Since the early centuries of christianity the Holy Valley has served as a refuge for those in search of solitude. Today we started our day with a visit to Mar Lishaa monastery which is one of the most important monasteries in the Holy Valley. Mar Lishaa was first mentioned in the 14th century. It consist of 4 small cells, a refractory and some offices, the communal church includes 4 chapels which are cut into the rock face.

After our visit to Mar Lishaa Monastery we then headed off on our 5.3km walk to reach Qannoubine Monastery. Along the way we witnessed many waterfalls, the birds were singing and the sound of water flowing in the bottom of the valley. Blissful!

After walking for over an hour we then reached the Qannoubine Monastery which is one of the oldest Maronite monasteries located in the Holy Valley.

After Qannoubine you have the option of walking to Our lady of Hawqa Monastery which is 2km on from the Qannoubine Monastery or you can turn around and head back to where you started.

The total walk is 10.6km and it took us around 2.5hours in total to walk to and from.

If you would like any further information on visiting the monasteries please email info@explorelebanontours.com or you can visit www.explorelebanontours.com

Discovered to the western world in 1952 by French bio-speleologist Henri Coiffait, The Baatara gorge sinkhole is a waterfall in the Tannourine, North Lebanon. The waterfall drops 255 metres into the Baatara Pothole, a cave of Jurassic limestone.

The best time to visit is from November through to April. This is when you will witness the waterfall. Outside of these months the chances of seeing the waterfall is slim.

If you would like to visit Baatara Gorge, please email info@explorelebanontours.com or you can visit www.explorelebanontours.com

Afqa Waterfall is located in the Jbeil District of the Mount Lebanon, 71 kilometres northeast of Beirut.

Afqa waterfall is one of the finest waterfalls in the mountains of the Middle East, which feeds into the Adonis River (known today as Abraham River or Nahr Ibrahim in Arabic).

The best time to visit the water fall is late winter and early spring.

If you would like to visit Afqa waterfall as part of your tour please email info@explorelebanontours or visit www.explorelebanontours.com

Saint Nimatullah was born Youssed Kassab in 1808 and died in 1858. Kassab was a Lebanese Monk, Priest and Scholar of the Maronite church.

After his studies he entered the Monastery of St Anthony, where they gave him the name Nimatullah which means “The Grace of God” .

As a monk, Kassab spent his entire life in prayer and the service of his order. Kassab is believed to have performed many miracles during his life due to his deep spirituality and his high virtues. He is commended for having a radiant soul and is was said that he was deeply united to his creator “The Saint of Kfifan” was stated to have the gift of prophesy and hence became know as “a man of vision”

In 1864 his tomb was opened for re-burial and to the surprise of the monks, his body was found to be intact. His body was exposed to the veneration of the public until 1927.

Kassab was canonized on the 16th May 2004 By Pope John Paul II.

If you would like further information or would like to Visit Saint Nimatullah please email info@explorelebanontours.com OR visit www.explorelebanontours.com