English 
NederlandsDiscover the wonders of ancient Syria
Discover the rich history and culture of Syria with our curated tour that will take you through the country’s most iconic cities. You can enter Syria from either Beirut or Amman. We will begin in the capital city of Damascus, renowned for its ancient architecture and bustling markets. We’ll then take you to the ancient ruins of Palmyra, a UNESCO World Heritage site that will leave you marveling. Next, we’ll cross Mishtaya and reach the coastal area to bask in the Mediterranean sunshine in Latakia and Tartous. Additionally, we’ll head to the ancient Roman city of Apamea, where you can explore the ruins and delve into the city’s fascinating history. Before returning to Damascus, we’ll visit Hama, a city famous for its iconic waterwheel. You’ll also have the opportunity to stand in front of Homs, a city that was devastated during the civil conflict, to gain a sense of the harsh realities of war. Our tour guides are experts in Syrian history and culture and will ensure that your trip is both informative and enjoyable.
General info
| Start date | Thursday 15 February 2024 |
| End date | 18 / 20 / 22 February 2024 |
| Days | 4 / 6 / 8 days |
| Price | A: 4 days – € 745 B: 6 days – € 1045 C: 8 days – € 1495 |
| Including | Accommodation (single room) Transportation on the ground Local guide Visa support Breakfast Entry fees |
| Excluding | International flights Amman start / end: € 50 one way Insurance Visa Departure tax Lunch & dinner Tips for the guide Personal expenses |
Itinerary
Thursday 15 February – Beirut (Lebanon) / Amman (Jordan) – Damascus
- Early departure from central Beirut towards the border of Lebanon and Syria.
- OR: start in Amman, Jordan. Pick up at your hotel and drive to the border of Jordan and Syria.
- Drive to Damascus, the capital of Syria.
- Via Straight Street we walk to the House Chapel of Ananias. He was one of the first Christians in Syria.
- Highlight: The Great Mosque, also known as the Omajaden Mosque.
- Visit to the famous Azem Palace, a traditional house from Damascus.
- 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 and check out the Buzuriyah Souk.
- Overnight stay in Damascus.
Friday 16 February – Damascus – Bosra
- 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.
- Free time to explore the old town of Damascus on your own.
- Overnight stay in Damascus.
Saturday 17 February – Damascus – Palmyra – Mishtaya
- Drive to Palmyra.
- Highlight: See the remains of the Temple of Bel, the Triumphal Arch, the colonnades, the theatre, the agora and the tombs.
- Drive to Krak des Chevaliers.
- Highlight: Visit to Krak des Chevaliers. This famous castle is the symbol of the Crusades and was the base for the Hospitallers.
- Drive to Mishtaya, up in the mountains.
- Overnight stay in Mishtaya.
Sunday 18 February – Mishtaya – Safita – Tartous – Latakia
- We visit the tower of Safita, constructed by the crusaders.
- Check out Amrit, one of the most important Phoenician cities located just outside Tartous.
- Group A: departure to Beirut via the northern border of Syria and Lebanon. End of the tour.
- Group B + C continue: drive to Latakia, in the north of Syria, close to the Turkish border.
- Overnight stay in Latakia.
Monday 19 February – Latakia – Al-Samra
- Highlight: Morning departure towards the Turkish border at Al-Samra. This might even be the most beautiful coastal area in Syria. From here you can see Turkey while driving through small picturesque villages.
- Visit to Salah Al-Dein castle, a medieval castle located high up in the mountains.
- Return to Latakia.
- Overnight stay in Latakia.
Tuesday 20 February– Mishtaya – Hama – Apamea
- Drive to Hama.
- Visit to the famous waterwheels in the Orontos River.
- Check out the (smaller) Azem Palace in Hama.
- Highlight: We visit the old Roman city of Apamea. If you’ve been to Baalbek in Lebanon you will notice the resemblance between both places.
- Group B: departure to Beirut via the northern border of Syria and Lebanon. End of the tour.
- Group C continue: drive to the small village of Mhardeh and check out local village life.
- Return to Hama.
- Overnight stay in Hama.
Wendesday 21 February – Hama – Homs – Damascus
- We drive into the Syrian desert towards Qasr Ibn Wardan, a small hamlet and 6th-century archaeological site.
- Highlight: Wander around the Syrian Beehive Houses. A unique type of house that was constructed in a way that it was always cool inside.
- Drive to Homs.
- Walking tour through Homs. We will see the neighborhood that was completely damaged by the war. But we’ll also visit the new souk of Homs.
- We continue driving towards Damascus.
- Overnight stay in Damascus.
Thursday 22 February – Damascus – Beirut (Lebanon) / Amman (Jordan)
- Visit to the National Museum, a monument in itself already.
- We’ll go for some last minute shopping before returning to Beirut or Amman.
- Drop off in Beirut or Amman.
- End of tour.