Adventures with Purpose: Lebanon
Suggested Itinerary
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Overview
Despite rebuilding after a war and being in the grips of an economic crisis, Lebanon is taking care to embrace and cherish sustainable initiatives throughout the country. A new generation of NGOs and private initiatives are blossoming to preserve and protect heritage, traditions and cultural history. Ranging from guesthouses and restaurants, farmers markets and craft workshops, to the 450km Lebanese Mountain Trail protecting the environment and creating livelihoods for the villages along the ...
Despite rebuilding after a war and being in the grips of an economic crisis, Lebanon is taking care to embrace and cherish sustainable initiatives throughout the country. A new generation of NGOs and private initiatives are blossoming to preserve and protect heritage, traditions and cultural history. Ranging from guesthouses and restaurants, farmers markets and craft workshops, to the 450km Lebanese Mountain Trail protecting the environment and creating livelihoods for the villages along the trail this itinerary will introduce you to the people making the difference.
Explore Beirut from the warm hospitality of Beit Tammana, where all proceeds fund a children’s charity, before heading north and stopping for a hike and lunch at the Jebel Moussa Nature Reserve before arriving in Byblos. Here, enjoy a cookery class at your local guesthouse after exploring the town and archaeological site, and then head back inland and into the mountains.
The Qadisha Valley holds some spectacular scenery and you can hike a sector of the Mountain Trail visiting rock-hewn monasteries along the way. Stay in the mountains a little longer and visit Tannourine Cedar Reserve before a night at the social enterprise Beit Douma, which works to preserve culinary traditions. Dinner here is an epic feast and you can learn some more skills in the kitchen.
No visit to Lebanon is complete without a visit to Baalbek, the immense Roman site where you can soak up the wonderful architecture left behind. From here head back to the mountains to the Shouf and experience nights in cosy family guesthouses between hiking some more of the Mountain trail, the breathtaking scenery runs throughout the mountain range and you will experience the changing flora as you head south. A final couple of nights on the coast in the seaside town of Tyre lets you meet local craftspeople working to recycle waste into art.
Throughout your journey you’ll enjoy some delicious meals from organic farms, local wineries and small family-run restaurants as well as the delicious breakfasts provided in the homestays.
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS
Suggested Itinerary
This is a suggested itinerary. Our experts have all travelled widely in the region and will be happy to tailor any of our itineraries to suit your tastes, or build a trip from scratch.
Day 1 ARRIVE BEIRUT
Day 1 ARRIVE BEIRUT
Fly into Beirut and transfer to your hotel in a lively and friendly neighbourhood.
Day 2 MUSEUMS & MARKETS
Day 2 MUSEUMS & MARKETS
Explore Beirut with your guide today. As well as taking in the National Museum to admire archaeological finds from the country, you may also like to visit one or two of the city’s art galleries, a number of which showcase local and young Lebanese artists. Head to Souk Al Tayeb, one of the local farmer’s markets to taste some of the regional Lebanese cuisine and visit some of the local artisans, whether it be the Armenian jewellers in Bourj Hammoud or one of the women’s co-operatives where you can buy exquisitely embroidered items by Syrian and Palestinian refugees.
Day 3 JABAL MOUSSA HIKE AND RUINS
Day 3 JABAL MOUSSA HIKE AND RUINS
Leaving the city today, you’ll drive inland to the Jabal Moussa Nature Reserve, winding your way up a gorge along the Ibrahim River. On arrival at the reserve, there are a number of trails, but we would recommend the Chowan Lake trail which is around 4km and takes you down to the river where it forms a beautiful blue lake. After the hike, enjoy lunch at the small restaurant run by Jacqueline and her family serving traditional Lebanese food with produce from their own land. Exploring the area further you’ll discover some of the small ancient ruins dating from Roman, Phoenician and Crusader times. For the particularly adventurous, there is the chance to go caving. Leaving the mountains, you’ll then return to sea level to the delightful coastal town of Byblos.
Day 4 PHOENICIANS TO CRUSADERS
Day 4 PHOENICIANS TO CRUSADERS
The city of Byblos offers a grand display of the history of the region. Amongst its archaeological sites, it is possible to see Phoenician remains, Hellenistic ruins, a Roman theatre and a Crusader castle. The town is home to alleyways filled with restaurants, cafes and souvenir shops, and the ancient harbour is filled with fishing and tourist boats. Explore the history of Byblos this morning with your guide before an afternoon at leisure, and in the evening, it’ll be possible to take a cookery class at a local home.
Day 5 MOUNTAIN TRAIL & MONASTERIES
Day 5 MOUNTAIN TRAIL & MONASTERIES
Just an hour’s drive inland and you’ll feel like you’re in a different world from the coast. The Qadisha Valley is a breathtaking gorge home to ancient cedar forests, dozens of monasteries and small towns perched on the hillsides. On arrival, you’ll meet your local guide and hike a section of the Lebanon Mountain trail, a country-long walking route developed to protect the environment and promote community projects in Lebanon. The hike will take you along the side of the gorge, where you can visit monasteries and enjoy the views across the valley. Afterwards, transfer to a local guesthouse for dinner and stay overnight.
Day 6 CEDARS WITH VIEWS
Day 6 CEDARS WITH VIEWS
A short drive further along the gorge will bring you to the Tannourine Cedar Reserve. Here you’ll take one of the many trails to look out across the mountains and enjoy the dense cedar forests. If visiting in the spring, you’ll see plenty of wildflowers, too. After your hike, head to the village of Douma where you will check in to your guesthouse for the night. The guesthouse is part of an NGO working to promote sustainable practices and preserve regional traditions. All the food comes from local farmers to protect rural heritage, and guests are invited to join in in the kitchen to learn more about the ingredients and recipes.
Day 7 EPIC ROMAN RUINS
Day 7 EPIC ROMAN RUINS
This morning’s drive takes you through the Mount Lebanon range and down into the Bekaa Valley. There will be plenty of photo opportunities along this beautiful drive but at the end, the fabulous site of Baalbek awaits. These Greco-Roman ruins are amongst the best in the Middle East, with every step from the grand entrance through the courts to the Temples of Jupiter and Bacchus providing awe-inspiring moments. From here, you’ll head to Tawlet Ammiq, serving up local farm produce for lunch. Head back into the mountains to the Shouf Biosphere Reserve and the village of Maaser for your local guesthouse. Perhaps enjoy dinner at the small, family-operated St Michael’s Winery.
Day 8 LEBANON MOUNTAIN TRAIL
Day 8 LEBANON MOUNTAIN TRAIL
This morning, make a stop at the bakery run by a lady from the village to try your hand at making manoushe, a Levantine flat-bread topped with olive oil and zaatar before you head off to the starting point of your hike. There are five sections of the LMT running through the Shouf and you’ll spend a day completing one of the sections. Another guesthouse awaits you this evening with a sumptuous feast of traditional Lebanese food.
Day 9 CRAFTS & CLIFF-SIDE FORTRESSES
Day 9 CRAFTS & CLIFF-SIDE FORTRESSES
You'll head south this morning, stopping along the way at the workshop of Nazih Bah who makes abayas and other textiles on a century-old loom in the traditional way his grandfather taught him. Driving through the beautiful mountains, you’ll reach Niha where you can visit what’s left of the 10th-century fortress which was carved into and perched on the cliffside. Although little remains of the fortress, the sheer setting is quite remarkable. Continue south passing through Jezzine, where a number of waterfalls tumble dramatically down the cliff face, and visit traditional knife makers in the bazaar. Arrive at the coast and the city of Tyre, where you check in to your guesthouse near the harbour.
Day 10 MEDITERRANEAN COASTAL TOWN
Day 10 MEDITERRANEAN COASTAL TOWN
Start the day with a visit to Al-Bass Roman ruins with their large necropolis, Hadrian’s arch and the second largest hippodrome in the Roman world. From here, head to Al-Mina ruins, formerly the port, where you’ll find colonnaded streets overlooking the sea. Stop off at a local paper maker, Papyrus Atelier - a project that aims to recycle waste into gifts while teaching the local community, especially the children, about waste. After a walk in the old town and lunch near the harbour, you may like to head out on kayaks this afternoon. Green sea turtles use Lebanon’s beaches for laying their eggs and can be seen swimming in the water at certain times of the year.
Day 11 GLASS BLOWERS & SEA CASTLES
Day 11 GLASS BLOWERS & SEA CASTLES
Heading back to Beirut today, your journey up the coast will bring you first of all to Sarafand, where you can stop at the Khalifeh Glass Blowing Workshop. The family that run the workshop have been making glass objects for generations in a furnace that dates back to the Phoenician times. They are the last remaining glass blowers left in Lebanon. After your visit, continue to Sidon, where you can visit the Crusader Sea Castle, as well as explore the busy bazaar where you will find a traditional Khan, the soap museum and the Debanné Palace Museum in an Ottoman house. Have lunch in a restaurant overlooking the castle and sea, or perhaps try falafel from Abou Rami, a popular falafel stand. Return to Beirut in the late afternoon and check in to your guesthouse for your final night.
Day 12 DEPARTURE
Day 12 DEPARTURE
transfer to the airport for your return flight.
SUGGESTED ACCOMMODATION
Dar Alma, Tyre
This beachfront property is located near the iconic castle of Tyre, allowing for sightseeing and water sporting opportunities. Originally built in 1967 and given a new lease of life in 2010, it still manages to embrace the past with clever preservation of historical details. The facilities are modern, but the stoned archways of the restaurant and beautiful tiles of the guestrooms are an ode to historic Lebanese culture. The hotel is decorated in a modern blend of blue and yellow interiors, adding to its fresh and vibrant atmosphere. The 10 guest rooms and suites are spacious and look out onto the Mediterranean Sea or the town. Not to be forgotten is the sundeck, with its small private beach access and terrace stretching out into the Mediterranean Sea, ensuring ultimate relaxation and privacy during your stay.
Beit Douma, Douma
Situated in the village of Douma, Beit Douma is born from Souk El Tayeb, an organisation encouraging organic farming to promote a healthy lifestyle and improve income to small-scale producers in Lebanon. Once frequented by Lebanese families on their summer holidays, this hillside location is surrounded by orchards and groves, providing a peaceful and laidback stay. The charming guesthouse has a fresh décor using antique furniture and pastel walls throughout, paired with antique pieces and contemporary amenities. Many of the rooms feature views of the mountains and arched windows, lighting up the simply decorated en suite rooms. A traditional breakfast using ingredients from the gardens is served under the relaxing shade on the terrace.
Beit Al Hama, Shouf Biosphere Reserve
Located across the road from the characteristic Al Fundok guesthouse is its understated and quieter counterpart, Beit Al Hama. The perfect base for hiking and mountain biking, the property is situated close to Cedar Shouf Reserve and therefore respects the environment by being plastic free and using solar energy. The rooms feature private bathrooms and basic, white interiors. There is a small terrace area which is a lovely spot for coffee or snacks between activities such as wine tasting and visits to an olive press, essential oil maker, tile maker and beekeeper.
Beit Faris wa Lucia, Byblos
Hidden within the old souks of Byblos, Beit Faris wa Lucia has all the old-world charm of the city it resides in. Built on the foundations of a Crusader tower, the beautiful stone building was the home of host Daad for over 40 years. Now it has been converted into a delightful guesthouse, featuring a leafy terrace with fantastic views of the Mediterranean and cityscape, and five individually designed rooms. Enjoy breakfast from the family kitchen in the garden terrace, surrounded by trees and flowers, which is also used for yoga and other activities.
Beit Tamanna, Beirut
In a traditional Lebanese house on a main street in Gemmayze, Beit Tamanna is in an ideal location for exploring the cafes and restaurants of the area and centrally located for good access to the rest of Beirut. The eight rooms have been individually designed by Lebanese artists and architects, all bright and airy with traditional features and some modern decor, each with its own character. Two rooms have private bathrooms but are not en suite and there are two suites providing extra large rooms, many rooms also have a balcony. The three shared spaces provide an area for breakfast as well as two lounges for guests to relax in. The guesthouse is run by an NGO with all proceeds going to the charity which supports terminally ill children.
Hotel Rating
Hotel Rating
Hotel Rating
Hotel Rating
Hotel Rating
Accommodation listed here is intended as a guide only, to give you a taste of what we can do. Our experts can tailor any aspect of this itinerary and accommodation to suit your budget and tastes.
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WILD MILES
ACCOMMODATION
Wild Miles Club
When you book a trip with Wild Frontiers you are awarded points, which are based on the return distance from London to the arrival city of your trip. Points are awarded for all our holidays, including both our escorted group tours and tailor-made trips. When you accrue points, you will qualify for the following discounts on all future bookings:
| Blue | More than 10,000 points | 2.5% discount |
| Bronze | More than 30,000 points | 5% discount |
| Silver | More than 45,000 points | 7.5% discount |
| Gold | More than 60,000 points | 10% discount |
This itinerary is aimed to give you an idea of what we can offer. The price shown above is per person, based on two people travelling outside of peak periods. As this itinerary is only a suggestion and can be tailor-made to suit your interests and budget, your final price may differ.
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