• 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 used it 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 Al Kamar Municipality - Deir al-Qamar, meaning ‘Monastery of the Moon,’ is a village situated southeast of Beirut and 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. It 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 picturesque appearance with typical stone houses and red tile roofs. - Fakhreddine’s Mosque - Fakhreddine Mosque, with its octagonal minaret, is located in Deir el Qamar, Lebanon. Built in 1493 and restored in the sixteenth century by Fakhreddine I, it is the oldest mosque in Mount Lebanon. - Saydet Al 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, a legend states that a Druze Emir in Baakline saw a light emanating from the hill of Dar El Kamar. He instructed his soldiers to dig in the area the next morning, saying, ‘If you find an Islamic symbol, build a mosque. If you find a Christian symbol, build a church.’ The soldiers discovered a rock with a cross on it, and beneath the cross were the moon and Venus, indicating that the site had once been a temple dedicated to the moon and Venus before becoming a church.

• Tour Leader
• Professional guide
• Hotel Pick up & Drop off
• In-vehicle air conditioning
• Comfortable Private Transportation

• Lunch
• Gratuities
• Entrance fees

Embark on a journey through the towns and villages of Chouf Mountain, traversing ancient roads and exploring Lebanon’s historic sites. During this half-day excursion from Beirut, you’ll experience Lebanon’s breathtaking landscapes and pay a visit to Deir al-Qamar, the residential capital of the Emirate of Mount Lebanon. This widely diverse town once was home to people of varied religious beliefs, boasting a mosque, a synagogue, and Christian churches. Following this, you’ll tour the Beiteddine Palace, a 19th-century marvel in Beiteddine, Lebanon. This palace serves as the venue for the yearly Beiteddine Festival and houses the Beiteddine Palace Museum.

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