7 Days, 6 Nights Tour 1

The trip starts early in the morning in Baku. After leaving the city, the group heads to the first natural stop on the route — the Pink Lake.
This is a rare lake, with an unusual pink color that makes it stand out from other salt lakes in the region. The color comes from halophilic algae that live in the salty water and produce a natural pigment called carotenoid. Depending on the salt level and the sunlight, the surface of the lake can change shade — from soft pastel pink to a deep, bright color.
Besides its unusual color, the lake has long been an important source of salt. For many generations, local people have collected salt here using traditional methods, and the area still shows signs of this centuries-old activity. The lake is not shown to tourists from August 1 to May 10, because in the cold season the water loses its bright color.

The next stop on the way to the mountain village is the Khizi region, where the mountains of the Northern Caucasus slowly turn into an unusual natural feature: colorful hills.
This area has long been connected to the Dagly people — a sub-ethnic group of Iranian origin, related to the Azerbaijani Persians and known as one of the rare Iranian-Persian ethnic groups in Europe.
The hills of Khizi are often called the Agate, Rainbow, or Caramel Mountains because of their bright, striped slopes. Red, orange, purple, and pink shades look like layers of different minerals and form an almost graphic natural pattern.
A winding road passes through these hills, opening up views that can surprise even experienced travelers. Many guests choose a tour to the Caramel Mountains just for this view — this kind of color and landscape combination is very rare in nature.

About a hundred kilometers from Baku, Beshbarmag Mountain appears on the horizon — its name means "five fingers." For centuries, this peak has been considered a sacred place and has played an important role in the life of local people.
The area has long been home to the Dagly Azerbaijanis, descendants of ancient Iranian tribes from the region. Many legends are connected to the mountain, including a well-known story about Khizr, a figure from the Quran who, in folk tales, is seen as the protector of travelers.
Travelers usually stop at the foot of the mountain for a short rest. Here they can enjoy the views of the Caucasus range, listen to the guide's stories, and relax after a long drive.
The bus stops at a public parking area with an impressive view of the Greater Caucasus. Nearby are old caravanserais, a mosque, small shops, and cafes. Since ancient times, Beshbarmag has been a place of pilgrimage, and many people still believe it has special energy and can grant wishes.

Further along, the route passes through Gachrash Forest — a thick and remarkably beautiful forest area in northern Azerbaijan.
The road runs among tall trees, whose thick branches form a natural green tunnel. In summer, the branches almost completely cover the sky, creating a cool and cozy feeling even in the hottest weather.
The scenery looks like a picture from a fairy tale: a winding road runs along the forest, and a mountain river flows noisily nearby. With every kilometer, the group gets closer to the high-mountain areas of the Caucasus.
The walk through Gachrash usually happens during the lunch stop: guests try dishes of Azerbaijani national cuisine, cooked using traditional recipes, and rest in the shade of the forest while listening to the river. The local restaurant offers a varied menu at reasonable prices, and many travelers choose to arrange a tour in Azerbaijan just for stops like this, where good food and nature come together equally.

The road leads to the gorge of the Gudyalchay River — an area that geologists consider one of the oldest natural zones in the region.
The path runs between high cliffs, with a fast mountain river rushing nearby. Half an hour on this stretch is enough to feel completely surrounded by wild nature and sense the power of the mountain landscape.
A trip to Gudyalchay leaves the strongest feeling of connection with nature of the whole day — the contrast between the cliffs, the river, and the mountain air makes you forget the noise of the city.
Many tourists decide to book a tour in Azerbaijan just for this gorge, because landscapes like this are rarely found within one short route.

The main destination of the trip is the ancient mountain village of Khinalig. The road there passes through the peaks of the Greater Caucasus and climbs to a height of about 2,500 meters above sea level.
Khinalig is considered a rare place even for the Caucasus: local people speak a unique language with no close relatives among other languages in the region. Narrow streets, stone houses, and ancient architecture make the village feel like a living open-air museum — many historians estimate that the settlement is about four thousand years old.
According to local legends, the village was founded by ancient tribes looking for shelter among the mountain peaks. While walking through the village, guests learn about the history and culture of Khinalig, get to know the traditions of its people, and see a way of life that has barely changed over the centuries.
After visiting the village, the group heads back to Baku. The road passes through the same mountain scenery, but in the evening light it looks different. This day leaves the feeling that northern Azerbaijan holds far more natural and cultural richness than you might expect at the start of the journey.