Recently Viewed
Private Tour to Beiteddine, Deir el Qamar and Cedars: Exploring Lebanon's Countryside and Chouf Area
4.3
3 Ratings
Beit ed-Dine
Embark on a private tour to Beiteddine, Deir el Qamar, and Cedars in Lebanon's countryside. Enjoy scenic views, visit historical sites, and explore the beautiful Cedars forest.
Duration:
8 hours
Cancellation:
1 day
learn more
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 Al Kamar Municipality - 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. 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 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 picturesque 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, 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 land 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. - Shouf Cedars Reserve - Maaser Al Shouf Cedar Nature Reserve is located in the Chouf District of Lebanon, on the slopes of Barouk Mountain. Covering an area of 550 km², it constitutes nearly 5.3% of Lebanon’s territory and 70% of its green area, making it the largest nature reserve in the Middle East. It is part of the Al-Shouf Cedar Nature Reserve, which was recognized by UNESCO as a biosphere reserve in 2005.
What's Included
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Comfortable Private Transportation
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Tour Leader
What's Not Included
- Lunch
- Gratuities
Additional Information
Discover the charm of Lebanon’s rural landscapes on an enthralling day excursion from Beirut to the Chouf district. Enjoy the journey in a private vehicle, with the opportunity to take in the picturesque sights en route.
Be collected from your accommodation, and then embark on a tour that includes stops at the Beitddine Palace, Deir El Kamar, and the Barouk Cedar Reserve, where you will be given plenty of time to wander through the Cedar woods independently.
Location
Beiteddine Palace
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.3
(3 Ratings)
5 stars
4 stars
3 stars
2 stars
1 star
19cristinah
Oct 31, 2023
Very reliable and compliant agency - Excellent agency for excursions. There were 5 days in which each day I had a private excursion to a different place.
Before traveling, I contacted them and they always answered my emails and advised me on what could and could not be done. Once I arrived in Beirut, they fulfilled everything we had discussed and arranged.
The guides Mohamed and Nada were very punctual, very well prepared and with very good explanations. In addition, they advised me on which places I could go alone after the excursions.
I recommend Beirut daily tours 100%
Review provided by Tripadvisor
469jeans
May 30, 2019
Perfect journey in Chouf - Everything was fine and the journey was lovely. The car was comfortable, our driver very nice with good English skills, and the restaurant incredibly delicious with a gorgeous view over the valley of Chouf. I can only recommend!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Christiana_w
Apr 19, 2019
Pleasant Trip - Guide was very helpful punctual and gave us a good idea of Lebanese history. Also a general idea of the history of the places we visited .
Very helpful and willing to accept our wishes
Review provided by Viator
More activities from this operator
