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To the Roof of Azerbaijan: Guba & Khinalig
Trade the city for the high Caucasus on our Guba & Khinalig day tour from Baku. You'll photograph the striped Candy Cane Mountains of Khizi, stop beneath the cliffs of Beshbarmag, drive through the apple town of Guba, break for lunch in the Gachrash forest, wind up a breathtaking mountain canyon past the Eagle's Peak viewpoint and reach Khinalig — a stone village perched above 2,300 metres that has been inhabited for thousands of years. Travel in a comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle with a guide who shares the region's history in English, Russian or Turkish.
The Candy Cane Mountains of Khizi — First Stop North
An hour out of Baku the landscape turns striped. The Candy Cane Mountains near Khizi are banded in red, cream and ochre — iron-rich clays laid down in layers, then tilted on their side so the hillsides look brushed with colour. We stop at the roadside viewpoint for photographs. It is the most photographed spot on the drive north, and the first sign you have left the coast behind.
Beshbarmag Mountain — A Photo Stop on the Way North
About an hour out of Baku the highway narrows between the sea and a sudden limestone ridge: Beshbarmag, the "Five Finger" mountain, named for the rock fingers on its summit. It is one of the country's oldest pilgrimage sites and the most dramatic landmark on the Baku–Guba road. We pull over for photographs — a roadside stop rather than a climb, so you get the view without spending the morning on it.
Guba — Driving Through the Town of Apples & Carpets
About two hours north of Baku, Guba is famous for its orchards, carpets and shady avenues. We drive through the centre of town, passing the Juma Mosque and Nizami Park while your guide fills in its layered history, then head straight on to the forest at Gachrash. Guba is a drive-through on this route rather than a walking stop — the time on foot is saved for Khinalig itself.
Gachrash Forest — A Lunch Break Under the Beeches
Past Guba the road runs into the cool beech woods of Gachrash, a favourite summer escape for locals. We stop here to eat at a forest restaurant with the river and the trees for company — a proper break before the climb into the high mountains. Lunch is at your own expense, so you order exactly what you fancy.
The Mountain Road to Khinalig
The drive itself is unforgettable. The road climbs through the dramatic Qudyalchay canyon, past sheer cliffs, shepherds' trails and endless mountain panoramas — one of the most scenic routes in the country.
Eagle's Peak — The Eagle Statue Viewpoint
Partway up the mountain road a bronze eagle stands on an outcrop above the valley, wings spread over the gorge. Eagle's Peak is the classic stop on the way to Khinalig, and the panorama from the railing — ridge behind ridge, falling away in every direction — is the photograph most people bring home.
Khinalig — A Village in the Clouds
Finally we reach Khinalig, a UNESCO-listed village clinging to the mountainside above the clouds. With its own ancient language and houses stacked one upon another, it's one of the oldest continuously inhabited places on earth — and the views are simply spectacular.
What's Included
- Comfortable vehicle: Modern, air-conditioned transport for the full day.
- Professional guide: Live commentary in English, Russian and Turkish.
- All driving & sightseeing stops along the route — the Khizi Candy Cane Mountains, Beshbarmag, Guba, the Gachrash forest, Eagle's Peak and Khinalig.
Good to Know
- Duration: Approximately 12 hours (full day).
- Departure point: Azerbaijan Avenue 1, Baku.
- Not included: Lunch at the Gachrash forest restaurant, and any personal expenses.
Plan Your Trip
This Khinalig tour from Baku departs from our central Baku meeting point, with hotel pickup available on private bookings, a comfortable air-conditioned vehicle and an expert English- and Russian-speaking guide. Small groups keep the experience personal, and private departures are available on request. It pairs perfectly with the rest of our catalogue — browse all tours in Azerbaijan or more day trips from Baku. Have a question about the itinerary or pickup time? Our team is happy to help before you book your guba khinalig tour.
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