Beyond the golden gates of Damascus lies a world carved from limestone and sun: the Qalamoun Mountains.Here, the air is thinner, the stories are older, and the hospitality is as deep as the mountain gorges. The Qalamoun Chronicles is not just a tour; it is an invitation to live the rhythmic heartbeat of the Syrian highlands. It is a journey for the traveler who seeks to touch the earth, taste the season, and hear the echoes of antiquity.
A Note on Flexibility: The following itinerary is a curated prototype—a starting point for your imagination. At Syria Caravans, every journey is a bespoke creation. You may extend or shorten your stay, hand-pick your preferred accommodation style, or swap activities between our various programs. This is your caravan; we simply provide the map.
Itinerary
Your journey begins with a Warm Welcome. Whether you arrive via the airport or across the Lebanese and Jordanian borders, our dedicated team will be there to greet you, ensuring your transition into the ancient world is seamless and effortless.
The morning unfolds at the National Museum, where you’ll stand before the remarkable 2nd-century Dura-Europos synagogue, a testament to the city's enduring layers of faith. From there, we step into the living heart of the capital, entering the Old City through the iconic, iron-roofed Al-Hamidiyah Souq. The scent of spices leads us to the Umayyad Mosque, one of the world’s oldest and most breathtaking architectural wonders, followed by a reflective pause at the adjacent Mausoleum of Saladin.
As midday approaches, we embrace the flavors of Damascus. Experience a legendary local ritual at Bakdash, sampling their world-famous pounded booza (ice cream) encrusted with pistachios, before settling in for a traditional feast at the historic Beit Jabri.
The afternoon is a walk through time. We first explore the Azem Palace to admire the pinnacle of Ottoman-era Damascene craftsmanship, then trace the path of history along Straight Street (Via Recta), the biblical thoroughfare that has guided travelers for millennia. Our exploration of faith continues at the underground Chapel of Saint Ananias, eventually leading us out through Bab Sharqi, the majestic "Gate of the Sun."
As evening shadows stretch across the stones, we stop for tea at the legendary Al-Nofara Café. Here, you will listen to the rhythmic tales of the Hakawati (traditional storyteller) before we ascend Mount Qasioun. From this height, you’ll witness a panoramic sunset as the city lights begin to twinkle like fallen stars.
Finally, you decide how your first Syrian night unfolds. True to our "Custom Caravan" philosophy, we offer you the luxury of choice:
The Urban Palace (Damascus Stay) Indulges in the ultimate Damascene dream within a Luxury Boutique Beit Arabi. Experience a "Garden of Eden" courtyard, where the gentle splash of the central fountain and the jasmine-scented air follow you to your private balcony.
The Mountain Flight (Saidnaya Transfer) If you prefer the crisp mountain breeze, we will drive you into the cool, quiet heights of the Qalamoun (just 30 minutes away). Here, you can settle into your chosen sanctuary for the days ahead: a Private Villa with exclusive valley views, a Cozy Mountain Farm for a rustic connection to the earth, a Luxury Highland Hotel perched on the cliffside, or a charming Local Apartment in the heart of the town.
The day begins as the crisp mountain air of the Qalamoun fills your lungs. Setting out on foot directly from your sanctuary, you will trek through ancient limestone paths toward the Mar Toma Monastery. Perched on a rugged cliff, this 5th-century stone retreat—once a silent haven for hermits—now serves as the backdrop for your "Viewpoint Breakfast."
Should you wish to vary the pace, the morning offers a choice of spirit: find your stride through Horse Riding across the ridgeline, or test your focus with a traditional Target Shooting session, a skill long-honored by the mountain people.
As the journey continues upward, the trail becomes a feast for the senses. You’ll snack on sun-ripened figs and grapes in the summer, or chewy Zbib (raisins) and walnuts in the winter, as we navigate the winding road toward Deir al-Cherubim. At 2,000 meters above sea level, this "highest point of the heavens" offers a moment of true transcendence. Standing at the base of the massive bronze statue of Christ, the world opens up in a cinematic, 360-degree panorama, revealing the Damascus basin to the south and the snow-capped Lebanese mountains to the west.
After capturing these heights, you decide how to return to the valley below. Whether you choose the Peaceful Path of a mindful hike, the adrenaline of a Freedom Ride on a mountain bike, or the ease of a Seamless Escort in our private vehicle, a warm reward awaits.
Back in the village, we are welcomed into a local home for a feast of authentic Qalamounian dishes. In keeping with the local tradition of Masyaf, the early afternoon is yours; enjoy two hours for a private nap and a refreshing shower to recharge.
As the sun begins to dip, the afternoon shifts from solitude to community. We join local women for the Manufacturing of the Mouneh, the traditional preserving of the season’s bounty. Depending on the month, you might help stuff walnuts into Makdoos, rub fermented yogurt for Kishk, or pull fresh Syrian cheese by hand.
If your journey aligns with the sacred calendar, the mountains further transform. During festivals like Al-Siedeh (August 15th) or the Feast of the Cross (September 14th), the quiet peaks erupt into life. You will find yourself immersed in Kashafa (Scout) parades, the rhythmic pounding of the Dabke dance, and spectacular fireworks that illuminate the limestone cliffs.
Whether ending the day with a celebratory restaurant dinner or a quiet meal with your host family, we conclude with the ultimate rural luxury. In the summer months, we invite you to swap your bedroom for the Rooftop Terrace. Laying back on traditional mattresses, you can fall asleep while counting the stars—an ancient mountain practice that connects you directly to the profound silence of the universe.
Our day begins in Maaloula, one of the few sanctuaries left on earth where the air still carries the rhythmic sounds of Western Aramaic, the very language spoken by Jesus Christ. To set the tone, we start with a rustic Qalamounian breakfast served at the dramatic entrance of the Faj (The Sacred Gorge). Here, you can sip your tea between towering limestone walls that rise sixty meters above, feeling the immense scale of the mountain.
From breakfast, we trek through the narrow, winding passage of the gorge itself. Legend tells us the mountain split open in this exact spot to shield Saint Thecla from her persecutors. Following her path, we visit the Monastery of Saint Thecla, a sacred site of pilgrimage built directly into the rugged mountain face, where you’ll find the saint's tomb and a miraculous spring. The journey through time continues at the Monastery of Saint Sergius and Bacchus (Mar Sarkis). Dating back to the 4th century, it is one of the world's oldest Christian monasteries. Within its quiet walls, you will see a rare circular altar—a design predating the Council of Nicaea—and experience the profound chill of hearing the Lord’s Prayer recited in its original Aramaic tongue.
Leaving Maaloula behind, we venture deeper into the Qalamoun range toward the heights of Nabek. There, perched precariously on a desert cliff, sits Deir Mar Musa el-Habashi. An 11th-century masterpiece of interfaith harmony, the monastery’s chapel houses stunning, ancient frescoes that have survived the desert winds for centuries.
By afternoon, we return to Saidnaya for a "Second Home Feast" with a local family. This isn't just a meal, but a deeper immersion into Syrian hospitality, featuring a completely different menu of authentic dishes than the day before. Afterward, retreat to your accommodation for a well-deserved nap or a moment of quiet reflection on the terrace as the mountain breeze cools the air.
As the day mellows, we return to the kitchen or the rooftop to finish the Mouneh manufacturing we began yesterday. This is a moment of tactile connection: the final rubbing of the Kishk or the satisfying seal of the Makdoos jars with golden olive oil. You’ll see your "superfood" come to life, a tangible piece of the mountain to take with you.
As the light turns to liquid gold, we visit Mar Elias in Maaret Saidnaya. We find a quiet lookout to enjoy a refreshing drink, watching the sunset paint the Qalamoun valley in deep shades of violet and orange. If your journey falls on July 20th, the Feast of Mar Elias, the silence is replaced by a spectacular local festival. This is the prime time to join the celebrations, witness the vibrant scout parades, and watch fireworks illuminate the entire mountain range.
We conclude this soulful day with a light evening meal before returning to your villa, farm, or apartment for a night of deep, undisturbed mountain sleep.
We begin our final morning in the "Summer Capital" of Syria. At an elevation of 1,500 meters, the air here is the freshest in the country, providing a crisp awakening as we sit down for a signature Bloudan breakfast. This is the land of fruit; you will taste the very jams—cherry, apricot, and apple—that made this region famous throughout the Levant, served alongside fresh cream (Ashta) and warm mountain bread.
From the sunlit orchards, we descend into the fascinating subterranean world of Mousa Cave. More than just a natural wonder, this cave is a testament to human obsession, hand-carved and expanded over decades. Inside, the atmosphere is cool and mysterious; you’ll find impressive stone statues and narrow canals that we will navigate by boat, feeling as though we’ve embarked on a journey to the center of the earth.
Following the winding path of the Barada River down into the valley, we reach the Zabadani Orchards. Here, where history and nature intertwine, we take a slow drive or walk through the plains, stopping to sample seasonal fruits directly from the trees—a final, sweet "Taste Lover’s" ritual before your departure. The road then leads us to Souq Wadi Barada, the site of ancient Abila. Once the capital of the Roman district of Abilene, the area still holds the echoes of the empire in its rock-cut tombs and the ruins of a monumental temple perched high above the river.
The day’s "hidden gem" awaits at the Roman Canal near Bassimah, a trek that combines high-adrenaline views with ancient history. We hike along the remnants of an incredible Roman engineering feat: an aqueduct carved directly into the sheer limestone cliffs to carry spring water all the way to Damascus. Walking along this cliff-side canal offers a breathtaking perspective—to your left is the raw, unyielding rock of the mountain; to your right, a vertical drop reveals the lush, green ribbon of the river and walnut groves far below. It is a stunning, cinematic walk that perfectly illustrates the "Seamless Precision" of the ancient past.
Our journey concludes where the water meets the shade. In a riverside garden in the valley, the sound of the flowing Barada provides the soundtrack for our Final Feast. We enjoy a relaxed lunch of local mountain trout and traditional mezze, sharing stories of the past four days as the afternoon sun lingers on the water.
With your spirit refreshed by the mountain air and your heart full of Syrian hospitality, we escort you back to Damascus or to the border for your onward journey. The caravan stops here, but the narrative—and the silence of the Qalamoun—stays with you.
