On this 9-day trip across Syria and Lebanon, we'll visit the best spots in these Middle Eastern countries. We'll start in Damascus and end in Beirut. Get ready to fall in love with these countries!
Trip Details
Day 1: Damascus
Once you reach the Damascus Airport, we'll be waiting to assist you with the entry procedures into the country. Afterwards, we'll take you to the hotel in the city where you'll be spending the next few nights. Welcome to Syria!
Day 2: Damascus
We'll begin our trip across Syria and Lebanon by exploring Damascus and its gems. Our first stop will be the National Archaeological Museum, where we'll learn about the origins of Syria's capital and go over the different eras of the city through its exhibitions. Afterwards, we'll visit the Al-Azm Palace to witness how Damascus nobles lived in the past.
We'll continue the tour at the Mausoleum of Saladin, a great sultan, and the Umayyad Mosque, whose architecture is a source of great fascination. We'll pass by Straight Street, the Saint Ananias House, and the Chapel of Saint Paul, as well as Damascus' souqs, where we'll wander around its many stalls.
We'll conclude the day back at the hotel.
Day 3: Damascus - Palmyra - Homs - Al-Mishtaya
After breakfast, we'll depart for Palmyra, the capital of the desert, which boasts one of the finest collections of monuments in the entire region. Its ruins are spectacular and very well-preserved. There, we'll be able to admire the remains of the Temple of Bel, the Triumphal Arch, the Great Colonnade, the agora and the theatre, as well as visiting its tombs. After the visit, we'll continue on to Homs to visit its old town.
Finally, we'll travel to Al-Mishtaya, a small village near Krak des Chevaliers, where we'll stay overnight.
Day 4: Krak des Chevaliers - Homs - Apamea - Serjilla - Aleppo
After breakfast, we'll begin our visit to Krak des Chevaliers, an impressive fortress built by the Knights Templar of Tripoli. Afterwards, we'll depart for Homs to see its famous wooden waterwheels, devices that still function today to raise water and enable irrigation.
We'll continue to Apamea, an ancient Greek and Roman city, where we can admire the ruins of the Temple of Zeus Belos with its large colonnade. We'll continue to Serjilla, an archaeological site and one of the best-preserved Byzantine "dead cities" in north-western Syria, which was abandoned between the 5th and 7th centuries AD.
Finally, we'll head to Aleppo for our overnight stay.
Day 5: Aleppo - Simeon Stylites - Aleppo
We'll have breakfast and begin our visit to Aleppo, one of the oldest cities in the region and strategically located on the trade route. We'll visit the Citadel, considered one of the largest and oldest castles in the world, and take a stroll through the old covered souk. We'll also visit the exterior of the Great Mosque, one of the most notable examples of Umayyad architecture.
In the afternoon, we'll depart for the Church of Saint Simeon Stylites, also known as Qal'at Sim'an, a 5th-century Christian church. After the panoramic tour, we'll return to Aleppo to rest until the following day.
Day 6: Aleppo - Maaloula - Damascus
After breakfast, we'll depart for Maaloula. This small village is famous for its houses carved into the rock and because its inhabitants still speak Aramaic, the ancient language of Christ. We'll tell you all about it!
After the visit, we'll continue our journey to Damascus. There, you'll have some free time before heading to the hotel for your accommodation.
Day 7: Damascus - Ksara - Anjar - Baalbek - Beirut
We'll have breakfast in the hotel and leave Damascus behind to cross the border into Lebanon. We'll head to the Bekaa Valley, first going to Anjar to visit its architectural ruins from the Umayyad and Caliphate periods.
Next, we'll travel to Baalbeck to visit its impressive and monumental Roman ruins. We'll discover the Temple of Jupiter, the Temple of Venus and the Temple of Bacchus, notable for their grandeur and wonderful state of preservation.
Afterwards, we'll stop at the Ksara winery to taste its famous wines before continuing on to Beirut. Upon arrival, we'll check in at the hotel to rest until the following day.
Day 8: Beirut - Byblos - Tripoli - Beirut
After dinner, we'll set off to visit the legendary cities of Byblos and Tripoli. Byblos, one of the oldest cities in the world, owes its name to the Greek word meaning "book". We'll visit its most representative sites: the Phoenician walls, the Roman theatre, the Crusader Castle, the Church of St. John the Baptist and the old port.
We'll continue to Tripoli, Lebanon's second city, which stands out for its citadel, mosques and souks with a charming blend of oriental and modern styles. Today, it's an important seaport. After the visits, we'll return to Beirut and go to the hotel. See you tomorrow!
Day 9: Beirut
We'll have breakfast and, at the indicated time, we'll transfer you to Beirut Airport with enough time to catch your return flight. See you next time!
Accommodation
This tour includes 8 nights of accommodation with breakfast at the following standard or superior category hotels, depending on your choice when booking:
Standard Category (3-Star)
- Damascus: Al Majed, Al Fares, Kairawan or similar
- Al-Mishtaya: Villa Rosa or similar
- Aleppo: Palace Hotel or similar
- Beirut: Gems Hotel or similar
Superior Category (4-Star)
- Damascus: Baik Bash Hotel, Gold Khan Hotel or similar
- Al-Mishtaya: Villa Rosa or similar
- Aleppo: Riga Palace or similar
- Beirut: Gems Hotel or similar
Please keep in mind that the prices are per person staying in a double room.
