From Damascus to Ez-Zebedânî via Helbûn. Starting from the Bâb Tâmâ (p. 360) we follow the Aleppo road and diverge from it to the left after 11 minutes. After 9 min. we avoid a path to the left, and after 14 min. emerge from among the gardens. About 1/4 hr. to the right is the village of Kâbûn. We reach (20 min.) the village of Berzeh. A Muslim legend makes this the birthplace of Abraham, or at least the point to which he and his servants penetrated in this direction (Gen. xiv. 15). Here we turn to the left, and in 8 min. reach the entrance of a gorge. In 33 min. we quit the ravine and cross abridge. After 6 min. we see the village of Ma'rabâ on the hill to the left. Ascending the course of the principal stream, we reach (1 1/2 hr.) `Ain es-Sâhib, and (40 min.) Helbûn (see below).

A pleasant digression may be made from Ma'rabâ through the sidevalley to the N. via (27 min.) Herneh (on the left) and (13 min.) the village of Et-Teli, to (1 hr.) the Muslim village of Menin. The rocky slope by the spring beyond the village affords a good resting-place.  On the E. hill (ascent of 1/4 HR.) are the remains of ancient buildings and rock-chambers.  In front of these caverns, which were probably also used for religious purposes, are seen the remains of a temple. The view embraces part of Anti-Libanus, and also, through a gap in the bare rocks, a portion of the Ghûta (p. 344), stretching as far as the Haurân Mts. — The road from Menîn to Helbûn leads to the W-S-W. After 40 min. we descend into the Wâdi Derêj (Helbûn), and in 12 min. more we reach the path which ascends direct from Ma'rabâ near 'Ain es-Sâhib (see above).

Helbûn. — Ezekiel (xxvii. 18) mentions Helbon as the place whence Tyre obtained her wine through the agency of the merchants of Damascus, and this appears to agree with the statement of Strabo (and Athenæus) that the kings of Persia imported their wine from Chalybon. The country is admirably adapted for the culture of the vine, the valley being bounded by vast slopes of fine chalky rubble. Some of these are still covered with vines, but the grapes are now all dried to form raisins. The village is Muslim. Fragments of columns and ancient hewn stones are built into the houses and garden-walls. The mosque in the middle of the village is recognisable by its old tower; in front of it is a kind of colonnade, with columns composed of numerous fragments of stone. A copious spring wells forth from below the mosqué into a basin. Fragments of Greek inscriptions are to be found here.

Beyond Helbûn the path ascends the left side of the valley. After 22 min. we see caverns resembling tombs on the hill to the left, and then descend to the abundant spring 'Ain Fakhûhk (4 min.). Our route follows the main valley, avoiding a path to the right, traverses plantations of sumach (Rhus coriaria), and reaches (26 min.) a bifurcation, where we ascend to the right. After 43 min. we obtain a survey of the plain of Damascus, and in 17 min. descend into a valley, the bottom of which is cultivated (26 min.). The road again ascends to the right, and reaches (24 min.) a small table-land. After 17 min. we descend to the village of Blûdân (4847 ft. above the sea-level), whence we reach Ez-Zebedâni in 40 min., or the Ba'albek road, to the N., in 1 hr.