Lebanon Tour Package (9 Nights / 10 Days)

After breakfast and a welcome briefing, your adventure begins with a tour of this vibrant city, located on a peninsula at the midpoint of Lebanon’s Mediterranean coast. It is one of the oldest cities in the world, having been inhabited for more than 5000 years, and our tour will include the most famous sites: the Green Line (line of demarcation during the Lebanese Civil War from 1975 - 1990), the National Museum displaying the famous Phoenician gilded bronze figurines buried near Byblos, Mohammad Al Amin Mosque (also known as the Blue Mosque), ancient churches and Roman Baths. Enjoy delicious Lebanese cuisine for dinner before your first taster of the nightlife of Beirut!. Included meals: Breakfast.

This morning we drive out from the city, up into the mountains to Sidon (also known as Saida), an ancient coastal city, set amongst citrus and banana groves. It is well known for its fresh fruit and sweets, including a speciality cookie called senioura. We walk through the old souks before continuing to Tyre for its archaeological sites and old Fisherman’s port. . Included meals: Breakfast.

Jezzine is a summer resort for Beirut dwellers, surrounded by mountain peaks and pine forests. We visit the impressive Niha Castle, carved into the rock face of a cliff, and the elegant 19th Century Beit el Din Palace which showcases Arab design inspite of being the product of Italian architects! Tonight we sleep in Auberge Kheribe, a beautiful old traditional Lebanese house.. Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner.

We enjoy a walk (2-3hrs) this morning in Masar el Chouf, before driving to the stunning Chateau Kefraya to visit it’s vineyard and partake of a little wine tasting (red and white blended wines and arak). We spend tonight in the beautiful nearby mountain town of Zahle, aka the ‘City of Wine & Poetry’, admiring its architecture and sophisticated nightspots.. Included meals: Breakfast.

We spend the morning in Anjar, a UNESCO World Heritage site, before visiting the incredible Roman ruins at Baalbek. The ancient city ruins at Anjar were only revealed in the 1940s and date back to 705 - 715, during the Umayyad period, under Caliph Walid Ibn And Al-Malak. They help demonstrate how construction, architecture and Islamic art were all developing during this time. From one UNESCO site to another: the Roman Ruins at Baalbek, previously known as Heliopolis during the Hellenistic period. Here we enjoy one of the finest examples of Imperial Roman architecture, built over more than 2 centuries. The complex includes 2 huge, and very grand Roman ruins: the Temple of Bacchus and the Temple of Jupiter, the most significant outside of Italy. . Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner.

Bcharre is a small but welcoming mountain town with links to Kahil Gibran (1883-1931), author of 'The Prophet', who was buried in the C19th monastery built into the rocky slopes overlooking the town. From Bcharre we stretch our legs in arguably Lebanon’s most famous cedar forest on the slopes of Jebel Makmel. Known locally as Arz ar-Rab (Cedars of the Lord), they are under the protection of the Patriarch of Lebanon who built a chapel in the cedar grove in 1848). Next up we head into the Qadisha Valley (another UNESCO site), also known as the ‘Holy Valley’. It’s rocky cliffs have served for centuries as a place of meditation and refuge and it comprises the largest number of monasteries and hermitages dating back to the very first spread of Christianity. We also visit St Ellijah’s hermitage.Please note that during the winter months, the mountain road running West to East across Lebanon, is closed due to snow. We therefore alter the order off the itinerary for days 7 - 9 to minimise the transfer times. The same highlights are included in both summer & winter itineraries. In Winter (Nov - April)Day 7: Baalbek to Byblos & Jeita GrottoDay 8: Byblos to BcharreDay 9: Qadisha Valley and on to Beirut. Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner.

With far too much beauty to absorb in the Qadisha valley in one day, we treat ourselves to another, to explore it further, at our leisure. We visit Our Lady Cannobine Monastery, partially cut into the rock and with some lovely C17th frescoes in the interior. Following lunch in Abu Joseph restaurant, we take the opportunity to enjoy a short walk along part of the Lebanon Mountain Trail, which extends for 470km through over 75 towns and villages, attracting trekkers and day walkers alike. Tonight we sleep in Qozhaya (St Antonio’s) Monastery. There is a 90min walk up to the Monastery which is on rough terrain and has some steep sections. You need to be fit enough to manage walking uphill, and confident with uneven paths. It is possible to get a lift if required.. Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner.

Heading back down the coast, we visit the delightful port of Byblos. The town, previously the ancient Phoenician port of Gebal, is steeped in history. In fact, it is the oldest continuously inhabited town in the world. It was first occupied between 8800 and 7000 BC and is, unsurprisingly, another World Heritage Site. We visit the Old Souk and Citadel before driving back to Beirut to head to the Jeita Grotto in the Nahr al-Khalb valley. One of the world’s great natural wonders, it is a system of interconnected karstic limestone caves spanning nearly 9 km, with the upper galleries housing the world’s largest known stalactite. Open to visitors on foot and by boat, it is a Lebanese national symbol and well worth the visit. Only 18km North of Beirut, we don’t have far to travel to return to the Capital for our final group dinner in the city and a night out on the town!. Included meals: Breakfast.

We transfer you to the airport for flights out of Beirut. Time to plan your next adventure but it will be tough to find somewhere that has as much to offer as Lebanon!. Included meals: Breakfast.