket the memories of a lifetime? Here comes another chance to visit Petra with a plunge into super salty Dead Sea, but thats just the beginning! We will also take a look at the highlights of Amman, do the short hike across the gorgeous wadi with year flowing stream, and follow steps of Lawrence of Arabia in Wadi Rum. Little known 2 hours trail will lead us to the famous pink rock complex from the backside, making our way to the one of Worlds 7 Wonders directly to its highest point - Monastery. Standing alone towards ancient facades, will make you feel like Indiana Jones!! Lets go!

Petra is famous complex of rock-cut architecture, established in 312 BC as a capitol of Nabataeans Empire. It was only possible to create a city in a dessert by building a water supply system but that's not all, the area was flash flooded regularly so the system of dams was built around it too. The whole area obviously found its way to UNESCO Heritage list.

This time we invite you to join us for a journey across most mysterious and the least explored of Central Asia stans, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, combined into one trip. We will discover both of them over a week travel across their deserted lands by plane, train and 4WDs.

Turkmenistan has been at the crossroads of civilizations for centuries. In medieval times, Merv was one of the great cities of the Islamic world and an important stop on the Silk Road, a caravan route used for trade with China until the mid-15th century. Annexed by the Russian Empire in 1881, Turkmenistan later figured prominently in the anti-Bolshevik movement in Central Asia. In 1924, Turkmenistan became a constituent republic of the Soviet Union, Turkmen Soviet Socialist Republic became independent in 1991.

Uzbekistan
The region’s cradle of culture for more than two millennia, Uzbekistan is the proud home to a spellbinding arsenal of architecture and ancient cities, all deeply infused with the bloody, fascinating history of the Silk Road. In terms of sights alone, Uzbekistan is Central Asia's biggest draw and most impressive showstopper.

In a brief:
- Direct flight to Turkmenistan,
- Ashgabat,
- Darvaza - Doors to hell,
- Domestic flight to Turkmenabat
- Farab/Alat border,

- Border crossing to Uzbekistan
- Bukhara,
- train Bukhara - Samarkand,
- Samarkand,
- Return flight to Dubai.

Let's go!

DAY 1 :: Arrival in Ashgabat – Darvaza

Early morning arrival in Ashgabat. Immigration procedure, check in to our lavish, white marble hotel and short rest. Foreign passport registration procedure. Quick look at majestic statues of Ashgabat and few other landmarks of the city. In the evening departure to Darvaza. On the way stop at two other craters with water and sulfur mud, both seeping with gas from the underground."A little party never killed nobody" themed BBQ dinner near the main crater. Unforgettable sunset over the gas burning spectacle (camping).

DAY 2 :: Darvaza – Ashgabat

After picnic breakfast we will return to Ashgabat and to visit the city sites not visited the previous day, including Visit UNESCO site Old Nissa, Turkmenbashi Ruhy mosque, Independence square and statues of famous national heroes. Overnight in the hotel.

DAY 3 :: Ashgabat – Turkmenabat – Farab/Alat border

Morning flight from Ashgabat to Turkmenabat. On arrival transfer 40 km to the Farab/Alat border and cross to Uzbekistan.

Bye bye Turkmenistan, welcome to Uzbekistan!

After crossing the border transfer to hotel in Bukhara for overnight.

Day 4 :: Bukhara

After breakfast start discovery of magical monastery-city - place of education and pilgrimage, called often a living museum. Stroll along the Lyabi Khauz Place – one of the most famous places of Bukhara; trading domes; Abdul-Azizkhan and Ulugbek madrassahs. Further to Poi-Kalyan place, with its Kalyan minaret, the main symbol of Bukhara, serving in former times as a lighthouse for caravanneers. Ismail Samani mausoleum – the oldest building in the Central Asia.
Our Uzbekistan experience would not be completed without a ride on a bullet train Afrosiyob to Samarkand. Overnight in Samarkand.

Day 5 :: Samarkand

In the morning sightseeing in the capital of Tamerlane’s powerful empire: Gur-Emir mausoleum – the burial place of the Tamerlane and his dynasty (XIV-XV c). Start with Registan Square, Ulugbem Observatory, free time in the afternoon. Registan Square – the heart of Samarkand with its three madrassahs – representatives of the great past of this city; Samarkand secrets: ancient observatory, paper factory and uzbek local life. Optional visit in local hammam.

Day 6 :: Return

Bye bye Silk Road, early morning flight back to Dubai,

Activities: trekking, swimming, sightseeing, getting amazed with burning gas crater, cultural immersion.
Accommodation & meals: atmospheric 4 star hotels double sharing + 1 night camping.

Cost: 7,800 AED incl. flights until JAN 30th.

Specifically excluded: visa or any border fees, payable individually on arrivals, restaurant meals.

Visa:
Turkmenistan - based on pre-approval. Approx. 100 USD, min. 3 weeks.
Uzbekistan - most of passports and UAE residents visa free, otherwise E-visa.

See yah at Silk Road x