Overview
Highlights:
- Muse-see UNESCO heritage sites: Byblos, Anjar, Baalbek & Tyre!
- Explore the real charm of Beirut - 'Paris of the Middle East.
- Visit the coastal city of Sidon and enjoy the view of the sea.
- Discover the marvelous Jeita Grotto - Lebanon's hidden treasure.
Short itinerary
Quick route overview-
1
Day 1
Day 1: Arrival in Beirut, airport pick-up
Arrival Note: Welcome to Beirut, the capital of Lebanon! Upon your arrival at the Rafic Hariri International Airport, our professional bilingual driver is ready to greet you. The driver will escort you in an exclusive air-conditioned car, and you'll reach the hotel in a 15-minute comfortable ride.
Activities & Dinner suggestion:
To ensure a good rest after your long flight, we won't arrange any activity for you during the rest of the day. You can enjoy yourself freely in the hotel or go out for a walk. If you arrive early, you can plan your own Beirut tour to visit some famous sights downtown, like the National Museum, Mohammad Al-Amin Mosque, Saint Georges Maronite Cathedral, and Pigeon Rocks.
The hotels we carefully selected for you are very convenient. To suit different needs and budgets, we offer you two options. The 4-star Gems Hotel is just 5 minutes walk from the bustling Hamra Street, full of nice restaurants and bars where you can have dinner or a drink. The 5-star Radisson Blu Hotel offers you great convenience and quality amenities. It is near restaurants and boutiques, and just 10 minute walk from the beaches of the Mediterranean. -
2
Day 2
Day 2: Day trip to Jeita Grotto, Byblos & Harissa
Sightseeing Activities: In the morning, we'll travel to the Jeita Grotto, in half an hour by the private car we prepared for you. Upon arrival, the guide will lead you to take the cable car to the entrance. This is a 9 km (5.6 mi) long limestone cave inhabited in prehistoric times. Our guide will show you the walking trail to appreciate the gigantic stalactites in the upper cave, and then an exciting boat ride will be specially arranged for you to explore the underground river in the lower cave.
Next, we'll leave for Byblos, one of the oldest cities in the world. With the guide's informative commentary, you will learn more about this World Heritage site, by visiting the Byblos Citadel (Crusaders' Castle), the Church of St John, the Roman amphitheater and the old souks.
On the way back to Beirut, we'll stop by the beautiful village of Harissa, a popular pilgrimage site famous for the Shrine of Our Lady of Lebanon. We have arranged the most efficient and convenient cable car for you to reach the mountain top and visit the statue of Our Lady, from where you can also enjoy a panorama of the bay under your feet. In the evening we will go back to the hotel and have a good rest. -
3
Day 3
Day 3: World heritages sites – Anjar Ancient City & Baalbek Temple Complex
Sightseeing Activities: The guide will wait for you in the lobby after breakfast. We'll arrive in the World Heritage site Anjar in 1.5 hours' driving this morning. Built in the 8th century, Anjar used to be a prosperous city with grand palaces, mosques and public baths, and its main street was once flanked by over 600 stores. Here, our guide will show you the well-protected Umayyad Ruins. From the fortified walls and stone columns, you can still feel Anjar's ancient glory.
Later, we'll proceed to Baalbek Temple Complex, another World Heritage site of Lebanon, and the largest and best-preserved ancient Roman remains in the world. Here we'll visit the three temples dedicated to Jupiter, Bacchus and Venus respectively. On the way back to Beirut, we offer you a rare chance to visit the famous Chateau Ksara and taste the best local wine there, which marks a perfect end of the day. -
4
Day 4
Day 4: Southern Lebanon Discovery to Sidon & Tyre
Sightseeing Activities: Our first destination of today is Sidon, one of the oldest Phoenician cities along the west coast of Lebanon. The guide will lead you to explore the local souk, fish market, the Crusaders' Sea Castle in Sidon, and also the nearby Temple of Eshmun. Not only will you learn about Sidon's turbulent history, but you will also get an up-close look at the peaceful life of the locals today.
We'll spend the afternoon in Tyre, another Phoenician city further south on the coast, and also a World Heritage site. Once a commercial port and trading center of the east Mediterranean, Tyre retains many historical sites worth visiting. Follow our guide to see the ruins of Tyre, including the Egyptian Port, the public baths, Roman necropolis and hippodrome, and you'll have a deep understanding of its legendary past. Finishing the visit, our guide and the driver will escort you back to the hotel in Beirut. -
5
Day 5
Day 5: Departure from Beirut, airport see-off
Departure Note: It's time to say goodbye to Lebanon. If your flight is late in the afternoon or evening, the morning is on your own schedule and you can spend a leisurely time at the beach near the hotel. Remember to return to the hotel at the appointed time with the driver. Our driver will be waiting for you in the lobby and will transfer you to the Beirut Rafic Hariri International Airport on time for your flight home or to your next destination. Wish you a safe and happy journey!
Your Experience Map
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1
Day 1: Arrival in Beirut, airport pick-up
Arrival Note: Welcome to Beirut, the capital of Lebanon! Upon your arrival at the Rafic Hariri International Airport, our professional bilingual driver is ready to greet you. The driver will escort you in an exclusive air-conditioned car, and you'll reach the hotel in a 15-minute comfortable ride.
Activities & Dinner suggestion:
To ensure a good rest after your long flight, we won't arrange any activity for you during the rest of the day. You can enjoy yourself freely in the hotel or go out for a walk. If you arrive early, you can plan your own Beirut tour to visit some famous sights downtown, like the National Museum, Mohammad Al-Amin Mosque, Saint Georges Maronite Cathedral, and Pigeon Rocks.
The hotels we carefully selected for you are very convenient. To suit different needs and budgets, we offer you two options. The 4-star Gems Hotel is just 5 minutes walk from the bustling Hamra Street, full of nice restaurants and bars where you can have dinner or a drink. The 5-star Radisson Blu Hotel offers you great convenience and quality amenities. It is near restaurants and boutiques, and just 10 minute walk from the beaches of the Mediterranean.
Day 2
Day 2: Day trip to Jeita Grotto, Byblos & Harissa
Sightseeing Activities: In the morning, we'll travel to the Jeita Grotto, in half an hour by the private car we prepared for you. Upon arrival, the guide will lead you to take the cable car to the entrance. This is a 9 km (5.6 mi) long limestone cave inhabited in prehistoric times. Our guide will show you the walking trail to appreciate the gigantic stalactites in the upper cave, and then an exciting boat ride will be specially arranged for you to explore the underground river in the lower cave.
Next, we'll leave for Byblos, one of the oldest cities in the world. With the guide's informative commentary, you will learn more about this World Heritage site, by visiting the Byblos Citadel (Crusaders' Castle), the Church of St John, the Roman amphitheater and the old souks.
On the way back to Beirut, we'll stop by the beautiful village of Harissa, a popular pilgrimage site famous for the Shrine of Our Lady of Lebanon. We have arranged the most efficient and convenient cable car for you to reach the mountain top and visit the statue of Our Lady, from where you can also enjoy a panorama of the bay under your feet. In the evening we will go back to the hotel and have a good rest.
Day 3
Day 3: World heritages sites – Anjar Ancient City & Baalbek Temple Complex
Sightseeing Activities: The guide will wait for you in the lobby after breakfast. We'll arrive in the World Heritage site Anjar in 1.5 hours' driving this morning. Built in the 8th century, Anjar used to be a prosperous city with grand palaces, mosques and public baths, and its main street was once flanked by over 600 stores. Here, our guide will show you the well-protected Umayyad Ruins. From the fortified walls and stone columns, you can still feel Anjar's ancient glory.
Later, we'll proceed to Baalbek Temple Complex, another World Heritage site of Lebanon, and the largest and best-preserved ancient Roman remains in the world. Here we'll visit the three temples dedicated to Jupiter, Bacchus and Venus respectively. On the way back to Beirut, we offer you a rare chance to visit the famous Chateau Ksara and taste the best local wine there, which marks a perfect end of the day.
Day 4
Day 4: Southern Lebanon Discovery to Sidon & Tyre
Sightseeing Activities: Our first destination of today is Sidon, one of the oldest Phoenician cities along the west coast of Lebanon. The guide will lead you to explore the local souk, fish market, the Crusaders' Sea Castle in Sidon, and also the nearby Temple of Eshmun. Not only will you learn about Sidon's turbulent history, but you will also get an up-close look at the peaceful life of the locals today.
We'll spend the afternoon in Tyre, another Phoenician city further south on the coast, and also a World Heritage site. Once a commercial port and trading center of the east Mediterranean, Tyre retains many historical sites worth visiting. Follow our guide to see the ruins of Tyre, including the Egyptian Port, the public baths, Roman necropolis and hippodrome, and you'll have a deep understanding of its legendary past. Finishing the visit, our guide and the driver will escort you back to the hotel in Beirut.
Day 5
Day 5: Departure from Beirut, airport see-off
Departure Note: It's time to say goodbye to Lebanon. If your flight is late in the afternoon or evening, the morning is on your own schedule and you can spend a leisurely time at the beach near the hotel. Remember to return to the hotel at the appointed time with the driver. Our driver will be waiting for you in the lobby and will transfer you to the Beirut Rafic Hariri International Airport on time for your flight home or to your next destination. Wish you a safe and happy journey!
Inclusions
Inclusions
- Accommodation with daily breakfast at selected hotels.
- Services of a private driver and air-conditioned vehicle.
- Airport pick-up & drop-off service at Beirut Airport.
- Service of English-speaking guides per itinerary.
- Entrance fees for mentioned sights visited.
- Meals as mentioned in the itinerary.
Exclusions
- International flight into and out of Lebanon.
- Personal expenses (tips, insurance, drinks, etc.).
- Lebanon Visa Fee.