Stand on the roof of Azerbaijan in one weekend. This Bazarduzu 2-day tour is the direct route to the summit of Mount Bazarduzu (4,466 m), Azerbaijan's highest peak: from Baku to the high camp with an acclimatisation walk on arrival, then a sunrise summit push. All border-zone and national-park permits are arranged for you.

Expedition highlights

  • Summit of Mount Bazarduzu (4,466 m) — the highest point in Azerbaijan, on the Greater Caucasus watershed, with Zafar Peak as a bonus for strong groups.
  • Khinalig village (2,350 m) — pass through one of Europe's highest inhabited villages, the gateway to the national park.
  • Shahdag National Park — a 4x4 crossing of the wild Shahyaylag plateau that few travellers ever see.
  • High camp at 3,250 m — a night in the mountains under the summit ridge, above the clouds.
  • Small rope of climbers — one certified mountain guide per group, summit certificate included.
  • Permits handled — Bazarduzu sits in a border zone; we arrange the State Border Service, national park and MES (rescue service) permits for you.
Bazarduzu 2-day tour — sunrise summit push on the 4,466 m ridge
Summit morning on Mount Bazarduzu — the roof of Azerbaijan (4,466 m)

2-day itinerary

Day 1 — Baku → Khinalig → Shahyaylag plateau → high camp (3,250 m)

We leave Baku early and drive north — about three hours to the Guba region, then up the canyon road to Khinalig, one of Europe's highest inhabited villages and the gateway to Shahdag National Park. From Khinalig we transfer to 4x4 vehicles across the Shahyaylag plateau to about 2,900 m, then shoulder our packs and hike roughly two hours to the mountain shelter at 3,250 m, with a short acclimatisation walk to 3,400 m before dinner. Night in tents at the high camp.

Khinalig village at 2,350 m — the gateway to Shahdag National Park on the Bazarduzu 2-day tour
Khinalig, one of Europe's highest villages and the gateway to the national park

Day 2 — summit day → return to Baku

Alpine start at 04:00. The ascent to the summit of Bazarduzu takes six to seven hours at a steady pace; on a clear morning you can see deep into both Azerbaijan and the Russian Caucasus. Strong groups add the one-hour climb to Zafar Peak. We descend in three to four hours and drive back to Baku the same evening — summit certificate in hand.

Bazarduzu 2-day tour camp at 3,250 m on the Shahyaylag plateau, Shahdag National Park
Camp at 3,250 m above the Shahyaylag plateau — home for the night before the summit

What's included

  • Professional mountain guide and route instruction
  • Transport Baku – Khinalig – Baku, and the Khinalig – Shahyaylag 4x4 offroad transfer
  • All authority permits: State Border Service, Shahdag National Park and Ministry of Emergency Situations registration
  • Summit certificate

Not included

  • Shahdag National Park entry tickets
  • Tents, sleeping mats and personal mountaineering equipment (rental can be arranged in Baku)
  • Food and drinks (your guide helps you stock up in Khinalig)

Fitness & gear

This is a non-technical but demanding trek: no ropes or crampons in the summer season, but you'll want solid fitness for a 6–7 hour ascent above 4,000 m. Bring a 60–70 L backpack, broken-in mountain boots, a waterproof insulated shell, a warm sleeping bag, trekking poles, a headlamp and thermal base layers. Want a warm-up first? Try our Garanohur Lake forest hike a few days before.

Good to know

  • Season: June – September (the safe snow-free window; other months on request for experienced groups).
  • Duration: 2 days / 1 night, round trip from Baku.
  • Group: private group of 1–5 climbers; larger groups on request.
  • Difficulty: hard — the pace is steady and the summit day is long.
  • Permits: passport details required at least 5 days before departure.
  • Cancellation: free up to 72 hours before the start; weather-related date changes are always free.

Plan your expedition

Not sure which version suits you? Compare it with the full 3-day Bazarduzu expedition, browse all our Azerbaijan hiking tours, or visit the region without the climb on the Guba & Khinalig day tour. Ready to stand on Azerbaijan's highest point? Pick your dates and book your Bazarduzu 2-day tour — summer weekends fill up first.

Questions before you book? Tap the green WhatsApp button — our Baku team replies within minutes.