Qadisha Valley & Cedars of God tour: Small group lunch

Eight hours, four sacred sites, and a descent into Lebanon's holiest valley

A full-day guided small-group tour from Beirut into North Lebanon's mountains, visiting the UNESCO-listed Qadisha Valley, the Khalil Gibran Museum in Bcharee, the Cedars of God Forest, and Kozhaya Monastery. The day moves from a panoramic viewpoint over the Holy Valley through ancient cedar groves and ends at a 12th-century monastery carved directly into the cliff face, with lunch included in a mountain village restaurant.

Options for this experience

2 options

From US$ 55 per person, depending on the option and date you choose.See dates & book

Guided tour with tickets 08:30 Guide in English or Arabic Tickets to historical sites are included in the tour price. Lunch is not included; please note this cost is paid by you separately. Pickup is included.

Guided tour with lunch and tickets 08:30 Guide in English or Arabic Tickets to historical sites are included in the tour price. Lunch is also included in the tour price. Pickup is included.

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Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Qadisha Valley and Cedars

• Hotel pickup in Beirut
• Scenic photo stop on highway
• Visit Qadisha Valley viewpoint
• Visit Khalil Gibran Museum
• Explore Cedars of God Forest
• Lunch in mountain village
• Visit Kozhaya Monastery
• Return to Beirut

Stops and time spent at each 3 stops

1. Qadisha Valley 15m
2. Gibran Museum 30m
3. Cedars of God Forest 45m

What’s included

• Comfortable air-conditioned transportation.
• hotel pickup and drop-off in Beirut.
• entry and admission to all sites (Qadisha Valley viewpoint, Khalil Gibran Museum, Cedars of God Forest, and Kozhaya Monastery).
• lunch at a local mountain restaurant (if selected at checkout).
• professional, knowledgeable guides in English or Arabic.
• small group sizes.

Times

• Thursday and Sunday 08:30

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Before you book

Group Up to 15 3 private ›

Live guide English and Arabic

Meeting point and pickup Hotel pickup included.

Ages Adult (13 and older) · Child (4 to 12 years) · Infant (under 4): free

Cancellation and refunds Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Good to know

Low physical effort Infant seats available

Operated by Beirut Airport Transfer

Prices and times updated 8 days ago

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Traveler reviews

4.93 ★★★★★ Exceptional 15 verified traveler reviews

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The experience

The tour starts with hotel pickup in Beirut at 8:30 AM and climbs north along the coastal highway before turning inland into the Lebanese mountains. A scenic stop on the drive gives you a first view of the landscape ahead, then the route reaches the rim of the Qadisha Valley, the "Holy Valley" in Aramaic, where your guide explains how Christian monastic communities have sheltered here since the earliest centuries of Christianity. The dramatic cliff scenery below frames the spiritual history the valley holds.

From there, the day moves to Bcharee, where the Khalil Gibran Museum occupies a former monastery and displays the paintings, manuscripts, and personal belongings of Lebanon's most celebrated poet and author of "The Prophet." The museum offers an intimate portrait of Gibran's life and work. Next comes a walk among the Cedars of God Forest, a UNESCO-protected grove of ancient cedar trees, some over 1,000 years old: the very trees that built Phoenician ships, Solomon's Temple, and Egyptian temples. This is one of the most iconic natural landmarks in the Middle East.

Lunch happens in the Bcharee area at a mountain village restaurant, where you sample traditional Lebanese mountain cuisine (mezze, grilled meats, and local bread) with mountain views. In the afternoon, the tour descends into the Qadisha Valley to visit Kozhaya Monastery, one of Lebanon's oldest and most revered monasteries, carved directly into the cliff face. Dating to the 12th century, it houses a cave sanctuary, an ancient printing press (the first in the Middle East), and an atmosphere of deep spiritual peace. The return to Beirut happens around 5:00–6:00 PM with drop-off at your hotel.

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Arabic.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 12 years); Infant (under 4): free.

What is the Khalil Gibran Museum, and why does it matter?

The Khalil Gibran Museum in Bcharee is housed in a former monastery and displays the paintings, manuscripts, and personal belongings of Khalil Gibran, Lebanon's most celebrated poet and author of "The Prophet," one of the best-selling books of the 20th century.

How old are the Cedars of God, and what were they used for?

The Cedars of God Forest holds ancient cedar trees, some over 1,000 years old. These are the same trees that built Phoenician ships, Solomon's Temple, and Egyptian temples, making them among the most historically significant trees in the world.

What is Kozhaya Monastery, and what can you see there?

Kozhaya Monastery, dating to the 12th century, is carved directly into the cliff face of the Qadisha Valley and houses a cave sanctuary, an ancient printing press (the first in the Middle East), and an atmosphere of deep spiritual peace.

What does the Qadisha Valley mean, and why is it significant?

The Qadisha Valley means "Holy Valley" in Aramaic and has sheltered Christian monastic communities since the earliest centuries of Christianity, making it one of the most spiritually and historically significant valleys in the Middle East.

Is lunch included, and what kind of food is served?

Lunch is included in two of the three booking options and takes place at a mountain village restaurant in the Bcharee area, featuring traditional Lebanese mountain cuisine (mezze, grilled meats, and local bread) with mountain views.