Private Trip to Beiteddine, Deir el Qamar & Maaser el Chouf Cedars

Travel back in time through Lebanon rich history on this full-day tour from Beirut that’s perfect for any history and mountain lover. Visit Beiteddine Palace, an Ottoman Palace of the early 19th-century built by Emir Bechir Chehab II, and explore Deir el Qamar or Monastery of the Moon, a beautiful village that retains a remarkable picturesque appearance of typical stone houses with red tile roofs.
Continue the tour after towards one of the largest nature reserves in Lebanon. Hike through the cedars trees and enjoy the beautiful landscape.

Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product

Stop At: Beiteddine Palace, Beit ed-Dine, Lebanon

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.

Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

Stop At: Deir el Qamar, Deir el Qamar, Mount Lebanon Governorate

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.

Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Fakhreddine's Mosque, Deir el Qamar Lebanon

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.

Duration: 15 minutes

Stop At: Saydet El Talle Church, Deir el Qamar Lebanon

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.

Duration: 15 minutes

Stop At: Maasser el Chouf, Maasser el Chouf, Mount Lebanon Governorate

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.


Duration: 45 minutes



Informacion Adicional
"Wheelchair accessible"
"Stroller accessible"
"Infant seats available"
"Most travelers can participate"
"A current valid passport is required on the day of travel"
"This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate"
"Confirmation will be received at time of booking"



Start Time: 09:00 AM
Duration: 8 Hours
Start location: Traveler pickup is offered
We pick up travellers from all Destination in the city of Beirut

Cancellations and refunds: For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start time of the experience.

Included

• Comfortable Private Transportation
• Hotel pickup and drop-off
• Tour Leader
• Air-conditioned vehicle

Not Included

• Lunch
• Gratuities

Facilities