You’ll never see anything quite like Lebanon. This guide will help prepare you for your incredible adventure! Please read this carefully, and if there is anything we have not addressed, feel free to reach out at meetupto[email protected]. Can’t wait to show you this amazing country!
Things to Expect
Physical level
This trip can be enjoyed by anyone who is reasonably fit.
On day 3, we have a short easy/medium level hike to the top of a beautiful village nestled in the mountains near
Zahle. Between our city walking tours and workshops from dancing to pottery making, the amount of energy you expend is largely up to you. Comfortable walking shoes are always a must.
Inclusions
- Stay in hand-picked, luxurious hotels
- Feature stay at a luxury family-owned farm
- Arrival airport pickup on day 1
- 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches
- All activities listed in the itinerary
- Transportation in a private mini-bus
- Max 14 solo female travelers in your group
- Twin share rooms
- Expert local female guide for the whole tour
exclusions
- Airfares
- Visa fees if applicable
- Travel insurance (mandatory)
- Tips for guide & driver
- Airport drop off
- All meals that are not specifically mentioned in the itinerary
Itinerary
Your general Egypt itinerary can be found here or on the Lebanon Meetup Tour webpage. Daily schedules will be given by your guide when you arrive in Lebanon. Because the seasons, operating hours of inclusions, traffic, and many factors can affect the daily schedule, specific timing will be determined by your guide to give you the best possible experience. If you have questions about when to wake up, how long you will spend at a particular site, etc. please feel free to ask your guide at any time.
Itinerary Disclaimer
Our itineraries are updated regularly throughout the year based on customer feedback and to reflect the current situation in each destination. The information included in this Lebanon Traveler Information may therefore differ from when you first booked your trip. It is important that you review this information prior to travel so that you have the latest updates. Due to weather, local conditions, transport schedules, public holidays, or other factors, further changes may be necessary to your itinerary once in-country. The order and timing of included activities in each location may also vary seasonally to ensure our travelers have the best experience. Your tour leader will keep you up to date with any such changes once on tour.
Joining Point
O Monot Boutique Hotel
Monot Street, Saifi, Beirut, Lebanon
Joining Description
Fly into Lebanon’s main international airport, Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport (code BEY).
We will arrange an airport transfer for you according to your arrival time on Day 1. Look for your driver holding a sign with the SoFe logo on it in the arrivals hall. We recommend arriving anytime before 3pm so that you’ll have plenty of time to get settled and refreshed before your welcome meeting around 6pm that evening.
If you arrive a day or two early, the airport transfer is not included. Please email us directly if you’d like us to arrange a transfer and an early night in the hotel for you.
Finishing Point
Please email us at [email protected] 3 months or less before departure. This hotel can change based on availability.
Finishing Point description
Fly out of Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport (code BEY). You can leave anytime on our last day, but we recommend staying for breakfast and departing around checkout time.
Departure transfer is not included. Your guide can help you arrange transportation to the airport as needed.
Note that the airport is an hour away from our last hotel, maybe longer depending on traffic.
Problems and emergency contact
While we always endeavor to provide the best possible holiday experience, due to the nature of travel and the areas we visit sometimes things can and do go wrong. Should any issue occur while you are on your trip, it is imperative that you discuss this with your group leader or our local representative straight away so that they can do their best to rectify the problem and save any potential negative impact on the rest of your trip.
We recognize that there may be times when your group leader/local partner may not be able to resolve a situation to your satisfaction – if this is the case, please ask the leader to speak to their direct manager.
You may also choose to provide details in your online feedback, which we ask you to complete within 30 days of the end of your trip. Please do be aware that it is very difficult for us to provide any practical help after the trip is completed, so informing us while still traveling will give us the opportunity to resolve the issue in real-time.
For general contact details please use the following page: https://thesolofemaletravelernetwork.com/contact-us
In case of any issues upon arrival, please use your emergency contact number included in your trip documents.
Payment schedule
You are required to pay a non-refundable $500 deposit at the time of reservation. This non-refundable deposit confirms your Meetup Tour booking and you will receive a confirmation email detailing the terms of your reservation. Once the confirmation email has been sent to you, a contract will exist between us from the date we issue the confirmation invoice.
Please refer to your booking confirmation for specific dates, deadlines and details regarding final payments for your Meetup Tour. For standard Meetup Tours, the program fee balance payment is due 90 days before the departure date. SoFe’s payment system allows you to input the dollar amount for each payment you submit, so you are welcome to make as many payments in any dollar amount as you prefer before the final payment is due.
The final payment deadline is 90 days before the Meetup Tour start date, with the exception of Antarctica and Polar destinations.
If you have not paid the full balance, requested a cancellation and/or transfer by the final payment deadline, your credit card on file will be automatically charged the remaining balance of the Meetup Tour program cost. A $100 late payment fee will also be levied. Additionally, SoFe reserves the right to treat your booking as cancelled.
Feedback
Can’t stop thinking about your adventure? Tell us all about it! We read each piece of feedback carefully and use it to make improvements for travelers like you. Share your experience with us by emailing [email protected]!
Before you leave
Important notes
- A private room is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The additional cost applies to all nights of your trip and is subject to availability.
- Please provide your full passport details no later than 40 day prior to departure. This information is essential for booking your hotels, activities, etc. Failure to provide your passport details on time may result in our inability to confirm your reservation and you may be responsible for extra fees.
- Travel is always an adventure. Our leaders are experts when it comes to dealing with anything unexpected along the journey, so pack your understanding and flexibility, sit back and relax while they take care of the rest.
- Currency in Lebanon is made a bit tricky by its evolving political situation. When you travel with us, we explain this detail and how to best to pay for things to be the most equitable.
Food and dietary information
While traveling with us you’ll experience the vast array of wonderful food available in the world. Your group leader will be able to suggest restaurants to try during your trip. To give you the maximum flexibility in deciding where, what and with whom to eat, generally not all meals are included in the trip price. This also gives you more budgeting flexibility. As a rule our groups tend to eat together to enable you to taste a larger variety of dishes and enjoy each other’s company. If you have dietary requirements and/or food allergies, please let us know prior to departure.
Though veganism and vegetarianism are still growing movements in Lebanon, many foods that are incorporated into the traditional Lebanese diet and lifestyle are naturally vegan such as hummus, lentil soups, and salads. You will be able to find many traditional vegan dishes in restaurants and should find it easy to shop in grocery stores as well.
Vegetarian and vegan options can be offered for all included meals, provided we are notified at time of booking. For those suffering from particular food allergies, your group leader will endeavor to disclose to their fullest knowledge the main ingredients in dishes being consumed. It is, however, still your personal responsibility to ensure that you do not ingest any foods to which you are allergic.
Money Matters
Spending money is a personal choice, and everyone will have different spending habits and needs. It is best to budget a reasonable amount for things like meals not included, drinks, shopping, optional activities, and laundry. It’s always better to bring a little more than you think you’ll need. Please have a thorough look at the itinerary and at what is included so you will be prepared for what isn’t included. Our Meetup Tour is very inclusive, however some meals and extras are not included. This guide should make budgeting a little clearer.
Currency in Lebanon is made a bit tricky by it’s evolving political situation. When you travel with us, we explain this detail and how to best to pay for things to be the most equitable.
Cash in USD and EUR are widely accepted, but USD is preferable over EUR. We strongly recommend arriving to Lebanon with ALL the cash you will need in USD or EUR, as you will not be able to use an ATM. If you need to withdraw more cash during the tour, it is possible to do this with a Western Union, but this is not ideal.
Credit cards are normally the last preferred or accepted method of payment. We strongly recommend arriving to Lebanon with all the cash you will need in USD or EUR. If you need to withdraw more cash during the tour, it is possible to do this with a Western Union – however, this is not ideal, as it will take time away from the tour.
You will need to bring cash from home to exchange into local currently. We strongly advise that you bring enough cash for the entirety of the tour in USD or EUR. USD and EUR are both widely accepted, but USD is most preferable. We recommend that you DO NOT exchange money at the airport. You should wait until you are with your tour guide, who can show you the best way to exchange currency and will help you get the fairest rates for exchange into Lebanese currency.
If you’re happy with the services provided, a tip – though not compulsory – is appropriate. While it may not be customary to you, it is of great significance to the people who will take care of you during your travels, inspires excellent service, and is an entrenched feature of the tourism industry across many SoFe destinations.
For your local guide, $12 per day per person is recommended. For your driver, $10 per day per person is recommended.
Restaurants: – The usual recommendation is to pay 10-15% of the bill.
The Lebanese Pound is the official currency of Lebanon, signified by £ or L£. The Pound is also known as the Lira, and all notes and coins are written and referred to in both languages. US dollars and European Euros are also widely accepted in the country.
Bringing USD cash is preferable over Euro, as you can pay directly with cash USD at most restaurants and stores. Money will be returned in either dollars or in Lebanese pound market rate.
Climate information
Lebanon has a Mediterranean-type climate characterized by hot and dry summers (June to September) and cool and rainy winters (December to mid-March), with an average annual temperature of 60˚ F/15˚C.
passports, visas, and entry requirements
Most nationalities including (but not limited to) those from Canada, Australia, the UK, and the USA can easily receive a 30 day free visa upon arrival.
If you are from one of the countries eligible for a Lebanon Visa on Arrival, you can obtain one at the Beirut Airport. You need the following documents:
A valid phone number
Proof of a valid address in Lebanon (proof of accommodation)
A return-flight ticket (must be non-refundable)
Your passport which does not have any seals, stamps or visas from Israel.
If you are not from one of the countries eligible for the Visa on Arrival, then you have to apply for your Lebanon visa at the nearest Embassy or Consulate.
You need a valid passport to travel internationally. Most countries require that your passport does not expire for at least 6 months after the date you enter. We require your passport details 45 days before departure. When booking your Meetup Tour, please enter your name as it appears on your passport and contact us immediately if there are any errors.
We recommend taking copies of the main passport pages and other important documents with you as well as leaving copies at home with family or friends.
Packing
Our tours are comfortable and very inclusive with premium accommodations. This means you can pack a little lighter since the hotel will have a wide range of amenities. Since you will be carrying your own bags to the lobby or at the airport, we suggest packing in a way that is manageable for solo travel. You’ll also need a day pack/bag to carry water and a camera etc. for day trips.
The following is a general list to be used as a guideline. If you think you need more items, pack them.
Essential:
– Clothing: a mixture of lightweight and dry fast clothing and warm layers are recommended essential for travelling in this region. -Long shirts, pants, scarves are useful for covering shoulders & knees when visiting religious sites.
-Swimwear
– Shoes: sturdy and comfortable shoes for walking
– Personal travel documents inc. your passport (visa), travel insurance, flight tickets and trip notes. Photocopies of your passport and visa, passport size photos and travel insurance will be handy. While not valid, a photocopy makes it very much easier to obtain replacements if necessary.
– small first aid kit including items such as mild pain killers, electrolytes, Band-Aids and insect repellent, and essential medicine depending on your doctors advice.
– Money: cash/credit card/money belt
– Sun protection like a hat, sunscreen, and sunglasses.
Recommended:
– Refillable water bottle
– Cell phone, camera with spare batteries, charger, and adapter plug
– Hand wash, travel wipes, toiletries and a small towel
– Watch/alarm clock and torch/flashlight (and spare batteries)
Other things to consider:
– Check weather in Lebanon online a few days before you go to make sure you pack appropriate clothing
– Laundry facilities may not be available everywhere, so make sure you have a few cycles of clothes to tide you over until your next chance to wash
For Lebanon there are three associated plug types C, D and G. Plug type C has two round pins, plug type D is the plug which has three round pins in a triangular pattern and type G is the plug with three rectangular pins in a triangular pattern. Lebanon operates on a 230V supply voltage and 50Hz.
In general, there are no laws requiring specific dress, although it is always respectful to cover your knees and shoulders when visiting religious sites.
What to wear during your trip to Lebanon largely depends on the season you are traveling in. Please check the weather forecast a week before your trip begins in order to better help you decide.
Travel insurance
Travel insurance is mandatory on all our Meetup Tours. We require that at a minimum you are covered for medical expenses including emergency repatriation. If you are traveling within your home country or region please confirm before travel that you are entitled to access the public medical system easily should an accident occur. We strongly recommend all travelers have a policy that also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage or personal effects. For international trips, you will not be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel insurance and the insurance company’s 24-hour emergency contact number has been sighted by your leader.
If you have credit card insurance your group leader will require details of the participating insurer/underwriter, the level of coverage, policy number, and emergency contact number rather than the bank’s name and your credit card details. Please contact your bank for these details prior to arriving in-country.
We recommend that you check your government’s advice in relation to the areas you will be visiting for their latest travel information before departure and ensure that your travel insurance covers you for all areas your itinerary covers.
on the road
Group Guide
All tours with The Solo Female Traveler Network are accompanied by a guide who is with the group for the whole trip. The guide’s role is to be the local expert of the destination and coordinate a lot of the on the ground logistics. Premium leaders are SoFe’s most experienced, with in-depth knowledge and extensive local networks to make it a trip of a lifetime. Your guide will provide information on the places you are traveling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues and introduce you to our local friends. You can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the places visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious, and social aspects. At SoFe, we aim to support local guides who have specialized knowledge of the regions we visit. When not already included in your trip, your leader will be able to recommend a local guide service who can share more detailed or specialized information at specific sites should you be interested in delving deeper.
Optional Activities
For this tour, we may offer a selection of optional activities that have been popular with past travelers. All activities are subject to availability, and may be on a join-in basis. It may not be possible to do all the activities offered in the time available at each destination, so some pre-planning for what you are most interested in is advised. For most, they can either be organized independently on the day, or let your leader know you are interested in the Group Meeting and they can assist.
Where activities are considered medium or high risk, we work with operators whose safety and credentials we have sighted and assessed. Although it is possible that you may find the same activity cheaper with another operator on the ground, we cannot vouch for the safety or quality of that operator. Medium and high-risk activities that are not offered by us have not been assessed by us, and as such our staff and leaders are unable to assist you with organizing these activities. Please remember that the decision to partake in any activity not operated by us is at your own discretion and risk.
Transportation
On this tour, your transportation is in a private mini-bus.
a few rules
Safety
Most national governments provide regularly updated foreign travel advice on safety issues involved with international travel. We recommend that you check your government’s advice for their latest travel information before departure and ensure that your travel insurance covers you for all destinations and activities on your trip.
We strongly recommend the use of a neck wallet or money belt while traveling, for the safe-keeping of your passport, flight tickets, cash and other valuable items. Leave your jewelry at home – you won’t need it while traveling. Some of our hotels have safety deposit boxes, which is the most secure way of storing your valuables. A lock is recommended for securing your luggage.
Your leader will accompany you on all included activities, however, during your trip you’ll have some free time to pursue your own interests or relax and take it easy. While your leader will assist you with the available options in a given location, please note that any optional activities you undertake are not part of your SoFe itinerary, and SoFe makes no representations about the safety of the activity or the standard of the operators running them. Please use your own good judgment when selecting an activity in your free time. Please also note that your Leader has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the trip itinerary if it’s deemed necessary due to safety concerns.
Please be aware that local laws governing transportation safety may differ from those in your home country. Driving in Lebanon can be difficult and chaotic. Drivers of our private vehicles are experienced and well trained. Please be sure that you wear a seat belt at all times.
While most of the tour, especially in major cities, will be with your guide and the group, petty theft is common in any tourist area. Do not walk around alone at night if it can be avoided and hold your belongings close on public transportation. Your local guide will give you some safety tips throughout your tour, and we suggest heeding this advice.
As suggested earlier, please do not bring valuables. Use a TSA approved luggage lock to secure your luggage and belongings throughout trip.
We suggest checking your government’s advice in relation to the areas you will be visiting for their latest travel information before departure and ensure that your travel insurance covers you for all areas your itinerary covers.
Lebanon is relatively safe for a solo female traveler, with no laws requiring specific dress (although it is always respectful to cover your knees and shoulders when visiting religious sites). Traveling around Lebanon requires a driver and is much better experienced with a guide for at least part of your trip. As you travel south, some places may feel a little more chaotic and dangerous. Practice normal caution and do not change money in the street.
phone and internet access
There is wifi available in most of our accommodations, but it is not always the most reliable. We suggest purchasing a prepaid sim card at the International airport in Beirut. Getting your SIM here is easy, although you will likely find it to be cheaper in stores outside of the airport. The most popular mobile phone providers are Touch or Alfa. Your phone must be unlocked in order to use a local SIM.
Plans and prices can vary a lot but expect to pay between $5-$15 USD for a plan that will provide you around 5GB of data. Your passport may be required for you to purchase and register your new sim.
Alternatively, ask your home service provider for international plans.
medical and health
All travelers need to be in good physical health in order to participate fully on this trip. When selecting your trip please make sure you have read through the itinerary carefully and assess your ability to manage and enjoy our style of travel. Please note that if in the opinion of our group leader or local guide any traveler is unable to complete the itinerary without undue risk to themselves and/or the rest of the group, we reserve the right to exclude them from all or part of a trip without refund.
You should consult your doctor for up-to-date medical travel information or for any necessary vaccinations before departure. We recommend that you carry a first aid kit as well as any personal medical requirements as they may not easily be obtained while traveling.
We do not recommend drinking the tap water, even in the hotels. All accommodations will have drinkable water, sometimes for purchase and sometimes provided with your room.