Climbing, Rappelling and Archery in "Balou Balaa"         

Rappelling - Climbing - Archery

The Balaa Pit or Baatara gorge waterfall (also known as Balouaa Balaa) is very famous, it is one of the 10 most beautiful waterfalls of the world, and it is a triple natural bridge located by the tiny village of Balaa in the Tannourine area on the slopes of Mount Lebanon. 

During millions of years the waterfall had eroded a three leveled large dizzying sinkhole. The waterfall drops 255 meters into the Baatara Pothole, a cave of Jurassic limestone formed and discovered in 1952 by French bio-speleologist Henri Coiffait. The cave is also known as the "Cave of the Three Bridges", the three natural bridges rising one above the other  - the middle one is the most spectacular, it has an estimated span of 32 meters.  It gives you an idea about the overall size of the cavern, and overhanging a chasm descending into Mount Lebanon.

Breathtaking view, especially during the snow melt season.

There are numerous remnants from pre-Roman, Roman and Byzantine times In and around Tannourine.

We are going to climb and rappel in Balou Balaa. The place is really beautiful and safe; all safety measures are taken: gear, ropes, equipment…etc. You can hike around and enjoy the breathtaking scenery. Pump up your adrenaline! And let’s see who can make it to the top!

Also, don't miss to do some archery (Tir a L'Arc). It has been used for hunting and combat, while in modern times; its main use is that of a recreational activity.

Our lunch will be nearby, we will sit together, share and watch the beauty of our nature. 

Afterwards we will march for about 2 KM to visit other gorge waterfall.

Activities are supervised by qualified Instructors.

It will be a nice experience!  It’s so beautiful. This adventure is not to be missed!!!

WHERE THE EVENT:  Balouaa Balaa -Tannourine - North Lebanon                                 

1550 meters above sea level, 35 km from Byblos.

ENCOUNTER PLACE:  Mar Maroun Church Parking, Dora @ 7:30 AM

OUR PRICE: $ 45 per person including transport, insurance, guides, and equipments. 

WHAT TO GET:  Get some light snacks that will boost up your energy such as dried fruits. Pack your backpacks with lunch, water, cap, sunglasses and sunscreen.  Don't forget to get a jacket. Wear comfortable walking shoes, preferably hiking shoes (Professional brand is recommended).  DC members get a 20% discount on sports equipment in Sports 4 Ever.

There will be a breakfast stop along the way.

FOR RESERVATION AND INFO:  Please Call 00961-70-986118  or by sending SMS

Note: Ecotourism Rules should be followed like Safety regulations. Otherwise all accidents will not be recognized by the insurance.  And occasionally, due to reasons beyond our control, slight modifications to the event may occur.

You can Join our group on Facebook: Dale Corazon (group) and (Page)

For more information Kindly visit our website:  http://www.dalecorazon.com/

Dale, Libano, Dale Corazon to “Dhour El-Choueir”                                                  

Dhour El-Choueir is a treasure filled with cultural, art and natural wealth!!!

Dhour El Choueir (summit of a mountain) is a typical Lebanese town with old caves, mills, ancient bridges, water springs, and an old souk with stone paved passages and beautiful houses with old traditional arches. It lies slightly north of the main Beirut - Damascus highway. It overlooks the city of Beirut and the Mediterranean Sea. 

It is one of Mount Lebanon's favored summer resorts. Dhour El-Choueir is important for its August yearly carnival, honoring Lebanon's emigrants.

The Greek Catholic monk Abd Allah Zakhir set up an Arabic language printing press using movable type at the monastery of Saint John at Choueir, the first homemade press in Lebanon. He personally cut the type molds and did the founding of the elegant typeface. He created the first true Arabic script type in the Middle East. The first book off the Zakhir press was printed in 1734; this press continued to be used until 1899.

It is the birthplace of Anton Saadeh who founded the Syrian Social Nationalist Party and of Tanios Bou-Nader Khneisser, the father of the Sword & Shield Folkloric Dance.

It will be our destination for this journey and the hike will be divided into two levels. Everyone will start from the main square of Dhour Choueir and end in St. John Monastery.

HIKING LEVEL. 1 to 3 for easy, 4 to 6 for intermediate, 7 to 9 for strenuous

Level 4: (8 km) is a moderate hike. Starting from the village where you can have a stroll in the narrow passageways and contemplate the old houses and ancient arches, you will pass by three water springs. The bus will take you then to meet level 6 in Ain al Khassis. From there, you will continue further along a picturesque trail and cross Mgharit el Za3im Cave of Antoun Saadeh, a water source of Ain el Hanout and Hirch Khinchara. Then we will head to St. John Monastery in Khenchara to visit the museum, taste wine and meet the monks.

LEVEL 5: (10 km) is a harder hike with lots of uphill at the beginning. After starting from the village square and passing by the narrow passageways and contemplate the old houses and ancient arches, you will climb a long staircase to get to Ain al Khassis where you will take the same track as level 4.

Don’t let any adventure go by untried. Live your life to the fullest! 

WHERE THE HIKE : Dhour el Choueir - Khenchara /Maten/ Mount Lebanon            

1250 meters above sea level.

30 km from Beirut.

ENCOUNTER PLACE:  Mar Maroun Church Parking, Dora @ 7:30 AM

OUR PRICE: 30,000 LL per person including transport, guides and insurance. 25,000 LL for group of 5 persons or young under 18. 

WHAT TO GET:  Get some light snacks that will boost up your energy such as dried fruits. Pack your backpacks with lunch, water, cap, sunglasses and sunscreen.  Don't forget to get a jacket. Wear comfortable walking shoes, preferably hiking shoes (Professional brand is recommended). DC members get a 20% discount on sports equipment in Sports 4 Ever branches (ABC Achrafieh, Dbaye, and Mkalles).

There will be a breakfast stop along the way.

FOR RESERVATION AND INFO:  Please Call 00961-70-986118 or by sending SMS,

Note: Ecotourism Rules should be followed like Safety regulations. Otherwise all accidents will not be recognized by the insurance.  And occasionally, due to reasons beyond our control, slight modifications to the event may occur.

You can Join our group on Facebook: Dale Corazon  (group) and (Page)

For more information Kindly visit our website:  http://www.dalecorazon.com/

“MAB’AJ” The Marvel of the Lebanese Nature!!!
Sunday, June 16, 2013

This hike will be in Tourzaya; it is different so grab the opportunity to see summer beauty before it’s too late. Wild flowers have a lot to offer this time of year. Join us and hike along the bank of “Nahr el Fidar”! 

Due to the topography of the ground and walking beside the river, the hike will be a easy Level. Our walk beside it, it’s just amazing.

HIKING LEVEL: 1 to 3 for easy, 4 to 6 for intermediate, 7 to 9 for strenuous

Our hike will have two levels; level 3 and level 5, and we should hike on the river side until we reach the Grotto “MEB’AJ” a 4500 meters length cave discovered in 1938. A local guide will take us in a tour of 220 meters inside this marvelous cave; it will dazzle you by the magnificence of the colors of its rocks. You will hold your breath while enjoying this scene and when you glance at them from near, you almost wish to touch them in order to believe what your eyes see. Can you imagine where you can take a lot of unforgettable pictures? 

Who said that men can't fly? Or even women?...                                                                                          You will have the chance to make Tyrolean, you can fly and this is optional.

 All measures of security are set as per the international standards of climbing and rappelling.

Our lunch will be in local restaurant beneath amazing Bosque of pine, you will feel pretty cool there! You can buy your lunch if you wish.

On our way back to Beirut, we may stop in 3enneia at the hermit Saint Charbel and walk from Annaya Monastery to the upper tiny Church . 

This one is diverse, that will leave wonderful pictures in your memory.

WHERE THE HIKE :  MAB’AJ Grotto/Tourzaya/Byblos/ In the North                              

20 km from Byblos

ENCOUNTER PLACE:  Mar Maroun Church Parking, Dora @ 7:30 AM

OUR PRICE: 25 $ per person including transport, caving entrance, insurance and guides, and for Tyrolean its optional 10 $. Special price 33,000 LL for young under 18 years old or group of 5 persons without Tyrolean.

WHAT TO GET:  Get some light snacks that will boost up your energy such as dried fruits. Pack your backpacks with lunch, water, cap, sunglasses and sunscreen.  Don't forget to get a jacket because it gets cold in the cave. Wear comfortable walking shoes, preferably hiking shoes (Professional brand is recommended). DC members get a 20% discount on sports equipment in Sports 4 Ever - Dbayeh.

There will be a breakfast stop along the way.

INFO:

• MAB'AJ Grotto was discovered in 1938. Speleologists walked inside it for several kilometers.

• They confirmed the existence of ponds and lakes in it that need small boats to cross them.

• The geological survey of the site estimated the age of its rocks at almost 190 million years and that their present formation was completed during a period from 30 to 40 million years

• Its total length is estimated at 4500 meters.

• The cave will bewitch you with its natural sceneries, stalactites and stalagmites. It will enchant you with the splendor of its statuettes: from Royal Thrones, Royal Crowns, The Time King and the Roman Eagle, plus chandeliers, bells, gongs, etc…

Dale Libano, Dale Corazon a “Chahtoul”                                                                                                                    

Raachine - Chahtoul !!!  (Hermosa, Bella, Linda)                                          

Night Hike - Saidet el Kalaa
Saturday, June 22, 2013

Our night hikes are ideal at this time of year.

Night hikes have a special atmosphere that we don’t see in day hikes; the nature around you looks different, the calm is awesome and nothing seems the same. Accompanied by the full moon, we will hike together in one group along a down easy path of just 2 hours 

We will start the hike in Raachine, one of the most spectacular villages of Mount Lebanon and visit St Stephan Church. A walk to the sanctuary located on the steep cliff overlooking the camp is a must to see. We will see as well the Cedars Memorial forest (Tabriyeh Memorial) and then go down to visit "Sanctuary St Marina" and reach “Our Lady of Fortress” (Saidet El Kalaa) in Chahtoul. 

The main feature of Raachine and Chahtoul are the beautiful rock formations spread throughout the villages. We get to walk along the mountain cliff overlooking the spectacular simultaneous sea and  mountain, reach in breathtaking views exposed to moonlight.

We will end this night adventure by a cozy gathering around a homemade mankoushe dinner on saj and roasted potatoes cooked by local villagers.

Discover nature by night. It is an experience not to be missed.

WHERE THE  NIGHT HIKE : Shahtoul/ Kesrouan/ Mount Lebanon                 

1350 meters above sea level.

35 km from Beirut 

ENCOUNTER PLACE:  Mar Maroun Church Parking, Dora @ 7:00 PM

WHAT TO GET:  Get some light snacks that will boost up your energy such as dried fruits.. Don’t forget to get a flashlight and a jacket since it gets cold at night. Wear comfortable walking shoes, preferably hiking shoes, (Professional brand is recommended). DC members get a 15 to 20% discount on sports equipment from Mike Sport at Jal El Dib, and 20% from Sports 4 Ever at Dbaye.

FOR RESERVATION AND INFO:  Please Call 00961-70-986118 or by sending SMS, mentioned your name, surname and the event you wish to join us. 

Note: Ecotourism Rules should be followed like Safety regulations. Otherwise all accidents will not be recognized by the insurance.  And occasionally, due to reasons beyond our control, slight modifications to the event may occur.

In Shouf the Largest Nature Reserve in Lebanon wow!!!           

This event is 3 in one, don’t miss it.

The reserve is the southern limit Cedrus Libani, the largest Nature Reserve in Lebanon; it is an Important Bird Area (IBA) and eco-tourism area (a Biosphere Reserve).

Our visit will begin from the Cave Fortress of Niha, is called Cave of Tyron in Frankish, as for the name Niha, means quiet and peaceful in Syriac. It is carved into the rock of a cliff overlooking the entire plain of Bisri and Awwaly river. The Emir Fakhreddine, found refuge in the fortress with his family before his execution in 1635.

 

After will go to site of Nabi Ayoub (the Prophet job) where popular tradition say as a result of his illness, the Prophet job emigrated from Houran with his wife and settled on a mountaintop in Niha where he recovered.

Then to the guest house in Maasser Al-Shouf where a warm and friendly greeting from the reserve team, accompanied by presentation of the reserve. 

HIKING LEVEL. 1 to 3 for easy, 4 to 6 for intermediate, 7 to 9 for strenuous

Our Level 3 will start from the entrance of Maasser Al-Shouf cedar forest, walking along the cliff overlooking the entire plain of Shouf. You will see the oldest cedar tree 3000 years, and a beautifully tree Lamartine (or Sawma’a). In our trail (Aprox. 1 hour) you can take a lot of unforgettable pictures. The scenery is great!

Our lunch will be in the village in a beautiful garden facing the guest house. 

Diversified..? Yes! You will encounter a lot of things in this hike!

WHERE THE HIKE :  Niha- Maasser Al-Shouf /Al-Shouf.                                              

1200 to 1950 meters above sea level.

Al- Shouf Nature Reserve (the largest one in Lebanon 5.3% of Lebanese territory). 

81 km from Beirut.

ENCOUNTER PLACE:  Mar Maroun Church Parking, Dora @ 7:30 AM

OUR PRICE: 35,000 LL per person including transport, guides, insurance and entrance fee to the Maasser Al-Shouf Cedar Forest and Niha Fortress. 

WHAT TO GET:  Get some light snacks that will boost up your energy such as dried fruits. Pack your backpacks with lunch, water, cap, sunglasses and sunscreen.  Don't forget to get a jacket. Wear comfortable walking shoes, preferably hiking shoes (Professional brand is recommended). DC members get a 20% discount on sports equipment from Sports 4.

There will be a breakfast stop along the way.

Note: Ecotourism Rules should be followed like Safety regulations. Otherwise all accidents will not be recognized by the insurance.  And occasionally, due to reasons beyond our control, slight modifications to the event may occur.

You can Join our group on Facebook: Dale Corazon (group) and (Page)

For more information Kindly visit our website:  http://www.dalecorazon.com

The largest of Lebanon nature reserves, Al-Shouf Cedar Nature Reserve stretches from Dahr Al-Baidar in the north to Niha Mountain in the south. The reserve's most famous attractions are its three magnificent cedar forests of Maasser Al-Shouf , Barouk and Ain Zhalta - Bmohary . These Cedar forests account for a quarter of the remaining cedar forest in Lebanon. It hosts 32 species of wild mammals, 250 species of birds, 500 species of plants, 24 species of trees and 27 species of reptiles.