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© SAIGA Tours
Start
Oct 31, 2024
Beirut
Beirut
2024-10-31
End
Nov 3, 2024
Beirut
Beirut
2024-11-03
Duration
4 days
Price
US$795.00
TOUR OVERVIEW
This tour was designed for those of you keen to see Syria at this unique point in its history, but only have a few days in which to do it. There's loads to see in this amazing country, and you could spend weeks there and not see it all, but you don't need to see everything everywhere! This super speedy budget tour of Syria covers all the main must-see sights, and won't leave you wanting!
Beginning and ending in the vibrant capital of Lebanon, Beirut, we'll visit the buzzing old town of Damascus, the streets of which are lined with cool bars and cafes. From here we’ll make our way to Palmyra, which now requires special permission to get into, but despite its tragic recent history, is still a breath-taking site. Next we'll explore the famous Cruisader castle of Krak des Chaveliers, before crossing back into Lebanon at the little-used northern crossing, near Tripoli.
If you'd like to see more of Syria, why not join our slightly longer Syria Autumn Tour .
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:
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✓ |
Visa approval |
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✓ |
Accommodation in twin share at roughly 3 star hotels/guesthouses, breakfast included |
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✓ |
Transport, beginning and ending in Beirut |
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✓ |
Entrance fees to all sites mentioned in the itinerary, except hammam |
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✓ |
SAIGA guide and local guides |
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: $150
EXCLUSIONS:
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⨯ |
Visa fee (paid at the border on arrival) |
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⨯ |
Departure tax (approx. $5, paid at the border) |
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⨯ |
Hammam (approx. $10 per person) |
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Meals other than breakfast |
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Transport to and from Beirut |
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Accommodation and any other services in Lebanon |
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Personal expenses such as souvenirs or any optional activities |
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Any COVID related requirements |
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
Explore the vibrant old city of Damascus
Take in the spectacular anceint site of Palmyra
Explore the abandoned Cruisader castle of Krak des Chaveliers
Itinerary
Day 1Thu Oct 31
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.
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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.
Day 2Fri Nov 1
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, on our way to the October War Museum, dedicated to the war against Israel.
- We’ll visit Kim Il Sung Park for some great photo opportunities. Syria and DPRK have had a long history of friendship and recently the Syrian Government decided to dedicate a park to the founding leader of DPRK, Kim Il Sung.
- 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.
- It’s a very cool experience for anyone, but especially for females it’s a great way to see how Syrian women enjoy themselves free of headscarves and social pressures. There will be women of all ages, and they really make a day of it. Children, grandmothers and everyone in between take in snacks and drinks and stay there for hours smoking shishas, listening to music and relaxing.
- If you prefer you can return to the hotel to enjoy the serene Damascene house, or have free time around the bazaar.
Day 3Sat Nov 2
Damascus, Palmyra, Valley of the Christians
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Leaving Damascus this morning we'll start exploring the rest of the country, with our first stop being 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.
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Until recently it wasn’t possible to visit the ancient site, however it is now possible, providing you have the correct permission.
- We will also try and make a stop in the completely destroyed modern town of Palmyra, though this is difficult because of the presence of the Syrian Army and their allies. Even if we’re unable to stop though, we’ll drive though and you’ll be able to see what ISIS accomplished there.
- We’ll spend the night in the Valley of the Christians, just below Krak des Chaveliers.
Day 4Sun Nov 3
Valley of the Christians, Krak des Chaveliers, Beirut
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This morning our first stop will be Krak des Chaveliers, the most famous of all the Crusader castles. It was first built by Kurds in the 11 th Century, and has changed hands many times, but most recently was damaged in the Syrian civil war. Recaptured by the Syrian government in 2014 it’s now safe and possible for us to visit the castle and the surrounding village of al-Husn, which is now mostly abandoned.
- 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.
- From here you'll be taken to the northern Lebanese land border crossing to cross back into Lebanon.
- Arrive in Beirut in the evening.
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