Mid-October Syria Tour

What's it all about?

Highlights
Where?

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

When?

Oct 10 – 16th, 2027

Visa?

We will apply for a security clearance on your behalf which will allow you to collect the visa on arrival at the border.

The Itinerary

October 10th - 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 night-life 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 it’s ancient bath houses.
  • Overnight in our traditional Damascene hotel in Old Damascus.

October 11th - 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 now one of the most unique and important mosques in the world).
  • Visit The church of St. Ananias, the window of St.Paul.
  • Dinner and and overnight in Damascus.
Continue reading

October 12th - 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
  • We’ll visit a Catholic church which was destroyed but has already been rebuilt.
  • Continue onto Homs. Witness some of the rebuilding efforts underway and visit Khaled Ibn Al-Walid shrine.
  • Lunch in Homs city
  • Depart for Aleppo and arrive in the early evening.
  • Explore some of the old town around the citadel by night.
  • Dinner at a famous Armenian family run Syrian restaurant.
  • Overnight in the Aleppo Palace Hotel.

October 13th - 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.
  • 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.
  • Dinner & overnight in Aleppo

October 14th - Idlib | Hama | Krak Des Chevaliers

  • 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.

October 15th - 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 in time for a last group supper. (And last hamam!)
  • Overnight in Damascus. 

October 16th- Beirut

  • Half day touring the last sights of Damascus
  • Driver back to Beirut and arrive by early evening.
  • End of Syria tour.
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 guides & fixer as well as your Rocky Road Travel guide. 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, shisha lounges and restaurants. We are in constant communication with our local partners on the ground who advise the safe routes to take.

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

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

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October 10 - 16th, 2027

Syria Tour

Join us in Iraq!

Our Iraq tour takes place the week before.

Standard hotel

6 nights in Syria

The price

€1390

Description
Itinerary
Included/Excluded
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