Private Tour
Available languages
8 hours
Mobile ticket
Three of the Chouf Mountains' most compelling stops in one private day — and a combination that very few Viator listings attempt. Most Chouf day trips are palace-and-village. This one adds Lebanon's largest nature reserve to the middle of the day, making it the only itinerary that covers a 19th-century presidential palace, a UNESCO biosphere cedar forest, and Lebanon's first capital in a single outing.
Beiteddine Palace — built by Emir Bashir II, today Lebanon's official presidential summer residence, with a Byzantine mosaic museum beneath it that most visitors walk straight past. The Barouk Cedar Reserve — part of the Shouf Biosphere, Lebanon's largest protected natural area covering over 50,000 hectares, with ancient cedar trees descended from the forests that built Phoenician ships. Deir el Qamar — Lebanon's first capital, a honey-stone Ottoman village where a mosque and a church have shared the same hillside for four centuries. Private vehicle and knowledgeable driver throughout.
Specialized infant seats are available
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Beirut
9:00 AM — Hotel pickup Your driver meets the group at your Beirut hotel and heads southeast into the Chouf Mountains. Beiteddine is about 45 minutes away — the scenery shifting from coast to pine-forested mountain ridges as you climb.
Beiteddine Palace — the presidential palace of Lebanon Built between 1788 and 1840 by Emir Bashir II — the ruler who unified Lebanon's mountain communities. Three interconnected courtyards with hand-cut geometric tilework and elaborately carved cedar-wood ceilings. Beneath the palace: Lebanon's finest collection of Byzantine mosaics in an underground museum that most visitors walk straight past. Today the official summer residence of the Lebanese President. Your driver covers the full story of Emir Bashir and the palace throughout the visit.
Beiteddine Palace including Byzantine mosaic museum
Knowledgeable English-speaking driver
Private air-conditioned vehicle exclusively for your group
Hotel pickup and drop-off in Beirut
Easy 1-hour hike through Barouk Cedar Reserve
Deir el Qamar village — mosque, church & historic square
Lunch in Deir el Qamar (optional — at own expense)
Gratuities (optional)
Select a pickup point
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Pickup included
3 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
19cristinah,Oct 31, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
Excellent agency for excursions. There were 5 days in which each day I had a private excursion to a different place. Before traveling, I contacted them and they always answered my emails and advised me on what could and could not be done. Once I arrived in Beirut, they fulfilled everything we had discussed and arranged. The guides Mohamed and Nada were very punctual, very well prepared and with very good explanations. In addition, they advised me on which places I could go alone after the excursions. I recommend Beirut daily tours 100%
469jeans,May 30, 2019
- Review from Tripadvisor
Everything was fine and the journey was lovely. The car was comfortable, our driver very nice with good English skills, and the restaurant incredibly delicious with a gorgeous view over the valley of Chouf. I can only recommend!
Christiana W,Apr 19, 2019
- Review from Viator
Guide was very helpful punctual and gave us a good idea of Lebanese history. Also a general idea of the history of the places we visited . Very helpful and willing to accept our wishes
Operated by Beirut Daily Tours