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: 3,100 EUR + 9000 AED flights.
Cost valid until JUL 31. 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

Siringitu or ‘endless plain’ as it is called in Masai is the name for the large savannah in southern Kenya / northern Tanzania. Each year, around 1.5 million wildebeests antelopes and 300,000 zebras start their long trek from Tanzania’s Serengeti Plains, further north to Kenya’s Masai Mara National Reserve in search for water and fresh grass. Late July / Early October is one of the best time to spot them crossing rivers of Talek and Mara, which are a habitat for hippos and crocodiles while zebras, buffalos and giraffes graze in the neighbouring open savannah.

Secluded, distant, and untouched - Legendary Tibet sits high in the storybook heights of the Himalayas, unlike anywhere else on Earth. With an average elevation of 4,500 meters, it earns its title as the Roof of the World, offering endless plateaus, snow-draped peaks, and skies so close they feel touchable. The landscape is stark, vast, and impossibly beautiful, painted with valleys, glaciers, and lakes that feel like they belong on another planet.

But Tibet is more than just a view, it’s the spiritual heart of Tibetan Buddhism, alive in every fluttering prayer flag and spinning prayer wheel. In Lhasa, the capital, you’ll stand before the towering Potala Palace, once the winter home of the Dalai Lama and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Just a short walk away, Jokhang Temple anchors the city’s spiritual life, as pilgrims circle it clockwise on Barkhor Street, murmuring mantras and spinning hand-held wheels in a moving meditation centuries old.

Tibet’s identity hasn’t come without struggle. Once a theocratic state of monks and monasteries, it was occupied by Chinese forces in the 1950s and officially became part of the People’s Republic of China. The political future of Tibet remains a subject of global debate—but its cultural resilience is undeniable. Tibetan nomads, with their yak-hair tents and deep connection to the land, still roam the high plains. They keep alive traditional crafts like thangka painting and handwoven carpets, embodying a culture shaped by both hardship and deep spiritual calm.

Tibet is a place where nature and devotion blend into one, where silence holds power and every view feels sacred. And yes, the altitude might steal your breath—but the magic of this land will too.

But Tibet is only part of this journey. We’ll also meet pandas and ride the highest railway in the world.

Our adventure begins with the Qinghai–Tibet Railway, a marvel of high-altitude engineering that reaches a jaw-dropping 5,072 meters at Tanggula Pass. It glides over 550 km of permafrost, using futuristic tech to keep the tracks stable. Oxygen is pumped into the cabins to ease the ride—making it the perfect way to acclimate while watching the wild Tibetan plateau unfold outside your window.

And when we reach Chengdu, prepare for a totally different kind of thrill: pandas. At the research center, these sleepy rockstars are most active in the morning, so we’ll time our visit to catch the cubs tumbling, munching, and stealing hearts. You might be surprised to learn that pandas have six fingers, including a thumb-like adaptation for grabbing bamboo.

Are you ready for an unforgettable fusion of ancient and modern? Let's go!

Day 0: Departure
Meet at the airport for your direct flight to Chengdu.

Day 1: Chengdu
After clearing immigration, we’ll stroll through Kuan Zhai Alley and Jinli Ancient Street for their Sichuan vibe and famous, spicy food. Overnight in Chengdu.

Day 2: Chengdu – Xining – High-Altitude Train to Lhasa
Morning flight to Xining, followed by a quick look at the city, to stretch our legs. In the afternoon, we board the legendary Qinghai–Tibet Railway—a 20-hour ride through spectacular landscapes. Settle into your soft sleeper cabin (4 people) and enjoy a slow climb into the Tibetan Plateau. The real views start here.

Day 3: Arrival in Lhasa
Arrive in Lhasa in the afternoon and transfer to the hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure for acclimatization to the staggering 3,650m altitude. Take it easy and hydrate.

Day 4: Explore Lhasa
We begin with Jokhang Temple, the holiest site in Tibetan Buddhism, where pilgrims from across the region gather to worship at this 1400-year-old temple. Then we explore Old Town and Barkhor Street, a vibrant market maze filled with incense, prayer flags, and centuries of tradition.

Day 5: Lhasa – Yamdrok Lake – Karo La Glacier – Gyantse – Shigatse
This morning we hit the road early, traversing the picturesque Yarlung River towards the sacred Yamdrok Lake, one of the three largest lakes in Tibet. We'll discover the vastness and serenity of this holy lake and its surrounding mountains from the Kamba La Pass. As we drive along the lake shore to Nankartse and ascend to the stunning Karo La Glacier, we'll have close-up views of Mt. Nojin Kangtsang. Here we will stretch our legs on a 2-3 hour trail to discover higher glacier lakes.s.

Day 6: Shigatse – Gyatso La Pass – Everest Base Camp (North)
Today we travel through remote areas, passing through picturesque but isolated Tibetan farming villages before heading over Gyatso La Pass (5,248m) for jaw-dropping views. Continuing on through Geu La Pass, we'll reach Rongbuk Monastery, the world’s highest. Here we’ll walk near the Everest North Base Camp (5,150m)—an unforgettable place to breathe in the Himalayas.

Day 7: Rongphu Monastery – Shigatse
We'll catch the sunrise at Rongphu Monastery, with chanting monks setting the tone. If time allows, there will be a quick visit to Tashizom village before we return to Shigatse.

Day 8: Shigatse – Chengdu
We return to Lhasa and catch a connecting flight to Chengdu. Free time in the afternoon.

Day 9: Pandas
Before we say 再见 (goodbye) to China, we’ll visit the Chengdu Panda Research Center. These charming black-and-white creatures are most active in the mornings, with the baby pandas being particularly playful.

It won't take long for you to see just how extraordinary they are! Growing to heights of 1.2m to 1.5m and weighing up to 135kg, pandas spend over half their day consuming bamboo. And yes, they are born pink and measure around 15cm.

After, we'll have some time for a last round of souvenir shopping before heading to the airport for our direct flight back home, with heads and hearts full of unforgettable Sichuan-Tibetan memories!

Level: easy to moderate (high altitude ahead).
Activities: trekking, sightseeing, cultural immersion.
Accommodation & meals: 4 star comfortable hotels - double sharing. Restaurant meals excluded.

Cost: 11,580 AED all-inclusive of international and domestic flights + train rides.

Sky-scraping jagged mountains, crystal-clear lakes of azure, and deep green juniper forests are some of the scenes along your trail through this remote Central Asian ‘stan. Breath-taking views and the warm hospitality of the Tajik people await on this 5-day trek through the Fann Mountains of Tajikistan!

Lakes numbering over 30 and contrasting the harsh ridges and peaks are the true gems of this range. They vary in type and origin, some having been formed through ancient landslides blocking narrow mountain valleys and others through long-lost glaciers, but all fed by streams winding their way through forests, valleys, and gorges.

While the smallest country of Central Asia and landlocked between Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and China, the legends of Tajikistan are some of the grandest. Alexander the Great brought civilization and built cities through Silk Road travels and his notorious horse Bucephalus is rumoured to rise from the lake on moonlit nights. Spend your nights at camp hearing the tales of grand battles between highlanders and invaders of remote valleys and soaring mountaintops!

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.

Moreover, 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!