Private Beiteddine, Barouk Cedars Hike & Deir el Qamar | Beirut
Traveler rating
4.3/5
Based on 3 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Private Beiteddine, Barouk Cedars Hike & Deir el Qamar | Beirut worth booking?
Private Beiteddine, Barouk Cedars Hike & Deir el Qamar | Beirut is a 8-hour experience in Beirut, Lebanon, from $100 per person. It scores 60 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 4.3/5 rating across 3 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 60 / 100
- Rating
- 4.3/5 (3)
- Duration
- 8 hours
- From
- $100 per person
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.
What you get
About this experience
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.
What's included
Included
- 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
Not included
- Lunch in Deir el Qamar (optional — at own expense)
- Gratuities (optional)
What you'll see and do
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.
Pass by without stopping
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.
60 minutes here · Admission not included
Barouk Cedar
Barouk Cedars — Lebanon's largest nature reserve · open all year The Shouf Biosphere Reserve covers over 50,000 hectares of the Lebanese mountains — Lebanon's largest protected natural area and a UNESCO-recognised biosphere. The Barouk cedar grove at its heart protects ancient trees descended from the forests that once covered the entire Lebanese range — the same cedars that built Phoenician ships, furnished Solomon's Temple, and supplied Egyptian palaces. An easy one-hour hike through the marked trails — suitable for all fitness levels, open in every season, spectacular mountain scenery year-round. Unlike the cedar forests near Bcharre, this road stays open regardless of the season. Your driver covers the ecology and conservation story of Lebanon's most emblematic tree throughout.
60 minutes here · Admission not included
Deir el Qamar
Deir el Qamar — Lebanon's first capital Meaning "Monastery of the Moon" — a honey-stone Ottoman village that 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 unchanged for centuries. Your driver covers the dynastic and political history of this remarkable village.
60 minutes here
Fakhreddine's Mosque
Fakhreddine Mosque & Saydet el Tallé Church The 17th-century mosque of Emir Fakhreddine II — the Druze ruler who built an empire from the Bekaa to the Sinai — and the hilltop Maronite church with panoramic Chouf valley views. A mosque and a church metres apart, four centuries of coexistence in a single hillside view.
30 minutes here
Deir el Qamar
Lunch in Deir el Qamar — optional Lebanese mountain mezze at a local restaurant — grilled meats, fresh bread, Chouf valley views. Optional and at your own expense. After a morning palace visit and a cedar hike, the argument for lunch makes itself.
60 minutes here
Beirut
Return to Beirut — approx. 5:30–6:30 PM Drop-off at your Beirut hotel. A presidential palace, Lebanon's largest cedar forest, and the count
Pass by without stopping
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 15 minutes before departure.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- ar, en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun
- Group size
- Up to 9 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Beirut Daily Tours
Know before you go
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 3 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
3 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Organization
2 mentionsPickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.
Knowledge and storytelling
1 mentionReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Photo opportunities
1 mentionThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Small groups
1 mentionThe group size is repeatedly described as intimate rather than packed.
Traveler reviews
3 verified traveler reviews for Private Beiteddine, Barouk Cedars Hike & Deir el Qamar | Beirut. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Very reliable and compliant agency
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%
via Tripadvisor (translated)
Perfect journey in Chouf
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!
via Tripadvisor
Pleasant Trip
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
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 8 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun
- Price range
- $100 to $200
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 1
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Who runs this experience
Operated by Beirut Daily Tours, who run 21 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 59.3.
See everything Beirut Daily Tours runsWhy this scores 60
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Private Beiteddine, Barouk Cedars Hike & Deir el Qamar | Beirut: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Beirut.
How much does Private Beiteddine, Barouk Cedars Hike & Deir el Qamar | Beirut cost?
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Prices start at $100 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Beirut usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Private Beiteddine, Barouk Cedars Hike & Deir el Qamar | Beirut take?
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Plan for about 8 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Beirut is not rushed.
Is Private Beiteddine, Barouk Cedars Hike & Deir el Qamar | Beirut worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 60 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.3/5 across 3 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Beirut, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Private Beiteddine, Barouk Cedars Hike & Deir el Qamar | Beirut?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Private Beiteddine, Barouk Cedars Hike & Deir el Qamar | Beirut suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 8-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Private Beiteddine, Barouk Cedars Hike & Deir el Qamar | Beirut?
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Around 1 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Beirut can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Beirut and add a light layer if any part of the 8-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Private Beiteddine, Barouk Cedars Hike & Deir el Qamar | Beirut start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Beirut within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Beirut?
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On Outty we rank every Beirut experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Guided Small-Group Tour to Baalbek, Anjar and Ksara with Lunch, Guided Small-Group Tour to Jeita, Harissa, Byblos with Lunch, Jeita Grotto, Harisa & Byblos: Small Group Tour with Hotel pickup. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Beirut?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Beirut?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in Private Beiteddine, Barouk Cedars Hike & Deir el Qamar | Beirut?
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Included: 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; and Easy 1-hour hike through Barouk Cedar Reserve. Not included: Lunch in Deir el Qamar (optional — at own expense); and Gratuities (optional). Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Does Private Beiteddine, Barouk Cedars Hike & Deir el Qamar | Beirut include hotel pickup?
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Yes, pickup is offered for every traveler from 175 listed pickup locations in and around Beirut. Be ready about 15 minutes before the start time. You can also enter a custom pickup address when booking.
What languages is Private Beiteddine, Barouk Cedars Hike & Deir el Qamar | Beirut offered in?
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It is offered in Arabic and English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Private Beiteddine, Barouk Cedars Hike & Deir el Qamar | Beirut?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
Is Private Beiteddine, Barouk Cedars Hike & Deir el Qamar | Beirut wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Specialized infant seats are available. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Private Beiteddine, Barouk Cedars Hike & Deir el Qamar | Beirut if the weather is bad?
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It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in Beirut. Standard cancellation terms apply: free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.
What do travelers say about Private Beiteddine, Barouk Cedars Hike & Deir el Qamar | Beirut?
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Across 3 reviews averaging 4.3 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, organization, knowledge and storytelling. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
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