
The Narimankend Caves and the Sundu Waterfall — a Private Day from Baku
- 8 hours
- Private option available
From ₼ 170 ₼ 145
The old capital, a hillside of domed tombs and the green foothills of the Greater Caucasus — the whole northern road in one long day.
Gabala is 225 km from Baku, which is too far for a comfortable half-day and exactly right for a long one. The road passes through Shamakhi, so the day picks up two very different places: a capital that kept being flattened by earthquakes, and a resort town under the tree line.
For six centuries this was the seat of the Shirvanshahs, and it has been destroyed and rebuilt more times than any other town in the country. The Juma mosque here is one of the oldest in the Caucasus. Just outside it stands Yeddi Gumbez — the seven domes — a group of stone mausoleums for the last khans, roofless now and standing in open grass.
After Shamakhi the landscape changes quickly. Vineyards give way to hazelnut orchards, and the Greater Caucasus ridge comes into view on the right and stays there. This is the stretch of the day people remember.
The town itself is modern; what people come for is around it — the ridge, the lakes, the cable car up to Tufandag, and the old village of Nij nearby. Which of these fits depends on the season and the light, so the guide sets the last part of the day when you get there rather than promising it in advance.
Twelve hours, of which five or six are driving. It is a full day and it suits people who would rather see the country than only the capital. Groups are capped at 18; the same trip can be booked privately for your own party.
Where else this road goes: Sheki from Baku: The Khan's Palace, the Caravanserai and the Silk Road, or Lahij from Baku: A Copper Village Above the Girdiman Gorge. Everything we run is on the day trips page.
Getting there on your own: 225 km from Baku by road. How to Get from Baku to Gabala compares a car with a driver, the intercity bus and a guided day.
More on this area: Gabala Day Trip from Baku · Shamakhi Day Trips from Baku · Day Trips from Baku
The plain flattens out and then starts climbing. Roughly two hours to the first stop.
The old capital of Shirvan, and a mosque founded in the eighth century — rebuilt after each of the earthquakes that kept levelling the town.
Seven domed tombs of the Shamakhi khans on a slope above the road. Ten minutes on foot, and the best view back over the valley.
A stop somewhere between the two towns. Not included in the price — pay for what you order.
The afternoon in the foothills: the ridge, the lakes and whichever of the local sites the season favours.
Two and a half to three hours, arriving in the evening.
1 Azerbaijan Avenue, Baku (parking)

From ₼ 170 ₼ 145


Absheron
5 (1)
From ₼ 110 ₼ 95

Baku
From ₼ 120 ₼ 100
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We had a wonderful day on the Gabala and Shamakhi tour. Everything was well organized, from the pickup to the different places we visited. We really enjoyed seeing the beautiful landscapes around Gabala, especially the mountains and nature. Shamakhi was also very interesting and added a nice historical side to the trip. The whole day was comfortable and enjoyable, and the service was excellent. We would definitely recommend this agency to anyone visiting Azerbaijan and looking for a good day trip from Baku.