Trekkup Dubai ✔

Famous for its unique culture and stunning landscapes, Bhutan, the legendary Kingdom of the Himalayas, is a country unlike any other. Often called the last Shangri-La, this is a place where time runs slower, and the government operates by the unique philosophy of Gross National Happiness.

Many factors contribute to the famed happiness and contentment of Bhutan’s population, from the country’s pride in preserving its traditions, languages, and customs to the prioritization of wellbeing over material wealth. In this land of dense forests and towering mountains, incredible vistas are all around, and a connection to nature is deeply ingrained in the culture. In addition, the practice of Mahayana Buddhism profoundly influences the Bhutanese way of life, emphasizing inner peace, compassion, and community harmony.

With stupas and monasteries on every corner, spirituality is embedded in daily life here. Centuries of religious devotion have led to the creation of incredible landmarks and sacred spaces, including the country’s iconic crown jewel: Taktsang monastery, or the Tiger’s Nest. One of the most venerated places of pilgrimage in the Himalayas, the monastery appears like something out of a fairy tale, clinging to the rock a towering 800m (2,600ft) above the valley floor.

Nowhere in the Himalayas is the natural environment richer and more diverse than it is in Bhutan, home to high, rugged mountains and deep valleys which have been recognized as one of the world’s ten most important biodiversity hotspots. One of Bhutan’s ancient names was Menjong Yul, meaning ‘the land of medicinal herbs’, and the people’s respect for the natural environment means that even today it remains pristine and mostly undisturbed.

Here we’ll discover ancient spiritual practices, trek into untouched landscapes and feel the awe of nature’s majesty in this hidden corner of the world.

Lebanon is that pocket-sized powerhouse that somehow fits 10,000 years of history, ski slopes, beach clubs, Roman mega-temples, and the world’s best mezze into an area smaller than Qatar. You can literally have breakfast by the Mediterranean, lunch in the mountains, and dinner in a rooftop bar that feels like Paris and Dubai had a baby. Buckle up – this place hits different.

They don’t call it the “Switzerland of the Middle East” for nothing: snow-capped peaks, ancient cedars older than Jesus, and valleys so deep monks built monasteries into the cliffs just to flex. The name “Lebanon” even comes from the ancient word for “white” – yeah, those snowy mountains have been the national brand since forever.
History? Phoenicians invented the alphabet here, Romans dropped the most over-the-top temples outside Italy, Crusaders built castles, Ottomans added souks and soap empires. Modern chapter got messy – civil war, heartbreak, rebuild, repeat – but Beirut rose from the ashes like the ultimate comeback kid and reclaimed its title: “Paris of the East 2.0”.

And the food? Mezze spreads so good you’ll forget calories exist. Labneh that slaps harder than your ex, grilled meats dripping with garlic sauce, and enough olive oil to keep the Mediterranean shiny.

Ready? Let’s roll.

Day 1 // Touchdown Beirut

Meet at DXB, hop on the direct FZ-159 to BEY. Land, breeze through arrivals, and get whisked to the hotel. Night owls? First taste of Beirut nightlife – the city that never sleeps (and probably invented after-parties).

Day 2 // Jeita Grotto, Harissa & Ancient Byblos

Road-trip north for a day of natural wonders and ancient vibes.
We start with Jeita Grotto, a jaw-dropping natural wonder, regularly ranked among the world’s most spectacular caves. Explore the stunning upper galleries, then take a boat ride through the lower cavern, gliding beneath dramatic stalactites and stalagmites in this underground fantasy.

Continue to Harissa - ride the iconic cable car up for breathtaking panoramic views over Jounieh Bay and the Mediterranean. At the summit stands the majestic Our Lady of Lebanon Shrine, a major pilgrimage site and one of the country’s most recognizable landmarks.
Further north to Byblos (Jbeil) – one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities on Earth (over 7,000 years of history).

Explore the Crusader Castle, the ancient Phoenician harbor, and the impressive archaeological site perched above the sea. Wander the charming old souk with its boutiques, cafés, and traditional houses.

Dinner and overnight in Byblos, with time to enjoy its lively bars and vibrant nightlife by the sea.

Day 3 // Tripoli, Batroun & Back to Beirut

Continue north to Tripoli, Lebanon’s underrated second city packed with medieval charms. Head to Citadel of Raymond de Saint-Gilles, the largest Crusader fortress in the country, with sweeping views over the old town and its maze of alleys. Further to Hammam Ezzedine, a beautifully preserved Mamluk bathhouse that reflects the urban life of Tripoli’s past. Dive into the bustling souks: spices, vintage finds, traditional crafts, and culinary treasures. We’ll not miss Khan Al Saboun, where legendary olive-oil soap being handmade in the historic soap palace.

Next stop: charming coastal Batroun. one of Lebanon’s most charming seaside destinations. Walk through the historic streets and visit the ancient Phoenician sea wall, carved directly into the coastal rock more than 2,000 years ago. Batroun is known both for its rich historical heritage and its lively atmosphere, especially during the summer season, with water sports, beach clubs, and vibrant nightlife, as well as its craft beer and traditional lemonade.

Free time at the beach. Evening return to Beirut for the night.

Day 4 // Chouf Mountains, Cedar Giants & Departure

Breakfast and check-out. Our trip would not be completed without a visit to Chouf Mountains.

First to Beiteddine Palace, a masterpiece of 19th-century Lebanese architecture built by Emir Bashir II. Marvel at the elegant courtyards, arcades, fountains, and intricate mosaics.

Continue to the Barouk Cedar Reserve, home to one of Lebanon’s largest and most majestic cedar forests. Enjoy a serene short walk among these ancient national symbols that have watched over Lebanese history and culture for millennia. Back to Beirut for a final city tour: historic Downtown (Phoenician roots to Ottoman elegance), Martyrs’ Square, and the iconic Pigeon Rocks in Raouché for those classic Mediterranean cliff views.

Sunset mezze, rooftop drinks if time allows, then transfer to Beirut International Airport for departure flight.

Grade: Easy – available for everyone.
Activities: Cultural immersion, trekking, sightseeing.

Cost: 5,030 AED including flights, until SEP 13.

Accommodation & Meals: 3 and 4 star hotels - shared rooms, meals excluded.
Specifically Excluded: Visa expenses (if any), meals.

The most mysterious and least explored of the Central Asian “stans”, Turkmenistan has long been one of the hardest countries to approach. It shares borders with Kazakhstan to the northwest, Uzbekistan to the north and east, Afghanistan to the southeast, Iran to the south and southwest, and the Caspian Sea to the west. For centuries, Turkmenistan stood at the crossroads of civilizations. In medieval times, Merv was one of the great cities of the Islamic world and an important Silk Road stop, a vital link in the trade route between China and the West until the mid 15th century.

Annexed by the Russian Empire in 1881, Turkmenistan later played a prominent role in the anti-Bolshevik movement in Central Asia. In 1924, it became the Turkmen Soviet Socialist Republic, a constituent republic of the USSR, and gained independence in 1991.

The country became famous for the dictatorship of Saparmyrat Niyazov, who ruled as ‘Turkmenbashi’ (‘leader of the Turkmen’) and governed until his death in 2006. His era left a surreal legacy: golden statues of himself and grand monuments celebrating the so-called “golden age” of Turkmenistan.

Yet the essence of Turkmenistan lies beyond its politics — in the warmth and generosity of its people, whose legendary hospitality makes visitors feel instantly welcome.

Ashgabat, the capital, is a billion dollar display of national pride, with endless white marble buildings stretching across a long, dry valley. At sunrise or sunset, the city glows with a strange beauty, resembling more a scene from a sci-fi movie than an earthly settlement.

A visit to the Köw Ata Underground Lake offers a unique experience. Descend into a cave at the base of a mountain, walking down a staircase 65 meters underground, into a world of warm, sulphurous air. At the bottom, a crystal-clear lake, naturally heated to around 36°C, invites you for a surreal swim deep beneath the earth’s surface.

Turkmenistan doors to hell…

And then there is Turkmenistan’s most famous spectacle: the “Doors to Hell”. In the desert village of Darvaza, home to around 350 tribal residents, life had been unchanged for centuries. Nothing could interrupt the peaceful and quiet lifestyle of the nomadic tribe, aside from sitting on a valuable cache of natural resources.

Initial estimations of the site’s reserves were extremely low. In the early 1970s, Soviet scientists attempted to burn off escaping gas after a drilling mishap. When they lit the gas, it erupted and never stopped burning. Over forty years later locals call it the Doors to Hell.

Baghdad, a city of uber rich history, mix of races and religions that extends for centuries, has been often referred as a Cradle of Civilization, New Babylon or even Gate of Gods. It is indeed the original trading hub of the Islamic Empire and the birthplace of cosmopolitanism, where cultures collided peacefully and created one of the first learning center for the rest of the world, in a form of Mesopotamian arts, science and literature

Today, over short walk you can experience here The Tales of the “One thousand and one nights” with Shehrazad statue sitting on the riverside of Tigris and watching the old streets and markets, pass by worship places from the shrine of Imam Musa al-Kadhim, Abu Hanafieh al-Nu’man to the Church of the Virgin Mary and all the way into busy streets of bustling modern metropolis, that has already forgotten the recent years trouble and craving to enter new golden era.

Let's go!

Day 1 // Friday

Meeting at Dubai Terminal 2 for a direct flight to Baghdad; arrival, immigration procedure, dinner, overnight in the hotel.

Day 2 // Saturday

After breakfast we will take a short drive to visit the Martyr Monument dedicated to Iraqi soldiers who died in 80’s Iraq-Iran war, Iraqis today generally consider it a commemoration of all the martyrs of Iraq.

Continue to remaining ruins of what has been appointed as Babylon – cradle of Mesopotamian civilization dated 18th - 6th BC, with the Hanging Gardens, that were supposed to be attached to the Palace of King Nebuchadnezzar. Appointed as Seven Wonders of Hellenic World, have presence in various literature sources but its physical existence has never been proven.

Located nearby Babylon, in fact overlooking it from atop a hill, stands proudly Saddam's Palace. Once a symbol of dictatorship powers, today covered with graffiti, is a remarkable symbol of passing away and indicates a warning to future generations.

Next point on our map is Babylon Theater, one of the most important Hellenistic monuments in the city and Mosque Al-Kadhimiya Shrine (Golden Dome) - the tomb of Imam Musa al-Kadhim and his grandson, Imam Muhammad al-Jawad, one of the most prominent Muslims and the seventh imam of Twelver Shiites.

Dinner, overnight in the hotel.

In the evening, check on the local nightlife.

Day 3 // Sunday

Check out from the hotel and hit the road to the city of Samarra. We will visit Samarra spiral minaret - one of the prominent distinctive landmarks of Iraq, due to its characteristic shape of the ascending spiral conical design.

After lunch, last point of our journey will be Save the Iraqi cutler monument. The monument is a broken and crumbling cylindrical stone column representing Iraqi culture. Souvenir shopping on the way to airport and fly back home.

Level of difficulty: Easy, available to everyone

Activities: sightseeing and getting amazed with uber rich Iraqi culture

Rooms & meals: 4 star hotel - sharing. Meals excluded.

Cost: 2,660 AED excluding flights until SEP 15.
Payment by cash only, during briefings.

Specifically excluded: Meals, visa, OK to board.