Overview
12–21 June 2027 · Fixed group departure
Price: $1,950 per person
Deposit: $150 per person
Group size: 5–10 people
Ten days, two halves. First we hike from village to village through the Greater Caucasus: Haput, Khinalig, Galaykhudat, Griz, Laza, Yergi Kek, Elik, Gher and Kuzun. These are places where people still move their flocks up to the summer pastures, and where some villages have a language of their own. We cross high passes, summit Gizilgaya, walk the rim of the Gudyalchay Canyon and sleep in family guesthouses, with dinner cooked by our hosts.
Your luggage is delivered by car between overnight stops, so on the trail you only carry a daypack.
Then we come down to the lowlands for four days: the rock art of Gobustan and the mud volcanoes, the fire sites of the Absheron Peninsula, the old Shirvan region and Basgal, the stone streets of Lahij, a cable car above Gabala, the Udi village of Nij and finally Sheki, one of the old Silk Road towns.
This is a fixed departure for 5 to 10 people. It’s made for solo travelers, couples and friends who’d like to join a small group rather than book a whole private trip.
Book on WhatsAppHighlights
- Six hiking days in the Greater Caucasus, with luggage delivery throughout
- The old trail from Haput over the pass to Khinalig
- Summit day on Gizilgaya, with an easier option to stop at the plateau below the top
- Nights in Khinalig, Griz, Laza and Yergi Kek, some of the highest villages in Azerbaijan
- Views of Shahdag, Tufandag, Gizilgaya and the high Caucasus ridges
- Gudyalchay Canyon, Gur-Gur Waterfall and the waterfalls of Laza
- Gobustan rock art and the mud volcanoes
- Bibiheybat Mosque, Ateshgah Fire Temple, Yanar Dag and the Heydar Aliyev Center
- Diri Baba Mausoleum and the Kalakhana tombs
- A kelaghayi silk-scarf workshop in Basgal
- The old craft village of Lahij
- Tufandag cable car and a visit with wine tasting at Savalan winery
- Nij village and its Albanian church
- Sheki: the Khan's Palace, a shebeke workshop and the old caravanserai
Itinerary
Six days of village-to-village hiking in the Greater Caucasus, then four days of culture from Gobustan to Sheki. 12–21 June 2027.
We meet at 07:00 in front of Nizami Metro Station in central Baku and drive north towards the Greater Caucasus. On the way we stop at the striped red-and-white hills known as the Candy Cane Mountains, then continue into the Guba region.
In Jek village we switch to local UAZ/Lada Niva 4x4s. The last stretch to Haput is about 30 minutes along the riverbed, and it's part of the fun. The people of Haput are one of the small ethnic groups of these mountains, with a language of their own. We have lunch here with a local family, then start walking.
The first two hours or so are mostly uphill to the pass. From the top the view opens up towards Khinalig and the peaks around it: Tufandag, Shahdag and Gizilgaya. We drop down to the Gudyalchay River, wade across, and finish with a short climb into the old part of Khinalig. Dinner and overnight at a family guesthouse.
Hiking: about 9 km, around 5 hours
Overnight: family guesthouse, Khinalig
Meals: lunch, dinner
Transport: minivan, then local 4x4 (UAZ or Lada Niva)
After breakfast, a 30-minute 4x4 ride takes us to the trailhead at about 2,600 m. From here it's roughly four hours up to the top of Gizilgaya, with the high Greater Caucasus opening up around us. On a clear day you can see several of Azerbaijan's 4,000-meter peaks from the summit. Lunch is a packed meal from our hosts.
If you'd rather not go all the way, you can stop at the high plateau below the summit, enjoy the views and wait there for the group. The descent back to the cars takes about 3.5 hours.
Back in Khinalig we rest for a while, then walk through the village: its narrow lanes, stone houses stacked up the hillside, the local museum and the mosque. People here speak Khinalug, a language found nowhere else. Second night at the same guesthouse.
Hiking: about 14 km, 7.5–8 hours
Start: about 2,600 m
Overnight: family guesthouse, Khinalig
Meals: breakfast, lunch (packed), dinner
Transport: local 4x4
Today is the longest day of the trip, about 20 km from Khinalig to Griz. The first part follows an old vehicle track and is easy going. After about three hours we reach Galaykhudat, where we stop for lunch and tea.
From there we follow the old route locals call Kokosh, dropping into the valley and then climbing to the edge of the Gudyalchay Canyon, one of the deepest in Azerbaijan. We follow the canyon towards Griz and stop at Gur-Gur Waterfall on the way.
In Griz we have tea and a well-earned rest. The people of Griz also have their own language, different from the villages around them. Later we take an easy walk past the old village cemetery to the Eagle Statue viewpoint, looking over the mountains and the canyon. Dinner and overnight with a local family.
Hiking: about 20 km, 8–9 hours
Overnight: family guesthouse, Griz
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
A 20-minute 4x4 ride takes us to the start of today's walk. We hike towards Laza along the eastern slopes of Gizilgaya, through summer grazing land where shepherds bring their flocks every year.
We stop for a picnic lunch and tea with a view of Shahdag (4,243 m), the third-highest peak in Azerbaijan after Bazarduzu and Zafar. The last section drops into Laza, a small village beside the Gusarchay River under steep rock walls.
After tea at the guesthouse we take an easy walk to the Twin Waterfalls and the Suvar area. Dinner and overnight in Laza.
Hiking: about 13 km, around 5 hours
Overnight: family guesthouse, Laza
Meals: breakfast, lunch (packed), dinner
Transport: short local 4x4 ride
From Laza we climb steadily towards Yergi Kek, one of the highest villages in Azerbaijan. After about two hours and 4 km we reach a viewpoint over Laza and the cliffs around it, then walk roughly 3 km more to the village.
Lunch is at a village guesthouse, followed by some rest. In the afternoon we walk up to a nearby hilltop viewpoint and back, about 6 km. Dinner and overnight in Yergi Kek.
Hiking: about 13 km in total, around 5 hours
Overnight: family guesthouse, Yergi Kek
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
We leave Yergi Kek and walk about 6 km to Elik and Gher, two small villages in the Shahdag area that few visitors ever reach. Lunch is in Gher.
The last stretch to Kuzun is about 10 km, mostly downhill, around four hours. In Kuzun we have dinner at a local house, then meet our minivan for the drive back to Baku. Overnight at a 3-star boutique hotel in the city center.
Hiking: about 16 km, 6–7 hours
Overnight: 3-star boutique hotel, Baku (twin rooms)
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
After breakfast we drive south to Gobustan. The rock-art reserve holds thousands of engravings of people, animals and boats, carved over many thousands of years. Then we head out into the semi-desert to the mud volcanoes, small cones that bubble and spill cold grey mud.
Lunch is at a seaside restaurant on the Caspian coast, followed by a stop at Bibiheybat Mosque. On the Absheron Peninsula we visit Ateshgah Fire Temple and learn about the region's long link with natural fire, then Yanar Dag, a hillside where gas seeping from the ground has kept a fire burning for decades.
On the way back we stop at the Heydar Aliyev Center for its flowing white architecture. Dinner at a restaurant serving Azerbaijani food, then back to the hotel.
Overnight: 3-star boutique hotel, Baku (twin rooms)
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
We leave Baku westwards for the old Shirvan region. First stop is Diri Baba Mausoleum, a 15th-century tomb built into a cliff near Maraza. Then the Kalakhana tombs, a group of old mausoleums linked to the rulers of medieval Shamakhi.
In Basgal we have lunch and visit a kelaghayi workshop to see how the traditional silk headscarves are made, from preparing the silk to printing the patterns. On the way to Lahij we stop at the old Zarnava Bridge.
In Lahij we walk the stone-paved streets of the old village, known for its coppersmiths and craft workshops. Dinner is cooked by our host family. Overnight in a Lahij guesthouse.
Overnight: family guesthouse, Lahij (twin rooms)
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
We drive to Tufandag Mountain Resort near Gabala and ride the cable car up for a wide view over the southern slopes of the Greater Caucasus. Next is Savalan winery for a guided visit and a tasting of local wines with snacks.
Lunch is on the road: fresh qutab, thin stuffed flatbreads cooked by local women. In the afternoon we visit Nij, home of the Udi community, and one of its old Albanian churches, where we learn about the Christian heritage of Caucasian Albania.
We reach Sheki in the evening. Dinner at a local restaurant, overnight at a boutique hotel.
Overnight: boutique hotel, Sheki (twin rooms)
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Included: Savalan winery visit and wine tasting
We spend the morning in Sheki. The Palace of the Sheki Khans is famous for its painted walls and shebeke windows. We then visit a shebeke workshop to see how the windows are made from small pieces of wood and colored glass, fitted together without nails or glue. Next is the Sheki Museum of History and Local Lore, recently restored, which tells the town's story from early finds to its silk trade.
We walk down the old main street to the Upper Caravanserai, where merchants on the Silk Road once stayed, and have lunch in town. Then it's about six hours back to Baku, with breaks on the way. The trip ends at Nizami Metro Station in the evening.
Meals: breakfast, lunch
Finish: Nizami Metro Station, Baku, in the evening
Difficulty: Moderate to difficult (3/5)
This trip suits active people with good fitness who are happy to hike several days in a row in the mountains. On the hiking days, expect:
- 9–20 km and 4–9 hours of walking a day
- long uphill and downhill sections
- uneven mountain trails
- river crossings on foot
- one summit day
- weather that can change quickly
We strongly recommend some previous multi-day hiking. You don’t need any climbing or technical experience. On the Gizilgaya day you can stop at the plateau below the summit and wait for the group there.
What's included
Included
- 9 nights' accommodation
- All transport in the program, including local 4x4s
- Luggage delivery on the hiking days
- Professional English-speaking guide(s) during the tour
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner as listed, including packed lunches
- Drinking water during the trip
- Entrance fees for all sights in the program
- Tufandag cable car ticket
- Savalan winery visit and wine tasting
- National park and local permits
- Planning and on-the-ground support from our team
Not included
- International flights
- Azerbaijan visa or e-visa
- Accommodation before 12 June or from 21 June onwards (outside tour dates)
- Airport transfers (possible to book as extra)
- Extra sightseeing in Baku outside the program (possible to book as extra)
- Travel and medical insurance
- Personal hiking gear (possible to book as extra)
- Alcoholic drinks, apart from the wine tasting at Savalan
- Personal expenses
- Single or private room supplement (possible to book as extra)
- Tips for guides and drivers
Price & booking
12–21 June 2027
Price: $1,950 per person
Deposit: $150 per person
Group size: 5–10 people
A $150 deposit holds your place while the group forms. It’s taken off the total price.
When 5 people have paid a deposit, we ask everyone to pay the remaining balance within 7 days. The trip is confirmed once at least 5 people have paid in full.
Group confirmation deadline: 11 April 2027
If the group hasn’t reached 5 people by this date, the trip doesn’t run and we refund your deposit in full. Once the trip is confirmed, others can still join while places remain.
Cancellation
If you cancel before the trip is confirmed, the $150 deposit is non-refundable.
After full payment:
- more than 90 days before departure: 80% refund
- 61–90 days before: 60% refund
- 31–60 days before: 30% refund
- 30 days or less: no refund
You can pass your place to someone else where possible, depending on availability, permits and any actual change costs.
Our full booking and cancellation conditions for fixed group departures apply.
Book on WhatsAppTrip facts
Key facts
- Dates: Saturday 12 June to Monday 21 June 2027
- Duration: 10 days / 9 nights
- Type: Fixed group departure
- Price: $1,950 per person
- Deposit: $150 per person
- Group size: Minimum 5, maximum 10
- Meeting point: In front of Nizami Metro Station, Baku, at 07:00 on Saturday 12 June 2027
- Finish: Nizami Metro Station, Baku, in the evening of Monday 21 June 2027
- Difficulty: Moderate to difficult (3/5)
- Guides: Professional English-speaking guide(s) during the tour
- Luggage: Main bag delivered between stops; you carry a daypack
- Accommodation: Family guesthouses in the mountains, boutique hotels in Baku and Sheki
- Rooms: Twin-share where available
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner as listed for each day
- Group confirmation deadline: 11 April 2027
Where you’ll stay
In the mountains we stay with local families in village guesthouses. In Baku and Sheki we use comfortable boutique hotels.
- Khinalig: family guesthouse – 2 nights
- Griz: family guesthouse – 1 night
- Laza: family guesthouse – 1 night
- Yergi Kek: family guesthouse – 1 night
- Baku: 3-star boutique hotel – 2 nights
- Lahij: family guesthouse – 1 night
- Sheki: boutique hotel – 1 night
Village guesthouses are simple, and rooms vary from house to house.
Private and single rooms
A private or single room is available for an extra fee, when rooms allow. We can usually arrange one in Khinalig, Laza, Baku, Lahij and Sheki. In Griz and Yergi Kek the houses are small, so we can’t promise one there. The same applies to couples who’d like a room of their own.
Food
Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included as listed for each day. In the mountains most meals are home-cooked by the families we stay with. Lunches are at guesthouses, local restaurants, or packed for the trail.
Vegetarian meals are fine with advance notice. If you have any allergies or dietary restrictions, please contact us before booking so we can tell you honestly what’s possible in remote villages.
Getting around
All transport in the program is included: a comfortable minivan on the main roads, and local UAZ or Lada Niva 4x4s in the mountains. Some mountain roads are rough, which is part of reaching these villages.
Luggage delivery
Your main luggage/bag travels by car between overnight stops during the hiking days. On the trail you only carry a small daypack with water, layers and snacks.
Meeting point and arrival
We meet in front of Nizami Metro Station, Baku, at 07:00 on Saturday 12 June 2027.
Please arrive in Baku at least one day before. We leave early on the first morning, so the group can’t wait for flights landing that day.
End of the trip and flights home
We’re back in Baku in the evening of Monday 21 June 2027. Flights leaving after midnight, in the early hours of 22 June, can work. Message us before you book a flight for the night of 21/22 June and we’ll tell you if the timing is comfortable.
Before or after the trip
We can arrange more before or after the group dates:
- airport transfers
- extra hotel arrangements
- a private Baku city tour
- private trips from Baku (hiking or cultural)
- extra summit climbs (Bazarduzu, Shahdag, Tufandag etc.)
What to bring
Pack for summer hiking and for cold, wet weather up high. Even in June it can be much colder on the passes than in the valleys.
- waterproof hiking boots with good grip
- small daypack
- waterproof jacket and light waterproof pants
- raincoat
- fleece, light down or warm mid-layer
- warm hat and gloves
- sun hat, sunglasses and sunscreen
- gaiters (for Gizilgaya day)
- trekking poles
- reusable water bottle
- headlamp
- small first-aid kit and personal medication
- spare hiking socks
- comfortable clothes for the evenings
- comfortable shoes for the sightseeing days
- Power bank and EU travel adapter
We’ll send a full packing list before the trip.
Safety & Disclaimer
Traveling as a group
This is a small fixed-date group. People join from different countries, on their own, as couples or with friends. Once at least 5 people have paid in full, we mark the departure as Confirmed.
Mountains and weather
Much of this trip takes place in a remote, high mountain area. The weather can change quickly, even in June. Heavy rain, thunderstorms, hail, strong wind, fog, and snow on the highest sections are all possible. After heavy rain, rivers can rise and become unsafe to cross, and mountain roads can be blocked by mud, landslides or rockfall.
Changes to the plan
Your safety comes first. Your guide may change the route, the daily timings or the order of the days, shorten a hike, use a vehicle instead of walking, or cancel a section, because of:
- weather and forecasts
- trail, river and road conditions
- the group’s pace, fitness or health
- national park or local restrictions
- any other safety concern
The guide’s decision on the day is final. Reaching the Gizilgaya summit is never guaranteed and always comes second to safety.
Events outside our control
If part of the program can’t go ahead because of events outside our control, such as severe weather, natural hazards, road closures, or official restrictions, we’ll adapt the plan and offer the best alternative we can. Changes like these are not a cancellation by Hike Away. Any extra costs they cause, such as an extra night, are agreed with the group on the spot.
Remote areas
The mountain villages are far from hospitals, and mobile signal is patchy in places. Reaching medical help can take several hours by 4×4. Please tell us about any health conditions before booking, and bring your own personal medication.
Your responsibility
- Be in good health and fitness for several hiking days in a row.
- Bring the gear on our packing list, including good boots and rain gear.
- Have travel insurance that covers mountain hiking and evacuation.
- Follow your guide’s instructions on the trail and at river crossings.
Distances, times and heights in the program are approximate. By joining this trip, you accept the risks that come with hiking and travel in the mountains.
FAQs
Active travelers with good fitness who are happy to hike several days in a row in the mountains. It’s a small fixed-date group of 5 to 10 people, made for solo travelers, couples and friends who’d like to join others rather than book a whole private trip.
A $150 deposit holds your place while the group forms, and it’s taken off the total price. When 5 people have paid a deposit, we ask everyone to pay the remaining balance within 7 days.
If the group hasn’t reached 5 people by 11 April 2027, the trip doesn’t run and we refund your deposit in full.
No. Your main bag travels by car between overnight stops, so on the trail you only carry a small daypack.
Yes, for an extra fee when rooms allow. We can usually arrange one in Khinalig, Laza, Baku, Lahij and Sheki. In Griz and Yergi Kek the houses are small, so we can’t promise one there.
$1,950 per person for the full 10 days. The $150 deposit is part of this price, not an extra charge.
It includes 9 nights’ accommodation, all transport in the program (including local 4x4s), luggage delivery on the hiking days, English-speaking guide(s), breakfast, lunch and dinner as listed, drinking water, entrance fees, the Tufandag cable car, the Savalan wine tasting, and national park and local permits.
Not included: international flights, your visa, travel and medical insurance, nights before 12 June or from 21 June, airport transfers, a single room supplement, alcoholic drinks (apart from the wine tasting), tips and personal expenses.
Only personal ones: drinks, snacks, souvenirs and tips for guides and drivers. Extras such as airport transfers, extra nights or a single room are agreed and priced with you before the trip, so there are no surprises on the way.
We strongly recommend some previous multi-day hiking. You don’t need any climbing or technical experience. On the Gizilgaya day you can stop at the plateau below the summit and wait for the group there.
Warm in Baku and the lowlands, cool in the mountains. Up on the passes it can be cold, windy and wet even in June, and the weather can change within an hour. Pack for both sun and rain, and bring warm layers for the evenings in the villages.
Please arrive in Baku at least one day before. We meet at 07:00 on Saturday 12 June 2027, so the group can’t wait for flights landing that morning. We’re back in Baku in the evening of Monday 21 June. Flights after midnight can work, so message us before you book a flight for the night of 21/22 June.
Many visitors need an e-visa, which you apply for online before you travel. Please check the rules for your passport in good time. The visa is not included in the price.
Yes. Please travel with insurance that covers mountain hiking, medical treatment and evacuation from remote areas. It’s not included in the price.
Vegetarian meals are fine with advance notice. If you have allergies or other dietary needs, please tell us before booking so we can be honest about what’s possible in remote villages.
