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Lahij · History
Lahij from Baku: A Copper Village Above the Girdiman Gorge
- About 9 hours
5 (1)
From ₼ 90 ₼ 75
Shahdag and the Candy Cane Mountains — Day Trip from Baku
Hills striped red and white like sticks of rock, then the road up to a ski resort that runs all summer.
- 5.0 1 review
- 12 hours
- Max 18
- English, Russian, Turkish
- Duration12 hours
- Live tour guideEnglish, Russian, Turkish
- GroupPrivate tour
Highlights
- Out of Baku
- The candy cane hills at Khizi
- Quba
- Shahdag
- Back to Baku
Overview
The northern road has one feature nobody expects: a stretch near Khizi where the hillsides are banded in red, white and grey, laid down horizontally and cut open by erosion. They are known locally as the candy cane mountains, and they are the reason this day starts early.
Khizi and the striped hills
About 100 km from Baku the ground changes colour. The bands are iron-rich clays and marls, and they run for several kilometres either side of the road. There is nowhere to buy a ticket and nothing to queue for — the stop is the landscape.
Quba
Further north the orchards start. Quba is the centre of the apple trade and a reasonable place to break the day, with a covered market and a river gorge behind the town.
Shahdag
The resort sits at around 1,400 metres under the peak that gives it its name. In winter it is the country's main ski area; the rest of the year the lifts run for walkers and the meadows are the point. Whether the day includes a lift depends on the season and the weather, and the guide will say so on the spot rather than in advance.
What the day is like
Twelve hours, about six of them driving, on good road the whole way. It suits people who want mountains without a hike, and it is the cheapest of our full-day mountain trips.
Where else this road goes: Khinalig and Quba: A Day in the High Caucasus from Baku, or Gabala and Shamakhi in One Day from Baku. Everything we run is on the day trips page.
Getting there on your own: 200 km from Baku by road. How to Get from Baku to Shahdag compares a car with a driver, the intercity bus and a guided day.
- Duration
- 12 hours
- Max Group Size
- Group of up to 18
- Language
- English, Russian, Turkish
- Pickup
- Azerbaijan Avenue 1, Baku (parking)
More on this area: Khizi Day Trips from Baku · Shahdag Day Trip from Baku (via Khizi) · Day Trips from Baku · Adventure & Off-Road Tours from Baku
Itinerary
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Out of Baku
North along the coast, then inland. The first stop is about an hour and a half away.
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The candy cane hills at Khizi
Banded red and white slopes on both sides of the road. A short stop, and the one people photograph most.
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Quba
A break in the apple country — the market, the river gorge, and somewhere to eat.
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Shahdag
Up to the resort at around 1,400 m. Time to walk, and a lift where the season allows it.
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Back to Baku
Three hours down the same road, arriving in the evening.
Meeting point
Azerbaijan Avenue 1, Baku (parking)
Frequently asked questions
What are the candy cane mountains?
Hills near Khizi where layers of red, white and grey clay lie in horizontal bands. Erosion has cut them open, so the stripes read like a pattern from the road.
Is Shahdag only for skiing?
No. The resort is busiest in winter, but the lifts and the meadows are open in summer and the day works in either season.
How long is the driving?
About six hours in total, on asphalt the whole way. The full day is twelve hours.
Is anything included beyond transport and the guide?
Lift tickets, entrance fees and meals are paid on the spot. We will tell you what each one costs before you decide.
Is it suitable for older travellers?
Yes — the stops are short and none of them requires a climb. It is a long day in a vehicle, which is the only real demand it makes.
How long does the Shahdag tour take?
The tour takes approximately 12 hours.
Where does the tour depart from?
The tour departs from Azerbaijan Avenue 1, Baku (parking).
What languages is the tour available in?
The tour is available in English, Russian, Turkish.
How much does the tour cost?
Pricing starts at ₼ 49 per person. The final price depends on your group size and the date you choose.
How do I book this tour?
You can book directly on this page — choose your date and number of travellers and confirm. Our team will then reach out to confirm the details.
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Reviews
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5.0
· 1 review
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SSarah · Oviedo, Spain
We had a great experience with this agency and really enjoyed the Shahdag and Khizi tour. Everything was well organized from start to finish, communication was easy, and the whole day was very enjoyable. The places we visited were beautiful, and the tour was a great way to see some of the landscapes around Baku. We were happy with the service and would definitely recommend this agency to anyone looking for a well-organized day trip from Baku.
