Awaken & Yogi Ventures - Retreat Trek Day - Wadi Qadisha
A Meditative Journey celebrating 100 Years of 'The Prophet' by Kahlil Gibran
A Meditative Journey through Wadi Qannoubine
Celebrating 100 Years of 'The Prophet' by Kahlil Gibran
A soulful trek in the valley of saints
Join us for a poetic one-day nature retreat through sacred Wadi Qannoubine, in honor of 100 years since the publication of Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet. We’ll walk the path of saints and mystics, meditating on Gibran’s timeless words in the very valley where he was born and buried. Along the way, we pause to listen, reflect, and meditate on passages from The Prophet — including “On Marriage,” “On Love,” and “On Joy and Sorrow.” Our hike will be infused with yoga, stretching, pranayama, and live handpan music, with scenic meditative pauses and storytelling woven throughout.
Facilitators: Serah & Nader + Rana & Manish Pole
Format
Hike, Meditation, Poetry, Music, Yoga, Connection.
Itinerary
6:00 AM: Departure from Beirut (if joining transport)
9:00 – 9:30 AM: Arrival & Check-In at Public Square Garden, Bsharri
Water, hiking sticks, snacks provided
10:00 – 10:45 AM: Visit to the Kahlil Gibran Museum
A chance to witness his original manuscripts, artworks, and tomb
2km drive to the starting point of the trail
11:00 AM: Guided Meditation in the Public Garden
Breathwork & grounding under the Cedars
Brief on trail history and day’s structure
11:10 AM: Begin Descent into the Valley of Saints
1.6km descent with sacred sites, Gibran quotes, and storytelling
12:00 PM: Pit Stop – Valley of Saint Elisha
Water refill + short rest
12:30 PM: Ancient Wooden Bridge Reflection Pause
1:20 PM: Ascent towards Mosses’ Gigantic Waterfalls
2:30 PM – 3:50 PM: Lunch at Abou Joseph
Authentic homemade Lebanese meal
Optional Awaken Live session (Google Meet) during / after lunch
RETURN & MUSEUM FINALE
3:50 PM: Phase One Transport back up to main road
4:10 PM: Drive to the Kahlil Gibran Museum (special after-hours entry)
4:30 – 5:30 PM: Optional second visit for those who missed the
morning
6:00 PM: Departure
What to bring
- Refillable water bottle / flask (at least 1L)
- Hat or cap
- Sunglasses
- Lightweight towel
- Small backpack (10–15L)
- Comfortable hiking shoes
- Personal mat or small cushion (for meditation)
- Sunscreen
- Extra t-shirt or light change of clothes
- Snacks or fruit (optional, we provide lunch)
- Light jacket or layer (in case it cools down)
- Personal ID
- Any personal medication (if needed)
Your Guides
Manish Pole
Manish Pole has been teaching for over 22 years and leads Himalayan Silent retreats, Teacher Trainings in India, Bali, UAE and speaks at Wellness Conferences globally.
Rana Abihayla
As co-founder of Awaken Wellness, Rana now leads retreats, trainings and mindfulness workshops.
Her creative offerings include Art therapy, Poetry based breathwork and movement sessions that help individuals and teams reconnect, regulate and express.
Let There Be Spaces In Your Togetherness
This journey is a bridge between poetry and pilgrimage — a rare chance to walk and sit in reverence of the landscapes that shaped Gibran’s soul.
Your Guides
Manish Pole
Yoga & Meditation Educator since 2003. Training Teachers for 22+ years. Keynote Speaker at World Expo 2020 and Wellness conferences globally.
2002: Graduated in Psychology, Literature & Journalism.
2003-10: Lived, trained and taught with Bharat Thakur ('the Living Himalayan Master' - TIME Magazine)
2010-20: Co-founder of Total Yoga (India, USA, UK, UAE, Singapore, NZ)
2023 - : Co-founder of the Awaken School
Meditation is about becoming Friends with Yourself'
Manish brings together Ancient Wisdom and Meditation Science, offering people around the world a deep immersion into Yoga, Meditation & Wisdom that is timeless yet research-based.
He believes in the power of a Mentorship journey to navigate one's inner journey without the pitfalls of a dogmatic approach to Spirituality.
Rana Abihayla
Lifestyle Coach, Author, Yoga & Meditation. Co-founder of Awaken Wellness and Awaken School, leading workshops and trainings internationally.
2005–07:Master’s in International Management
2009–25: Regional leadership roles in healthcare transformation across the Middle East & South East Asia
2020: Executive Education, Harvard Business School
2023: Co-founder of the Awaken School
True wellbeing begins when we learn to listen to ourselves with honesty and compassion
Rana brings together yogic wisdom, meditation science, emotional intelligence, and leadership development, offering students a grounded and integrative approach to self-inquiry. She is trained to teach adults and children, and believes in the importance of a mentorship journey, with a modern approach to spirituality. She supports Teacher Training immersions and leads retreats.
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