overview
The snowcapped Lebanese Mountains contains seven peaks rising above 3000m with the highest peak, Qurnat al-Sawda just 72 km Northeast of Beirut. On this trip we will summit all seven mountains in a rapid 48-hour program as part of a technical training agenda. We will have the chance to use our crampons and Ice Axes while roped together (if conditions permit) for the more technical sections of the climb. On the second day, in the early hours, we will start climbing, slowly but surely, to reach the final series of summits. Upon final summit completion and our last meal of the trip, we will be back off to Beirut after this challenging two days on the highest mountains of Lebanon.
Day 1
Transfer from Beirut Airport to Cedars Village 1900m
MounTurtle team will welcome you at Rafic El Hariri Airport in Beirut- best time for arrival before 3pm. Depending on different arrival times, we will transfer to downtown Beirut for coffee or lunch. After all teams arrive, we will drive 2.5 hours to Cedars village. Check-in to Hotel in Cedars. After a briefing of our itinerary, we will do an equipment check and get our backpacks ready for the climb then enjoy an authentic Lebanese welcome dinner in one of the local restaurants.
*Note that staying one night in Cedars will give us the ability to allow our body to acclimatize to high altitude.
Day 2
Reaching the Cedars Plateau 2800m
We will begin climbing up from Cedars 1950m to reach the plateau at 2800m then start climbing up and down to complete 3 summits of the Seven 3000ers before heading to our camping site in the Cedars plateau. After checking in to our tents, we will have a campfire and barbecue.
Total Altitude Gain: Approx. 1400m
Day 3
Reaching the Top of Lebanon 3088m & completing the Seven 3000ers of Lebanon
In the early morning we will pack our backpacks and start climbing up to our 4th summit, then keep climbing one summit after the other until we reach the Top of Lebanon by 2 pm. Afterwards, we will have approximately 4 hours to climb down to the Cedars village. Dinner in Cedars village or in a coastal city such as Byblos or Batroun depending on how hungry we are! Finally, transfer to Beirut or airport.
Total Altitude Gain: Approx. 1000m
Cost: AED 3,000 (2023 Summer Discount)
Deposit: AED 1,000 per person
Dates: June 2-4 2023 (Sold out)
June 9-11 2023 (Group of 6 persons)
Costs Include:
- Welcome dinner in Cedars Village
- Airport pick up & drop off to Beirut or airport
- All transfers between Beirut and Cedars to reach the trailheads
- Tents and camping equipment
- Dinner & breakfast while camping
- Accommodations at the hotel for 1 night in Cedar village
- Snacks, tea & coffee while trekking
- Mountain guide
Costs Do Not Include:
- Personal items (see Equipment list)
- Wire transfer fee
- Meals in Beirut
- Alcoholic beverages
- Bottled or canned beverages
- Trip cancelation insurance or the required medical evacuation insurance
- Any costs as the result of an early departure from the program
- Tips for guide & staff
Cancellation/Refund Policy
- There are no refunds for the deposit or balance payments for this expedition. This includes but is not limited to, expeditions that conclude without reaching or making progress towards expedition objective(s) (for example, the summit) due to route conditions, weather, insufficient manpower, or any other factor outside the control of MounTurtle.
- Expedition leader/Guide has the final say on the expedition conclusion and will make all best efforts towards reaching expedition objective(s) within our margin of safety.
- Participants that choose to leave an active expedition for any reason are not entitled to any refunds
- MounTurtle operated by JOYCE AZZAM PROJECT MANAGEMENT SERVICES, LLC highly recommends trip cancellation insurance for all expeditions
- Due to the nature and heavy costs of government and operator permits, MounTurtle must adhere to a stringent refund policy
- Deposit due with registration materials
- All balances are due 120 days prior to departure date unless otherwise specified
- Participants whose balances are not received by the 120-day deadline as stated above, risk forfeiture of their funds and their place on the expedition
Note: JOYCE AZZAM Project Management Services, LLC reserves the right to waive any fees. As we offer personalized service, we will attempt to accommodate changes and cancellations when necessary, waiving certain fees when feasible. Deposits paid by participants acknowledge the above cancellation terms
Please note that MounTurtle provide all technical equipment during the expedition such as harness, crampons, ice axe and ropes.
Base Layers
- Synthetic Short Underwear (2 pair): non-cotton style underwear
- Lightweight Long Underwear (1 pair): long sleeve shirt and long pants
- Heavyweight Long Underwear (1 pair) ): long sleeve shirt and long pants
- Short Sleeve Synthetic Shirt (1-2)
Mid Layer
- Soft Shell Jacket: to be worn over other layers
- Soft Shell Pants: very breathable and water repellant
- Lightweight Nylon Pants (1 pair)
Waterproof/Rain Layers
- Hard Shell Jacket with hood: waterproof and breathable shell jacket
- Hard Shell Pants: waterproof and breathable shell pants
Insulation Layers
- Insulated Down Jacket with hood
- Insulated Pants (optional- to be used in tent overnight)
Headwear
- Warm Hat: synthetic or wool hat (ski hat)
- Balaclava : to protect your neck and face in high winds
- Baseball Cap or other sun hat: to shade your face/neck from the sun on a hot day
- Bandana or Buff: to protect your neck/face from the sun
Eyewear
- Glacier Glasses: full protection with side covers or wrap around
- Ski Goggles (optional): to be worn in the event of high winds
Gloves
- Lightweight Synthetic Base Layer Gloves: for wearing on a hot day
- Soft Shell Gloves: to wear for moderate cold/wind
Footwear
- Wool or Synthetic Socks (3 pairs)
- Hiking Boots/Shoes: better if cover ankles
Sleeping Equipment
- Sleeping Bag -10 degree Celsius
- Earplugs
Trekking Gear
- Trekking Backpack 40L/60L
- Trash Compactor Bags: to line backpack and stuff sacks as well as for separating gear
- Backpack Rain Cover (optional)
- Trekking Poles with optional Snow Baskets: adjustable poles
- Headlamp: with 2 extra sets of new batteries
Travel Items
- Travel Clothes: for days in cities and towns
- Lightweight journal, sketchbook, pencils, pen
- USD cash: for currency exchange to purchase SIM cards or merchandise in cities and villages
Additional Food Items
- Snack Food: bring a few days’ supply of your favorite climbing snack food such as bars, gels, nuts, beef jerky, etc.
variety of salty and sweet is good
Other Equipment
- Water Bottles (2): wide mouth bottles with 1-liter capacity
- Sunscreen: SPF 50 or better
- Lip Screen (2 sticks): SPF 30 or better
- Toiletry Bag: include small towel, toilet paper and hand sanitizer
- Knife or Multi-tool (optional)
- Small Personal First-aid Kit: include athletic tape, band-aids, Ibuprofen, blister care, cough drops, etc.
- Medications and Prescriptions: bring antibiotics (Azithromycin, etc.), and altitude medicine such as Diamox and dexamethasone
- Handkerchiefs/Bandanas (optional)
Optional Electronics
- Country-appropriate power plug adapters and power transformers
- Personal Power System and/or Solar Power System
- Camera: bring extra batteries, charger, and memory cards
MounTurtle stands out by offering delicious balanced meals, Medical Check & oximeter, weather forecast, GPS-tracking online.
MOUNTURTLE is recognized for well thought out strategy in leading high altitude climbing expeditions, as well as high-quality service throughout. We have two decades of experience in the planning and coordination of mountaineering expeditions, our reputation is excellent. We strive to make each expedition the best possible experience for our climbers and focus on our 3 primary goals of success in reaching the summit, returning safely, and having fun! Safety is always our number one priority.
Our guides are some of the best and most experienced in the industry, having a strong grasp of technical climbing, expedition, and high altitude experience, along with strong interpersonal skills. Our teams are small and equipped with the best support available to ensure the highest chance of success. We are renowned for our comfortable base camps, high-quality food, first-rate communications, and medical support services, all of which are overseen by a professional member of our team.
Most of our climbers have either climbed with us before, been referred by a friend who has climbed with us, or met one of our teams while attempting another peak and decided to join us for their next expedi