Tour Programme & Schedule

1-Deir Al Kamar village visiting
a-Wax Meusum (Optional, add 10000L.L)

2-Mousa Castle visiting
3-Bet-Eddine Grana Palace visiting
4-Jezzine Waterfalls visiting
5-Saida Sea Fort visiting & old city observation
6-Leisure & Free Time

Notice that

1-All prices are TVA Tax included, tickets, fuel, driver and English spoken Guide (on Demand)
2-For lunch or dinner please add 30$/ person
3-All tours departure and pick up from the hotel or your accommodation inside Beirut
4-All vehicles and cars are supported from Noura Rent a Car for booking

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The Dog River

A 14th century BC treaty, concluded by Ramses II, set the Nahr al-Kalb  as the border between Egypt and the possessions of the Hittites. Past generals and conquerors have traditionally built monuments at the  mouth of the Nahr al-Kalb. Ramses II, Nebuchadnezzar, Esarhaddon,

Marcus Aurelius, and even armies from modern-day France and Grea t Britain have engaged in this practice. In 1946, a monument was erected  in celebration of Lebanon’s independence, which came in 1943. In 2000,  Lebanese demonstrators, including supporters of ex-general and current

politician Michel Aoun, unsuccessfully attempted to erect two new monuments,  one marking the departure of Israeli troops from Lebanon, and the other  anticipating the withdrawal of Syrian forces. In 2005, a commemorative  stela at the river was listed in the UNESCO Memory of the World initiative.
 

Jeita Grotto

The Jeita Grotto (Arabic: مغارة جعيتا‎) is a compound two separate but interconnected karstic limestone caves spanning an overall length of nearly 9 kilometres (5.6 mi). The caves are situated in the Nahr al-Kalb valley within the locality of Jeita, 18 kilometres (11 mi) north of the Lebanese capital Beirut. Though inhabited in prehistoric times, the lower cave was not rediscovered until 1836 by Reverend William Thomson; it can only be visited by boat since it channels an underground river that provides fresh drinking water to more than a million Lebanese.

In 1958, Lebanese speleologists discovered the upper galleries 60 metres (200 ft) above the lower cave which have been accommodated with an access tunnel and a series of walkways to enable tourists safe access without disturbing the natural landscape. The upper galleries house the world's largest stalactite, they are composed of a series of chambers the largest of which peaks at a height of 120 metres (390 ft).

Aside from being a Lebanese national symbol and a top tourist destination, the Jeita grotto plays an important social, economic and cultural role and is a finalist in the New 7 Wonders of Nature competition.
 

Harissa - Lebanon
 

Harissa (Arabic حريصا) is an important Lebanese pilgrimage site high above Jounieh, located at 650 meters altitude from the coast and 20 km distance from Beirut the capital city; the site is accessible either by a steep winding road or a nine-minute journey by a gondola lift, known as the "Téléférique". It attracts both pilgrims and tourists who want to enjoy views of Jounieh.

The main site is a huge 15-ton bronze (and painted white) statue of Virgin Mary, known as Our Lady of Lebanon or Notre Dame du Liban/Harissa or Our Virgin of Lebanon, with her arms outstretched. The statue was made at the end of the 19th century and inaugurated in 1908. Inside the statue's base there is a small chapel. A huge modernistic Maronite cathedral built of concrete and glass stands right beside the statue.

Among other churches of various denominations, it is worth mentioning the Byzantine-style, Melkite Greek Catholic basilica of St. Paul, located south of the statue and built between 1947 and 1962. The Apostolic Nunciature (Papal Embassy), as well as the residences of four cardinals of Eastern Catholic Churches, are in the vicinity of Harissa and Our Lady of Lebanon.[1]

On May 10, 1997, Pope John Paul II visited Harissa.
 

Jounieh
 

Jounieh (Arabic جونيه, or Junia, جونية) is a Mediterranean coastal city about 15 kilometers north of Beirut, Lebanon. It is known for its seaside resorts and nightclubs, as well as its old stone souk, ferry, and cablecar (le téléphérique), which takes passengers up the mountain to the shrine of Our Lady of Lebanon in Harissa. Above Jounieh, and on the way to Harissa, a small hill named Bkerke (Arabic بكركي, or Bkerki), overlooking the Jounieh bay, is the seat of the Patriarch of the Maronite Catholic Church. Its inhabitants are predominantly Maronite and it's thus known to be the largest Maronite city in the world.

in other way do not miss to visit the old shops( old souk), in old Jounieh

Car-Cable (Teleferique)

The Teleferique of Jounieh, a city in Lebanon 16 km north of Beirut, is a gondola lift, a cable-car system. It was founded in 1965. One of Lebanon’s oldest and most visited tourist attractions, the Teleferique is a trip down memory lane, from a pioneering new venture to a beautifully preserved contemporary attraction. Although the landscape has changed since it first offered visitors breathtaking views of Jounieh and the surrounding city, the Teleferique is an impressive testimony to time gone by, a meter at a time.

In only nine minutes, the Teleferique transports passengers from the Mediterranean bay of Jounieh, above the maritime highway and the pine-forested steep mountain, to an altitude of 650 meters at the Our Lady of Lebanon shrine in Harissa.[1] The Teleferique offers passengers some of the most beautiful panoramic views in the world. Currently, the ride from Jounieh to Harissa on the Teleferique costs 7,500 L.L or US $5.00

Byblos City

Byblos (Βύβλος) is the Greek name of the Phoenician city Gebal (earlier Gubla). It is a Mediterranean city in the Mount Lebanon Governorate of present-day Lebanon under the current Arabic name of Jbeil (جبيل Ǧubayl) and was also referred to as Gibelet during the Crusades. It is believed to have been founded around 5000 BC, and according to fragments attributed to the semi-legendary pre-Trojan war Phoenician historian Sanchuniathon, it was built by Cronus as the first city in Phoenicia.[1] Today it is believed by many to be the oldest continuously-inhabited city in the world.

It is mentioned in the Bible in 1 Kings 5:18, referring to the nationality of the builders of Solomon's Temple, and also in Ezekiel 27:9, refering to the riches of Tyre.
 

Places to visit
 

Crusader Fort

Byblos Historic Quarter

Ancient Phoenician Temples

In the archaeological site of Byblos there are the remains of the Great Temple (also known as L-Shaped temple) built in 2700 BC, Temple of Baalat Gebal built in 2700 BC and Temple of the Obelisks built around 1600 BC.

Byblos Castle

Main article: Byblos Castle

Byblos Castle was built by the crusaders in the 12th century. It is located in the archaeological site near the port.

Medieval City Wall

The old medieval part of Byblos is surrounded by walls running about 270m from east to west and 200m from north to south

Byblos Wax Museum

Main article: Byblos Wax Museum

This museum displays wax statues of characters from Phoenician times to current days

St John the Baptist Church

Work on the church started during the crusades in 1150. It was damaged during an earthquake in the 12th century and also during several conflicts.

Byblos Fossil Museum

Main article: Byblos Fossil Museum

Byblos Fossil Museum has a collection of fossilized fish, sharks, eel, flying fish, and other marine life, some millions of years old.

Historic Quarter and Souks

In the southeast section of the historic city, near the entrance of the archaeological site, is an old market where tourists can shop for souvenirs and antiques, or simply stroll along the old cobblestone streets and enjoy the architecture.

Byblos International Festival

Main article: Byblos International Festival

This summer music festival is an annual event that takes place in the historic quarter.

Deir Al Kamar
 

Deir el Qamar (in Arabic دير القمر, meaning "Monastery of the Moon") is a village in south-central Lebanon, five kilometres outside of Beiteddine, consisting of stone houses with red-tiled roofs. During the 16th to 18th centuries, Deir el Qamar was the residence of the governors of Lebanon. It is also notable for its 15th century Fakhreddine Mosque, Fakhreddine II Palace, and other historical palaces and administrative buildings. During its peak, the city was the centre of Lebanese literary tradition. It was the first village in Lebanon to have a municipality in 1864, and it is the birthplace of many well known personalities, such as artists, writers, and politicians. It was the capital of the Druze Cancimat of Lebanon (1840-1860).

Beit Eddine
 

Beit ed-Dine (in Arabic بيت الدين, translates to "House of Religion") is a small Lebanese town in the Chouf District, approx. 50 km southeast of Beirut and near the town of Deir el-Qamar from which it is separated by a steep valley. The town is famous for its magnificent Beiteddine Palace which hosts the Beiteddine Festival every summer.

Local emir Bashir Shihab II who was later appointed to rule Mount Lebanon, started building the palace in 1788 at the site of the Druze hermitage (hence the town's name, translating as "House of Faith"). It took about 30 years to complete. The best craftsmen from Damascus and Aleppo as well as Italian architects were invited and given much freedom, so its style is a cross between traditional Arab and Italian baroque.

After 1840, when Bashir was sent into exile the palace was used by the Ottomans as a government building, during the French Mandate its role was preserved and it served as a local administrative office. In 1934, it was declared a national monument. In 1943, Bechara El Khoury, the first Lebanese president, declared it the official president's summer residence. During the Lebanese civil war it was heavily damaged. After 1984, when fighting in the area receded, Walid Jumblatt ordered its restoration. Parts of the palace are today open to the public while the rest is still the president's summer residence.

Bashir built three more palaces in the town for his sons,

till today only Mir Amin Palace survived and is today a luxury hotel.

Beiteddine is home to a Lebanese Red Cross First Aid Center.

Moussa Castle

Faith in God, satisfaction of parents.That is what characterized the personality of the man who built a castle on a hill between Deir El Kamar and Beiteddine, and engraved on its stones his ideas and beliefs.Moussa Abdel Karim Al Maamari was born in July 27, 1931 A.D, ( 12 Rabih Al Awal 1349 anno hegira) in the village of Harat Al Saraya.close to Al Hosn fortress. Al-Zahir Baybars granted the title of "engineers" to his ancestors in 1271 A.D, 669 anno hegira, after they had restored Qala't Al Hosn.His dream was born when he was only 14 years old, inspired by the Middle Ages that had conquered his mind. He dreamt of building a great castle with his own hands, turning sand into gold (as his mother had predicted).Beaten by his teacher Anwar and mocked at by his classmates, especially by his pretty sweetheart Saideh, his life totally changed. He escaped from school and went to Sida on foot where he worked with his uncle in restoring Sida's fortress. Then he was assigned by the Emir Maurice Chehab to renovate the castles and the archeological discoveries found in Lebanon to be exposed in the National Museum of Beirut in 1947. He was also assigned to install ancient colons discovered within the land of Beirut's Municipality in 1949 in front of the National Museum's building where an Honorable Monument of the Unknown Soldier was established. He continued working in the same field after gaining enough experience from his work in restoring Castles as his Ancestors did before him proving that legacy has a mojor role in creativity. He was then transferred, thanks to his competence, to Beiteddine palace, where he restored the museum of Emir Bashir Chehabi II; He supervised as well the placing of the Emir's weapons, clothes, the jewelry of his wife and the sword offered to him by Napoleon in the  in the museum that was inaugurated under the rule of late president Beshara Khalil Al Khoury in september 1951. He was paid back then fifteen thousand Lebanese pounds.  It was then that he started to accomplish his dream. He bought, not much easily a suitable land then he started planning and getting legal permits to build his long life dream castle and this stage was so complicated that it took long years to be done. Then the foundation stone was laid and the real task has begun in 1962 with the help of his virtuous wife from mornings till late nights. He required somtimes the help of his neighboring peasants or one single vigorous worker when needed. He worked hard for more than half of a century;  He wasn’t able to rest until his castle of the twentieth century became visible.

Located high in the mountains of the Chouf, has beautiful views of the valleys

below dotted with pine trees and villages and the Cedar forests above.

 There are many springs around the town, including the Al Ka’a Spring, where water was drawn to Beit Ed-Dine Palace during the rule of Emir Bachir; the Al Re’ayan Spring, where a large pumping station distributes potable water to Aley.

the area now gull with restaurants and cafes.