Private Beiteddine, Cedars, Moussa Castle & Deir el Qamar Tour

9:00 AM — Pickup from your Beirut hotel Your friendly driver meets you at your hotel and heads southeast into the beautiful Chouf Mountains — pine-forested ridges rising above the coastal plain as you climb toward Beiteddine.

Beiteddine Palace — one of the Arab world's finest palaces Arrive at one of the most impressive and most beautiful palaces in the Arab world — built between 1788 and 1840 by Emir Bashir II, the powerful ruler who unified Lebanon's mountain communities. Three grand interconnected courtyards beautifully decorated with hand-cut geometric tilework and carved cedar-wood ceilings reveal the extraordinary craftsmanship of this remarkable mountain retreat. Do not miss the underground museum beneath the palace — home to Lebanon's finest collection of Byzantine mosaics, floor panels of extraordinary colour that delight visitors of all ages. Today the palace serves as the official summer residence of the Lebanese President.

Barouk Cedar Forest — walking among Lebanon's ancient trees A short drive brings you to the beautiful Barouk Cedar Forest — part of Lebanon's largest nature reserve and a UNESCO-recognised biosphere of exceptional ecological significance. Walk comfortably among ancient cedar trees some over 1,000 years old, their magnificent trunks towering above the well-marked trail. These remarkable trees are the descendants of the forests that built Phoenician ships, Solomon's Temple, and the great palaces of Egypt. A peaceful, beautiful, and genuinely moving experience that is suitable for all ages and fitness levels — the perfect natural complement to the grandeur of Beiteddine.

Moussa Castle — an extraordinary story in stone One of the most charming and most unique attractions in Lebanon — and the stop that surprises and delights virtually every visitor. Moussa Castle is a full-scale medieval fortress built entirely by one Lebanese man — Moussa Maamari — who spent sixty years constructing it stone by stone after a teacher mocked him as a boy. The castle is filled with hundreds of life-size wax figures depicting scenes from Lebanese history, village traditions, and Ottoman-era life. A wonderfully engaging and entertaining visit that visitors of all ages — especially children — absolutely love.

Deir el Qamar — Lebanon's charming first capital A short drive brings you to Deir el Qamar — meaning "Monastery of the Moon" — one of the most beautifully preserved and most visited villages in Lebanon and the country's first capital under the Ma'an dynasty. Wander the lovely cobblestone central square framed by honey-stone mansions dating to the 17th and 18th centuries. A mosque and a church stand peacefully side by side — a beautiful and heartwarming symbol of Lebanese coexistence that has endured here for centuries.

Fakhreddine Mosque & Saydet el Tallé Church Visit the elegant 17th-century mosque of Fakhreddine II — one of Lebanon's most important historical figures — and the charming hilltop Maronite church with lovely panoramic views over the Chouf valleys below. A mosque and a church sharing the same hillside for four centuries — a touching and beautiful symbol of this special village's harmonious heritage.

Lunch in Deir el Qamar — optional A wonderful opportunity to enjoy a traditional Lebanese mountain lunch at one of Deir el Qamar's welcoming restaurants — generous mezze, grilled meats, fresh bread, and beautiful Chouf valley views. A relaxing and delicious way to complete a truly memorable day in the Chouf Mountains.

Return to Beirut — approx. 5:30–6:00 PM Your driver brings you comfortably back to Beirut with drop-off at your hotel — completing a wonderful full day through the beautiful Chouf Mountains with four truly special and completely different experiences.