Petra & Palmyra

Petra & Palmyra (EDAXJ)

Duration: 16 days (may vary)
Areas: Syria
Tour types: History & Culture, Nature & Wildlife

Description

This trip covers the main points of interest in both Syria and Jordan, where there is an abundance of amazing sights. Damascus, the oldest inhabited city in the world; ancient Aleppo; the impregnable Crusader castle at Krak des Chevaliers; the immense ruins of Palmyra and Jerash; and possibly the highlight, the magical city of Petra. But it's not just history that we go to see. We also camp amongst the amazing landscape of Wadi Rum, float in the salty waters of the Dead Sea and wander through atmospheric souks of Amman.  Journalist, Kevin Rushby of The Guardian, writes about Syria's mysterious Dead Cities (January 2010).

Tour itinerary

Day 1:

Start Damascus.

Day 2:

Full day to explore Damascus.

Day 3:

Drive into the desert to Palmyra and explore the immense ruins.

Day 4:

Drive to Aleppo via desert castle of Qasr el Hir and the 'dead city' of Rassafa.

Day 5:

Full day to explore the ancient city of Aleppo.

Day 6:

Morning in Aleppo; visit the Byzantine site of St Simeon the Stylite, and the waterwheels of Hama.

Day 7:

Visit imposing castle of Krak des Chevaliers; to Damascus via ancient village of Maaloula.

Day 8:

Visit the magnificent amphitheatre of Bosra; to Jerash in Jordan.

Day 9:

Head to Amman via the Dead Sea.

Day 10:

Down King's Highway to Petra via Mt Nebo, Madaba and Kerak.

Day 11-12:

Two full days to explore Petra, the 'Rose-red City'.

Day 13:

Drive out to camp in desert scenery of Wadi Rum; 4WD excursion.

Day 14:

To Aqaba; afternoon free to relax or snorkel among the coral reefs.

Day 15:

Morning free; transfer to Amman.

Day 16:

End Amman.