Duration

7 Days 6 Nights

Country

Syrian Arab Republic

Syria “Day of the Cross” Tour September 2023

TOUR DATES:

9th September 2023 until 15th September 2023

This is my personal favourite when it comes to Syria tours! That’s because I believe the Day of the Cross festival to be one of the most out-there and exciting experiences you can have in the country, and it’s definitely something you shouldn’t miss!

This tour isn’t limited only to the festival in Maaloula, though. We also visit some other unique and off-the-beaten-track places that you don’t find in many other Syria itineraries at all. For instance, we’ll be going to Quneitra (The Golan Heights), Bosra Al Sham, hidden parts of old Aleppo and more. On top of that, this tour is going to be very social, and you’ll meet Syrian people from all walks of life. We’ll also visit the ancient ruins of Palmyra, and, just like most Syria tours, the treasures of Old Damascus.

Just to make it even more special, this tour can be booked in combination with our “Iraq Arbaeen Tour”, which is running the week before. On this tour, you’ll take part in the world’s largest pilgrimage. That fact that these events in both Iraq and Syria line up so well means that you must certainly take advantage of the matter and come with us to both!

Click here for a pdf version of the itinerary.

Watch the video below to get an idea of what to expect the festival to 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. This includes the Ummayad Mosque, ancient houses with unique architecture, Khan As'ad Pasha, and buzzing marketplaces. Overnight in boutique hotel in the old city.
Day 2 - HOMS & KRAK DES CHEVALIERS
HOMS & KRAK DES CHEVALIERS
We'll leave Damascus and head north, visiting the city of Homs, an ancient church, and Khalid Ibn Al Waleed Mosque. Then, we'll drive to the ancient crusader castle of Krak Des Chevaliers before returning to Homs city to spend the night, or having a village homestay experience.
Day 3 - PALMYRA & HAMA
PALMYRA & HAMA
Today, we will visit one of Syria's most magnificent historical sites, the city of Palmyra, which is located in the heart of the desert. We'll see the beauty of the ruins as well as the destruction inflicted by ISIS. We may even see some of their writing on the walls. Furthermore, we'll visit a local Bedouin tent that has recently opened for tourists (an improvement in the situation in Palmyra!), and we'll learn about the ancient history of the site. We'll then drive to Hama, where we'll spend the night in a boutique hotel.
Day 4 - HAMA & ALEPPO
HAMA & ALEPPO
In the morning, we'll visit the ancient waterwheels of Hama and the old city, before departing north to Aleppo. We'll arrive in Aleppo fairly early and we'll explore what the city has to offer, such as the citadel and the old marketplaces. In the evening, we'll also introduce you to one of the coolest social groups in the city.
Day 5 - MAALOULA DAY OF THE CROSS
MAALOULA DAY OF THE CROSS
In the morning, we will visit some more sites in Aleppo, many of them hidden away and perfect for photo opportunities. We may also visit the historic Baron Hotel, which no longer functions. The, we'll leave the city and go back south to Maaloula.

Today will truly be a trip highlight, as today in Maaloula will be the Day of the Cross festival. There is nothing like it in Syria, or the whole Middle East for that matter. Watch my video on YouTube to know more about what to expect.

At night we will return to Damascus.
Day 6 - BOSRA AL SHAM
BOSRA AL SHAM
We'll depart in the morning to the South of Syria, to the ancient ruins of Bosra, which some claim to be more impressive than Palmyra. Then, we will eat traditional lunch known as Mleihi. We'll then return to Damascus and have free time in the evening, before going out for drinks at night to celebrate our final night in Syria.
Day 7 - GOLAN HEIGHTS => BEIRUT
GOLAN HEIGHTS => BEIRUT
In the morning, we'll head to Quneitra, the deserted capital of the Golan Heights, before going right up to the border to see a view of Majdal Shams, which is occupied by Israel. Then, you'll drive to the border with Lebanon and the tour will finish upon arrival in Beirut.

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 = $1,300.00

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Travelling The Unknown.

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Syria “Day of the Cross” Tour September 2023

Gallery

Itinerary

Day 1 - BEIRUT TO DAMASCUS

BEIRUT TO DAMASCUS

Day 2 - HOMS & KRAK DES CHEVALIERS

HOMS & KRAK DES CHEVALIERS

Day 3 - PALMYRA & HAMA

PALMYRA & HAMA

Day 4 - HAMA & ALEPPO

HAMA & ALEPPO

Day 5 - MAALOULA DAY OF THE CROSS

MAALOULA DAY OF THE CROSS

Day 6 - BOSRA AL SHAM

BOSRA AL SHAM

Day 7 - GOLAN HEIGHTS => BEIRUT

GOLAN HEIGHTS => BEIRUT

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?