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Chouf Mountain Full Day Tour: Explore Beiteddine Palace, Deir El Qamar Village and Barouk Cedars
5.0
2 Ratings
Beit ed-Dine
Embark on a full day tour of Chouf Mountain and discover the stunning Beiteddine Palace, Deir El Qamar Village, and Barouk Cedars. Immerse yourself in the breathtaking green landscapes and enjoy comfortable transportation and an English-speaking guide.
Duration:
8 hours
Cancellation:
1 day
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Highlights
- Beiteddine Palace - Beiteddine Palace, also known as the ‘House of Faith,’ is a 19th-century palace situated 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. 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 located southeast of Beirut, about five kilometers from Beiteddine Palace in the Chouf District of Mount Lebanon. Deir El Qamar was the first village in Lebanon to establish a municipality in 1864 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 treaty in 1523. In 1864, Deir el-Qamar elected the first municipality in the Arab provinces of the Ottoman Empire. The village maintains a charming, 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 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, so he gathered his soldiers and ordered them 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.” - Barouk Cedar - Al Shouf Cedar Nature Reserve is the largest nature reserve in Lebanon, located in the Chouf District on the slopes of Barouk Mountain, covering an area of 550 km². Al-Chouf Cedar Nature Reserve is a popular destination for hiking and trekking, with trails suitable for all fitness levels. Bird watching, mountain biking, and snowshoeing are also popular activities. The reserve is home to 32 species of wild mammals, 200 species of birds, and 500 species of plants.
What's Included
- Private transportation
- English Speaking Driver
- Hotel Pick up & Drop off
- In-vehicle air conditioning
What's Not Included
- Lunch
- Gratuities
Additional Information
Join us for a full day excursion to the magnificent Chouf Mountain to revel in the splendid green vistas throughout our journey from Beirut to the Chouf area and return. Discover one of Lebanon’s largest cedar nature preserves, navigate through Beiteddine Palace and learn about Deir El Qamar village. A round-trip ride in a luxury air-conditioned vehicle, accompanied by an English-speaking driver, assures an unforgettable experience.
Location
Beiteddine Palace
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
5.0
(2 Ratings)
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1 star
Alexandraso6140mn
Dec 7, 2021
Beiteddine & Deir el Qamar - The tour to Beiteddine and Deir el Qamar was a great tour. The guide was knowledgeable and very friendly. Very worth it and great use of the day out of Beirut.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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