Instructions for reaching Nebek and Deir Mar Musa: |
From Damascus: By Bus:Take a taxi to Garajat Halab (Qabun) and ask for the bus An Nebek. The journey lasts around an hour. By Car: Take the main highway north in the direction of Homs. Nebek is clearly marked and lies to the east of the road approximately 80km north of Damascus.
From Homs: By Bus: Take a the bus no. 1 to the southern Garajat (it is the last stop) and ask for the bus An Nebek. The journey lasts around an hour. By Car: Take the main highway south in the direction of Damascus. Nebek is clearly marked and lies to the east of the road approximately 80km south of Homs.
From Nebek: By Bus or Taxi: Ask for Deir Mar Musa. If you have to leave at a specific time the next day please arrange a lift back with the same driver as we cannot guarantee that our telephone will work.
By Car: Ask for Tariq ‘Arqub and drive 15km east of Nebek. When the road descends into the valley an asphalt road is clearly visible to the left and signposted to Deir Mar Musa. This road is 2.5km long and ends in a car park at the foot of the mountain.
Walking: Walk into the mountains east of Nebek until you see a cottage surrounded by a garden. On the path beneath it there is a large stone garage and from this point the way to Deir Mar Musa is marked on the rocks with splodges of red paint. Please be careful of walking this way in winter. The path follows the route of an ancient river and can be very slippery. In summer it is necessary to carry a large amount of water with you. At all times it is advisable to carry a stick to discourage the sheep dogs that roam semi-feral in the area.
Items to bring with you:
A sleeping bag or bed sheets
A torch
Mosquito repellent (in summer)
Warm clothes (even in summer)
Practical walking shoes
If you are part of a large group please inform us of your intention to visit by email in advance. Unfortunately we cannot accept large parties of tourists on Fridays, Sundays or Religious Festivals, both Christian and Islamic, or on National (Syrian) Feast Days. These days are reserved to the local and syrian visitors.