AGENDA

Hiking at NIHA – FERZOL & RAYAK Wine Tasting with DALE CORAZON – LEBANON EXPLORERS!

 

The ruins at Ferzol village are from a prehistoric empire that has been carved into the mountain as Cappadocia in Turkey. Wow!!!                          

 

 

HIKE LOCATION                  :   Niha – Ferzol.  Bekaa region.

=============                    1100 meters above sea level, 8 km North of Zahle.

Rayak village (Chateau Rayak) by bus

 

WHEN                                   :  Sunday, April 03, 2022

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ENCOUNTER PLACE            :  Mar Maroun Church Parking, Dora @ 7:30 AM

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Driving directions to Mar Maroun      https://dalecorazon.com/contact/

From Byblos city at 6.30 am

Or Martyrs Square at Al-Nahar Bldg., Beirut Downtown @ 7:45 AM

 

FEES:                            

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199,000 LL/person including transport (Open windows), professional guides, 5 minutes warming up, stretching, and pictures.

Children 18 years old and younger will have a discount of 10%. (180,000 LL/person)

Make your group of 4 persons (& more) and get a 15% discount/person. (170,000 LL per person).

Optional transportation by your own vehicles 130,000 LL/person

There is a 2.000LL Extra Entrance fee to the Temple and an extra fee …to the winery.

 

DESCRIPTION OF THE EVENT:

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Come and experience the adventure of hiking along with the charming village of Niha Bekaa and Ferzol. The word ‘Niha’ means a place of rest, as it was once the Roman emperor’s summer place in Baalbeck. Niha is known for the 4 citadels dating back to the Roman Empire were constructed between the 1st and 3rd century AD, with some even further back to the Byzantine and Phoenician eras. The citadels are grand, which can be compared to those at Baalbeck, albeit on a smaller scale.

 

The hike will begin from Niha where we will visit the well-preserved lower temple.

After this, we will divide into two groups: easy and intermediate.

 

HIKING LEVEL. 1 to 3 for easy, 4 to 6 for intermediate, 7 to 9 for strenuous/advanced

 

Level 5 (approx. 3:30Hr) will continue to walk a bit uphill until they reach the upper temple El Hosn of Niha, which is still upright but in very good condition. Stunning panoramic views of the Bekaa valley can be enjoyed from up there. Then the trail becomes a downhill walk all the way to Ferzol.

 

Once in Ferzol, we will all go to Al-Habis to see ancient ruins and caves dating from the Canaanite, Phoenician and Roman eras. The ruins are from a prehistoric empire that has been carved into the mountain as Cappadocia in Turkey, famous for allegedly housing all the gold treasures of that empire! On the other side, we will see the king’s chair, wine presses, and many historical remnants.

 

Level 3 (approx. 2:30Hr) The same trail as level 5, the difference is; will reach the upper temple El Hosn of Niha by bus.

 

After completing the hike, we will return to the bus to go and visit the Village of Rayak (Arabic: رياق). It is a Lebanese town located just at the center of the Beqaa Governorate, belonging to the Caza of Zahle, and just 10 minutes from Ferzol. It has one military airport, an old train station on the former line from Beirut to Damascus, and a hospital of its own!

Rayak is also well known for its vast plains, many of which are planted with grape trees. The purpose of our trip there is to have the chance to visit the one and only famous Artisanal Winery: Chateau Rayak: https://www.facebook.com/Chateau-Rayak-1575140032595473/ where the owner (Mr. Elias Maalouf) will take us on a tour to explore how Wine and Arak products are made, get to taste some samples, and we can buy some bottles too!

 

We will have time to rest in the stunning nature of Rayak before walking back to our bus and continuing back home.

 

Protect yourself and others around you by knowing the facts and taking appropriate precautions:

Distancing from each other is a must.

Cover your nose and mouth with your face masks. To keep it on, while we are on the bus.  

Clean your hands often by using hand gel or other.

 

WHAT TO TAKE:

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Healthy snacks that will boost your energy include dried fruits, lunch, water, MEDICAL FACE MASKS, HAND GEL, cap, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Wear comfortable walking shoes (A professional brand is recommended) and don't forget to get a light jacket. DC members get a 20% discount on sports equipment in Sports 4 Ever branches.

==There will be a breakfast stop along the way==

 

FOR RESERVATION AND INFO:

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Please Call 00961-70-986118 / 00961-70-997062 and by sending an SMS, or WhatsApp mention your name, surname, and the event you wish to join us on.

 

NOTE:

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Thank you for not smoking during the trip and following all the ecotourism rules including safety regulations (hikers are advised to join our events to their own responsibility). And occasionally, due to reasons beyond our control, slight modifications to the event may occur.

You can join our group on Facebook: Dale Corazon - Lebanon Explorersيلا يا قلب   (group) and https://www.facebook.com/dalecorazonleb   (Page)

Instagram: dale.corazon.leb.explorers

YouTube: Dale Corazon - Lebanon Explorers

For more information, kindly visit our website:  http://www.dalecorazon.com/

 

Best Regards,

Dale Corazon - Lebanon Explorers