Lebanon Cultural & Immersive Trip
2080$
/ per person
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This is a DBB Signature 10-day cultural road trip across Lebanon. It is a small group experience led and driven by Pia your tour operator/tour leader. This itinerary is designed for first time travelers to Lebanon, who wish to visit the country blending some of the countries world heritage sites and highlights with a DBB twist completely immersed in local hospitality and culture. It combines nature walks, city explorations as well as remote village experiences, with accommodations varying each night from homestays, guesthouses, legendary historical hotels or a monastery stay. It is specifically organised in-mid spring as it is the flourishing season, rich in waterfalls, greenery and wonderful sunny weather.
Looking to take a trip to Lebanon where you will feel genuinely connected to the local community and where you can make a real positive impact, leaving your destination even better than you found it? Wether you’re traveling Solo, with a friend, a family member or a partner you are warmly welcome on this journey!
Highlights:
- Cycling around the streets of Beirut
- Close up south Lebanon visit through the locals
- One on one home cooking session in a remote village with Lamia
- Experiencing and storytelling in world heritage sites (Baalbek, Byblos, Tyre, Qadisha)
- Hiking from Jezzine to Niha in lush greenery landscape Easy Hike & staying in the Qannoubine monastery in the Qadisha Valley
- Seasonal Agritourism activity (Damask Rorse Harvest)
- Walk in Cedars forests & Baatara Waterfall in its full bloom
- Traditional show and dabkeh session
- Wine tasting at family owned small scale wineries
Number of days: 10 Days/9 Nights
Dates : 01/05/2025 Till 10/05/2025
Maximum Trip Capacity: 8 persons
All areas or towns visited:
Beirut – Sidon – Tyre – Deir Mimas – Arnoun – Yohmor – Zawtar el Charkiyé – Jezzine – Niha eL Shouf – Baadaran – Moukhtara – Brih – Maasser El Chouf – Ain Zebdeh – Qsarnaba – Niha – Rayak – Baalbek – Barqa – Rabiaa – Al Arz – Hadshit – Qannoubine – Tripoli – Batroun – Byblos – Assia – Bchealeh – Douma – Chatine – Laklouk – Jeita – Jounieh
10 Days/9 Nights
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Destination
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Departure Time
01 May 2025 -
Return Time
10 May 2025 -
Included
Upcoming Small Group Trips -
Not Included
DifficultPrivate Customized Lebanon Trips
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Tour Plan
1
Day 1: Beirut
- Morning until early afternoon welcoming all arrivals to Rafic Hariri Airport: Pick up & Assistance. Transfer to guesthouse for luggage drop off and rest.
- 2/3 hrs bike tour slow riding starting from Achrafieh neighbourhood with stops around some of Beirut’s highlights monuments and street food tastings, reaching the corniche and the pigeons/Raouche rock for sunset.
- Evening Musical Show at Metro El Madina (exact show will be announced one month in advance).
2
Day 2: Beirut – Sidon – Tyre – Deir Mimas
(This day itinerary might change at last minute depending on local circumstances)
Accomodation: Deir Mimas Guesthouse (Sharing triple rooms)
- Light Breakfast and early departure to the city of Sidon.
- Take a guided walk in the souks and visit Hammam Al Jadid, the Khan and Sea Castle. Then typical Lebanese brunch at a streetfood restaurant in the souks of Sidon.
- Reach the city of Tyre in the early afternoon and visit the Al Bass and the seaside archeological sites.
- Break time around the charming fishing port of Tyre.
- Drive around some villages to see the impact of the war on South Lebanon. Finally reach Deir Mimas guesthouse for dinner and overnight.
3
Day 3: Deir Mimas – Arnoun – Yohmor – Zawtar el Charkiye – Jezzine – Niha – Baadaran
(This day itinerary might change at last minute depending on local circumstances)
Accommodation: Baadarane or Khreibeh guesthouse
- Breakfast at the guesthouse.
- Visit the Beaufort crusaders castle in Arnoun.
- Visit of a family in Yohmor to share stories, coffee and talks.
- Head to Zawtar in Nabatieh area to visit a zaatar farmer in his home and learn about its agriculture and his small family business.
- Drive to Jezzine to see -the waterfall and then moderate level Sunset hike from Jezzine to the Niha Fortress.
- Dinner and overnight at Baadaran guesthouse
4
Day 4: Baadaran – Moukhtara – Brih – Maasser el Chouf – Ain Zebdeh
- Breakfast at the guesthouse.
- Assist a Sunday mass at local church (in Arabic & Syriac language) in the village
- Visit Al Moukhtara private palace of Walid Joumblat a prominent Lebanese Druze political leader and one of the most influential figures in Lebanese politics.
- Traditional Lebanese Cooking with Lamia in Brih. You will accompany Lamia for foraging seasonal herbs, learn and assist in the making of local dishes and finally enjoy the lunch you prepared.
- Short and easy 45 mins walk in the cedars forest of Maasser El Chouf with a view overlooking the forest and the district mountains and villages.
- Scenic roadtrip from Chouf to your guesthouse in Ain Zebde for diner and overnight.
5
Day 5: Ain Zebdeh – Qsarnaba – Niha – Rayak – Baalbek
- Light breakfast at guesthouse
- Agritourism activity in Qsarnaba : Damask Rose picking, then rose water demonstration and seasonal mount making.
- Visit the Roman ruins of Qsarnaba and Lunch at local guesthouse.
- Visit the Niha roman temples.
- Visit a family owned winery in Rayak for arak and wine tasting and visit of an abandoned train station.
- Drive next towards Baalbek to visit the largest carved stone in the world in a Roman quarry and then check in at the Palmyra historical hotel for rest.
- Watch the sunset from the Mercury temple hill overlooking the city of Baalbek and the plains
- Diner Sfiha at local streetfood restaurant.
6
Day 6: Baalbek – Barqa – Rabiaa
- Breakfast at the Palmyra Hotel
- Full morning guided visit of Baalbek Heliopolis site.
- Stroll in the souks of Baalbek with streetfood Sfiha making and local sweets tastings.
- Visit Al Sayida Khawla Mosque and Shrine.
- Afternoon coffee break and dabkeh (traditional Lebanese dance) learning session.
- Wine tasting in Barqa family winery.
- Mamlaket el Lezzeb guesthouse dinner and overnight.
7
Day 7:
- Breakfast at guesthouse.
- Scenic roadtrip . Then short walk in the cedars forest and panoramic view over the qadisha valley.
- Visit Johnny in his home for a coffee and get to know this iconic man. Grab snacks from a local store before starting the hike.
- Then Hiking in Qadisha Valley going down from Hadshit and arriving to Monastery of Qannoubine. Visit hadchit waterfall and saint marina
- Resting afternoon in peaceful environment light dinner and overnight at monastery.
8
Day 8: Qannoubine – Tripoli – Batroun
- Breakfast at the Monastery, then fun off road, bumpy but very scenic ride from the Qannoubine Monastery to Bcharreh. We will stop at the Monastery of Saint Licha.
- Cultural and culinary tour of Tripoli.
- Final stop at Hammam el Abed for a nice Hammam experience at the only functioning one in Lebanon.
- Check in at guesthouse in Batroun and rest.
- Free afternoon and sunset around Batroun old town and port with streetfood diner.
9
Day 9: Batroun - Byblos – Assia – Bchealeh – Douma – Chatine – Laklouk
- Breakfast at guesthouse.
- Visit of Byblos old ruins and town.
- Start of Roadtrip through the villages. Ancestral pottery demonstration and optional making at Sana’s home workshop.
- Visit the millennial olive trees of Bchealeh and scenic view over the village of Douma with lunch at local family home.
- Visit the Baatara Gorge waterfall.
- Sunset View from saydet el Qarn in laklouk.
- Return to Batroun for rest then goodbye dinner at local seafood family restaurant.
10
Day 10:
- Breakfast at guesthouse.
- Morning visit of the Jeita grotto upper and lower cave with small boat ride.
- Lunch at local street food eatery in the old town of Jounieh (optional funicular to Harissa or Paragliding).
- Transfers and departures to airport.
- If your flight is late, we will propose some visits and things to do for you around the district of Kesserwan or Beirut. Or you can choose to have a full free day on the beach with late transfer.
Gallery
Environmental:
Within this trip fee each participant is donating an amount to compensate on his/her flight’s CO2 emissions and trip transportation to adopt cedar trees in Lebanon through the local reforestation NGO J Jouzour Loubnan.Local Community:
70% out of the trip cost is directly generating income to the local communities working in the tourism sector, from accommodations to services, activities and small businesses.Community Service:
Included in the trip fee, each participant is donating 50$ that will be distributed among fragile families of south Lebanon, to compensate on job losses, and rehabilitation of their homes.Prices:
- 2080$/Person (Sharing twin room)
- 1235€/Person (Single room)
Rate Includes:
- Professional 24/7 Tour Leader
- Full private 10 days TOUR, VISITS, ENTRENCES (referring to the program)
- All Airport PICK UPS and TRANSFERS.
- Private TRANSPORTATION with all fuel expenses throughout all the journey
- 9 Nights ACCOMODATION in guesthouses, homestays, a monastery, or a historical historical
- MEALS: 9 Breakfasts + 7 Lunches + 9 Dinners
- Local guides
- Donations for carbon footprint compensation and social support cause.
- Water refill at all times.
Rate Excludes:
- International Flights
- Optional Travel Insurance covering daily activities and tours (Ask for the price depending on the option you choose)
- Any Alcoholic drinks during all mentioned meals
- Laundry service
- Personal expenses and souvenirs.
- Any other service not included under “RATE INCLUDES”
Registration policy:
- Registration will not be taken into consideration or confirmed unless you pay at least 50% DEPOSIT out of the total amount.
- The remaining 50% has to be paid 1 month ahead of arrival through Bank Transfer.
- Passport of the guests should be valid for at least 3 months after the departure date.
Cancellation policy:
- IF you cancel your reservation, 40 DAYS and above your scheduled arrival date, The full amount you paid will be refunded, minus the bank charges.
- IF cancellation occurs between 39 to 15 Days before your scheduled arrival dates, 50% out of the total amount will be refunded. (Subject to case by case)
- IF cancellation occurs Starting and less than 14 Days before your scheduled arrival dates the full amount will be unrefunded. (Subject to case by case)
How to prepare?
What to bring?
- Bring lightweight, breathable clothing for daytime activities and warmer layers such as sweaters or jackets for cooler evenings.
- Comfortable walking shoes & hiking boots are essential, especially for the activities planned, exploring historical sites and natural attractions with uneven terrain.
- A hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen are important for protection against the sun, as May marks the transition to sunnier weather.
- Swimwear for occasional swimming.
- Refillable Water bottle.
- Personal medication: Bring any necessary prescription medications and a small first aid kit for minor emergencies.
- Portable charger: Keep your electronic devices charged, especially if you'll be using them a lot for photography during day trips.
Anything to be planned or prepared in advance?
- Physical fitness: Be ready for moderate physical activities for hiking
- Travel/Activity Insurance: Consider taking out insurance to cover any unexpected events or accidents related to your trip.