Travel back in time and experience some of the oldest cities in the world on this momentous journey blending the new and old worlds of the Middle East. Haggle at oriental bazaars in Damascus, admire age-old mosques in Aleppo, explore the mystical city of Petra that was once lost in time and wander the red sands of Wadi Rum.

Day 1 to 3 - Damascus - Aleppo
Day 1 is simply an arrival day with no pre-organised activities, so you will have free time to relax and see some of the sights. We begin in Damascus, the capital of Syria and one of the oldest cities in the world. Damascus' first appearance in history around 15th Century BC as a city conquered by the Pharaoh Thutmosis III. According to the Old Testament, it was once the capital of the Aramean Kingdom in the 11th Century BC. In the 10th Century BC, it started being attacked and it was in battle with several other kingdoms including the Assyrians.

Some years after the fall of the Assyrian capital, Nineveh, Damascus was destroyed by Babylon. Your Tour Leader will have left you with a list of options that you can do throughout this arrivals day including your private transfer the following morning. You will be met by your local rep this evening who will welcome you and advise of the private transfer pick up to meet with the group and Tour Leader the following day.

On day 2 we move on to Aleppo by private transfer. The people of Aleppo claim their city is the oldest inhabited city in the world. You can make your own mind up whilst wandering through the maze of covered bazaars, mosques, and temples. You will need to brush up on your bargaining skills due to the amount of local goodies to purchase!
We have a free day in Aleppo to take in the exotic atmosphere. Why not take a full day to loose yourself in the markets, souqs or Citadel of Aleppo. You can find more optional excursions to do in Aleppo in our Optional Excursions Guide.

Day 4 to 6 - Hama - Palmyra
The town of Hama is our next stop. On our way we will stop in Ebla, to visit some famous archaeological sites. Here you will see Maaret En Numaan, a site that became especially famous for the savage activities of the Crusaders, as well as Sergilla, one of the most interesting of the Dead Cities.
Hama is known for its ‘norias' (water wheels) which are said to date back as far as 1100 BC. The town is also an important agricultural and industrial centre, and is considered by many to be the most picturesque city in Syria. You can take time out here to relax in the attractive gardens along the river banks.

On day 5 we take a drive through the desert, keeping our eyes out for mirages, to the stunning oasis town of Palmyra. On our way we visit the imposing Crac des Chevaliers crusader castle and learn about its 800 year-old history. This castle is one of the most important preserved medieval military architectures in the world, still retaining its original structure.

In Palmyra ‘City of Palms' you can wander the streets, admire the temples, meet the friendly locals and indulge in the delicious local food. This was once a vital caravan city for travellers crossing the Syrian Desert. 

Palmyra prospered from 2nd Century BC and was a well-established kingdom. You can see the remains of this today. There are many temples remaining in the architecture of the Palmyra ruins, which cover an area of 6 square kilometres. On a tour you can see the Baal-Shamin Temple, Bel Temple, Arch of Triumph, the Amphitheater, the Baths, the Straight Street, the Congress Council and the Cemeteries. You may also wish to take in a beautiful sunset at the hilltop fortress of Zenobia.

Day 7 to 8 - Damascus
In the morning we return to Damascus. Here you can enjoy free to explore historical monuments, exotic bazaars and souqs. Try the traditional shisha pipes with a thick local coffee or simply shop ‘til you drop. You can visit the Damascus Museum which contains a world-class archaeological and historical collection of artifacts.
You may also wish to do a walking tour of the Biblical sites of Damascus (optional) including the Christian Quarter, the Chapel of Ananias, St Paul's Chapel and window, St. Thomas' Gate and Beit Nassan Courtyard.

Day 9 to 11 - Amman - Petra
We now enter Jordan and travel to Amman, the country's modern yet conservative capital. Situated on a hilly area between the desert and the Jordan Valley, the city blends modern culture with an ancient past.

There are ultra-modern buildings, hotels, smart restaurants, art galleries and boutiques to explore in the commercial hub of the city. You can also visit traditional coffee shops and artisans' workshops.

Visit the amphitheatre and the restored Roman Theatre, or walk up to the citadel and admire the fantastic view of the city and surrounding landscapes. From Amman you can also visit the Dead Sea. Other optional trips you can take include the Citadel and the Roman Ruins of Jerash. Take a Turkish bath if you wish, and visit the old souq to test your bargaining skills once more!

Day 11 begins with an early morning transfer to Wadi Musa, beside the infamous city of Petra. We check in and go to discover the site of Petra with a guide.
This magnificent city is made up of stone structures carved into the sheer rock face by the Nabataeans, an ancient Arab civilisation. The Nabataeans settled in Petra over 2,000 years ago and turned it into an important trade route linking China, India and southern Arabia with Egypt, Syria, Greece and Rome.

Located deep inside a narrow desert gorge, it is the most mystical and historical of all Jordan's treasures. You will be able to see the remains of what was once a prosperous, thriving community. The beautiful colours of the city lost in the desert have to be seen to be believed!

Day 12 to 14 - Petra - Wadi Rum - Aqaba
Today we have the morning free to re-visit and explore the site of Petra.
Later in the afternoon we travel to the spectacular desert area of Wadi Rum where we will spend the night in a Bedouin-style camp. Whilst staying at the Bedouin camp there are no showers and no hot water. Sleeping arrangements are open plan sharing with other members of your group. A sleeping bag is required. Dinner plus breakfast are provided.

We spend 3 hours exploring the desert by 4 wheel drive and ending our day watching the sunset. Wadi Rum is one of the desert wonders of the world, where endless layers of golden and red sands are enclosed in towering carved rock mountains. We stay with a local Bedouin family, eating local food cooked over a fire under a full sky of stars.
On day 13 after our Bedouin-style camp, we travel to the picturesque Red Sea port of Aqaba. Aqaba is a pleasant resort town and the gateway to the Red Sea. Here you will also find bustling markets and medieval archaeological sites.
Our tour will finish after breakfast on day 14.