Along with other, more famous natural wonders like Australia´s Great Barrier Reef, Tanzania´s Kilimanjaro and the Dead Sea between Jordan and Israel, Lebanon´s Jeita Grotto also made it onto the list of finalists for the New 7 Wonders of Nature, and there´s no doubt that this 9-kilometre cave system is truly one of nature´s wonders.

Located less than an hour north of Beirut in the Valley of Nahr al-Kalb (Dog River), you can take colourful little cable cars up to the vast upper galleries before walking along a discreet walkway and up over one hundred steps to a viewing platform from which you can´t fail to be humbled by the immensity of nature´s artwork as you look out over the natural limestone formations, including curtains, columns, draperies and mushrooms. You can then you take a boat ride through the lower caves to see the stalactites and other impressive limestone formations reflected in the perfectly still jade green water. The river flowing through the Jeita caves is one of the most important water sources for Beirut and surrounds with a third of all Lebanese using this water on a regular basis.

Be sure to check opening times before going as the lower cave is not open in winter due to high water levels. For more information visit: www.jeitagrotto.com