This tour takes you southeast from Beirut, through the Shouf region, across the southern Mount Lebanon range, to the lower Bekaa Valley. Starting in Beirut, it will take about 35 minutes to drive to your first stop at Moukhtara in the Shouf region. Moukhtara is located about 50 km southeast of Beirut, about 20 km east of the coastal city of Damour, and about 10 km southwest of Beiteddine. (Note: Between December and April check the road conditions with the Maaser el Chouf Municipality, Tel: +961-(0)5-350380). After leaving Moukhtara, you will drive about 15 minutes to Khraibe (7-9 km), and then 15 minutes east to Maaser el Chouf (7-9 km). 

Travel from Beirut to the village Moukhtara, in the Shouf, enjoying the beautiful trees, rivers, and mountain scenery along the way. Take a walk around the old picturesque streets of Moukhtara to experience the traditional stone and red-roofed architecture. You can ask the Municipality officer to open the churches, which include a rural Catholic church overlooking the valley and a typical Maronite church nestled in the narrow village streets. Moukhtara is the home of the Jumblatt family. You can visit the Jumblatt Palace, where you can see the public reception rooms accompanied by the Guard. The palace has traditional 19th century architecture and interiors with Italian and Oriental influences. It is composed of three buildings, with a beautiful garden. There is an open house for petitioners ever Saturday where you might have the opportunity to meet with Minister Walid Jumblatt, the leader of the Druze.Also in Moukhtara, be sure to visit the traditional old mill site (which is now a chicken farm). Wander through olive groves down the hill from the village, where you can enjoy the beautiful view across the Wadi el Maa’, the valley that connects Moukhtara to Saida. Leaving Moukhtara, drive 7-9 km east, uphill, to the village of Khraibe, stopping at the large, old oak tree to your left just after entering Khraibe. Ask the locals about Sara’s myth associated with it. According to tradition, this old tree bent over to protect Saint Sara, which explains its unusual bent shape today. For a special experience in November and December, ask the Khraibe Municipality officer to point you to where the olives are being pressed. You will be able to witness an important traditional activity for the region and can even buy your own freshly-pressed olive oil. Khraibe olive oil is distinguished by the quality of its old trees.From Khraibe, proceed 7-9 km east to the picturesque village of Maaser el Chouf. Stop at the town square, and visit the St. Michael convent and the old mill nearby.Maaser el Chouf is located within the Al Shouf Cedar Reserve, at an altitude of 1,250 m. It has beautiful views of the mountain peaks to the east and the valley to the west. This is a perfect town to spend the night in the Shouf, offering a wonderful locale for nighttime star gazing. In the summertime, the village community organizes evening festivals, which include backgammon competitions, Lebanese music, and culinary nights where they sell “mouneh” (local provisions, such as preserves, olive oil, rosewater, and other specialities). Contact the Maaser el Chouf municipality for information about special events.

• In Maaser el Chouf: 

  St. Michael Convent

  This renovated convent has been converted into a Bed & Breakfast. It offers simple, yet beautifully furnished, guest rooms, as well as community facilities on the ground floor. It sometimes has special weekend activities and classes. It is managed by a local NGO, Arc en Ciel. US$10 per person (including breakfast).

  Tel: +961-(0)5-564640/1/2/3 or (0)3-216271.

• In Khraibe: 

  small guesthouse

  It's in a lovely historical home, run by a local family. US$10 per person (including breakfast).

  Tel: +961-(0)3-655-670 or (0)5-500-298.

• In Deir el Qamar: 

  La Bastide

  This family-run auberge has clean, nicely furnished guest rooms with attached baths. US$30-50.

  Email: [email protected].

  Tel: +961-(0)5-505320.

  Fax: +961-(0)5-505849.

• In Beiteddine: 

  Mir Amin Palace Hotel

  This luxurious 22-room hotel is a beautiful, renovated 19th century palace, built by Emir Bashir Shihab II for his son. It has elegant guest rooms and stunning views of the valley, as well as two restaurants. US$100-220 high season, US$80-120 low season.

  Website: http://www.miraminpalace.com

  Email: [email protected].

  Tel/Fax: +961-(0)5-501315.

• In Moukhtara: 

  Club House Moukhtara

  Offers local specialties (with previous arrangement), pizza, sandwiches, hamburgers, and other sandwiches. Call one day in advance to arrange your visit.

  Tel: +961-(0)3-693031 or (0)5-310771

  Chez Nadim

  Offers local food specialties, including mezze, barbecue, and “manaeesh” or “manakish” (lebanese pizza/pie with thyme or cheese).

  Tel: +961-(0)5-350114.

• Near Moukhtara: 

  Shallalat Nabeh Merched

  Located along the banks of a beautiful waterfall, this restaurant serves traditional Lebanese cuisine.

  Website: http://www.ainmerched.com

  Tel: +961-(0)5-310220 or 310221; (0)3-314914 or 315153

From the village of Maaser el Chouf, drive about 7 km up the mountain to the east to reach the Cedars. Then proceed eastward about 13 km, over the mountains and down toward the Bekaa Valley to reach Château Kefraya. (Note: Between December and April check the road conditions with the Maaser el Chouf Municipality, Tel: +961-(0)5-350380). After leaving Kefraya, travel north toward Chtaura, and then west back to Beirut on the main road. The return trip to Beirut should take about 45 minutes.

Travel 7 km east from the village of Maaser el Chouf to the historical Cedars of Maaser el Chouf. You are now within the Al Shouf Cedar Reserve, the largest nature reserve in Lebanon, which contains about 25 percent of the country’s remaining cedar trees. The Maaser el Chouf forest is one of the smallest groves of cedars, but has some of the oldest trees and most spectular views. The Reserve is also home to numerous species of wild mammals, birds, and plants, so be sure to keep an eye out for interesting wildlife and plant life. Stop here to admire the views and take pictures of the Cedars.The road now heads east, down to the Bekaa Valley. On your way down the mountinside, don’t miss the magnificent views of Qaraoun Lake and Mount Hermon (Jebel ash-Sheikh), Lebanon’s second highest peak. Proceed to Château Kefraya, located in the Kherbet Annafar village. Standing very proudly at the top of small hill, you cannot miss it. Château Kefraya is famous for its gardens and beautiful setting overlooking the rounded, vine covered hills, and for its sunny weather. The view looking westward across the vineyards toward the mountains is remniscent of California’s Napa Valley. Although the winery is only about twenty-five years old, its wines have won numerous international awards and recognition in the international wine press. During your visit to Château Kefraya, you can take a guided tour of the wine processing units, visit the cellars where the wine ages, and enjoy a wine tasting session. You can enjoy a delicious meal at the winery in the Dionysos Restaurant and visit the wine shop and showroom. Take a stroll around the vineyards and beautiful gardens. If you visit in the fall, you can see the grape harvest or participate in the wine festival in October (contact the winery in advance for an invitation).After spending a leisurely afternoon at Château Kefraya, you can drive north toward Chtaura, and then westward back toward Beirut on the main road.