Hiking Tour of Lebanon

(8 Days - Departs Daily on a Private Basis)
Beirut, Chouf Mountains, Jabal Moussa or Tannourine (or Sidon and Tyre), Jeita Grotto, Byblos, Qadisha Valley, Baalbek

On this private tour of Lebanon, explore the country’s beautiful landscapes—including ancient cedar forests and mountain reserves filled with wildlife and historic ruins—and experience its many cultural and archaeological highlights. The tour includes luxury accommodation and private hiking and touring with your own guide and driver.

Begin in Beirut, a sophisticated city with excellent cultural sites, restaurants and nightlife. During flexible private touring with your expert guide and driver, visit the most interesting neighborhoods, museums and monuments. Tour the superb National Museum of Beirut, which has an impressive collection of archaeological artifacts, and the Sursock Museum, which exhibits modern and contemporary art in a beautiful historic villa. Explore the Beirut Central District, a revitalized area with Art Deco-style buildings, Roman ruins, and cafes and shops. See local landmarks such as the clock tower, the Lebanese Parliament, Mohammad Al-Amin Mosque, and Maronite and Greek Orthodox cathedrals. Visit top boutiques in Saifi Village and other neighborhoods to browse for local handicrafts such as carpets, jewelry, kaftans, slippers and housewares. See additional city highlights such as iconic Pigeon Rocks and the leafy campus of the American University of Beirut according to your interests. Also, enjoy reservations at the top restaurants in Beirut.

One day, take a private excursion in the beautiful Chouf Mountains. High on the slopes, enjoy flexible hiking among the centuries-old Lebanese cedars of the Barouk Cedar Forest. Look for native plants, as well as birds, reptiles and other wildlife indigenous to the area, which is part of the Al-Shouf Cedar Nature Reserve and a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Also visit iconic Beiteddine Palace, an 18th-century complex built on a hillside overlooking a rural valley. Inside the palace—the summer residence of the Lebanese president—see spectacular decor such as stained-glass windows, Byzantine mosaics, and intricately carved wooden walls and ceilings. Nearby, stop in Deir al-Qamar, a centuries-old traditional hill town with mosques, palaces and a historical synagogue.

Another day, enjoy private hiking in Jabal Moussa Biosphere Reserve, known for forested mountains and deep canyons dotted with ancient villages and Roman ruins, or Tannourine Cedars Forest Nature Reserve, which has dense forests punctuated by rocky outcrops. Alternatively, take a private excursion to Sidon and Tyre, two port cities made wealthy in antiquity through trade in glass and the rare purple dye prized by royalty, to see a wealth of interesting ruins from Phoenician, Greek, Arabic and other eras.

Next, visit the beautiful caverns of Jeita Grotto. See caves filled with breathtaking stalagmites and stalactites, and cruise on an underground river. In the fashionable and ancient port city of Byblos—where the first alphabet was invented—visit the UNESCO World Heritage-listed clifftop archaeological site, which has fascinating ruins from around 3000 B.C. through the Middle Ages, including temples, royal tombs and a Crusader castle. Also stroll the town’s bougainvillea-lined streets, browse shops in the souk, and perhaps stop for a seafood meal at a restaurant on the picturesque harbor.

Continue to the spectacular Qadisha Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with early Christian monasteries tucked into the rocky cliffs of a deep gorge. During privately guided hiking, walk through the beautiful landscapes, learn about the history, and look for native wildlife amid the caves, rock-cut monasteries, agricultural terraces and steep, forested slopes. Nearby, visit the Cedars of God Forest, a grove of ancient trees. If desired, also visit the Khalil Gibran Museum and tomb in the town of Bcharre.

Next, enjoy a scenic drive over the mountains to the Bekaa Valley. See the impressive Roman ruins of Baalbek, the most important archaeological site in Lebanon and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Walk through the remains of the colossal Temple of Jupiter and the well-preserved Temple of Bacchus, and explore the various courtyards and other architectural elements. Also stop at Chateau Ksara, Lebanon’s best-known winery, to taste some of the acclaimed red and white wines they produce in the Bekaa Valley.

Return to Beirut for a final night.