• Beirut - 9:00 AM — Hotel pickup
  The guide will meet the group at the Beirut hotel and proceed southeast into the Chouf Mountains. These pine-covered ridges rise above the Lebanese coast as the journey continues toward Beiteddine.
• Beiteddine Palace - Beiteddine Palace — the presidential palace of Lebanon
  Constructed between 1788 and 1840 by Emir Bashir II, the leader who unified Lebanon’s mountain communities. It features three interconnected courtyards with intricate geometric tilework and beautifully carved cedar-wood ceilings. Beneath the palace lies Lebanon’s finest collection of Byzantine mosaics, with floor panels of remarkable color and detail in an underground museum that most visitors overlook. The guide ensures this is not missed. Today, it serves as the official summer residence of the Lebanese President, representing a historic monument, a political statement, and an architectural masterpiece.
• Moussa Castle - Moussa Castle — one man, sixty years, a full-scale medieval fortress
  Located just minutes from Beiteddine, Moussa Castle is unlike anything else in Lebanon. Moussa Maamari dedicated sixty years to building a full-scale medieval castle by hand after being mocked by a teacher as a schoolboy. The result is a multi-story fortress filled with hundreds of life-size wax figures depicting scenes from Lebanese history, village life, and Ottoman-era traditions. This unexpected and delightful stop is enriched by the guide’s narration of Moussa’s story, one of the most remarkable acts of personal determination in Lebanese cultural history, and a favorite among travelers.
• Deir el Qamar - Deir el Qamar — Lebanon’s first capital
  Meaning “Monastery of the Moon,” this honey-stone Ottoman village served as Lebanon’s first capital under the Ma’an dynasty and is one of the most perfectly preserved historic villages in the country. The cobblestone central square is surrounded by 17th and 18th-century mansions. The guide will explain the political and dynastic history of this village and its lasting significance to Lebanese mountain culture.
• Saydet El Talle Church - Fakhreddine Mosque & Saydet el Tallé Church
  The 17th-century mosque of Emir Fakhreddine II, the Druze ruler who built an empire from the Bekaa to the Sinai, and the hilltop Maronite church offer panoramic views over the Chouf valleys. A mosque and a church stand meters apart, showcasing four centuries of coexistence in a single hillside view. The guide will explain the importance of this image to Lebanese identity and what successful coexistence looks like.
• Deir el Qamar - Lunch in Deir el Qamar — optional
  Enjoy Lebanese mountain mezze at a local Deir el Qamar restaurant, featuring grilled meats, fresh bread, and views of the Chouf valley. This is optional and at your own expense, with the guide recommending the best local options.
• Beirut - Return to Beirut — approx. 3:30–4:30 PM
  Drop-off at the Beirut hotel. Experience a presidential palace, the most surprising man-made stop in Lebanon, and the country’s first capital — the Chouf explored thoroughly, returning by mid-afternoon.

• Knowledgeable English-speaking driver
• Private air-conditioned vehicle exclusively for your group
• Hotel pickup and drop-off in Beirut
• Moussa Castle visit
• Deir el Qamar village — mosque, church & historic square

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

Explore the Chouf Mountains in just half a day with three captivating stops: a 19th-century presidential palace, Lebanon’s most astonishing man-made attraction, and the country’s original capital. Travel in a private vehicle with a professional guide and return by mid-afternoon, leaving the rest of the day free. This itinerary consistently amazes travelers who initially believe Beiteddine is the highlight, but depart with Moussa Castle as the standout memory.

Beiteddine Palace — constructed between 1788 and 1840 by Emir Bashir II, now serves as the official summer residence of the Lebanese President. Beneath it lies a Byzantine mosaic museum that many visitors overlook. Moussa Castle — a remarkable medieval fortress painstakingly built stone by stone over sixty years by a single Lebanese man, featuring hundreds of life-size wax figures illustrating Lebanese history. Deir el Qamar — Lebanon’s first capital, a charming Ottoman village with honey-colored stone, where a mosque and a church have coexisted on the same hillside for four centuries. Entrance tickets are available for purchase on site.

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