Tours/Beirut/Private Tour to Beiteddine, Deir El Qamar and Cedars from Beirut
Viator · Private tour

Private Tour to Beiteddine, Deir El Qamar and Cedars from Beirut

5.0(1)Beirut1 hour
TRIPADVISOR5.0(1)

Description

Embark on an unforgettable journey through Lebanon's rich cultural and natural heritage with our exclusive Private Full-Day Tour to Beiteddine, Deir El Qamar, and Barouk Cedars from Beirut. Delve into the heart of Lebanese history as you traverse ancient pathways, explore magnificent palaces, and wander through serene cedar forests. Led by expert guides, this immersive excursion promises a seamless blend of historical discovery, breathtaking landscapes, and personalized attention, ensuring an experience tailored to your interests and preferences. From the majestic Beiteddine Palace to the picturesque village of Deir El Qamar and the tranquil beauty of Barouk Cedars, each stop on our itinerary unveils a new chapter in Lebanon's storied past and natural splendor. Join us for an enriching adventure that transcends time and transports you to the essence of Lebanon's diverse cultural and natural wonders.

Tour Options

PRIVATE TOUR
  • Pickup included

Itinerary

Admission not included90 min

Beiteddine Palace or ‘House of Faith’ is a 19th-century palace in Beiteddine, Lebanon. It hosts the annual Beiteddine Festival and the Beiteddine Palace Museum. Emir Bashir Chehab II, who later became the ruler of the Mount Lebanon Emirate, built the palace between 1788 and 1818. After 1840, the palace was used by the Ottomans as a government building. During the French Mandate it served as a local administrative office. In 1943, the palace was declared the president's official summer residence. During the Lebanese Civil War it was heavily damaged. Parts of the palace are today open to the public while the rest is still the president's summer residence.

30 min

Deir al-Qamar, meaning "Monastery of the Moon" is a village located south-east of Beirut and five kilometres outside of Beiteddine palace in the Chouf District of the Mount Lebanon. Deir El Qamar was the first village in Lebanon to have a municipality in 1864, and it is the birthplace of many well known personalities, such as artists, writers, and politicians. People from all religious backgrounds lived there and the town had a mosque, synagogue and Christian churches. In the year 1860, Deir al-Qamar was destroyed during the civil war between Druze and Christians during which the town was set ablaze. Napoleon III sent a French contingent to rebuild it, recalling France ancient role as protector of the Christians in the Ottoman Empire as established by a treaty in 1523. In 1864, Deir el-Qamar elected the first municipality in the Arab provinces of the Ottoman Empire. The village retains a remarkable picturesque appearance with typical stone houses with red tile roofs.

15 min

Fakhreddine Mosque with its octagonal minaret is a mosque in Deir el Qamar, Lebanon. Built in 1493 and restored in the sixteenth century by Fakhreddine 1st, it is the oldest mosque in Mount Lebanon.

15 min

The Church of Saidet et Tallé and translated as Our Lady of the Hill is one of the most important historical and religious sites in Deir el Qamar and dates to the 15th century. Monk Nicolas Smisaati built a church on the site over the ruins of an old Phoenician temple dedicated to the goddess Astarte that was later destroyed by an earthquake in 859. According to the Maronite Heritage web site, "the legend says that there was a Druze Emir in Baakline looking at the hill of Dar El Kamar. He saw a light coming out of the hill so he gathered his soldiers and ordered them to go in the morning and dig in the land. He said to them: 'If you find an Islamic symbol, build a mosque. If you find a Christian symbol, build a church." In the morning, the soldiers went and found a rock with a cross on it and under the cross there was the moon and venus. That was the sign that in the distant past there was a temple dedicated to the moon and venus and later it became a church.

Admission not included45 min

Al Shouf Cedar Nature Reserve is the largest nature reserve of Lebanon, located in the Chouf District, on the slopes of Barouk Mountain, and has an area of 550 km2. Al-Chouf Cedar Nature Reserve is a popular destination for hiking and trekking, with trails matching all levels of fitness. Bird watching, mountain biking and snowshoeing are also popular. It hosts 32 species of wild mammals, 200 species of birds, and 500 species of plants.

Highlights

Private transportation
Tour Leader
Hotel Pick up & Drop Off
Air-conditioned vehicle

What's included

Included
Private transportation
Tour Leader
Hotel Pick up & Drop Off
Air-conditioned vehicle
Not included
Lunch
Gratuities

Pickup Locations & Times

we pick up travelers from any destinations in Beirut ( Hotel, Airbnb or residence )

Traveller Ratings

5.0
1 reviews
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Important Information

  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Reviews(1)

P
Paola A
November 7, 2021
Great day out - Amazing Trip

What a great experience. Excellent service and the tour guide was absolutely superb. She was so knowledgeable and the whole trip run smoothly. Would highly recommend.

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