syria tour from beirut

Young Pioneer Tours

Group and Private Syria Tours 2024 – 2025

Young Pioneer Tours are pleased to announce our Syria Tours program for 2024 and 2025. It includes group tours and independent packages to the Syrian Arab Republic.

Back in 2017, we were one of the first travel agencies to offer Syrian packages after the war. We have now returned with a full program after the COVID-19 pandemic.

NOTE – Although the Middle East conflict is ongoing, this does not affect our tours to Syria. Our staff on the ground is constantly monitoring the situation and we may change itineraries for safety reason if the situation were to escalate in the country.

Group Tours to Syria 2024 and 2025

Here are our upcoming group tours to Syria. Unless stated, they all start and finish in Beirut, Lebanon or in Amman, Jordan .

Christmas in Syria Tour – December 23rd – December 26th 2024 – $895

Looking for somewhere unique to spend your Christmas this year? Join us in Syria and create your unique Christmas tale for your family and friends back home. We’ve designed this tour to be short, sweet… and easy on the wallet after those hefty Christmas expenses!

Christmas in Syria Tour

Rojava Tour 2025 – January 1st – January 6th 2025 – $1795

This is your opportunity to join YPT on a special Rojava Tour where you’ll have a further understanding of the recent history of this breakaway region, as well as an in-depth experience within the culture, locals, and their hopes for the future.

Rojava tour 2025

Syria Spring Tour – February 20th – 26th 2025 – $1595

Our Syria Spring tour commences and concludes in Amman, Jordan. Make the most of your Middle East experience and continue your adventure on our  Iran Revolutionary tour .

Syria Spring Tour

Syria Revolutionary Tour – May 1st – 7th 2025 – $1595

Our Syria Revolutionary tour commences and concludes in Amman, Jordan. This tour perfectly syncs up with our Whole Iraq tour .

Syria Revolutionary Tour

Syria Marmarita Carnival Tour – August 12th – August 19th 2025 – $1595

Marmarita Carnival is one of the largest celebrations held in the country! Syrian Christians gather on the streets of Marmarita, known as the “Valley of Christians”, to dress up in bizarre, crazy and hilarious costumes and dance, drink and party!

Syria Marmarita Carnival Tour

Syria Autumn Tour – August 31st – September 7th 2025 – $1595

Our first tour after the summer. This trip has us going to all the main site including Aleppo, Palmyra and Busra. This tour can also be combined with our Ultimate Lebanon Tour .

Syria Autumn Tour

Syria Feast of the Cross Festival Tour – September 12th – September 19th 2025 – $1595

The second of our back-to-back Syrian tours in September, with this one also linking up with Lebanon.

Syria Feast of the Cross Festival Tour

Every facet of the Syria visa process is taken care of by YPT – no need to send your passport away anywhere. You can read more about it here .

Independent tours to Syria

In case our group tour dates do not fit your schedule, if you would like to travel alone, or if you would like a bespoke Syria itinerary, then Young Pioneer Tours can help arrange the perfect Syria tour for you. Prices depend on the number of people and the level of accommodation you require, but YPT can arrange everything you wish for an independent tour to Syria.

Independent Syria tours can start in Beirut ( Lebanon ) or Amman ( Jordan ), or internally from Damascus and Aleppo via Syrian Airways.

Independent Syria Tour examples

We do not list all of our bespoke Syrian tour itineraries, but we can offer some examples, such as the following;

• Explore Syria Independent Tour  – Our standard independent tour to Syria that takes you to all of the main sites of Syria. This tour can be extended or shortened in accordance to your needs.
• Cultural Syria Tours  – While all of our tours to Syria have a cultural element, we can also plan things around certain elements of particular interest, be it religion, archeology or anthropology for example.
• Weekend Holidays to Syria – We can arrange very short getaways to Syria, which can be done over a weekend that focus on Damascus and Aleppo..
• Aviation tours to Syria  – With Syrian Air and Cham Wings Air both being airlines active in Syria, we can arrange your aviation tour. For more information on our Syrian Aviation tours, please get in touch.
• Beach tours to Syria – Syria is no Ibiza, but it is secular and has beaches. It is possible to have an all out beach tour in Syria particularly in the summer months when people are partying, or it can merely be added as an extra day for independent tours to Syria.
• Tours to Rojava – YPT can now offer travel packages to Rojava for both journalists and independent special interest tours. These require a different visa to mainland government controlled Syria. Please contact us for more details about travel to Rojava.

Lebanon Tours

Since most of our Syrian group tours begin and finish in Beirut, this gives you the best opportunity to combine with our Lebanon tours. Our Lebanon tours can be done as part of a Syria tour, as part of a group tour, individually, or as a standalone tour independent of our group tours to Syria.

Syria Tours FAQ

Below are what we are frequently asked about Syria for those interested in traveling to the country. We feel that we answered pretty much everything you might need to know before you go to Syria, but please feel free to get in touch about your Syria tour, or to ask any additional questions.

How to get a Syrian Visa

Syrian covid-19 restrictions, is it safe to travel to syria, is it ethical to travel to syria, when is the best time to visit syria, how do you travel to syria, what currency should i bring to syria, are there atms in syria, how big are your tour group sizes in syria, what is the food like in syria what if i’m vegetarian or vegan, what should i wear in syria, is there alcohol in syria, should you tip in syria, can you talk about politics in syria, are there age caps on your tours of syria.

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Syria Tours

Join one of our tours in syria.

After nearly a decade of unfortunate conflict, some areas of Syria are finally gaining certain safety and stability, allowing intrepid adventurers to discover its many Christian monasteries, bustling souks, and ancient Roman ruins.

From Palmyra to Bosra, Krak de Chevaliers, Aleppo, and more, our tours focus on Syria’s highlights but what makes us truly unique is that we put a lot of attention to the human side of Syria. This means that we will interact and get to know kind-hearted Syrians, while witnessing their struggle and desire to return to normality.

We already have a large experience in running tours in Syria and we only work with the best local team, the reason why this is our top-selling destination.

We have many, many scheduled group expeditions for Syria all year long, plus we can also organize any sort of private, tailored adventure.

why join a Syria tour with Against the Compass

Here’s what makes our expeditions to Syria are so unique.

what travelers say about us

Need to know for your Syria travel tour

How to get a visa.

In order to join a tour in Syria, you must first obtain a security clearance (Letter of Invitation). We will take care of that, so you don’t need to visit the embassy.

Is it safe?

As of today, the areas which are controlled by the Government (the ones we visit) are relatively safe. However, you need to be aware of all the risks involved by reading the travel advice from your Government, something like the FCDO advice. 

Which nationalities can join our Syria tours?

We can apply for pretty much any nationality worldwide, including US citizens (2024).

Our scheduled group tours for Syria

We have two types of scheduled Syria tour packages:

On the one hand, we have our classic 8-day trips , typically composed of 12 people, always led by a tour leader, either myself (Joan Torres) or someone from my team, besides a Syrian tour guide.

On the other hand, we also schedule shorter, budget versions of 5 days . The main difference versus the 8-day expeditions is that they are obviously cheaper, and the Western tour leader will not attend.

Upcoming Syria Tours

These are all our upcoming tours in Syria

Syria Classic Itinerary for Christmas

Our classic itinerary during Christmas time!

Syria during Ramadan

Our classic itinerary during the holiest month of the year in Syria

Syria for Easter

Our classic itinerary during the magic of Easter

Syria in May

Let's take advantage of the pleasant Mediterranean weather and come to Syria before the beginning of summer.

Full Syria in 12 days

From Latakia to Arwad, Palmyra and Aleppo, this is the most complete itinerary for Syria.

Syria Classic Itinerary

Our classic 8-day itinerary during the best month of the year

Syria for Christmas 2025

All our syria group tours include.

Transfer to and from Beirut

Accommodation

Security clearance (needed for the visa)

Private transportation and driver around Syria

Breakfast and lunch (in 8-day expeditions, otherwise, just breakfast)

Special permit for Palmyra & Bosra

English-speaking Syria tour guide

Western Tour leader (in 8-day expeditions)

Entrance fees to the places listed in the itinerary

Private, tailored trips for Syria

Do you want to travel solo, or with a group of friends?

From 1-day trips to Damascus (from Beirut or Amman) to compelling multi-day itineraries, we are able to design any sort of adventure based on your needs, 365 days a year.

If you can’t afford a private, solo trip, we can also help you find other partners to travel with.

Tell us your dates

When do you want to travel to Syria

Which places do you want to visit

We will design the perfect itinerary based on your needs

Where do you want to start from

Beirut, Amman or Damascus?

Sample itinerary for our Syria vacations tours

Here’s the standard 8-day tour we offer on most of our expeditions.

Day 1 – Beirut and Damascus

• Starting in Beirut at 8am, from where we will drive towards the Syrian border and Damascus.
• Check-in at the hotel in Damascus, followed by a traditional welcoming lunch
• Strolling around the old city, beginning to assimilate that we are truly in Syria
• Night out. The Christian district is particularly vibrant, filled with bars and restaurants.

Day 2 – Full day in Damascus

• With more than 5000 years of history, Damascus might easily be the oldest capital in the world, a city absolutely packed with historical sites, as well as lively souks and bazaars.
• We will visit all highlights, including Umayyad Mosque (where Yahya is buried, John the Baptist for Christians), Sayyidah Ruqayya Mosque, the bazaars and more.

Day 3 – Maaloula, Mar Musa, and Aleppo

• Drive towards Aleppo, stopping in Maaloula, one of the most important Christian towns in the Middle East, and one of the very few places in the world where people still speak Aramaic, the language of Jesus.
• Maaloula was occupied by Al-Nusra, and it was largely destroyed due to the recent war, but its most important churches and monasteries have been rebuilt
• Visiting two of its most important churches, where we will get the chance to meet nuns who were kidnapped and held as hostages for three months.
• Then, visit to Mar Musa, a mind-blowing, skyscraper-shaped, 6th-century monastery raised in the middle of rocky mountains.
• Overnight in Aleppo.

Day 4 – Aleppo

• Once the most populated city in Syria, Aleppo was one of the most affected cities by the Syrian war.
• Life, however, is coming back to Aleppo, visible in the ongoing reconstruction and all the people who are slowly returning to their beautiful home city.
• Among other things, we will visit the Citadel of Aleppo – the last Syrian Army stronghold – as well as the historical souk and vibrant Christian district, which remained pretty untouched from the war, and is today filled with absolutely delicious restaurants serving Lebanese wine.

Day 5 – Hama, Krak de Chevalier, Al Mishtaya

• On the way to Krak, stop in Hama, a pretty photogenic town, famous for its water wheels, all over the city.
• Then, we will head for Krak des Chevaliers, once described by Lawrence of Arabia as the most wholly admirable castle in the world , absolutely gorgeous and surrounded by lush green hills.
• Lunch in a restaurant with stunning castle views
• Evening and overnight in Al Mishtaya, a lovely Christian town with a pretty nice evening atmosphere.

Day 6 – Palmyra and Homs

• Palmyra is rich in both ancient and contemporary history, since the archaeological site was taken by ISIS on two separate occasions during the war.
• ISIS blew up the most important temple, but the site is huge and most of its structures are still standing.
• We will visit the ancient place escorted by a member from the Syrian Army
• After a picnic lunch inside the ruins, we will head back to Damascus and, on the way, we will stop in Homs.
• Overnight in Damascus

Day 7 – Bosra

• Day trip to Bosra, an ancient city home to one of the most admirable Roman amphitheaters in the whole world, as well as other important monuments.
• In Bosra, the local Syrians are culturally different, similar to Bedouins.
• We will have lunch in a traditional Bedouin tent, with locals from Bosra.
• Overnight in Damascus.
• Day 8 – New Damascus and goodbye
• Visiting the new part of Damascus, including the National Museum and the handicraft market
• Strolling around the souks, for shopping, buying souvenirs, etc.
• After lunch, back to Beirut, around 8pm.

Join a tour in Syria: FAQ

What makes against the compass different from other companies.

Show, not tell. You can check our latest documentary below.

In order to come to Syria , you must first obtain a security clearance (Letter of Invitation). We will take care of that, so you don’t need to visit the embassy.

How much does the visa cost?

These are the latest visa fees updated in 2024.

Price varies depending on nationality:

• European passport holders: 75 USD
• Canadian passports: 100 USD
• British, Australian, and Argentinian passports: 150 USD
• US passport holders: 200 USD

The visa fee is paid at the border, to the respective authorities.

Which nationalities can join this tour?

All nationalities, and that includes US passport holders. 

Syria started issuing visas for Americans in March 2023, so US citizens are welcome to join too. 

Are there ATMs in Syria?

Your credit card can’t be used in Syria. You must bring all your money in cash.

Which currencies do they accept?

Mostly US dollars ($) but € can be exchanged too.

If I want to join a Syria tour, where does it usually start?

Our scheduled group tours into Syria generally start in Beirut. It’s just easier, since flights into Damascus get canceled often and Amman is further.

However, for a private Syria tour, you can start from anywhere you like, including Beirut, Amman, and Damascus International Airport.

Do you recommend a specific travel insurance?

Either you are joining one of our trips, or you are traveling by yourself, you might want to look for proper travel insurance. Against the Compass has been a partner with IATI for several years already, recommending it to all readers, as well as covering all Joan Torres’ personal trips.

We like it because It covers all the countries where the FCDO advises against all travel, it offers budget plans and covers all sorts of adventure activities.

Against the Compass readers can benefit from a 5% discount .

Get a quote here to claim your discount

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Re-writing the concept of adventure tourism and taking you on adventure tours to the least visited countries in the world.

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4-day Syria Tour With Aleppo

Visiting Syria is always a wonderful and unique experience. Our destination manager was in Syria just recently planning this excursion for you. Join our tours and safely witness the rebuilding of a nation. Don’t miss this opportunity to visit Syrian tourist attractions safely.

Join our 4-day Syria tour from Beirut in Lebanon. We will pick you up directly at the airport or your hotel. The road to Syria is very straightforward. Cross the border easily with the Syria tourist visa reference number that we offer so that you get your Syria visa on arrival upon payment. While booking, if you add more optional nights in Damascus, this trip can have 5 days, 6 days, 7 days, and 8 days, to a maximum of 9 days in Syria.

• Arrival City Beirut
• Departure City Beirut
• English-speaking Guide Included
• Highlights Damascus, Maaloula, Palmyra, Bosra
• Destination Syria , Tours in Asia
• Trip Type Small Group Tour

4-day Syria itinerary

•  This is a private  Syria tour package.
•  Your tour starts in Beirut, Lebanon.
•  We can pick you up at a place of your choice in Beirut, either your hotel in the morning or directly from Beirut Airport arrivals gate.
•  Within the Syrian government-controlled regions, the country is safe to visit except for some specific regions that you will not go to during this trip.
•  Most nationalities can make a Syrian visa at the border after having the visa reference number document.
•  To get your visa reference number, you need to book the tour with at least two weeks in advance.
•  Journalists cannot book this tour.
•  Your passport must be valid for at least six months.
•  You will need to exchange money (Euros or Dollars) into Syrian pounds before you enter Syria.You can always exchange the money back if you have some Syrian pounds left at the end of the tour. Your driver will help you with this easy task.
•  For your personal expenses (souvenirs, lunches, and dinners) you will spend between 100 – 200 dollars.
•  You can combine this trip with our Lebanon tour packages. If you don’t have much time contact us and we can get you one or two days tour in Lebanon.
•  We were in Syria preparing this trip for you. Our destination manager was in Syria recently preparing this tour, so you can safely enjoy your holidays in Syria. This way, we know what to expect and ensure the best service with reliable, updated information.
• Multi-day private tour in Syria.
• Lebanon-Syria transfers.
• Border security clearance.
• Visa reference number.
• English-speaking guide.
• 4 days in Syria.
• Transfers from Lebanon to Syria.
• Transfers from Syria back to Lebanon.
• Syria tourist visa reference number.
• Entrance and departure taxes.
• All transportation with driver and fuel.
• English-speaking guide during the whole trip.
• All accommodations in 3-star or 4-star hotels with breakfast.
• Admission fees to museums and monuments.
• One bottle of mineral water per day per person.
• Special permission for Palmyra.

Not included

• International flights.
• Visa fee at the border.
• Personal travel insurance.
• All lunches and dinners.
• Tips and other gratuities.
• Drinks, personal expenses.
• All not mentioned as “included”.

You can send your enquiry via the form below.

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