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

Hop aboard your air-conditioned coach in central Beirut or at your Beirut hotel, and journey into Lebanon’s countryside to begin your day trip. On route, hear tales of the country’s history and culture, and admired the rugged landscapes, sprinkled with old villages and orchards.

Make your first stop in Bsharri—a picturesque town nestled in the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Qadisha Valley, whose name translates as the Holy Valley in Lebanese. The site of some of the world’s earliest Christian monasteries, the valley is framed by forested cliffs and known for its ancient monasteries and caves once used as religious refuges.

On arrival, take a leisurely walking tour around this ancient town, and discover how it was the birthplace of the 20th-century Lebanese artist and poet, Khalil Gibran. 

Visit the Gibran Museum that chronicles his art and thoughts, and check out some of Bsharri's age-old churches and monasteries.

 After a stop for a traditional mezze (small dishes) and tapas lunch, continue to the well-preserved town of Kozhaya, another highlight of the Qadisha Valley.

Here, enjoy a guided visit of the Monastery of St. Anthony, a mountainside complex that commands stunning views down over the woodlands and valley.


Next, drive on to see the majestic Cedars of Lebanon, an area of some of the venerated cedar trees that serve as a symbol of the country, and that were once part of its vast, ancient cedar forests. Walk around one of the cedar groves and learn about these magnificent trees, whose timber was used for building by the Phoenicians, Israelites, and Egyptians through the ages.

Hear how this usage ravaged the forests and how, in 1996, these ‘Cedars of God’ were added to the UNESCO list of World Heritage sites to help preserve them.

After taking photos here, return to Beirut where your trip finishes at the start point.