23 Dec 2018

Hiking Trip - Smar Jbeil, Sghar - Batroun District

  • We are going on a trail linking Smar Jbeil by Sghar passing through Jrabta.

    We will get the chance to see the historical citadel of Smar Jbeil, the Monastery of St. Rafqa, LBC’s premises where ‘El Wadi’ was filmed, and the remains of the ancient Al Qattine Monastery
    The trail passes through bushes and dirt roads therefore we recommend you wear long pants.

    The hike will be divided into three levels: LEVEL 2 (4 km), LEVEL 3 (6 km) & LEVEL 5 (10.5 km).

    The three levels will start together from Smar Jbeil.

    The town’s name is derived from the Phoenician language, meaning “the guardian of Jbeil.” You will visit the Citadel dating back to the Phoenician era. The citadel was later occupied by the Romans, who left various inscriptions on its northern wall, followed by the Crusaders, who have built cellars next to its towers and a church to the east of the citadel. The citadel is also characterized by its wells, carved into the rocks and its deep tunnels connecting the castle to the neighboring valleys.

    After this cultural start, all levels will hike together passing through Ghouma and Mrah el Ziyyat.

    The trail at this stage will be mostly flat and downhill. We will pass by the location where LBC filmed “El Wadi’. We will then have lunch in a shady place among the trees. Please bring your lunch with you.

    Here, LEVEL 2 will take the bus to the village of Jrabta strolling in its streets until they meet the rest of the group at St. Joseph monastery, were St. Rafqa died.

    LEVEL 3 and LEVEL 5 will take the trail along a dirt road until they reach the Monastery of St. Rafqa in Jrabta.

    After visiting the monastery, LEVEL 2 and LEVEL 3 will take the bus to Saydet el Qattine in Sghar, while LEVEL 5 will go there taking an uphill track, ending in a short downhill stretch.

    The remains of Saydet el Qattine, also known as Saydet el Bzaz, stand inside three caves, with an altar, arcades, arches, and the ruins of a Byzantine Church.

    We will then head to the town of Sghar which name derives from the Phoenician language, meaning "small." Sghar is home to some Phoenician stone sarcophagi, as well as many historical churches and monasteries. It is the ideal place to end such hike.

    WHERE: Smar Jbeil – Jrabta - Sghar
    In Batroun district
    400 m above sea level
    53 km from Beirut

    WHEN: Sunday, Dec 23

    MEETING PLACE: 7:30 AM in the parking of Sagesse School in Jdeideh, facing the public garden. (See map on: https://www.vamos-todos.com/Pages/ParkingMap.aspx)
    There will be a breakfast stop along the way.

    PRICE: 55,000 LL per person including transport, guides and insurance. (Please get the exact change to facilitate the registration process).

    WHAT TO GET: Lunch, light snacks that will boost up your energy such as dried fruits, water, cap, sunglasses and sunscreen. Wear comfortable shoes such as hiking shoes and always keep a windproof jacket in your backpack

    SPECIAL RATES:
    - Children with the age of 10 and younger will have a discount of 20’000 LBP
    - Children/ Teenagers between the age of 11 and 18 will have a discount of 15’000 LBP
    - University students will have a discounts of 10’000 LBP provided that they present their university card
    - Groups with 5 to 9 persons, with different criteria than the above, will get a 5’000 LBP discount
    - Groups with 10 or more persons, with different criteria than the above, will get a 10’000 LBP discount

    PAYMENT TERMS:
    - Cancellation with less than 24 hours’ notice will be charged half-price
    - Reservations with less than 24 hours’ notice will be charged an extra 5’000 LBP
    (e.g. Cancelling or booking for a Sunday’s event on Saturday will be subject to the above terms)

    ESSENTIAL ECOTOURISTIC RULES & REGULATIONS
    - Smoking is strictly prohibited during the event
    - Always follow the guide on the designated trail
    - Do not go off road without notifying the guide
    - Do not get close to a cliff especially when the guide in charge tells you not to do so
    - Although accidents are covered by the insurance but they remain under the responsibility of the member
    - Sometimes, due to reasons beyond our control, slight modifications to the program may occur. Ecotourism rules must be followed, otherwise personal accidents will not be accounted for by the insurance.

    RESERVATION: Every day from 8am till 5pm on 03-917190 or 79-115001. It is preferable to send an SMS or WhatsApp from your mobile, giving your name, surname, and the event you wish to join.

    COLLABORATION:
    - “Sports Experts” is the exclusive sports gear and outfit sponsor of Vamos Todos. Members will get a special discount at all “Sports Experts” branches in Lebanon
    - “Antaki Group” is the exclusive “Fujifilm” cameras & devices sponsor of Vamos Todos.
    - “LIA insurance” is the exclusive insurance company sponsor of Vamos Todos.

    Regards,
    Vamos Todos
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