Lebanon Discovery
8 Days Starting and ending in Beirut, Lebanon
Visiting: Beirut, Tyre, Barouk Cedars, Baalbek, Tannourine, Byblos
Tour operator:
Tour code:
398
Specialist Group:
Singles Solo
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Age range:
8-95
Special diets catered:
Request dietary needs
Tour operated in:
EnglishInterests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on an unforgettable journey with the "Lebanon Discovery" tour, a captivating exploration of Lebanon's rich history and stunning landscapes. This singles-friendly adventure takes you through the vibrant streets of Beirut, the ancient ruins of Tyre, and the bustling souks of Sidon. Marvel at the grandeur of the Baalbek temple complex and enjoy a wine tasting in the historic Ksara Caves. Discover the natural beauty of the Cedar Forest and the breathtaking Baatara Gorge Waterfall. Experience the charm of Byblos, one of the world's oldest cities, and the awe-inspiring Jeita Grotto. With comfortable accommodations in boutique and 4-star hotels, all transport and transfers included, and guided tours led by English-speaking experts, this tour offers a seamless and enriching experience. Enjoy traditional Lebanese cuisine and immerse yourself in the cultural tapestry of this fascinating country.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Welcome To Beirut
Location: Beirut
Accommodation Name: Beirut hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Arrival to Beirut International Airport where you’ll be met by a representative and transferred to the hotel for check in. The day is yours to relax or explore your new surroundings.
Day 2 : Tyr - Sidon
Location: Tyre
Accommodation Name: Beirut hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
We kick off the tour by spending a full day in South Lebanon, starting off in Tyre - 85km - from Beirut. It’s known as the greatest of the Phoenician city-states - its golden age came during the reign of Hiram, the most famous Tyrian kings. Today, UNESCO lists Tyre as a World Heritage Site. Later, we drive back to Sidon - another important Phoenician city-state. Saida is a rapidly growing town and the administrative and commercial capital of Lebanon’s south. Here you can stroll in the old souks and visit the Crusader Sea castle, Khan El Franj, the Great mosque, and more.
Day 3 : Barouk Cedars - Deir El Qamar - Beiteddine Palace
Location: Barouk Cedars
Accommodation Name: Zahle Guesthouse
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today we head to Barouk Cedar Nature Reserve that’s perched on the slopes of Barouk mountain. The reserve contains the Lebanon cedar forests of Barouk, Maaser el Shouf and Ain Zhalta-Bmohray - an Important Bird Area (IBA) and Ecotourism area, hosting 32 species of wild mammals, 200 species of birds and 500 species of plants. We also visit Deir El Qamar - a charming village that once served as the capital of Lebanon in the 17th century. We continue to Beiteddine Palace built in the 19th century over a period of 30 years by Emir Bechir II Chehabi around a former Druze hermitage.
Day 4 : Baalbek - Ksara - Anjar
Location: Baalbek
Accommodation Name: Beirut hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
The day kicks off with a drive to Baalbek through the fertile Bekaa valley - called Heliopolis or “the City of the Sun” by the Greeks and Romans. This site is said to be the best preserved of any temple complex in the Middle East. We continue to visit Anjar - the only significant Umayyad site in Lebanon. Its palaces, baths and mosques make us believe that it was an Imperial residence, when the 600 shops strongly indicate that the exact purpose of the settlement is primarily commercial especially with its location. We end the day at the Ksara caves dated from the Roman period. The Jesuits enlarged the domain in the beginning of the 20th century.
Day 5 : Beirut City Tour - Becharre - Qadisha Valley
Location: Beirut
Accommodation Name: Cedars hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today we spend time in the capital of Lebanon where we’ll travel downtown, visiting the Corniche, the Pigeon Grotto and Souks. After our Beirut tour, we head north to Qadisha Valley, also known as the Holy Valley, where the early Maronite community established itself. The valley is classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Today we will also visit Becharre, which is famed for being the birthplace of Khalil Gibran, Lebanon’s most celebrated literary figure, author of “The Prophet”. The museum boasts excellent views out over the Qadisha valley containing hundreds of his paintings and manuscript.
Day 6 : Cedars - Baatara Gorge Waterfall / Tannourine
Location: Tannourine
Accommodation Name: Byblos hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Today, we explore Cedars - a ski resort and its small grove of trees which stand at an altitude of 2000m. Next up is Baatara Gorge sinkhole - a waterfall in the Tannourine. The waterfall drops 255 meters (837 ft) into the Baatara Pothole, a cave of Jurassic limestone located on the Lebanon Mountain Trail.
Day 7 : Jeita - Harissa - Byblos
Location: Byblos
Accommodation Name: Byblos hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
With our tour coming close to an end, we visit the Jeita grotto - its upper and lower galleries contain one of the world’s largest and beautiful collections of stalactites and stalagmites. We officially end the tour in Byblos - the world’s oldest continually inhabited city. Nowadays, its charming Phoenician harbour and the rich archaeological and historical heritage make Byblos one of the most enchanting places to visit in the country.
Day 8 : Airport Transfer
Location: Beirut
Accommodation Name: N/A
Meals Included: Breakfast
You are transported to the airport to catch your flight back home. If you would like to book a few extra days in Lebanon, chat to us and we’ll gladly arrange this for you.
What's Included
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Accommodation
6 nights in boutique/4-star hotels in Beirut, Byblos & Cedars and 1 night in guesthouse/hotel in Zahle.
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Airport Transfers
24-hour airport arrival & departure transfer service.
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Transport
All transport and transfers in air-conditioned vehicles.
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Entrance Fees
Entrance fees to sites visited are included.
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Sightseeing Tours
All sightseeing tours as detailed in the itinerary are included.
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Wine Tasting
Wine tasting in Ksara Caves is included.
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Guided Tours
English speaking guide for all tours.
What's Not Included
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International Flights
International flights are not included but available on request.
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Visa Fees
Visa fees are not included, but are free on arrival for most nationalities.
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Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is compulsory and not included, but available from Encounters Travel.
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Additional Meals
Meals not indicated in the itinerary are not included.
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Gala Dinner Supplements
Hotel gala dinner supplements if applied on Christmas & New Year's Eve are not included.
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Personal Expenses
Drinks, snacks, and other personal expenses (e.
g.
laundry) are not included. -
Tips
Tips are not included.
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Unmentioned Items
Any other items not mentioned above are not included.
More Info
This 8-day private tour of Lebanon includes a great selection of what this fascinating country has to offer and since the tour is operated privately, you'll be travelling at your own pace. We'll visit incredible historic ruins, experience beautiful scenery and explore the busy markets of Beirut. Despite being a relatively small country, Lebanon is packed with historial monuments, a unique culture and is also home to some of the world's oldest settlements. During our week of exploration, we'll visit the Phoenician cities of Tyre of Sidon. You'll also visit Byblos, which is one of a number of cities in the world vying for the title of the oldest continually inhabated city. In Baalbek we'll explore what is often considered the best preserved temple complex in the Middle East. You'll also visit a number of natural wonders, including the Ksara Caves, Raouche (or the Pigeon Reock), the Baatara Gorge Waterfall, the wonderful Jeita Grotto and of course the Lebanon Cedars Reserve, which was mentioned in the Old Testament.
Mode of Transport
All transport and transfers are provided in air-conditioned vehicles, ensuring a comfortable journey as you explore the highlights of Lebanon, with 24-hour airport arrival and departure transfer service included.
Accommodation
Enjoy 6 nights in boutique/4-star hotels in Beirut, Byblos, and Cedars, and 1 night in a guesthouse/hotel in Zahle, offering comfort and a touch of local charm throughout your stay.
Check out our Q&As
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What type of accommodation is provided during the Lebanon Discovery tour?
The tour includes 6 nights in boutique or 4-star hotels in Beirut, Byblos, and Cedars, and 1 night in a guesthouse or hotel in Zahle.
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Is airport transfer included in the Lebanon Discovery tour?
Yes, the tour includes a 24-hour airport arrival and departure transfer service.
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Are entrance fees to the sites included in the tour package?
Yes, entrance fees to the sites visited are included in the tour package.
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What meals are included in the Lebanon Discovery tour?
The tour includes 7 breakfasts and 1 traditional Lebanese lunch on day 6.
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Is there a guide provided during the tours?
Yes, an English-speaking guide is provided for all tours.
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Does the tour include any wine tasting experiences?
Yes, the tour includes a wine tasting experience in the Ksara Caves.
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What is the transportation arrangement during the tour?
All transport and transfers are provided in air-conditioned vehicles.
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Is travel insurance compulsory?
Yes! Travel insurance is compulsory on all of our tours and needs to cover personal accident & liability, medical expenses and repatriation, travel delay & abandonment. We also strongly recommend that you take out cover against cancellation and lost/stolen baggage. Personal medical insurance does not normally provide sufficient cover and is generally not suitable for travel on our tours. You will not be able to join your tour if you have not provided us with details of your insurance or if you arrive without cover in place (no refunds will be due in this event).
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
You are always able to change your travel date. However, some charges may apply depending on how long before your departure you make the change. Our flexible booking conditions and reduced charges will apply if you are changing date because of a Covid-19 reason or because your government is advising against travel to your destination. Please check our detailed booking conditions for full details.
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When is my balance payment due?
60 days prior to departure
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
On most of our group tours, solo travellers may choose to form a temporary 'tour bubble' and share a room with another traveller of the same sex in the group. If a room share is not available then a single room supplement may be payable, with the costs for these kept as low as possible. We have also removed compulsory single supplements from many of our tours, and are reducing the cost by 50% on s
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Can I transfer my booking to someone else?
Customers may transfer their booking or any Credit on File to another person who satisfies all the relevant conditions to the tour, provided that we are notified not less than 7 days before departure, and the transferee agrees to these booking conditions and all other terms of the contract between us. The Client and new booker are jointly and severally responsible for any outstanding payments and a transfer administration fee of GBP50 / USD75 / CAD100 / AUD100 / NZD100 / EUR75 / ZAR1000 / INR5000 or GBP100 / USD150 / CAD200 / AUD200 / NZD200 / EUR150 / ZAR2000 / INR10,000 if the transfer is made less than 60 days before departure. Important Note: Certain arrangements may not be amended or transferred after they have been confirmed (for example flight tickets, Gorilla Permits) and any alteration could incur a cancellation and rebooking charge of up to 100% of that part of the arrangements.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Encounters Travel allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform encounters travel, 60 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Encounters Travel requires a minimum deposit of 150 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of encounters travel charges.
Up to 61 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 35% of booking price.
At 41 days before tour starts: Forfeit 70% of booking price.
At 27 days before tour starts: Forfeit 90% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.