Khinalug (also spelled Khinaliq or Khinalig) is one of the highest villages in the Caucasus. You can reach it in different ways: in one day with a group, or on your own route with a jeep, a waterfall and a climb. Here you can choose and order one of 6 Khinalug excursions from Baku: from a one-day trip for $46 to a two-day hike with a night in a tent. We split them into group and unique tours.
Quick facts: the road from Baku to Khinalug takes about three to four hours, the village is at about 2,350 metres above sea level, and Khinaliq tours start from $46.
Group Excursions to Khinalug
If you travel alone, as a couple or with a small company and want to save money, choose a group format. These group tours from Baku are the cheapest way to see the village: you pay only for your own seat, and the program and the transport are already organized. Group trips run on a schedule, so you need to choose the date in advance.
| Tour | Duration | Group size | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Khinalug and Colored Mountains | 12 hours | up to 17 people | $46 |
| Guba, Khinalug and Shahdag | 2 days | up to 17 people | $70 |
Khinalug and Colored Mountains
This is one of the most popular trips and the easiest way to join a group excursion to Khinalug in one day. The route goes past the colored Hyza mountains, Beshbarmag mountain and the Gechresh forest, then through the Gudyalchay gorge. At the end you walk around Khinalug, hear local stories and learn about the unique language of the village. The difference is the price: it is the cheapest way to see mountain Khinalug.
Price: $46 · Order this excursion
Guba, Khinalug and Shahdag
A two-day trip with a stop in Guba, a drive up to Khinalug and a rest at the Shahdag ski resort on the second day. The difference is that you do not hurry: instead of a long road there and back in one day, you have a night to sleep and time to relax.
Price: $70 · Order this excursion
Unique Routes in the Mountains
If you want more than a walk around the village and you like adventure, choose a unique route. These are unique tours in Azerbaijan: a jeep, a mountain river, a waterfall and a climb to more than three thousand metres. They run on a flexible schedule, so we can talk about the group size and the date.
| Tour | Duration | Group size | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jeep Tour to Anzir Waterfall via Khinalug | 12-14 hours | up to 17 people | $252 |
| Shahdag Waterfall Hike | 12-14 hours | up to 17 people | $273 |
| Shahdag Summit with an Overnight Stay | 2 days | up to 6 people | $725 |
| Bazarduzu Mountain Trek | 2 days | up to 6 people | $754 |
Jeep Tour to Anzir Waterfall via Khinalug
On this route you cross a mountain river on horseback, walk along a path to the foot of Anzir Waterfall and stop in Khinalug for tea on the way back. The difference is that you see a waterfall that an ordinary bus cannot reach, and we pick you up directly from your hotel in Baku.
Price from $252 · Order this excursion
Shahdag Waterfall Hike
A one-day hike up to about 3,200 metres. It is good for people with a little mountain experience who are not ready to sleep in a tent yet. The difference is that it is a real mountain walk in one day, with no overnight stay: you drive to the camp in a 4x4 and walk the rest.
Price from $273 · Order this excursion
Shahdag Summit with an Overnight Stay
A night in a tent camp at 2,800 metres and a climb to the 4,243-metre summit at sunrise. The difference is the level: this is the hardest of the routes that start in Khinalug, and it is for people who want a real climb. Permits and park tickets are already included.
Price from $725 · Order this excursion
Bazarduzu Mountain Trek
A climb to the highest point of Azerbaijan, 4,466 metres. Before the summit you sleep in a camp at 3,250 metres and take a short walk to get used to the height. The difference is that you stand on the highest mountain in the country.
Price from $754 · Order this excursion
How to Choose a Khinalug Excursion
If you want a cheap trip for one day, choose a group format: it is the easiest way to see the village and the mountains. If you want to rest and not hurry, the two-day trip with a stop in Guba is a good choice. Group tours in Azerbaijan like these run on a schedule, so order early in summer. If you want nature and adventure, look at the jeep tour to Anzir Waterfall or the mountain hikes. For the climbs to Shahdag and Bazarduzu you need good physical fitness.
What to Know About the Trip
The road to Khinalug goes through the mountains and takes about three to four hours. You can come in winter, but the mountain road is harder, and some routes may change for safety. Take warm clothes and comfortable shoes: it is cool in the village, at about 2,350 metres, even in summer.
For hikes and climbs above Khinalug you need permits from the border service and the Ministry of Emergency Situations. It can take up to eight days to get them, so please send a copy of your passport in advance.
General Questions
How much does a Khinalug excursion cost?
A one-day group trip costs from $46 per person, and the two-day tour with Shahdag costs from $70. For children aged 3–11 the one-day trip costs $29. Unique routes start from $252.
How long is the drive from Baku to Khinalug?
Usually three to four hours one way, with stops on the road.
Can I go in winter?
Yes, but the mountain road is harder in winter, and some routes may change. It is better to check the conditions before you choose the date.
Do I need to be fit?
Not for the group trips. For the Shahdag waterfall hike you need average fitness, and for the climbs to Shahdag and Bazarduzu you need good physical shape.
Do I need documents for the mountain routes?
Yes. For the trips above Khinalug we need permits, and for them we need a copy of your passport. Please send it in advance, ideally a week before the trip.
Can I combine several routes?
Each tour runs separately, but we can make an individual multi-day program on request. Write to us and we will find an option.
Which tour is the cheapest?
The group excursion “Khinalug and Colored Mountains” for $46.