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© SAIGA Tours
Start
Aug 11, 2026
Beirut
Beirut
2026-08-11
End
Aug 15, 2026
Beirut
Beirut
2026-08-15
Duration
5 days
Price
US$995.00
What's happening with tourism in Syria now?
Tours are up and running, and there are lots of exciting new things to do in Syria now!
TOUR OVERVIEW
This tour is focused around the colourful and exciting Marmarita festival, held every year in August. Costumes, music, parades and an absolutely electric atmosphere, this is really one of those things you've got to witness to fully understand.
As with all our Syria tours, we will begin and end in Beirut, Lebanon, travelling overland to Syria's amazing capital, Damascus. And as well as the Marmarita festival itself, we'll cover Damascus, Krak des Chevaliers and Palmyra.
We also have a longer tour of Syria, for those who want to explore more of this magnificent country while you're there.
If you like the look of this tour but the dates don't work for you, or you'd like to do part of the tour, please get in touch and let us know. All our tours are able to be split into smaller sections, we're always scheduling new tours and your dates might work for one of them, or we can always organise an independent tour.
INCLUSIONS:
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✓ |
Visa approval |
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✓ |
Accommodation in twin share at roughly 3 star hotels/guesthouses, breakfast included |
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✓ |
Transport, beginning and ending in Beirut |
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✓ |
Entrance fees to all sites mentioned in the itinerary, except hammam |
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✓ |
SAIGA guide and local guides |
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: $300
EXCLUSIONS:
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Visa fee (paid at the border on arrival) |
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Departure tax (approx. $5, paid at the border) |
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Hammam (approx. $10 per person) |
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Meals other than breakfast |
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Transport to and from Beirut |
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Accommodation and any other services in Lebanon |
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Personal expenses such as souvenirs or any optional activities |
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Any COVID related requirements |
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
Take part in the wacky and unique Marmarita Festival
Explore the vibrant old city of Damascus
Take in the spectacular ancient site of Palmyra
Itinerary
Day 1Tue Aug 11
Beirut, Damascus
- Meet in Beirut at 8:00. Meeting point to be advised closer to the time.
- Begin the drive to the Syrian border, which will take about two hours. We’ll stop on the way for a quick breakfast and to buy any Lebanese snacks you might want.
- Cross the border, with a stop at Duty Free in No Man’s Land, for some of the cheapest alcohol you’ve ever experienced.
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The whole border crossing will take around 1.5 hours.
- After clearing Syrian Customs and Immigration, we’ll continue our drive to Damascus, another hour.
- Arriving in the old town, you’ll immediately be intoxicated by the buzz of the old town as we walk towards our hotel. We’ll be staying in a beautifully renovated old Damascene house, complete with a tranquil courtyard surrounding a bubbling fountain, and the distinctive black and white stonework of this part of Syria.
- In the afternoon we’ll explore Damascus’ old town, bazaar, shopping areas and bar/restaurant street. You might like to try some local ice-cream or have a shawarma, and shisha is available just about everywhere.
- We’ll also visit Ananias Church, Damascus’ oldest church which happens to be underground, and Omayad Mosque, the main mosque in the centre of the city.
- Free time in the evening to enjoy Damascus’ vibrant night-life.
Day 2Wed Aug 12
Damascus
- Leaving the centre of town, we’ll drive to the outskirts of the city and you’ll get your first glimpses of the destruction caused by the recent conflict.
- We will head out to the infamous Sednaya Prison, once used as a site by the Assad regime for torture of political prisoners. A stark reminder of the recent dark past of Syria.
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Returning to the centre of town we’ll visit the National Museum in the afternoon, followed by the Souk Al-Hamidiye and El-Azem Palace.
- One of the staples of any Middle Eastern destination, it’s time to experience a hammam. Anyone who doesn’t want to join in can either hang out with a shisha or a cup of tea inside the hammam’s “albrani”, translated into English as the “outside section”, which is the first room of the hammam.
- For sunset we will head to the top of Mount Qasioun, the highest peak over Damascus which offers panoramic views of the city. Previously under the Assad regime, this area was off limits as it was considered a ‘military zone’. Now people can come back here and enjoy this spectacular view.
Day 3Thu Aug 13
Damascus, Palmyra, Valley of the Christians
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Leaving Damascus this morning we'll start exploring the rest of the country, with our first stop being Palmyra, probably Syria’s most famous site.
- Once a lush city on the Silk Road, Palmyra was even briefly its own empire in the 3 rd 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 buildings were razed to the ground.
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Until recently it wasn’t possible to visit the ancient site, however it is now possible, providing you have the correct permission.
- We will also try and make a stop in the completely destroyed modern town of Palmyra, though this is difficult because of the presence of the Syrian Army and their allies. Even if we’re unable to stop though, we’ll drive though and you’ll be able to see what ISIS accomplished there.
- We’ll spend the night in the Valley of the Christians, just below Krak des Chaveliers.
Day 4Fri Aug 14
Krak des Chevaliers, Marmarita festival, Mishtaya
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This morning our first stop will be Krak des Chevaliers, the most famous of all the Crusader castles. It was first built by Kurds in the 11
th
Century, and has changed hands many times, but most recently was damaged in the Syrian civil war.
- After our visit to the castle we will head back over the valley to Marmarita where we will join in with the local festivities and celebrate Syria’s version of Carnivale!
- Here we will have free time to mix in with the locals, watch the floats and just enjoy the amazing atmosphere of the festival.
- And we may even have a chance to experience a rave at Krak de Chevaliers for those of you who want to continue partying into the night!
- Overnight in Mishtaya.
Day 5Sat Aug 15
Valley of the Christians, Beirut
- This morning we'll wake up in the Valley of the Christians.
- We'll farewell those who are continuing to Aleppo for the longer tour , and begin heading back towards Lebanon.
- Arrive in Beirut in the evening.
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