Syria New Years Tour

What's it all about?

Join us for a very special Syria tour when we’ll be hitting all the must visit sights around the country and capping off in style with New Years celebrations in Damascus!

Now that the crisis is largely over, Syria is slowly starting to return to a level of normality not seen in years. We have designed this itinerary with safety in mind and only include places which are currently deemed safe to visit.

There is a huge amount of ancient and modern history waiting to be explored. We’ll start of in the Lebanese capital city of Beirut and travel to Damascus , Homs, 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 Chavaliers – Palmyra – Homs – Aleppo – Damascus – Beirut.

When?

Dec 27 – Jan 2nd, 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 Chavaliers – Homs – Palmyra – Aleppo – Damascus – Beirut.

December 27th - 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 Old Damascus.

December 28th - Maaloula - Homs - Aleppo

Our first stop today will be at Sednaya to visit a convent.
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.
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 Aleppo.

December 29th - 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.
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.

December 30th - Hama / Krak Des Chevaliers

Drive south to Hama and visit the famous waterwheels here which once provided vital water ways to the land.
On the way, take a detour to visit the ancient Roman city of Apania. It’s incredible 2km colonnaded street is still standing.
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.
Dinner and overnight in the Homs countryside.

December 31st - Palmyra / Damascus - Happy New Year!

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 dinner.
Hit the bars on Straight Street and revel amongst the crowds as we count down to midnight!
Overnight in Damascus.

January 1st - 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.
It’s our last supper (And last hamam!) in Damascus!
Overnight in Damascus.

January 2nd - Beirut

Half day touring the last sights of Damascus
Driver back to Beirut and arrive by early evening.
End of Syria 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 Support

We will apply for your security clearance that will allow you to collect the visa at the border.
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.
Visa Fee

The price varies depending on your nationality. Typically it is around $70 USD for European passports.
Tips

Tips are expected for your local guides and driver.

You’ll be in the vastly experienced hands of our English speaking local guides & 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, 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 the Syria tour we will add you to a dedicated email and WhatsApp group so you can share photos and chat 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.

December 27 - Jan 2nd, 2024

Syria New Years Tour

Start and finish in beirut

Pickup and dropoff in Hamra, Beirut.

Premium hotel

6 nights in Syria

The price

$1490 USD

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Syria New Years Tour

What's it all about?