Duration
9 Days 8 Nights
Country
Syrian Arab Republic
SYRIA December 8th Anniversary Tour
SYRIA TOUR DECEMBER DATES:
- 7th December 2025 until 15th December 2025
One the the MOST unique Syria tours we have ever run! Visit Syria with us this December to celebrate the 1-year anniversary of the toppling of the Assad regime! Streets will be packed the the atmosphere will be vibrant! Furthermore, travel around Syria with us to explore its religious, natural, historic and cultural diversity. You’ll see why it has so much potential as a tourist destination, while learning so much about its recent and ancient history. It’s more than just a touristic trip – by the end of this tour we aim to ensure that you know a lot more about Syria than when you entered.
This unique tour takes us to places that we could never go before, including some of Syria’s most unique sites in Idlib. We’ll also be visiting Palmyra, Homs, Aleppo, Bosra Al Sham and more!
We are organising a Rojava add on to this tour once it finishes! Message me for details.
Highlights:
- Celebrate the anniversary of the toppling of Assad with the Syrian people in Damascus.
- Visit many parts of Syria that were previously off limits to tourists (Idlib, Saint Simeon Citadel and more)
- Learn about life under Assad regime and see how the new government is dealing with Syrian society (with its religious and cultural plurality)
- Visit major Syrian cities and tourist sites
- The ancient ruins of PALMYRA
Gallery
Itinerary
Day 1 - BEIRUT TO DAMASCUS
BEIRUT TO DAMASCUS
- Wake up early before gathering at 7am at a predetermined location. We will leave Beirut for Damascus at 7:15 am, provided that all of our group members are present.
- The drive will take between 3 and 5 hours including border formalities. On the way to the border, we’ll stop for a Lebanese breakfast and also to exchange our money into Syrian Pounds.
- Check into a boutique hotel in old Damascus (such as Via Recta), where you’ll have a short break to relax and unpack.
- Today, we’ll go to Ananias Church, Souq Medhat Pasha, Khan As’ad Pasha, Qasr El Azm Palace, Beit Jebri Restaurant, The Ummayad Mosque, Salaheddine’s mausoleum, Al Hamidiyah Market, Al Nawfara Coffee Shop and some traditional Damascene houses in the old city.
- After our daily tour is done, we will return back to the hote;, and, for those who wish, we will have a traditional Hamam experience in one of the city’s oldest Hamams (highly recommended!).
- In the evening, for those that wish, you can enjoy the Damascus nightlife in the neighbourhood of Bab Touma and Bab Sharqi (next to the hotel) - we will show you all of the best spots.
Day 2 - BOSRA AL SHAM, DEC 8TH CELEBRATIONS DAMASCUS
BOSRA AL SHAM, DEC 8TH CELEBRATIONS DAMASCUS
- Early in the morning, we will depart Damascus for the town of Bosra Al Sham, in Daraa province. The Roman Theatre here is one of the world’s best preserved, and dates back to the 2nd Century.
- (HIGHLIGHT) Then, we will return back to Damascus city in time from the celebrations. Today is December 8th, and this is the 1-year anniversary since the toppling of the Assad government. Likely there will be large events taking place in the Ummayad square - we will participate!
- Evening and overnight in Damascus.
Day 3 - SAYDNAYA -> MAALOULA -> KRAK DES CHEVALIERS
SAYDNAYA -> MAALOULA -> KRAK DES CHEVALIERS
- Leave Damascus in the early morning to visit the Monastery of Saydnaya, a unique pilgrimage site with beautiful views. We'll also drive past the infamous Saydnaya prison, where many political detainees were held during the Assad regime.
- Then, we will visit Maaloula, a Christian town where many residents speak Aramaic, the language of Jesus. We’ll explore the town’s churches and streets, and hopefully meet some local residents. It’s one of the most picturesque villages in Syria.
- After that, we will drive directly to the crusader citadel of Krak Des Chevaliers. We will spend a couple of hours wandering around this magnificent historical site.
- Then, we’ll head to the nearby village of Mishtaya, where we will go for dinner together and spend the night.
Day 4 - PALMYRA -> HAMA OVERNIGHT
PALMYRA -> HAMA OVERNIGHT
- We will depart early, driving east through the desert to the oasis town of Palmyra. This place is home to the most famous (mostly) Roman ruins in Syria, and they are truly spectacular to see, despite the damage that was inflicted during the war.
- Palmyra was occupied by ISIS during parts of the war - you will see some evidence of that, and while large parts of the city are destroyed, residents are slowly returning.
- After visiting the ruins and visiting a Bedouin tent for snacks and tea, we will visit the citadel of Palmyra, overlooking the site from above and used as a Russian military watchtower during the war. We will then leave Palmyra and drive to Hama, where we will spend the night.
Day 5 - HAMA -> ALEPPO
HAMA -> ALEPPO
- After breakfast in our traditional boutique hotel, we will drive further north to Syria’s economic capital, Aleppo. We’ll spend the evening wandering around some of Aleppo’s unique neighbourhoods and meeting with the locals.
- We will have a tour of Aleppo’s old city, where we will visit the famous ancient citadel and look at views of the city from above. We will also visit: Bab Antakya, Traditional Soap Factory (around 300 years), ancient marketplaces and more.
- If there is time, we can visit a local language centre with students that are learning English. This would be a great opportunity to meet locals and to talk about their lives, goals and dreams.
- Aleppo is known as the culinary capital of Syria - in the evening we will sample it’s delicious food at a famous restaurant. We recommend the cherry kebab!
- Overnight in Aleppo.
Day 6 - ALEPPO, ST SIMEON CITADEL
ALEPPO, ST SIMEON CITADEL
- In the morning, we will drive outside of Aleppo city to a historical site called Saint Simeon citadel. This ancient Christian complex dates back to the 5th Century and it’s stunning. During the war, it was used as a military base, as recently as 2024.
- When we get back to Aleppo, we will experience Al Azizieh neighbourhood, Al Talal market and see another side to this historical city.
- If possible, we will visit the nearby Kurdish village of Tel Aran, where we will be welcomed by locals, and you’ll get to experience the rural life and Kurdish culture (not 100% guaranteed but we will try our best).
Day 7 - ALEPPO -> QALB LOZE -> AL DANA -> IDLIB - AL BARA -> HAMA
ALEPPO -> QALB LOZE -> AL DANA -> IDLIB - AL BARA -> HAMA
- Today, we’ll start the morning by driving to the ancient ruins of Qalb Loze, in Idlib. This historically Druze town is famous for its beautiful ruins - known as one of Idlib’s “dead cities”.
- We will then stop by the town of Al Dana for lunch - it has Idlib’s most modern shopping malls and isn’t quite what one might expect to see in the province.
- Then, we will stop by Idlib city, where we’ll see some monuments for the Syrian revolution, as well as a bustling marketplace.
- We will then start our drive further south. Time permitting, we will stop by other ancient ruins known as Al Bara and Serjilla (also some of Idlib’s dead cities).
- We will finish this busy day in Hama, where we will relax, have dinner and spend the night.
Day 8 - HAMA -> HOMS -> MAR MUSA
HAMA -> HOMS -> MAR MUSA
- In the morning, we will explore the city of Hama. This city is famous for its ancient waterwheels, and also a massacre commited by the hands of the Assad regime in the 1980s. It’s old town is spectacular, and we will visit the famous Qasr Al Azm (one of our favourite buildings in Syria).
- Then, we will drive south to the city of Homs. Here, we will have a quick tour of some of the city's important sites, such as Khalid Ibn Al Waleed mosque and the Um Al Zenar chuch, where the original belt of Virgin Mary is said to be kept. We will then have lunch.
- We will then travel to the ancient monastery of Mar Mousa. It is built into a rock face and it is one of the most beautiful Christian sites in the country! It's a short 20 minute hike uphill to reach the monastery from the car parl. It’s also a testament to Christian - Muslim coexistence, with Islamic prayer mats for Muslims to pray, and Islamic calligraphy present. The people here are very unique. We will spend the night in the monastery if possible (highlight).
Day 9 - DEPARTURE TO BEIRUT
DEPARTURE TO BEIRUT
- Final breakfast together at the monastery, enjoying the mountain views.
- We’ll then drive back to the border with Lebanon. You will then be dropped back in Beirut. Those who wish to be let out in Anjar (some of Lebanon’s most interesting ruins), or anywhere else on the way to Beirut may do so. Everyone else will be dropped off in central Beirut.
- ***If you would prefer a transfer to Jordan (or to take public transport), this can be arranged for an additional cost. International buses cost around 30 USD from Damascus to Amman, so it is affordable, but the border can take a LONG time. Contact us for more details***
- ***Also, if you would like to extend the tour, we organise Rojava group tours after every tour, among other destinations in Syria***
Cost Info
Price includes
- Visa Approval (from Ministry of Tourism) which allows you to get the visa on arrival in Syria.
- Accommodation in top hotels (twin sharing) or homestays if mentioned.
- Local Syrian Tour Guide
- Professional English and Arabic-speaking Tour Leader
- All museum entry fees
- Breakfast
- Transportation throughout Syria
- Transportation from Beirut, Lebanon at the start and end of tour
Price excludes
- Actual visa fee on the Syrian border (different fee depending on your nationality)
- Single supplement if you'd like your own room (350 USD extra)
- Flights to and from Beirut
- Lunch and dinner
- Souvenirs
- Optional tip to guide/s
FAQ
Do I need a visa for Syria?
We will arrange something called "Security Clearance" which will allow all of our group members to get the Syrian visa on arrival at the border.
Do I need a visa for Lebanon?
That depends on your nationality. Most European, Arab, and Latin American nationalities, as well as the US and Canada, do not require a visa for Lebanon.
If you do require one, we can help you arrange it. Another option is to enter Syria by flight or through Jordan, if you don't want to get a Lebanese visa.
Can I extend the tour?
Yes, of course, tour extensions are possible. You can extend the tour to stay some additional days in Damascus, or, for an additional cost, we can arrange trips for you to visit other places, such as Bosra Al Sham or Bloudan.
Price = $1,450.00