Walk in the Wake | Weekend in Syria

Welcome to **Syria, home to one of the oldest civilizations in the world** and rich with artistic and cultural heritage. From its ancient roots to its recent political instability and civil war, the country has a complex and turbulent history. The country has many treasures, but this three-day weekender manages to cover a selection of Syria’s highlights that will fascinate, delight, and provide insight into this ancient land and its people. In this historical crossroads, archaeologists have uncovered **human remains dating back 700,000 years** – even before the time of the Neanderthals. The city of Elba, thought to have existed around 3,000 BC, is one of the world’s oldest settlements ever to be excavated, while the famed **Damascus is the** **world’s oldest continuously inhabited capital city**. Even the ancient language of Aramaic is still spoken here! **Invasions and occupations through the ages** resulted in a who’s who of ancient empires making their mark on this land. These include the Egyptians, Hittites, Sumerians, Mitanni, Assyrians, Babylonians, Canaanites, Phoenicians, Persians, Greeks, Romans, Mongols, Crusaders…and more! A melting pot for millennia, **today it is home to** **diverse ethnic and religious groups** including Kurds, Armenians, Assyrians, Christians, Druze, Alawites, and Shia and Sunni Arabs, the last making up the majority of the Muslim population. There is no escaping the fact that the **Syrian people have suffered greatly in recent decades**, enduring military coups, a 50-year dictatorship, and brutal civil conflict resulting in death and destruction – and more than six million Syrians fleeing the country. The future of the country is still being determined, but visit Syria today and you will find a destination of fascinating ancient landmarks, delicious cuisine, proud heritage and traditions, and welcoming locals who are eager to share their culture. **Let’s go!** **Day 1 // Damascus** Arrival in Damascus and immigration formalities. Wasting no time, we’ll be collected by our guide and set off on a **tour of the** **oldest continuously inhabited capital city on Earth**. Designated an UNESCO World Heritage Site, Damascus’ **historic center is surrounded by Roman-era walls** punctuated by seven ancient gates. As we wander the streets of the Old City, it’s easy to imagine a time long ago when Silk Road traders arrived to barter and sell their wares. Our first stop will be **Azem Palace, a masterpiece of traditional Damascene architecture**. Built in 1750 by the Ottoman governor, today it is a cultural and folklore museum where we will learn about Syrian history, customs, clothing and more. The rest of the day we will make our way between the city’s major historic and religious monuments and key areas, including the Umayyad Mosque, Straight Street, House of Saint Ananias, Khan As'ad Pasha Caravanserai, Al-Buzuriyah Souq, and Souq Al Hamidiyah. In the evening, we’ll enjoy the city after dark, with some delicious Syrian food and a drink in one of the city’s lively bars. **Day 2 // Ma’aloula – Krak Des Chevaliers** After breakfast we leave Damascus and head to the village of Ma’aloula. Here we will visit the **Greek Orthodox Convent of Saint Thecla**, and walk the mountain path that holds the saint’s name. Next is the **Church and Monastery of Saints Sergius and Bacchus**, once of the oldest such sites in Syria, claiming to date back to the 3rd or 4th century. Today it is one of the only teaching centers in the world where **scholars can still learn Aramaic**, the ancient language of Christ. We’ll hit the road again for the two-hour drive to the impressive **Krak Des Chevaliers, or "Fortress of the Knights”**, one of the most important preserved medieval castles in the world. Crossing the moat, entering the dungeons and climbing the ramparts we’ll explore this fascinating remnant of days gone by, which was founded in the 11th century and once occupied by Crusader forces. On the way back to Damascus we’ll stop for dinner in **Homs**, the city made infamous by the three-year siege of Homs, a face-off between the Syrian military and the rebel opposition which resulted in widespread damage and destruction of entire neighborhoods. **Day 3 // Bloudan** After breakfast, we will drive to the villages of Al-Zabadani and Bloudan, enjoying the beautiful nature of the countryside outside of Damascus along the way. These popular towns, inhabited by a majority of Greek Orthodox Christians, are located atop a hill overlooking the Al-Zabadani plain and surrounded by mountain forests. We’ll stroll the streets, enjoy the views, and get a feel for small town life in Syria. We’ll have some free time for souvenir shopping, before we head back to the Damascus Airport for our flight home. **Grade:** Easy – available for everyone. **Activities:** Cultural immersion, sightseeing. **Cost: 5,300 AED** all incl. flights, until AUG 09. **Accommodation & Meals:** **5 star hotel** \- double sharing\, meals excluded\. **Specifically Excluded:** Visa expenses, meals. **Visa:** Visa on arrival / e-visa for all passports. Several nationalities such as Egypt or Russia require OK to board. *It is sole responsibility of participant to secure entry to country of destination.* See yah in Syria x Trekkup Crew [Whatsapp 050 4848238](https://wa.me/971504848238) Find all trekkups at [linktr.ee/trekkup](http://linktr.ee/trekkup)