“Mechwar Bel Wadi” heads to the Chouf for one of its most authentic and emotional episodes yet. An episode built around nature, people, heritage, and the kind of moments that cannot be scripted.
Far from the noise of the city, Anthony Rahayel, Marc Beyrouthy, and Elie Ahwash spend the day discovering another side of Lebanon. A side that still lives slowly, protects its land, grows its own food, preserves its traditions, and welcomes people with warmth that feels genuine and untouched.
From Bkerzay to Ain Zhalta, Barouk, and the surrounding mountains of the Chouf, the episode becomes more than a road trip. It becomes an experience filled with human connection, deep conversations, hidden discoveries, breathtaking landscapes, and unforgettable flavors.
The journey begins in Bkerzay, where the morning unfolds quietly between stone houses, greenery, and mountain air. Breakfast is served in complete harmony with nature, surrounded by architecture built from earth and inspired by the land itself. Fresh bread, local cheeses, homemade jams, eggs, herbs picked from nearby gardens, and warm coffee shared around one table create the kind of moment that reminds viewers how simple things often matter most.
As the road continues deeper into the Chouf, the team visits the Abou Saab Brothers Farm, where agriculture is not just work but a way of life. Here, viewers discover sustainable farming practices rooted in respect for the earth. Composting systems, eco-friendly agriculture, local production, and organic ingredients all come together through passionate people determined to preserve Lebanon’s natural richness for future generations. The conversations are honest, spontaneous, and deeply human, reflecting the resilience of families who continue to believe in the land despite every challenge.
The episode then takes a lighter and warmer turn with a unique “Matte 101” experience at Montavi Village, where stories, laughter, and traditions are shared over cups of hot mate prepared the traditional way. It is one of those moments where strangers quickly feel like family, capturing the hospitality and simplicity that define mountain life in Lebanon.
From there, the road leads toward Ain Zhalta and Bmohray, one of the most breathtaking regions in the Chouf District. Nestled more than 1,200 meters above sea level, Ain Zhalta reveals a completely different side of Lebanon. Snow-covered landscapes, towering cedar trees, peaceful mountain roads, and fresh air create a setting that feels untouched by time.
The episode explores the famous Cedar Forest of Ain Zhalta-Bmohray, part of the UNESCO-listed Chouf Biosphere Reserve, where nature becomes the main character. Horseback riding trails, snowshoeing adventures, safari-style experiences, and quiet walks through the forest allow the team to reconnect with the landscape in its purest form.
But Ain Zhalta is more than nature alone. The village carries a rich cultural and spiritual heritage shaped by coexistence, history, and resilience. Old churches hidden between the mountains, stories of generations who remained attached to their land, and conversations about identity and belonging give the episode emotional depth. The team also discovers the beauty of Nabeh el Safa, known for its flowing waters, scenic surroundings, and the peaceful atmosphere that has made it one of the Chouf’s most beloved destinations.
In Barouk, the journey reaches another level of beauty. Drone shots capture the majestic cedar forest stretching endlessly across the mountains while bicycles take the team deeper into the reserve itself. Silence, birdsong, and the scent of cedar trees create moments that feel almost meditative.
The episode also visits spiritual and cultural landmarks including a traditional church and the meaningful site of Sheikh Bou Hassan Aref, reflecting the diversity and coexistence that continue to define the Chouf region. These stops are not treated as tourist attractions, but as living spaces carrying memory, faith, and history.
Throughout the episode, food remains at the center of every encounter. Warm manouche prepared over saj, homemade mouneh, village labneh, fresh produce from the land, comforting mountain dishes, and meals shared around firewood tables all become part of the storytelling. Nothing feels staged. Nothing feels forced. Just real Lebanon.
Along the way, there are moments of laughter, unexpected discoveries, off-road adventures, snowy landscapes, and quiet pauses where the beauty of the mountains says more than words ever could.
More than an episode about places, this is an episode about feelings. About slowing down. About reconnecting with nature, with food, with traditions, and with each other. Because sometimes the most beautiful journeys are the ones that feel honest.
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A new episode of “Mechwar Bel Wadi”
A journey through the Chouf, where nature, heritage, flavors, and human connection come
together in the most beautiful way.
