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Offered languages
- English
Lebanon compresses thousands of years of history into a remarkably small stretch of coastline north of Beirut. This private day tour captures three of the most remarkable stops on that stretch — each one completely different, each one extraordinary in its own right.
Begin at Nahr el Kalb — the Dog River canyon — where the limestone walls have served as the world's oldest billboard for over 3,000 years. Egyptian pharaohs, Assyrian kings, Roman emperors, and French generals all carved victory inscriptions into these cliffs as they passed through on their conquests — creating an open-air archive of ancient military history that is unlike anything else on earth. Then descend into Jeita Grotto — one of the most spectacular cave systems in the world and a finalist in the New 7 Wonders of Nature. End the day in Byblos — one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities on earth, where a Crusader castle, Phoenician royal tombs, and an ancient fishing port sit within a single walk.
What's Included
Meeting and pickup
We pick up all travelers from any Hotel, Airbnb or Residence in Beirut
Itinerary
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Beirut (Pass by)
9:00 AM — Departure from Beirut Your private English-speaking driver collects you from your Beirut hotel and heads north — the first stop is just 20 minutes up the coast at the Dog River canyon.
Admission ticket free -
1
Stand before one of the most remarkable open-air archives of ancient history anywhere in the world. The limestone walls of the Nahr el Kalb canyon — where the coastal road narrows to a bottleneck between the cliffs and the sea — have been carved with victory inscriptions by every major power that passed through Lebanon over three millennia. Egyptian Pharaoh Ramesses II left his mark here in 1274 BC after the Battle of Kadesh. Assyrian King Esarhaddon carved his campaign into the rock in 671 BC. Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius recorded his passage. Napoleon's French army added their own inscription in the 19th century — and remarkably, the Lebanese Republic continued the tradition with inscriptions marking independence and the withdrawal of foreign forces. No single stretch of rock in the world records the passage of so many civilisations across so many centuries. Your driver brings each inscription to life with the story behind it.
15 minutes • Admission ticket free -
2Jeita Grotto
Descend into one of the most spectacular cave systems in the world — a UNESCO tentative World Heritage Site and a top-five finalist in the New 7 Wonders of Nature. Two interconnected limestone caves stretching over 9 kilometres beneath the Lebanese mountains — the upper cave explored on foot through a soaring cathedral of stalactites and stalagmites up to 8 metres tall, and the lower cave navigated by silent electric boat along an underground river through chambers of unearthly beauty. An experience unlike anything else in the Middle East.
1 hour 30 minutes • Admission ticket not included -
3Byblos Castle
Arrive in Byblos — continuously inhabited for over 7,000 years and one of the oldest cities on earth. The Crusader castle built in the 12th century from recycled Phoenician and Roman stones contains layer upon layer of civilisation within its walls — Neolithic settlements, Bronze Age temples, Phoenician royal tombs, and Roman colonnaded streets all visible within a single site. Byblos gave the world its alphabet and its name gave us the word Bible. Your driver pieces together the 7,000-year story of a city that shaped human civilisation.
45 minutes • Admission ticket not included -
4Old Souk
Wander the charming stone-paved old souk — artisan workshops, antique dealers, and Phoenician-inspired jewellery — before ending at the ancient fishing harbour, one of the oldest ports in the world still in daily use. The colourful boats, medieval walls, and Mediterranean views make this the most photogenic spot in Byblos and the perfect setting for lunch.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free -
5Byblos
Lunch in Byblos — optional Enjoy a leisurely lunch at one of the waterfront restaurants overlooking the ancient fishing port — fresh Lebanese mezze, grilled fish, and seafood with the medieval city walls as your backdrop. One of the most memorable lunch settings in Lebanon.
1 hour • Admission ticket free -
Beirut (Pass by)
Return to Beirut — approx. 4:00–5:00 PM Scenic coastal drive back to Beirut with drop-off at your hotel — completing a day that spanned ancient inscriptions, underground caves, and 7,000 years of Phoenician history along one of the world's most historically layered coastlines.
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.
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
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