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The Cedars of Lebanon
Exploring Lebanon’s rich history and stunning natural beauty.
OverviewThey say "that small is beautiful" and Lebanon certainly fits this description! It is one of the world’s smallest countries, at just 140 miles long, yet within its borders you’ll find incredibly diverse geographical regions; sandy beaches and rocky outcrops along the coast; the Mount Lebanon mountain range with its dramatic peaks and ridges, with Qornet as Sawda dominating at over 3,000m; cedar forests of the green Chouf Mountains and the excellent wine producing Beqaa Valley. The country is rich in history too with the well preserved Phoenician fishing ports of Byblos and Saida, the Umayyad town of Aanjar, and the impressive ancient site of Baalbek, one of the most important Roman sites in the Middle East.
We begin our journey in the picturesque seaside town of Byblos, considered one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. We’ll explore the ancient fishing harbour and the old town with its bustling souk and also visit Jeita Grotto, a series of stunning caverns, which stretch almost four miles into the mountains.
Our walks will take us on trails through the most spectacular scenery the country has to offer. We’ll discover the Cedar Forest Reserves of Becharré and the green Chouf Mountains, explore the Qadisha Valley, regarded as one of the country’s most beautiful spots and a UNESCO World Heritage site, and visit the fertile Bekaa Valley, a prime vine growing region in one of the world’s oldest wine producing countries, where of course we’ll find time for a visit to a winery for tasting!
We’ll also visit the impressive ancient site of the "Sun City" of Baalbek, whose temples took over 200 years to build; the Umayyad ruins at Aanjar and spend time exploring Beirut, described as the "Paris of the Middle East".
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Highlights- Picturesque fishing harbour of Byblos with its Roman remains and crusader castle
- Diverse geographical regions with spectacular walking
- Vineyards of the Beqaa Valley with wine tasting visit
- Beirut’s regeneration & cosmopolitan vibe
- Dramatic vistas of the Qadisha Valley
OvernightByblos (3), Becharré (2), Beqaa Valley (1), Chouf (2) Beirut (2).
MealsHalf board with some dinners taken in local restaurants. Lunches on the walking days are also included.
AccommodationGood tourist class hotels
Travel- Flights operate to Beirut.
- UK add-on flights from £85 return BMI.
- Upgrades: Business Class available, details on request.
- Travel in Lebanon is by road.
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Weather Information Click here .
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