Overview
Join MT Sobek on a brand-new, pioneering hiking adventure! Established in 2007, the 290-mile Lebanon Mountain Trail takes in all the beauty and natural diversity the landscape and culture have to offer, and we hike 23 miles of it! Warm up with Lebanon's revered literary greats along the Baskinta Literary Trail, then revel in a series of moderate mountain hikes exemplary of this incredibly historical, spectacular route. Explore impressive Roman ruins, centuries-old mountain monasteries, vast cedar forests, ancient Phoenician cities, and medieval highlights of Byblos, Tripoli, and Anjar. Our knowledgeable, expert guides help ensure an unparalleled experience of this unique destination.
Hike the scenic Lebanon Mountain Trail's holy valleys, vast cedar forests, and ancient ruins
Emerge from sweeping cedar nature preserves to explore souks, temples, fortresses, churches, and more
Follow the footsteps of ancient Phoenicians and Romans while exploring UNESCO-listed Byblos, Anjar, and Tyre
- Arrive: Beirut, Lebanon
- Depart: Beirut, Lebanon
- Duration: 10 Days
- Group Size: 4-15 Guests
- Minimum Age: 16 Years Old
- Activity Level:
- Level 3
- More About Activity Levels
Itinerary download itinerary
Thank you!
- Day01
Arrive in Beirut
Welcome to Lebanon! Upon arrival at Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport, meet an MT Sobek representative and transfer to the hotel. Tonight enjoy a welcome dinner with the group.
- Accommodation: Le Commodore Hotel
- Meals: Dinner
- Day02
Walk the Baskinta Literary Trail & Transfer to Byblos
After breakfast at the hotel, receive a briefing for the day. Then depart for Baskinta, where you take a short guided walk on the Baskinta Literary Trail, part of the Lebanon Mountain Trail, which invites you to discover landmarks associated several acclaimed writers and poets from the region. Lunch at a local guesthouse, then transfer to Byblos and spend the afternoon exploring this medieval UNESCO-listed city.
- Accommodation: Byblos Sur Mer
- Activity: 2 hours/3 miles hiking with 660' elevation gain & 985' elevation loss
- Transportation: 1-hour private van transfer
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day03
Tour Medieval Sights in Byblos & Tripoli
Wake for a visit to Byblos Crusader Castle, built in the 12th century from limestone and remains of Roman structures. Then drive to Tripoli - founded around 800 BC and inhabited by Greeks, Phoenicians, and Romans - and visit the old souk, port, and fortress, all of which date from medieval times. Continue on to Ehden and dine at the lodge tonight.
- Accommodation: Qozhaya Lodge
- Transportation: 45-minute private van transfer
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day04
Follow the Lebanon Mountain Trail in Ehden Cedars Nature Reserve
After breakfast, tour the old town's Midane Square, Mar Mema Church (one of the oldest Maronite churches in Lebanon, dating back to the ninth century), and St. Georges Cathedral. Then, take a hike on the Lebanon Mountain Trail to Qozhaya Monastery, also known as the Monastery of St. Anthony. In continual use since its founding in the eighth century, the monastery has been printing texts since the 16th century - including texts in Syriac, a language that the Maronites still use in their services.
- Accommodation: Qozhaya Lodge
- Activity: 3 hours/6 miles hiking with 660' elevation gain & 1,300' elevation loss
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day05
Hike into Holy Qadicha Valley
Today is spent hiking along the Lebanon Mountain Trail from Qozhaya to Qadicha. Ouadi Qadicha, also known as Holy Valley, is one of the most important settlement sites of the first Christian monasteries in the world. Its monasteries, many of which are very old, are set in an extraordinarily rugged, beautiful landscape. We will pass by troglodotique constructions, old monasteries and visit the old village of Qanoubine.
- Accommodation: Auberge Hadath el Jebbeh
- Activity: 3-4 hours/7 miles hiking with 600' elevation gain & 530' elevation loss
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day06
See the Cedars of Tannourine
Your hike today takes you from Hadath el Jebbeh to the Tannourine Cedar Forest Nature Reserve. Established in 1999, the reserve protects Lebanon's largest and densest cedar forest, and comprises over 2.5 million trees. The scenery is beautiful, the air is clean, and the birds are plentiful. Enjoy a packed lunch during the hike.
- Accommodation: Auberge Hadath el Jebbeh
- Activity: 3-4 hours/ 6-7 miles hiking with 1,650' elevation gain & loss
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day07
Head to Baalbek and Taanayel Domaine
Today, head to Baalbek in the Bekaa Valley, one of Rome's breadbaskets - Roman sites and ruins dot the area. Visit the city's temple, Turkish school, and recent archaeological discoveries. Enjoy lunch in a small restaurant in town, and then transfer to Taanayel Domaine for a free afternoon around the lake, followed by wine tasting at Chateau Ksara.
- Accommodation: Taanayel Ecolodge
- Transportation: 3-hour private van transfer
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day08
Visit Ancient Anjar
After breakfast, travel to Anjar and visit the UNESCO-listed Ummayyad city, founded in the eighth century and today home to outstanding ruins. Later transfer to Tyre, a once-great Phoenician city where, legend has it, purple dye was invented.
- Accommodation: Dar Alma Tyre
- Transportation: 2.5-hour private van transfer
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day09
Explore UNESCO-Listed Tyre and ancient Sidon
After breakfast at the hotel, tour the souk, the 12th-century Crusader Cathedral, and the Roman hippodrome before transferring to Sidon, an important Phoenician city that was settled as early as 4,000 BC. Sidon is home to the Sidon Sea Castle, built by the Crusaders in AD 1228; a thriving souk; Phoenician temples; and an ancient church converted into the Great Mosque after the Crusaders were driven out before returning to Beirut. This evening, enjoy a festive farewell dinner in a local restaurant.
- Accommodation: Le Commodore Hotel
- Transportation: 1.5-hour private van transfer
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day10
Depart from Beirut
Transfer to the airport for your homebound flight.
- Meals: Breakfast
Contact our Regional Specialists for more travel ideas!
Lebanon Mountain Trail Hiking Map
Open MapWhy take this trip with us?
Reason #01
This trip blends hiking to hermit cave churches with cultural treasures like Baalbek and Byblos.
Reason #02
Our local guide is one of the founders of the Lebanon Mountain Trail, and is expertly familiar with the route!
Reason #03
We have successfully operated trips throughout the Middle East, including to Iran, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, and Saudi Arabia.
Meet Our Guides
Our expert guides and trip leaders are truly the key to our trips' success. Many are locals who live in-country year-round; others have made it their second home—all are passionate, enthusiastic and endlessly knowledgeable. Meet a few of the guides that might be on your trip.
Gilbert Moukheiber
What To Expect
-
Activities
Moderately paced hiking up to 7 miles a day on scenic trails, plus cultural touring of Roman ruins, cedar forests, and ancient cities.
-
Lodging
Charming traditional Lebanese guesthouses and hotels with modern amenities.
-
Climate
Temperatures in the cities are very warm with scant amounts of rain. In the mountains, temperatures range from the mid 40's to high 60's.
FAQ
Who will meet me on arrival?
Our MT Sobek representative will meet you at the Beirut Airport.
Do I need a visa to travel to Lebanon?
Yes, American citizens need a visa to travel to Lebanon, but you can get one on arrival at the airport in Beirut.
Do I need to follow a special dress code for Lebanon?
No, there is no special dress code for Lebanon, but out of respect for the local culture, please leave immodest clothing at home.
Is it safe to travel to Lebanon?
Yes, tourism is alive and well in Lebanon and the country is an oasis of calm in a turbulent neighborhood.
How do I get to Beirut?
A number of European airlines (including Lufthansa, Turkish, Air France and British Airways) as well as Emirates and Royal Jordanian Airlines fly to Beirut.
This trip is "Exploratory". Does that mean nobody has done this trip before?
Yes, and no. MT Sobek has never done this trip. It has been scouted by an MT Sobek Program Director for safety purposes. While certain aspects of this trip have been done before, sections of hiking trails we will explore have not.
Does this trip contribute to any local conservation efforts?
Yes! Each group has the opportunity to plant a tree where you hike to help preserve the beautiful buffer zone of the Ehden Reserve.
Dates & Pricing
Pricing DatesScheduled Dates
- AvailableMay 01 - 10, 2021
- AvailableJun 01 - 10, 2021
- AvailableSep 01 - 10, 2021
Customize Your Trip
Make any of our trips a custom adventure or start from scratch. Take two itineraries and match them up to create a unique third. Add extras and extensions and more...if you can imagine it, we can make it happen!
Price Includes
- Expert leadership from experienced adventure guides
- Accommodations as noted in the itinerary
- Meals as noted in the daily itinerary
- Potable water and snacks throughout
- 1 glass of wine or beer at dinner
- All tips and gratuities for support staff with the exception of your lead adventure guide(s)
- All group entrance fees, activities, and ground transportation
- Arrival and departure day airport transfers
Price Does Not Include
- International airfare, any airport taxes, or excess baggage charges
- Optional tips to your lead adventure guides
- Personal expenses such as medical immunizations, phone calls, laundry, or souvenirs
- Airport transfers if arriving outside of Day 1
- Optional travel protection
Photo Gallery
Testimonials
"Great experience every time with some of the most knowledgeable guides in their fields. We always come home with wonderful memories of the people we meet and things we see."
Bob J.
MT Sobek Guest
"I have traveled extensively around the world. The experience with MT Sobek was by far the best I have ever had. Thank you for such excellence."
Marianne W.
MT Sobek Guest