Lebanon Encounters
Lebanon Encounters
Lebanon Encounters
8 Days Starting and ending in Beirut, Lebanon
Visiting: Beirut, Qadisha Valley, Byblos, Baalbek, Tyre
Tour operator:
Tour code:
328
Specialist Group:
Singles Solo
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
1 - 12
Age range:
8-95
Tour operated in:
EnglishInterests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Discover the rich history and natural beauty of Lebanon on the "Lebanon Encounters" tour. This immersive journey takes you through the vibrant city of Beirut, the ancient ruins of Baalbek, and the picturesque Byblos harbour. Explore the stunning Jeita Grotto, ride the Harissa cable car, and marvel at the Baatara Gorge and Waterfall. Visit the historic Beiteddine Palace, the UNESCO-listed Qadisha Valley, and the majestic Cedar Forest. Enjoy a wine tasting in the Ksara Caves and wander through the bustling Sidon Souk. With comfortable accommodations, guided tours, and seamless transfers, this tour offers an unforgettable Lebanese adventure.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrival In Beirut, Hotel Transfer
Location: Beirut
Accommodation Name: Beirut hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
You arrive at Beirut International Airport. After being met by our representative, you are transferred to your hotel.
Day 2 : Jeita Grotto, Harissa Cable Car & Baatara Gorge
Location: Qadisha Valley
Accommodation Name: Qadisha Valley monastery or guesthouse
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
After leaving Beirut and heading north towards Byblos, we'll experience a thrilling visit to the spectacular Jeita Grotto. Here a system of limestone caves spans a distance of almost 9 kilometres, and contains one of the largest collections of stalactites and stalagmites in the world. It is a symbol of the country and was a finalist in the New 7 Wonders of Nature competition. Depending on the water level you can explore both on foot and by boat.
Next, we visit Harissa, famous for containing an important Christian shrine dedicated to the Virgin Mary, known as Our Lady of Lebanon. We take a cable car to the top of the Basilica, from where we can enjoy a spectacular view of the Bay of Jounieh, considered one of the most beautiful bays in the Middle East.
Then, we'll head inland to visit the unique Baatara Gorge sinkhole, where during the spring and especially rainy periods a 255-metre waterfall cascades into an enormous cavern known as the Baatara Pothole. The cave is also called the Cave of the Three Bridges, for the three natural stone arches over which the waterfall drops. This is a spectacular natural phenomenon and we have time for a short hike here, and can also explore nearby Douma Village. A traditional Lebanese lunch is included today.
The day finishes with a short drive to the beautiful Qadisha Valley where we spend the night in the Monastery of St. Anthony, in a separate building with simple but comfortable en-suite accommodation (a nearby guesthouse will be used if the monastery is closed to visitors or unavailable).
Day 3 : Qadisha Valley, Cedars Ski Resort & Becharre
Location: Qadisha Valley
Accommodation Name: Byblos hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Those interested may rise early this morning to join morning prayers with the monks of the monastery. After breakfast, we have time to explore the Qadisha Valley, another UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is known as the Holy Valley, and the Holy River, Nahr Qadisha, flows through it. Many caves are found along its steep cliffs, used as shelters and burial sites in ancient times, and it's a great place for a short morning hike.
Our first stop after leaving the valley is the nearby village of Becharre, the birthplace of the iconic novelist and poet of Lebanon, Kahlil Gibran. The village contains a museum dedicated to him, featuring his paintings and manuscripts. Next, we stop at the Cedars Ski Resort, famous for skiing and snowboarding. The area known as the Cedars of God is found nearby, and contains the last remaining groves of the cedar forests that once thrived in the region. The famous cedar trees of Lebanon - Cedrus Libani- are mentioned in the Old Testament and are the national symbol of the country.
Later today we arrive in Byblos, an ancient Phoenician city that is thought to have been inhabited for up to 7000 years. Locally, the city is known as Jbeil and is another UNESCO World Heritage site. Byblos is filled with significant historical and archaeological sites, and also features a lovely Phoenician harbour.
Day 4 : Morning In Byblos, Ksara Winery
Location: Byblos
Accommodation Name: Zahle guesthouse
Meals Included: Breakfast
We spend this morning exploring the harbour area and highlights of Byblos. Our destination today will be the village of of Zahle, however we'll be making a stop along the way at the Ksara Winery which is possibly the oldest winery in Lebanon. The caves and tunnels have a total length of approximately 2 miles and have been unsed for generations as wine cellars. You'll have a guided tour of the caves and winery before sampling (and buying if you wish) some of the produce in a wine tasting session.
Day 5 : Baalbeck & Anjar
Location: Baalbek
Accommodation Name: Beirut hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today we head to Baalbek, a definite highlight of any visit to Lebanon. Called "Heliopolis" or "City of the Sun" by the Romans and Greeks, it is home to a famous temple complex that is superbly well-preserved. This complex, which is one of the finest examples of Roman architecture at its peak, was built as a sanctuary dedicated to worshipping the Heliopolitan triad of god- Jupiter, Venus, and Mercury. Pilgrims would flock to the temple in their thousands in order to venerate the triad. Still largely intact, the temple has outstanding artistic and historical value. We then visit the Umayyad city of Anjar, located in the Bekaa Valley. Founded in the 8th century by Caliph Walid, it provides evidence of excellent town-planning and features mosques, palaces, and baths. It also features 600 shops, indicating that it was an important commercial centre. In the afternoon we'll return to Beirut.
Day 6 : Deir Al Qamar, Beiteddine & Beirut City Tour
Location: Beirut
Accommodation Name: Beirut hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
We leave Beirut after breakfast and we drive to the Chouf Mountains to visit the village of Deir al Qamar, its name meaning "Monastery of the Moon". The village is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was the capital of Lebanon during the 17th century. It is quaint and charming, with stone houses and winding roads. We then continue onto the beautiful Beiteddine Palace. The palace, constructed in the 19th century by Emir Bashir, is exceptionally well-preserved and is a testament to the opulence of the time. Finally, we return to Beirut in the afternoon where we'll have time for a city tour. Lebanon's capital and largest city. It is one of the oldest cities in the world, and has had a turbulent history, both ancient and modern. This is evident in the contrast of modern buildings seen alongside small old houses and historical architecture, some still displaying bullet holes and damage from the civil war in the 1970s. Highlights visited include the Beirut Souks, the Corniche, and the downtown region. We will also see the Pigeon Grotto, or the Rock of Raouché, a famous natural formation rising out of the sea.
Day 7 : Tyre, Sidon
Location: Tyre
Accommodation Name: Beirut hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today’s itinerary consists of a full-day tour of South Lebanon. We start in the city of Tyre, a Word Heritage Site located 85km from Beirut. Tyre is an ancient Phoenician city and is home to a number of important historical sites. Its golden age was during the reign of King Hiram, the most legendary Tyrian king. He fostered close ties with the Hebrew kings David and Solomon, and contributed to the construction of the Temple of Solomon by sending skilled workers and cedar wood. We then drive to Sidon, also known as Saida, another important ancient Phoenician city. The city grew wealthy due to the trade of murex, a type of shellfish from which an expensive purple dye used to be produced, as well as glass. Today, Saida is an important administrative and commercial centre of South Lebanon. You will visit the Great Mosque, the Crusader Sea Castle, Khan el Franj, and other interesting sites. You can also enjoy browsing through the old souks.
Day 8 : Airport Transfer
Accommodation Name: N/A
Meals Included: Breakfast
Your transfer will take you to the airport for your return flight home.
What's Included
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Accommodation
5 nights in 3 to 4-star hotels in Beirut & Byblos, 1 night in guesthouse/hotel in Zahle, 1 night in monastery accommodation in Qadisha Valley.
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Airport Transfers
24-hour airport arrival & departure transfer service.
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Transport
All transport and transfers in AC vehicles.
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Sightseeing Tours
All sightseeing tours as detailed in the itinerary.
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Wine Tasting
Wine tasting in Ksara Caves.
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Tour Guide
English speaking guide for all tours.
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Meals
Meals as indicated in the itinerary (7 breakfasts, 1 lunch).
What's Not Included
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International Flights
International flights (available on request).
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Single Room Supplements
Single room supplements (compulsory for solo travellers if same-sex room shares not available).
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Visa Fees
Visa fees (free on arrival for most nationalities).
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Travel Insurance
Travel insurance (compulsory, available from Encounters Travel).
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Additional Meals
Meals not indicated in the itinerary.
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Hotel Gala Dinner Supplements
Hotel gala dinner supplements if applied on Christmas & New Year's Eve.
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Personal Expenses
Drinks, snacks and other personal expenses (e.
g.
laundry). -
Tips
Tips.
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Other Items
Any other items not mentioned above.
Mode of Transport
All transport and transfers are provided in air-conditioned vehicles, including a 24-hour airport arrival and departure transfer service.
Accommodation
Enjoy 5 nights in 3 to 4-star hotels in Beirut and Byblos, 1 night in a guesthouse or hotel in Zahle, and 1 night in monastery accommodation in Qadisha Valley.
Check out our Q&As
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What type of accommodation is provided during the tour?
The tour includes 5 nights in 3 to 4-star hotels in Beirut and Byblos, 1 night in a guesthouse or hotel in Zahle, and 1 night in monastery accommodation in Qadisha Valley.
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Is airport transfer included in the tour package?
Yes, a 24-hour airport arrival and departure transfer service is included in the tour package.
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What kind of transportation is used during the tour?
All transport and transfers are provided in air-conditioned vehicles.
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Are meals included in the tour package?
Meals as indicated in the itinerary are included, which consists of 7 breakfasts and 1 lunch.
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Is there a guide provided for the tours?
Yes, an English-speaking guide is provided for all tours.
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What activities are included in the tour?
The tour includes all sightseeing tours as detailed in the itinerary, wine tasting in Ksara Caves, and a cable car ride to Harissa.
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What are some of the key highlights of the tour?
Key highlights include visits to Beirut, Beiteddine Palace, Tyre World Heritage Site, Sidon Souk, Baalbek temple complex, Ksara Caves wine tasting, Cedar Forest, Qadisha Valley, Baatara Gorge & Waterfall, Byblos harbour & history, Jeita Grotto, and a Harissa cable car ride.
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What is the itinerary for the first day of the tour?
On the first day, you will arrive at Beirut International Airport, be met by a representative, and transferred to your hotel in Beirut.
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What can I expect on the second day of the tour?
On the second day, you will visit Jeita Grotto, take a cable car to Harissa, and explore the Baatara Gorge sinkhole. The day ends with a short drive to the Qadisha Valley where you will spend the night in a monastery or guesthouse.
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What is the plan for the third day of the tour?
On the third day, you can join morning prayers with the monks, explore the Qadisha Valley, visit Becharre and the Cedars Ski Resort, and end the day in Byblos.
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What will we do on the fourth day?
On the fourth day, you will explore Byblos in the morning, visit the Ksara Winery for a guided tour and wine tasting, and then head to Zahle for the night.
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What are the activities planned for the fifth day?
On the fifth day, you will visit the Baalbek temple complex and the Umayyad city of Anjar before returning to Beirut.
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What will we see on the sixth day?
On the sixth day, you will visit Deir al Qamar, Beiteddine Palace, and have a city tour of Beirut, including the Beirut Souks, the Corniche, and the Pigeon Grotto.
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What is the itinerary for the seventh day?
On the seventh day, you will have a full-day tour of South Lebanon, visiting the cities of Tyre and Sidon, including historical sites and the old souks.
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What happens on the last day of the tour?
On the last day, you will be transferred to the airport for your return flight home.
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Are there any adjustments to the itinerary during the winter months?
Yes, during the winter months, the itinerary is adjusted to avoid certain mountain roads that are closed due to snow. The same places will be visited, but the order and route will be different.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Yes, if you are travelling solo. On our Overland Adventures and Ultimate Expeditions, we will pair you up with a tent buddy of the same sex when we camp and the same goes for twin & shared rooms in hostels, so there is no need to go it alone! If you specifically would like to request your own single room whilst on the trip, this may be requested subject to availability and additional fee.
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How many people do you take on your Trips?
On most of our Overland Adventures and Ultimate Expeditions our vehicles can carry a maximum of 24 travellers, the average however is around 16-20 on any one trip. Our Small Group Adventures have a maximum of 18 people per Tour Leader, although again the average is around 10-14 people.
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Low Deposit
Oasis Overland requires a minimum deposit of 200 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 70 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of oasis overland charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 69 days before tour starts: Forfeit 33% of booking price.
At 45 days before tour starts: Forfeit 70% of booking price.
At 27 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.