English 
NederlandsSyria Cross Festival Tour
For many years, Syria was a popular tourist destination in the Middle East. Unfortunately, the civil war brought that to an abrupt halt. Now, you can experience the Cross Festival in Syria, but it requires careful preparation.
During the Cross Festival the streets come alive with vibrant processions, religious ceremonies, and cultural performances, offering travellers a unique glimpse into Syria’s rich heritage. Immerse yourself in the festivities, connect with locals, and discover the warmth and hospitality of this country. As well as the festival, during this tour we will take you to all the well-known places in the country – destinations that were once very touristy, and that are slowly being revived.
Syria Group Tours Schedule
| Date | Tour | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 8 – 14 March 2025 | March Highlights Tour | Suspended |
| 9 – 15 September 2025 | Syria Cross Festival Tour | Book here |
| TBC December 2025 | December Highlights Tour | Book here |
General info
| Start date | Monday 9 September 2025 |
| End date | Sunday 15 September 2025 |
| Days | 7 days / 6 nights |
| Price | € 1,445 |
| Including | Accommodation (shared) Transportation on the ground Western & local guide Visa support Breakfast Entry fees |
| Excluding | International flights Single room (€ 270) Insurance Visa Departure tax Lunch & dinner Tips for the guide Personal expenses |
Itinerary
Monday 9 September – Amman (Jordan) – Damascus
- 8:30 AM – Meet the group and departure to Damascus from Amman.
- Jordan / Syria border crossing.
- Drive to Damascus, the capital of Syria.
- Walk to the Chapel of Saint Ananias via Straight Street. Ananias was one of the first Christians in Syria.
- Highlight: The Great Mosque, also known as the Umayyad Mosque.
- See the famous Al Hamidieh Grand Bazaar (also known as the Al-Hamidiyah Souk). The perfect place to get acquainted with daily life in Damascus.
- Walk through the old centre of Damascus.
- Overnight stay in Damascus.
Tuesday 10 September – Damascus – Mishtaya
- Drive to Krak des Chevaliers.
- Highlight: Visit to Krak des Chevaliers. This famous castle is one of the best-preserved remaining symbols of the Crusades, and was the base for the Hospitallers.
- Drive to Mishtaya, up in the mountains.
- Enjoy a local wine tasting with a local family.
- Overnight stay in homestays in Mishtaya.
Wednesday 11 September – Mishtaya – Homs – Palmyra – Hama
- Drive to Homs.
- Walking tour through Homs. See a neighbourhood that was completely destructed by the war. Appreciate Syria’s resilience by visiting Hom’s new souk.
- Drive to Palmyra. Although IS has destroyed much here, there is still a lot to see.
- Highlight: See the remains of the Temple of Bel, the Triumphal Arch, the colonnades, the theatre, the agora and the tombs.
- Drive to Hama.
- Overnight stay in Hama.
Thursday 12 September – Hama – Aleppo
- Visit the famous waterwheels in the Orontes River.
- Drive to Aleppo. It was the largest city in the country and since the civil war it is the second largest city in the country.
- Short walk through the centre of Aleppo.
- See the famous former Baron Hotel.
- Overnight stay in Aleppo.
Friday 13 September – Aleppo – Maloula
- City tour of Aleppo, one of the oldest cities in the world still inhabited.
- Highlight: Visit to the well-known Aleppo Citadel. A medieval fortress in the middle of the city.
- Walk through the old covered souk. It is still being renovated.
- Visit the Al Jdeideh district, one of the most famous neighbourhoods of the city.
- We drive to Maaloula. A beautiful village against the mountains. Here the language of Christ is still spoken (Aramaic).
- We take a look at the famous monasteries Mar Sarkis and Mar Taqla.
- Highlight: Today is the Exaltation of the Cross-festival. The whole night there will be one big party and we are invited.
- Overnight stay in Maloula.
Saturday 14 September – Maloula – Bosra – Damascus
- Drive to Bosra.
- Highlight: Arrival in Bosra, after which we go to the Roman Amphitheatre. A 45m long and 8,5m deep theatre that is remarkably well preserved.
- Walk through the old centre of Bosra, with e.g. the cathedral and the basilica.
- Drive to Damascus.
- Overnight stay in Damascus.
Sunday 15 September – Damascus – Amman (Jordan)
- Drive to the border with Jordan.
- Border crossing Syria / Jordan.
- Drive to Amman.
- End of tour.