Bziza – Darbchtar Highlights with Dale Corazon

Bziza - Darbchtar Highlights with Dale Corazon - Lebanon Explorers 

It is one of the most beautiful hikes and will leave wonderful pictures in your memory. Come with us and hike in the Koura district!

HIKE LOCATION                       :  Bziza – Darbechtar/ Koura Districts/ in the north                            
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WHEN                                        :  Saturday, April 06, 2024
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ENCOUNTER PLACE                 :  Saint Abda Church parking facing the New-bridge, 
===============                     Jal El Dib @ 7:30 AM    
Driving directions to Saint Abda Church:       www.google.com/maps/place/Saint Abda Church - Jal El Dib
Or Martyrs Square at Al-Nahar Bldg., Beirut Downtown @ 7:10 AM


FEES:                            
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17 $ /person including transport (comfortable air-conditioned Pullman), professional guides, 5 minutes of warming up, stretching, and pictures. 
Children 18 years old and younger will have a discount of 10%. (15.5 $ /person)
Make your group of 5 persons (& more) and get a 10% discount (15.5 $ /person).
Optional transportation by your own vehicles 12 $ /person


DESCRIPTION OF THE EVENT:
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Lebanese villages are well known for their beauty and rich biodiversity, where one can also enjoy plenty of cultural and historic sights. Dale Corazon has prepared a new hiking event in Bziza - Darbechtar, a picturesque area in the South-Eastern periphery of Koura. The area is ideal for hiking thanks to plenty of wonderful trails passing through breathtaking landscapes. During our trek, we will also see plenty of Lebanese old heritage houses, ruins, caves, ancient churches, in addition to Roman remains.   

The trail begins in Bziza, a village that is 75 kilometers from Beirut and lies at an altitude of 400 meters. Its name is of Phoenician origin and means “the stolen village”. According to archeologists, Bziza stands over a former village that was destroyed by earthquakes. Bziza is home to the ruins of a Roman temple, with three walls (measuring 5m in height) remaining, as well as some ancient pillars, the remains of other ancient structures, old pottery fragments and two oil lamps. 
Nearby, is a barrel-vaulted Byzantine chapel of St. Elias with its beautiful medieval wall painting.

Crossing by Wata Fares the trail continues onto the neighboring village of Darbechtar, which is famous for its lush olive trees that covers much of the area. The name of this village is composed of two Aramaic words: Dar and Ishtar, meaning the House of Astarte. It is believed that the village was the site of an ancient Phoenician shrine for the Goddess of Fertility.

HIKING LEVEL. 1 to 3 for easy, 4 to 6 for intermediate, 7 to 9 for strenuous
Our hike will be divided into 2 levels.

Advanced Level (13 KMs) will start their walk from the temple of Bziza and continue to the village of Wata Fares, where they will reach a hill with panoramic views. Then, they will continue to the historic Mar Shallita monastery, before heading uphill on a trail that takes them to the center of the village. In the village, many sites will be seen, including the famed Mar Elias cave. Afterward, the hikers will take a spectacular trail taking them to the end of the village.

Intermediate (9 KMs) will also start at the temple of Bziza and follow the same trail as Advanced, but will end their hike inside Darbechtar. The two levels will meet inside the village at Mar Elias cave which is unique because of the seven layers that constitute it, where they will have lunch all together. 


WHAT TO TAKE:
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Healthy snacks that will boost up your energy such as dried fruits, lunch, water, 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 send us a WhatsApp msg on +961 03 422 493 mentioning your name, surname, and the event you wish to join us on.

Event Photos