Syria Travel Itinerary - Visa Application Document body { font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; background-color: #000000; color: #ffffff; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0; padding: 40px 20px; } .container { max-width: 1000px; margin: 0 auto; } header { text-align: center; margin-bottom: 40px; } h1, h2, h3, p, span, li, strong { color: #ffffff; } h1 { font-size: 2rem; margin-bottom: 5px; text-transform: uppercase; letter-spacing: 1px; } .document-meta { font-size: 1rem; margin-bottom: 30px; } .itinerary-grid { display: grid; grid-template-columns: 1fr; gap: 20px; } .day-box { background-color: #000000; border: 2px solid #000000; outline: 1px solid #333333; padding: 20px; page-break-inside: avoid; } .day-header { border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; padding-bottom: 10px; margin-bottom: 15px; } .day-header h2 { margin: 0; font-size: 1.4rem; } .day-header .location { font-size: 1rem; font-weight: normal; font-style: italic; } .activity-list { list-style-type: none; padding: 0; margin: 0; } .activity-list li { margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 15px; position: relative; } .activity-list li::before { content: "-"; position: absolute; left: 0; top: 0; } .highlight { font-weight: bold; } footer { margin-top: 40px; padding-top: 20px; border-top: 1px solid #000000; } .tips-section { margin-bottom: 20px; } .tips-section h3 { font-size: 1.2rem; margin-bottom: 10px; text-transform: uppercase; } .tips-list { list-style-type: square; padding-left: 20px; font-size: 0.95rem; } .tips-list li { margin-bottom: 8px; } .official-note { text-align: center; font-size: 0.9rem; font-style: italic; margin-top: 30px; } @media print { body { background-color: #ffffff !important; color: #000000 !important; padding: 0; } h1, h2, h3, p, span, li, strong, .location { color: #000000 !important; } .day-box { background-color: #ffffff !important; border: 2px solid #000000 !important; outline: none !important; margin-bottom: 20px; box-shadow: none !important; } .day-header { border-bottom: 1px solid #000000 !important; } footer { border-top: 1px solid #000000 !important; } @page { margin: 2cm; } } Travel Itinerary Destination: Syrian Arab Republic (Damascus, Homs, Hama, Aleppo) Duration: 7 Days / 6 Nights Purpose of Travel: Tourism Day 1 - Arrival in Damascus & The World’s Oldest Capital Arrival & Immigration: Depart from Dhaka (DAC) and arrive at Damascus International Airport (DAM). Proceed through immigration by presenting your pre-approved national security clearance document, passport, and paying the required visa-on-arrival fee in crisp USD cash. Meet your licensed local guide and transfer directly to the Old City. Accommodation Check-In: Transfer to a traditional Damascene boutique hotel situated within the ancient city walls. These historically preserved courtyard homes feature central fountains, fragrant jasmine vines, and intricate mosaic tiling, offering an authentic introduction to Syrian hospitality. Bab Sharqi (The Eastern Gate): Begin your walking tour at Bab Sharqi, one of the seven ancient Roman city gates dedicated to the sun. Standing for nearly 2,000 years, this monumental structure serves as the primary eastern entrance into the labyrinthine alleys of the Old City. Straight Street (Via Recta): Walk along the legendary ancient Roman decumanus, biblically famous for its association with St. Paul's conversion. Today, the street is a bustling, atmospheric corridor lined with spice merchants, textile vendors, and antique shops. Accommodation: Overnight stay in Damascus. Day 2 - Umayyad Grandeur & Historical Bazaars Umayyad Mosque (Great Mosque of Damascus): Spend the morning exploring this architectural masterpiece, recognized as the fourth holiest site in Islam. Walk across the vast marble courtyard to admire the golden mosaics depicting paradise, and visit the Shrine of John the Baptist housed within the main prayer hall. Conservative dress is strictly required. Shrine of Salahuddin Al-Ayoubi: Pay respects at the adjacent resting place of the legendary Sultan Saladin. The mausoleum features two sarcophagi: the original wooden tomb holding his remains, and an ornate marble cenotaph gifted by German Emperor Wilhelm II in 1898. Azem Palace: Tour this breathtaking 18th-century Ottoman-era governor's residence. The palace represents the absolute pinnacle of Damascene ablaq masonry—alternating bands of black basalt and white limestone—set around lush, tranquil garden courtyards. Souq Al-Hamidiyah: Navigate the historic, covered central bazaar. Wander beneath its towering, bullet-holed iron roof (a remnant of the French mandate era), taking in the overwhelming aromas of roasted cardamom, cumin, and ancient incense. Accommodation: Overnight stay in Damascus. Day 3 - Sacred Pilgrimages & Panoramic Vistas Maqam of Sayyidah Zaynab: Travel to the southern suburbs to visit this major site of pilgrimage. The shrine is globally renowned for its mesmerizing Iranian-style mirror work (Ayeneh Kari), brilliant turquoise tiles, and a massive golden dome that dominates the skyline. Takiyya al-Sulaymaniyya: Return to central Damascus to explore this striking mosque complex designed by the famous Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan, located along the Barada River. It currently houses an active, traditional handicraft market featuring local glass-blowers and silversmiths. Bakdash Ice Cream: Walk back to the heart of Souq Al-Hamidiyah to sample a dessert at Bakdash, an institution established in 1895. Experience their world-famous "Booza"—a stretchy, mastic-pounded ice cream heavily coated in crushed pistachios. Mount Qasioun Sunset: Conclude the day with a drive up the steep slopes of Mount Qasioun. Arrive in time for sunset to witness a spectacular, sweeping panoramic view of the sprawling capital just as the evening call to prayer echoes across the city. Accommodation: Overnight stay in Damascus. Day 4 - Crusader Castles & The M5 Highway (Homs) Transit to Homs: Depart Damascus in the morning, traveling north along the strategic M5 highway for approximately 2 hours. Ensure your passport is easily accessible for standard military and security checkpoints along the route. Khalid ibn al-Walid Mosque: Arrive in Homs to visit this visually striking mosque dedicated to the famous companion of the Prophet (PBUH) and legendary military commander. Note its distinct Ottoman-Mamluk architectural style, featuring contrasting black and white stonework and elegant silver domes. Krak des Chevaliers (Qal'at al-Hosn): Continue westward into the coastal mountains to explore this UNESCO World Heritage site. Widely considered one of the most important preserved medieval castles in the world, this 11th-century Crusader fortress was later captured by the Mamluk Sultan Baibars. Fortress Exploration: Spend the late afternoon walking the massive defensive ramparts, exploring the cavernous stone vaults, the Gothic loggia, and peering through the arrow slits that overlook the strategic al-Nasar valley. Accommodation: Overnight stay in Homs (or return to Damascus depending on security protocols). Day 5 - Ancient Engineering on the Orontes (Hama) Transit to Hama: Drive further north to the city of Hama, built along the banks of the Orontes River, renowned for its ancient hydraulic engineering. The Norias of Hama: Marvel at the massive, 20-meter-diameter wooden waterwheels. Dating back to the Byzantine and Islamic periods, these colossal structures were historically used to lift river water into elevated aqueducts for agricultural irrigation. Enjoy the hypnotic, rhythmic groaning sound of the turning wood. Azem Palace of Hama: Visit Hama's own 18th-century Ottoman mansion, constructed beautifully to overhang the Orontes River. It currently houses the local archaeological museum, featuring antiquities from the surrounding plains. Great Mosque of Hama: Conclude the city tour at the Great Mosque. Observe the meticulous architectural blending of Umayyad and Ayyubid styles, which has been carefully rebuilt and restored to preserve its ancient foundations following historical damage. Accommodation: Overnight stay in Hama or Aleppo. Day 6 - The Citadel & Spirit of Resilience (Aleppo) Transit to Aleppo: Travel north to Aleppo, one of the world's oldest continuously inhabited cities and a historic terminus of the Silk Road, renowned for its extraordinary cultural resilience and ongoing massive restoration efforts. The Citadel of Aleppo: Explore this colossal fortified palace rising dramatically from a natural mound in the city center. Walk across the steep fortified bridge and pass through the massive Mamluk gateway, surveying the sprawling city from the defensive battlements. Old City & Al-Madina Souq: Wander through the recovering, stone-vaulted alleys of the historic souq. Witness the extraordinary, painstaking restoration efforts currently underway to revive the ancient commercial heart of the city to its former architectural glory. Great Mosque of Aleppo: Visit the exterior of the Umayyad Mosque of Aleppo. Observe the ongoing preservation of its Seljuk and Mamluk heritage, a poignant symbol of the city's dedication to its deep-rooted history. Accommodation: Overnight stay in Aleppo. Day 7 - Antiquities, Souvenirs & Departure Return to Damascus: Undertake the morning transit back down the M5 highway to the capital city of Damascus for your final day of exploration. National Museum of Damascus: Spend the late morning viewing unparalleled antiquities spanning 10,000 years of Syrian history. Highlights include the reconstructed Dura-Europos synagogue frescoes, the first Ugaritic alphabet tablets, and exquisite Palmyrene funerary busts. Final Souvenir Acquisitions: Return to the Old City markets to purchase world-renowned export items: authentic Damask silk brocades, traditional Barazek (sesame and pistachio cookies), and artisanal wooden boxes featuring intricate mosaic inlay (Intarsia). Airport Transfer & Departure: Transfer securely to Damascus International Airport (DAM). Complete all exit immigration procedures and board your return flight to Dhaka (DAC), concluding your comprehensive Syrian expedition. Essential Travel Notes & Embassy Tips Security Clearance & Visa Protocols: Entry into Syria requires a mandatory background security clearance obtained in advance through a licensed Syrian tour operator. This clearance document must be presented to airlines before boarding and to border officials upon arrival to purchase the visa. Strict Israeli Stamp Restriction: You will be absolutely denied entry into Syria if your passport contains any Israeli stamps, visas, or evidence of travel to Israel (including land border exit stamps from neighboring Jordan or Egypt). Mandatory Escort Requirement: Independent tourism is strictly prohibited. Foreign travelers must be accompanied by an accredited local guide and travel with a licensed tour operator at all times outside of designated hotel premises. Cash-Only Economy & Currency Regulations: Syria operates entirely on a cash basis. Foreign credit cards, debit cards, and international ATMs do not work. You must bring crisp, unblemished, post-2013 US Dollars to exchange locally and to pay for the visa-on-arrival fee. Photography & Drone Bans: It is strictly illegal to photograph military installations, government buildings, energy infrastructure, or police checkpoints. Drones of any kind are heavily banned and will result in confiscation and severe legal penalties. Internet Restrictions & Navigation: Internet connectivity can be unreliable, and GPS navigation is subject to severe jamming and spoofing. Download offline maps and rely on your licensed guide for all transit and routing. Checkpoint Procedures: You will pass through numerous military and security checkpoints on highways between cities (e.g., Damascus to Aleppo). Always carry your physical passport and security clearance documents, and allow your guide to handle all communications. Cultural Modesty & Health: Conservative dress is mandatory, particularly when entering religious sites (women must cover their hair, and both men and women must cover shoulders and knees). Ensure you bring all personal prescription medications, as local pharmacies may face supply shortages. This document is prepared for visa application, immigration clearance, and comprehensive travel planning.