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Khinaliq Adventure: Candy Cane Mountains & Culture
4.8
103 Ratings
Baku
Embark on a captivating group tour from Baku to Guba and Khinalug in Azerbaijan. Discover stunning landscapes, ancient villages, and indulge in traditional Azerbaijani cuisine.
Embark on a captivating group tour from Baku to Guba and Khinalug in Azerbaijan. Discover stunning landscapes, ancient villages, and indulge in traditional Azerbaijani cuisine.
Duration:
12 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Gosha Gala Tower - Guests are picked up from central hotels in Baku, excluding those located in the Old City and nearby areas. Visitors staying in these areas should meet at the Double Gates, the main entrance to the Old City (Qosha Qala qapisi).
- Besh Barmag Mountain - Besh Barmag Mountain (Beşbarmaq Dağı), one of Azerbaijan’s most iconic…
- Gosha Gala Tower - Guests are picked up from central hotels in Baku, excluding those located in the Old City and nearby areas. Visitors staying in these areas should meet at the Double Gates, the main entrance to the Old City (Qosha Qala qapisi).
- Besh Barmag Mountain - Besh Barmag Mountain (Beşbarmaq Dağı), one of Azerbaijan’s most iconic natural landmarks, rises majestically near the Caspian Sea, approximately 90 km north of Baku. Its name, meaning “Five Fingers” in Azerbaijani, reflects its distinctive shape, making it a remarkable sight along the highway to Quba. A revered pilgrimage site for centuries, visitors ascend the stone steps to the Khitir Baba shrine, tie colorful ribbons for good fortune, and enjoy sweeping views of the sea and steppe. Easily accessible by car, it is ideal for a brief scenic stop or a light hike with a spiritual ambiance.
- Candy Cane Mountains - The Candy Cane Mountains, located in the Khizi and Siyazan districts of Azerbaijan, are part of the Greater Caucasus mountain range. Named by travel author Mark Elliott in his guidebook ‘Azerbaijan with Excursions to Georgia’, these shale mountains display colors created by groundwater altering the oxidation state of iron compounds in the earth.
- Qirmizi Qasaba - The journey continues to Guba city, nestled in one of Azerbaijan’s most picturesque natural settings. En route to Guba, guests will visit the unique Jewish settlement in the mountains, known as “Caucasian Jerusalem” - the Red Town. This village, home to about 4-5 thousand Jews, features 13 synagogues, two of which are operational, symbolizing pluralism and harmony among different religions in Azerbaijan.
- Qechresh - Qachrash Forest: Enjoy the scenic landscape, perfect for photography and savoring complimentary Azeri tea included in the package.
- Tengealti - Venturing further from Gechresh forest leads to the Gudyalchay canyons, where the road’s steep ascents and descents pass through the gorge’s towering walls. The road, flanked by two mountains and steep cliffs, along with the beautiful forest, creates a charming view of this village.
- Khinalug - Eagle Height: Offers a clear view of eagles soaring in the Northern Caucasus skies.
- Khinaliq - The mountain village of Khinalig is recognized as a UNESCO historical monument of global significance. Its inaccessibility, unique language, distinctive architecture, and culture draw tourists worldwide. Declared an ethnographic reserve in 2007, Khinalig offers sightings of eagles, wild horses, and low-hanging clouds. During the tour, enjoy a full traditional lunch prepared by a local family in Khinaliq village, featuring four homemade dishes that highlight the rich flavors of authentic mountain cuisine.
- Gosha Gala Tower - The tour concludes with a return to the starting point.
- Guba-Khachmaz Region - The journey involves at least 8 hours of travel (round trip).
What's Included
- Professional English or Russian speaking Tour guide service
- Comfortable Transport with AC
- TripAdvisor Experiences brokerage fee
- Entry/Admission - Gosha Gala Tower
- Entry/Admission - State Historical, Architectural and Ethnographic Reserve Khinalig
- Pickup and drop-off service from accommodation (in Baku only)
- Azerbaijani national dishes Lunch served in a local house in Khinalug
- Professional English or Russian speaking Tour guide service
- Comfortable Transport with AC
- TripAdvisor Experiences brokerage fee
- Entry/Admission - Gosha Gala Tower
- Entry/Admission - State Historical, Architectural and Ethnographic Reserve Khinalig
- Pickup and drop-off service from accommodation (in Baku only)
- Azerbaijani national dishes Lunch served in a local house in Khinalug
What's Not Included
- Personal expenses
- The fee for a Soviet off-road vehicle that will transport you to the village. (30azn per person)
- Personal expenses
- The fee for a Soviet off-road vehicle that will transport you to the village. (30azn per person)
Additional Information
This tour stands out due to its remarkable blend of awe-inspiring landscapes, cultural encounters, and thrilling adventures. Participants will be captivated by the breathtaking ‘Candy Cane Mountains,’ and as the journey continues to Khinaliq, they will be enveloped by stunning mountain vistas that are sure to leave a lasting impression. The tour also…
This tour stands out due to its remarkable blend of awe-inspiring landscapes, cultural encounters, and thrilling adventures. Participants will be captivated by the breathtaking ‘Candy Cane Mountains,’ and as the journey continues to Khinaliq, they will be enveloped by stunning mountain vistas that are sure to leave a lasting impression. The tour also offers a unique opportunity to enjoy lunch in a local house-museum, savoring a homemade meal crafted from fresh, natural ingredients, including freshly baked bread. Additionally, the trip to Khinaliq includes an exhilarating off-road adventure, adding an extra layer of excitement to this unforgettable experience.
Location
Nizami metro stansiyası
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.8
(103 Ratings)
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154suhaibc
Oct 29, 2025
Day tour! - This trip was absolutely excellent! Our tour guide, Leyla, was incredibly friendly, kind, and truly dedicated to her job. She brought so much joy to our journey and even helped us capture those special moments along the way.
The views were breathtaking, and the entire journey was both stunning and exciting. One of the highlights was the amazing home-cooked food that was arranged for us — it felt like visiting a living museum! I was fascinated by the old collections that beautifully connected to tribal life and history.
It was an unforgettable experience, and I’m so grateful for Leyla’s warmth and effort in making this trip so memorable. Highly recommended!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Farhad_s
Oct 15, 2025
Best Tour - We had amazing experience with this Tour. Breathing views and having lunch with local villager was super . Our Tour Guide Leyla was great . She explained everything. She speaks perfect English. It is all day tour but Leyla made it so interesting that we did not feel tired or bored . I recommend this tour Special if Leyla be your Guide. She is excellent
Review provided by Viator
Ozrah
Oct 14, 2025
Best experience - That was one of the best tour that we had in Baku. Our tour Guide Layla was wonderful. She explained every step, the tour was all day but she made it very enjoyable. We loved her . She speaks Very good English . Very professional. The food in the village was wonderful, very good experience. We wish we hey Layla for our next tour . The view of the red mountains were breath taking . Over all it was amazing .
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Dharvesh
Sep 25, 2025
Leylas day!! - Very good. Let me mention Layla
And Teymur for helping me
Out. I’ll recommend them 200%
Leyla is a very good guide. She was a friend to us
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Hamza22469
Nov 20, 2024
Amazing - It was second time travelling to Khinaliq village. Leyla made our day unbelievable. Also we appreciate the man who is owner of that house in village. ( Mr Hacibala).
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Benjamin_w
Nov 20, 2024
Layla is the best guide! - Layla is the best tour guide! She was so friendly and fun, really in touch with what young people are looking for in a tour. She was really down to earth and didn't put on a performative tour that many guides tend to do. She was genuine and always truthful. My friend and I had a wonderful experience on our tour to the Candy Cane Mountains, the Red Village of mountain Jews, the forest, and the mountain village of Khinaliq. The ~12 hour tour definitely involved a fair amount of time in the car, but with numerous stops along the way and beautiful scenery throughout the entire ride it didn't feel that long. Although it definitely isn't a tour for those that get car sick easily--the bumpy and windy mountainous roads are long and intense at times. The provided lunch was really lovely, even for a vegetarian like me--everything on the table was vegetarian (pilav, potatoes, bread, cheese, etc) except one meat soup that they replaced with a lentil soup for me. Very accommodating tour. The minivan was a little uncomfortable--my seat was loose and not secured to the base and the car was pretty stuffed to capacity. But it was a busy tourism week and overall a nice ride. Highly recommend taking a tour with Layla!
Review provided by Viator
Eamoncork_ireland
Sep 14, 2024
Traditional Azerbaijani hospitality and a great overview of the country and its history. - We took this trip as a side visit during the 2024 Baku F1 Grand Prix. We wanted to get a feel for the rural culture of Azerbaijan and the trip exceeded our expectations. In great part it was due to the attentiveness and pleas t personality of our guide Leyla. The trip took us through Quba ( Guba) with a short stop in a lovely forested parking area but the highlight was definitely the visit to Khinalug mountain village in the Caucuses, right on the Russian border . We were struck by the remote location and very challenging lives of the people there but the hospitality of the local historian’s family who hosted us for lunch was first class. The trip took just over 12 hrs in part because we had to divert to avoid a washed out bridge but it was all the more exciting as we had to ford a river with 8 pairs of crossed fingers that our van would make it ! . Leyla was very informative and very conscious that on such a long journey people would need lots of breaks and might need special photo opportunity stops as well. Our driver was the other hero of the day - getting us across the river ( not the normal route ) and as we crossed over high peaks on the diversion nurses along an overheating minivan engine . He wasn’t going to give up and completed the full itinerary . Overall it was an excellent experience for all of us ( a lovely sized group of 6 visitor who all got on very well and who’s stories about their lives helped shorten the journey ) . Really recommend this as a way to see the different faces of Azerbaijan and its people.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Daydream54579850948
Sep 14, 2024
A trip to remember - One of the best tours of my azerbaijan trip. Visited amazing and beautiful place with picturesque views that I will remember for a long time. The group that came along was also small and amazing. Each of them have amazing experiences. About our guide Leyla: She was the heart of the trip. She managed everything very well and is really fun to talk to.
All in all: A nice guide, amazing company, amazing locations and amazing food.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Ari_c
Aug 25, 2024
Excellent Interesting and One of a Kind Tour - Excellent tour with one of a kind experience with a very knowledgeable, friendly and courteous guide, Leila.
Leila was very instrumental making the tour interesting, the drive was long and adventurous along with being picturesque. The lunch with the local family was the highlight, learned a lot about their culture and traditions. The drive back got more interesting when the road got covered with clouds, highly, highly, highly recommended and make sure you ask for Leila as your guide.
Review provided by Viator
Viviana_y
Oct 31, 2025
Asked not to leave a negative review so Average it is - The tour changed scheduling, pick up point and itinerary details with less than 24 hours notice before commencement with the reasons varying so can’t be certain which version is correct when trying to accept the differences and disappointment. Best to call before cancellation deadline for most accurate information. Average because the route through mountains and forests, and Xinaliq, are beautiful locations regardless of tour company and we absolutely recommend visiting the area. (We transited through Guba and guide was apologetic for not seeing the sites there, likely resulting from 45 minute stop on roadside due to our broken down vehicle.) Company offered 20% refund.
Review provided by Viator
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