Lebanon & Jordan

DAY 1:   Arrive in Beirut, transfer to hotel

Arrival at Beirut International Airport. Our representative will meet you, and you will be transferred to your hotel. Overnight in Beirut.

DAY 2:   Barouk Cedars Nature Reserve, Deir al Qamar & Beiteddine Palace

We leave Beirut after breakfast and today's first destination is Barouk Cedar Nature Reserve, also known as the Al Shouf Cedar Nature Reserve. It is the largest nature reserve in Lebanon and is rich in biodiversity, with 500 species of plants and 32 species of wild mammals calling this sanctuary home. The most famous of course are remnants of Lebanon's ancient cedar forests, mentioned in the Bible. Barouk Cedar Nature Reserve also contains several important archaeological and architectural sites and is classified as an Important Bird Area (IBA), with 200 species.

Next, we drive to the Chouf Mountains to visit the village of Deir al Qamar, its name meaning "Monastery of the Moon". The village is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was the capital of Lebanon during the 17th century.

We then continue onto the beautiful Beiteddine Palace. The palace, constructed in the 19th century by Emir Bashir, is exceptionally well-preserved and is a testament to the opulence of the time. Finally, we return to Beirut. 

DAY 3:   Beirut tour, Harissa & Jeita Grotto

Touring Beirut, Lebanon's capital and largest city. It is one of the oldest cities in the world, and has had a turbulent history, both ancient and modern. This is evident in the contrast of modern buildings seen alongside small old houses and historical architecture, some still displaying bullet holes and damage from the civil war in the 1970s. Highlights visited include the Beirut Souks, the Corniche, and the downtown region. We will also see the Pigeon Grotto, or the Rock of Raouché, a famous natural formation rising out of the sea.

After leaving Beirut and heading north towards Byblos, we'll experience a thrilling visit to the spectacular Jeita Grotto. Here a system of limestone caves spans a distance of almost 9 kilometers, and contains one of the largest collections of stalactites and stalagmites in the world.

Next, we visit Harissa, famous for containing an important Christian shrine dedicated to the Virgin Mary, known as Our Lady of Lebanon. We take a cable car to the top of the Basilica, from where we can enjoy a spectacular view of the Bay of Jounieh, considered one of the most beautiful bays in the Middle East. Finally, today we arrive in Byblos, another ancient Phoenician city that has been inhabited since 5000 BC. It is known locally as Jbeil and is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

DAY 4:   Byblos, Baatara Gorge Sinkhole

We spend this morning exploring the harbor area and highlights of Byblos. Then, we'll pack up and head inland to visit the unique Baatara Gorge sinkhole, where during the spring and especially rainy periods a 255-metre waterfall cascades into an enormous cavern known as the Baatara Pothole. The cave is also called the Cave of the Three Bridges, for the three natural stone arches over which the waterfall drops. This is a spectacular natural phenomenon, and we have time for a short hike here, and can also explore nearby Douma Village.

The day finishes with a short drive to the beautiful Qadisha Valley where we spend the night in the Monastery of St. Anthony, in a separate building with simple but comfortable en-suite accommodation (a nearby guesthouse will be used if the monastery is closed to visitors or unavailable).

DAY 5:   Qadisha Valley, Cedars Ski Resort & Becharre

After breakfast, we have time to explore the Qadisha Valley, another UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is known as the Holy Valley, and the Holy River, Nahr Qadisha, flows through it. Many caves are found along its steep cliffs, used as shelters and burial sites in ancient times, and it's a great place for a short morning hike.

Our first stop after leaving the valley is the nearby village of Becharre, the birthplace of the iconic novelist and poet of Lebanon, Kahlil Gibran. The village contains a museum dedicated to him, featuring his paintings and manuscripts. Next, we stop at the Cedars Ski Resort, famous for skiing and snowboarding. The area known as the Cedars of God is found nearby, and contains the last remaining groves of the cedar forests that once thrived in the region.

The afternoon is spent taking a scenic drive across the Col des Cedres (2581m) before descending then down through several sharp switchbacks to the Bekaa Valley, a high plateau between the Mr. Lebanon and Anti Lebanon mountain ranges. We finish the day in the small town of Zahle.

DAY 6:   Baalbeck, Anjar & Ksara Caves

Today we head to Baalbek, a definite highlight of any visit to Lebanon. Called "Heliopolis" or "City of the Sun" by the Romans and Greeks, it is home to a famous temple complex that is superbly well-preserved. We then visit the Umayyad city of Anjar, located in the Bekaa Valley. Founded in the 8th century by Caliph Walid, it provides evidence of excellent town-planning and features mosques, palaces, and baths. It also features 600 shops, indicating that it was an important commercial center.

The last stop of the day is at Ksara Caves, where we find perhaps the oldest winery in Lebanon. The caves are approximately two miles long and have been used for centuries as cellars to stores wine. We enjoy a guided tour of the caves and the winery, followed by a wine tasting where you can sample, (and later purchase if you wish) some of the finest wine in Lebanon.

DAY 7:   Tyre & Sidon

Today we tour the south of Lebanon. We begin by visiting Tyre, also known as Sour in Arabic. It is more than 4,000 years old and was a great ancient Phoenician city. Tyre is filled with important historical landmarks and is currently a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Our next destination is Sidon, or Saida, also an ancient Phoenician city, possibly the oldest. The city became wealthy due its excellent production of glass, as well as a purple dye extracted from murex, a type of shellfish. It is now a fast-growing city, and important both administratively and commercially.

In Saida, we will visit the Crusader Sea Castle, the great Mosque, Khan el Franj, and other interesting sites. You will also get the chance to stroll through the old souks. Overnight in Beirut.

DAY 8:   Fly to Amman, free time

Your time is free today until we transfer you to the airport for your flight to Amman in Jordan to start the next leg of your tour. On arrival into Amman, you will be met and transferred to your hotel in the center of Amman.

Day 9: Amman – Madaba - Mount Nebo –Dead Sea (Swim) - Petra

After breakfast, drive to Madaba, home of the most famous Byzantine mosaics. Visit the greatest and most significant of all the city’s treasures, the wonderful mosaic map of ancient Palestine, which is located on the floor of the Greek Orthodox Church of St. George. Proceed to Mount Nebo, which dates back to the time of the Prophet Moses, around the 12th century BC. It is believed to be the site of the Prophet’s burial place and the point from where he viewed the “Promised Land”. Visit the remains of the mosaic floors with stunning designs that feature hunting and pastoral scenes, found in the small church, built by the early Christians in the 4th century AD. Continue to the Dead Sea (the lowest point on the earth) to enjoy swimming and floating on its salty water. Then, drive to Petra.

Day 10: Petra visit (Horse Ride) – Wadi Rum

After breakfast, visit the Red Rose city of Petra, which was carved out of the solid Rock before about 2000 years ago by the Arab Nabateans. Start the tour on horse-back till the Dam area, then on foot pass by the fascinating narrow gorge (the Siq), which is about one kilometer long and eighty meters high. Once of a sudden you will be facing Petra’s most famous monument the Treasury (el-Khazneh). Free time to explore the site. Drive to Wadi Rum, one of the world’s most colorful and unique landscapes of desert and mountain scenery.

Day 11: Wadi Rum - Jeep Tour – Amman    

After breakfast, tour through Wadi Rum colored sands by Bedouin four-wheel drive vehicles for two hours. Then drive northwards to Amman.

Day 12: Amman – Q.A.I airport for departure

After breakfast, transfer to Queen Alia Int'l airport for departure.