Syria with @elona & @jerometraveller

We are thrilled to announce our group trip to Syria, a country that has changed our lives forever, and we are confident that it will change yours, too. Join us on an extraordinary adventure to discover this fascinating, often misunderstood country. Apply now to join a small, intimate group of like-minded individuals who share a passion for cultural exploration, human connection, and delicious food.

We will discover Syria’s rich heritage as we explore its ancient and historic sites. Wander through the timeless streets of Old Damascus and live in a traditional Damascene home, marvel at the beauty of Palmyra, and discover the ancient wonders of Bosra and Apamea. We will stay in a monastery with local monks and experience the beauty of Syria’s landscapes, try the flavors of its cuisine, and immerse ourselves in the warmth and hospitality of its people. You will see places that you never imagined seeing in Syria. That is a promise.

We understand that Syria may seem daunting or unfamiliar, but we take all necessary precautions to ensure your safety and comfort. By partnering with local experts and operators who share our vision of responsible and respectful tourism, we will provide you with the best insights and experience on the ground.

This trip is open to all participants: all ages, genders, solo travelers, couples, families, and friends. The application process ensures that everyone has a positive spirit and open mind and is ready for adventure, cultural exploration, human connection, and delicious food. This journey is for open-minded travelers eager to broaden their horizons, blend in with locals, and embark on a unique adventure of a lifetime.

This trip will have limited space, so please apply soon to secure your spot! We can’t wait to welcome you in Syria.

Trip Details

Payment plan – $550 non-refundable deposit due within 72 hours, remaining payment due 1 month before the trip start date. Please review all the FAQ’s before submitting your deposit.

INCLUSIONS

  • Arrival & Departure Airport Transfers

  • 8 nights accommodation, breakfast inclusive, double occupancy.  single occupancy available for +$300

  • All meals included

  • Ground Transportation (except otherwise listed/does not include your leisure time)

  • Local Guides (tips not included / at own discretion)

  • Entry Fees & Tickets to Activities

  • All Listed Activities + Surprises 😉

  • Professional photos by Jerome & Elona!

EXCLUSIONS

  • International Airfare

  • Visas

  • Travel & Medical Insurance (strongly advised)

  • Alcohol

  • Additional Snacks & Meals

  • Anything outside the listed itinerary

  • Tips for drivers and guides (at your own discretion)

  • Extras

Apply Below

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FAQ

 Safety & Basic Info

There have been no significant events in Syria in years – and none targeting tourists. We have a great local crew and contacts to keep our journey as smooth as possible. Our top priority is to be safe and have the best experience. You will come to find out how hospitable and welcoming the local people are, and we are confident that you will feel comfortable! Ultimately, the decision to travel to Syria should be made after personal research and consideration of any perceived risks involved.

Safety is our priority, and we aim to ensure everyone is comfortable. We will be carefully observing the global environment, and if we need to postpone a tour, you can book a future tour. Please note that the decision to travel is your responsibility. We will do everything in our power to keep you safe or ensure a spot on a future trip –  we can only offer a credit for a future trip worth the price paid for your original trip (excluding airfare/insurance).

If you’ve already paid for your tour in full:

If you’ve already paid for your trip in full, we will work with you and prioritize your spot for a future trip. We will provide you with a travel credit worth the price paid for your tour — excluding airfare and insurance — to put towards a future trip departing within the next 2 years. If the price for your tour destination increases, you won’t need to pay more than your original booking price. Please note that there is no guarantee that both Elona and Jerome will be on a future trip.

If you haven’t yet paid for your tour in full, but have made a deposit or some payments:

We will work together to rebook your trip, and we’ll put your deposit towards it. If you’d like to pay for your tour in full now, you can lock in the original price and not pay more should the tour price increase later.

Depending on availability, you can also use your deposit and/or payments towards any future tour, regardless of destination.

If you’re eager to travel in the future but aren’t quite sure about timing, we’ll automatically apply the full deposit amount to your account so it’s ready to go when you are. Those funds will not expire.

If you personally don’t feel comfortable traveling, but the tour isn’t canceled or postponed, we will do our best to move you to a future group. We do not guarantee a future group. We do not offer refunds after confirming your spot, but we will do our best to accommodate you for future travel when you feel comfortable. Please note that we reserve the right to retain 100% of the payment you made in connection with the booking at the time of cancellation.

Before you book

We do not book your flights for you, but once you pay the initial deposit and confirm your spot, we will work with you to help you find the best flight times and connect you with other group members if they are flying from the same region. Please note that we do not offer any special rates for flights and can only offer you guidance.

For this trip, we recommend flying into Beirut, Lebanon. The group will meet there and drive to Damascus together. The drive time is about 3 hours and ensures a smooth border crossing. While there are some flights that go to Damascus, we do not recommend taking them.

All the activities in the itinerary are optional; however, the total price will not change if you skip some activities. We will ensure that the itinerary gives you time to spend alone and strongly recommend you follow the schedule to benefit from this trip! If you want to extend your journey, you can only hire Ahmad for the remainder of your stay, as traveling in Syria solo is impossible. Please let us know so that we can accommodate your needs.

Because we confirm our tours and hotels in advance, and only offer a small number of spots on the tours, we do require an upfront deposit to secure your spot, and it is non-refundable upon payment.

We will do our best to accommodate requests – please let us know in advance. Most of the time, we will be dining at restaurants. We cater to dietary requirements to the best of our ability and always communicate and confirm in advance. Still, we don’t always have control over what food is supplied or available. We ask the tour participants to be mindful of their dietary requirements when ordering at restaurants and to carry snacks (if needed) to avoid disappointment. There may be times when we are traveling in remote areas, and such dietary requirements cannot be met.

If you are unable to pay the total amount upfront, we offer a very flexible payment plan consisting of a deposit and the remaining payment due 1 month before the start of the trip. You may pay the remaining fee in any increment that works for you. We will send you monthly reminders!

A $550 deposit is due within 48h hours to confirm your spot for the trip: $550 for double occupancy / $650 for single occupancy

General Travel Planning

Our guide, Ahmad, will take care of the visa process; all you have to do is submit a photo of your passport. While visa-on-arrival is available for all nationalities, citizens from Thailand, Singapore, the USA, Taiwan, and African countries require special permission, which can extend the security clearance process to 5-6 weeks.

We will begin the visa process about 3 months before the travel date.

The specific costs for a Syria visa on arrival are as follows: 80 USD for European Union nationals, 220 USD for US citizens, around 20 USD for South American nations, 30 USD for China (75 USD for Hong Kong), 30 USD for Japan, 140 USD for the UK, 90 USD for Canada, free for Malaysia, 30 USD for Jamaica, 35 USD for Georgia, 60 USD for Mexico, and 35 USD for Thailand. Please note that these prices can change at any time, and we won’t know the exact rate until closer to the travel date. Visas have to be paid in USD cash at the border. 

If you are arriving through Beirut (the preferred route), please ensure you are eligible for entry to Lebanon with your passport.

Syrian authorities strictly enforce regulations regarding travel history to Israel. Any indication of prior travel to Israel can result in denial of entry into Syria, even with a valid visa.

To pass through customs, you will need your passport, and visa approval form that we will provide. The driver will help ensure that the border crossing goes smoothly. Your passport’s expiration date must be at least six months after your return from your trip; if it is not, you should renew your passport. As always, check your country’s travel requirements when visiting a new country. Visas and other flight requirements are not included in the price, so please double-check that you have everything you need for travel before submitting the deposit.

By joining this group, you agree to respect local culture and norms.

Syria is very open, so for ladies, there is no need to be covered up. Feel free to wear jeans, T-shirts, etc. You will need to cover your hair in mosques and the holy sites, and if you don’t have an abaya, one will be provided to you at the mosques. Generally, avoid clothing that is too tight, see-through, etc.

Men: Most outfits are appropriate—pants, T-shirts, and shorts are fine. Long pants and long-sleeved shirts are required for the holy sites.

DISCLOSURE: The information on this page contains indicative information on tours, activities, dining, and accommodation. The itinerary is subject to change due to inclement weather or other factors outside of our control. We want to make sure that you have the best possible experience and will substitute anything that must be changed with something equally or even more amazing. We are organizing this itinerary to give you many activities and opportunities for leisure time. Note that our itinerary focuses on local experiences, including food, so meals might not have many Western options. For more information visit our Terms and Conditions.

If you have any additional questions please send me an email.