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INTRO
Hike through the verdant and historic Qadisha valley discovering the stunning nature and fascinating history of this little visited region. Overnight in an 18th Century Maronite monastery, experience a true Lebanese welcome by staying with a local family. Visit a hermit, hike through a stunning Cedar forest, experience the dramatic Baatara sinkhole and explore the unique Jeita`s Grotto. And don`t forget the delicious food!
DATES
This trip can be run on dates to suit you, please contact us for more information and to let us know when you would like to travel.
HIGHLIGHTS
Delicious Lebanese food - treat yourself!
Explore the remarkable Jeita`s Grotto
Stay in an 18th Century monastery
See the dramatic Baatara sinkhole
Visit a living hermitage
Experience Beirut's beguiling mix of antiquity and modernity
PLACES VISITED
Beirut - Jeita's Grotto - Jbayl - Baatara sinkhole - Qadisha Valley Beirut
ITINERARY
Short | Detailed | PDF
Day 1 : Beirut
Arrival into Beirut airport. Transfer to hotel in Beiruts popular Hamra quarter. Overnight in Beirut.
Arrival into Beirut airport where you will be met by a Travel The Unknown representative. Transfer to hotel in Beiruts popular Hamra quarter. Overnight in Beirut.
Meal plan : n/a
Day 2 : Kesrouan
Breakfast at hotel. Check-out at 8:00am and transfer to the Kesrouan area, explore caves then start hike. Overnight with a local family in a unique setting overlooking the Nahr Brahim valley and Adonis river.
Breakfast at hotel. Check-out at 8:00am and transfer to the Kesrouan area, 50km North-East of Beirut. The area is most famous for the spectacular Jeitas grotto. Spend some time exploring these incredible caves with one of the world's most impressive collection of stalagmites and stalactites. After exploring the caves the hike starts. The itinerary crosses the wooded Jabal Moussa Reserve to an isolated hamlet on its northern flank. Jabal Moussa or Moses mountain is home of many trees such as iron oaks, elms and junipers. The fauna is rich as well; porcupines, foxes, jackals, wolves, hyenas are all present but are rarely seen in daylight. The ruins of stone houses bear witness to the once flourishing silk industry. Hiking profile 1400-1600-800m. Cumulative uphill: 500m. Overnight with a local family in a unique setting overlooking the Nahr Brahim valley and Adonis river.
Meal plan : Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 3 : Jbayl
Continue along the Adonis River to the smoking hole. Passing a Phoenician altar, the trail ascends through wild pines and apple orchards. Arrive into the Laqlouq ski resort for an overnight.
The route continues along the Adonis rivers southern flank before it crosses a natural bridge of great beauty to the right bank and into the Jbayl district. Here you will find what is known as the "smoking hole" because of a curious phenomenon. The whole river disappears underground for 70m before it surges up again forming a high column of water vapor. Depending on weather conditions, the column can reach over 100m in height. Seen from afar, it looks like a forest fire. Here one recalls the seasonal rebirth of Adonis, killed by a jealous god at the rivers bank. Passing a Phoenician altar, the trail starts a long ascent through wild pines and apple orchards. Finally we arrive into the Laqlouq ski resort for an overnight. 800- 550-1500m. Uphill 1000m.
Meal plan : Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 4 : Tannourine
After breakfast start uphill to rock dwellings of a past dissident bishop, then to an organic farm and the 3 bridges Baatara sinkhole. Walk through a deep gorge to Tannourine and the Houb monastery for an overnight.
After breakfast the itinerary starts uphill to the curious rock dwellings of a past dissident bishop, before descending gently to an organic farm and the breathtaking 3 bridges Baatara sinkhole, an impressive natural phenomenon that has drawn rock climbers and speleologists from all over the world. The route continues through a deep gorge to Tannourine and the serene setting of the Houb monastery for an overnight. 1500-1200-1700-1500-1600m. Uphill 800m.
Meal plan : Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 5 : Qadisha Valley
Cross the Reserve of Tannourine and the forest of Hadath. Enter UNESCO Qadisha valley. Visit Qannoubine monastery and 13th Century Haouqa Seminar. Trek ends. Transfer to Beirut. Overnight in Beirut (Hamra).
The itinerary crosses the Reserve of Tannourine and the stunning cedar forest of Hadath. Continue along a steep but beautiful path to the Qannoubine hamlet in the heart of the UNESCO-listed Qadisha valley. Qadisha (saint in Syriac) Valley has since medieval times been the abode of numerous monks and hermits that have chosen the shelter of its high cliffs and grottoes as an ideal place for prayer and contemplation. In the valley visit the Qannoubine monastery, residence of 17 Maronite patriarchs since 1440, now the summer residence of nuns. Stop at the 13th Century Haouqa Seminar, now occupied by a Colombian hermit. The trek ends at the end of the valley. 8:30-16:30 Trekking. 1600-1700-1500-1700-550m. Uphill 500m. Transfer to Beirut, 100km from Torza. Overnight in Beirut (Hamra).
Meal plan : Breakfast & lunch
Day 6 : Beirut - Departure
Breakfast at hotel and transfer to airport for return flight.
Breakfast at hotel and transfer to airport for return flight.
Meal plan : Breakfast