The Fall of Assad Second Anniversary Tour

Name: The Fall of Assad Second Anniversary Tour
Start: 2026-12-06
End: 2026-12-13
Location: Beirut

Start

Dec 6, 2026
Beirut

End

Dec 13, 2026
Beirut

Duration

8 days

Price

US$1595.00

What's happening with tourism in Syria now?

Tours are up and running, and there are lots of exciting new things to do in Syria now!

Read about it here.

TOUR OVERVIEW

This tour is your opportunity to see Syria at yet another unique point in its history, in the post-Assad era. Whether you saw it coming or not, the fall of Assad was dramatic and quick, and has led to Syria moving in a very different direction to what it's been doing for the last decade.

For those who have visited Syria during the rule of Assad, it's fascinating to see how quickly and drastically things have changed, and for those who missed the Assad rule, make sure you don't miss the current version of Syria too!

Beginning and ending in Lebanon’s vibrant capital, Beirut, we'll start off with exploring Damascus and taking in everything that is going on for the anniversary of the fall of the Assad regime.

Then of course we will explore more of Syria than just Damascus and the celebrations. We'll also make our way around the country to Aleppo and Krak des Chevaliers, stopping in Maaloula, Homs and Idlib on the way. At the end we will head into the desert to see the amazing ancient site of Palmyra and also the epic amphitheatre down in Bosra.

Yes, that's right - since the change in government, we can even visit Idlib!

View the full itinerary

If you like the look of this tour but the dates don't work for you, or you'd like to do part of the tour, please get in touch and let us know. All our tours are able to be split into smaller sections, we're always scheduling new tours and your dates might work for one of them, or we can always organise an independent tour.

INCLUSIONS:

✓	Visa approval
✓	Accommodation in twin share at roughly 3 star hotels/guesthouses, breakfast included
✓	Transport, beginning and ending in Beirut
✓	Entrance fees to all sites mentioned in the itinerary, except hammam
✓	SAIGA guide and local guides

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: $525

What is the single supplement? This is paid to guarantee a single room. If you are travelling alone and would like to be roomed with another single traveller, you do not need to pay this.

EXCLUSIONS:

⨯	Visa fee (paid at the border on arrival)
⨯	Departure tax (approx. $5, paid at the border)
⨯	Hammam (approx. $10 per person)
⨯	Meals other than breakfast
⨯	International flights to and from Beirut
⨯	Accommodation and any other services in Lebanon
⨯	Personal expenses such as souvenirs or any optional activities
⨯	Any COVID related requirements

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

Be part of the celebrations for the anniversary of the fall of the Assad regime

Visit and meet people in the previously unreachable city of Idlib

Explore all our favourite spots in Syria including Damascus and Palmyra , whilst taking in all the changes that are quickly taking place

Itinerary

Day 1Sun Dec 6

Beirut, Damascus

Meet in Beirut at 8:00. Meeting point to be advised closer to the time.
Begin the drive to the Syrian border, which will take about two hours. We’ll stop on the way for a quick breakfast and to buy any Lebanese snacks you might want.
Cross the border, with a stop at Duty Free in No Man’s Land, for some of the cheapest alcohol you’ve ever experienced.
The whole border crossing will take around 1.5 hours.
After clearing Syrian Customs and Immigration, we’ll continue our drive to Damascus, another hour.
Arriving in the old town, you’ll immediately be intoxicated by the buzz of the old town as we walk towards our hotel. We’ll be staying in a beautifully renovated old Damascene house, complete with a tranquil courtyard surrounding a bubbling fountain, and the distinctive black and white stonework of this part of Syria.
In the afternoon we’ll explore Damascus’ old town, bazaar, shopping areas and bar/restaurant street. You might like to try some local ice-cream or have a shawarma, and shisha is available just about everywhere.
We’ll also visit Ananias Church, Damascus’ oldest church which happens to be underground, and Omayad Mosque, the main mosque in the centre of the city.
Free time in the evening to enjoy Damascus’ vibrant night-life.

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Day 2Mon Dec 7

Damascus

Leaving the centre of town, we’ll drive to the outskirts of the city and you’ll get your first glimpses of the destruction caused by the recent conflict.
We will hopefully be able to head out to the infamous Sednaya Prison, once used as a site by the Assad regime for torture of political prisoners. A stark reminder of the recent dark past of Syria. However, getting permits for this is very unpredictable and whilst we will always try and get access, please come prepared for the fact that we may not be able to do this.
Returning to the centre of town we’ll visit the National Museum in the afternoon, followed by the Souk Al-Hamidiye and El-Azem Palace.
One of the staples of any Middle Eastern destination, it’s time to experience a hammam. Anyone who doesn’t want to join in can either hang out with a shisha or a cup of tea inside the hammam’s “albrani”, translated into English as the “outside section”, which is the first room of the hammam.
For sunset we will head to the top of Mount Qasioun, the highest peak over Damascus which offers panoramic views of the city. Previously under the Assad regime, this area was off limits as it was considered a ‘military zone’. Now people can come back here and enjoy this spectacular view.

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Day 3Tue Dec 8

The Second Anniversary of the Fall of Assad

Today we will still be in Damascus, but this day is what we’re here for!
Of course, after the first anniversary , we will get a much better idea of what will happen on this day, however we are expecting celebrations today either official or unofficial to commemorate the fall of the Assad regime, and knowing Syria and Syrians, there should certainly be some fun to be had!
Today’s plan will be based around what we hear is happening and our plans will be very flexible.
In between events we will continue seeing sites in Damascus and eating amazing Syrian food, playing the day by ear, and just being available to take in whatever there is to take in.
Celebrations will hopefully continue into the evening, and we intend to go with the flow for what is set to be the most special anniversary of this occasion!
Overnight in Damascus.

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Day 4Wed Dec 9

Ghouta, Maaloula, Homs, Aleppo

Today we will begin by heading to the Ghouta neighbourhood of Damascus, which is the main site that was famously attacked with chemical weapons by the Assad regime.
Our first stop today will be at Maaloula, a small Christian town that was almost completely decimated by ISIS in 2014.
We will visit a Greek Catholic church which was destroyed but has already largely been rebuilt.
This will be your first opportunity to properly explore the destruction that is now so commonplace in Syria, at the Safir Hotel. Until 2014 it was a 4 star hotel with plenty of international guests, but is now a shell filled with rubble. There are still “do not disturb” signs, menus, folders of guest information, time sheets, crockery and all sorts of other things amongst the debris.
We’ll walk through a canyon to the St Sergious and Bakhous Monastery where you’ll have the chance to meet nuns who were kidnapped and held hostage for several years.
Our next stop will be Homs, another of the worst affected places during the Syrian war. We’ll take a walk through one of the residential areass that was most devastated by the civil war, in the leadup to the establishment of the Assad Regime. Walking around, you can really get a close up look at the damage. A few families have already started moving back in, so kids will come up and want to speak to you.
We then continue our journey to Aleppo where we will have an amazing dinner at one of Aleppo’s great restaurants.
Overnight in Aleppo.

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Day 5Thu Dec 10

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 rebuilding that Syrians are now doing as they slowly return to their homes.
Our first stop in the morning will be the famous Aleppo Castle. On the way in and out of the castle you’ll also be able to see the destroyed souk.
There will be time to explore the souk and do some shopping if you like, or if you prefer, you can just enjoy a shisha or a coffee.
We’ll then drive into the old town, one of the areas that was the worst affected by the war.
For sunset, we will head to an amazing viewpoint looking out over Aleppo, where we can relax and take it all in with a tea and/or shisha.
In the evening, we'll have the chance once again to experience the amazing restaurant scene of Aleppo.
Overnight in Aleppo.

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Day 6Fri Dec 11

Aleppo, Idlib, Krak des Chevaliers

We will begin today by heading to Idlib, which is finally accessible to tourism since the fall of the Assad regime.
Here we will see the unique economic system distinct from other regions of Syria.
We will also visit a refugee camp in the area which will allow us to gain an insight into the challenges faced by local families.
We will then pass through Hama, where we will have a quick stop to look at the UNESCO water wheels.
Afterwards, we will head to one of the highlights of Syria, Krak des Chevaliers. One of the most famous and also most intact medieval Crusader castles in the world, it was first built by Kurds in the 11 ^th Century. Since then it has changed hands many times, but most recently was damaged in the Syrian civil war.
After visiting the castle, we’ll visit a nearby café that has a great view overlooking the castle, to sit down with a coffee or a beer or a shisha, and take in our surroundings.
Overnight in Mishtaya.

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Day 7Sat Dec 12

Krak des Chevaliers, Palmyra, Damascus

Today we will have an early start for our drive to the ancient site of Palmyra, probably Syria’s most famous site.
Once a lush city on the Silk Road, Palmyra was even briefly its own empire in the 3 ^rd Century, stretching from Turkey to Egypt. Although the old city was ruined, it was famously in spectacular condition and exceptionally well preserved. Sadly though in 2015 it fell under the control of ISIS, and a lot of the buildings were razed to the ground.
We will explore the site of Palmyra including a visit to the temple of Baal which was largely destroyed under the control of ISIS.
We will also visit the Palmyra Museum which was looted by ISIS. Thankfully many of the artifacts were transferred to Damascus prior to the arrival of the militants.
We will then drive back to Damascus where we will have our final farewell dinner.
Overnight in Damascus.

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Day 8Sun Dec 13

Damascus, Bosra, Beirut

In the morning we’ll head down to the south of the country to visit Bosra, which was under the control of the Free Syrian Army, even during the Assad regime. Previously, this was one of the only places in the country you could see the Syrian opposition flag being flown.
Our first stop will be at the famous amphitheatre. Between its vast size and the fact that it’s still almost completely in-tact, it really is breath-taking.
We’ll sit down for a manakish or a falafel and have a chance to talk to a Free Syrian Army soldier, who will share his stories, and also a very different perspective on the situation in Syria than what you’ll already have heard.
Next we’ll take a walk through the old city and get a feel for this town, which has a totally different vibe to any other city in Syria. If we’re lucky, we might even meet some more people on our way who are happy to share their feelings and ideas on the situation with us.
Sadly this brings the end of our time in Syria and we will head back towards the Lebanese border. Including the border crossing and a few stops, we’ll arrive back in Beirut in the evening.
Anyone catching a flight this evening can be taken directly to the airport, otherwise we’ll be dropped off back in the centre of Beirut.

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