Azerbaijan

Hiking adventures to remote mountain villages

Price

795 USD

Duration

5 Days

Level

easy-moderate

Date

July 14, 2023

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Overview Itinerary Details What’s Included Get Inspired

5 days

795 USD / 245 KWD / 2,945 AED / 3,035 SAR

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Overview

Welcome to the Land of Fire and the Pearl of the Caucasus: a land where the Orient blends beautifully with the West. Azerbaijan is famous for its untouched landscapes, its ancient culture, its old customs and traditions, and its fine cuisine that can satisfy the most sophisticated gastronomists. Above all, it is known for its Caucasian hospitality and the friendliness of its people.

This itinerary offers you the opportunity to explore the country’s mountains and some of its remote villages where time seems to stand still, ending with an exploration of Baku: one of the oldest, continuously inhabited cities in the world.

Trip Highlights:
Get ready to...

Discover Azerbaijan’s untouched natural landscapes: a true paradise for hiking lovers.
Enjoy breathtaking views of the Caucasus Mountains.
Hike up to the beautiful villages of Galeykhudat and Griz.
Enjoy the famous Griz waterfall perched in landscapes of otherworldly beauty.
Relax for a few hours in the Shahdag Mountain Resort.
Stroll in the streets of Baku and enjoy the combination of old and modern architecture.

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Activities: backpacking, cultural sightseeing, hiking/trekking

Itinerary Details

Day 1 (14th July 2023): Arrival at Baku – City tour in Baku by night (D)

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 the evening, you will embark on a relaxing city exploration, enjoying Baku by night. Enjoy this unforgettable city tour and prepare to get inspired by the lights and the numerous decorations.

Dinner at a local restaurant

Accommodation: Austin hotel (4*) or similar.

Day 2 (15th July 2023): Transfer to Galeykhudat village – Hiking towards Khinalig village (B, L, D)

After an early breakfast, you will check-out from the hotel and head towards Guba city (approx. a 3-4-hour drive). Once in Guba (or Quba), you will leave your luggage at the hotel, keep your backpack and continue with the cars towards Galeykhudat: the starting point of your hiking adventure.

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. After lunch at a local house, you will begin your hike to Khinalig village (2350m. altitude).

Khinalig is 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, it has managed to withstand many invasions. It is also home to a 12th-century mosque, a 15th-century mosque, and several ancient cemeteries located in the surrounding mountains.

Late in the afternoon, you will return to Guba for a relaxing evening in the hotel.

Driving distance from Baku to Guba: approx. 3-4 hrs (200km).
Driving distance from Guba to the beginning of the hiking trail: approx. 1 hr (25 km, one-way).
Trekking distance: 9 km.
Trekking time: 3-4hours approx.

Accommodation: Panoramic hotel in Grizdahna

Day 3 (16th July 2023): Hiking to the Griz waterfall (B, L, D)

After an early breakfast, you will drive towards Griz village (12 km distance) in 4x4 cars. The village is located at an altitude of 2050 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.

Once at the village, you will start hiking to the Griz waterfall (2,280 m altitude), which, in winter, gets completely frozen, creating a fairytale-like site. You will hike back to the village for lunch at local house, before driving back to your hotel.

Driving distance from Guba to the beginning of the hiking trail: approx. 30 min (12km; one-way).
Trekking distance: 6 km.
Trekking time: 2-3hours approx.

Accommodation: Panoramic hotel in Grizdahna

Day 4 (17th July 2023): Shahdag Mountain Resort – Return to Baku (B, L, D)

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 its 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 to Baku (approx. a 3-hour drive).
Enjoy the rest of the day exploring the capital of the country at your own pace.

Accommodation: Austin hotel (4*) or similar.

Day 5 (18th July 2023): Baku city tour – Departure (B)

After breakfast, you will check-out from the hotel and will go on a city tour that will include 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 of 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 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.

Notes

This cost is based on Double Occupancy. Single Supplement applies additional.
The cost is based on a group of min 4 people. Rahhalah reserves the right to change the price if the trip runs with fewer participants.
All services stipulated above are subject to availability at the time of booking/reservation. All prices are subject to change.
All accommodation is subject to change to a similar one depending on availability.

The Price Includes:

Airport transfers upon arrival at and departure from Baku.
All private transportation as described in the itinerary.
English-speaking cultural guide and local mountain guide.
Entrance fees to the museums in Baku.
2 night’s accommodation in Baku in a 4* hotel based on double occupancy.
2 night’s accommodation in Quba in a 3* mountain hotel.
Meals as described in the itinerary (B=breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner).
Activities as described in the itinerary.

The Price Excludes:

International airfare.
Airport taxes.
Travel insurance.
Visa fees.
Cost due to an early descent.
Beverages.
Single supplement cost.
Meals not included above.
Optional/additional activities.
Tips and gratuities.
Personal expenses.
PRC test and quarantine expenses, if needed.

Important: The itinerary and schedule are subject to change due to weather, road challenges or operating conditions. At any moment, the guide has the RIGHT to change the program for the safety and convenience of the travelers.

Also, the trip's price does not cover expenses that may occur due to conditions beyond Rahhalah's control (force
majeure). Such cases include but are not limited to extreme weather conditions, flight cancellations or delays, and natural phenomena (earthquakes, volcano eruptions, hurricanes, etc.). We, the Rahhalah team, both in our HQ and on the ground, will do our best to assist you with alternative arrangements (like new accommodation and/or transportation arrangements, revised itinerary and activities etc.), but ALL NEW COSTS incurred because of force majeure are to be covered by the traveler.

We strongly recommend that, before your departure, you purchase travel insurance that covers trip cancellation costs, loss of baggage or personal items, medical emergencies, and other unexpected circumstances that cannot be controlled by Rahhalah or any traveler.