Cedars of Lebanon, Qozhaya, and Bcharre Day Trip from Beirut

Cedars of Lebanon, Qozhaya, and Bcharre Day Trip from Beirut

On this Beirut full-day trip, discover the villages of Besharreh and Kozhaya in Lebanon's World Heritage-listed Holy Valley before exploring the Cedars of Lebanon. Besharreh and Kozhaya are famous mainly for their magnificent, excellently preserved sites, such as the Gibran Museum and the Monastery of St Anthony. Explore these northern Lebanon cities with an expert guide before discovering the Cedars of Lebanon, a stunning grove of cedar trees that represent the country.

Leave Beirut in the morning with your professional guide and head to Besharreh -- a pretty, welcoming village in the heart of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Qadisha Valley (Lebabon's Holy Valley). On arrival in Besharreh, take a leisurely walking tour around this ancient town, the birthplace of the famous Lebanese poet Khalil Gibran. Here, visit the Gibran Museum and the town’s many ancient churches and monasteries.

Enjoy a relaxing lunch of traditional meze (Middle Eastern small dishes) and tapas at a Lebanese restaurant before continuing your day trip to the town of Kozhaya. After an approximate 1-hour journey by coach, arrive in this beautifully preserved city, part of the Holy Valley, where Maronites once hid during the turbulent Ottoman period. With your expert guide, visit the Monastery of St Anthony, which was built partly into the mountain and boasts beautiful vistas of the forest and valley.

Next, leave Kozhaya and head to the northern Lebanon to discover the Cedars of Lebanon, magnificent cedar trees that stand as a symbol of the country. Go up into Lebanon’s highest mountain range with your guide to see a cedar grove descending from ancient forests. Walk around with your guide and learn about the strong, straight and wonderfully scented wood once prized worldwide, and how these cedar forests were nearly destroyed as a result. Wood from cedar trees was always the first choice for any temple or palace, and top prices were paid for it.

After this excellent photo opportunity, board your comfortable coach for a relaxing drive back to Beirut.

Please note: Though the US Department of State has issued a warning against travel to Lebanon due to safety and security concerns, Viator’s Lebanon tours continue to operate with no disruptions. We are in frequent contact with our local suppliers and guides in Lebanon, and they report that all tours are operating as scheduled. Should the situation change, we will update this information and customers will be notified of alterations or cancellations to tours.