Trekkup Dubai ✔

Southwest Kazakhstan, called Mangystau, is a land of vast, wind-whipped deserts and stunning limestone mountains that form the bottom of deep depression basins. The area boasts an unparalleled variety of desert landscapes and geological wonders, making it a hidden surprise of a truly extraterrestrial character, in a remote Kazakh corner.

Here, the nature played an inspired architect and created colorful canyons, peaks and towers, which are translated today into rainbow castles, yurt mountains or tiramisu valleys.

The northern part of the peninsula is covered by fields of limestone concretions and fossils of ancient sea creatures. These fossils provide evidence of the region's connection to the prehistoric sea, housing remnants of fish, sponges, corals, and even whales. You are standing at the shores of Sarmatian Sea, remnants of the prehistoric Tethys Ocean, and the Paratethys, that 250 to 50 million years ago covered the Caspian and Black Seas, to the Aral Lake.

Mangystau is also known for its sacred places, making it famous in the region. What sets the local mosques apart is that they don't resemble typical Muslim temples with domed roofs and minarets. Instead, their facades are predominantly shaped by nature, showing little evidence of human interference.

Overload of geological eye candies until the horizon await the darest of visitors, who are ready to cross the vast landscapes to get their bounties.

Let’s go!

DAY 0
Departure from Dubai and connecting flight to Aktau.

Day 1
Arrival, immigration procedure and rest in the hotel. We will kick start our 4WD expedition into wilderness with Kapamsay Canyon - chalk oasis of white cliffs standing against the azure sky. In fact it’s a bottom of a dry riverbed, an amazing hideout with rare but resilient plants.
Further on we continue to Shakpaktysai Canyon where will visit first the underground mosque Shakpak-Ata.
On our list of curiosities of the day, next one is Valley of Balls in Torysh.
We continue to Sherkala rock, which was once a fortress of the eldest son of Genghis Khan, Jochi and then to Valley of Castles for some panoramic sunset views, before we set our camp in the middle of nowhere.
DAY 2
Today we are set to explore Sor Tuzbair, salt flats desert with chalky hills and limestone cliffs. After rain the salt flats transform into a reflective surface mirroring the sky and the nearby dazzling white cliffs. This sight will stun even those who are not easily impressed. Here you ll learn the names of belemnite and ammonite, while if you re lucky you may come across fossilized prehistoric shark teeth.
DAY 3
We continue of expedition towards Bozzhira, but first we pass by Beket-Ata underground mosque, a pilgrimage site, known for its miraculous sin forgiveness. As we approach Bozzhira, you will quickly feel its otherworldly atmosphere. Chalky white cliffs and unique rock formations stand here over millions of years against erosion. Its sheer vastness and rugged landscapes give the impressions of a natural white castles.
DAY 4
On the last day of our expedition, its time for well-deserved dessert in the desert! First Tiramisu layers start appearing at Mt. Bokhty, which in fact in Kazak means “a pie”. Further on, Kyzylkup will not leave any doubts to Italian desert lovers! Gentle layers continue their horizontal alignment as far as your eye can reach.

A last stop at Karagiye depression (-132 MUSL) which is one of the deepest places in the world. Its time for farewell dinner and short rest before we head to airport for a night flight back home (on DAY 5).

Level: Easy with limited facilities.
Activities: Striking sightseeing, trekking, camping.
Accommodation & meals: Hotel (dbl sharing) and desert camping. Local meals included, except meals on transfers (in Aktau and Baku).

Cost: AED 5500 all incl. domestic flights from Baku until MARCH 25th; excl. international flights, visa and insurance.

Specifically excluded: Any costs related to international flights, visas, insurance, entry fees if any.

Trip starts and ends: Baku Airport Day 0 at 10pm, ends on Day 5 at 3am.

Visas: cost not included in trip budget:
At the time of writing 60 nationalities are visa free: EU, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Belarus, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Hong Kong, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Philippines, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Singapore, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States.

Other Passports: Visa support available except for Pakistan and Lebanon passports.

It is sole responsibility of participant to secure entry to country of destination.

See yah at Mangystau x

First appearing in a hieroglyphic inscription of Ramesses II, Libya – part of the Maghreb region – is one of the Africa’s largest nations with a landscape that is a true feast for the senses. Home to a stunning stretch of Mediterranean coastline, pristine beaches and azure waters, Libya was also once home to great ancient civilisations of the Phoenicians, Greeks, and Romans.

Its historical legacy offers a fascinating glimpse into the past, and one of this country’s crown jewels is the UNESCO World Heritage site of Leptis Magna. Once a bustling Roman city of the Carthaginian Empire lining the Mediterranean coast, its grand arches, amphitheatres, and column-lined streets will take you on an immersive journey through time as you meander some of the best-preserved, and most impressive, ancient ruins in the world.

As captivating for history buffs as it is for explorers, Leptis Magna is distinguished for being the most famous Roman city in Africa. Yet that’s only the start of the treasures this North African gem has to offer the most curious of explorers.

With a landscape that is 90 percent desert, Libya’s raw nature brings with it an unforgettable adventure across the Saharan wilderness, curated to the rhythm of desert vibes as we journey to the ‘pearl of the desert’. Once inhabited by indigenous Berbers and Tuaregs, the oasis city, and UNESCO World Heritage Site, of Ghadames is a true sanctuary in the heart of Libya’s wilderness.

A trading city unique for its charm, character, and self-sustaining agricultural practices, Ghadames’ architecture demonstrates a curious blend of Islamic and Berber styles, resulting in an aesthetic and atmospheric beauty unique to this region with its crowded network of whitewashed houses and covered streets.

Distinguished for being one of the oldest cities in the pre-Saharan region with varying ethnic groups living in separate quarters, Ghadames brings with it the captivating aura of multicultural diversity, historical and cultural significance hard to find elsewhere.

And with captivating experiences woven together by the warm hospitality of the locals, this adventure will leave a lasting impression on your mind, your heart, and your taste buds; bringing you home with unforgettably beautiful memories infused with flavours of an exquisite cuisine that runs as deep in composition, and texture, as Libya’s roots.

Let’s go!

DAY 1// HELLO TRIPOLI!

Welcome to Libya’s capital! After clearing the airport, we will head straight to an exploration of modern Tripoli taking in key sites including Algeria Square with its imposing mosque converted to a cathedral, Martyrs Square, and the hub of Tripoli.

DAY 2// LEPTIS MAGNA

A truly spectacular tantalising feast fit for history buffs and explorers alike, Leptis Magna is home to the triumphal Arch of Septimus Severus, the Hadrianic Baths complex, the Palaestra (athletic ground), the Nymphaeum (Temple of Nymphs), the huge Imperial Forum, the Basilica, the Arches of Tiberius and Trajan, and a spectacular amphitheatre set against a gorgeous backdrop of Mediterranean Sea, the Sanctuary of the Divine Emperors, and the Market with unique kiosks which, at the time of construction, were a groundbreaking design in the Roman world.

DAY 3// QASR AL-HAJ – YEFREN

Today, we journey into the Berber heartland of the Jabal Nafusa. Our first stop will be at Qasr al-Haj to visit the most beautiful Berber granary qasr (castle) in Libya, seeing for ourselves why explorer Dan Cruickshank chose this imposing 13th Century circular fortress as one of ''The World’s 80 Greatest Treasures''.

DAY 4// GHADAMES

Renowned for its distinctive architecture, we visit the various small squares, the old mosque, and a madrasa (Quranic school), see the fruit and vegetable gardens and explore the ancient irrigation system. And that’s all before lunch in a beautifully decorated traditional house where we will sit on the floor and eat with our hands from communal dishes.

DAY 5// KABOW – TORMISA

Today we leave Ghadames, heading back into the Jabel Nafusa to visit another ancient qasr at Kabow before driving to the abandoned village of Tormisa with its stunning cliff top views. From here we continue to Gharyan to visit a troglodyte house and the pottery stalls for which the town is famous. Tonight, we sleep in Tripoli.

DAY 6// DEPARTURE

Grade: Easy, available to everyone.

Accommodation and meals: 3-4 star hotels, double sharing. Meals included except day 1 & 6.

Cost: 7300 AED excl. flights.

Specifically Excluded: flights via CAI, any visa expenses, insurance, meals on transfers.

Flights: Approx. AED 2500.

Visa: based on invitation 300 EUR + consulate visa stamping 600 AED, we will apply for invitations on MARCH 7 and close RSVPS on this date.

See yah in Libya x

Trekkup Crew

If you haven’t been to this forgotten paradise this is your chance for one of world’s best kept secrets and adventure travelers must see places. The island has been isolated from mainland and evolved its own unique way creating endemic species not found anywhere else in the world. Home to Bottle and Dragon Blood trees and countless birds and marine life not to be found anywhere but here! Even the Socotra natives have not been influenced much by surrounding civilization and live their own way too. Despite the turmoil of Yemen, Socotra is a tranquil and peaceful place which you will understand too as the Island of Happiness.

We are coming back to the island not only to indulge in this paradise but also to help the locals surviving the ongoing conflict and effects of tropical cyclones passing the island since last few years. The lack of basics has put the locals in serious needs. Consider taking along the basic support items.'

Italy, one of the most beautiful corner of Europe, is also a birthplace of volcanology. Many of the eruptions of Etna, Stromboli, Vulcano, and Vesuvius were recorded by the Greek and Romans thousands of years ago, making a foundation to modern studies of volcanoes.

This May we have an amazing opportunity to visit gorgeous island of Sicily, located right where Eurasian and African tectonic plates collide, opening the abyss of inner Earth through the lava vents to the surface, creating mesmerizing lava fountains spectacles and designing new landscapes in its own, creative way.

Our plan is to fly to Catania and hike two, most important volcanoes of Sicily: Stromboli and Etna.

Mount Etna stands proudly at 3,340 mtrs, which makes it the highest active volcano in Europe, in an almost continuous state of activity. Located on the east coast of Sicily, Italy, between the cities of Messina and Catania, it is not only the largest in Europe but also the most active. Formed about 35,000 years ago, its first recorded eruption was in 1500 BC, and it has continued to erupt regularly since then (some 200 times!).
Etna is a stratovolcano - conical volcano built up by many layers (strata) of hardened lava, pumice, and volcanic ash.

Stromboli is a small island in the Tyrrhenian Sea, off the north coast of Sicily, containing the volcano with the same name. The island’s population is somewhere under 1,000 people.

The volcano is in a constant state of eruption, but with much smaller and less threatening scale than Etna or Vesuvius. However, many bright eruptions have given the island the nickname “The Lighthouse of the Mediterranean”. Just like the others, Stromboli is a stratovolcano but with very typical eruptions – this type has actually been named after the volcano – Strombolian eruptions. Strombolian eruptions are relatively mild explosive activity consisting of cinder, lapilli and lava bombs. The explosions usually occur every few minutes at regular or irregular intervals. The fountains of lava, which can reach heights of hundreds of meters, are caused by the bursting of large bubbles of gas, which travel upward in the magma-filled conduit until they reach the open air. These eruptions are particularly spectacular at night, when the lava glows brightly.

You've been warned, let's go! :)

DAY 1 / TUESDAY / APR 30 / CATANIA
Meeting at Abu Dhabi airport for a direct flight to Catania. Arrival, immigration clearance, overnight.

DAY 2 / WEDNESDAY / MAY 01 / EOLIAN SEA + STROMBOLI
Early start for a busy day! We hop on a bus and a boat and head towards Stromboli island. Rest of the day we will spend enjoying the Mediterranean ambience of white and blue cobblestone streets.

In the evening we will take on a night hike to witness spectacle of lava fountains. The ascent should not take longer than 3 hrs, although elevation gain is 900 mtrs. You will never forget this phenomenon, which brings us back to earth creation! Descent and sleep over in local guesthouse.

DAY 3 / THURSDAY / MAY 02 / STROMBOLI + TAORMINA
After breakfast we will explore the shores of black volcanic sands, swim and perhaps reach a remote island with forgotten lighthouse. In the afternoon boat will take us back to mainland. Overnight in yet other paradise township - Taormina.

DAY 4 / FRIDAY / MAY 03 / Mt. ETNA
Today we take a cable car into the clouds to the station located at 2500 mtrs and follow the trail to the main crater of Etna, located at 3,340 masl. Given the weather and volcanic activity allows, we should reach the peak in 4 hours. Etna is an active volcano with peak at high altitude. If we re lucky, we may see some lava action. Overnight in Taormina.

DAY 5 / SATURDAY / MAY 04 / RETURN
Its not going to be easy to pay farewell to Sicily, but after breakfast we will head to airport for a flight back with lifetime memories. Arrival to Abu Dhabi 20.25.

Grade: Moderate to hard. Available for fit beginners.

Duration: TUE - SAT from Abu Dhabi (Whizz Air - WIZZ GO included).

Activities: Trekking, swimming, boating, sightseeing.

Accommodation & meals: guesthouses and hotels, shared rooms. Single supplement approx 220 EUR, subject of cost and availability at the time of booking. Restaurant meals excluded due to variety.

Cost: 4700 AED all-inclusive of flights: subject of deadline and availability.

Cost validity: APRIL 4th. Past this date, cost will change.

Specifically excluded: Any cost related to visas, insurance, restaurant meals.

Visas: Schengen visa rules apply. It is participant sole responsibility to secure admission to the country of destination.