Lebanon is filled with historical and cultural sites and landmarks. You will visit Tyre and Sidon, great ancient Phoenician cities; Byblos, the world’s oldest continually-inhabited city; and Heliopolis, the Middle East’s best-preserved temple. Lebanon also abounds with natural phenomena and landscapes
Day 1 Arrive Beirut
Arrive Beirut meet and assist at International Airport and transfer to hotel.
Evening free to walk along nearby place. Overnight in Beirut
Day 2 Beirut – Beka Valley – Baalbek (By Road) (97 kms / 2 hrs 15 min appx )
After breakfast proceed for Baalbek drive through the beautiful Beka’a Valley to the ancient town of Baalbek. The historical site of Baalbek is thought to have originally been Phoenician, with the settlement dating back as far as the 3rd millennium BC. In the 1st millennium BC the site was chosen as the site for a temple dedicated to the God Baal, from which the city takes its name. Later, in the year 334 BC Alexander the Great conquered this region and the city was renamed Heliopolis, a name which continued to be used by subsequent Roman rulers – Helios, Greek for sun and Polis, Greek for City – ‘City of the Sun’. Today, the town is famous for its exquisitely detailed Roman ruins which attract many tourists to the region every year. Overnight in Baalbek.
Day 3 Baalbek – Ksara – Aanjar – Beitiddine (110 kms / 2 hrs 25 min appx )
After breakfast proceed to Beiteddine via Ksara and Anjar. Your first stop for today is at Ksara, which is located within the Beka’a Valley. Ksara is famous for its production of wine and you will be given the opportunity to try some of the local wines whilst here. Later, you continue to the site of Anjar. The city of Anjar was founded by Caliph Walid I at the beginning of the 8th Century. The ruins of the city have revealed a very regular layout, indicative of the palace-cities of ancient times. Excavations have already revealed hundreds of shops, baths and souks. Today’s final journey takes you to Beitiddine for sightseeing of the Palace, the little museum and the Mosaic exhibition. Later transfer to hotel. Overnight in Beitiddine.
Day 04 Beitiddine – Qalaat Al-Bahr – Byblos (121 kms / 2 hrs 15 min appx)
Today you head north to the ancient town of Byblos via the coastal city of Saida or Sidon and the impressive crusader castle of Qalaat Al-Bahr, also known as the Sea Castle, built by the Crusaders in the year 1228 AD. Today the castle consists of two main towers which are connected by a wall. Unfortunately many of embellishments which once decorated the walls are now gone, due to the Mamluks attempting to destroy all of the Sea Castles to prevent the Crusaders from regaining footholds on the coast. You arrive into Byblos later in the afternoon where you will have some free time to begin exploring the souks.
Overnight in Byblos.
Day 05 Bylbos
This morning you visit the historical site of Byblos, which claims to be the oldest continuously inhabited town in the world. You’ll visit the Old Souks, Citadel, old ramparts, Church of St John and The Roman Amphitheatre.
Day 06 Bylbos – Beriut (By Road) (38 kms / 45 min appx )
Today you return to Beirut and begin a city tour with a drive along the promenade where you pass by the picturesque Pigeons Rock, which is a huge natural arch which juts up from the sea. If you have time later, this is a famous and popular place to watch the sunset. You then continue through the Hamra commercial area to the National Museum and Martyrs Square. The National Museum in Beirut is home to an excellent collection of over 100,000 items, however only 1,300 or so are currently being displayed. The Museum is organised in chronological order starting from the Bronze Age and working towards the present day. Your tour concludes with a visit to Martyrs’ Square where you can view the bullet ridden bronze statues which stand as a symbol for all that was destroyed during the Lebanese Civil War.
Overnight in Beriut.
Day 7 Depart Beirut
Transfer to onward destination.
************TOUR ENDS***********
City | Nights | Hotels |
Beriut | 1 | Radisson Blu Martinez |
Baalbek | 1 | Palmyra Hotel |
Beitiddine | 1 | Grand Kadri Hotel |
Byblos | 2 | Byblos sur mer |
Beriut | 1 | Radisson Blu Martinez |
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Accommodation as per the program
- Meal Plan – Half Board basis (i.e. breakfast & dinner).
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Entrance fees.
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Local English speaking guide.
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All transfers, sightseeing, excursions.
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All taxes.
- Personal Expenses.
- Camera / Video Camera Fees.
- Medical Aid.
- Tips.
- Travel Insurance.
- Visa (If any).
– Accommodation in good hotels.
– Check-in / out time is 12 noon at most of the hotels.
– Extension to other places is also possible with a minimal extra cost.
– Additional nights are available at each place with minimal supplement.
– A visa is required and must be obtained prior to your departure from your Country.
– If quoted hotel is not available, we will provide one of a similar category and standard.
– Small deviations in the tour program are sometimes necessary, depending on weather, road conditions, flight schedules and room availability.
– In case the government changes presently applicable taxes, increase in airlines prices, fuel surcharge our rates will need to be adjusted accordingly.
– In Asia, there is no relevance between the distance and time of travelling, as it depends upon the condition of the roads and congestion of the traffic.
– While every effort will be made to maintain the itinerary, in view of local strikes etc that are beyond our control all schedule and itineraries are subject to last moment changes.
– Clients must be fully insured, as the company cannot accept liability for loss or damage to client’s property, medical emergencies or any other loss suffered by them whilst on tour.
– In Case of issuing Domestic or International air tickets, SGV is not responsible for any refund if the flight is delayed or cancelled, as it is the responsibility of airline.