Alpacas in Azerbaijan: Meet the Herd Near Baku

Did you know Azerbaijan has its own herd of alpacas? Tucked into the countryside near Shamakhi, a small working farm has become one of the most unusual — and most photographed — stops for visitors exploring the Caucasus.

What Is an Alpaca Doing in Azerbaijan?

Alpacas are native to the high plains of South America, close relatives of llamas, prized worldwide for their famously soft fleece and famously gentle temperament. Alpaca farms have become a popular stop on the agritourism trail everywhere from Europe to New Zealand over the past two decades, and Azerbaijan now has its own small herd doing exactly the same job: giving visitors — especially families — a chance to get close to an animal most people have only ever seen in photos.

Inside the Shamakhi Alpaca Farm

The farm sits in the Shamakhi region, a little over an hour from Baku, and welcomes visitors throughout the week. A farm guide leads every group through a short introduction to the alpacas — their habits, what they're known for, and why the farm keeps them — before handing out grass and hay so visitors can feed the herd by hand. Kids leave with a certificate marking the visit, and everyone leaves with more photos than they planned on taking.

Planning Your Visit

Visits run in private groups only, with a dedicated car and driver from Baku — there's no joining a shared bus tour. Transport is included in the price; the farm's own entrance ticket is paid separately on arrival. The farm is open Tuesday to Sunday (closed Mondays), and advance booking is required for every visit since group sizes are kept small.

Tourister runs the Alpaca Farm Tour from Baku as a private half-day trip, or you can combine it with a fuller look at the region on the Shamakhi tours page.

More to See Near Shamakhi

Shamakhi itself is one of Azerbaijan's oldest towns, home to the historic Juma Mosque, and sits on the road toward the mountains and waterfalls of Gabala — see our Gabala & Shamakhi Day Tour for a fuller day out, or browse all tours in Azerbaijan. Planning a wider trip around the Caucasus? ExplorerBulletin's Azerbaijan country guide is a useful companion read.

Book with confidence: cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start, and confirmation is instant. Questions first? Tap the green WhatsApp button — our Baku team replies within minutes.