SYRIA, JORDAN AND LEBANON
A mosaic of ancient civilizations.
From the Mediterranean to the Sahara.
A comprehensive, cultural, archaeological and history tour.
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Syria, Jordan and Lebanon
Detailed Itinerary
All itineraries subject to slight changes.
Please contact Baraka Journeys for most current itinerary.
Day 1
Depart Los Angeles for Amman via Dubai.
Day 2
Arrive and overnight in Dubai.
Day 3
Tour Dubai.
Day 4 & 5
Depart Dubai. Morning arrival Amman, Jordan. Transfer to hotel for check-in. Today and tomorrow will be spent sightseeing in bustling Amman, first named Philadelphia by Ptolemy II. Amman is built on seven steep hills. You will see that Amman is a handsome city with many buildings built of light and pastel color stone. You will be shown the ancient Citadel overlooking the city, (with remains of Roman, Byzantine and Islamic constructions), and the nearby National Archaeological Museum with items dating back 6000 years. Also explore the Folklore Museum which houses a collection of items showing the traditional ife of the local people and the Popular Traditions Museum showing costumes, jewelry and a mosaic collection from churches in Madaba. Later tour the Jordan River Foundation founded by Queen Rania and lean of its humanitarian activities. Dinner and overnight at the Amman Holiday Inn Hotel (Two of four nights).
Day 6
Travel by coach along the King’s Highway en route to Petra. Visit Mt. Nebo and its Byzantine Church, dating to 4th century AD. Mt. Nebo is said to be where Moses is buried. On a clear day it is possible to see the Dead Sea, and the spires of churches in Jerusalem. Descend from the plateau to arrive in the Moabite town of Madaba, a major Byzantine center for mosaics, most notably the famous sixth century map of lower Egypt and what was Palestine. Visit St. George Greek Orthodox Church. After lunch continue southward. Pass the Crusader Castles of Kerak and Shobak, before arriving at Petra. Visit the site of Little Petra, a preview of what is in store at Petra itself, and the excavations at Beidha, dating back to 10,000-7,000 BC. Dinner and overnight at the charming Petra Taybet Zaman Hotel, created from a restored village.
Day 7
After breakfast, travel by foot, carriage, donkey or horseback along the 1/2 mile long fissure through the mountains for a full day’s visit to the fabled city of Petra, carved out of red sandstone rock by the Nabateans, 2000 years ago. The Nabateans were nomadic Arabs who dominated the Transjordan area in pre-Roan times. Visit the Treasury, a building where the multi-colored stand stone of the surrounding area and a range of architectural styles have merged to form a magnificent site. Visit the theater, the Royal Tombs, including the Urn tomb, the Corinthian Tomb, and the Palace tomb. Walk along the Colonnaded Street through the Temenos Gateway. The Castle of Pharoah’s Daughter dating back to the same period. Those who are energetic can climb to the spectacular High Place of Sacrifice with magnificent views over the entire region, and those with unlimited stamina may choose to climb to the Monastery. Return to Amman for dinner and overnight at the Amman Holiday Inn Hotel (Three of four nights).
Day 8
Today you will visit the castles of the Eastern Desert including Qasr Amra, one of the most important specimens of early Islamic art and architecture to be found anywhere in the Middle East. Also visit the well-preserved basaltic Castle Qasr al Azraq, dating from the 13th century. After a picnic lunch return to the capitol of Amman late in the afternoon to visit an interesting craft center set up by Queen Noor which supports needy women. Dinner and overnight at the Amman Holiday Inn Hotel. (Four of four nights).
Day 9
Leaving Amman, we head north to visit the best-preserved and most complete Greco-Roman city to be found anywhere in the world. Jerash is a marvelous site located in the Gilead Hills with colonnaded streets and unique monuments. After lunch we will continue northward toward the Syrian border. Time permitting, visit Umm Quais, and then continue into Syria. Dinner and overnight at the Cham Palace Hotel or similar in Bosra.
Day 10
Bosra is a spectacular Greco-Roman city built in the 2nd century BC. See the magnificent 1500 seat amphitheater, considered to be one of the most beautiful, elaborate and best preserved in the world. Walk through the Triumph Arch, from the 3rd century, see the Nympheum, the Roman Baths, and the Mosque of Omar, the only one of its type remaining from the 7th century. Visit the Basilica and the huge Nabatean pool. Nearby Shahba was the birthplace of the Syrian Emperor Philip, who later ruled the Roman Empire from 244-249 AD. The city of Philipopolis bore his name. The museum houses wonderful mosaics, and there are well-preserved towering basaltic columns. Sweida, the main city of Jabal Al Arab will be the site for our lunch with a local family. Later proceed in the direction of Damascus for dinner and overnight at theTalisman Hotel.
Day 11
In the morning head to the north, stopping first at the Monastery of Seldnaya, then on to Maalula, the mountain village carved into a cleft in the mountain. The people of Maalula still speak Aramaic, the language of Jesus. Visit the Monastery of St. Sarkis, in use since the 3rd century. Walk through the historic cut in the mountains to the Monastery of St. Tekla. Continue in the direction of Homs, where you will be offered lunch. Towering above us will be the Krak Des Chevaliers, the best-preserved Crusader Castle in the world. After lunch, begin our visit of the great medieval citadel that controlled the gateway from the Mediterranean Sea into Syria. This citadel could accommodate 5000 soldiers, their horses, and enough food and equipment to last five years. Time permitting, you will visit St. George’s Monastery in the nearby village of Alhumeira. Continue on to Hama for dinner and overnight at the Hama Orient Hotel.
Day 12
The city of Hama also dates back to ancient times. Its enormous noriahs (water wheels), have been scooping water from the Orontes River for centuries. Visit the Alhader Bedouin market a typical local bazaar, where the fine products of the region are sold. Hama is truly representative of the sights, sounds and smells of the Middle East. Proceed to Maaret Al Numan. Here an ancient Keravanseray has been restored into the finest mosaic museum in the region. After lunch the rest of the afternoon will be devoted to visiting the majestic ruins of the ancient city of Apamea, build by Saluqos Nakator, the first king of the Selencids in Syria in 300 BC. Saluqos Nakator named the city after his wife, Afamia. At its peak, the population of the city numbered half a million, and it received celebrated visitors like Cleopatra, Septimus Severus, and the Roman Emperor Caracalla. The ruins date back to the Roman and Byzantine times, and include the city walls, and the 2 kilometer long main street lined with columns. Some of these columns are spiral fluted, a style not found elsewhere in Syria. The ruins of the Roman amphitheater, unfortunately are now only a mass of stones. The entire site is under active restoration, and is surely one of the most spectacular ancient cities to be seen anywhere. Dinner in a local restaurant and overnight again at the Hama Orient Hotel.
Day 13
After breakfast, head westward toward the sea. See the ancient monuments of Amrith, unique in Syria as a Phonecian city. Continue to Tartous, now an industrial local but which was a city built by the crusaders. Visit the old crusader citadel, the Cathedral, now a museum, and then the ancient harbor. Enjoy a seafood lunch and then continue toward Lattakia, dating from the 3rd century BC. Visit the remains of the Roman theater at Jabala today (time permitting) or tomorrow, before arriving at the Mountain Breeze Resort near Latakia.
Day 14
Today we travel eastward to the wonderous Castle of Saladdin (Sayyoun), a never-to-be-forgotten site which was captured by this great Islamic hero in 1188. After lunch head back to the sea to visit Ugarit (Ras Shamra), which was at its peak of power in the 16th century BC. The world’s first alphabet was born here. Visit the remains of the Palace, the city walls, underground tombs, and the houses of the city. Dinner and overnight at the Latakia Mountain Breeze Resort.
Day 15
Depart the seaside for our first stop at Idlib. The museum here houses a rich collection of treasures from the Aramean and Assyrian periods. Study the model of the site of Ebla (1/2 hour from Idlib) and then proceed to Tell Mardikh, site of the fabled city of Ebla, dating from 2500 BC. Along with Mari and Ugarit, Ibla is one of the three most prestigious archaeological sites in Syria. After lunch (maybe a picnic!) proceed to Aleppo. This city vies with Damascus in claiming to be the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world. Dinner and overnight at the Dar Zamaria Hotel in Aleppo. (1 of 4 nights).
Day 16
This entire day will be devoted to visits to the “Dead Cities” of north-western Syria. Visit the marvelous Monastery of St. Simeon, dating from the 5th century. See the column atop which St. Simeon lived for 42 years! Also visit El Bara. Travel to rarely visited Ein Dara, with its wonderful basaltic carvings. Recent excavations by Japanese archaeologists suggest that this city may date back to 10,000-7000 BC. Return to Aleppo for dinner and overnight at the Dar Zamaria Hotel. (2 of 4 nights)
Days 17 & 18
These two days will be spent with Aleppo sightseeing. Aleppo, situated midway between the Mediterranean and the Euphrates river, has the largest medieval citadel in the world, the finest remaining example of Arab military architecture complete with huge wall and moat. Aleppo’s exotic charm has been vividly described by writers from Freya Stark and Gertrude Bell to Agatha Christie and Laurence of Arabia. Visit the Archaeological Museum with its superb collection of antiquities, especially those from Ebla and Mari. Later visit the Christian quarter, dating from the 17th century. Later you will have tie to enjoy wandering through the fabulous miles of labyrinthine passages, shopping for spices, textiles, jewelry, carpets, silk, copper and more. Th e famous covered Bazaar includes four miles of souks, each lively street specializing in its own trade. Enticing and attractive, it’s cobbled passageways are lined with huge studded doors opening into courtyards known as the Khan al Wizir Caravanserai. Visit the Grand Mosque, the Urtrush Madress, Halaweeia Mosque and the city walls, with their five gates, in use to this day. In the evening return to the old city for a special dinner and folklore program in a site which during Ottoman times, was a hospital for the mentally ill. Music was used as a remedy! Return to the Dar Zamaria Hotel for dinner and overnight (3 and 4 of 4 nights).
Day 19
This morning depart eastward toward Deir Ez-Zor on the Euphrates. Visit the ancient sites of Rassafeh, Raqqa and Halebiyah on the way. Rassafeh is the most interesting “Dead City” of the Syrian Desert, after Palmyra. Visit the partially restored 12th century Palace of the Caliph Harun al Rashid. Some say this was the site from which the story of Scherezade originated. Rassafeh (Sergiopolis) became important under the Romans and the Byzantines. See the well-preserved wells, the spectacular Northern Gate, and follow the main street to the Martyrion Walk, through the Basilica, with its three large naves. See the giant cisterns. Raqqa was rebuilt by Alexander the Great in the 4th Century BC. Halebiyah clings to a steep hillside above the Euphrates and consists of a dramatic Byzantine fortess complex built by Emperor Justinian against the persian treat of the 6th century. Dinner and overnight at the Furat Cham Palace Hotel on the banks of the Euphrates River, or similar.
Day 20
Proceed to Mari and have lunch at the Bronze Age archaeological site. Marvel at one of the most ancient cities in the world, centrally located between the cradles of Mesopotamian culture, the Mediterranean Coast and the Anatolian Plateau. Walk through the remains of many temples and the Palace. Here 15,000 clay archives in Akkadian (old Babylonian) were found intact, providing an exceptional source of information on the early history of the region. Continue to the ancient city of Doura Europus. Founded in the 4th century BC it guarded the Eurphrates crossing. Visit some of the 16 sanctuaries, including the original site of the synagogue which has been reconstructed in the Damascus Museum and contained a unique set of Biblical frescoes. Visit the Temple of Artemis, the Temple of Astargats and the huge Citadel. The gigantic city walls still tower over the Euphrates. Late in the afternoon, return to Dier-Ez-Zor. Visit the Museum and the Armenian Church with its museum. Meet the church priest, and learn the story of the Armenian presence here in the desert. Walk across the Euphrates River bridge at sunset. Dinner and overnight at the Furat Cham Palace Hotel (or similar) in Dier Ez Zor.
Day 21
From Deir-Ez-Zor we will head into the desert, stopping by the market and seeing the colorfully dressed Bedouin women from the surrounding area. We will try to visit with Bedouin families, and learn about their life and customs. Continue across the desert towards Palmyra, which arises abruptly from the desert, a beautiful oasis. For thousands of years, Palmyra has been a stopping place for caravans from the Arabian peninsula to the Mediterranean, and for those following the Silk Road, crossing the Euphrates in ancient Bablyon. After lunch in Palmyra, continue the visit including the Ethnographic Museum and climb the hill overlooking Palmyra to the Citadel for she sunset. Dinner and overnight at the new 5* Tadmora Hotel (1 of 2 nights).
Day 22
This whole day is reserved for visiting Palmyra, sometimes known as the “bride of the desert”. Palmyra is the most monumental site in all of Syria and one of the world’s greatest archaeological sites. Visit the ruins of this great city of Queen Zenoubia, who claimed her ancestry from Cleopatra. At one time this caravan city was the crossroads of Asia Minor. We will visit the the great Colonnade, the Temple of Baal Shemin, the Temple of Bel and the Triumphal Arch of Hadrian. Visit the theater, the Agora, the Senate Chambers, and the Baths of Zenoubia as well as the valley of Tombs, and the Archaeological Museum. You will have free time to wander through the ruins on your own. Enjoy a special dinner and folklore program. Overnight at the new 5* Tadmora Hotel (2 of 2 nights).
Day 23
Depart after breakfast towards Homs and then cross the border into Lebanon to visit the 3rd of the three most important sites in the Middle East. We have seen Petra, Palmyra and today Baalbek. This is the largest and best-preserved body of Roman architecture in the world! Its temples, dedicated to Jupiter, Venus and Bacchus, were built in the 2nd and 3rd centuries AD and the entire complex is surely one of the most important and visually exciting ancient sites you will ever see. The ruins present a majestic ensemble of two temples and two courtyards, preceded by ceremonial entrances, and a boundary wall upon which Arab architecture has left its imprint. Six immense columns still soar upward from the holy place where the Temple of Jupiter once stood. Continue on to Zahle for dinner and overnight at the Grand Kadri Hotel or similar.
Day 24
After breakfast proceed to visit the archaeological site of Aanjar, before returning to Damascus where you will be transferred to the hotel. Late in the afternoon, drive to the top of Kasahounune Mountain for a panoramic view over the entire city of Damascus. Dinner and overnight at the Damascus Talisman Hotel or similar. (1 of 3 nights).
Day 25
The capital of Syria, Damascus, has been the home of many civilizations; Aramean, Greek, Roman, Byzantine and Arab. First visit the remains of the Temple of Jupiter, and then the Ommayed Mosque. Dating from the 8th century, it became a model for many thousands of Middle Eastern mosques. Enjoy its striking architecture and beautiful mosaics. The crypt said to contain the head of John the Baptist. Visit the tomb of Saladdin, and the Shia Raqieh Mosque, different from those of other Islamic sects. Lunch will be in a restored Damascus House. This unique form of Arab architecture is characterized by the use of black and white stone, ornamental patterns of colored marble. and intricately carved paneling. Light and shadow are important elements in the design of the high ceilinged, cool rooms. The courtyard with its central pond is integral; fragrant with citrus, jasmine and roses. Following the dictates of time, we will visit such sites as the Assad Basha Kervanseray, a Science and Medical Museum, housed in a 12th century hospital and the Arab Epigraphy Museum, in a building from the 15th century. Of course, we will also visit the Christian quarter and the “Street Called Straight”,which owes its existence to the original Via Recta of the Roman period, ending at the house (now church) of Ananias, where—in a small underground chapel—Saul of Tarsus (St. Paul) converted to Christianity. You will also see St. Paul’s Window and St. Ananias Church. Dinner and overnight at the Talisman Hotel or similar. (2 of 3 nights).
Day 26
This entire morning will be devoted to our visit to the National Museum of Damascus. Later we will visit the nearby Sulemanyia Mosque, built by the great Turkish architect Sinan, and its Caravanserai, now a craft center. The remainder of the afternoon will be spent in the famous Azem Palace, with its wonderful Ethnographic displays. Dinner at another wonderful local restaurant and overnight at the Talisman Hotel or similar. (3 of 3 nights).
Day 27
The morning will find us walking through the winding streets and alleys of Old Damascus. Here we will visit the bread bakers, craftsmen of wood inlaid with mother-of-pearl, jewelry and many other artists. Be part of the bustling activity of this ancient city. Transfer t the airport for a 5:45 pm flight to Dubai for dinner and overnight. Emirates Airlines.
Day 28
Flights to US.
