Duration

8 Days 7 Nights

Country

Syrian Arab Republic

Syria EASTER Tour 2024

TOUR DATES:

30th March 2024 until 6th April 2024

This is certainly one of our more “different” Syria tours in the sense that many of the locations to be visited are not on our standard itineraries. Although the tour is called the “Returners Tour”, that doesn’t mean that this tour is not suited for first-time visitors to Syria, as many of the country’s highlights are still covered. However, we will also be visiting unique places, such as the town of Qardahah in the Syrian mountains (home to the shrine of Hafez Al Assad, Syria’s ex-President), the Golan Heights and a viewpoint of the Israeli-occupied city of Majdal Shams, the Turkish border at Kessab and so much more. This is also in addition to regular trip highlights, such as Palmyra. Don’t worry if you’ve been there before, though – we promise to show you something new.

Watch my YouTube video below to get an idea what a trip to the Golan Heights will be like:

Gallery

Itinerary

Day 1 - BEIRUT TO DAMASCUS
BEIRUT TO DAMASCUS
Today, you'll meet the tour leader amd tour members, and we'll have a pre-tour meeting about the do's and dont's in Syria. Then, we'll head to Damascus, where we'll have a tour of the old city and show you many unknown gems that not many people visit. Overnight in boutique hotel in the old city.
Day 2 - SAYDNAYA, MAALOULA & KRAK DES CHEVALIERS
SAYDNAYA, MAALOULA & KRAK DES CHEVALIERS
We'll leave Damascus and head north, visiting the Christian towns of Saydnaya and Maaloula, where locals still speak the language of Jesus.

We'll also get to see awesome Easter Sunday parades, both when leaving Damascus and in the Christian villages.

Then, we'll drive to the ancient crusader castle of Krak Des Chevaliers before heading to a nearby hotel, or local homestay.

In the evening, if you wish, we can go to the nearby town of Marmarita, which has a nice bar and often has a DJ or live music.
Day 3 - SAFITA, AMRIT, ARWAD ISLAND & TARTOUS
SAFITA, AMRIT, ARWAD ISLAND & TARTOUS
Today, we'll head west towards the Syrian coast, first stopping by the city of Safita, famous for its ancient tower. Then, we will continue West to the city of Tartous, which is home to the ruins of Amrit, the remains of an ancient Phoneician temple. Then, we'll take a boat to Arwad island, which is Syria's only inhabited island, enjoying the sunset before returning to Tartous city, where we'll spend the night.
Day 4 - MARQAB CASTLE, QARDAHAH, LATAKIA
MARQAB CASTLE, QARDAHAH, LATAKIA
In the morning, we'll head up the coast to visit Marqab Castle, a beautiful gem that few tourists to Syria visit. Then, we'll enter Latakia province and visit the town of Qardahah, home to the tomb of ex-Syrian President Hafez Al Assad. We'll then go further up the mountains to a place called Jabal Al Malak, which has a viewpoint of the Ghab Plains - one of the best viewpoints in Syria that not many people know!

Then, we will drive down to the city of Latakia, where we will spend the night.

**If there is enough time, we will also visit Wadi Al Mulook, a scenic area by a river**
Day 5 - LATAKIA & NATURE
LATAKIA & NATURE
Today, we will explore some of the natural gems of Latakia province, which is often called Syria's most beautiful province. We'll head to the lake of Mashqita for a boat trip, Wadi Qandil, Um Al Tayoor and Kessab, a border town next to Turkey which hosts some of Syria's most beautiful coastal scenery. In the evening, we will return to Latakia city.
Day 6 - AFAMIA, HAMA & HOMS
AFAMIA, HAMA & HOMS
Today, we will leave the coastal area, entering Hama province, where our first stop will be the ancient ruins of Afamia (or Apamea). Then, we will continue on to Hama city, where we will try some delicious local food, as well as see the famous ancient waterwheels that make this city so famous.

Then, we will drive south to the city of Homs. You will see a lot of destruction in this city, as we visit some of the sites, such as the Khaled Ibn Al Waleed Mosque.

Overnight and dinner in a local home - it might be a bit crowded but we promise it'll be a great experience!
Day 7 - HOMS, PALMYRA & DAMASCUS
HOMS, PALMYRA & DAMASCUS
It'll be an early start today as we drive east into the Syrian desert to visit the oasis town of Palmyra. This was previously Syria's premier tourist site before the war, and it remains an impressive Roman site, complete with temples, columns, a citadel and an amphitheatre. However, much of the city, and the ruins, were destroyed by ISIS, so there is also a solemn side to visiting Palmyra. For those that have been to Palmyra before, you should know that recently, more places have opened up to visitors there, some of them being very interesting!

After having lunch in the city, we will drive back to Damascus, where we will spend the night.
Day 8 - GOLAN HEIGHTS & RETURN TO LEBANON
GOLAN HEIGHTS & RETURN TO LEBANON
Today will be a highlight, somewhere few tourists visit (but only if the situation allows)! We'll drive to Quneitra, the ruined capital of the Golan Heights, and we'll be able to see the Israeli-occupied town of Majdal Shams on the other side. If you'd prefer to wander around Damascus to buy souvenirs etc., without going to the Golan Heights, this is also possible. Let us know.

After returning to Damascus, we will go directly to Lebanon, and the tour will end upon arrival in Beirut.

**If you'd prefer to cross the border to Jordan, or fly from Damascus airport (limited & expensive flights), this is also an option**

Cost Info

Price includes

Visa Approval (Security Clearance) which allows you to get the visa on arrival in Syria.
Accommodation in top hotels or homestays if mentioned.
Local Syrian Tour Guide
Foreign Arabic-speaking Tour Leader
All museum entry fees
Breakfast
Transportation throughout Syria
Transportation to and from Beirut, Lebanon

Price excludes

Actual visa fee on the Syrian border (different fee depending on your nationality)
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 = $1,400.00

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Travelling The Unknown.

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Syria EASTER Tour 2024

Gallery

Itinerary

Day 1 - BEIRUT TO DAMASCUS

BEIRUT TO DAMASCUS

Day 2 - SAYDNAYA, MAALOULA & KRAK DES CHEVALIERS

SAYDNAYA, MAALOULA & KRAK DES CHEVALIERS

Day 3 - SAFITA, AMRIT, ARWAD ISLAND & TARTOUS

SAFITA, AMRIT, ARWAD ISLAND & TARTOUS

Day 4 - MARQAB CASTLE, QARDAHAH, LATAKIA

MARQAB CASTLE, QARDAHAH, LATAKIA

Day 5 - LATAKIA & NATURE

LATAKIA & NATURE

Day 6 - AFAMIA, HAMA & HOMS

AFAMIA, HAMA & HOMS

Day 7 - HOMS, PALMYRA & DAMASCUS

HOMS, PALMYRA & DAMASCUS

Day 8 - GOLAN HEIGHTS & RETURN TO LEBANON

GOLAN HEIGHTS & RETURN TO LEBANON

Cost Info

Price includes

Price excludes

FAQ

Do I need a visa for Syria?

Do I need a visa for Lebanon?

Can I extend the tour?