English 
NederlandsWelcome to ancient Syria
Syria October Budget Tour
Experience the allure of Syria’s captivating past on an extraordinary tour that will take you through the magnificent cities of Damascus, Maaloula, Hama, Homs, Aleppo, and Bosra. Delve into a world steeped in history, where time-honored traditions and architectural wonders intertwine. Marvel at the majestic Crak des Chevaliers and immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of culture, as you wander through ancient streets and bazaars. With each step, you’ll uncover the stories of civilizations that have shaped this land, while embracing the warm hospitality of its people. Join us on this remarkable journey, where the past comes alive and the treasures of Syria await your exploration.
TIP: We also offer unique trips in Lebanon, before or after our Syria tour. See here for more info.
General info
| Start date | 15 October 2024 |
| End date | 18 / 20 /22 October 2024 |
| Days | 4 / 6 / 8 days |
| Price | A: 4 days – € 745 B: 6 days – € 1095 C: 8 days – € 1495 |
| Including | Accommodation (single room) Transportation on the ground Local guide Visa support Breakfast Entry fees |
| Excluding | International flights Insurance Visa Departure tax Lunch & dinner Tips for the guide Personal expenses |
Itinerary
Tuesday 15 October– Beirut (Lebanon) – Damascus
- 8:30 AM – Meet the group and departure to Damascus from Beirut.
- Lebanon / Syria border crossing.
- 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.
- 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.
Wednesday 16 October – 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.
Thursday 17 October – Damascus – Maaloula – Mishtaya
- We drive to Maaloula. A beautiful village against the mountains. Here the language of Christ is still spoken (Aramaic).
- 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.
- We visit the St. Georges Monastery.
- Overnight stay in Mishtaya.
Friday 18 October – Mishtaya – Hama – Apamea – Aleppo
- Group A: returns to Damascus – visit the National Museum before returning to Beirut. End of the tour upon arrival in Beirut.
- Group B + C continue:
- 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.
- 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.
Saturday 19 October – Aleppo– Hama – Homs
- 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.
- Drive to Hama.
- Visit to the famous waterwheels in the Orontos River.
- Visit to the famous Azem Palace.
- We continue our drive towards Homs.
- See the church of the belt of virgin Mary and the Khaled Bin Al-Walid Mosque.
- Overnight stay In Homs.
Sunday 20 October – Homs – Palmyra
- Group B: returns to Damascus – visit the National Museum before returning to Beirut. End of the tour upon arrival in Beirut.
- Group C continues:
- Drive to Palmyra. Although IS has destroyed much here, there is still a lot to see.
- Highlight: We see the remains of the Temple of Bel, the Triumphal Arch, the colonnades, the theatre, the agora and the tombs.
- Return to Homs.
- Overnight stay in Homs.
Monday 21 October – Homs – Damascus
- We leave Homs and head South towards Damascus.
- On the way we stop at Al Nabek to visit the St. Moses Al-Abyssinian monastery, here you’ll find some ancient frescoes.
- Arrival in Damascus for some last minute shopping.
- Overnight stay in Damascus.
Tuesday 22 October – Damascus – Beirut
- Returns to Beirut.
- End of the tour.