• Beirut - 9:00 AM — Departure from Beirut
  The driver meets the group at the hotel and heads southeast into the Chouf Mountains, where pine-forested ridges rise above the Lebanese coast as the journey ascends toward Beiteddine.
• Beiteddine Palace - Beiteddine Palace — the presidential palace of Lebanon
  Constructed between 1788 and 1840 by Emir Bashir II, the ruler who unified Lebanon’s mountain communities and whose legacy continues to define the Chouf region. The palace features three interconnected courtyards with hand-cut geometric tilework and intricately carved cedar-wood ceilings. Beneath the palace lies Lebanon’s finest collection of Byzantine mosaics—floor panels of extraordinary color and detail housed in an underground museum that most visitors overlook. Today, it serves as the official summer residence of the Lebanese President. The driver shares the full story of Emir Bashir and the palace’s history during the visit.
• Moussa Castle - Moussa Castle — sixty years, one man, one extraordinary idea
  Located just minutes from Beiteddine, Moussa Castle is unlike anything else in Lebanon. Moussa Maamari spent sixty years 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. An entirely unexpected and genuinely delightful stop that surprises nearly every visitor, regardless of their expectations. The driver shares the full story of Moussa and his castle, one of the most remarkable acts of personal determination in Lebanese cultural history.
• 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 remains one of the most perfectly preserved historic villages in the country. The cobblestone central square is framed by 17th and 18th-century mansions, a Druze palace, and public buildings unchanged for three centuries. The driver explains the village’s history and its enduring 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 stretching from the Bekaa to the Sinai, and the hilltop Maronite church with panoramic views over the Chouf valleys. A mosque and a church just meters apart, representing four centuries of coexistence in a single hillside view.
• 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. The driver recommends the best local options.
• Beirut - Return to Beirut — approx. 3:30–4:30 PM
  Drop-off at the Beirut hotel, having covered the Chouf’s three finest stops in a private half-day, leaving the afternoon completely free.

• Knowledgeable local 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)

Explore three of the Chouf Mountains’ most captivating sites on a private half-day tour from Beirut, returning by mid-afternoon. Beiteddine Palace, the most prominent 19th-century palace in Lebanon, serves as the official summer residence of the Lebanese President. It features three grand courtyards, intricately carved cedar ceilings, and a Byzantine mosaic museum hidden beneath the building that many visitors overlook. Moussa Castle is a remarkable medieval fortress, meticulously constructed stone by stone over sixty years by a single Lebanese craftsman, making it one of the country’s most astonishing attractions. Deir el Qamar, Lebanon’s first capital, is a charming Ottoman village with honey-colored stone buildings, where a mosque and a church have coexisted on the same hillside for four centuries. Enjoy the comfort of a private vehicle and the expertise of a knowledgeable local driver dedicated to your group. The tour includes three stops over six hours, leaving the afternoon free. Entrance tickets are payable on site.

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