Trekkup Dubai ✔

Nestled under the shoulder of northwest Africa, crossed by the equator, the three nations of Equatorial Guinea, Gabon and São Tomé & Príncipe are some of the least visited in the world – but offer a treasure trove of sights, sounds and experiences.

As we trace the equatorial line across sprawling volcanic peaks and lush forest wilderness, indigenous villages and wildlife sanctuaries, we’ll discover the beauty of lands unscathed by mass tourism and catch glimpses of the roots of human civilisation.

Surprisingly, all three are off the main tourism radar, but are filled with stunning, unique natural gems that will make you crave to return.
We will dive straight into this African adventure in Equatorial Guinea, to the fascinating island of Bioko, home to the capital Malabo, three volcanic craters and long-established coffee and cocoa plantations.
Colonization of Bioko began with the arrival of Portuguese sailors in 1474, and following hundreds of years of oppression, resistance and uprisings, independence for Equatorial Guinea was eventually declared independent from Spain in 1968. Today, Bioko’s farms and plantations are locally owned, and the island is an off-the-beaten-track paradise, ringed by black-sand beaches, covered by waterfall-filled jungle and overlooked by imposing crater peaks.
Occupying an 800km stretch of the continent’s Atlantic coast, Gabon is a conservationist’s dream. Its land, 10 per cent of which is protected territory, houses 13 national parks, and the highest concentration of elephants across all of Africa. Gabon’s topography is so varied it rivals the diversity of all wildlife here, with landscapes ranging from tropical forests, mangroves and white-sand beaches to savannas and mountains.
This former French colony is a melting pot of 40 ethnic groups, among them the Fang, Tsogo, Teke and the Babongo Pygmies, while the sleepy capital of Libreville is also home to Lebanese, French, Central and West African immigrants. Outside the city, ancient rituals still prevail, including the traditions of Bwiti, a belief system whose costumed followers mark spiritual enlightenment with riotous ceremonies of drumming and dancing.
Next we discover a little-explored Shangri-la, in the Jurassic Park-like landscapes and coastlines of São Tomé and Príncipe. Bisected by the equator and close to the zero meridian, most people wouldn’t be able to locate these islands off the Gulf of Guinea on the map. Known for its mix of Portuguese colonial and local traditions, picture-postcard beaches and “leve-leve” (laid-back) atmosphere, this playground for adventure is sure to tick a number of experiences off your list.
Nature lovers will be in their element, with Obô National Park covering about 30% of the island of São Tomé. Expect dramatic landscapes, with volcanic chimneys emerging in the middle of nowhere, and rich biodiversity, with many endemic species on land and in the surrounding waters. Here we’ll trek through jungle terrain to reach rushing waterfalls, snorkel in waters teeming with marine life and taste some of the world’s finest chocolate.
This epic adventure wraps up in Ghana, the economic powerhouse of Western Africa, where one day is enough to get to know the highlights of capital Accra and witness a unique tradition: the making of elaborately decorated Ghanian fantasy coffins.

This is a journey through wild jungles, impenetrable forests, cascading waterfalls and black sand beaches. Are you ready to explore the unknown, and venture far away from anything resembling a tourist trail?
Let’s go!

DAY 1 // Equatorial Guinea: Malabo
DAY 2 // EG: Lake Moka jungle trail
DAY 3 // EG: Ureca
DAY 4 // Gabon: Sipopo & Islote Horacio --> Gabon
DAY 5 // Gabon: Libreville & Mangroves
DAY 6 // Gabon: Bwiti Ceremony
DAY 7 // Gabon: Pongara
Day 8 // Gabon: Pongara --> Sao Tome
Day 9 // São Tomé: Waterfall, Channels & Chocolate Refinery
Day 10 // São Tomé: Santana
Day 11 // São Tomé: Ilhéu das Rolas --> Ghana
Day 12 // Ghana: Accra

All details available to confirmed RSVPs.

Level of Difficulty: Easy, raw Africa with limited facilities at places.
Duration: 12 days.
Activities: Trekking, boating, canoeing, swimming, snorkelling, sightseeing, wildlife and indigenous tribes encounter.
Rooms & Meals: African upmarket standards – double sharing, single at extra cost subject of availability. Restaurant meals excluded.

Cost: 12,500 AED + 9000 AED flights = 21,500 AED,
Cost valid until MAY 18. Past this date, please inquire about cost and availability.

EG: Traditional mansion and 5* hotel,
Gabon: 4* hotel, 1 night in tribal village,
Sao Tome: 4* Eco lodges.

Meals: Restaurant meals excluded. Breakfasts included.

Requirements: Yellow Fever Vaccination certificate, malaria prophylactics compulsory.

Visas:
Equatorial Guinea: E-visa
Gabon: E-visa or Consulate visa in Equatorial Guinea
Sao Tome: visa free or e-visa 30 USD

YELLOW FEVER Vaccination Certificate is mandatory for crossing inter-african borders.

See yah in Equatoria x

In a Central Asian intersection of Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Afghanistan, China, and Pakistan across the Wakhan Corridor lays the Republic of Tajikistan, a small enclave country of Persian-speaking, cyrillic writing Tajik peoples once part of the Samanid Empire and most known today for its rugged snow-capped peaks, world-class trekking and climbing across the Fann Mountains, a warm and inviting culture, and what is surely one of the world’s most picturesque turquoise lakes, Iskandarkul!

The capital city of Dushanbe, along the Varzob River in the Gissar Valley, was once the site of several settlements which were rebuilt during the Soviet Era and has become the metropolis it is today, with Barakat covered-market as one of it’s most iconic attractions. With wide tree-lined avenues, museums and monuments around every corner, and cafes and tea-houses to satisfy every craving for Tajik sweets.

One cannot venture across Tajikistan without paying a visit to Iskandarkul. The legendary Lake of Alexander the Great, at nearly 2200 MASL, is iconic in its turquoise still reflections of the surrounding mountains and peaks. The locals will have a few stories to tell about how the lake formed and whether Alexander’s favourite horse Bucephalus still haunts the icy waters, but you’ll have a chance to see and swim this pristine jewel, trek around the “Fann Niagara”, and explore a few sites of scientific expeditions!

Let’s go!!

Day 0 // Dushanbe Departure

Meeting at Dubai Airport for evening flight to Dushanbe.

Day 1 // Yaghnob Valley & Iskandarkul Lake

After early morning arrival and immigration formalities, we’ll transfer to hotel for a very quick rest and breakfast before we hit the road to Varzob through the Anzob Pass and take in our first views of the Fann Mountains along the way.

We’ll continue to Yaghnob Valley for a village visit and local lunch before we reach Iskandarkul Lake where we’ll check-in and take a quick trek to waterfall and first pristine views of the lake! Return to hotel for dinner and rest.

Day 2 // Iskandarkul & Dushanbe

We’ll rise with the sun for a boat trip around the lake before a leisurely breakfast at the hotel before we start our return journey back to Dushanbe. We’ll have a lunch in town before sightseeing few highlights of Somoni Statue, Navruzhoh Palace, and the Mehrigon Market. We’ll have a quick hotel check-in before we head out to enjoy some live music at local pub for dinner. We depart for airport early next morning for return flight home.

Activities: Short trekking, boating, optional swimming, cultural immersion.

Duration: Weekend.

Accommodation & meals: hotels and lake bungalows - double sharing. Meals in guesthouses included, restaurant meals excluded. Bring your fav snacks.

Cost: AED 3800 all incl. flight until JUNE 11th. Past this date please inquire about cost and availability.

Afghanistan may fascinate, enchant, although this love can be difficult. In 2021, the Americans finally withdrew from Afghanistan, and the Taliban took power almost without a single shot being fired. They quickly established relative safety in the country, although unfortunately women lost many rights under the new regime. Nevertheless, Afghanistan once again became a country that is possible to visit.

Afghanistan has a fascinating history and material evidence of it. The hospitality of its people, beautiful landscapes, mountains, customs, and monuments will make you forget of any association with the conflicts.

Lets go!

DAY 1 :: Friday
Meeting at Departure to Dushanbe, direct flight, immigration procedure.

DAY 2 :: Saturday
Breakfast followed by visa arrangements and start drive towards the border. After crossing the bridge over Panj river, stop for lunch and continue to Samangan province.

Samangan was a famous Buddhist center in the 4th and 5th centuries, famous for Takht-e Rostam, an ancient Buddhist monastery about 1500 years old. The sanctuary consists of a complex of stupas with the monastery cut into the rock.

On the way, we will stop in the town of Tashqurghan, also known as Kholm, where there is the Bagh-e Jehan Nama palace, built in the late 19th century. In the afternoon, we return to Mazar-e-Sharif. Free time to rest. Overnight at a hotel in Mazar-e-Sharif.

DAY 3 :: Sunday
After breakfast, we begin sightseeing of Mazar-e-Sharif, one of the main centres of religious worship in Afghanistan. With a population of over 300,000, Mazar is the fourth largest city in Afghanistan. It was founded in the 12th century after a local mullah dreamt of the secret site where Ali Bin Talib, cousin of the Prophet and the fourth Caliph of Islam, had been buried (outside of Afghanistan, most Muslims believe that Ali is buried in Najaf, Iraq).
A shrine, which was later rebuilt as the Blue Mosque, was built on the site and the city of Mazar grew around it. The city, however, continued to live in the shadow of its larger neighbor, Balkh, until the city was abandoned due to disease in the mid-19th century. As a result, Mazar assumed the role of capital of the region - a position it has maintained ever since.

The city was the capital of Afghan Turkestan, an ancient empire stretching between the city of Herat, the Hindu Kush mountain range, and the Amu Darya River in the north. As a merchant city, Mazar-e-Sharif has long been famous for its carpet production and fur trade. We will certainly visit the local bazaar, to check how this ex-silk road city maintains trading traditions.

In the afternoon head back to border and further on to Dushanbe for return flight home.

Accomo & meals: Hotels, double sharing. Meals included except restaurant meals in Dushanbe.

Cost: AED 5800 all incl. flights until MAY 31. Past this date please inquire about cost and availability.

Visas: Costs related to visas are specifically excluded from the budget. It is sole responsibility of participant to secure the admission to the countries of destinations.

Tajikistan – visa free or 2 evisas.
Afghanistan – Consulate visa 130 USD; 210 USD for USA passport, we will guide you through the process.

We will guide you throughout visa process.

See yah in blue x

Lalibela is located in the heart of Abyssinian Highlands, on the side of mountain range culminating at 4284 mtrs. Its 2500 meter altitude provides a climate with daily temperatures 20-15C. The world recognized glory of the city comes from the churches curved in monolithic rocks, concept similar to Petra or Ellora gained Lalibela a spot not only on UNESCO World Heritage list but also on many travel connoisseurs bucket lists. We will discover this 7th or perhaps 8th world's wonder over an extended weekend trip.