• Beiteddine Palace - Beiteddine Palace, also known as the ‘House of Faith,’ is a 19th-century palace located in Beiteddine, Lebanon. It is the venue for the annual Beiteddine Festival and houses the Beiteddine Palace Museum. The palace was constructed by Emir Bashir Chehab II, who later ruled the Mount Lebanon Emirate, between 1788 and 1818. Post-1840, the Ottomans repurposed the palace as a government building, and during the French Mandate, it served as a local administrative office. In 1943, it was designated as the president’s official summer residence. The palace suffered significant damage during the Lebanese Civil War. Today, parts of it are open to the public, while the rest remains the president’s summer residence.
• Deir El Qamar - Deir al-Qamar, meaning “Monastery of the Moon,” is a village situated southeast of Beirut, about five kilometers from Beiteddine Palace in the Chouf District of Mount Lebanon. In 1864, Deir El Qamar became the first village in Lebanon to establish a municipality and is the birthplace of many notable figures, including artists, writers, and politicians. The village was home to people of various religious backgrounds and featured a mosque, synagogue, and Christian churches. In 1860, Deir al-Qamar was destroyed during the civil war between Druze and Christians, during which the town was set on fire. Napoleon III dispatched a French contingent to rebuild it, reaffirming France’s historical role as protector of Christians in the Ottoman Empire, as established by a 1523 treaty. In 1864, Deir el-Qamar elected the first municipality in the Arab provinces of the Ottoman Empire. The village maintains a charming appearance with its typical stone houses and red tile roofs.
• Fakhreddine’s Mosque - Fakhreddine Mosque, featuring an octagonal minaret, is located in Deir el Qamar, Lebanon. Built in 1493 and restored in the 16th century by Fakhreddine I, it is the oldest mosque in Mount Lebanon.
• Saydet El Talle Church - The Church of Saidet et Tallé, translated as Our Lady of the Hill, is one of the most significant historical and religious sites in Deir el Qamar, dating back to the 15th century. Monk Nicolas Smisaati constructed a church on the site over the ruins of an ancient Phoenician temple dedicated to the goddess Astarte, which was later destroyed by an earthquake in 859. According to the Maronite Heritage website, “the legend says that there was a Druze Emir in Baakline looking at the hill of Dar El Kamar. He saw a light emanating from the hill and ordered his soldiers to dig in the land the next morning. He instructed them: ‘If you find an Islamic symbol, build a mosque. If you find a Christian symbol, build a church.’ In the morning, the soldiers discovered a rock with a cross on it, and beneath the cross were the moon and Venus. This indicated that in ancient times, there was a temple dedicated to the moon and Venus, which later became a church.”

• Tour Leader
• All entrance fees
• Lunch
• In-vehicle air conditioning
• Hotel Pickup and Drop off

• Gratuities

Embark on an enchanting day trip from Beirut to the captivating Chouf Mountains, where the scenic beauty of Lebanon’s countryside unfolds before you. Explore the magnificent Beiteddine Palace, a splendid 19th-century architectural gem. Then, venture to Deir el Qamar to marvel at the timeless allure of its stone houses. Indulge in a delectable lunch and enjoy seamless access to all attractions, all curated for you in this intimate small-group tour.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.