Private Cedar Hike, Beiteddine Palace & Deir el Qamar Tour
Traveler rating
4.7/5
Based on 3 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Private Cedar Hike, Beiteddine Palace & Deir el Qamar Tour worth booking?
Private Cedar Hike, Beiteddine Palace & Deir el Qamar Tour is a 8-hour experience in Beirut, Lebanon, from $150 per person. It scores 59 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 4.7/5 rating across 3 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 59 / 100
- Rating
- 4.7/5 (3)
- Duration
- 8 hours
- From
- $150 per person
he Chouf Mountains offer Lebanon at its most diverse — and this private full-day tour from Beirut captures three of the region's most rewarding experiences in a single, beautifully paced day. Begin with a moderate one-hour hike through the Maaser el Shouf Cedar Reserve — Lebanon's largest nature reserve and home to one of the country's most extensive surviving cedar forests, a UNESCO-recognised landscape of extraordinary ecological richness. Then visit Beiteddine Palace — one of the finest 19th-century palaces in the Arab world — before ending the afternoon in Deir el Qamar, Lebanon's first capital, where honey-stone mansions and centuries of quiet coexistence define one of the most enchanting villages in the country. Nature, architecture, and history — all within the same mountain range, all in one private day, entirely at your own pace with a knowledgeable English-speaking driver who knows every road and every story in the Chouf.
What you get
About this experience
he Chouf Mountains offer Lebanon at its most diverse — and this private full-day tour from Beirut captures three of the region's most rewarding experiences in a single, beautifully paced day. Begin with a moderate one-hour hike through the Maaser el Shouf Cedar Reserve — Lebanon's largest nature reserve and home to one of the country's most extensive surviving cedar forests, a UNESCO-recognised landscape of extraordinary ecological richness. Then visit Beiteddine Palace — one of the finest 19th-century palaces in the Arab world — before ending the afternoon in Deir el Qamar, Lebanon's first capital, where honey-stone mansions and centuries of quiet coexistence define one of the most enchanting villages in the country. Nature, architecture, and history — all within the same mountain range, all in one private day, entirely at your own pace with a knowledgeable English-speaking driver who knows every road and every story in the Chouf.
What's included
Included
- Tour Leader
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Comfortable Private Transportation
Not included
- Lunch
- Gratuities
What you'll see and do
Beirut
9:00 AM — Departure from Beirut Your knowledgeable English-speaking driver collects you from your Beirut hotel and heads southeast into the Chouf Mountains — pine and cedar-forested ridges rising steeply above the coastal plain as you climb toward Maaser el Shouf and the biosphere reserve.
Pass by without stopping
Shouf Cedars Reserve
Arrive at the Maaser el Shouf Cedar Reserve — the heart of the Shouf Biosphere Reserve, Lebanon's largest nature reserve and one of the most ecologically significant protected landscapes in the Middle East. The reserve protects one of Lebanon's most extensive surviving cedar forests — ancient trees descended from the vast cedar forests that once covered these mountains and whose timber built Phoenician ships, Solomon's Temple, and the palaces of Egypt. A moderate one-hour hike takes you along the marked trail through the grove — terrain that includes some inclines and rocky sections that make it more engaging than a gentle stroll. Ancient cedar trunks tower above you, the mountain air is cool and clear, and the silence of a protected forest at altitude is something that stays with you. Your driver shares the story of the reserve, the conservation efforts that saved these trees, and the remarkable ecology of the Shouf on the drive up and back.
45 minutes here · Admission not included
Arrive at one of the most magnificent palaces in the Arab world — built between 1788 and 1840 by Emir Bashir II, the ruler who unified Lebanon's fractured mountain communities under a single authority. Three grand interconnected courtyards decorated with hand-cut geometric tilework, carved cedar-wood ceilings, and elaborately painted reception halls reveal the extraordinary ambition and craftsmanship of this mountain retreat. Beneath the palace, an underground museum preserves Lebanon's finest collection of Byzantine mosaics — floor panels of extraordinary colour and detail. After the natural grandeur of the cedar forest, the human grandeur of Beiteddine feels like a perfect counterpoint — both extraordinary achievements, one by nature and one by hand, both in the same Chouf mountain landscape. Your driver shares the full story of Emir Bashir and his remarkable palace.
60 minutes here · Admission not included
Deir el Qamar
Drive down to Deir el Qamar — meaning "Monastery of the Moon" — one of the most enchanting and best-preserved villages in Lebanon and the country's first capital under the Ma'an dynasty. The central square is framed by honey-stone mansions dating to the 17th and 18th centuries, a Druze palace, and public buildings that speak to the village's former political importance. A mosque and a church stand metres apart in the same square — the quiet, enduring coexistence that defines Lebanon at its most harmonious and its most human.
30 minutes here
Fakhreddine's Mosque
Fakhreddine Mosque & Saydet el Tallé Church Visit the 17th-century mosque built by Fakhreddine II — the visionary Druze emir considered one of the founding fathers of modern Lebanon — before climbing to the hilltop Maronite church with sweeping views over the Chouf valleys below. After a day that began in the cedar forest and moved through a presidential palace, ending at two places of worship that have peacefully shared the same hillside for centuries feels like exactly the right conclusion.
30 minutes here
Deir el Qamar
Lunch in Deir el Qamar — optional Settle into one of Deir el Qamar's traditional mountain restaurants for a long, unhurried Lebanese lunch — stone-vaulted dining rooms and shaded terraces serving generous mezze spreads, grilled meats, and fresh mountain bread with Chouf valley views. After a morning hike and an afternoon in a presidential palace, this is the most natural and satisfying way to end a day in the Chouf Mountains.
60 minutes here
Beirut
Return to Beirut — approx. 5:30–6:00 PM Mountain drive back to Beirut with drop-off at your hotel — completing a full day that moved from ancient cedar forest to imperial palace to Lebanon's first capital, all within the extraordinary Chouf Mountains.
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
- Lebanon Tours & travels
Know before you go
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- 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
2 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Good for families
2 mentionsReviewers traveling with kids report it landed well with their group.
Photo opportunities
1 mentionThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Organization
1 mentionPickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.
Food and drink
1 mentionThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Traveler reviews
3 verified traveler reviews for Private Cedar Hike, Beiteddine Palace & Deir el Qamar Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Recommended
Beiteddine is outstanding, with beautiful Islamic-styled ornamentation. The Cedar Reserve is also a great area to appreciate nature. Apart from the trip, I had a great time talking with Hassane, our guide, on a variety of issues throughout our travel. I will strongly suggest this travel agency to everyone!
via Tripadvisor
Good introduction to beautiful Lebanese mountainside
Pick up from Beirut hotel all on time. Around 40 minutes to Deir Al-Qamar which is a beautiful historic village in the mountains with stunning views, old Christian church and Moslem palace. Nice place to stop for lunch. Bien Eddine Emir’s mountain palace (small entry fee) was excellent as was trip up to the hotel which was once the Emir’s children’s package (nice spot overlooking valley and palace for a coffee and/or lunch). Then on to Baouk Cedar reserve (entry fee around £7.50 payable) for fantastic views/fresh air and half hour walk back down if you choose. Overall a good itinerary to see the beautiful Lebanese countryside. Recommend
via Tripadvisor
Recommended
We booked the tour of Beiteddine, Deir el Qamar and Cedars from Beirut. It was a day to remember. The driver was fluent in English and very helpful and friendly especially with our kids. I highly recommend this company.
via Tripadvisor
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
- $150 to $250
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 1
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Who runs this experience
Operated by Lebanon Tours & travels, who run 28 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 62.9 and 2 in the 90+ Club.
See everything Lebanon Tours & travels runsWhy this scores 59
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Private Cedar Hike, Beiteddine Palace & Deir el Qamar Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Beirut.
How much does Private Cedar Hike, Beiteddine Palace & Deir el Qamar Tour cost?
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Prices start at $150 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 Cedar Hike, Beiteddine Palace & Deir el Qamar Tour 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 Cedar Hike, Beiteddine Palace & Deir el Qamar Tour worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 59 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.7/5 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 Cedar Hike, Beiteddine Palace & Deir el Qamar Tour?
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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 Cedar Hike, Beiteddine Palace & Deir el Qamar Tour 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 Cedar Hike, Beiteddine Palace & Deir el Qamar Tour?
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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 Cedar Hike, Beiteddine Palace & Deir el Qamar Tour 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 Cedar Hike, Beiteddine Palace & Deir el Qamar Tour?
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Included: Tour Leader; Hotel pickup and drop-off; In-vehicle air conditioning; and Comfortable Private Transportation. Not included: Lunch; and Gratuities. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Does Private Cedar Hike, Beiteddine Palace & Deir el Qamar Tour include hotel pickup?
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Yes, pickup is offered for every traveler from 176 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 Cedar Hike, Beiteddine Palace & Deir el Qamar Tour 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 Cedar Hike, Beiteddine Palace & Deir el Qamar Tour?
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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 Cedar Hike, Beiteddine Palace & Deir el Qamar Tour wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Wheelchair accessible; Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller; and Specialized infant seats are available. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Private Cedar Hike, Beiteddine Palace & Deir el Qamar Tour 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 Cedar Hike, Beiteddine Palace & Deir el Qamar Tour?
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Across 3 reviews averaging 4.7 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, good for families, photo opportunities. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
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