Qadisha, Cedars Hike & Baalbek Small-Group Tour | May–Oct Only

Highlights

Inclusions

Itinerary

1. 8:30 AM — Pickup from your Beirut hotel Your professional guide meets you at your hotel and heads north along the coastal highway before climbing into the Lebanese mountains — the scenery becoming more dramatic with every kilometre as you approach the Qadisha Valley.

   Passes by

2. Monastery of Saint Anthony of Kozhaya — carved into the cliff Begin at one of Lebanon's oldest and most atmospheric monasteries — the Monastery of Saint Anthony of Kozhaya, carved directly into the limestone cliff face of the Qadisha Valley in the 12th century. Cave chapels, ancient stone cells, and the wonderful peace of the gorge create a truly serene and special atmosphere. Inside, two remarkable treasures — a cave sanctuary that has welcomed pilgrims for over eight centuries, and the first printing press ever used in the Middle East, brought here by Maronite monks in the 16th century. Your guide brings the extraordinary story of this remarkable place to life with warmth and care.

   30 min

3. Qadisha Valley viewpoint — UNESCO World Heritage photo stop Ascend to the rim of the magnificent Qadisha Valley for a brief and breathtaking photo stop. Sheer limestone walls drop hundreds of metres below, dotted with ancient monastery caves carved into the rock face over seventeen centuries. Your guide explains the valley's remarkable spiritual history as you take in one of the most beautiful viewpoints in Lebanon.

   30 min

4. Cedars of God — easy guided hike through ancient trees Walk among the Cedars of God — a UNESCO-protected grove of magnificent ancient cedar trees at 2,000 metres above sea level, some over 1,000 years old. A gentle one-hour guided hike along the marked trail takes you comfortably through the grove — suitable for all fitness levels and all ages, with no steep terrain. The mountain air is wonderfully fresh and cool, the scenery is beautiful, and the sense of walking among trees that built Phoenician ships and Solomon's Temple is genuinely moving. Your guide explains the ecology and conservation story of this precious protected forest throughout the walk.

   1 h

5. Stone of the Pregnant Woman — a wonderful introduction Before the temples, your guide takes you to the ancient Roman quarry to see the Stone of the Pregnant Woman — a single limestone block 21 metres long and weighing an estimated 1,000 tonnes, still lying exactly where it was cut 2,000 years ago. A wonderful and awe-inspiring way to prepare for the extraordinary scale of what awaits at the temple complex just minutes ahead.

   15 min

6. Baalbek Temple Complex — a UNESCO World Heritage wonder Enter one of the most awe-inspiring archaeological sites in the world — the Baalbek temple complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Temple of Jupiter stands on Trilithon stones each weighing over 800 tonnes. The Temple of Bacchus — larger than the Parthenon and almost entirely intact — is the best-preserved Roman temple in the world. The Temple of Venus completes an extraordinary complex that has amazed visitors for centuries. Your guide brings the full story of Baalbek to life in a clear, engaging, and deeply memorable way for everyone in the group.

   1.5 h

7. Lunch in Baalbek — included A generous and delicious included lunch at a local Baalbek restaurant — hearty Bekaa Valley mezze, grilled meats, and fresh flatbread in a town that has been welcoming and feeding visitors for two thousand years. Fully included in your tour price — nothing extra to pay. A wonderful and well-earned break after an extraordinary day.

   1 h

8. Return to Beirut — approx. 6:30–7:30 PM Your guide and driver bring you comfortably back to Beirut via the Damascus highway with drop-off at your hotel — completing a truly exceptional day that journeyed from a cliff-face monastery to ancient cedar trees to the world's greatest Roman temples, via a mountain road that only exists for six months of the year.

   Passes by

Cancellation

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts, for a full refund.

Know before you go

How it compares in Beirut

• Its from-price is 100% above the median of the 193 day trips we list in Beirut.
• Its length is typical for the group.
• The operator lists free cancellation on it.

About Beirut

Beirut is Lebanon's capital on a Mediterranean headland, a Phoenician port city with Roman remains and mountains rising close behind.

Beirut juts into the Mediterranean on a rocky headland, with the snow-streaked peaks of Mount Lebanon rising behind. Founded by the Phoenicians, it became the Roman city of Berytus, famed for its school of law, and the remains of Roman baths lie in the city centre. The Mohammad Al-Amin Mosque, with its blue domes, and the nearby churches of St George show the mix of faiths.

Top-ranked sights in Beirut: Jeita Grotto, Our Lady of Lebanon (Notre Dame du Liban), Byblos (Jbeil).

See all 442 experiences in Beirut