Itinerary
Route: Syrian (Jordanian/Lebanese) Border ➔ Busra Sham ➔ Izra’a ➔ Damascus
Welcome: Transportation from the Syrian border ensuring a seamless, expedited entry.
Busra Sham (The Black Basalt Jewel): Drive south to this magnificent UNESCO World Heritage city. Walk through the Nabataean Gate, explore the paved Roman streets, the Roman Baths, and the Winter Souk. The absolute highlight is the Roman Theatre of Busra—the most complete, architecturally intact, and well-preserved Roman amphitheater in the world.
Early Christian Masterpiece (Izra’a): Visit the Basilica of St. George in Izra'a. Dating back to 515 AD, this is a phenomenal masterpiece of early ecclesiastical architecture, representing the structural evolution from pagan temples to domed Christian basilicas.
Damascene Jasmine Evening at "Al-Nofara": Arrive at your boutique hotel in Damascus for a welcome drink. Enjoy an evening walking tour through the ancient alleys of Damascus, breathing in the scent of spices and jasmine. Conclude the night at the legendary Al-Nofara Café for a cup of strong, cardamom-infused Arabic coffee while listening to the Hakawati narrating ancient epics.
Recommended Dining: Traditional lunch in a rustic Haurani restaurant, followed by a heartwarming dinner at The Inclusion Restaurant—a social empowerment project supported by Syria Caravans.
Overnight: Damascus (Boutique Heritage Palace Hotel)
Route: Full Day Damascus Old City
The Master Artisans of Syrian Mosaic: Begin the day with an exclusive visit to a multi-generational mosaic workshop. Meet the 2nd and 3rd generation master craftsmen to discover the secrets of geometric wood inlay, using walnut and lemon wood intricately encrusted with genuine mother-of-pearl.
The Dawn of Christianity & The Straight Street: Visit the House of Saint Ananias, an underground chapel where Saul of Tarsus was baptized, transforming into Saint Paul before spreading Christianity to the Roman Empire. Walk through the Eastern Gate (Bab Sharqi) and step onto the historic Straight Street (Via Recta) mentioned in the New Testament.
The Crown Jewel of Mosaic & Ablaq Architecture: Enter the majestic Umayyad Mosque, a supreme triumph of Islamic architecture, renowned for its golden wall mosaics depicting paradise. Visit the shrine holding the head of St. John the Baptist inside the mosque. Proceed to Khan Asaad Pasha, the grandest caravanserai in the Levant, showcasing the brilliant Ablaq architecture under breathtaking soaring domes.
Historic Souks & Bakdash Ice Cream: Stroll through the bustling Souk Al-Hamidiyah and Souk Al-Jomrok. Stop at the world-famous Bakdash Ice Cream parlor to witness the rhythmic pounding of traditional Arabic Booza, heavily infused with mastic and coated in pistachios.
Cultural & Culinary Experience: End with a brief visit to a contemporary art center to discover Syria's thriving modern art movement.
Overnight: Damascus (Boutique Heritage Palace Hotel)
Route: Damascus ➔ Saydnaya ➔ Maaloula ➔ Homs ➔ Aleppo
The Spiritual Citadel of Saydnaya: Ascend the mountains to the Monastery of Our Lady of Saydnaya, which houses a miraculous icon of the Virgin Mary attributed to St. Luke the Evangelist. Visit the Church of St. Sophia, home to a unique religious museum, and explore its three historical churches that narrate three distinct eras of Syrian ecclesiastical architecture.
Maaloula (The Living Voice of Christ): Continue to the spectacular cliffside village of Maaloula, internationally renowned as one of the last places on Earth where Western Aramaic is still spoken. Visit the Monastery of Saints Sergius and Bacchus (Mar Sarkis) to view one of the oldest surviving Christian altars, then walk through the Sacred Canyon—a majestic, narrow rock split—to the Monastery of Saint Tekla.
The Heritage of Homs: Stop in the central hub of Homs to visit the ancient Church of the Virgin’s Girdle (Umm Al-Zunnar), which preserves the holy belt of the Virgin Mary. Walk through the traditional markets before driving north to Aleppo.
Recommended Dining: A dedicated culinary stop in Homs to taste authentic Halawet El-Jibn right in its birthplace.
Overnight: Aleppo
Route: Full Day Aleppo
The Citadel of Aleppo: Explore this colossal, medieval fortress rising majestically over the city. Walk through its monumental fortified gates, the brilliant defensive trenches, and the luxurious Royal Throne Room.
The Grand Covered Souks & Great Mosque: Walk through the longest covered stone souks in the world. Witness the remarkable post-war restoration of these ancient trading lanes and visit the courtyard of the historic Great Umayyad Mosque of Aleppo.
Laurels & Copper Caravanserais: Visit Khan Al-Saboun (The Soap Caravanserai) and Khan Al-Nahaseen (The Coppersmiths Souk) to see the traditional manufacturing of Aleppo's world-famous laurel and olive oil soap, handcrafted using techniques unchanged since antiquity.
Recommended Dining: Breakfast of warm Mamounia pudding, followed by an evening fine-dining experience featuring legendary Kabab Karaz (cherry sauce meatballs) and authentic Aleppine-Armenian Kibbeh.
Overnight: Aleppo
Route: Aleppo ➔ Hama ➔ Krak des Chevaliers ➔ Al-Mishtaya
The Singing Wheels of Hama: Stop in Hama to see the giant, ancient wooden Norias (Waterwheels) creaking melodically on the Orontes River. Visit the historic Azem Palace, an architectural gem reflecting Ottoman-era Levantine craftsmanship.
Krak des Chevaliers (The Triumph of Medieval Engineering): Crown your day at the world’s most magnificent and perfectly preserved Crusader castle. A UNESCO World Heritage site, this fortress of the Knights Hospitaller features concentric defensive walls, gothic loggias, and hidden tunnels.
Syrian Wine Tasting in the Valley: Celebrate the evening in the lush Valley of the Christians with a curated Wine Tasting session at a local boutique winery, discovering contemporary Syrian viticulture.
Recommended Dining: Crispy Sfiha Hamaweyeh for lunch, followed by an elegant estate dinner in the valley paired with premium Syrian wines.
Overnight: Al-Mishtaya (Valley of the Christians)
Route: Al-Mishtaya ➔ St. George Monastery ➔ Palmyra ➔ Damascus
St. George Al-Humayrah Monastery: Visit this historic monastic sanctuary in the valley, featuring a 4th-century underground Byzantine chapel and a treasury of rare ancient manuscripts.
Palmyra (The Bride of the Desert): Journey deep into the Syrian Desert to stand before the immortal capital of Queen Zenobia. Explore the Great Colonnade, the Roman Theatre, the Monumental Arch, the Tetrapylon, and the Temples of Bel and Baalshamin. Conclude with sunset views from Palmyra Castle.
Authentic Bedouin Caravan Experience: Immerse yourself in Bedouin hospitality inside a genuine goat-hair tent in the desert, enjoying traditional desert music (Rabab) and ancient tales of the sands.
Recommended Dining: Bedouin Mansaf feast inside the desert tent with cardamom coffee and fresh Palmyrene dates.
Overnight: Damascus (Boutique Heritage Palace Hotel)
Route: Damascus ➔ Airport / Border Departure (Lebanese or Jordanian)
The Jewish Quarter & The Last Handloom of Brocade: Spend your final morning exploring the striking courtyards of the historic Jewish Quarter of Old Damascus. Enjoy an exclusive visit to the only remaining workshop in the world operating a traditional handloom to weave authentic Damask Brocade with pure silk and metallic threads.
Al-Qishleh Café & Last-Minute Souks: Unwind at the nostalgic Al-Qishleh Café, then spend the afternoon wandering through Souk Al-Bzoorieh and Souk Midhat Pasha to stock up on exquisite keepsakes: olive oil, laurel soaps, premium Damascus sweets, and spices.
Culinary Experience: A quintessential Damascene farewell breakfast featuring Foul, Hummus, and warm Fatteh in an ancient neighborhood hub.
Overnight: Departure / End of Tour