Syria Tours

Syria Liberation Day Tour

  • December 2 - 9th, 2027
  • 1490
  • 8 Days
Itinerary

What's it all about?

Join us on a special Syria tour timed to coincide with Liberation Day in December. This offers a rare opportunity to witness the country during an important national moment. This period is marked by public events, commemorations, and a strong sense of collective identity, providing meaningful insight into contemporary Syrian life.

As Syria continues its gradual return to stability, daily life and cultural expression are becoming increasingly visible once again. This itinerary has been carefully designed with current conditions in mind and focuses exclusively on locations that are considered appropriate for visitors at the time of travel, including select areas that have only recently reopened to tourism.

The journey combines Syria’s extraordinary ancient heritage with its modern history. Beginning in Beirut, we travel onward to Damascus, Homs, Idlib, Palmyra, Aleppo, and the iconic Krak des Chevaliers, covering a remarkable breadth of landscapes and historical periods. Throughout the tour, an expert local guide provides in-depth context and interpretation. As with all travel in the region, the itinerary remains flexible and may be adjusted in response to on-the-ground conditions.

Highlights
Where?

Beirut – Damascus – Aleppo – Idlib – Krak de Chavaliers – Palmyra – Homs  – Damascus – Beirut.

When?

December 2 – 9th, 2027

Visa?

We will apply for a permit on your behalf, allowing you to collect your visa on arrival at the border.

The Itinerary

December 2nd - Beirut | Damascus

  • Early pick up from Beirut, Lebanon.
  • Transfer to the Syrian border for exit/entry formalities.
  • Continue onto Damascus by private car.
  • Check into your incredible Old Damascene hotel. Take a short rest before starting a walking tour of the old town.
  • In the afternoon we’ll explore the Al-Hamidiyah Souq.
  • Free time in the evening to enjoy Damascus’ vibrant nightlife along “Straight Street”.
  • Optional visit to a Hamam for an evening scrub! There’s no better way to end your first day in Damascus than relaxing in one of its ancient bathhouses.
  • Overnight in Old Damascus.

December 3rd - Damascus

  • After breakfast, we’ll start our full-day Damascus city tour.
  • Visit the National Museum of Syria.
  • Explore the Handicraft market for some of the best handmade goods in the Middle East.
  • Azem Palace (a perfect example of a traditional Damascene house turned museum of the Ottoman times).
  • Umayyad mosque (a place of worship since the first millennium B.C. It was once a church and is now one of the most unique and important mosques in the world).
  • Visit The church of St. Ananias, the window of St.Paul.
  • We’ll visit the Ghouta Area, a region deeply affected by the tragic chemical weapons attack by the Assad regime. The neighbourhood still bears the scars of the past, almost resembling an abandoned, bombed ghost town, but there is a sense of quiet resilience as it awaits the chance to rebuild.
  • View Syria’s breathtaking capital city panoramically from its highest peak at the Scared Mountain – Mount Qasioun.
  • Dinner and an overnight in Damascus.
Continue reading

December 4th - Maaloula | Homs | Aleppo

  • Drive to Maaloula, a small Christian town that was almost completely decimated by ISIS in 2014. It’s one of the most scenic villages in Syria and is the only place in the world where Aramaic; the language spoken by Christ is still used as a living language
  • Continue onwards to Homs. Witness some of the rebuilding efforts underway and visit Khaled Ibn Al-Walid’s shrine.
  • Drive north to Aleppo.
  • Aleppo was arguably one of the worst affected cities during the Syrian war. Here you’ll get the chance to see some of the terrible destruction as well as the opportunity to witness the early stages of the massive rebuilding projects that Syrians are now undertaking.
  • Dinner in an Armenian-owned Syrian restaurant and overnight in Aleppo.

December 5th - Aleppo

  • Good morning from Aleppo! 
  • Our first stop in the morning will be the famous Aleppo Citadel. 
  • We’ll also be able to see the destroyed souk and see the fully restored parts.
  • Visit the Aleppo Museum and walk through the adjoining markets.
  • Visit one of Aleppo’s famed soap factories.
  • Dinner and overnight in Aleppo.

December 6th - Idlib | Hama | Tartous | Al-Mistaya

  • Kick off the day with a visit to Idlib Governorate, a region that has been almost entirely off-limits to tourism since the war began in 2011. Once controlled by HTS, the rebels who have now officially taken over the Syrian government, Idlib offers a rare and unique insight into a part of Syria that differs significantly from the rest of the country, in terms of environment, economy, and religion.
  • Drive to Hama and visit the famous waterwheels here which once provided vital waterways to the land.
  • Continue driving to Krak Des Chevaliers – “The most wholly admirable castle in the world.” – According to Lawrence of Arabia – and one of the most important preserved medieval crusader castles in the world.
  • Next, we’ll drive through the picturesque rural villages of Tartous, making our way to the renowned Arados Brewery in Safita. Here, we’ll have the chance to taste some authentic Syrian beer while exploring the fascinating stages of its brewing process.
  • We carry on with a short drive to visit Almishtaya, a nearby Christian village, where you can get a taste of its surprisingly lively nightlife.
  • Overnight in Homs Countryside.

December 7th - Palmyra | Damascus

  • Early departure to Palmyra.
  • Full-day visit to the ancient and partially destroyed city. See the Arch of Triumph, the Great Colonnade, the Theatre, the Agora and the Tombs.
  • Drive back to Damascus. Enjoy your final evening in the capital city.
  • Dinner and overnight in Damascus.

December 8th - Damascus | Independence Day!

  • Today is Liberation Day, a national public holiday celebrated on 8 December to mark the fall of the Ba’athist regime and the end of the Assad family’s rule. The holiday was established in October 2025 following a decree by President Ahmed al-Sharaa.
  • After breakfast, we head out to experience the city during the celebrations, when streets are livelier and public spaces are active.
  • We begin with a walk through historic neighborhoods and main squares, observing local festivities, flags, and community gatherings. Time is allowed for photography and to take in the atmosphere of the day.
  • We then visit key cultural and historical sites that are open, followed by lunch at a local restaurant, where families often gather to mark the holiday.In the afternoon, we enjoy a more relaxed pace with time in a traditional café or souk, depending on local conditions, before returning to the hotel.

    Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

December 9th - Bosra | Beirut

  • After breakfast, we depart for Bosra, one of Syria’s most important archaeological sites and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
  • Upon arrival, we explore the remarkably preserved Roman Theatre, built of black basalt and considered one of the best-preserved Roman theatres in the world. We continue walking through the ancient city ruins, including Roman streets, early Christian structures, and Islamic-era remains, gaining a sense of Bosra’s layered history.
  • After the visit, we stop for lunch at a local restaurant in or near Bosra.
  • In the afternoon, we begin our overland drive toward Beirut, passing through scenic countryside en route to the Lebanese border.
  • Arrive in Beirut at approximately 6 pm.
  • End of Syria tour.

Tour Map

What else?
Inclusions
Exclusions

  • Hotels

    Twin share accommodation including breakfast (single supplements are available for an extra charge)

  • Entrance Fees

    All entrance fees (unless otherwise stated)

  • Guides & Transport

    Both an expert local guide, driver and western tour leader (on non-budget group tours)

  • Visa

    Visas for Syria are free of charge. We require just a passport copy and job title to obtain the permit.

  • Beirut Transfer

    Pickup and drop off in Beirut by private car.

  • Taxes & Charges

    VAT & exit charges included.

  • International Flights

    Flights to and from your starting point.

  • Lunch and Dinner

    Lunch and dinners are extra charge.

  • Tips

    Tips are expected for your local guides and driver.

Tour Notes

You’ll be in the vastly experienced hands of our English-speaking local guide & Rocky Road Travel tour leader. We visit Syria regularly, so we have maximized the itinerary accordingly. Given the unpredictable nature of travelling in Syria, the itinerary may change slightly, but we will always go above and beyond with added extras such as stops at local cafe bars, restaurants and social clubs. We are in constant communication with our local partners on the ground who advise the safe routes to take & different events taking place.

Before the Syria tour, we will add you to a dedicated WhatsApp group so you can share photos easily and chat with your travel mates. Just let us know if you want to opt out of this.

To book, simply hit the button below and start the conversation today.

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Apply for your spot on the tour now or simply request more info below.

December 2 - 9th, 2027

Syria Liberation Day Tour

Start and finish in Beirut

You can also fly in or out of Damascus if you prefer, just let us know!

Standard hotel

7 nights in Syria

The price

€1490

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Syria Tours

Further Reading

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