Oman, Lebanon, Syria, Jordan,Turkey in 16 days?

Hi,

I'm working out a trip to Oman, Beirut, Damascus, Palmyra, Aleppo, Antalya, Cappadocia, and Istanbul. I might visit Oman last instead of Istanbul since I've a return ticket from Dubai.

Is it possible to visit the above places in 16 days COMFORTABLY? I like to wander around in places to bask in the atmosphere, not really the touch and go type of person. Would I be too ambitious to include Jordan/Israel to my list?

Also, how long does it take on average to get to the places mentioned if I travel overland? I'll probably fly to Beirut from Dubai/Oman but since Lebanon, Syria, Jordan and Turkey seem fairly near to each other, I'm thinking of travelling overland.

Are there any other places I should definitely visit?

Thanks in advance!

16 days for all these places? That is utterly crazy!

Damascus to Istanbul hitting the major highlights enroute is a 5-weeks trip. If you really rush it you could do it in maybe 3 1/2 weeks, but you'd really be pushing it.

I mean, travelling from Damascus overland to Istanbul takes about 2-3 days alone. Cappadocia to Istanbul is 8 hours on the bus, the trip is usually done overnight. Similar is true for Antalya-Istanbul.

Istanbul to the Turkish-Syrian border is approx. 16 hours by bus.

With only 16 days and a return flight from Dubai I would focus on the UAE and on Oman.

As t_maia says, 16 days to do these countries overland is barely possible let alone comfortable. 16 days would be a comfortable length of time to explore Turkey, or to visit Lebanon, Syria and Jordan, or to visit UAE and Oman.

or to visit Lebanon, Syria and Jordan

I doubt that.

Syria and Lebanon or Syria and Jordan would be ok if you only hit the highlights, but all three countries? I think it would be a bit much. It would be possible if you visited just Damascus in Syria (going Jordan-Damascus-Lebanon or vise versa), but that would be a real shame considering what else the country has to offer.

Quoting t_maia

or to visit Lebanon, Syria and Jordan

I doubt that.

Syria and Lebanon or Syria and Jordan would be ok if you only hit the highlights, but all three countries? I think it would be a bit much. It would be possible if you visited just Damascus in Syria (going Jordan-Damascus-Lebanon or vise versa), but that would be a real shame considering what else the country has to offer.

Well, I agree that it wouldn't be ideal. I do think we have a tendency to be a bit conservative about timescales though, because that's the way that most people who post regularly on this site like to travel - seeing a country in as much depth as possible - and it would be possible to whizz round some of the highlights of the 3, if you were looking to pack in the holiday snaps. I reckon in 16 days you could just about fit in Beirut-Baalbek-Damascus-Palmyra-one of the Crusader Castles-Jerash-Amman-Petra.

Does anyone know if there are any tour companies who offer small group tours which combine Syria and the Lebanon? I've already visited Jordan but I am having difficulty sourcing a trip that doesn't combine it with either Egypt or Syria. Looking for the budget option - not the luxury end of the market. I am a fairly confident traveller but no longer in the 18 - 30 age bracket so a mixed age group would suit best.

Thanks.

I spent 2 1/2 weeks in Oman and I found it very hard to leave, and while I certainly didn't get to do everything I think you could see a lot of it in maybe 5 days... If you want to leave Muscat be aware that travel time can be lengthy over the roads between towns as the roads are not paved well (or at all!) and the terrain is very mountainous in the interior. Message me if you would like to know some out of the way places.

you're rushing it Jordan alone need minimum 8 days