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Offered languages
- English
Most Lebanon day trips from Beirut head to the same handful of historical sites. This one goes somewhere most international visitors never think to look — into the Jabal Moussa Biosphere Reserve, one of Lebanon's most ecologically significant protected areas, for a two-hour easy hike through mountain terrain that ends at Chouwen Lake. Swimming in summer when conditions allow. Spectacular scenery year-round. One hour from Beirut.
Jabal Moussa — meaning "Mountain of Moses" in Arabic — is a UNESCO-recognised biosphere reserve in the Keserwan mountains, protecting one of the most ecologically diverse habitats in Lebanon. The hike to Chouwen Lake follows easy marked trails through Mediterranean forest and rocky mountain terrain, with the lake as the reward at the end. The kind of day that travelers who do it describe as the most unexpected highlight of their Lebanon trip. Small group of maximum 9. Knowledgeable guide-driver throughout. Tickets and lunch payable on site.
What's Included
Meeting and pickup
Free pickup is available from any hotel, Airbnb, or residence in Beirut.
Itinerary
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Beirut (Pass by)
9:00 AM — Hotel pickup Your guide-driver meets the group at your Beirut hotel and heads north into the Keserwan mountains. Jabal Moussa is about an hour away — the coastal highway giving way to mountain roads as you climb.
Admission ticket free -
1
Jabal Moussa — UNESCO biosphere reserve briefing Arrive at the Jabal Moussa Biosphere Reserve — a UNESCO-recognised protected area in the Keserwan mountains covering one of Lebanon's most ecologically diverse landscapes. Your guide-driver covers the reserve's ecology, geology, and the significance of its UNESCO biosphere status before the hike begins. Meaning "Mountain of Moses" in Arabic — a name that reflects the deep historical and spiritual roots of this mountain.
3 hours • Admission ticket not included -
2
Easy 2-hour hike to Chouwen Lake Set off on the marked trail toward Chouwen Lake — an easy two-hour hike through Mediterranean forest and mountain terrain, suitable for all fitness levels with no steep or technical sections. Your guide-driver leads the group, covering the local flora, fauna, and geology along the way. The trail rewards with progressively more dramatic views over the Keserwan valleys as you gain altitude — and delivers you to Chouwen Lake, one of Lebanon's most scenic and least visited natural destinations.
2 hours • Admission ticket free -
3
Chouwen Lake — swimming when conditions allow Arrive at Chouwen Lake — a natural mountain lake set in the heart of the Jabal Moussa reserve, surrounded by rocky terrain and mountain vegetation. In warm weather, swimming is possible directly in the lake — clear, cool mountain water in one of Lebanon's most remote and most rewarding natural settings. In cooler months, the lake and its surroundings offer exceptional scenery and a genuine sense of having found somewhere most Lebanon visitors never reach. Time at the lake to rest, swim if conditions allow, and take in the surroundings before the return hike.
1 hour • Admission ticket free -
4
Return hike to trailhead Return along the same trail — the views often more dramatic on the way back as the afternoon light hits the valley differently. Your guide-driver covers any remaining questions about the reserve and the surrounding area.
1 hour • Admission ticket free -
Beirut (Pass by)
Return to Beirut — approx. 5:30–6:30 PM Drop-off at your Beirut hotel. A UNESCO biosphere reserve, a two-hour mountain hike, and a natural lake one hour from the city — the Lebanon day trip that most visitors wish they had known about sooner.
Admission ticket free
Additional info
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Tags
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Cancellation Policy
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
Rating
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
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