Syria Tours

Summer Budget Tour

  • August 24th - 28th, 2023
  • 1090
  • 5 Days
Itinerary

What's it all about?
Join us on one of our Syria Budget Tours – what’s the difference from regular tours? Our short tours have no western tour leader but don’t worry, you’ll be in the very capable hands of our local Syrian team!
 
After years of being ravaged by civil war, 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, Maaloula, Aleppo and the magnificent Krak des Chevalliers. 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 group tours to Syria. Places are limited so sign up today!
Highlights
Where?

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

When?

August 24 – 28th, 2023

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

Map

Beirut – Damascus – Krak de Chavaliers –  Aleppo – Maaloula – Damascus – Beirut.

August 24th - 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 old traditional Damascene hotel before starting the walking tour!
  • Azem Palace (a perfect example of a traditional Damascene house.
  • Mausoleum of Saladine & Umayyad mosque (a place of worship since the first millennium B.C).
  • 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 Old Damascus.

August 25th - Damascus - Krak - Aleppo

  • Depart for Aleppo. There will be many checkpoints along the way as the main road between Homs and Aleppo runs very close to areas controlled by the Syrian Free Army. We avoid most of it by taking the more scenic route to Aleppo.
  • Stop at Krak Des Chevaliers – “The most wholly admirable castle in the world.” – According to Lawrence of Arabia.
  • After touring the castle, we continue onto Aleppo.
  • Arrive in the early evening. Free time for dinner and the rest of the evening to explore yourself.
  • Overnight in Aleppo.
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August 26th - 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 and walk through the destroyed souk.
  • 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 and overnight in Aleppo.

August 27th - Hama - Maaloula - Damascus

  • After breakfast we drive south to Hama and the famous waterwheels.
  • Stop 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 largely rebuilt.
  • Continue onto Damascus.
  • Check back into our hotel before heading out for a last dinner.
  • Overnight in Damascus.

August 28th - Damascus - Beirut

  • Half day touring the last sights of Damascus which we did not cover already – including:
  • The National Museum of Syria.
    Explore the Handicraft market for some of the best handmade goods in the Middle East.
  • Drive back to Beirut and arrive by early evening.
  • End of Syria budget 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 guide & fixer. There will be no Rocky Road Travel guide on this tour. 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.

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August 24 - 28th, 2023

Syria Short Tour

start & finish in Beirut

Transport to and from Beirut included

Premium hotel

4 nights in Syria

The price

$1090 USD

Description
Itinerary
Included/Excluded
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Further Reading