Trekkup Dubai ✔

Ghosts of Babylon, resurrected Nebuchadnezzars, kings declaring themselves gods atop ziggurats, it’s the Cradle of Civilization in the City of a Thousand and One Tales on the Tigris and Euphrates, with ruined empires from the ancient to the modern. It’s Baghdad to Babylon to Basra with a little Ur on top!

The seat of the ancient Babylonian Empire of Mesopotamia, with foundations thousands of years old, estimated to have been the largest city in the world and the first city to ever reach a population of 200,000, the ancient remains of Babylon have many tales to tell, some of which can be found in the Bible itself!

Known for constructing dozens of palaces across Iraq and hiding his whereabouts among them, Saddam had a taste for the gilded and extravagant, carrying on the legacy of the ancient kings and crowning himself the next Nebuchadnezzar.

One of the most distinctive architectural inventions, the ziggurat is like a pyramid of four sides and rises up to the realm of the gods, most often used as a site of religious rituals, with a high-priest residing at the apex. This temple complex was begun as a shrine to the moon god Nanna, the patron deity of Ur, and completed by King Shulgi who promptly declared himself a god.

Comprised of many different ancient tribes and a culture which evolved and centred around the natural resources of the marshes, the Marsh Arabs have struggled and survived on the raising of water buffalo and cultivated crops, living in arched reed houses, and being as comfortable on the water as the Bedouins are in the dunes of Arabia.

From One Thousand and One Nights to pyramidal ziggurats to modern-day Nebuchadnezzars, the wonders of Babylon, Baghdad, and Basra await!

Let’s go!!

Day 1 : Baghdad
After arrival and immigration adventure. We will start with Fardos Square, where the iconic scene of the Saddam Hussain statue has fallen by the hands of Iraqi people. Next we’ll head to Liberation Square and Al-Mutanabi Street, take a few selfies at Al-Muwaffaqia.
In the evening, we will visit the modern parts of Baghdad to observe the daily life of the people. On our way back, we will stop at the Abu Nowas river walk, before we check-in at the hotel for well-deserved rest.

Day 2 : Samara
Today we set compass to north of Baghdad and start with Great Mosque of Samarra, known for its iconic spiral minaret. This mosque is considered an archaeological site, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and was the largest mosque in the world during its time. Next, visit the Virgin Palace with its large pool in the center, then explore the Medieval Times prison. Afterwards, head to the Abo Dalaf spiral mosque to climb to the top before returning to Baghdad to visit one of the most beautiful examples of Islamic architecture.

Day 3 : Babylon + Karbala
After breakfast and check-out, we’ll start our journey to Babylon! Along the way, stop at the Martyr Monument for some selfies on the half-shell before we reach the ancient ruins in the cradle of Mesopotamian civilization. Reputed to be the site of the Hanging Gardens it was truly one of the Seven Wonders of the Hellenic World, although its exact location remains a mystery! After wandering the mazes and mudbricks, we’ll head up to Saddam’s palace overlooking Babylon, subject of governmental approval. After a picnic lunch on the floor we’ll hop back in the bus and continue journey to Nasiriyah with a stop at the tomb of Al-Abbas Imam Ali.

Day 4 : Ziggurat of Ur & Marshes
One of the most distinctive architectural inventions, the ziggurat is like a pyramid of four sides and rises up to the realm of the gods, and rather than used as a tomb, it was the site of many religious rituals. With few remaining today, the Ziggurat of Ur is considered the best preserved in the world! After our elevated explorations, we’ll go deep into the marshes, the largest wetlands in the Middle East, a habitat for fish and birds, and home to thousands of Marsh Arabs, a people with mysterious ancient origins, some theories consider them descendants of the Nabateans!

Day 5 : Basra
We will start our day by exploring the old city of Basra, nicknamed "Venice of the Middle East." Along the way, we will visit a couple of Christian churches, we will take a walk on the Cornish, a river walk along the Shat Al-Arab River, created by the confluence of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. Lunch next to the river before heading to the airport for our flight back.

Grade: Easy, available to everyone.
Activity: Sightseeing, cultural immersion.

COST: 7000 AED all incl. flights until MAR 15.

Room & Meals: Hotel, guesthouse – double sharing, meals excluded.
Specifically excluded: Meals, visa, insurance.

Visa: Western and Gulf passports get visa on arrival. Other passports - visa support available.

It is participant sole responsibility to assure admission to country of destination.

See yah at Saddams x

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 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 + Pidurangula
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. Today we will stretch the legs over a short trek to the top of nearby hill for a sunset view over the Lion Rock. Overnight in the jungle lodge, surrounded by the chirping of the Jungle Fowl.

Day 3 // Ballooning + Sigiriya
Early morning optional ballooning above Sigiriya plains. Back to hotel for breakfast and start 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, optional ballooning (approx. 260 USD – early booking required).
Duration: Long weekend
Room & Meals: 4 star hotels - double sharing, 2 breakfasts + 2 dinners included.

Cost: 2900 AED excl. flights until APR 20th.
Optional ballooning: 960 AED.

In a story old as time, there is a place on this earth regarded as one of the holiest to have ever existed – where ancient tales and traditions are venerated and upheld for believers of the only three monotheist religions know to mankind.

The center of one of the longest political disputes of our time, the Holy City of Jerusalem sits at the heart of the three Abrahamic religions of Islam, Christianity and Judaism. For believers, agnostics and atheists alike, it is a place of depth and wonder.

A city with a thousand magical tales, sights, sounds, smells and tastes. Jerusalem is not a place to let pass you by, whether you seek a spiritual journey or one of pure adventure - it is a beautiful city of many contradictions and living proof of mankind’s age-old struggle to find harmony amidst chaos. So pack your bags and join us on a modern trip back in time to the Holy City. But hey, Holy City is only the beginning...

Let's go!

Day 1 :: Friday // Departure + Jericho – Bethlehem

Meeting at DXB Terminal 3 for a direct flight to Ben Gurion Airport on flydubai. Transfer to Jericho in the West Bank, believed to be the oldest continuous settlement in the world. In Biblical history it is famous for the episode, that the walls of Jericho felt down, after the Israelites under Joshua played their trumpets. Next we take cable car to the Mount of Temptation, where Jesus was tempted by the devil. From the Greek Orthodox monastery, we will enjoy panoramic views of the area. Further on to old Sycamore Tree, where the tax collector Zacchaeus climbed a tree to get a better look at Jesus. If time permits we will visit the Islamic remains of Hisham’s Palace from the 8th century.

Drive to Bethlehem, a town with a Palestinian Christian community. See the Shepherds Fields in Beth-Sahour, then arrive at Manger Square and the ancient Church of the Nativity. Here St. Hieronymus wrote the first Latin translation of the Bible, the Volgata. On the way we will see a part of the 700 km long Separation Wall, dividing the West Bank and Israel, used as graffiti wall, with its world-famous Banksy graffiti and take a sneak peek inside Walled Off Hotel. Overnight in Jerusalem in a boutique hotel with a view over Al Aqsa Mosque.

Day 2 :: Saturday // Jerusalem – City of David – Christianity – Bethlehem

We will start our day at the City of David, believed to be the oldest populated part of Jerusalem and an archaeological site. Proceed to Mt. of Olives for a panorama view of the old city, divided into the Jewish, the Christian, the Armenian and the Muslim quarter. Walk down to the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus was arrested. We follow Via Dolorosa, the Way of Suffering, until the Church of the Holy Sepulchres. The church marks the spot where Jesus was crucified, buried and resurrected. Overnight in Jerusalem.

Day 3 :: Sunday // Jerusalem Islam and Judaism – Mahane Yehuda Market

Check-out from hotel. Depending on authorities visit to the Temple Mount, known as Haram El Sharif. We will see the Al Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock, two of the most important Islamic sanctuaries. From the Temple Mount Prophet Mohammad ascent to heaven.
Walk in the old city, colonnaded streets dating back to the Romans, running from north to south in the old city. We continue along Souq Az Zeit to the Damascus Gate, built in its form by Suleiman the Magnificent.
End the day at Mahane Yehuda market, where you can watch the locals shop, smell the culinary delights of the little cafes. With pockets full of memories, back to airport for a return flight to Dubai .

Grade: Easy, available to everyone.
Room & Meals: new 4 star hotel in Jerusalem, with a view on Al Aqsa Mosque. Shared rooms, single room at 100 USD extra . Meals excluded.

Cost: 4990 AED incl. flights on flydubai, until MAR 25th.

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.