Azerbaijan trip

Upon your arrival at the Baku International Airport (GYD), you will be welcomed by a Rahhalah representative, and will be transferred to your hotel. Later in evening, you will embark on a relaxing city exploration, enjoying Baku by night. Relax in this unforgettable city tour and prepared to get inspired by the lights and the numerous decorations. Dinner at the hotel. Accommodation: Qafqaz Baku city hotel 4* or similar.

After breakfast, you will check-out from the hotel and head towards Guba city (approx. a 3-4-hour drive). On the way, you will enjoy a tea break at Qechresh village in the forest. Later, you will arrive at Khinalig village: one of the oldest continuously inhabited places in the world, with a history of over 5,000 years. Perched at a high altitude and quite far from other settlements, Khinalig managed to withstand many invasions. It is also home to a 12th-century mosque, a 15th-century mosque, and several ancient cemeteries located among the mountains. From Khinalig, you will begin your hike to Galeykhudat village. Galeykhudat is situated at the foothill of Gizilgaya Plateau`s steep rocks, at an altitude of 2200m. It is the only village in the broader area inhabited by Azerbaijani Turks. Driving distance: 200km/approx. 3-4hours. Trekking route: Khinalig village (2120 m) to Qaleykhudat village (2200+ m). Trekking distance: 10 km. Accommodation: Local guest house.

After an early breakfast, you will begin your hike towards Griz village (12 km distance), located at an altitude of 2000 m and surrounded on the one side by the steep deep canyon of Gudyalchay and on the other side by the steep rocky slopes of Gizilgaya. The people of the village are Giriz and belong to the Shahdag branch of the Lezgi language group. On the way, you will enjoy beautiful views of the Caucasus mountains and you will stop several times to take photos of the surrounding landscape. After lunch, you will hike to the Griz waterfall, which, in winter, gets completely frozen, creating a fairytale-like site. (3 km to go and 3 km to come back). Trekking route: Qaleykhudat village (2200+ m) to Griz village (2300m); Griz village to Griz waterfall. Trekking distance: 12 km & 6 km Accommodation: Local guest house.

After breakfast, you will drive to the Shahdag Mountain Resort (approx. a 1-hour drive). The resort is named after Mount Shahdag (altitude: 4243 m.), a peak of the Greater Caucasus range, located 29 km from Gusar city, Azerbaijan. With is ancient glaciers, deep valleys, stunning mountain lakes and canyons, plants and animals, Shahdag is a natural treasure attracting more and more tourists from around the world. Once in the resort, you may wish to engage in any of the several summer activities offered, like quad tours, bobkard, tandem paragliding flights, horse riding, zip-line, etc In the afternoon, you will drive towards Guba city for lunch before continuing all the way to Baku (approx. a 3-hour drive). Enjoy the rest of the day exploring the capital of the country at your own pace. Accommodation: Qafqaz Baku city hotel 4* or similar.

After breakfast, you will check-out from the hotel and will go on a Baku city tour from the Highland Park and the Alley of Martyrs. Highland Park is located on a hill in the western part of the city and allows beautiful views on Baku Bay. The architecture of the capital is eclectic, meaning, it is a combination of different styles and influences such as baroque, classical and modern architecture, both Eastern and Western. The tour will take you through downtown, highlighting the most interesting historical and architectural sights, including the Flag Square, the House of Government, the Philharmonic Theatre named after M. Magomayev, the Baku Mayor`s office and the "Governor`s garden." Then, you will continue towards the "Old City" that had preserved its old walls and narrow cobbled streets and has become the backstage of many Soviet-time movies. You will see the main attractions of the Old City, including the Palace of the Shirvan Shahs (XV cent), the symbol of the city - Maiden Tower, Karavansarays, mosques etc. Later, and depending on your departure details, you will be transferred to the international airport for your flight back home. Note: it is recommended that you book evening flights.