Trekkup Dubai ✔

Home to some of the most spectacular mountain scenery in the world, colorful cities and thriving markets, Pakistan is opening to the world, charming us with untouched nature at the confluence of 3 mountain ranges. Hunza is a part of Karakoram, known for the striking beauty of the snow peak mountains, glacier lakes and valleys.

Hunza is situated at an elevation of 2,438 meters in the northernmost Pakistan, bordering with the Wakhan Corridor of Afghanistan and the Xinjiang region of China.

Nestled between far reaches of Western China and the end of the world, lies a province of immense beauty and cultural significance: Xinjiang.

Its capitol Urumchi stands right on the Silk Road between the Gobi Desert and the snow-covered peaks of Tien Shan – but nowadays, in the middle of nowhere, you will find here glass skyscrapers, mute monuments of Chinese economy. The polished granite walls of these tombs still reflect the colorful, exotic street life. Nomads from countless mountain tribes still play their wild melodies, Uyghurs trade in markets, ride donkeys, wear moccasins and colorful sweaters.

It is here, where over a thousand years ago the Uyghurs established their tribal confederation - the Uyghur Khaganate. Once a powerful empire profiting from silk road trade between China and Western Asia and Europe, they have been developing culture and science in their own script. Conquered by others, mainly Mongols and Chinese, Uyghurs forgot about their former glory, calling themselves "Turks". However, they never lost their sense of identity.

However, Xinjiang, located at the southern base of the Tianshan Mountains, has some little-known mountain beauties waiting to be discovered. The Tian Shan Mountains contain the largest area of glaciers in China, accounting for approximately 16% of the total in the country. These glaciers act as reservoirs, melting in the summer and supplying water to the valleys, rivers, and lakes in the region, while also contributing to the erosion of the canyons.

One of the striking attractions in this area is Tian Shan Heavenly Lake (Tianchi), an alpine drift lake located 30km from Fukang city. It has scored a classification of “highest level scenic area” by the China National Tourism Administration.

Tianshan Grand Canyon sitting at 1600 m, with its highest peak at 2050m is composed of ranges of rufous massifs, known also as Keziliya - in the Uyghur language, red cliff. This geological wonder stretches for some 6km. In the sunlight, the mountains appear as burning flames but in fact its peacefulness, mystery, and serenity became legendary.

Located deep in Shawan county, Anjihai Grand Canyon is one real call for adventure. Carved by the the Anjihai River, is also known as the Hongshan (yet another Red Mountain, this time in Chinese). If you're afraid of heights, it's probably best to keep your eyes forward. Towering red sandstone cliffs act here as guardians, their vibrant colors shifting from fiery oranges to deep crimsons as the sun sets. Valleys so narrow that sunlight struggles to penetrate through, casting dramatic shadows on the canyon floor. The earth opens up, revealing stunning views that stretch as far as the eye can see. The silence, broken only by the whisper of the wind, enhances his majesty.

Lets’s go!

Day 1: Urumchi
Evening arrival, immigration formalities, rest or explore the town.

Day 2: Tian Shan Heavenly Lake (Tianchi), trek 4 hrs.
Breakfast and a drive 110km. Lake area offers different alpine zones depending on altitude, including glacier snow belt, alpine sub-alpine belt, mountain conifer forest belt, and low mountain zones. We will take a cable car to Maya Mountain, ascent for 2 hours, and indulge in the mountain panoramas.

Day 3: Nanshan Ulas Tai, trek 5 hrs
The Urumchi Wulastai is located in the West Poplar Gully of Nanshan Ranch cultural and ecological scenic spot. It is named for its flat terrain at an altitude of nearly 2,500m. We will hit 5 hrs trek to discover this beauty. In the afternoon, we will head to Dushanzi, 250 kilometers away (2h 30m drive).

Day 4: Anjihai Grand Canyon, trek 4hrs
Checking out from Dushanzi and drive on the legendary road to Anjihai Grand Canyon for 1hour. Hike around the canyon for 10 kilometers. In the late afternoon, return to Urumchi.

Day 5: Tianshan Grand Canyon, full day trek
The Tianshan Grand Canyon is located in Urumqi County, 48km from the city. The area offers a variety geological landforms. Beside 2 lakes, 3 waterfalls, 4 streams, and 18 valleys, it is also known for its snow ridge spruce forests, high towering walls and narrow passages. Chinese refer it as “The return of the five Mountains”, “Do not look at the mountain” or "strange pines, strange rocks, and the sea of clouds", however what can go wrong in “hundred-mile golden tourism corridor” and “the outdoor paradise of leisure vacation” ?

Day 6: Departure

Level: easy to moderate.
Activities: trekking, sightseeing, experience of indigenous Uyghur culture, optional horse riding 120 USD, day 3+4.
Accommodation & meals: 4 star hotels, double sharing. Restaurant meals excluded.

Cost: 4,800 AED excl. flights / 8,600 AED incl. flights via Beijing until MAR 26th.

Visas: Any expenses related to visas / permits are not included. Visas – support available through third party only.

Statistically speaking, "Oh my God, it's so HUGE !!" is most commonly heard by spiders, yet Abu Simbel statues are truly a gigantic masterpiece of an ancient engineering.

It is Nubia, a little know Eastern region of the Sahara, which is a home to many secrets of such remarkable size.

When Ramesses II (1304-1237 BCE) led colonial wars from the Bekaa Valley in Lebanon to the 4th Cataract, he also ensured his majesty and power back home in Nubia; by ordering four enormous statues to be carved into the mountain, that still greet travelers entering Egypt from Africa to this day.

The Nubian Monuments were built so that the sun's rays perfectly align with the Abu Simbel temples twice a year on Ramses’s birthday, and the anniversary of his coronation.

The temples comprise two massive rock-carved edifices near the border of Sudan along the western bank of Lake Nasser, which runs downriver to Philae. Dating back to the 13th Century BC, the 19th dynasty reign of Pharaoh Ramesses II, the Nubian Monuments are icons of ancient Egyptian architecture, and in some circles considered more significant than the Pyramids at Giza.

Not far from Abu Simbel, on the northern end of the first cataract at the southern frontier of the Egyptian Empire, at the tip of the Nubian Kingdom, lies the city of Aswan – home to the raw materials used to build the Nubian Monuments.

The Aswan High Dam, a bellwether of early 1960s engineering, powers present-day Egypt and proudly rivals the engineering feats of the country’s Pharaonic ancestors, as the world's embankment dam in control of Nile flooding.

Running at 4km in length and 111m in height, the Aswan High Dam is 40m wide at the crest and 980m wide at the base. Containing 43million m3 of water, 11,000 m3 of water pass through the damn each second, and that’s just the beginning of the story of the Giants in the Desert!
On this trip, however we are adding a day in Cairo, bustling metropolis filled with history, as it offers fantastic mix of ancient and modern landmarks, such as Pyramids of Giza, Memphis and Sakkara.

This way you will tick all Egyptian bucket list boxes in one experience!!

Lets go!

DAY 0 // WED // DEPARTURE

Meeting at Dubai T2 at 8pm for a direct flight to Cairo at 10pm.

DAY 1 // THU // CAIRO

Arrival, immigration clearance, overnight in 5 star hotel.
After breakfast we hit the road to Giza Pyramids. Move on for some riddles or selfies with Sphinx, drive to Sakkara and further to Memphis for more temples and even older pyramids. Overnight in 5 star hotel.

DAY 2 // FRI // ASWAN

We ll start the day with domestic flight to Aswan. Upon arrival in Aswan, visit to the Great Dam on the Nile, which offers an amazing view of the first cataract on the Nile and Lake Nasser. Check in to hotel and hop on the boat for a cruise to Agilkia island. There is a temple complex here, dedicated to the Goddess Isis (originally it was located on the island of Philae, which was flooded during the construction of the Aswan dam). Overnight in Old Nubian Guesthouse.

DAY 3 // SAT // NUBIA

Today we sail down the Nile to Nubia village with stopover at botanical garden. We should have enough time for traditional felucca sailing, short hike for a view above Nubian village, until we reach coffeeshop for some leisure and rest. Overnight in Old Nubian Guesthouse.

DAY 4 // SUN // ABU SIMBEL

Early morning wake up call and drive to Abu Simbel. Full day visit of the temple and surroundings, before we head back to airport and further to Cairo for return flight to Dubai.

Level of Difficulty: Easy, available to everyone.
Activities: Sightseeing, boating and lots of discoveries of ancient and modern world wonders!!
Rooms & Meals: 5 star hotel in Cairo, traditional Nubian guesthouse 4 star in Aswan - double sharing. Meals included (note - beverages are excluded).

Cost: AED 5550 all incl. 4 flights - international and domestic, until APR 20.

Specifically excluded:

• visa,
• beverages,
• meals on transfers,
• tips,
• optional entry fees, ie. inside pyramid.

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, via Baku.

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 7400 all incl. 4 flights via Baku until APR 23.

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

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.

Flight route via Baku - UAE residents are entitled for visa on arrival.

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

See yah at Mangystau x