A Guba tour here is just the starting point. From there, the road climbs toward villages that stayed cut off from the world by cliffs for thousands of years, and mountains made of rock in colors so bright it looks like someone painted them for a science fiction film. Two days that often end up on lists of the best azerbaijan tours, because in that short time the country shows three completely different faces — colorful hills, ancient life above the clouds, and a modern ski resort.
Guba Tour: Khinalig and Shahdag Over Two Days
₼160
₼120
Tour Itinerary
Pink Lake
The trip starts early with a drive out of Baku to Pink Lake — one of the few lakes in the world with this unusual shade. The color comes from halophilic algae that release a reddish pigment; depending on the light and salt levels, the shade shifts from soft pink to deep red. Salt has been harvested here by hand for centuries.
The lake isn't visited between August 1 and May 10, when the water loses its color.
The Colorful Mountains of Khizi
Next, the road leads to the mountains of the Khizi region, also known as the Rainbow or Agate Mountains, for their purple, red, and orange slopes that look like striped candy. The scenic road winds through them for several kilometers, and with every turn the view looks like a painting that hasn't quite finished drying.
Beshbarmag Mountain
About a hundred kilometers from Baku, the route passes Beshbarmag Mountain ("Five Fingers") — a place that has held cultural and religious meaning for local people for centuries. There's a stop here with a view of the Greater Caucasus range, plus time to rest and hear a few of the legends from your guide.
Lunch in Guba
Lunch is served in one of Guba's restaurants — dishes from the northern region, rich in flavor and made with local ingredients grown practically a few hills away from the kitchen.
Gechresh Forest
The road then passes through Gechresh Forest — thick tree canopies form a natural tunnel overhead, with a mountain river running alongside as if seeing the car off to the end of the woods. From here, the group switches to 4x4 vehicles for the final stretch to Khinalig.
Gudyalchay Gorge
One of the most striking parts of the trip is a half-hour walk along a gorge carved by the Gudyalchay river. The cliffs rise so high here that at times they seem to block out half the sky, and the sound of the water below drowns out any conversation.
Khinalig Village
A Khinalig tour ends in the highest village in the country — sitting at about 2,500 meters, in a zone of alpine meadows. The houses here are built from river stones, packed so tightly that one roof serves as the neighbor's yard, and locals speak a language found nowhere else on Earth. The village is thought to be around four thousand years old — nearly as old as the first Egyptian pyramids.
Check-in at Quba Macara Village
Instead of driving back to Baku that same day, the group heads to Quba Macara Village for the night — a resort tucked among the mountains, perfect for resting after a full day. This is exactly the kind of experience privat tours in azerbaijan are valued for — no rush to get back, just an evening spent in quiet, surrounded by nature, watching the darkness slowly swallow the mountain silhouettes outside.
Lunch at Gechresh Forest
The next morning, the group is picked up from the hotel and driven back through Gechresh Forest for lunch, right in the same scenic spot from the day before — a fitting place to slow down before the more active part of the trip.
Shahdag Mountain Resort
A Shahdag tour leads to a modern resort surrounded by the grand landscapes of the Caucasus. Here you can ski, snowboard, try tubing or snowmobiling, and ride the cable car for panoramic mountain views — the same peaks that looked distant yesterday now sit right underfoot. In your free time, relax in local cafés, try regional food, or simply enjoy the fresh mountain air.
After Shahdag, the group heads back to the capital — phones full of photos that are hard to explain to friends without saying "you just had to see it." A route like this is one of the richest among tours around the regions of Azerbaijan: in two days, the country delivers pink water, candy-striped mountains, an ancient village above the clouds, and a modern resort — a rare combination for a single trip.
Tour Category:
Day Trips
Group Size:
1-17
Start Time:
07:30
Duration:
2 days
Pickup Location:
Azerbaijan avenue 1/ KFC parking
Transport:
Sedan, Mercedes-Benz Vito,Toyota HiAce,Mercedes-Benz Sprinter
What's Included
- A professional Russian-speaking guide for the whole trip
- Comfortable car or bus
- Guided tour with historical facts along the way
- Photo stops at the main places
- A good mix of driving and walking
What's Not Included
- Personal expenses
- Lunch at the restaurant
- Hotel stay
Note
You need your original passport to check into the hotel.
The route is the same for group and private tours.
The Pink Lake is not part of the trip from August 1 to May 10, because the water loses its pink color in that time.
Part of the road is not paved, so you will change to a 4x4 car. Wear closed, comfortable shoes.
Frequently Asked Questions
An early start helps the group see everything on day one — from Pink Lake to Khinalig — and arrive at the hotel before dark. For private tours, the time can be arranged in advance.
No problem — there's a stop on the way to Pink Lake where you can grab a coffee or tea and something to eat.
A passport or ID card is enough. You'll need it when checking into the hotel at the resort.
Yes, a small amount in AZN is useful for souvenirs and extra costs. Cards aren't accepted everywhere, especially in the mountains.
No, everything is sent electronically — just show it on your phone when you meet your guide.
Yes. If you're only interested in part of the route, check the similar tours section for one-day options (for example, just Guba-Khinalig, or just Shahdag).
Yes, in the evening of day one after checking into the resort — you can rest or take a walk.
In summer, light clothes and something for the sun. In spring or autumn, a warm jacket and comfortable shoes. In winter, warm, waterproof clothing — it can be much colder near Khinalig and Shahdag than in Baku.
No, no special gear is needed — the switch to 4x4 vehicles happens at Gechresh Forest, where local drivers take the group the rest of the way to the village.
No special fitness is needed, but part of the route to Khinalig is on an unpaved road and requires switching to a 4x4. If you have any health conditions, please let your guide know in advance.
Yes, we recommend a bottle of water. There are also stops along the way where you can get a snack.
Both lunches take place at Gechresh Forest, one of the most scenic spots on the route between Guba and Khinalig.
Yes, the route works well for families overall, though the 4x4 transfer to Khinalig is worth keeping in mind for young children.
Not always — in snowy weather, the road can be closed. In that case, the program is adjusted in advance, while day two (Shahdag) stays the same.
Yes, regular stops are planned throughout both days.
Yes, if you're only interested in one region — Guba-Khinalig or Shahdag separately — check the similar tours section for one-day options.
Check the general FAQ section in the site menu for more answers. If you still have questions, contact us through the Contacts section — we usually reply within 24 hours.
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