Syria Budget Tours

Itinerary

Please note that this itinerary is subject to change

Day 1 – Damascus

• Meet the group in Damascus, the capital of Syria and the oldest continuously capital inhabited city in the world.
• Explore Damascus in the evening.
• Overnight stay in Damascus.

Day 2 – Damascus

• Meet the group in Damascus, the capital of Syria and the oldest continuously capital inhabited city in the world.
• Walk to the House Chapel of Ananias via Straight Street. Ananias was one of the first Christians in Syria.
• Highlight: The Great Mosque, also known as the Omajaden 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.
• Visit Al-Azem Palace and Khan As’ad Pasha, the largest caravanserai in Damascus.
• Walk through the old centre of Damascus.
• Overnight stay in Damascus.

Day 3 – Damascus – Bosra – Damascus

• Make our way to the southern city of Shahba, also known as Philippopolis, a city in southern Syria . Philippopolis was named after the Roman Emperor Philip the Arab, son of the city of Shahba, who ruled the Roman Empire.
• Visit Qanawat, a village that contains many Roman and Byzantine monuments. It also served as an important episcopal centre and a religious destination for Christians in the 7th century AD.
• Drive to Bosra, a major archaeological site that has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Highlight: Visit the Roman Amphitheatre in Bosra. A 45m long and 8,5m deep theatre that is remarkably well preserved.
• Walk through the old centre of Bosra and marvel at the beautiful sites like the cathedral and the basilica.
• Drive back to Damascus.
• Overnight stay in Damascus.

Day 4 – Damascus – Palmyra – Al-Mishtaya

• Head to Palmyra, the pearl of the desert.
• Highlight: Explore Palmyra’s famous temple Bell, the street of colonnade, the tombs valley, and Al Hayr Al Sharqi Palace.
• Drive to Al-Mishtaya, up in the mountains.
• Overnight stay in Al-Mishtaya.

Day 5 – Al-Mishtaya – Idlib – Aleppo

• Highlight: Visit Krak des Chevaliers. This famous castle is the symbol of the Crusades and was the base for the Hospitallers. It is one of the most well-preserved medieval castles in the World!
• Group A: Transfer to departure point, then end of tour.
• Group B:
• Drive to Idlib, a city rich in cultural and archaeological heritage.
• Head to Serjella, an ancient village that truly paints a true picture of cities in the Roman and Byzantine periods.
• Visit Al-Bara, another ancient Syrian village that was once called Capro Pera by the Romans. Al-Bara contains many ruins dating back to different eras.
• 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.
• Overnight stay in Aleppo.

Day 6 – Aleppo

• City tour of Aleppo, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world.
• Highlight: Visit to the well-known Aleppo Citadel. A medieval fortress in the middle of the city.
• Walk through the old covered souk.
• See the old churches in the city and check out the Aleppo National Museum.
• Visit the Monastery of Saint Simeon, one of the most important Christian archeological sites in Syria.
• Overnight stay in Aleppo.

Day 7 – Apamea – Hama – Homs

• Drive to Apamea: the ancient Greek and Roman city founded in 300 BC.
• Highlight: Enjoy a tour through Hama city, where you will see the seventeen large Norias that Syria is famous for, Hama’s charming old alleys, and Al-Azem Castle, which is considered one of the most beautiful urban monuments of the Ottoman era.
• Head to Homs and experience its night life.
• Overnight stay in Homs.

Day 8 – Homs – Tartous

• Visit Saint Mary Church of the Holy Belt, a historical Syriac Orthodox cathedral.
• Visit Khaled Bin Al-Walid Mosque, dedicated to the famous Islamic general who played a key role in the early Islamic conquests.
• Head to Tartous, a coastal city on the Mediterranean.
• Check out Amrit, one of the most important Phoenician cities located just outside Tartous.
• Highlight: Boat ride to Arwad Island. A unique visit, as it has seen barely any tourists since the re-opening of Syria. Discover its medieval architecture, historic forts, and charming narrow streets, offering a unique glimpse into Syria’s maritime heritage.
• Enjoy a relaxing evening by the seaside. You could explore the city’s nightlife or have a delightful seafood dinner.
• Overnight stay in Tartous

Day 9 – Tartous – Maaloula – Damascus

• Drive to Maaloula. A beautiful village perched against the mountains. Here the language of Christ, Aramaic, is still spoken.
• Highlight: Visit the famous Monastery of Saint Thecla and the famous mountain path that holds her name.
• Visit the Monastery of Saints Sergius and Bacchus.
• Head back towards Damascus.
• Experience the nightlife and diversity of the capital.
• Overnight stay in Damascus.

Day 10 – Damascus

• Highlight: Free time in Damascus prior to departure.
• End of the tour.