AGENDA

Come and experience the adventure of hiking along the iconic Lamartine Valley. This area rich in pine trees is one of the most preserved and panoramic areas of Mount Lebanon. It has many sections for hiking, and we will start our trek in Ras El Metn.

                           

HIKE LOCATION                   :  Ras El Metn - Lamartine Valley - Mount Lebanon

=============                      800 meters above sea level, 20 km from Beirut.

 

WHEN                                   :  Saturday, January 15, 2022

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ENCOUNTER PLACE            :  Mar Abda Church parking facing the New-bridge, Jal El Dib

===============                @ 7:30 AM

 

FEES:                            

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160,000 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%. (145,000 LL/person)

Optional transportation by your own vehicles 100,000 LL/person

Make your group of 4 persons (& more) and get a 20% discount/person. (135,000 LL per person).

 

 

DESCRIPTION OF THE EVENT:

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This valley takes its name from Alphonse de Lamartine (1790-1869), the French poet and politician who traveled and spend time in Lebanon, Syria, and the Holy Land. Enamored by the landscape of Lebanon he wrote about it extensively in his literature. This area we will see was described in his book “Voyage en Orient”.  Ras El Metn is known for its pine trees, which are rich in valuable pine nuts. Olives, grapes, figs, apricots and other fruits are also grown there as well.

Around Ras El Metn we will see a number of interesting sights: Nabah Ain El Marj (a spring dating back 1472), ancient tombs carved into rocky cliffs, a large serial (1755), and grottos.  We will also see Deir Mar Youhana, an ancient abandoned monastery on a hilltop offering sweeping views of Bhamdoun to Ktaleh.

 

As usual, the hike will be divided into two levels. LEVEL 6 and LEVEL 4.

 

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

Level 4 (8 km, approx. 2:30Hr)

This hike will be mostly a mix of flat and downhill with some uphill stretch. We will walk among pine trees and see old heritage homes and bridges.  We will also see the water source of Nabeh el Delbi, which supplies Beirut with water. We will continue uphill to Deir Mar Youhana in Shehlen. We will continue along the riverbank and end the hike at Ain Sheikh Hassan Halawi, another fresh water source.

 

Level 6 (13 km. approx. 3:30Hr) The track offers a panoramic breathtaking view in both directions, starting from the village of Qortada with downhill and uphill stretches until the water source of Ras El Metn. From there another uphill stretch will take us to the trail of level 4, and we will continue together until Ain Sheikh Hassan Halawi spring.

 

We will rest and eat lunch at the riverbank. At the end of the hike, we will go to the village to see the Serail (Government House) and the municipality of Ras El Metn.  Perched on a hill, the Serail was built by the Lamayeen Princes in 1775.  We can admire the elegant courtyard and the bell tower.

 

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 included 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 Explorers يلا 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