Trekkup Dubai ✔

The birthplace of voodoo and pivotal centres of the slave trade for nearly three centuries, Benin, Togo and Ghana have rich and complex histories and fascinating cultural traditions that continue today.

We’ll discover this little known corner of West Africa on an 11-day journey deep into these countries’ northern reaches and along the Gulf of Guinea coast, to the heart of the regions where voodoo is still widely practiced today.

We will wander the fetish markets for relics, sail through stilt villages, and discover the mysteries of ancient practices.

In Benin, formerly known as Dahomey, we will get to know the roots of Voodoo beliefs and practices. The country is also famous for its wonderful local craftsmanship and numerous bustling bazaars. We’ll look through the often-surprising assortment of offerings at a fetish market, visit the Python temple, and explore the Slave Route in Ouidah, a place where enslaved peoples were sold and forced to bid farewell to their homeland forever.

With a population of around 20,000, Ganvie is the largest lake village in Africa, standing on stilts in the middle of Lake Nokoue. 500 years later after its founding, the people of Ganvie have developed their own distinctive culture and lifestyle on the lake. Shaky houses, churches, mosques and other structures are built using red ebony wood, which is resistant to rotting and hence ideal for the watery conditions.

Neighboring Togo is a narrow strip of land located to the west of Benin. Another stronghold of Voodoo and animist practices, and a key region of the so-called "Slave Coast" in centuries past, it features picturesque hilltop villages and palm-lined beaches. Togo has suffered under the colonisation of three different nations, resulting in a melting pot of influences that linger to this day.

Here we will have the opportunity to learn about the customs of local communities, from mudbrick castle architecture of the Somba people and traditional ceremonies like the Fire Dance to animist beliefs reflected at shrines and fetish markets. We’ll make our through verdant landscapes and have close encounters with wildlife, visiting the Valley of the Bats and spotting rare butterflies in the green hills.

Ghana, the economic powerhouse of Western Africa, is a place where modernization intertwines with ancient rituals. Home to several very unique traditions, such their elaborately decorated coffins, Ghanians are open and welcoming people, and there will be excellent opportunities here to see the true face of Africa.

Côte d’Ivoire is the undisputed cocoa superpower: about 40% of the world’s chocolate begins its journey here. Add coffee, palm oil, and rubber plantations stretching to the horizon, and you get a country that essentially fuels your morning routine and your dessert cravings. Along the coast, palm-fringed beaches and historic trading towns tell stories of centuries of commerce and cultural exchange, while inland communities preserve ancient traditions, ceremonies, and beliefs that continue to shape everyday life.

From encounters with Voodoo priests and slithering reptiles to immersion in colorful markets and lush jungles, this trip is a deep dive into the culture and landscapes of West Africa. Our journey through this little-known region will surely reveal plenty of surprises, leaving you will memories of a lifetime and a few stories to tell!

Each October, millions gather for one of the most vibrant, moving and oddly joyful celebrations on the planet: Día de los Muertos, or the Day of the Dead. Forget gloomy funerals – in Mexico, death is not the end, but a new beginning.

The holiday is built around the belief that over two magical nights each year, the souls of the deceased return to visit their loved ones, allowing for emotional reunions and joyful remembrance. All Saints’ Day (Nov 1) is the time to honor deceased children, while All Souls’ Day (Nov 2) is The Day of the Faithful Departed, a time to pray for souls who haven’t quite reached paradise (purgatory wait times can be brutal).

Mexican families build beautiful ofrendas (altars) to welcome spirits back, with photos, candles, incense, pan de muerto (a sweet bread), sugar skulls, marigolds, and sometimes even their loved ones’ favorite food and drinks. Cemeteries are decorated with flowers and offerings, and city streets are filled with celebratory processions featuring dancers, musicians, giant puppets, floats and elaborate costumes.

Death never smelled so sweet
Fun fact: Marigolds, especially the orange cempasúchil, play a central role during Día de los Muertos, their bright hue and citrusy, floral scent guiding spirits back to the world of the living. The “flower of the dead” decorates altars to honor and attract deceased loved ones, and paths of orange petals create trails that leads spirits to their families. Cemeteries are a riot of color as gravesites are hung with garlands, and flower arches are used in homes, public displays and parades.

Meet La Catrina & Friends
The fancy skeleton lady you’ll see everywhere? That’s La Catrina, or Lady Death, created in the early 1900s by Mexican artist José Guadalupe Posada. She’s a satire on rich society, showing that even the wealthy can’t escape death’s bony embrace.

And those vibrant, fantastical animal creatures featuring in many of today’s processions? Those are alebrijes, papier-mâché creations which became popular in the 20th century after being dreamt up by another artist, Pedro Linares. They’re not traditional to Día de los Muertos, but they’ve joined in the fun and it looks like they’re here to stay.

A tradition that goes back... way back
While today the holiday is often associated with the skull-painted faces of revelers and street processions led by the elegant figure of La Catrina, the roots of this celebration go way deeper than flowers and face paint.

Long before the Spanish conquistadors invaded Mesoamerica, indigenous cultures like the Aztecs, Mayans, Purepechas, Nahuas, and Totonacas had already been partying with the dead for around 3,000 years. They saw death not as a finality, but as part of life’s great cycle. Watched over by Mictecacihuatl, their version of Lady Death, these ancient festivals took place in August and lasted an entire month.
When the Spanish conquistadors arrived in the 16th century, they weren’t exactly fans of these pagan rituals. So they decided to merge the indigenous festival with Catholic traditions, moving the dates to line up with All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day. Classic colonial strategy: If you can’t beat it, rebrand it.

But despite the Catholic makeover, the spirit of the original rituals lived on. And over time, this cultural fusion evolved into the Day of the Dead as we know it: both sacred and a little irreverent. Cemeteries glow with candles, music fills the air and death gets a front-row seat.

Dance macabre... and so much more
Our trip will dive headfirst into this incredible tradition, as we both honor the dead and celebrate life. We’ll walk among glowing altars, eat our weight in pan de muerto and maybe even learn a few moves for the danse macabre with La Catrina herself.
But this trip is so much more than these two days! Mexico offers travellers a feast for the senses, and in just over a week we’ll pack in experiences that you’ll never forget. From the sounds of bustling urban life in Mexico City to the incredible sights of Aztec ruins and the flavours of delicious food and drink, we’ll reveal the soul of this fascinating and vibrant country.

Our journey starts in Mexico’s famed capital, one of the most populous cities on earth and brimming with postcolonial architecture, archaeological ruins, buzzing neighborhoods – and, unfortunately, lots of traffic. From there we hit the road to discover Mexico’s colourful past and present, from the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Teotihuacan to charming pueblos and the thermal waters of Tolantongo.

Pátzcuaro: The O.G. Día de los Muertos
The sleepy colonial town of Pátzcuaro usually flies under the radar – but during the Day of the Dead it attracts the eyes of the world. Located in the ancestral lands of the indigenous Purépecha people, it’s one of the few places in Mexico where pre-Hispanic Día de los Muertos rituals are still practiced in their original form.

These powerful ceremonies unfold on the islands of Lake Pátzcuaro, a place whose name evokes the boundary between this world and the next. Each of the lake’s six islands pulses with spiritual energy, but come Día de los Muertos, things get turned up to full volume.

More than 100,000 visitors flock here to witness rituals that are part haunting, part hypnotic and wholly unforgettable. Each island offers a distinct experience, with Janitzio, in particular, drawing crowds for its dramatic candlelit procession of flower-covered canoes.

Teotihuacan: Where the gods were born
A highlight of our trip is sure to be Teotihuacan, one of the most iconic sacred sites of ancient Mesoamerica. A vast city built between the 1st and 7th centuries A.D., its origins are still a mystery. Long before the Aztecs arrived in central Mexico, Teotihuacan was already abandoned – yet its monumental scale left such an impression that ancient peoples believed it was the very birthplace of the gods.

Rituals here were powerful, often brutal, and definitely not for the squeamish. Human sacrifices were made to appease Quetzalcoatl, the Feathered Serpent, and to keep the good times (and crops) rolling. Walking the Avenue of the Dead, we’ll trace the steps of those who once lived and died here, before climbing the Pyramid of the Sun for a panoramic view…that thankfully doesn’t require a sacrifice.

A walk on the wild side
We can’t neglect Mexico’s incredible nature, as this country has some dramatic surprises up its sleeve.

Imagine waking up to find a volcano erupting in your backyard. Well, in 1943, that’s exactly what happened to a farmer near the village of Parícutin. A crack in his cornfield suddenly began to smoke, and within 24 hours, a brand-new volcano had burst from the earth. It quickly became a scientific sensation, the first time in history that geologists were able to witness and document the full life cycle of a volcano from birth. Today, Parícutin is considered one of the modern Seven Natural Wonders of the World, and we’ll get an up-close view as we explore the volcanic landscape on horseback.

Nestled in a canyon, Tolantongo Hot Springs is a natural paradise where warm, clear waters flow through caves and terraced pools. It’s basically nature’s hot tub! We’ll make a stop here to soak in the soothing thermal springs while taking in the dramatic scenery.

This trekkup unveils a magical side of Mexico that, much like Día de los Muertos, fits between the sacred and the surreal.
So, pack your marigolds, bring your appetite and join us as we conquer volcanoes and laugh in the face of death. Because in Mexico, death doesn’t end the party, it joins it.

Let’s go!

DAY 1 / OCT 31 / SAT / ARRIVAL IN MEXICO CITY

Meeting at airport at 02:00AM for Emirates flight to Mexico 03:45AM.
Arrival at 16:00, immigration clearance and check-in to hotel.

Overnight in Mexico City, quick look at nightlife for those who are not tired.

DAY 2 / NOV 01 / DÍA DE LOS MUERTOS IN PÁTZCUARO

After breakfast we’ll check out and hit the road to Morelia, our base for the next few days. First, we’ll make our way to Pátzcuaro, where we’ll take a quick tour of this charming colonial town, strolling its beautiful squares and making visits to the fascinating regional museum and local bazaars. Then, it’s time for the main event, as we head to the island of Janitzio to join the Day of the Dead celebrations. With the shimmering lake as a backdrop to the mass of humanity gathering to greet their departed loved ones, this will be an otherworldly experience to remember. Afterwards, back to Morelia for overnight.

DAY 3 / NOV 02 / DÍA DE LOS MUERTOS IN MORELIA

Today we explore beautiful Morelia, the capital of Michoacán region, and experience a more modern form of Day of the Dead celebrations. We’ll take a walking tour of this picturesque colonial city known for its pink stone architecture, baroque churches, calm plazas and a historic center that’s been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It offers a more elegant, old-world atmosphere than many other cities in Mexico, and we’ll take in the laid-back, cultured vibes. In the afternoon, it’s time to get down with the dead as Morelia comes alive with altars, art installations, concerts and candlelit processions. We’ll witness locals welcoming back the spirits of their loved ones and feel the unique mix of solemnity and celebration against a backdrop of flickering lights, music, and the scent of incense and pan de muerto.

DAY 4 / NOV 03 / DAY TRIP TO PARÍCUTIN VOLCANO

We’ll set off early this morning for the village of San Juan Parangaricutiro...or rather, what's left of it. Known as the Mexican Pompeii, in 1943 the nearby Parícutin volcano suddenly erupted and buried the entire town in lava and ash, except for the top of its church, which to this day rises eerily from the hardened flow. We’ll make our way across the surrounding lava-flooded landscape to explore the ruins of the church, in which the altar and belfry have been miraculously preserved. With the volcano looming in the distance, this is part history lesson, part surreal photo op. Return to Morelia for overnight.

DAY 5 / NOV 04 / TZINTZUNTZAN PYRAMIDS & QUERÉTARO

This morning we say goodbye to Morelia and make the short scenic drive to Tzintzuntzan, the former capital of the Purépecha empire. We’ll explore the impressive yácatas: the distinctive rounded, stepped pyramids built on a terrace overlooking Lake Pátzcuaro. We’ll climb to the top for panoramic views and a true sense of pre-Hispanic grandeur. Part history lesson, part hike, this is a perfect Michoacán counterpart to the later Teotihuacan experience. Afterwards we continue east to Querétaro, our new home base for the next couple of nights. Overnight in Querétaro.

DAY 6 / NOV 05 / DAY TRIP TO BERNAL & CAÑADA DE LA VIRGEN

Early start as we head to the magical town of Bernal, known for its towering Peña de Bernal monolith (one of the world’s largest). We’ll wander its charming cobblestone streets, colorful colonial buildings, and shops selling wool textiles, candies, and crafts. Those who wish can hike or climb partway up the Peña for energy and views (or relax with a margarita below).
In the morning or early afternoon, we continue toward San Miguel de Allende for a visit to the Cañada de la Virgen archaeological site. Perched on a mesa overlooking canyons, this ancient Otomí pilgrimage center features climbable pyramid complexes and ceremonial structures. We’ll explore with a knowledgeable local guide, learning about its astronomical alignments and pre-Hispanic history while enjoying the dramatic landscape.
Return to Querétaro in the late evening for overnight.

DAY 7 / NOV 06 / TOLANTONGO & BACK TO MEXICO CITY

This morning we leave Queretaro for the drive back to Mexico City, making a much-needed stop along the way. After days of climbing pyramids, strolling city streets, and trying every kind of taco imaginable, we’ve earned a break – and Tolantongo Hot Springs is the perfect reward. We’ll sink into the warm, turquoise waters and hit the reset button before continuing on our journey. Overnight Mexico City.

DAY 8 / NOV 07 / TEOTIHUACAN & THE BASILICA OF OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE

Today we will discover two of Mexico’s most iconic spiritual and cultural landmarks. We’ll begin at the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the world’s most important shrine dedicated to Mary, mother of Jesus, and a site of devotion for millions of Catholics. The basilica can hold up to 10,000 worshippers, and its impressive architecture invites nearly as many selfies! We’ll learn about the miraculous apparition of the Virgin Mary to Juan Diego, an Indigenous man whose divine encounter in 1531 put this site on a map.

In the afternoon, we’ll head to Teotihuacan, the ancient "City of the Gods", once a powerful center of Mesoamerican civilization whose influence stretched as far as present-day Guatemala. After exploring the Avenue of the Dead, the Pyramid of the Moon, the Bird-Butterfly Palace, and climbing the massive Pyramid of the Sun, we’ll have lunch and enjoy a taste of Mexican tradition and hospitality with live folk dance and music performances. Return to Mexico City for overnight.

DAY 9 / NOV 08 / DEPARTURE
Free time at leisure, before its time to say “¡Adiós!” to unforgettable Mexico, as we transfer to the airport for our return flight 19:40.

Level of difficulty: Easy - available for everyone.
Activities: Trekking, boating, sightseeing, cultural immersion,
optional horse riding.

Accommodation & meals: 3- and 4-star hotels, double sharing.
Single room available upon request for an extra cost. Meals excluded.

Cost: 7,990 AED excl. flights until SEP 28.
Past this date cost will change.

Día de los Muertos is one of the busiest times of the year in Mexico. We can only accept bookings made well in advance.

Far less popular on the tourist trail than its neighbor India, but much more intriguing, Bangladesh remains a very little known corner of the world. You'll find a truly fascinating combination here: cultural immersion to discover untouched, remote tribes, but also brutality of modern industry at the one of the world’s largest ship breaking yards.

While 80% of the country is made up of fertile lowlands called the Bangladesh Plain, in the far southeastern corner of Bangladesh, bordering Myanmar, is the Chittagong Hill Tracts area, featuring green, undulating topography that is strikingly different, and incredibly scenic.
Here, in the Bandarban Hill District, it is not only the landscapes that are unique – many of the inhabitants are very different from the majority of Bengalis, making for a fascinating crossover between subcontinent and far east cultures. The first settlers of these hills were tribes from Myanmar, and today there are 11 distinct ethnic groups who are only found in the Bandarban area. Their lifestyle and culture differ greatly from those of the plains Bengalis, from their thatched bamboo huts to their distinctive languages, rituals, dress and handicrafts.
A visit to the Chittagong Ship Breaking Yard is a unique opportunity to see up close as giant cargo ships, oil tankers and other vessels are broken down, bit by bit…there aren’t many places in the world where we can get access to a place like this! This cemetery of steel and iron, with monster ship carcasses in various stages of decay, is a sight to behold.

Let’s go!

Day 1: Bandarban – Golden Temple, Tribal Village, Nilachal
Arrival to Chittagong Airport; meet the team and drive to Bandarban. After some lunch, we’ll set out to discover the area. First stop is Golden Temple, an impressive, glittering gilt structure housing the massive Buddha Dhatu Jadi statue. The temple belongs to the Theravada Buddhism order, which is practiced by the Marma indigenous people, the dominant ethnic group in the Bandarban area. Next we visit the Tanchangya tribe, who earn their living cultivating the land. They are known for their traditional costumes and ornaments, and Tanchangya women can be easily spotted because of their unique dress and hairstyle.
Later we’ll head to Nilachal, high up in the hills about 1600 to 2000 feet above sea level. From here we’ll have stunning views of the surrounding area, the city of Bandarban, as well as Cox’s Bazar beach, and enjoy a magnificent sunset.

Day 2: Bandarban – Chimbuk & Nilgiri, Tribal Villages
After breakfast, we’ll set off to capture more amazing views. Chimbuk is the third largest mountain in Bangladesh, and its peak lies up a winding road overlooking the hills and towns below. Next we’ll head to Nilgiri, a popular resort area and a place of spectacular beauty.
In the afternoon, we’ll get to know the diverse local peoples a bit better. First stop is the village of the Tripura indigenous people, who subsist on slash-and-burn farming in the remote hills and valleys. This small Animistic and Hindu ethnic group only numbers around 60,000 people, but clings proudly to its traditional ways.
We’ll stop at the Shaila Prapat waterfall before heading to Bawm tribal village, home to a group hailing from Chin state in western Myanmar. The group’s first wave of migration to Bangladesh took place more than 500 years ago, and today 200 Bawm families live in the Bandabar area, facing much discrimination due to their Christian faith.
Last is the village of the Mru (or Murong) people, also originally from Myanmar, who left their homeland due to invasions by rival tribes and colonisation by the British. This peaceful Buddhist society relies on hunting and bamboo crafting, and values the preservation of its unique cultural traditions.

Day 3: Chittagong – Potenga Beach, Ship Breaking Yard
We’ll head to Chittagong, making a stop at the Bandarban hanging bridge on the way. After a couple hours’ drive we’ll get some sea views at popular Patenga Beach.

In the afternoon we’ll enjoy a truly unique experience, witnessing the dismantling of iron and steel giants at the Chittagong Ship Breaking Yard. Once the world’s largest, the scale of industry at this ship breaking yard is truly astounding, the site teeming with over 200,000 workers taking apart and salvaging materials from vessels from around the world.
After dinner we’ll head to the airport, saying bye-bye to Bangladesh after a fascinating few days of discovery.

Named after your ex-girlfriend heart, the Empty Quarter (Rub’ Al Khali) of Oman is known for its harsh desert climate filled with endless sand dunes as far as the eye can see.

The Empty Quarter, which encompasses most of the southern third of the Arabian Peninsula across Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Oman, and Yemen, has ancient remains only recently discovered by archaeologists in 1992 using remote sensing equipment.

The city of Ubar, once a trade port along the fabled frankincense route through ancient Arabia, dates to 2,800 BC. And based on excavations and satellite imagery it is also believed to be the Iram of the Pillars, mention in the Quran as a wicked and many-towered city eventually swallowed up by a massive sandstorm – a place sought out by adventurers and explorers for over a century!

Ramlet Jedelah - Some 12 kilometers from the Yemen-Oman border is a home to the highest dune in the world. The summit has been measured at 455m, surpassing the previous record holder - BIG DADDY. You may know BIG DADDY from our trekkup to Namibia, standing on 418m.

And on this weekend, we will take a deep dive into this mysterious area, not far from Salalah, trekking the dry canyons, exploring lost Bedouin cities, and discovering ancient archaeological sites. And as the sun sets on the vast dunes of Arabia, we will get settle into our desert camp for Salalah-style delicacies, served by a campfire.