Petra, Palmyra, Byblos – the names just seem to roll off the tongue. Indeed, few places in the world offer such an impressive mix of ancient monuments. In Jordan, we explore the desert sands of Wadi Rum, the ancient city of Petra and visit our first Crusader fortress at Shobak. We relax at the Dead Sea and visit the ancient sites at Jerash and Bosra on our way to Damascus. Syria is an absolute delight; with fabulous bazaars in Damascus and Aleppo; splendid ancient cities at Palmyra, Apamea and Ugarit; and amazing Byzantine mosaics at Maarat. At Krak we explore the finest Crusader castle in the world. Arriving in Lebanon, we visit Crusader strongholds at Sidon and the charming port town of Byblos, inhabited since 7000BC. Our journey of discovery concludes in cosmopolitan Beirut.
Itinerary
| Day 1 |
(Sun) Arrive in Amman and transfer to hotel. |
| Day 2 |
Drive to Aqaba. Afternoon free. |
| Days 3-4 |
Jeep safari in Wadi Rum and full day in Petra. |
| Day 5 |
Drive to Amman via Shobak Castle, Dana Village and Madaba. |
| Day 6 |
Explore Jerash and the Dead Sea. |
| Day 7 |
Visit Bosra. Drive to Damascus. |
| Day 8 |
Visit the museum, Omayyad Mosque and bazaars. Drive to Palmyra. Tent dinner. |
| Day 9 |
Visit Palmyra. Drive to Krak des Chevaliers. |
| Day 10 |
Explore Krak, Hama, Apamea, Maarat-el-Numan and Dead Cities. Arrive in Aleppo. |
| Day 11 |
Explore the bazaars and visit St Simeon's Monastery. |
| Day 12 |
Visit Ugarit, Saone and drive to Tartus. |
| Day 13 |
Tartus Museum. Drive to Baalbek, visit the ancient temple. Continue to Aanjar for a winery tour. |
| Day 14 |
Visit Beit Eddine and the Shouf Cedars forest. Overnight Byblos. |
| Day 15 |
Visit Byblos and the beautiful Jeitta Grottos. |
| Day 16 |
Guided tour of Beirut. Afternoon free to explore. |
| Day 17 |
Trip ends in Beirut this morning (Tue). |