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Private Full-Day Tour to Beiteddine, Deir El Qamar and Barouk Cedars from Beirut
5.0
1 Rating
Beit ed-Dine
Embark on a private full-day tour to Beiteddine, Deir El Qamar, and Barouk Cedars from Beirut. Explore the charming Chouf region, visit historical landmarks, and hike through the breathtaking cedar forest.
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 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. After 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 situated southeast of Beirut and 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 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 found 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
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off
- Air-conditioned vehicles
What's Not Included
- Lunch
- Gratuities
Additional Information
Embark on an exclusive journey through Chouf, one of the most serene regions of Lebanon. On a personal trip from Beirut, you’ll get to explore the most renowned sights of Chouf such as the grand Beiteddine Palace and the Deir El Qamar village. Spend the latter part of your day within the enchanting forest of the Cedars of Barouk, hiking amidst Lebanon’s majestic cedar trees, indulging in the breathtaking beauty of nature that Lebanon has to offer.
Location
Beiteddine Palace
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
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(1 Rating)
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1 star
Paola
Nov 7, 2021
Great day out - Amazing Trip - What a great experience. Excellent service and the tour guide was absolutely superb. She was so knowledgeable and the whole trip run smoothly. Would highly recommend.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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