DESERT TREKKING THROUGH SYRIA AND JORDAN 2010

Location:
                 * Syria: Aleppo, Hama, Palmyra, Damascus
                **excursions in Syria:  Qala’at Samaan, Apamea, Qala’at Salah ad-Din, Dead Cities, Misyaf, Krak 
des Chevaliers, hram Sv.Đorđa, Qala’at Marqab, Beehive houses, Qasr Ibn 
Wardan, Qala’at Shmemis
* Jordan: Amman, Petra, Wadi Rum, Aqaba
** excursions in Jordan: Jerash, Ajlun, Umm Qais, Madaba, Mt. Nebo, Tell Al-Karrar, Dead Sea.
Transportation: airplane, bus, minivan
Accommodation: hotels (double room, half board), bedouin camp (full board)
Lenght: 22 days
Start: 20. March. 2010

ITINERARY

SYRIA

1. Day: Departure from Belgrade airport to Damascus. Arrival in Damascus. Transfer to Aleppo. Accommodation in hotel. Overnight.
2. Day: Sightseeing of Aleppo. Locations: Bab Antakuya, Khan Al-Jumruk, Big Mosque, Museum, Bab Qinenesrin, Citadel.
3. Day: Departure from Aleppo on daily excursion to Qala at Samaan (Saint Simon). After visit of Qala at Samaan returning to Aleppo and departure to Hama. Arrival to Hama. Overnight in hotel.
4. Day: Sightseeing of Hama.  Locations: famous (Norie) water-mills, old city, museum, citadel. Overnight.
5. Day: Daily excursions to Apamea, Qala'at Salahaddin and Byzantine Dead Cities. Return to Hamu. Rest and overnight at the hotel.
6. Day: Daily excursions to Misyaf, then to famous crusader fortress of Krak des Chevaliers, St. George temple known as the common theme that is usualy painted as the the frescoes on the orthodox churches, "St. George Kills the dragon" as the place where the act played according to the Bible, at the end of a tour visit Qala'at Marqab. Return to Hama. Overnight.
7. Day: Daily excursion to the village Sarouj where there are houses in the form of bee hives (Beehive houses), Qasr Ibn Wardan and Qala'at Shemis. Return to Hama and overnight at the hotel.
8. Day: Departure from Hame via Homs to Palmyra. Arrival at Palmyra. Visiting the ancient ruins of Palmyra, visiting the temple of Baal, a tour of the Temple White, the museum of folk culture, so as other sights Return to the hotel and overnight.
9. Day: Departure from Palmyra to Damascus. Arriving in Damascus, and hotel accommodation. Day for reat
10. Day: Sightseeing of Damascus. Locations: Citadel and old town, Umayyad mosque, Mausoleum of Saladin... Overnight in hotel.
11. Day: Sightseeing of Damascus. Locations: Mausoleum of Beybar, Sayyida Ruqayya mosque, Overnight.

 

JORDAN

12. Day: Farewell to the group that returned to Serbia. The rest of the group departs from Damascus to Amman. Arrival in Amman, hotel accommodation. Day for rest. Overnight.
13. Day: Sightseeing of Amman. Overnight in Amman.
14. Day: Daily excursion to Jerash, then to Ajlun castle and Umm Qais's (ancient city with a view that gives the golden plateau, the Sea of Galilee and Lake Tiberius in the north and the Jordan valley to the south). Return to Amman. Overnight.
15. Day: Daily excursions to Madaba (the city of mosaics), Mount Nebo, where Moses is grave, Tell al-Kharrar (Bethany-beyond-the-Jordan) the place where Jesus was baptized by St.. John the Baptist. End the day at the beach on the Dead Sea, the lowest point on the surface of the Earth (-400 meters). Overnight stay in camp (bungalows) on the Dead Sea.
16. Day: Transfer to Wadi Musa (Petra). Petra is an ancient city that was carved in the rocks, and in modern times is known as the sets used for filming the movie Indiana Jones III. Accommodation in a hotel in Wadi Musa and overnight.
17. Day:  Daily excursions and trekking Wadi Musa - Tayibeh - Tibn - Wadi Sarr - Mt.Hor - Petra). Back in Wadi musu. Overnight.
18. Day: Transport to the deserts of Wadi Rum. Visiting Wadi Rum desert. Wadi Rum is one of the most beautiful deserts in the world. Many of Hollywood romantic scenes in the desert were filmed right here. This is one of the places where he visited the famous Lawrence of Arabia during his stay in the Middle East. Bed in a nomadic camp in the oasis. Waiting for the dawn and sunrise in the desert, Wadi Rum is one of the greatest spectacles in the road.
19. Day: After sunrise departure to Aqaba. Arrival in Aqaba, hotel accommodation. Break on the beaches on the Red Sea. Overnight stay at the hotel.
20. Day: Day for diving in the famous observation of underwater coral and underwater world that are in the Red Sea. Overnight stay at the hotel.
21. Day: Departure to Amman, then change buses to Amman to Damascus. Arriving in Damascus. Accommodation in hotel. Overnight.
22. Day: Departure from Damascus by plane to Belgrade. Arrival in Belgrade.

 

PRICE: Syria and Jordan 1500 Euro
             Syria only 1100 Euro
             Jordan only 1100 Euro

 

The clients outside the countries of Western Balkan, must to find a flights from their countries to Damascus in Syria or Amman in Jordan and to obtain the visa for this countries. The ESC Pozitiv will provide all necessary document to obtain the visa. The price for those clients is different (lower). Please consult the prices on xtfreeman@yahoo.com or slobodan.stokic@gmail.com

The ESC Pozitiv can assist to clients to find a cheap flight from any country or continent.

PRICE INCLUDED:

• airplane return tickets and taxes (for client who flight from Belgrade)
• transfer Damascus-Aleppo-Damascus
• hotel in Aleppo – double bad room, halfboard (breakfast and dinner)
• excursion to Qala’at Samaan (lunch packages during excursion)
• transfer Aleppo - Hama
• hotel in Hama – double bad room, halfboard (breakfast and dinner)
• excursion Apamea-Qala'at Salahaddin-Dead Cities (lunch packages during excursion)
• excursion Misyaf-Krak des Chavalier-Qala'at Marqab (lunch packages during excursion
• excursion Beehive houses-Qasr Ibn Warden-Qala'at Shmemis (lunch packages during excursion)
• transfer Hama - Palmyra
• hotel in Palmyra – double bad room, halfboard (breakfast and dinner)
• transfer Palmyra - Damascus
• hotel in Damascus – double bad room, halfboard (breakfast and dinner)
• Jordan visa (for the Serbian residents)
• transfer Damascus - Amman
• hotel in Amman – double bad room, halfboard (breakfast and dinner)
• excursion Ajlun-Jerash-Umm Qais (lunch packages during excursion)
• excursion Madaba-Mt.Nebo-Tell al-Karrak-Mrtvo More (lunch packages during excursion)
• accommodation in camp on Dead Sea – 3-4 bed bungalows halfboard (breakfast and dinner)
• transfer Dead Sea – Petra
• hotel in Petra double bad room, halfboard (breakfast and dinner), with use of sauna, swimming pool, internet  and transferom to and from Petra open air museum
• transfer Petra – Wadi Rum
• hotel in Wadi Rum – double bad room, halfboard (breakfast and dinner)
• excursion in desert Wadi Rum in Nomad camp based on the full board (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
• transfer Wadi Rum – Aqaba
• hotel in Aqaba – double bad room, halfboard (breakfast and dinner)
• organization i guide service

 

PRICE NOT INCLUDED:

• airplane ticket and taxes (for client who not flight from Belgrade)
• visa for Syria (for non Serbian residents)
• visa for Jordan (for non Serbian residents)
• one meal per day (lunch), except during exursions kada when are provided lunch packages
• entrance fee for all cultural-historic sights during the itinerary (small costs in Syria and Jordan, about 50-70euros, much more higher costs in Istanbul)
• water, soda, alcoholic and non alcoholic beverages
• personal costs (telephone, internet, souvenirs...)
• health, travel and any other insurance
• any other costs which are not included in the price according to the itinerary above

 

NOTE:       

1. This is one of the trekking group adventure destination, but it is desirable that the members be prepared for eventual exhaustion and fatigue that can occur due to the extensive program of visits and dynamic destinations in both countries.
2. Obligations of any extra charges incurred due to unforeseen circumstances during the expedition up to 5% of the total cost assumes ESC Pozitiv, as well as any payment for situations that are prourokovane by ESC Pozitiv. All the extra charges, which are not caused by ESC Pozitiv, but the result of individual behavior, the burden falls on the group.
3. Latest date for applications is 20th February 2010 with the mandatory deposit of 500euro in advance on the account number 00-508-0002139.9; IBAN: CS73160005080002139933
4. Requested all interested to apply until the deadline below, due keeping the best prices for airline tickets.
5. If someone cancel the participation in the expedition , paid deposit in advance is NON REFUNDABLE, but need to find a replacement for a reserved place.
6. In the case of cancelation of expedition, ESC Positive is obliged to return to client paid deposit, less for any costs that were incurred during the organization with the obligation to contribute documentation to the client by which the cost was made.
7. Minimum number of members is five (5) so that the expedition could be organized.

 

Tour leader: Slobodan Stokić
president of The ESC Pozitiv
tel: +381.63.83.22.485
e-mail: xtfreeman@yahoo.com, slobodan.stokic@gmail.com
skype: slobodan.stokic
msn: bobanextreme@hotmail.com
web: www.pozitiv-club.net                

 

 

 

SYRIA

ALEPPO, along with Damascus, goes for the oldest continuous inhabited city in the world. And other Middle East cities to the same claim for themselves, but there are more documents from the ancient kingdom of the Queen Mary from the Euphrates, which shows that the Aleppo in 18 century BC was already a powerful capital, and which is inhabited to this day, almost a full 8000 years. Aleppo has a very rich history. During the reign of Seleucida who came here with Alexander the Great, this city was called Beroia, until the city has not fallen under Roman rule and became the main trade hub between the Mediterranean and Asia. City was demolished by the Persians in 611 year. And then fell by 637 year in the rule of Muslims. While it was not Byzantium again took 961 years. In 1124 A.D., The city was ruled over the Crusaders. After the attacks of the Mongols in 1260 and 1401 year., the city was almost deserted, and the year 1517., it is assumed the Turkish Ottoman Empire.

 

QALA'AT SAMAAN remains of the church-St.Simeon basilica and archaeological site, which are definitely not to be missed during the visit to Syria. Simeon was born in 392 year A.D. and as the son of a shepherd he was given to live in the monastery. Simeon monastery life is experienced as insufficiently ascetic, and retreated to caves in nearby hills and continued self-imposed severe life. Soon spread the fame of this askete and people began to come to him asking for a blessing. Simeon was despised this invasion of his privacy, and raised a pillar on which he lived as it can not people could touch. Legend says that as his tolerance of the people declined, so has built higher pillar and where he spent 40 years on a pillar, of which the last was 18m high. Simeon’s eccentric behavior has even led pilgrims from Britain and France. When he died in 459 year A.D., Simeon was probably one of the most famous person of the V century, and his body was buried in a Christian center in Antioch. Around the pillars on which he spent his life with which he preached, was built a huge church in the form of four separate basilica that was built to make a cross, each with an entrance that leads into a central octagonal courtyard. When construction was completed in 490 year A.D., This basilica church was the largest churches of that time.

  

APAMEA, although not as high as recognizable Palmyra, is considered one of the main attractions of Syria, which should not be bypassed. Apamea reminiscent of the destroyed version Zenobia big desert town made of pink stone, but Apamea was built of gray granite and is located on grass meadow overlooking the Al-Ghab valley. Apamea was built in the III century BC by Selecius I, former army general of Alexander the Great and became a leading commercial hub of the region. Apamea was conquered by the Roman general Pompey in the 64 year BC, when the city entered its golden age that lasted until the second century BC when the greater part of the city destroyed in the powerful earthquake in 115 BC.

 

 

MISYAF (assasssins Fortress) is a castle located on the slopes of Jebel Ansariyya, about 40km west of Hama. This castle is known as the first fort that was built in this area. It was counquered in the 1103 year by the Crusaders. The Crusaders did not have enough manpower to defend the castle, so he fell into the hands of a mysterious Ismaili sect, which is far better known as the sect Assassins. As a Shiit muslims, Ismaili led a guerrilla struggle against the Sunni Ayyubid Dynasty. They took several successful assassinations of important Sunni figures, and in the period from 1175 to 1176 were two attempted assassination of Sultan Saladin. After the second assassination attempt, Sultan Saladin ordered the attack on the fort Misyaf. What happened after that, the rest is unknown and remained in the domain of legend.

 

 

QASR IBN WARDAN was built by Byzantine Emperor Justinian in mid-sixth century as part of a defensive line that included Rasaf and the Euphrates. Qasr Ibn Wardan was built as a military base, the palace and the church. Appearance of Qasr Ibn Wardan more resemblance to the modest city public building than military fortress and border outpost. There is a theory that the Qasr Ibn Wardan longer a place from which they exercised control over the local beduine population, and served to impress and show strength and superiority of the Byzantine Empire toward the poor local Bedouin residents.

 

 

BEEHIVE HOUSES are located in the village Sarouj. These buildings are perfect in its simplicity. They were built in the conical shape of bricks, which are made of white mud. They have only one room in which there is only one small entrance. They are extremely well adapted to the climate, because the thickness of the walls and the lack of windows that create a darkness, which retains the same temperature as during the summer heat, and during the cold winter days. From the period of Bala to the present time, there are rest only a few of these houses.

 

DEAD CITIES (Byzantine Dead Cities Serjilla and Al-Bar) are the main attractions in the region around Aleppo. These cities are a series of ancient ghost towns, which lies between the mountains of Aleppo to Hama. Dating from the period when this region was a large hinterland of the Byzantine Christian city of Antioch. The biggest mystery is the reason why these cities were abandoned. One of the most adopted theory is that in those years these villages and towns were abandoned by "natural" demographic migration. Trade routes were changed, and people followed them.

 

 

QALA'AT SALAH AD-DIN, although less famous than the Krak des Chevaliers, attracted TE Lawrence (Lawrence of Arabia) to write about it. According to Lawrence, the castle was called Seon (Sayhun in Arabic), by which it knew the Crusaders, and by Robert the Seon, one of Crusader builders. Official name Qala'at Salah ad-Din received the 1957th yr. Qala'at Salah ad-Din is a sensational place mostly because it is located at the top wooded ridge. Is approaching the trap from the direction of the nearby village of al-Haff, at first glance from the top of the ridge to the north see this beautiful castle.

 

 

QALA'AT MARQAB after Krak des Chevalier and Qala'at Salah ad-Din is third Crusaders castle in its impressibility. This castle was built from a black basalt rocks. This castle is not complete as Krak des Chevalier, nor has good offensive position as Salah ad-Din, but it located on the place where this castle offers an incredible view over the Mediterranean on one side and the Syrian valleys that descend from the other side. The original castle was built by Muslims, probably in 1062 year AD. During the early twelfth century, fell into the hands of the Crusaders and the jurisdiction of Antioch until it was sold in 1168 to the Knights Hospitaller. Hospitallers rebuilt the castle to the current form. This castle is 1285 years., fell into the hands Mamluk sultan Qalaun.

 

 

QALA'AT SHMEMIS is one more of the abandoned, and also the last Crusader’s castle that we visited during our visit to Syria. Qala’at Shmemin the castle is in the shadow of the previous castles. Its role and strategic location were not important as the role of the previous castles, but as to pass it by, it is worth it given the time and attention.

 

 

KRAK DES CHEVALIER is a castle which the author Paul Theroux described briefly as the castle of dreams from children's fantasy about chivalry, armor and banners. Lawrence of Arabia this castle simply called "the most beautiful snare in the world." This castle is the Syrian-class attraction that certainly should not miss. This castle is very well preserved, so while staying in it you will feel like you're back 800 years. The castle was built on the hill Jebel Ansariyya. Whoever controlled the castle, known as the Homs Gap, and had controlled the government of goods and people in the territory of Syria. The first fort which is known to have built on this site was built by the Emir of Homs in 1031 year. It was completely destroyed by a flood of hordes of the First Crusade in 1099 year. Rebuilt some 11 years later, when Christian knights founded the Holy City and began to spread religion. Mid-XII century, the elite Knights Hospitaller and replaced the first crusaders and built and expanded the Krak des Chevaliers to the present scale. This castle was conquered in 1271 by Muslims under the impact of military Mamlook Sultan Beybara.

 

 

PALMYRA, to the locals known as Tadmor (ancient Semitic name), Palmyra is Syrian tourist attraction the No. 1 and one of the world's most visited historical sites. The ruins of the city dating primarily from the II century and cover some 50 hectares, and generally most of the city remains were dug and restored. Archaeologists today revealed the new sites and find artefacts around Temple White. Tadmor (Pamira) is first mentioned in texts that date from the second millennium BC The rulers, including and Assyrians and Persians have ruled in this city before it took by Seleucids, and the city, as it is today, was built Seleucid, former general of Alexander the Great. The city is located on the Silk Road and was an important commercial and strategic hub in this region. This archaeological site rich in very rich history, and during his visit to Syria is a place that any cost should not miss.

 

HAMA, with Orontas river which cuts the city center and near the river that bordering alleys and beautiful gardens in which to hear the creaking of the ancient water mill (Noria), is one of the most attractive cities in Syria. Since in this city there is not much tourist attraction that can visit, its quiet atmosphere, good restaurants and excellent hotels are the combination that makes this city a pleasant place in which to spend a few relaxing days. Comfort of Hama should be used as a place where the start and finish a day excursion to the famous places in Syria.

 

 

DAMASCUS is true for the oldest, continuously inhabited city in the world. Hieroglyphic tiles found in Egypt, pointing to "Dimashq" as one of the cities conquered by the Egyptians in the XV century BC, but excavations in the courtyard of the Umayyad mosque came to the discovery of artifacts dating back even from the third millennium BC Dimashq name appears in the Ebla archives, as well as the tiles found in Mari. In its earliest times, Damascus was the city around which they fought the biggest battle. Some of the early invaders were the famous King David of Israel, Asirijci in 732 BC, Nebuchadnezzar around 600 BC and the Persians in 530 BC In 333 BC, the city has won Alexander the Great. Greek influence came when the city was conquered by Nabatejaca in 85 BC, while only 21 years later, Damascus became a Roman province. Under the old rule of Rome, Damascus became a military base for the Army's legions who fought against the Persians. Hadrian was proclaimed a city in the metropolis II century AD, during the reign of Alexander Severus became a Roman colony. With the arrival of Islam, Damascus became an important center as the seat of the Umayyad caliphate from 661 to 750th When the Abbasid Empire download and transfer a caliphate in Baghdad, Damascus was once completely looted. After the occupation of the city by the Seljuk Turks in 1076, the Crusaders have unsuccessfully tried to download it. When the Crusaders tried to win the second time the city 1154th, this time the general Kurdish origin, Nureddin came to the defense and thus began a short golden era of this city. After a brief occupation by the Mongols, the city took Mamluci from Egypt 1260th During the period of rule Mamluka goods from Damascus became famous and attracted traders from Europe. This led to the second Mongol invasion under the command of Tamerlane, when the city was razed when the artists and educated people were deported in the Mongolian capital of Samarkand. Mamluci soon regained control and began to re-build the city. During Ottoman rule, the fate of Damascus, is changing the status of a small provincial town, the capital of great empires. During the Second World War, Turkish and German forces used Damascus as their base. When these forces were defeated by the Arab Legion and the Allies, the first short Syrian rule was established in 1919th Since 1945, when he ousted French rule, Damascus became the capital of modern Syria.

 

 

JORDAN

AMMAN more refers as the modern Arab city, than large, ancient metropolis of the Orient, but never managed to reach the glory that you have a Cairo or Damascus. If you are coming to Amman from Damascus, you may represent or refreshment, or deep disappointment because of its orientation towards modernizing like capitals of Western Europe. However, if you scratch below the surface, this city can satisfy everyone's interests.

 

JERASH is one of the main tourist attractions of Jordan. The ruins of this city are an excellent example of how it looked closely eastern provincial city of ancient Rome, and is very well preserved. At its peak, the city had a population of about 15000 inhabitants, and given that there was one of the main trade routes, population prosperiralo of agriculture. The ancient city that has survived until today was admistrativni, civil and commercial center.

 

 

AJLUN is another interesting city in Jordan in which the minaret of a mosque in the city center is about 600 years. Here are the remains of the Byzantine Church of St. George. However, the most interesting is tvđava Qala'at ar-Rabadi, which dominates the town from a nearby hill.

 

 

UMM QAIS or GADARA are the ruins of the city which is located in north-western corner of Jordan. These ruins are very interesting because in one place are the ruins of the old Roman city almost intact the Ottoman village. This place also provides an ideal view of the Golan plateau in Syria and the Sea of Galilee (Lake Tiberias) in Israel. According to Biblical tradition, this is the place where Jesus expelling demons from two men.

 

 

MADABA is a town that is famous for its incredible and historically significant Byzantine mosaics. Madaba is the most important Christian center in Jordan and for so long was an example of religious tolerance and a place where the mosque with prayer mixed with ringing church bells. Biblical Moabit city Medeba is one of the towns that were divided among 12 tribes of Israel. By 160 BC, Ammonite held control of Madaba, and some 45 years later the city was conquered by Hyrcanus I and Israel, and promised the Nabateans by Hyrcanus II return provided to help to defend and recover Jerusalem. Under the Romans, Madaba became a prosperous provincial city. Prosperity continued during the Byzantine period until the invasion of Persia Sasanianaca not 614 Most mosaics dating from precisely this period.

 

 

 

Mt.NEBO is the place where Moses said he saw the promised land, a land which is itself forbidden entrance. Moses died and was buried in this place. Mount Nebo is composed of several peaks, one of which is built on top Siyagha Moses Memorial Church. Besides its religious significance, mountain, sky provides unforgettable views of the surrounding plain.

 

 

TELL AL-KHARRAR is the place where, according to Biblical tradition, St.. John the Baptist baptized Jesus Christ. About this site are several archaeological digs, including water cisterns dating from the time of Rome and Byzantium, the remnants of the room for prayer from the third century which is still visible, the mosaic floor and arches rekunstruisani Byzantine church from the fourth century. The biggest and most preserved sites are located on Elijah hill, where there are three caves, pools in which they performed the baptism, the church and monastery, which dates from the Byzantine period, on whose floor mosaics are from the ancient Greek inscriptions. Hill, from which it is believed that St.. Elijah ascended to heaven, looking down the cane about one of the tributaries of the river Jordan which is said to be the place where Jesus Christ was baptized.

 

 

DEAD SEA is the lowest point on Earth (-400m) and part of the border between Jordan and Israel goes middle of the sea. Salinity of the water of the sea is so large that the human body can not sink, but floats only a few centimeters below the surface. Salt crystals that are located on the shores of the Dead Sea are the true of attraction.

 

 

PETRA belongs in areas that normally exist only in imagination or is necessary to believe that such places exist to them could see. Petra is something not to be missed in Jordan, and also is a custom to say if you are in Jordan onlu one day and you can or want to visit only one place, then let it be Petra. About Petra we will not reveal too much here, but we try to provide you with these few photographs to encourage your imagination of the ancient city of dreams.

 

 

WADI RUM offers some of the most ubelievable desert scenes you'll ever see! This area and the desert are achieved by the presence of the famous ancient Arab outlaws who stayed here, as well as the famous Lawrence of Arabia, and since then, the desert has not lost its charm and hidden magnificence. Unforgettable moments during their stay in the wilderness are observing galaxies in the night, and watching sunset or sunset.

  

 

AQABA is a city located in the far south of Jordan, on the Red Sea. Aqaba is best known for outstanding underwater corals that are unforgettable underwater landscapes. Aqaba is a beautiful place to rest or respite from the road, and it is possible to hire diving equipment.