• Beiteddine Palace - Beiteddine Palace, also known as the ‘House of Faith,’ is a 19th-century palace located in Beiteddine, Lebanon. It is the venue for the annual Beiteddine Festival and houses the Beiteddine Palace Museum. Constructed by Emir Bashir Chehab II, who later ruled the Mount Lebanon Emirate, the palace was built between 1788 and 1818. After 1840, it served as a government building for the Ottomans and later as a local administrative office during the French Mandate. In 1943, it was designated as the official summer residence of the president. Although it suffered significant damage during the Lebanese Civil War, parts of the palace are now open to the public, while the remainder continues to serve as the president’s summer residence.
• Deir Al Kamar Municipality - Deir al-Qamar, meaning “Monastery of the Moon,” is a village situated southeast of Beirut, approximately five kilometers from Beiteddine Palace in the Chouf District of Mount Lebanon. In 1864, Deir El Qamar became the first village in Lebanon to establish a municipality and is the birthplace of many notable figures, including artists, writers, and politicians. The town was home to people of various religious backgrounds and featured a mosque, synagogue, and Christian churches. In 1860, Deir al-Qamar was devastated during the civil war between Druze and Christians, during which the town was set on fire. Napoleon III dispatched a French contingent to rebuild it, reaffirming France’s historical role as protector of Christians in the Ottoman Empire, as established by a treaty in 1523. In 1864, Deir el-Qamar elected the first municipality in the Arab provinces of the Ottoman Empire. The village maintains a charming appearance with its typical stone houses and red tile roofs.
• Fakhreddine’s Mosque - Fakhreddine Mosque, featuring an octagonal minaret, is located in Deir el Qamar, Lebanon. Built in 1493 and restored in the 16th century by Fakhreddine I, it is the oldest mosque in Mount Lebanon.
• Saydet Al Talle Church - The Church of Saidet et Tallé, translated as Our Lady of the Hill, is one of the most significant historical and religious sites in Deir el Qamar, dating back to the 15th century. Monk Nicolas Smisaati constructed a church on the site over the ruins of an ancient Phoenician temple dedicated to the goddess Astarte, which was later destroyed by an earthquake in 859. According to the Maronite Heritage website, “the legend says that there was a Druze Emir in Baakline observing the hill of Dar El Kamar. He saw a light emanating from the hill and instructed his soldiers to dig in the land the next morning. He told them: ‘If you find an Islamic symbol, build a mosque. If you find a Christian symbol, build a church.’ In the morning, the soldiers discovered a rock with a cross on it, and beneath the cross were the moon and Venus. This indicated that in the distant past, there was a temple dedicated to the moon and Venus, which later became a church.”

• Knowledgeable English Speaking Driver
• Hotel pickup and drop-off in Beirut
• Private air-conditioned vehicle

• Lunch in Deir el Qamar (optional — at own expense)
• Gratuities (optional)

The Chouf Mountains boast two of Lebanon’s most stunning and historically rich sites. This exclusive morning tour from Beirut allows visitors to experience both before the crowds arrive, capturing the light on the honey-stone walls at its most magnificent. Beiteddine Palace stands as one of the Arab world’s finest 19th-century palaces. Constructed by Emir Bashir II over thirty years of detailed craftsmanship, it features grand courtyards, intricately carved cedar ceilings, and an underground Byzantine mosaic museum, showcasing Lebanon’s exceptional elegance and ambition. Just a short drive away, Deir el Qamar, Lebanon’s first capital, is a beautifully preserved Ottoman village where a mosque, a church, and centuries-old mansions coexist peacefully around a cobblestone square. With a private guide dedicated to the group and no fixed schedule, visitors can explore at their own pace, pausing wherever the story captivates them.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.