Join My Syria Tour – March 2025
I’m going back to Syria, so come join my Syria tour in March 2025! Finally, my fixers can now organise visas for EVERYONE (including Americans!), so it’s time to go back and see the giant strides forward this beautiful, historic country has made post-war.
Also, my Syria tour starts in Beirut, one of the coolest cities in the world, and we OVERLAND from Beirut, cross the land border and road trip to Damascus. A very cool travel day and an awesome way to start an adventure like this. Then it’s 6 days in Syria, and we finish up again by driving back to Beirut (where flights are much easier to organise), and you’re free. So, make 2025 the time you stop looking at other people doing epic trips, and join one yourself.
Check out the blog post below to learn about my Syria tour dates, price, itinerary and also I answer questions about the safety and ethics of a tour to Syria too. Hope that all helps.
Table of contents
![syria tour](https://onestep4ward.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/C7A105EB-32AD-4937-84AC-1ED388E3817B_1_105_c.jpeg)
My Syria Tour Itinerary
The trip starts and finishes in Beirut, Lebanon. The country that neighbours Syria. Why? Beirut airport has a million more flight options for everyone to get in and out from. And also, I like ‘real travel’. And with the itinerary like this, it means we do an epic road-trip from Beirut, Lebanon to Damascus, Syria and enter via the land border (where my fixers organise all the visa stuff for us in advance, pretty cool!). So with that, the Syria itinerary is like this:
Day 1: Arrive in Lebanon, Beirut
Arrive in Beirut anytime. We will have a trip briefing where I’ll discuss any questions and what to expect etc, then we’ll go for a group dinner with delicious Lebanese food, then maybe we’ll even have a few cheeky drinks in Beirut to celebrate all coming together!
NOTE: If you want to come to Beirut a day or 2 earlier to explore Beirut, or Lebanon, by all means you can do that. I’ll probably be there one day early too.
![tours to syria](https://onestep4ward.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/C03AEB52-9B4A-4CA1-9EA7-9302438661BC_1_105_c.jpeg)
Day 2: Roadtrip from Lebanon to Syria overland
Early start folks. Syria is calling!
We have our private transfers pick us up early in the morning in Beirut city centre and we roll outta there together in convoy. Straight to the Syrian border. Once there, we’ll meet my fixers and they’ll assist us with all the paperwork, visas, brown envelopes (cough cough) and permits. This can take a while!
After we finish with the bureaucracy, it’s a straight shot to Damascus. The oldest city in the world. It’s spectacular, and probably very different to what you expect.
We don’t loiter though, we’re off north today to as we leave Damascus behind and make our way towards Homs province, home to the most famous Crusader castle in Syria and one of the most important preserved medieval castles in the world. Krak Des Chevaliers, a UNESCO world heritage site, has been standing since the thirteenth century and is greatest fortress built by European crusaders in Syria and Palestine
After being wowed there, we drive to Almishtaya village in the Valley of the Christians. After lunch we’ll wander around Almishtaya with a village tour and chill-out in the late afternoon. Overnight in Almishtaya
![Krak Des Chevaliers](https://onestep4ward.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/00684215-4E04-4B1F-AB56-0F8EE1387D16_1_105_c.jpeg)
![krak des chevaliers tour](https://onestep4ward.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/9A5975EB-0037-4DD6-B4CC-19FDCB6ED0A5_1_105_c.jpeg)
Day 3; A visit to the ruins of Homs, and onwards to Aleppo
A tough day today, truth be told. Where Syria has preserved some of ancient history’s most impressive sights, it’s the modern history of Syria that intrigues and scares people today. ISIS, Bashad, the rebels. Syria has had a tough time over the last 10 years, and the scars are sadly hugely visible. Today we’ll visit Homs and see just that. It’s a sombre day.
After that, we’ll head back to Aleppo, where if anything, the aftermath of war is even heavier. We’ll overnight in Aleppo.
![tour to syria](https://onestep4ward.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/1E7BB271-FF4A-4BBB-B1C1-1E213BDA6B95_1_105_c.jpeg)
![tour to syria](https://onestep4ward.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/694446B6-E826-457D-B796-776E23521D4C_1_105_c-577x1024.jpeg)
Day 4: Aleppo to Hama
We continue our exploration of Aleppo, visiting all the key sites and taking a deeper dive into specific areas of interest, such as the city’s historic mosques or the Armenian Quarter, known for its rich cultural heritage.
In the afternoon, we’ll drive to Hama, a city famous for its ancient Norias (wooden waterwheels) that have been used for irrigation since the Byzantine period. The Norias of Hama are an iconic symbol of the city, and you’ll have the chance to see these enormous structures up close.
Depending on availability and logistics, we’ll spend the night either in Hama or in Homs. Both locations offer convenient access to the next day’s destinations.
![Hama water wheels](https://onestep4ward.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Hama-1024x735.jpg)
Day 5: Hama to Palmyra, then Damascus
After an early breakfast, depart for Palmyra, an ancient city and one of the most significant archaeological sites in the Middle East. Palmyra was once a thriving caravan city and a crucial link between the Roman Empire and the Persian Empire. Here, you’ll explore the ruins, including the grand Temple of Bel, the monumental colonnade, and the Roman theatre. Though the site suffered damage during recent conflicts, it remains a powerful testament to the city’s former glory.
After exploring Palmyra, you’ll continue your journey back to Damascus, Syria’s capital and one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world.
Overnight in Damascus, where we stay in one of my favourite hotels in the world. A gorgeous, old-world, boutique riad-style hotel where they’ll have prepared a late dinner for us. Here people can either go chill and soak up the reality that you’re in Syria, one of the least visited countries in the world these days, or you’re welcome to join me at a local Damascus bar for some local brew.
![syria tour](https://onestep4ward.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/syria-tour-1024x577.jpg)
![Syria tour](https://onestep4ward.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/5865A198-82DC-4853-A643-23698AA2D188_1_105_c.jpeg)
Day 6: Full Day Damascus City Tour
Time to explore Damascus properly! Our guides will explain all about the political situation, about ISIS in the north, about the hardships the Syrian people have felt in the last 10 years, and you’ll also hear how happy people are to know that foreigners, and even tourists, are beginning to return.
Highlights today will include the charming Hamidiyah Souq, Ummayad Mosque, Azem Palace, Hanania Church and the National museum. Dinner and overnight in Damascus.
![local market in Damascus](https://onestep4ward.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/95D35FAF-3027-4375-932B-7EB36B3F97ED_1_105_c.jpeg)
![Damascus](https://onestep4ward.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/mahmoud-sulaiman-yM5eqzbmH0E-unsplash-1024x768.jpg)
Day 7; Overland back to Lebanon, and we’re done!
After breakfast at our gorgeous hotel,, take a day trip to Bosra, an ancient city that was once the capital of the Roman province of Arabia. Bosra is famous for its remarkably well-preserved Roman theatre, which is still used for performances today. The theatre is an architectural marvel, and exploring it offers a glimpse into the grandeur of Roman engineering.
After exploring Bosra, you’ll drive back to Beirut. This journey allows you to reflect on the incredible sites you’ve visited and the historical depth of the region. The trip finishes upon arrival in Beirut, so you can either take your evening flight home, or extend for a night to decompress after a wild, fun ride in Syria.
Orrrrrr, even better. The next day I’m off to Eritrea, one of the top 10 least countries in the world. Come and join me! You can see the itinerary and price HERE.
![Keren, Eritrea](https://onestep4ward.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Keren-the-Cultural-Capital-of-Eritrea.jpg)
Syria Tour Dates
7 days, 6 nights
March 2nd to March 8th, 2025
Syria Tour Costs
$2299.
Non-refundable deposit of $250 to secure your spot.
Payment is possible via bank transfer, via revolut, via paypal. Just let me know which works best.
What’s included?
- All accomodation
- All transport
- All entrance fees
- Local guides
- Western guide throughout (me, Johnny!)
- All breakfasts
- All visa help
What’s not included?
- International airfare to/from Beirut, Lebanon
- Travel insurance
- Lunches and dinners
- Tips for local guides
- Visa fee on the border
How about the Syrian Visa process?
Quite tricky BUT… my team will manage all of this. Historically, Americans especially had less than a 10% chance. But with my team, we have a 90+% chance of getting everyone a visa. So don’t worry. I manage all of that.
If you sign-up, and your visa is denied, you will receive a full refund, don’t worry 🙂
![syria tour](https://onestep4ward.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/72597945-8A4E-464A-9D19-CF7408F9772E_1_105_c-725x1024.jpeg)
How To Sign up to travel to Syria with me
Normally I use a platform called WeTravel for my trips, you can see my trips Skiing in Afghanistan, Pakistani Kashmir, but because the USA has sanctioned Syria (and Yemen, amongst others) that means we can’t process payments through the normal ways.
So, if you want to join my tour to Syria you need to DM me on instagram.com/onestep4ward or email me on johnny@onestep4ward.com. Then, you pay a 10% deposit to me, send me your passport, I organise your visas for Syria, and full payment is due 60 days/2 months before the trip.
So final payment is due January 2nd, 2025. Simple as that!
![syria tour](https://onestep4ward.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/63D5F29C-EA93-4568-BE67-4E10A37D1D8D_1_105_c.jpeg)
Is it Safe to travel to Syria right now?
I visited Syria once before, back in 2010. Just before the war broke out and the country all-but fell apart. It’s been heartbreaking to watch from the sidelines, but now with Damascus solidifying itself, I’m super excited to get back and see how their recovering is going. Adventure tourism is the first wave of tourism returning to one of the friendliest nations on earth, and I’m proud we’re all going to be part of that.
If you want to come, please email me on johnny@onestep4ward.com with any questions, with a photo of your passport.
Finally, this isn’t a standard G Adventure/tour company trip. I don’t know what to expect as much as you guys. This is as real as travel gets, so lets expect stuff to be a little rough around the edges, perhaps even a little disorganised, but it’ll be the adventure of a lifetime. See you in Beirut, and then Damascus!
And is it ethical to travel to Syria?
Our trip to Syria doesn’t endorse any Government, please understand that. All our Syrian partners and staff are local, small-business owners who have had their livelihoods decimated by the war. Tourism is their way back, for them and their families.
On that note, on our last trip to Syria, our lovely guide had a serious medical condition, and due to the Syrian system had no hope. Our group paid for his surgery, and now he’s all good again. Responsible tourism has the power to make a change, and we’re part of that.
Make it the trip of a lifetime and combine it with my Libya and/or Syria tour!
If you’re a hardcore traveler, come and join me before this in Libya, or after in Eritrea. I’m doing them all back to back to back. Have the most epic couple of weeks in your life – Libya, then to Syria, then to Eritrea. Wild!
Check out all the trips here:
![Sabratha Libya](https://onestep4ward.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Sabratha.jpeg.webp)
Remember, never travel without travel insurance! And never overpay for travel insurance!
I use HeyMondo. You get INSTANT quotes. Super cheap, they actually pay out, AND they cover almost everywhere, where most insurance companies don't (even places like Central African Republic etc!). You can sign-up here. PS You even get 5% off if you use MY LINK! You can even sign up if you're already overseas and traveling, pretty cool.
Also, if you want to start a blog...I CAN HELP YOU!
Also, if you want to start a blog, and start to change your life, I'd love to help you! Email me on johnny@onestep4ward.com. In the meantime, check out my super easy blog post on how to start a travel blog in under 30 minutes, here! And if you just want to get cracking, use BlueHost at a discount, through me.
Also, (if you're like me, and awful with tech-stuff) email me and my team can get a blog up and running for you, designed and everything, for $699 - email johnny@onestep4ward.com to get started.
Do you work remotely? Are you a digital nomad/blogger etc? You need to be insured too.
I use SafetyWing for my digital nomad insurance. It covers me while I live overseas. It's just $10 a week, and it's amazing! No upfront fees, you just pay week by week, and you can sign up just for a week if you want, then switch it off and on whenever. You can read my review here, and you can sign-up here!