Holiday in Lebanon

Sightseeing and Skiing Itinerary:

The most popular places in Lebanon to visit are undoubtedly Baalbeck, Sidon, Tyre, Byblos, Tripoli and the famous Cedars. All these can be incorporated around a skiing holiday and hiking arranged in the famous Kadisha Gorge. The following is an illustratative four and five star accomodation itinerary suggesting how it might be done. Obviously this cost can be reduced if staying in three star accommodation.

If you want to spend more time in the ski resorts or visit other places this can easily be organised.  Please click on sightseeing, wine tasting or hiking holidays if you are looking for other suggestions.

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Day 1: Sunday:
Depart London Heathrow arriving into Beirut in time for dinner. Transfer to four star hotel in Beirut. Overnight in Beirut City. 

Day 2: Monday:
After Breakfast transfer to the ski resort. The ski resort of Faraya Mazaar is only an hour from Beirut. Collect skis from the slope ski hire shop, then enjoy a days skiing. Night in five star hotel located on the ski slopes

Day 3: Tuesday:
Qalaat Fakra and the natural stone bridge at Kferdiban (near Faraya resort). Full day to ski or sightsee. In the afternoon if the snow is not too deep it is then possible to walk around the roman temple ruins at   Qalaat Fakra and the natural stone bridge at Kferdiban (near Faraya resort). Night in the resort in five star hotel.

Day 4: Wednesday:
Full day to ski or sightsee. Overnight in the resort in five star hotel

Day 5: Thursday:
After breakfast check out and transfer to Beirut visiting enroute the Jeita Grotto , Harrisa and Our Lady of Lebanon and the Ancient City of Byblos. Lunch is had near the port overlooking the sea. The port itself is very pretty and the shops behind it interesting. Overnight at four star hotel in Beirut City. 

Day 6: Friday:
Full day to ski or sightsee at the Cedars. After breakfast head out on a full day tour to Baalbeck and enroute visit the famous Wine Caves of Ksara (There may also be time to visit Anjar). Return to Beirut for dinner and overnight in four star hotel. 

Day 7: Saturday:
After breakfast head out on a full day tour of Besharreh and the Maronite Chapels in the Kadisha Gorge There will also be time to see Kadisha Grotto and Kalil Gibran Museum and also Der Mar Antonio Qozhaya, the largest hermitage in the valley. Overnight in four star hotel in Beirut.

Day 8. Sunday:
After breakfast take a full day tour of Tyre and Sidon. Overnight in Beirut in four star hotel. 

Day 9: Monday:
Depart for London Heathrow in the morning. If traveling directly to London on British Mediteranean or on MEA, this will be around at 07.40. Arrive London 10.45. (MEA times and BM is similar)

Additional Notes if you can afford more time in Lebanon than this itinerary allows for:

Firstly this itinerary can be changed to a Friday or Saturday arrival into Beirut but take into consideration that your first day in the resort of Faraya will overlap with the weekend crowds and a more expensive lift pass. The five star hotel accommodation will be more expensive too. However there is nothing to stop you switching around a days sightseeing to be done upon your arrival instead of at the end of the itinerary - the above suggestion is only due to knowing how keen skiers are to get to the slopes upon arrival!

Below are suggestions that can be linked into thie itinerary above so if you are able to extend your stay in Lebanon we can arrange for you visit the following:

Krak des Chevailiers, in Syria (1 extra day)

Beit ed din (1 extra day)

Tripoli (1 extra day). : You need the whole day to wander around the ancient souks, visiti Taynal mosque, and see the Hammans (baths). There is so much to see including the crusader castle and everything you can imagine to buy from scented soaps to silks.

Maronite Chapels in the Kadisha Gorge: (1 extra day) In addition to a day visit returning to Beirut, consider staying a night up here. This is weather dependant but if visiting in March or early April you should have no problems. Spend the night in the village of Bcharre below the Cedars ski resort in the Hotel Chbat (3 star). The next day you can hike for 5 hours and really explore the numerous Maronite Chapels in the Kadisha Gorge. This is highly recommended and only has one 30 min. up hill climb! Alternatively ski.

Skiing at the Cedars. (1 extra day) Is fun, but not for dedicated skiers as they would loose interest quickly. If traveling in March or early April this is a good option for it is a beautiful resort and has cross country skiing. Skidoos can be hired. After a mornings skiing you can walk down, pausing at the Cedars village to see the famous Cedars grove, then continue along the old road which is free of traffic and is an hour and a half walk, all down hill, to Bcharre.

National Museum (1extra day to do it justice).

Baalbeck (1 extra day) If you can make time then it is an experience to stay in Baalbeck at the Palmyra Hotel, and have time to explore the massive ruins of these incredible temples before sunset. The hotel is unique and one of the great classic monuments to victorian tourism. The rooms are full of antiques and the staff very senior and attentive!! This compensates somewhat for it not being up to the standard of a comfortable night in Beirut, but for a holiday experience it is worth it! When returning from Baalbeck you can stop in the Village of Zahle . This village is known as the kitchen of Lebanon, it is famous for its local dishes. Afterwards walk off this day of excess wandering around the town before returning to Beirut.

Skiing itinerary costs | View Freequently asked questions