9
Recommended tour to north Lebanon
Great tour with Beirut daily tours to Qadisha Valley, Cedars and Baalbek. Paula the guide was excellent with her knowledge. She made sure that everyone in our group had a great experience
Private Qadisha, Cedars Hike & Baalbek | May–Oct · Local Guide
+5 photos
At a glance
- Duration
- 8 hours
- Price from
- $150 / person
- Location
- Beirut, Lebanon
- Rating
- 5.0 / 5 · 1 reviews
- Languages
- AR, EN
- Group
- Private
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
- Hotel pickup
- Available
- Confirmation
- Instant
- Ticket
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Operator
- Beirut Daily Tours
Description
Seasonal tour — available May 1 to October 31 only. The high mountain road connecting the Cedars of God to Baalbek closes each winter — making this combination impossible for six months of the year and genuinely special for the six it runs. This is the private version of Lebanon's most dramatic seasonal day trip — the route that uses a mountain road open only in summer to connect three destinations that cannot be reached together any other way. A UNESCO World Heritage gorge in the morning. An easy hike through ancient cedar trees at 2,000 metres. A mountain crossing that only opens in May. The greatest Roman temples on earth in the afternoon — with an expert local guide who knows every stone. Private vehicle and knowledgeable driver throughout — your pace, your schedule, nobody else's itinerary. Expert local guide joins at Baalbek. Entrance tickets payable on site. Optional lunch in Baalbek on the return.
Schedule & prices
- Runs
- Every day
- Start times
- 8:30 AM
- Next available
- Sat, Oct 24
- Adult
- $150
Prices are per person when two book together; a solo traveller pays $300.
Larger groups pay less per person.
From the operator’s live schedule on Viator, checked Oct 23.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Beirut
8:30 AM — Hotel pickup Your driver meets the group at your Beirut hotel and heads north — coastal highway climbing into the Lebanese mountains toward the Qadisha Valley. The scenery shifts dramatically as you gain altitude.
Qadisha Valley
Qadisha Valley — UNESCO gorge · photo stop at the rim Pull over at the rim of the Qadisha Valley — sheer limestone walls dropping hundreds of metres to the valley floor below, dotted with ancient monastery caves carved into the cliff face over seventeen centuries. Qadisha means "Holy" in Aramaic. Your driver covers who lived here and why these inaccessible cliffs were chosen. Multiple photo stops along the rim — the view that makes people understand why Lebanon's north is different from everywhere else.
Bcharre
Bcharre — drive through Gibran's village Pass through Bcharre — the mountain village above the Qadisha gorge, birthplace of Khalil Gibran, author of The Prophet. Your driver points out the museum and key landmarks as you pass through on the way to the Cedars.
The Cedars of God
Cedars of God — easy one-hour hike at 2,000 metres A UNESCO-protected grove where some trees exceed 1,000 years and trunks measure more than 14 metres in circumference — descendants of the forests that built Phoenician ships and furnished Solomon's Temple. An easy one-hour hike on marked trails at your own pace — suitable for all fitness levels, no steep terrain. Your driver covers the ecology and conservation story throughout. From here, the summer mountain road opens east toward Baalbek — the crossing that makes this itinerary impossible in winter.
Stone of the Pregnant Woman — scale check before the temples A single limestone block, 21 metres long, weighing 1,000 tonnes, cut 2,000 years ago and never moved. Your driver explains the engineering logic — and why standing next to it recalibrates everything before you enter the complex five minutes ahead.
Baalbek Temple
Baalbek Temple Complex — expert local guide The greatest Roman temple complex on earth — with an expert local guide who knows these structures at a depth that visiting guides cannot match. The Temple of Jupiter on Trilithon stones each weighing over 800 tonnes. The Temple of Bacchus — larger than the Parthenon, almost entirely intact, the best-preserved Roman temple on earth. The Temple of Venus completing a complex that took three centuries. You crossed a mountain pass to get here. Your expert local guide makes every minute at the site worth every kilometre of the drive.
Baalbeck
Lunch in Baalbek — optional Lebanese mezze and grilled meats in a town that has been feeding travellers since the Roman legions passed through. Optional and at your own expense. Your driver recommends the best local options.
Beirut
Return to Beirut — approx. 7:00–8:00 PM Drop-off at your Beirut hotel. A UNESCO gorge, a thousand-year-old cedar grove, a mountain crossing that only exists for six months, and the world's greatest Roman temples with a local expert. Only possible between May and October. Done properly.
What's included
Included
Knowledgeable English-speaking driver
Private air-conditioned vehicle exclusively for your group
Stone of the Pregnant Woman quarry stop
Expert local guide at Baalbek temple complex
Easy 1-hour hike through the Cedars of God
Hotel pickup and drop-off in Beirut
Qadisha Valley viewpoint — photo stops
Not included
Lunch in Baalbek (optional — at own expense)
Gratuities (optional)
Pickup Locations & Times
Complimentary pickup is provided from any hotel, Airbnb, or residence in Beirut.
Traveller Ratings
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
5.0
1 reviews
How it compares in Beirut
- Starting price $150 is 50% above the typical $100 for tours of similar length in Beirut
Excurgo comparison of 441 Viator tours, recalculated daily.
Important Information
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
1+ days before100% refund
0–1 days before0% refund
Frequently asked questions
How long does this tour take?
Private Qadisha, Cedars Hike & Baalbek | May–Oct · Local Guide lasts about 8 hours. The itinerary has 8 stops.
How much does this tour cost?
Prices start at $150 per person for this Beirut experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. That is the per-person price when two book together; a solo traveller pays $300. There is 1 booking option, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
What days does this tour run?
According to the operator’s current schedule, it runs every day, starting at 8:30 AM.
Can I cancel this tour for free?
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
Is hotel pickup included?
Yes, pickup is offered. Complimentary pickup is provided from any hotel, Airbnb, or residence in Beirut. Pickup points include Tilia Apart Hotel, Coral Beach Hotel and Resort Beirut.
What languages is this tour offered in?
The experience is available in AR, EN.
Is this a private or a group tour?
It is a private experience: only your party takes part. Up to 9 travellers can book together.
Is the tour suitable for children?
Specialized infant seats are available
Will my booking be confirmed immediately?
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Is this tour worth it?
Travellers rate it 5.0 out of 5 across 1 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor; it is run by Beirut Daily Tours.
Reviews(1)
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
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