Qadisha Valley Valley from Hawka with Dale Corazon

Qadisha Valley Valley from Hawka with Dale Corazon - Lebanon Explorers

Hiking at Annoubine Valley with DALE CORAZON - LEBANON EXPLORERS

The view you get to see from the valley is beyond imagination. Once there, you get the feeling of peace and tranquility. The spiritual atmosphere reigns over the entire valley. 
A Colombian hermit lives in this holy valley.


HIKE LOCATION        :  Qadicha Valley – Wadi Annoubine / Becharre and Zgharta Districts
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                                       In the north, 1200 meters above sea level, 25 km from Chekka.


WHEN                                             :  Saturday, March 30, 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


Location
In The Kadisha Valley (also known as Qadisha Valley, Ouadi Qadisha, or وادي قاديشا in Arabic) lies within the Becharre and Zgharta Districts of the North Governorate of Lebanon. The valley is a deep gorge carved by the Kadisha River, also known as the Nahr Abu Ali when it reaches Tripoli. Kadisha means "Holy" in Aramaic, and the valley, sometimes called the Holy Valley, has sheltered Christian monastic communities for many centuries. The Valley which harbors the most ancient Christian monasteries in the world is on the verge of being radiated from the World Heritage list because of serious plagues that are destroying it.

History

Annoubine’s history dates back to the 7th century. It has monasteries and sanctuaries spread all over the gorge, in the form of caves or churches.
Since the early centuries of Christianity, the Holy Valley has served as a refuge for those in search of solitude. Historians believe that the Kadisha Valley has had monastic communities continuously since the earliest years of Christianity. It was also at times a destination for Muslim mystics, or Sufis, who also visited it for meditation and solitude.


DESCRIPTION OF THE EVENT:
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HIKING LEVEL. 1 to 3 for easy, 4 to 6 for intermediate, 7 to 9 for strenuous
The hike offers three levels:
Level 3 (5 km, Approx.), easy trail from Hawka village till Deir Saydet Qannoubine.
Level 4 (10 km, Approx.), we will start from Hawka, visit the hermit, St. Marina and Deir Saidet Annoubine. It is a wonderful place to visit and we will have enough time to contemplate scenery and take pictures. Then the trail becomes minor ascents and descents all the way to Qadisha River, to reach the most beautiful waterfalls in Lebanon exist, the lunch will be there. It is a lovely place, a breathtaking setting. After lunch, we will walk all the way to power station, where the walk ends.
Level 5 (13km, Approx.), we will continue walking to reach Mar Licha Monastery. The track cuts through a bushy forest, all uphill then downhill until we reach the old caves churches (Mar Licha Monastery and Mar Mikhael), where we cross Qadicha River, ultimately returning to the group. 


Description of the destination

Saidet Hawka:
There you can see a tiny chapel in a huddle of caves and grottos with the barest remnants of fresco paintings. The Aassi Hawka (cave) in particular, has yielded archaeological items indicating Palaeolithic, Roman, and medieval periods of use. A Colombian hermit now resides there. We will have the chance to visit him.

Deir Saidet Annoubine:
This is one of the oldest Monasteries in Lebanon. The monastery was built in a rocky pit, most probably by Byzantine emperor Theodos the Great in 379 – 395. Deir Annoubine monastery was to become the seat of the Maronite Patriarch in the 15th century and to remain so for 500 years. The monastery was rehabilitated in 1990 and is now used by the Antonine Sisters who welcome pilgrims to spend the night. 

St. Marina:
The chapel of St. Marina now holds the tombs of eighteen patriarchs. The chapel of St. Marina stands in the memory of a girl named Marina who entered Annoubine monastery disguised as a monk. (The whole story will be told during the hike).


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 (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 961 03 422 493 and by sending SMS, or WhatsApp mention your name, surname and the event you wish to join us on.