Qadisha Valley tour from Beirut: Cedars of God and Bcharre

Walk among 375 ancient cedars and the monasteries that shaped early Christianity

A private full-day tour from Beirut to the Qadisha Valley, Bcharre and the Cedars of God forest, with hotel pickup and a guide in English or Arabic. You visit the valley's early Christian monasteries set into rugged cliffs, explore the town of Bcharre and its 37 churches, and stand in the forest where only 375 cedars remain from the ancient groves cited 103 times in the Bible. The Gibran Museum, housed in a former monastery, holds Kahlil Gibran's original paintings and manuscripts.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Qadisha Valleypassing by
2. Cedars of God Forest45m

Explore Qadisha Valley and Bcharre

• Visit Qadisha Valley monasteries
• Explore Bcharre town and churches
• Tour the Gibran Museum
• Walk through Cedars of God Forest
• Visit Monastery of Saint Anthony the Great

The experience

The Qadisha Valley is one of the world's earliest Christian settlement sites, its monasteries carved into an extraordinarily rugged landscape and its terraces cultivated over centuries. The tour takes you through this UNESCO-listed valley to see these structures firsthand, then moves to Bcharre, the town that sits at the heart of Lebanon's cedar heritage. Bcharre is sometimes called "the city of churches" for its 37 places of worship, and it was the birthplace of the writer and artist Kahlil Gibran, whose museum occupies the former Monastery of Mar Sarkis and displays 440 of his original paintings and drawings along with his tomb.

The Cedars of God forest, with its remaining 375 trees, is what remains of the ancient forests that were prized for construction and mentioned throughout the Bible. The cedar is Lebanon's national symbol and appears on the flag. You also visit the Monastery of Saint Anthony the Great, situated at 950 meters above sea level in the Valley of Qozhaya, surrounded by pine and oak trees. Historians believe the monastery was first built in the fourth century, though it has been destroyed and rebuilt many times. Vestiges from the seventh century still stand.

The tour runs eight hours with private transportation, an air-conditioned vehicle, and hotel pickup and drop-off included. Your guide speaks English or Arabic. The pace and stops are set by the operator, so you move through the itinerary as a group without arranging transport yourself.

What’s included

• Private transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle.
• hotel pickup and drop-off.
• a tour leader who speaks English or Arabic.
• specialized infant seats if needed.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:30

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Arabic

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

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

Prices and times updated 10 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats available

Operated by Lebanon Tours Online

Is this one for you?Choose this if you prefer a driver handling the wheel through mountain roads while you focus on the valley and monasteries, rather than managing the route yourself.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

2 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Arabic.

What is the Qadisha Valley and why does it matter?

The Qadisha Valley is one of the world's most important early Christian settlement sites, with monasteries built into the cliffs and cultivated terraces dating back to the earliest phase of Christianity. It is UNESCO-listed and comprises caves, monasteries and agricultural terraces that document centuries of monastic life in an extraordinarily rugged landscape.

How many cedars are left in the Cedars of God forest?

The forest holds 375 remaining cedar trees, the last remnants of the ancient groves that once covered the region. These cedars were highly valued in antiquity and are mentioned 103 times in the Bible. The cedar is now Lebanon's national symbol and features on the country's flag.

What can you see at the Gibran Museum in Bcharre?

The Gibran Museum, housed in the former Monastery of Mar Sarkis, displays 440 original paintings and drawings by Kahlil Gibran, along with his tomb, furniture and belongings from his studio in New York City, and his private manuscripts. The museum honors the Lebanese writer, philosopher and artist who was born in Bcharre.

What is the Monastery of Saint Anthony the Great?

The Monastery of Saint Anthony the Great sits at 950 meters above sea level in the Valley of Qozhaya, surrounded by pine and oak trees and fruit orchards. Historians believe it was first built in the fourth century, though it was looted and destroyed multiple times. Vestiges from the seventh century remain standing today.

Does the tour include lunch?

Lunch is not included in the tour price, so you can choose where and what to eat during the day. The eight-hour itinerary allows time for a meal stop.