Day Trip to Cedars of Lebanon & Qozhaya Monastery from Beirut

Summary

Bcharreh Village Culture Tour with Lebanese Lunch

Get ready to wander ancient cedar forests, step inside Gibran’s hillside museum in Bcharreh, and soak up peaceful moments at Kozhaya Monastery—all with a friendly local guide. Enjoy classic Lebanese mezze for lunch and let someone else handle all the driving so you can just take it all in.

What’s the experience like?

“That’s the oldest cedar in the grove,” our guide said, pointing at a tree that looked like it had seen centuries pass by. The air up here felt cooler than Beirut, and I could actually smell pine and earth as we walked along the path. Some of the trunks were so wide, I had to stretch my arms just to get halfway around one. It was quiet except for birds and the crunch of gravel under our shoes.

We’d started out early from Beirut, winding through mountain roads until we reached Bcharreh. The Gibran Museum sits right on a hillside—inside, old manuscripts and paintings fill small rooms that still feel lived-in. Our guide told us stories about Gibran Khalil Gibran’s childhood here, which made his poems hit differently somehow. Outside, you can see rooftops stacked up against steep slopes, laundry flapping in the breeze.

Kozhaya Monastery came next, tucked into a green valley where you hear nothing but distant bells and maybe a rooster or two. The stone walls are cool to touch, and there’s this faint scent of incense inside the chapel. We ended up sharing mezze and grilled meats at a local spot—simple food but honestly some of the best bread I’ve ever tasted. By late afternoon, everyone was swapping photos on the ride back to Beirut, tired but happy.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Cedars and Heritage Sites

• Visit Cedars forest and souks
• Visit Gibran Khalil Gibran Museum
• Visit Monastery of St Antonios in Kozhaya

Top questions

How long does this Cedars of Lebanon day trip take?

The tour usually lasts a full day—expect around 8 to 9 hours including travel time from Beirut and stops at each site.

Is lunch included on this tour?

Yes, lunch is included—a set menu with Lebanese mezze, main dish, fruit or dessert, plus one soft drink at a local restaurant.

Are entrance fees covered in the price?

All entrance fees for the cedar forest, Gibran Museum, and Kozhaya Monastery are included in your booking.

Will there be an English-speaking guide?

You’ll have a licensed guide who speaks both English and French throughout the whole day.

What’s included

Your experience comes with hotel pickup and drop-off within Beirut city (for hotels only), comfortable transport with WiFi onboard, all entry tickets to every stop on the route, plus an expert bilingual guide leading you through each site. And when lunchtime rolls around, you’ll enjoy a full Lebanese meal with drinks—all taken care of so you can just relax and explore.