Trekkup Dubai ✔

Among the most amazing natural wonders of the world, the mountains of the national forest park of Zhangjiajie rank so high that they even inspired famous film director James Cameron. In fact, one of them has even been renamed after one of Cameron's blockbusters: It is now called Avatar Hallelujah Mountain. Here, in south central China, we won't need much fantasy, we will find ourselves in a different world all the way through. So welcome to the real Avatar!

The Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in the Wulingyuan Scenic Area. Prominent in the park are the pillar-like formations, often depicted in ancient Chinese paintings, resembling karst terrain but not formed by limestone dissolution. Instead, they've been shaped over time by physical erosion, notably from expanding ice in winter and plant growth.

It might come as a surprise to us UAE residents, but the park is also home to the world's longest and highest pedestrian glass bridge as well as the "hundred dragons sky lift" (Bailong Elevator), the world's tallest outdoor lift.

In Avatar's footsteps, we will have the chance to reconnect with nature's primal energy while hiking in the most awe-inspiring scenery of the Grand Canyon, The Golden Whip Stream and the Ten Mile Gallery. Towering peaks, deep valleys, and mist-shrouded cliffs, will offer a glimpse into the ethereal beauty that has inspired countless artists and poets throughout history.

But what would a trip to fantasy land be without exploring mysterious caves? With a massive size of 48 ha, the Huanglong Cave stretches over some 15 km; the highest of its three waterfalls reaching 50 m. We are not surprised that this place is called "Yellow Dragon's Cave" in Chinese!
If otherworldly impressions are your pair of shoes, here is one for the Avatar mountains floating in the clouds.

Let’s go!

Day 1
Meeting at airport at 01:00 for a direct flight to Beijing.
Arrival to Beijing, immigration clearance. Given the transfer time allows, short visit in the city. Connecting flight to Zhangjiajie, transfer to hotel and overnight.

Day 2
Prepare for an exhilarating day exploring Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. We'll begin by ascending via cableway to Huangshizhai, where breathtaking views await. After taking in the panorama, we'll embark on a hike down, immersing ourselves in the natural beauty of the area.

Later, we'll venture into the enchanting surroundings of Golden Whip Stream, where tranquil waters and towering sandstone pillars create a serene atmosphere perfect for exploration.

Day 3
Today we ascend the Bailong Elevator to Yuangjiajie, where we'll be greeted by stunning views of the towering pillar-like rock formations which provided inspiration for the otherworldly scenery in the movie Avatar. From here, we'll embark on a scenic hike down from Tianzi Mountain, where mist-shrouded cliffs and lush valleys awaits. There are dense woods, fragrant flowers and grotesque rocks in this valley, true natural art gallery. Later on, we'll explore the landscapes of the Ten-Mile Gallery with its 200 rocks vividly mimic profiles of human and animals.

Day 4
Lace up your hiking boots for an unforgettable trek through the majestic Grand Canyon of Zhangjiajie. We will cross longest and highest glass-bottomed bridge in the world, 430m long, 6m wide, suspended 300m above the valley floor. Built among high mountains and a gorge, it also has a bungee platform in the center.

Further on, we head inside the depths of Huanglong Cave, where stunning rock formations and underground waterfalls awaits for a charming glimpse on the underworlds.

Day 5
Our trip could not be concluded without visiting two iconic landmarks. First, we'll take in the serene beauty of Baofeng Lake, nestled amidst lush forests and towering peaks. Then, we'll ascend the summit of Tianmen Mountain via cable car. It will not be easy to bid farewell to Zhangjiajie as we transfer to the airport for flight to Beijing, overnight in Beijing.

Day 6
Check out early in the morning and transfer to the Great Wall of China, Ti’an men square and Forbidden City, given the time allows. Our trip to Beijing would, of course, not be complete without enjoying the famous Peking Duck for lunch. In the evening, transfer to the airport and fly back home.

Level: Easy, available for everyone.
Activities: trekking, sightseeing.
Accommodation & meals: 4 star hotel - double sharing, meals excluded, except lunch DAY 6.

Cost: 5,950 AED excluding flights on Emirates and Air China.
Cost valid until JULY 5th. On this date we'll close the list.

NOTE: This trip is only available on our flight plan.

This time we will take you off the beaten trail and bring you inside equatorial wilderness, African adventure Eldorado, as we search for gorillas, trek through Uganda jungle, meet the pygmies and take in the views from relaxing shores of Lake Bunyonyi!

Meeting face to face with mountain gorillas is one of the most overwhelming experiences in the world of safaris. Encounter of jungle beast, only a few feet away can be scary, but there is no need to panic! They are actually quite calm animals, laziness ambassadors by excellence.

Observing the mountain gorillas in their habitat is an amazing spectacle; you will notice the social dynamics, hierarchy and most touching of them all, the gorilla mothers and their babies, since they live in family units of 30 to 40 members.

The timing spent with them is mesmerizing and hypnotic, it is impossible to stop looking at them. They pretend to ignore you, from time to time they cross their gaze with yours, and that is when you realize that the differences between humans and them are minimal. Their eyes speak as the human gaze does, with the movements of the lips we can know if they are smiling, worried or angry, the gestures of the hands are almost identical to ours. Humans and Gorillas share 98% of DNA.

The KING of the Jungle, the silver back, is one of the most beautiful creatures on earth… he is imposing, majestic, elegant, strong and gorgeous. His sudden appearance can leave you breathless, shivering… but do not worry, he will ignore you - green leaves are tastier for breakfast.

There is a lot of action in the group: eating, playing, fighting, grooming each other, rolling on the floor, hitting the chest... it is endless. The baby gorillas will rock it in a proper show of naughtiness… they will make you laugh. Those cute cubs have so much curiosity for humans, so be ready to witness a show of funny and noisy games to catch your attention.
Following the rangers advice, choose a good spot, look around and get the best shots of lifetime memories!

At the beginning, we will traverse through the jungle aka impenetrable forest. The length of the trek is entirely dependent on the gorillas, sometimes the guides can track them down in less than two hours, other times it takes much longer.

Mountain gorillas are nomadic, travelling in families and staying in an area just long enough to clear it off food. They also don’t follow a clear path, you’ll realize when tracking them, they like to meander. On your first sighting, you may see mothers holding their babies, juvenile gorillas playing, or dominant silverbacks keeping an eye out for their family!

But gorillas are only a part of our trip - we will head to Lake Bunyonyi, an undiscovered treasure of serenity and scenic views. We will visit the indigenous Batwa people, who are the original forest dwellers of southwestern Uganda. Expect lots of interactions, cultural demonstrations, and storytelling sessions. The Batwa are known for their vibrant music, dance, and folklore. You can enjoy traditional dances, drumming sessions, and songs that tell stories of their forest life, spiritual beliefs, and the deep connection they have with nature.

Definitely a trip on the wild side with more relaxed approach to seek out gorillas in their habitat and enjoy pristine jungle in the heart of Africa!

Lets go!

DAY 1// TOUCHDOWN RWANDA, KIGALI – VOLCANOES NP.
Meting at DXB T1 at 02:00 for a flight to Kigali at 04:25 AM via Addis.
Welcome to Africa! Immigration clearance, short rest and a coffee.
We will start with key spots of Kigali: Genocide Memorial Museum, Hôtel des Mille Collines, Nyamirambo Women's Center, Parliament and Kandt House Museum. Further on, transfer to Volcanoes National Park. Overnight at hotel.

DAY 2// GOLDEN MONEKY TREK + IBW'ACHU CULTURAL
After an early breakfast, we will move to the park headquarters in Kinigi for a briefing. By 8:00 AM, we will proceed to the trailhead just outside the park to begin our trek. The golden monkeys inhabit the bamboo forests near the edge of the park, offering relatively flat and accessible terrain. After spending approximately one hour observing the golden monkeys, we will return to the trailhead and drive back to the lodge for lunch. Post lunch, we will visit Gorilla Museum at the Karisoke Research Center to learn about Rwanda's gorilla conservation history.
Further on we head to Uganda via Cyanika border towards Bwindi with a stop at Ibw'achu Cultural Village. Overnight accommodation at Ichumbi.

DAY 3// GORILLA TREK IN BWINDI IMPENETRABLE FOREST
Early in the morning, we will head to Bwindi National Park for gorilla trekking. This experience is considered one of the most thrilling wildlife adventures. The trek takes between 2 to 6 hours and is led by an experienced ranger who will provide insights regarding the jungle's flora, fauna, and the gorillas' lifestyle. After spending one hour with the gorillas, we will return to the lodge and subsequently be transferred to Lake Bunyonyi. Overnight accommodation at Bunyonyi.

DAY 4 // KIGALI
Following a leisurely breakfast at the lodge, we will head back to Rwanda and Kigali. Quick look at bazaars for souvenir shopping and a dinner. Head back to airport for a flight back home.

Level of Difficulty:
Easy to Moderate, including jungle trekking.

Duration:
4 Days.

Room & Meals:
Comfortable lodges / hotels - double sharing, meals in Uganda included, meals in Rwanda excluded.

Cost: AED 9,750 all incl. flights until MAY 15th.

Specifically Excluded:
Any expenses related to visas, insurance, meals in Rwanda, single supplement.

Visas:
Rwanda: Eastern African visa on arrival or eVisa (for both countries).

Yellow Fever Vaccination certificate required for border crossings.

See yah with gorillas x

Trekkup Crew

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 0 // Departure
Meeting in Dubai Airport in the late afternoon for a direct flight to Colombo.

Day 1 // Elephants + Ambuluwawa
Arrival, immigration formalities. Overnight in nearby guesthouse. 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. Here we will visit Ramboda Falls and one of tea factories.

Day 2 // Scenic train + Kandy
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 Tooth Temple and glimpse on the colonial quarter near lunch hour. Shortly after it’s a time to hit the road to Sigiriya. Overnight in the jungle lodge, surrounded by the chirping of the Jungle Fowl.

Day 3 // Sigiriya
After breakfast short trek through the scrub jungle to the world-famous Lion Rock fortress. As the trek 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, with pockets full of memories! Bye, bye Sri Lanka…

Level of Difficulty: Easy

Activities:
Hiking, sightseeing, boating, swimming, tuk-tuking, train riding.

Duration: Long weekend

Room & Meals: 4 star hotels - double sharing, meals excluded.

Cost: 3330 AED excl. flights until JULY 5th.

While some weekends may disappear into brunches,
others quietly become legends.

The Seven Lakes of Tajikistan remain one of Central Asia’s best-kept geographical secrets. Seven alpine lakes compressed into a single mountain valley, each with its own distinct colour palette, altitude, mineral composition and personality. Within barely twenty kilometres, the water shifts from emerald to turquoise, sapphire, indigo and silver-blue depending on depth, sunlight and glacial sediment. Nature, clearly, had no interest in minimalism here.

Though we begin in one of the principal cities of the Silk Road, by morning civilisation starts loosening its grip. A short drive leads to Jartepa border crossing and into Tajikistan, where the roads slowly abandon any commitment to comfort and fully commit to scenery instead.

And then the valley begins. First comes Lake Mizhgon, calm and impossibly reflective. Then Soya, where the water often takes on a milky turquoise hue under direct light. Beyond lie Hushyori and Nofin, framed by stone villages that appear suspended between Persian poetry and Soviet engineering. Livelihoods here still revolve around orchards, livestock and mountain agriculture, largely unchanged for generations.
Home cooked lunch in Padrud village; local bread, mountain air and the sort of hospitality that makes your favorite restaurant feel deeply questionable.

Higher still, the landscape becomes increasingly theatrical. Khurdak, Marguzor and finally the seventh lake emerge beneath towering peaks and glacial streams. At nearly 2,500 metres above sea level, the air sharpens. Between the rivers, lakebeds and overwhelming silence, you begin to realise how quietly mountains win.

Cold breeze descends from the peaks while the night sky
reveals a million stars.

Morning begins slowly, with breakfast and a lakeside leg stretch. Afterwards, we descend toward Panjakent, a major Sogdian city of the Silk Road. The ruins reveal a civilisation that traded between China, Persia and the Mediterranean.
Further west lies Sarazm, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Archaeologists date the settlement to nearly 5,500 years ago, making it one of the earliest urban centres in Central Asia.

Let's go!

Day 1 // Friday :: Departure
Departure from DXB to Uzbekistan, Samarkand. Immigration procedure, overnight in hotel.

Day 2 // Saturday :: Jartepa Border – Shing Valley (Seven Lakes)
Short drive to Jartepa border crossing into Tajikistan and transfer to Panjakent. The road abruptly turns into 4WD territory.
Discover Lake Mizhgon (the first lake), then ascend past Lake Soya. Each lake features a unique shape and color. Continue through local villages, passing Lake Hushyori and Lake Nofin.
Time for traditional lunch at a local guesthouse in Padrud village.
Drive further up to Lake Khurdak (Mayda), the sixth lake (Marguzor), hike to the final accessible 7th lake and walk around.

Find yourself surrounded with streams, rivers, lakebeds and ancient villages in the middle of mountain serenity and towering peaks. Selfies, banner shot and retreat to the cars.
Tonight we sleep on the shores of the sixth lake.

Day 3 // Sunday :: Shing - Sarazm – Samarkand / Dushanbe
Morning hike around 6th lake, cryogenic swim for some. Breakfast and drive to Panjakent with visits to the local bazaar of Ancient Panjakent. Non-negotiable Halal Fried Chicken for lunch.
From this point, we head to UNESCO-listed Sarazm archaeological excavation site, or Dushanbe, depending on flydubai roster. Mountain road delivers views, switchbacks and Soviet-era tunnels.

Final call in local bar, followed by airport transfer.

Bye bye, you lakes x

Duration: Weekend only.
Grade: Easy to moderate.
Activities: trekking, nature and cultural immersion.
Accommodation & meals: hotel and guesthouse (double sharing rooms), meals excluded.

Cost: 2,350 AED excl. flights
Cost valid until July 7th, past this date cost will change.

Specifically excluded: Any cost related to visas, meals.

Visas:

Uzbekistan:
UAE residents with 3 months validity of residence visa are eligible for free entry.