Syria Marmarita Carnival Tour

Tuesday 11^th August – Beirut, Lebanon – Damascus, Syria

Morning

• Arrival at your convenience into Beirut, the capital city of Lebanon which is well connected with flights from Europe, and the Middle East. You can also use this opportunity to explore more of the country on our Unseen Lebanon Tour.
• Pre-tour meeting will be held at the lobby of our hotel (will be disclosed before the tour commencement date) at 8:00am to discuss the tour itinerary and to meet your fellow travellers and YPT guide.
• Our drive to the Syrian border will take about 1.5 hours.
• With guidance from your YPT guide, you’ll cross the border.
• The whole border crossing usually takes 1 hour to 2 hours, with the border guards being very friendly.

Afternoon

• Once clearing Syrian customs and immigration, we’ll continue our drive to Damascus, which will take roughly an hour and a half.
• On arrival, we will check into our boutique hotel – quite simply one of the best hotels in the Old Town of Damascus. This itself is a highlight.
• Next stop is lunch. Quite simply you have not been to Damascus unless you have tried their shawarma, or falafel for those of the vegetarian persuasion.
• The duration of our walking tour of the old part of Damascus will depend on our arrival time, but we’ll make sure to explore the Old Town’s bazaar and shopping areas – a great spot for sampling local ice cream or some of the best street food in the Arab world.
• Later we’ll head to Naranj, one of the best restaurants in Damascus for dinner. We could write pages about Syrian food but you wouldn’t believe us, so let’s just say it will be one of the best dinners you ever had. That’s guaranteed.
• After dinner, we can check out a café some locals refer to as the ‘Tinder café’ where lots of young people come to meet, drink tea or beer, smoke shisha and play board games such as backgammon!
• Overnight in Damascus.

Wednesday 12^th August – Damascus

Morning

• Enjoy a traditional Syrian breakfast at the hotel
• We’ll explore the old town, with our first stop being the Ananias Church, Damascus’ oldest underground structure, which is said to be the remains of the home of Ananias of Damascus, where Ananias baptized Saul (who became Paul the Apostle).
• Explore Umayyad Mosque – we’ll enter from the right side of the complex where we will adorn traditional abayas for the women and men will be given a fabric wrap to cover their legs. We will visit the mausoleum of one of the greatest conquerors of Syria – Ayyubid Sultan Saladin. The mausoleum was built in 1196.
• Then, we will visit the main mosque complex which is the fourth holy mosque in Islam. Legend has it that John The Baptist’s head is buried in the mosque – something believed by both Christians and Muslims.

Afternoon

• We’ll continue with our city tour of Damascus showing you our favourite hidden gems, as well as the must-see places of historical interest, such as the former Jewish neighbourhood – now almost deserted – and historical Khans, and a caravanserai.
• Drive to the top of Mount Qasioun – the highest peak in Damascus offering a panoramic view of the capital. Under the Assad regime this mountain was completely off limits for foreigners as it offered perfect views of the presidential palace and other sensitive sites.
• Dinner at a family restaurant, for once again one of the best meals you’ll experience in Syria – with shisha available for those interested.
• We head out to explore the nightlife of Damascus. We won’t spoil the surprise by giving away its quirks, but rest assured it is well worth it.
• Overnight in Damascus

Thursday 13^th August – Damascus – Maaloula – Krak des Chevaliers – Marmarita – Homs

Morning

• Breakfast at hotel
• We’ll drive to the outskirts of the city and you’ll get your first glimpses of the destruction caused by the recent conflict.
• Our first stop will be the harrowing Jouba district. This area was the hardest hit suburb in Damascus and served as the frontline between the former Assad government and the opposition factions. You will see almost incomprehensible levels of destruction, secret tunnels and craters left from bombs. This is also said to be the place of one of the Assad chemical weapons attacks during the war. While this is confronting, it is our first look at the destruction everyday Syrians faced under Assad.
• Our next stop will be at Maaloula, a small Christian town that was almost completely decimated by ISIS in 2014.
• Visit the Greek Catholic church which was destroyed but has already largely been rebuilt and is now again doing services.
• This town is one of the last in the world where people speak the Aramaic language – the same language Jesus spoke, and it is possible to hear the Lord’s prayer being spoken using it.
• This is also a great place stop for a coffee, snack, or even to buy wine produced by the Christians of the area (and yes, they offer free samples).
• This will be your first opportunity to properly explore the destruction that is now so commonplace in Syria, at the Safir Hotel. Until 2014 it was a 4-star hotel with plenty of international guests, but is now a shell filled with rubble. There are still “do not disturb” signs, menus, folders of guest information, time sheets, crockery and all sorts of other hotel items amongst the debris.
• Walk through a canyon to the St. Sergious and Bakhous Monastery where you’ll have the chance to meet nuns who were kidnapped and held hostage for several years.

Afternoon

• We’ll then make a special visit to Krak des Chevaliers – a stunning medieval castle and one of the most important preserved medieval castles in the world. The site was first inhabited in the 11th century by Kurdish troops garrisoned there by the Mirdasids. You’ll be given full access to the castle.
• Tour Highlight: We head to Marmarita known as the “Valley of Christians” around 6:00pm to partake in the Marmarita Carnival! We highly recommend wearing bright and colourful clothing as we join the dancing crowds on the streets as floats pass by blasting music, street food and alcoholic drinks are available to purchase from street stalls, this is not the party you’d expect in Syria!
• A short drive to Homs to check into our quaint hotel.
• Dinner and overnight in Homs

Friday 14^th August – Homs – Idlib – Aleppo

Morning

• Breakfast at hotel
• Well begin exploring Homs – Syria’s third largest city and one that suffered the most during the civil war.
• Visit St. Mary Church of the Holy Belt, the Seat of the Syriac Orthodox Church, where the Virgin Mary’s belt was kept until shortly before the war. Fortunately, the belt was already removed before the church was looted and all the icons and artwork were burnt or stolen. It is now back to its original place.
• Stop by the recently renovated Khalid ibn-al-Walid mosque, standing in the middle of a devastated neighbourhood. Homs was, with Aleppo, one of the most destroyed cities during the war – particularly the old town. Many of the inhabitants never came back, so entire neighbourhoods are now empty.

Afternoon

• Begin our drive to Idlib – a city that remained inaccessible for over a decade. Known as the birthplace of the 2024 revolution against the Assad regime, Idlib played a pivotal role in the spread of the rebellion across Syria. During your visit, you’ll observe a unique economic system distinct from other regions. Visit local refugee camps, providing a deeper understanding of the daily struggles faced by displaced families and the remarkable resilience of the community.
• On the way, we’ll make a quick photo stop at the famous “Welcome to Aleppo” sign!
• Check into our centrally located hotel to freshen up.
• For dinner, we head to a lovely local restaurant with lovely waiters, serving local Aleppian cuisine. Particular favourites include the Aleppo Kebab and lamb testicles for the truly adventurous.
• Optional return to the hotel and join us at a rooftop bar, overlooking the beautiful city and sipping on Syria’s own beer, Afamia.
• Dinner and overnight in Aleppo

Saturday 15^th August – Aleppo 

Morning

• Breakfast at hotel
• Aleppo was arguably one of the worst affected cities during the Syrian war. Here you’ll get the chance to see some of the terrible destruction as well as the opportunity to witness the early stages of rebuilding that Syrians are now partaking in as they slowly return to their homes.
• Explore the famous Aleppo Citadel, or Aleppo Castle. This is a truly amazing experience and we will take a few hours exploring here. During the Syrian war, Assad’s army troops were blockaded in the citadel for over a year and you will still see bullets strewn around. More recently, some of the iconic photos of the fall of the Assad government came from when militias took control of the Citadel. Historically, those who had control of the Citadel had control of Aleppo.
• We’ll stop for a tea and coffee break at a cafe with a beautiful view of the citadel. This is also a fantastic spot for people watching.

Afternoon

• We’ll stop by Aleppo’s best falafel store – and what we believe to be the best in the region. Often there are 15 men cooking in the kitchen and tens of people waiting for their orders.
• In the afternoon we head to not only one of the highlights, but also probably the saddest part of Aleppo, visiting the formerly bustling Souk. This was previously the biggest and most profitable in the Arab world, but now lies in ruins. It is slowly starting to rebuild and as well as destruction we will witness its slow rebirth.
• We’ll stop by a Syrian institution – the Aleppo Soap company, where they have been making the soap using the exact methods for over 800 years, excluding the years it was under ISIS control. Aside from seeing how it is made, we will also get the chance to buy some – they make for great souvenirs.
• Our next site marks another highlight and lowlight with us seeing the Baron Hotel, the oldest in Syria. While not currently operational, it is still worth a visit, with previous guests including Lawrence of Arabia and Agatha Christie among many many others. The manager here is quite a character, so we may have to sneak in unnoticed…
• We head for sunset at one of our secret spots overlooking Aleppo sipping tea with shisha options, before returning back to the Aleppo Citadel area for dinner.
• Overnight in Aleppo

Sunday 16^th August – Aleppo – Palmyra – Damascus

Morning

• Breakfast at the hotel
• Drive east towards Iraq to the ancient city of Palmyra – on the way stopping for photos at the iconic road sign of Iraq, Damascus and Palmyra.
• On arrival we’ll begin our exploration of Palmyra – one of the most famous sites in the entire Middle East. Once a lush city on the Silk Road, Palmyra was even briefly its own empire in the 3rd Century, stretching from Turkey to Egypt. Although the old city was ruined, it was famously in spectacular condition and exceptionally well preserved. Sadly though, in 2015 it fell under the control of ISIS and a lot of the structures and buildings were brought to the ground.
• Here, we visit the formerly unreachable ancient sites.

Afternoon

• Before we depart Palmyra, we will enjoy a Bedouin cooked lunch inside tents to avoid the desert heat.
• Begin our return to Damascus, stopping for breaks and refreshments along the way. It is not uncommon to see many locals and military outposts along the path.
• Check back into hotel in Damascus to freshen up
• Dinner, drinks and overnight in Damascus

Monday 17^th August – Damascus – Busra – Damascus

Morning

• Breakfast in hotel
• Our first visit of the day is the National Museum in Damascus – one of the main artifacts is the Lion of Palmyra statue. Situated in front of the Palmyra museum, it was destroyed by ISIS in 2015, but then restored by Polish archaeologists.
• Today we’ll head further south as we visit the seldom seen town of Busra. This is on the way to the Golan Heights, as well as Jordan, with us able to stop for numerous picture opportunities.
• Arrive in Busra where we will first visit the truly amazing Bursa Roman Theatre, known as the most impressive and well-kept outside of Rome
• We then take an exploration of the old Roman town. There is still lots to see here, such as the oldest Mosque in Syria, but there has been much looting and there are hawkers trying to sell “treasure”.
• Perhaps most interestingly Bosra, or Busra, the town was previously outside of the control of the Assad regime, with the area protected by local militias.

Afternoon

• We have a late lunch, but it is very much worth it, at a small family restaurant with fantastic food. The owner will tell stories of what Bursa was like in its golden era and how many tourists used to visit this half deserted city.
• Return to Damascus
• Before heading for our last night out, If you’re feeling exhausted from today’s driving, we can arrange for you to relax at a historical hammam where you can receive an exfoliating scrub and massage for as little as $5.
• Head out for our special last night’s farewell dinner, before either heading back to the hotel, or for those wanting to experience the Damascus bar scene.
• Overnight in Damascus

Tuesday 18^th August – Damascus – Beirut, Lebanon

Morning

• Breakfast at the hotel
• Last chance to do some last minute exploring and shopping in Damascus. You can buy everything from a national football jersey, to the independence flags!
• Farewelling Damascus, we’ll head back towards the Lebanese border. Including the border crossing – which usually takes longer in this direction – and a few stops, we’ll hopefully arrive back in Beirut around 4:00pm. We recommend not booking flights earlier than 6:00pm – preferably night flights.
• Tour concludes – the group will be dropped off at the pre-tour meeting hotel location, and for those departing that evening we’ll include an airport drop off.