Khinalig - Gleykhudat Tour: Explore Ancient Azerbaijan Villages at High Altitudes
5.0
12 Ratings
Xinaliq
Embark on a Khinalig - Gleykhudat Tour and discover the ancient villages of Azerbaijan nestled at high altitudes. Explore the unique culture and breathtaking landscapes of these Azerbaijani Turk communities.
Duration:
12 hours
Cancellation:
1 day
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Highlights
- Xinaliq -
• Setting out early morning from hotel or any access point for tourists in Baku (with comfortable transportation)
• Arriving in Guba city and boarding 4x4 vehicles
• Making our way to the Khinalig village. Following a brief 15-minute respite, we commence our hike to Galeykhudat village, perched over 2200 meters above sea level at the base of the Gizilgaya plateau’s sheer cliffs, slightly removed from the main Guba-Khinalig thoroughfare. This village has preserved its ancient character and is the sole nearby community where Azerbaijani Turks reside.
• Embarking on a three-hour trek to Gleykhudat village from Khinalig. Khinalig is a quaint mountain hamlet, reputed to be among the world’s most ancient settlements, with a history spanning over 5,000 years. It stands as the loftiest and most secluded habitation in the Greater Caucasus mountain range, situated along the frontier with Dagestan, 63 kilometers from Quba. Its approximately 2,000 inhabitants maintain distinctive cultural practices, communicate in their indigenous tongue, and don traditional attire.
• Departing for Baku in 4x4 vehicles. Transitioning from 4x4s to comfortable transportation in Guba village
• Returning to Baku. (Hotel or tourist access point transfer)
What's Included
- Round-trip transportation included
- Complimentary bottled water
- Lunch provided during the tour
- TripAdvisor Experiences fee covered
- Travel insurance included
- Expert guides accompany the tour
What's Not Included
- ·
Additional Information
Galeykhudat is a village located more than 2200 meters high, nestled in the Gizilgaya plateau’s towering cliffs, slightly off the path of the Guba - Khinalig road. Its ancient charm has been well-preserved. It is the only nearby village primarily inhabited by Azerbaijani Turks.
Khinalig is located over 2200 meters above sea level in the Gudialchai valley, encircled by the 4191-meter Tufandag. The village inhabitants refer to themselves as Khinalig or Ketish.
- Minimum age is 18 years
- May be operated by a multi-lingual guide
- Dress code is smart casual
- Vegetarian option is available, please advise at time of booking if required
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
Location
Xinaliq
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
5.0
(12 Ratings)
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G580kgthomase
Jun 27, 2023
Best experience from Baku. - We did this hike with Heydar. He was brilliant. Interesting guy and a good safe guide. Sadly the weather wasn’t great on our hike with rain & fog. So we didn’t see any views. However I’d was t still a really fun experience getting on the mountain & meeting the local families.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Kamilbc7879di
May 6, 2023
Amazing trip with spectacular views - The whole trip was organised professionally and the company was very helpful and flexible with the last minute changes of plan which we made due to the bad weather. Our guide was amazing. We spent the entire trip discussing history and culture of Azerbaijan and admiring breathtaking views. We have visited many places in Azerbaijan but this trip was definitely the most spectacular as regards the nature and landscape. If you hesitate between choosing a trip to Xinalig only and that one the later one is a much much better choice.
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Rachell4342
Dec 8, 2021
Beautiful hike between quiet mountain villages - unforgettable experience - Amazing experience. We hiked in the beautiful mountains - very remote. Incredibly hospitable meal at a local family’s home. Such a memorable day. Our guide was fantastic.
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917kelseyw
Dec 8, 2021
Best local guide - We couldn't have asked for a better guide in Baku and then on our day trip up to the mountains. Tural was a knowledgeable, well organized and extremely kind guide. I felt like we saw a really authentic side of Azerbaijan and it was an unforgettable visit as a result. One tip: bring a warm layer to the mountains, it can get pretty windy! 10/10 recommend.
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905saschal
Oct 26, 2021
Daytour to the caucasus - MUST DO! - If you stay in Baku and like to experience the beautiful nature this is definitely the tour to do! And Outdoor Caucasus is defenitely the company to choose!
Our guide Turlan and driver Jamil picked us up at our Baku hotel around 9am. The drive to the mountains takes 3-4 hours. Nevertheless as our friendly and competent guide gave us numerous interesting information the time passed quickly.
As you leave glamorous Baku you drive through the suburbs, pass along smaller settelments and farms in the arid landscape. Reaching the small city of Quoba you turn towards the mountains and finally find yourself in the middle of a breathtaking scenery. The peaks here reach over 3000m, just short grasses and occasional shrubs grow here.
Khinalig is the starting point of a 2-3h hike, which although it offers stunning views and experience of nature is easy to accomplish. It ends at Gleykhudat with admittance to the house of a local family and a good tasting homecooked lunch. What a difference between the modern life in Baku and these isolated villages. After a short hike back to the car it‘s another 3h back to Baku, reaching it around 9pm.Just expect driving in Azerbaijan to be a bit wilder than probably at your home.
Great thanks to Turlan and Jamil!
To repeat myself: a definite must do tour!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Manseeingtheearth
Oct 3, 2021
Easily the absolute best tour I’ve ever been on! - I can’t overstate the phenomenal experience we had on this tour. Nurlan and Jamal from Outdoor Caucuses provided us with what is without a doubt the best tour I have been on in almost 30 years of traveling around the world. Their natural charisma, knowledge and wonderfully amiable and good natured manner was the perfect fit for two guys in a very foreign country who had trepidations about touring Azerbaijan. What we thought might be a dreadful experience turned out to be one of the happiest experiences ever. I understand how hyperbolic I might sound, but there’s no other honest way to extoll the phenomenal experience Nurlan and Jamal provided us. And having one man solely in charge of driving and the other dedicated to talking and explaining everything added a sense of safety. Nurlan provided all the confidence we needed to make the 6 mile trek to Galakhudat towards the top and enjoy an authentic home cooked meal. From their gentle and easy-going friendliness to the food they provided us to their dedication to our safety, sightseeing enjoyment and their professionalism, we wish we never had to have different tour guides anywhere in the world. Yes, the scenery and cultural experience are breathtaking, but Nurlan and Jamal were truly the engine that made everything an unforgettable life experience. We want to come back! Please don’t just take my word for it.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Khalifaa359
Aug 12, 2019
Best Hiking trip - Nurlan was an amazing and professional and friendly guide. The ride to the mountain was rocky if someone has motion sickness, you need to pack your meds. Otherwise, every minute was worth it! The views, the hike, the people! Everything was perfect! One of our favorite hikes worldwide.
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Ffahhad
Jun 4, 2019
Thanks! - The hike was quite nice it required some effort but it was amazing!
The tour guide was funny and spoke good english. He also took us to a traditional house and made us try traditional Azerbaijani food.
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Jlk2011
Jun 3, 2019
Fabulous way to enjoy the amazing Azerbaijan mountains - Our driver Nurlan and guide Sakit could not have been kinder to 2 50+ ladies on this 13 our trip, loaning me a cagoole and gaiters, buying us snacks, and answering our endless questions. Nurlan's driving is to be highly praised, as it is a long drive, partly on winding roads. Hiking was fabulous - we saw golden eagles, mountain meadows, and the 3 mountain villages of Cek, Xinaliq and Qalaxudat. In addition to a lovely coffee stop opposite FiveFinger Mountain, we had a delicious cooked lunch in Qalaxudat, with tea, fresh local produce and the best bread imaginable. The scenery is wonderful, and the hiking manageable, though I could feel the altitude. On a practical note, make sure you wear appropriate shoes, as it is muddy at the start. The weather can be very changeable, so layers are practical - and you will need warm clothes.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jet20992099
May 26, 2019
Best day trip from Baku - Recently we booked a day trip with Outdoor Caucasus as we wanted to hike in the mountains. As it was at really short notice we were very thankful that Nurlan could confirm. It turned out to be a great experience and fantastic day with our guide Elvin and Ilga the driver.
The hike from the highest mountain village to another was breathtaking. The level of the hike was just right ( thanks Elvin!) and the views of the Caucasus, sheep, eagles, flowers were just awesome. I was glad that we had booked a private tour though as this way it was all the time just the three of us and nothing else than the pure sound of nature. Elvin stopped wherever we wanted. Whether it was just for taking another picture or to take a short rest. We just didn’t want to leave and arrived an hour late in Baku.
Thanks so much guys. Great job from all. Highly recommended.
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