Beino The hidden gem

HIKE LOCATION : Baino / Akkar/ In the North.
============ 500 to 600 meters above sea level. 117 km from Beirut.

WHEN : Sunday, February 25, 2024
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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/
Or Martyrs Square at Al-Nahar Bldg., Beirut Downtown @ 7:10 AM

FEES:
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18 $ /person including transport, professional guides, 5 minutes of warming up, stretching, and pictures.
Children 18 years old and younger will have a discount of 10%. (16.5 $ /person)
Make your group of 5 persons (& more) and get a 10% discount (16.5 $ /person).
Optional transportation by your own vehicles 13 $ /person

DESCRIPTION OF THE EVENT:
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Beino is quite famous for its beautiful villas constructed from massive limestone blocks and roofed with red bricks. It is nestled at the foothills of the Northern Lebanese Mountain chain better known as Qammoua.

Beino is also known for its beautiful Jasmine and Rose gardens, abundant fruit trees like pomegranate, olive groves, citrus fruits, apricots, almonds, grapes, apples, figs, many features, landmarks and great people. It is studded with oak and pine trees; some of them age 400 years. The oldest ones surround the village cemetery located on top of Deir Mar Sarkiss.

Beino was under Ottoman Rule; all her capable young men were taken to serve the Turkish army (Safar Barlek). Some died and others made their way back to the village.
Don’t miss the migrating birds that pass above the motel each season so you can experience a unique bird watching in the region.
Our hiking trip is to Tallet el Sawda, Beit Mellet then Beino.

HIKING LEVEL. 1 to 3 for easy, 4 to 6 for intermediate, 7 to 9 for strenuous
The hike will be divided into three levels:
Level 3, it is a downhill and uphill beautiful trail of 7 KM. From the El Sayad Motel located on the top of a hill overlooking the valleys all the way to Syria and up to the top of Mount Lebanon you will continue along a trail leading to Tallet el Sawda, then to the river. After crossing two potable water sources; Ain El Bardeh and Ain El Maksbeh, the scenery changes from this stage; you will pass through a dense forest of different kinds of trees, giving the impression of being in a jungle. The track will take you to Beit Mellat village. You will have lunch under oak trees near the historical Deir Mar Semaan. From there the bus will take us to the entrance of the reserve.
Level 4 (11 Km) will continue from the village of Beit Mellat and head towards the piazza until you reach the entrance of the reserve of Beino village. You will visit the Natural Reserve founded by ex deputy Prime Minister Mr. Issam Fares. It’s with deer and gazelles 100.000 m2 of Mountain and beautiful Artificial Lake where the scenery is great, the animals and plants live in their natural habitat.
Level 6 (13.5 Km) will continue walking up to the top of the reserve, then head towards Beino village until you reach the piazza (levels 3 and 4 will go by bus).

You may see Arka Citadel in Akkar for a quick visit. This temple was erected at Alexander era in honor of Astarte, the Venus of the Phoenicians.
On our way back to Beirut, we may stop in Batroun to drink fresh Lemonade.
Diversified? Yes!!!!!!!

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==