Gabala (also spelled Qabala) is a mountain district in the north of Azerbaijan. It has the Tufandag resort, waterfalls, forests and old villages. You can see it in different ways: in one day with a group, in two or three days together with Sheki or Gakh, on horseback, or on foot to far waterfalls. Here you can choose Gabala tours from Baku for your budget and fitness level, and order a Gabala excursion from $23 for a day trip, up to a hike to the Duruja waterfall. We collected 8 options and divided them into group and unique tours.
Good to know first: the drive from Baku to Gabala takes about three to four hours, all tours go with a English-speaking guide, and prices start from $23.
Group excursions to Gabala
If you travel alone, as a couple or with a small company and want to save money, choose a group tour. These are the most affordable Gabala group tours from Baku: you pay only for your own seat, and the program and transport are already organized. Group tours from Baku run on a schedule, so you need to choose the date in advance.
| Tour | Duration | Group size | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gabala and Tufandag | 12-13 hours | up to 17 people | $23 |
| Shamakhi – Gabala | 12 hours | up to 17 people | $35 |
| Horseback riding in the Gabala mountains | 12 hours | up to 17 people | $75 |
| Gabala and Sheki: 2-day tour | 2 days | up to 17 people | $116 |
| Gabala with horseback riding, 2 days | 2 days | up to 17 people | $131 |
| Gabala, Sheki and Gakh: three regions | 3 days | up to 17 people | $174 |
Gabala and Tufandag
This is the cheapest excursion to Gabala: breakfast in Shamakhi, tea with the “uchgulag” dessert in Ismayilli, and a lot of free time at the Tufandag resort. The difference is that you decide how to spend the day: the cable car, the swings, the slide, or just a walk in the mountains. In spring you can add the lavender fields for an extra fee.
Price: $23 · Order this excursion
Shamakhi – Gabala
The trip starts with the Juma Mosque in Shamakhi and the forests of Ismayilli. Then you cross a suspension bridge, have lunch with a mountain view in Gabala, see the “Seven Beauties” waterfall and ride the Tufandag cable car. The difference is that the route joins history and nature in one trip, and children aged 3–11 have a lower price of $17.
Price: $35 · Order this excursion
Horseback riding in the Gabala mountains
You ride through the mountains on forest paths, drink mountain herbal tea made on a wood fire, and stop at a mountain tea house with a view of the Caucasus. The difference is that you do not just look at the mountains, you ride through them with an instructor. Group departures run on a schedule, so please check the days.
Price: $75 · Order this excursion
Gabala and Sheki: 2-day tour
On the first day you drive through Shamakhi and Ismayilli, have lunch in Gabala, see the “Seven Beauties” waterfall, go up to Tufandag and arrive in Sheki. The second day is about the city: the Khan’s Palace, the caravanserai, the craftsmen’s quarter and lunch in Kish. The difference is that you see both mountain Gabala and old Sheki. Accommodation is paid separately.
Price: $116 · Order this excursion
Gabala with horseback riding, 2 days
On the first day you see Shamakhi, the forest, the “Seven Beauties” waterfall and Tufandag, and you spend the night in Gabala. On the second day you ride through the mountains and drink tea at the “Eagle’s Nest” restaurant in Laza village. The difference is that the riding is on the second day, when you are already rested. Accommodation is paid separately.
Price: $131 · Order this excursion
Gabala, Sheki and Gakh: three regions
This is the fullest route: Gabala with the waterfall and the cable car on day one, Sheki with the Khan’s Palace on day two, and Gakh with bridges, churches and the Mamyrly waterfall on day three. You spend two nights in Sheki. The difference is the coverage: in three days you see mountains, history and old villages without a rush. Accommodation is paid separately.
Price: $174 · Order this excursion
Unique routes in the Gabala mountains
If you want more than a sightseeing trip and would like to hike to waterfalls, choose a unique route. These are unique tours in Azerbaijan: walking trails, river crossings and a picnic at a waterfall. They run on an individual schedule, so you can discuss the date and the group size.
| Tour | Duration | Group size | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hike to the Laza and Mujug waterfalls | 13–14 hours | up to 17 people | $186 |
| Duruja: hike to the three-step waterfall | 13–14 hours | up to 6 people | $290 |
Hike to the Laza and Mujug waterfalls
This is a walking route from Laza village along a mountain river, over stones and through the forest to the Mujug waterfall, about 14 kilometers there and back. The difference is that this is the longest hiking route in Gabala, and you finish the day with a picnic at the waterfall. The start time is agreed in advance.
Price from $186 · Order this excursion
Duruja: hike to the three-step waterfall
You walk past the old stone houses of Duruja village, cross riverbeds and the forest, stop at two waterfalls, and have a picnic at the multi-level waterfall with tea made from herbs collected nearby. The difference is that this is an individual route for a small group of up to six people.
Price from $290 · Order this excursion
How to choose a Gabala tour
If you need a cheap one-day trip, choose a group tour: it is the easiest way to see the mountains and the resort. If you want to rest and see more, a two-day trip with Sheki or with horseback riding is a good choice. If you want waterfalls and a long walk, look at the hikes to Duruja and to Laza and Mujug. Group tours in Azerbaijan with an overnight stay are better to order in advance, especially in summer.
What to Know About the Trip
The road to Gabala goes through Shamakhi and Ismayilli and takes about three to four hours. At the Tufandag resort, the cable cars, swings and other attractions are paid separately. For example, the four-line cable car costs about $16 for adults and $12 for children aged 6–11, and children under six ride free. In many tours, lunch or a picnic is also paid separately (about $9).
In tours with an overnight stay, accommodation is paid separately. The lavender fields near Gabala bloom from mid-May to mid-July.
General Questions
How much does a Gabala excursion cost?
A one-day group trip costs from $23 per person, two-day tours from $116, and the three-day route $174. Unique hikes start from $186.
How long is the drive from Baku to Gabala?
Usually three to four hours one way, with stops on the way.
What is paid separately?
Cable car tickets and attractions at Tufandag, lunches and picnics, and accommodation in tours with an overnight stay. The details are on the page of each tour.
Are the trips suitable for children?
Yes. In the “Shamakhi – Gabala” tour, children aged 3–11 have a price of $17, and on the Tufandag cable cars children under six ride free.
When is the best time to go to Gabala?
From late spring to autumn. All routes work in this time, and the lavender blooms in May–July. In winter the mountain roads are harder, so please check the conditions before choosing a date.
Which excursion is the cheapest?
The group trip “Gabala and Tufandag” for $23.