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Lebanon's Historical Journey: Beiteddine, Deir el Qamar & Maaser el Chouf Cedars
4.7
3 Ratings
Beit ed-Dine
Embark on a historical journey through Lebanon's rich past with a full-day tour to Beiteddine Palace, Deir el Qamar, and Maaser el Chouf Cedars. Explore Ottoman architecture, picturesque villages, and hike through majestic cedar forests.
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, and during the French Mandate, it served as a local administrative office. In 1943, it was designated as the official summer residence of the president. 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, translating to “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 devastated 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 the 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, picturesque appearance with its typical stone houses and red-tiled 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, also known 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 instructed his soldiers to dig there in the morning. He told 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 the site had once been a temple dedicated to the moon and Venus, which later became a church.” - Shouf Cedars Reserve - Al Shouf Cedar Nature Reserve is Lebanon’s largest nature reserve, located in the Chouf District on the slopes of Barouk Mountain, covering an area of 550 km2. The reserve is a popular spot for hiking and trekking, with trails suitable for all fitness levels. Bird watching, mountain biking, and snowshoeing are also popular activities. It is home to 32 species of wild mammals, 200 species of birds, and 500 species of plants.
What's Included
- Tour Leader
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Comfortable Private Transportation
What's Not Included
- Lunch
- Gratuities
Additional Information
Step into Lebanon’s deep-rooted past on this comprehensive day trip from Beirut that’s a must for any admirer of history and mountains. Explore the Beiteddine Palace, an early 19th-century Ottoman mansion constructed by Emir Bechir Chehab II, and discover the charm of Deir el Qamar or Monastery of the Moon, a scenic village that preserves an exceptional picturesque image of classic stone houses capped with red tile roofs.
Travel forward on the tour to one of Lebanon’s most expansive nature reserves. Journey through the cedar forests and savour the stunning landscape.
Location
Beiteddine Palace
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.7
(3 Ratings)
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1 star
Yixiud
Nov 7, 2021
Recommended - Beiteddine is outstanding, with beautiful Islamic-styled ornamentation. The Cedar Reserve is also a great area to appreciate nature. Apart from the trip, I had a great time talking with Hassane, our guide, on a variety of issues throughout our travel. I will strongly suggest this travel agency to everyone!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Hanan-williams
Jan 18, 2019
Recommended - We booked the tour of Beiteddine, Deir el Qamar and Cedars from Beirut. It was a day to remember. The driver was fluent in English and very helpful and friendly especially with our kids. I highly recommend this company.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Vinnielondon_se2
Jul 11, 2019
Good introduction to beautiful Lebanese mountainside - Pick up from Beirut hotel all on time. Around 40 minutes to Deir Al-Qamar which is a beautiful historic village in the mountains with stunning views, old Christian church and Moslem palace. Nice place to stop for lunch. Bien Eddine Emir’s mountain palace (small entry fee) was excellent as was trip up to the hotel which was once the Emir’s children’s package (nice spot overlooking valley and palace for a coffee and/or lunch). Then on to Baouk Cedar reserve (entry fee around £7.50 payable) for fantastic views/fresh air and half hour walk back down if you choose. Overall a good itinerary to see the beautiful Lebanese countryside. Recommend
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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