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Independent Syria OLD Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive in Damascus
Upon arrival at Damascus Airport you are met and transferred to your hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure.

Day 2 Damascus - Krak des Chevalier - Aleppo
Today starts with a drive through the Al Qalamoun Mountains to Maloula which is considered one of Syria’s most picturesque villages and is one of only three places in the world where Aramaic, the language spoken by Christ, is still used. The word Maaloula means entrance in Aramaic. Continue on to Krak des Chevalier to visit one of the most famous medieval citadels in the world. It was built to control the so-called Homs Gap, the gateway to Syria. It was through this passage that Syria communicated with the Mediterranean. [B]

Day 3 Aleppo
Ever since the 3rd millennium BC, Aleppo has been a flourishing city, with a unique strategic position on key trade routes. This position gave the city a distinctive role from the days of the Akkadian and Amorite kingdoms until modern times. Over the centuries, Aleppo has been invaded by the Hittites, Egyptians, Assyrians, Persians, Greeks and Romans. This morning’s tour includes a visit to the citadel and the Grand Mosque, as well as a walk around the lively bazaar. In the afternoon visit the ruins of the St Simeon Monastery. [B]

Day 4 Aleppo - Palmyra
This morning you visit the ancient town of Ebla, then drive along the Orontes Valley to Hama which is home to numerous decorative wooden waterwheels. Then you travel into the heart of the Syrian desert to Palmyra. During Roman times Palmyra was a beautiful, important and luxurious city. This continued until the reign of Queen Zenobia in the 3rd century BC. She initially worked with the Romans then turned against them and conquered an area stretching as far as Egypt. The Romans took their revenge and recaptured the city and the queen met an untimely end! [B]

Day 5 Palmyra - Damascus
Today’s sightseeing of Palmyra includes the magnificent Roman ruins, including the Temple of Bel, Colonnade Street, the theatre, the agora (marketplace), the tetrapylon and the Valley of the Tombs. In the late afternoon you arrive back in Damascus. [B]

Day 6 Damascus
Damascus, the capital of Syria, has occupied a position of importance in the fields of science, culture, politics, art, commerce, and industry from the earliest times. Nowadays, Damascus is a living museum spanning thousands of years. Your tour includes both the old and new of this thought-provoking city and ends with a drive to Qasioun Mountain for a stunning view of the city and the surrounding area. [B]

Day 7 Damascus
Today you have the day at leisure to relax or further explore Damascus and visit the lively bazaar for some last-minute shopping. There is also the opportunity to take an optional tour to Bosra, another of Syria’s ancient crossroads cities. [B]

Day 8 Depart Damascus
Your tour ends with your transfer to Damascus Airport. [B]