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Holidays

Mountain Trails of Lebanon

Lebanon
9 reviews
Walk & Trek
Guided Group
MODERATE MODERATE

Walk along the Lebanon Mountain Trail, visit majestic ancient ruins and experience the best of Lebanese hospitality and cuisine

Trip Code: LMT
Holiday Grades
          

Our Holiday Grades Explained

To show the relative difficulty of our holidays, each trip is graded on a scale of 1 to 12, with 12 being the most challenging. Although we have tried to make our grading system as clear as possible, it cannot take into account your personal interests, abilities or experience. If you have any questions about the nature of a particular trip or its suitability for you, please read the 'Is this holiday for you?' section or contact us.

 1 - 3 LEISURELY
1 - 3 LEISURELY

Suitable for most people in good health, holidays at this grade include only limited amounts of activity.

View leisurely holidays
4 - 6 MODERATE
4 - 6 MODERATE

Suitable for reasonably fit individuals, such as weekend walkers and cyclists. There can be the occasional more difficult day.

View moderate holidays
7 - 9 CHALLENGING
7 - 9 CHALLENGING

Physically challenging holidays, where you need to be prepared before you go.

View challenging holidays
10 - 12 TOUGH
10 - 12 TOUGH

Our toughest holidays, involving many long days, often in isolated areas. A high level of fitness and previous wilderness and mountain experience is essential.

View Tough holidays

Mountain Trails of Lebanon

Highlights
  • Walk along some of the most beautiful sections of the Lebanon Mountain Trail
  • Explore the souk and the Crusader sea castles at Sidon
  • Marvel at Lebanon's diverse and dramatic landscape and stately cedar trees
  • Sample fine wines at one of Lebanon's vineyards and feast on Levantine cuisine
  • Relax in the 9000 year old Mediterranean seaside town of Byblos

At a Glance
  • Group Size 5 to 15
  • 6 days trekking
  • 2 days sightseeing
  • Max altitude - 2700 metres
  • Join In Beirut

Accommodation & Meals
  • 8 Breakfasts
  • 7 Lunches
  • 5 Dinners
  • 5 nights Hotel
  • 3 nights Guesthouse
Overview

This one week walking holiday follows some of the best sections of the Lebanon Mountain Trail, a 470km path that links an intricate web of ancient, interconnected tracks and footpaths. A feast for the senses, Lebanon's tiny size belies the wealth of adventure and experiences it has to offer. This is a place where East meets West and where modernity and antiquity converge; ancient cities, several thousand years old, alongside vibrant, pulsating metropolises. The majority of its people live along the narrow strip of Mediterranean coast, whilst inland the landscape ranges from vineyards and remnant groves of cedar trees to impressive mountain ranges that run the length of the country. Our route winds its way through a number of national reserves and biospheres that protect an impressive array of flora and fauna including jackals, hyenas and wolves. A deviation is made to hike high on the southern slopes of Qurnat as Sawda (at 3088 metres the highest peak in the Levant) before returning to the trail to discover the early Maronite troglodyte monasteries in the UNESCO-listed Qadisha Valley. Along the way, there is time to explore the Crusader sea castle at Sidon and to immerse in the region's fascinating ancient history.  Lebanon is also highly regarded for its delicious food, influenced by Turkish, Arab and Mediterranean cuisine, and there will be ample opportunity to sample the numerous specialities of the Levant and perhaps one of the remarkable wines produced in Lebanon, a result of 5000 years of viticulture.

Is this holiday for you?

This holiday is perfect for those who like a combination of enjoyable walking, ancient history and one of the world’s finest cuisines. Nestled between the Middle East and the Mediterranean, Lebanon enjoys dry, hot summers, although the cool air of the mountains offers respite from the heat and makes …

This holiday is perfect for those who like a combination of enjoyable walking, ancient history and one of the world’s finest cuisines. Nestled between the Middle East and the Mediterranean, Lebanon enjoys dry, hot summers, although the cool air of the mountains offers respite from the heat and makes trekking very pleasant. There are 6 days with trekking on this holiday, with an average of 4 to 5 hours and one longer day of around 7 to 8 hours which leads up to the high point of the trip at 2700 metres on the southern slopes of Qurnat as Sawda. There are a couple of easier options to replace this longest walk for anyone who chooses not to do it - including a 1 to 3 hour loop in the Tannourine Cedar Reserve (where that longest walk starts). During the walking days, your main luggage will be transported to your next overnight accommodation, leaving you to carry only a day sack for your personal effects such as a jacket, water and lunch. Accommodation is a mix of comfortable, tourist-class hotels and charming, rustic accommodation including convent run guesthouses. Please note that rooms may be communal at some of these more traditional style lodgings (3 nights) and you may be sharing in a small, mixed-gender dorm.

Why KE?

KE is the only UK operator offering this walking itinerary in Lebanon. We have created an exciting nine day itinerary to showcase the best of this enigmatic country, with a perfect blend of mountain walks and cultural immersion. Come and see why we rate Lebanon as one of the most exciting trekking destinations in the Middle East.

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Itinerary

Meet at the group hotel in Beirut. A single timed transfer from Beirut International Airport to the hotel is provided.

Accommodation

Hotel

This morning we drive south (40mins) to the Mediterranean city of Sidon, once one of the most important cities of the Phoenician empire. Ancient texts document the skill of Sidon's glass-producing artisans, upon which the city's wealth and power was built. During the 13th century, the Crusaders constructed a castle on a small island just off the coast to establish their presence. The invading Mamluks destroyed most of the original castle, but later restored it for their own use, adding the narrow causeway that still connects it to the mainland. We will spend some time exploring the castle, visiting Sidons's ancient labyrinth-like souks and its soap museum. After lunch, we transfer (40mins) up to the mountains and Jezzine where we will stay tonight. Jezzine and the surrounding area is well known for its cascading waterfalls, deep caves, religious sites and ancient ruins. On arrival, we will walk through the pine forests of Bkassine, a side trail of the Lebanon Mountain Trail, before checking into our hotel. A welcome and gentle introduction to trekking in Lebanon.

Accommodation

Hotel

Meals

B L D

Ascent

360 M

Descent

360 M

Time

2 - 3 hrs trekking

Distance

8 KM

We start our trek from Jezzine on the LMT, a long distance route stretching 470km along the spine of Lebanon. We walk through beautiful Mediterranean landscapes, stopping to visit the Fortress of Niha. This ancient strategic site, carved into the face of vertical cliffs, was built to monitor the routes between Sidon and the Beqaa Valley. It was here that Fakhreddine, Emir of Lebanon, hid whilst being pursued by the Ottomans for encouraging resistance against Lebanon's imperial rulers in the 17th century. We continue trekking, passing shrines and pilgrimage stops on the way to El Khreibe, located in the transition zone of the Shouf Cedar Nature Reserve, where we settle into our rural guesthouse for the evening.

Accommodation

Guesthouse

Meals

B L D

Ascent

850 M

Descent

915 M

Time

5 hrs trekking

Distance

16 KM

On our second full day on the LMT, we trek from El Khreibe into the Shouf Cedar Nature Reserve. This biosphere is the largest in Lebanon, covering 5% of the country and is home to striped hyena, jungle cats, jackals, wild boar and wolves. Keen birders will be spoilt too, with beautiful examples of hoopoes, black kites, bee-eaters, hobby falcons and honey buzzards. We wander through the ancient cedar forests that lend their name to the reserve, some of which are claimed to be thousands of years old. The cedar is the national tree and actually features on the flag of Lebanon. We meet our vehicles at the end of the day's trek and drive over the Maasser Chouf pass via a panoramic mountain road with views to Quaraoun Lake and Mount Heron. We descend to Kefraya, world famous for its vineyards and enjoy a visit to a winery to taste some of the finest Lebanese wines. Afterwards, we continue our drive to Baskinta. Tonight we will stay in guesthouse style accommodation at the Mar Sassine Convent, run by the Maronite nuns.

Accommodation

Guesthouse

Meals

B L D

Ascent

850 M

Descent

915 M

Time

5 hrs trekking

Distance

14 KM

Located at the foot of Mount Sannine, Baskinta is the birthplace of several Lebanese writers, poets including Amine Maalouf, Michael Neaimé and others. So this morning we will hike on the Baskinta Literary Trail, which runs alongside the LMT. The trail winds between terraces of apple, cherry and walnut trees. After lunch, we will head north via winding mountains roads to Tannourine, making a brief stop en route to visit the Chasm of Baatara to view its 3 natural bridges. Overnight at the Monastery of Deir Houb (dedicated to Saint Anthony the Great) in Wata Houb.

Accommodation

Guesthouse

Meals

B L D

Ascent

460 M

Descent

340 M

Time

2 - 3 hrs trekking

Distance

9 KM

Making a reasonably early start, we have a short transfer from the monastery to the start of our walk at the entrance to the Tannourine Cedar Reserve. Today we will make a full day hike above the Holy Valley, crossing a dramatic landscape with far-reaching views. Starting out at around 1800 metres, we will climb gradually to 2600 metres at a high pass on the mountain road between Al Arz (The Cedars) and Aainata. This is the most challenging walk of the holiday, but the panoramic views will be our reward; the vista can stretch all the way to Cyprus on a clear day. Meeting up with our transport we have a short drive to see the 'Cedars of the Lord' a grove of trees so special that they were added to the UNESCO list of World heritage Sites in 1998. Overnight at nearby Al Arz (1850m) which is a ski resort in winter. There are easier options today for anyone who would rather not complete this long day-hike.

Accommodation

Hotel

Meals

B L D

Ascent

1200 M

Descent

400 M

Time

7 - 8 hrs trekking

Distance

19 KM

After a short transfer, we will begin our trek through the stunningly beautiful and verdant Qadisha Valley, which was also awarded UNESCO World Heritage status in 1998. This gorge is also known as the Holy Valley, on account of the large number of Christian Maronite communities, who built their monasteries here, sheltered from persecution by the natural walls of the gorge. As we trek, we come across troglodyte monasteries and hermitages secreted away in the valley floor and walls. After our trek we transfer to ancient Byblos, situated on the coast. This is the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world, having been first settled in around 8000BC and has been continuously inhabited since 5000BC. We are free to spend the rest of the day relaxing by the sea and may wish to enjoy a well-deserved and refreshing dip in the Med.

Accommodation

Hotel

Meals

B L

Ascent

900 M

Descent

1000 M

Time

3 - 4 hrs trekking

Distance

13 KM

In the morning, we visit some of the important historical sites of Byblos, each telling a story of countless events and empires stretching over 9000 years. Awarded UNESCO World Heritage status in 1984, excavations have uncovered layer upon layer of evidence, from Neolithic and Egyptian periods through to the Crusaders and Ottomans. Now known for its sandy beaches and seafood restaurants, it is emerging as one of the most sought-after destinations for visitors in the Middle East. After our exploration of Byblos, we set off to Beirut, stopping off at the remarkable limestone caves at Jeita, where we can observe stunning stalactite and stalagmite formations. On our arrival to Beirut, we have the opportunity to explore the restored downtown on foot. This evening would be an ideal opportunity to seek out a nice Lebanese restaurant for a celebratory last meal.

Accommodation

Hotel

Meals

B L

The holiday ends after breakfast. A single timed transfer to Beirut International Airport is provided.

Meals

B
Download Trip Notes
The Route
Point Point
Airport Airport
Transfer
Trek

Essential Information

We've compiled some of our Frequently Asked Questions to help you learn more about this amazing trip.

  • A professional and qualified tour leader
  • Single timed airport transfers
  • All accommodation as described
  • Meals as described in the Meal Plan
  • All land transport required by the itinerary
  • Entrance fees for national reserves
  • museums and monuments

  • Travel insurance
  • Departure Taxes (if applicable)
  • Some meals as described in the Meal Plan
  • Tips
  • Miscellaneous personal expenditure - drinks and souvenirs etc

The group will meet at the hotel in Beirut.

A single transfer from Beirut International Airport to the group hotel is provided in the evening of Day 1.

On the last day of the Land Only itinerary, there will be a single transfer back to Beirut International Airport.

Anyone may join the group transfers by prior arrangement. Travelling as a group or on public transport saves energy. If this is not practical, we can provide private transfers at an additional cost. Taxis are also available.

Hotel contact details and an emergency number will be provided with your booking confirmation

Included in your holiday price are all breakfasts, 7 lunches and 3 dinners. We recommend you budget for £10-£15 for each lunch and dinner.

Lebanese food consists of a broad range of Levantine dishes that draw their influence from Mediterranean, Arabic and Turkish cuisine. Lebanese cooking offers an abundance of fresh seafood, pulses, grains, vegetables and fruit. Chicken is eaten more than red meat, but you will find lamb dishes along the coast and goat on the menu in the mountains. Dishes include baba ghanoush, a dip made from chargrilled aubergines; falafel and shawarma kebabs. Hummus is a staple dish and is often eaten with pita bread. Baklava is a dessert made from layered filo-pastry filled with nuts and date syrup or honey. Dishes are often served in a mezze style; a vast array of smaller dishes creating an array of enticing flavours. Alongside your dishes you will nearly always be served delicious salads such as tabbouleh and fattoush. A traditional accompaniment to meals in Lebanon is arak, an anise-flavoured spirit and the national drink. Lebanon also has a history of wine-making going back several thousand years, and there are some wine producers creating some fantastic wines such as Chateau Musar and Chateau Ksara.

Accommodation has been specially selected to enrich your experience and to support social and economic enterprises in rural communities. The group will stay in a comfortable, centrally-located hotel in Beirut on the first and last nights of the itinerary. There are also hotel stays in Jezzine, Cedars and Byblos, all providing twin-sharing accommodation. Whilst exploring the more rural and mountainous regions, the group will stay in a local guesthouse on Day 3 and an eco-lodge on Day 4. The accommodation is basic but the welcome will be charming and warm. At both the guesthouse and the eco-lodge it will be necessary to share in small groups, where depending on group make-up, males and females may have to share on these two nights only. The guesthouse has bunkbeds and the eco-lodge has simple rooms with mattresses on the floor. When in the Qadisha Valley, the group stay in a reserve in small timber chalets nestled in the woods.

If you are travelling by yourself, you will be paired up with another single client of the same sex. Single rooms are available for a supplementary cost in the hotels only. If you are planning on extending your holiday additional nights at the group hotel are available on request.

Approximately £150 per person (or equivalent in US dollars or Euros) should be allowed for tips, soft drinks, snacks, non-included meals and miscellaneous expenses. You should budget around $20-30 for each of the non-included dinners.

You can choose to take your money in pounds sterling, dollars or euros, although dollars are more widely accepted, and can often be used in shops and restaurants. There will be the opportunity to change money into local currency at many restaurants and supermarkets,  your tour leader will advise the best places to change money en-route. It is better not to use ATMs as they are subject to a fee and very unfavourable exchange rates. Credit cards are useful and it is a good idea to carry on in case of an emergency.

In Lebanon it is usual to tip staff, including your tour leader and driver, if you are happy with the services provided. We suggest you coordinate these tips as a group and as a rough guide we recommend £20 - £30 per person to be shared between the tour leader and driver . Tipping is widespread in Lebanon and you may also wish to tip for good service from local guides and hotel staff, but restaurant tips are included in the holiday price. The exact amount should be determined by the group and the tour leader will give advice on the appropriate levels.

For this holiday you should take one piece of luggage and a daypack. Luggage with wheels or large kit bags are both suitable for this holiday. For international flights please check your baggage allowance with your airline.

British citizens can normally apply for a free single entry tourist or family visit visa on arrival. British Overseas Citizens and British Protected Persons will need to get a visa before travelling to Lebanon. Persons of Palestinian origin may also require a visa before travelling, or may be required to carry additional documentation with them when travelling. Entry requirements are subject to change, so you should check with the Lebanese Embassy before you travel.

Passports should not have a Israeli visa or stamp of arrival or departure on any of their pages. Passport holders with an Israeli stamp risk being refused entry to Lebanon at the airport passport control.

British citizens can normally apply for a free single entry tourist or family visit visa on arrival. British Overseas Citizens and British Protected Persons will need to get a visa before travelling to Lebanon. Persons of Palestinian origin may also require a visa before travelling, or may be required to carry additional documentation with them when travelling. Entry requirements are subject to change, so you should check with the Lebanese Embassy before you travel.

Passports should not have a Israeli visa or stamp of arrival or departure on any of their pages. Passport holders with an Israeli stamp risk being refused entry to Lebanon at the airport passport control.

The unit of currency in Lebanon is the Lebanese Pound.

Getting some additional exercise before coming on an active holiday makes a lot of sense. The fitter you are, after all, the more enjoyable you will find the experience.

You should be aerobically fit and comfortable with walking 3 to 6 hours for consecutive days. Hill walking, with a good amount of ascent and descent, is the best training. Running, cycling and swimming are also good for developing cardiovascular fitness and stamina.

Lebanon enjoys a Mediterranean climate characterised by long, hot, dry summers and short, cool and wet winters. Temperatures range from 5°C in January to 38°C in August. Temperatures can soar further when the Saharan wind known as the Scirocco blows in from the south. The mountains of Lebanon, however, are subjected to much cooler temperatures. During the summer the temperature will hover around an average of 27°C and cool considerably in the evening.

KE do not encourage the use of single use plastic items. We are ensuring that our agents all over the world are working together to reduce the problem and educate those around them. We are leading by example in our KE office by reducing our plastic use.

  • Lebanon (Bradt Travel Guide) by Paul Doyle
  • Saffron In The Souks: Vibrant Recipes From The Heart Of Lebanon by John Gregory-Smith
  • Pearls On A Branch: Oral Tales by Najla Jraissaty Khoury
  • Ottoman Odyssey: Travels Through A Lost Empire by Alev Scott
  • Tears of Bacchus: A History of Wine in the Middle East by Michael Karam and Hugh Johnson
  • Flavours of Lebanon by Gail Shammas

It is an essential condition of joining a holiday with KE Adventure Travel that you have a valid travel insurance policy to cover the cost of medical treatment and to protect the value of your holiday in the event of cancellation.  When taking out insurance please ensure the policy you choose covers you for the activities and altitude included in your itinerary.

For appropriate insurance cover we recommend Campbell Irvine Direct.  Please go to our Travel Insurance page for further information and to get a quote.

Please try to keep the weight of your baggage to a minimum. See the ‘baggage allowance’ section for further details.

 

You SHOULD bring the following items:

  • Hiking boots / Sturdy approach shoes
  • Water bottles – 1 litre x 2 (we encourage re-filling water bottles rather than single use plastic)
  • Water purification tablets
  • Trainers or sandals for sightseeing and evenings
  • Socks
  • Trekking trousers
  • Lightweight waterproof overtrousers
  • Underwear
  • At least 1 long sleeve shirt with collar (for sun protection)
  • T-shirts
  • Warm jacket (eg. Fleece)
  • Lightweight waterproof jacket
  • Lunch box (tupperware type container)
  • Warm hat
  • Sunglasses and sunhat
  • Daypack of approx 30 litres
  • Headtorch and spare batteries
  • Sun protection (including total bloc for lips, nose etc.)
  • Washbag and toiletries
  • Antibacterial handwash
  • Basic First Aid Kit including: antiseptic cream, throat lozenges, diarrhoea treatment (Imodium), painkillers, plasters and blister treatment, Insect repellent, and re-hydration salts (Dioralite).

The following items are optional:

  • Shorts
  • Small towel
  • Trekking poles (highly recommended)
  • Pen-knife (note: always pack sharp objects in hold baggage)
  • Repair kit – (eg. needle, thread, duct tape)
  • Camera
  • Swimwear
  • Spare laces
  • Reusable cloth bag for shopping (to avoid plastic bags)

Cotswold Outdoor Red PantonMany of the Equipment items listed above are available from Cotswold Outdoor - our 'Official Recommended Outdoor Retailer'. When you book a holiday with KE you will receive 12.5% discount voucher from Cotswold Outdoor and other retailers.
>> Find out more

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 from 9 reviews

An amazing taster of Lebanon ★★★★

We had a great time in Lebanon with a wonderful group of people - a fascinating country with more than its fair share of macroeconomic challenges at the present time. Our guide, George, was incredibly resourceful and adaptable; key requirements in Lebanon. He didn't shy away from showing us "the good, the bad and the ugly" which ensured we saw life through the lens of locals. Since we first booked the trip in 2020, the loss of Baalbek and Sidon (due to FCO advice) means there is m uch more trekking in the trip and with the heat this should not be underestimated; we coped well but you need decent fitness. Elements of itinerary would benefit from a significant rethink because there is soooo much to do in this fabulous small country.
By Ian from NOTTINGHAM | 30 September 2023

A holiday without negatives. ★★★★★

Not having been to Lebanon for twenty years I was very interested in seeing how this very interesting country would look after all that has happened there in the meantime. I wasn't disappointed in any respect. The walking was sometimes a little challenging but doable by all in the group. The "days off" were filled with visits to many historical and some modern aspects of Lebanon. Our guide Caroll and the driver Adib were an excellent team that were friendly, competent, with good l ocal knowledge and initiative when they needed to use it. In the eight days we stayed in seven different locations thereby getting a very varied and always positive impression of the country. I couldn't but recommend booking this trip if you are interested walking and life in ancient and or Modern Lebanon.
By Michael from Dublin | 08 October 2019

TWO WEEKS FOR THE PRICE OF ONE ★★★★★

Sometimes a short holiday is so absorbing that you come back feel that it has lasted much longer than it actually did. And that's how I feel about this excellent trip to the Lebanon. This was more than a walking holiday, with some exceptional sightseeing to be had. I particularly enjoyed the Roman temple complex at Baalbek and the ruins at Byblos. The walking itself was not that difficult in terms of the raw statistics of ascent and distance, but hot conditions made it feel a bit more chall enging. I wouldn't disagree with the grading, but I would recommend ensuring you are as fit as you can be before setting foot on the trails. As mentioned by Jay, it would be a good idea to bring some walking snacks (preferably not prone to melting!) to supplement the lunch food. The trip was well-organised and run, with our leader (Caroll) doing an excellent job of keeping us in line. It was unfortunate that we were unable to get to the highest point in Lebanon, but that was no-one's fault (except, of course, the Lebanese Army). Caroll did a brilliant job of coming up with a workable Plan B, which was topped off by driver Adib flourishing bottles of beer as we arrived back at the bus. Caroll was always alive to the needs and wants of the group, flexing the itinerary to incorporate the (excellent) National Museum in Beirut. He kept us supplied with baklava and bazarek biscuits on the bus, ensuring that spirits never flagged. Before travelling, I was slightly apprehensive about going to the Lebanon. But the people were very friendly and I felt entirely comfortable throughout the trip. Overall, this is an excellent trip to a destination which is only just now nudging itself on to the tourist trail and I would thoroughly recommend it.
By Michael from EDINBURGH | 07 October 2019

Fantastic trip ★★★★★

This was an excellent trip with great walks, fantastic food, cold beer and wine readily available and some fantastic sites to visit as well. The accommodation was a good standard too, especially some of the hotels. The travel during the trip was straightforward on a comfortable bus and the guide Caroll and driver Adib were a brilliant team. The non walking days during the trip mean that you can get a better feel for the country as well as resting weary legs. You need to have a decent level of fi tness for this trip but it's walking not trekking. For anyone concerned about the heat it's no problem in the mountains as there's a cooler breeze. With Lebanon being only a bit over 4 hours flying time from the UK I'd recommend this trip to everyone.
By Peter from Hull | 05 October 2019

A really good trip but with one disappointment ★★★★

The tour guide Caroll was great, i,ve done approx 15 trips with various companies and he was the best, the scenary and mountains where great and the hospitality was good. my main reason for doing this trip was to do Mount Qurnat as-Sawda, Lebanon's highest peak. Unfortunately we could not do it because of a military exercise, the thing that annoys me is this was never mentioned as a possibility in the trip notes or your website, things happen I know but all you had to do was mention this co uld be a possibility, the military have been doing exercises for decades in this area, you should mention this for your next trips to Lebanon. The reserve day Caroll put together after this disappointment was good, hard, long and rewarding, Lebanon is well worth a visit. The trip was well planned and I would definitely travel with KE again
By Steven from Liverpool | 02 October 2019

KE Adventure reply

Thanks for your review. We understand it was disappointing not to be able to climb Mount Qurnat as-Sawda. Unfortunately, neither we nor our local agent were given any warning that the mountain would be closed on the day allocated for your climb. However, it's great that everyone has written to say how much they enjoyed the alternative arranged by your guide. 


Traveller Reviews
4.8 out of 5 from 11 reviews

An amazing taster of Lebanon
★ ★ ★ ★
We had a great time in Lebanon with a wonderful group of people - a fascinating country with more than its fair share of macroeconomic challenges at the present time. Our guide, George, was incredibly resourceful and adaptable; key requirements in Lebanon. He didn't shy away from showing us "the good, the bad and the ugly" which ensured we saw life through the lens of locals. Since we first booked the trip in 2020, the loss of Baalbek and Sidon (due to FCO advice) means there is m uch more trekking in the trip and with the heat this should not be underestimated; we coped well but you need decent fitness. Elements of itinerary would benefit from a significant rethink because there is soooo much to do in this fabulous small country.
By Ian from NOTTINGHAM | 30 September 2023

A holiday without negatives.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Not having been to Lebanon for twenty years I was very interested in seeing how this very interesting country would look after all that has happened there in the meantime. I wasn't disappointed in any respect. The walking was sometimes a little challenging but doable by all in the group. The "days off" were filled with visits to many historical and some modern aspects of Lebanon. Our guide Caroll and the driver Adib were an excellent team that were friendly, competent, with good l ocal knowledge and initiative when they needed to use it. In the eight days we stayed in seven different locations thereby getting a very varied and always positive impression of the country. I couldn't but recommend booking this trip if you are interested walking and life in ancient and or Modern Lebanon.
By Michael from Dublin | 08 October 2019

TWO WEEKS FOR THE PRICE OF ONE
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Sometimes a short holiday is so absorbing that you come back feel that it has lasted much longer than it actually did. And that's how I feel about this excellent trip to the Lebanon. This was more than a walking holiday, with some exceptional sightseeing to be had. I particularly enjoyed the Roman temple complex at Baalbek and the ruins at Byblos. The walking itself was not that difficult in terms of the raw statistics of ascent and distance, but hot conditions made it feel a bit more chall enging. I wouldn't disagree with the grading, but I would recommend ensuring you are as fit as you can be before setting foot on the trails. As mentioned by Jay, it would be a good idea to bring some walking snacks (preferably not prone to melting!) to supplement the lunch food. The trip was well-organised and run, with our leader (Caroll) doing an excellent job of keeping us in line. It was unfortunate that we were unable to get to the highest point in Lebanon, but that was no-one's fault (except, of course, the Lebanese Army). Caroll did a brilliant job of coming up with a workable Plan B, which was topped off by driver Adib flourishing bottles of beer as we arrived back at the bus. Caroll was always alive to the needs and wants of the group, flexing the itinerary to incorporate the (excellent) National Museum in Beirut. He kept us supplied with baklava and bazarek biscuits on the bus, ensuring that spirits never flagged. Before travelling, I was slightly apprehensive about going to the Lebanon. But the people were very friendly and I felt entirely comfortable throughout the trip. Overall, this is an excellent trip to a destination which is only just now nudging itself on to the tourist trail and I would thoroughly recommend it.
By Michael from EDINBURGH | 07 October 2019

Fantastic trip
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
This was an excellent trip with great walks, fantastic food, cold beer and wine readily available and some fantastic sites to visit as well. The accommodation was a good standard too, especially some of the hotels. The travel during the trip was straightforward on a comfortable bus and the guide Caroll and driver Adib were a brilliant team. The non walking days during the trip mean that you can get a better feel for the country as well as resting weary legs. You need to have a decent level of fi tness for this trip but it's walking not trekking. For anyone concerned about the heat it's no problem in the mountains as there's a cooler breeze. With Lebanon being only a bit over 4 hours flying time from the UK I'd recommend this trip to everyone.
By Peter from Hull | 05 October 2019

A really good trip but with one disappointment
★ ★ ★ ★
The tour guide Caroll was great, i,ve done approx 15 trips with various companies and he was the best, the scenary and mountains where great and the hospitality was good. my main reason for doing this trip was to do Mount Qurnat as-Sawda, Lebanon's highest peak. Unfortunately we could not do it because of a military exercise, the thing that annoys me is this was never mentioned as a possibility in the trip notes or your website, things happen I know but all you had to do was mention this co uld be a possibility, the military have been doing exercises for decades in this area, you should mention this for your next trips to Lebanon. The reserve day Caroll put together after this disappointment was good, hard, long and rewarding, Lebanon is well worth a visit. The trip was well planned and I would definitely travel with KE again
By Steven from Liverpool | 02 October 2019

KE Adventure reply

Thanks for your review. We understand it was disappointing not to be able to climb Mount Qurnat as-Sawda. Unfortunately, neither we nor our local agent were given any warning that the mountain would be closed on the day allocated for your climb. However, it's great that everyone has written to say how much they enjoyed the alternative arranged by your guide. 


Harder walking than it looks on the trip notes but so worth the extra effort
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Without doubt this was a trip I looked forward to and enjoyed immensely as it's a real varied bag of visiting all the key tourist sites combined with 4 days of excellent mountain trekking that really surpassed my expectations! Sadly we couldn't trek to the summit of Qurnat as Sawda as the trails were closed by the army for their training but the alternative walk for that day (organised on the hoof by our guide Caroll) proved a worthwhile alternative. My personal "Top Tip" wou ld be to remember to read the Trip Notes and take a small tupperware style lunchbox (essential) and also take some high energy snack bars for the hiking days as whilst the packed lunch options were plentiful hard boiled eggs and flat bread some additional high energy bars will help whilst you're hiking in the mountains!
By Jay from Swindon | 01 October 2019

Amazing Opportunity to See Ancient Sites While Enjoying Spectacular Walks
★ ★ ★ ★ ★

We got to trek through pine forests, see amazing cedar trees and visit some of the best ruins on the planet. What we did and saw in a short 9 day window was incredible. Our guide George was amazing, made sure that all 15 of us had the perfect holiday. I'm home now sifting through 500+ photos, all very special to me. Trip was so amazing that I'm actually considering doing it again! This was the best and finest organized trip I've taken to date.

By Jay from Los Angeles | 30 September 2019

Amazing Photos From Amazing Lebanon

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By Jay from Los Angeles | 30 September 2019

Hiking, Culture, Sea and Sun
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Lebanon will change your opinion and perception that you may have of the country and Beirut, the people and the food. The LMT (Lebanese Mountain Trail) is supported by locals who truly believe in their country, the landscape and what it can offer and how far you can explore. You will discover a mixture of terrains - forests, valleys, mountains, trails and more. Experiencing ancient ruins in Baalbeck, Byblos and across Beirut, to wine tasting, discovering stalagmite and stalactite in Jeita caves, watching sunsets in places you couldn't have imagined. Highly recommend the trip.
By Helen from Buckingham | 26 September 2019

Hiking, Culture, Sea and Sun

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By Helen from Buckingham | 26 September 2019

Natural Wonders, Ancient Culture And Great Food
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
This holiday gives a great mix of walking, natural wonders and ancient culture in a single week. Being a small country (about the size of Wales) I can't claim the walking is wild and remote. But the walks take you to a range of terrain and the Qadisha Valley is a definite highlight. What I really enjoyed about this trip was the mix of experiences: as well as the walking, you have wine tasting, guided tours of ancient cities (I loved the souks of Sidon), amazing Roman ruins and natural wonde rs (although a mainstream local attraction, Jeita Grotto has to be seen to be believed). On top of that, there is the delicious food. Thoroughly recommended.
By Christopher from BRENTFORD | 24 September 2019

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