To experience Syria is to walk through the “Memory of Mankind.” For this 8-day expedition, we have abandoned the typical tourist path to create a Chronological Tapestry, weaving together the spiritual, the imperial, and the domestic life of the Levant.
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
The Arrival: Your transition from the border or airport is met with the scent of bitter orange and jasmine, beginning with a ceremonial welcome drink at your traditional courtyard riad.
Sensory Navigation: We bypass the main roads to explore the Old City Alleys, where the air is a thick perfume of freshly ground cardamom and ancient spices.
A Sip of Antiquity: Witness the sunset at Al-Nofara Café, the oldest social hub in the city, where the echoes of past travelers still resonate over copper trays of traditional coffee.
Bosra’s Theater: Stand in the acoustics of the world’s most impeccably preserved Roman Amphitheater, a masterpiece shielded by an Islamic fortress.
Imperial Footprints: Traverse the Nabataean Gate, the subterranean Winter Market, and the basalt-paved Roman streets that once mirrored the glory of Rome.
The Rural Soul: Experience local life through a home-cooked feast in a private house, followed by the architectural serenity of the Ezra’a Church and the vibrant mosaic-work of the Sayyida Zeinab Shrine.
The Curated History: Discover the world's first alphabet and ancient murals at the National Museum, then admire the neo-classical stained glass of the Hejaz Railway Station.
Palatial Splendor: Step into the Azm Palace, a pinnacle of Damascene architecture, before entering the gold-leafed majesty of the Umayyad Mosque.
The Spiritual Labyrinth: Walk the Straight Street to find the House of Ananias, where the light of faith changed history, and conclude the day exploring the nocturnal energy of the city's modern social scene.
The Painted Faith: Ascend to Saidnaya to view the icon of the Virgin Mary, attributed to St. Luke the Evangelist, and the St. Sophia Church with its rare three-era architectural museum.
The Language of Christ: Visit Maaloula, where Aramaic still flows in conversation. Walk the Sacred Gorge between the monasteries of St. Sergius, Bacchus, and St. Tekla.
The Homsi Hub: Discover the rock-hewn foundations of the Virgin’s Girdle Church and the grand military aesthetics of the Khalid ibn al-Walid Mosque, ending with a tasting of the city's legendary sugary delicacies.
The Unconquered Fortress: Spend the day within the Citadel of Aleppo, a towering world of limestone that has survived empires and earthquakes.
The Labyrinth of Trade: Lose yourself in the Covered Souks, visiting the Khan al-Saboun to see traditional laurel soap production and the rhythmic hammering of the Copper Khan, concluding with the city’s world-famous cherry kebabs.
The Singing Wheels: Visit the massive wooden Norias of Hama on the Orontes River, then explore the riverside Azm Palace (Hama) and its winding historical alleys.
The Crusader Zenith: Conquer the slopes of Krak des Chevaliers, a UNESCO masterpiece of military engineering that remains the definitive image of a medieval castle.
The Valley Sleep: Spend the night in the lush, green Valley of Christians, the most scenic landscape in the Syrian interior.
The Desert Necropolis: Explore the "Bride of the Desert," from the Tower Tombs and the House of the Dead to the underground funerary chambers.
The Colonnaded Avenue: Walk the Grand Colonnade, passing the Temple of Bel, the Tetrapylon, and the Royal Baths where the queen once held court.
Bedouin Immersion: Enjoy a primitive and powerful lunch in a traditional desert tent, absorbing the vast silence of the Syrian steppe before returning to the lights of Damascus.
Artisanal Souvenirs: Enjoy a slow morning in the city’s quietest corners, hand-picking silk, marquetry, or brass mementos of your journey.
The Departure: We ensure a smooth and professional transfer to your departure point, carrying with you the weight and beauty of eight thousand years of history.
