Syria Carnival Tour

What's it all about?

Join us on our classic and most comprehensive group Syria tour!

This Summer & Carnival tour will take in the annual Marmarita Carnival. Every August 14, Syrian Christians in the area celebrate the Feast of the Assumption, or “Lady’s Day,” by organizing a parade & festival in the town of Marmarita. The small town is awash with colour, music, costumes and floats – and we’ll be there to join in!

As well as Marmarita, there is a huge amount of ancient and modern history waiting to be explored across Syria. We’ll start off in the Lebanese capital city of Beirut and travel to Damascus, the Mediterranean beach town of Latakia, Homs, Palmyra, Aleppo and the magnificent Krak des Chevaliers. We’ll cover a huge amount of ground with our expert local guide explaining all as we go. Depending on the security situation on the ground, the itinerary is subject to change.

We are one of the only travel companies currently offering safe and secure group tours to Syria. Places are limited so sign up today!

Where?

Beirut – Damascus – Krak de Chevaliers – Latakia – Tartous – Marmarita – Palmyra – Homs – Aleppo – Damascus – Bosra – Beirut.

When?

August 11 – 19th, 2024

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

Beirut – Damascus – Krak de Chevaliers – Homs – Apamea – Latakia – Tartous – Palmyra – Aleppo – Damascus – Bosra – Beirut.

August 11th - 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”.
**Free inclusion** – 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 the Al-Mamlouka hotel in the centre of Old Damascus.

August 12th - 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.

August 13th - Maaloula / Homs / Krak / Latakia

Our first stop today will be at October War Panorama. This hugely impressive North Korean built museum is a must visit for propaganda greatness surrounding the 1973 Arab – Israeli war.
Drive onto 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.
We continue onto Homs. Witness some of the rebuilding efforts underway and visit Khaled Ibn Al-Walid shrine.
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.
Drive onto the seaside town of Latakia
Overnight in Latakia

August 14th - Latakia / Marmarita Carnival!

Tour Latakia including some well deserved beach time!
Visit the incredible 10th century citadel of Saladin.
After lunch continue on Tartous city and Safita.
Time for a real trip highlight as we set sail out into the Mediterranean sea to the island of Arwad. Syria’s only island packed with fishing boats!
Back to shore and head to another trip highlight – The annual Marmarita Canival!
Dance, eat, drink and take in the parade – It’s a small but very welcoming and enthusiastic carnival!
Dinner and overnight in the Homs countryside.

August 15th - Palmyra

Early departure to Palmyra.
Full day visit to the destroyed city. See the Arch of Triumph, the Great Colonnade, the Theatre, the Agora and the Tombs.
Drive back to Hama and visit the famous waterwheels here which once provided vital water ways to the land.
Overnight in Hama.

August 16th - Aleppo

Depart north for Aleppo..
Visit the ancient Roman and Greek city of Apamea on the way. Explore the ruins and walk along the impressive colonnade.
Arrival early evening in Aleppo – 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.

August 17th - 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 Castle.
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 the Baron Hotel – one of Aleppo’s most famous landmarks. It’s the oldest still functioning Hotel in Syria which once welcomed the likes of Charles De Gaulle, Yuri Gagarin, Lawrence of Arabia, Agatha Christie and Theodore Roosevelt. Stay here if you dare but you will have to do without heating, electricity or hot water.
Dinner & overnight in Aleppo

August 18th - Damascus

Hit the road back to Damascus
Lunch on the way and then check back into our Damascene hotel.
Some last minute exploring and shopping in the old town.
Group dinner on our last evening together!
Overnight in Damascus.

August 19th - Bosra / Beirut

Depart south to the ancient Roman site of Bosra.
Tour the ruins including the incredible theatre. One of the largest and best preserved in the Roman Empire.
Drive back to Beirut and arrive in the early evening.
End of Syria Carnival tour.

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.

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 amusement parks. We are in constant communication with our local partners on the ground who advise the safe routes to take.

Before & after the Syria tour we will add you to dedicated email and social media groups so you can 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.

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

August 11 - 19th, 2024

Syria Marmarita Carnival Tour

Our most comprehensive tour!

Visit all the must sees in 9 days.

Premium hotel

8 nights in Syria

The price

$1690 USD

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Syria Carnival Tour

What's it all about?