Gabala & Shamakhi Tour: Nature, Cable Car & Waterfalls
Ride a Soviet Lada into the mountains and walk to waterfalls, then cable up to the ridge
This guided day tour from Baku covers 216 km north to Gabala and Shamakhi, with stops at the oldest mosque in the Caucasus, a mountain lake, a cable car resort, and a waterfall hike. A professional guide in English, Russian or Turkish leads the route. Minivan transport, lunch at a traditional restaurant, and all entry fees are included. The tour runs 10 to 11 hours and returns to your Baku hotel by evening.
Options for this experience
2 optionsStep-by-step itinerary
Gabala and Shamakhi Nature Tour
- Guide contacts hotel in Baku
- Travel from Baku to Shamakhi
- Visit Juma Mosque in Shamakhi
- Continue travel to Gabala city
- Lunch at traditional restaurant in Gabala
- Walk around Nohur Lake
- Optional boat or catamaran ride on Nohur Lake
- Visit Tufandagh Mountain Resort
- Take cable car to Tufandagh Mountain top
- Change to Soviet Lada car for off-road trip
- Visit 7 beauties Waterfalls
What’s included
- Professional guide in your choice of English, Russian or Turkish.
- air-conditioned minivan transport from your Baku hotel and back.
- lunch at a traditional Azerbaijani restaurant in Gabala.
- all national park fees and entry charges.
- pickup and drop-off at your accommodation.
Times
- Every day 09:00
Before you book
Operated by Baku City Tours
Prices and times updated 5 days ago
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The experience
The guide picks you up from your Baku hotel one day before departure to confirm the time and location. The drive north takes you first to Shamakhi, the ancient capital of Shirvansah's reign, where you visit the Juma Mosque: the oldest mosque in the Caucasus, built in 743–744 and predating even the famous Friday Mosque of Derbent. After Shamakhi, the route continues to Gabala, where you stop for lunch at a traditional Azerbaijani restaurant and taste local dishes.
In Gabala itself, you have a choice of how to spend time at Nohur Lake: walk the tree-lined shore with views of the Greater Caucasus reflected in the water, or take a boat or catamaran ride across it. Next is Tufandagh Mountain Resort, 4 kilometers from the city center, where you board a cable car to the summit and see the landscape spread below. The resort also offers ATV rides and other mountain activities if you want to add them on.
The final stop is the 7 Beauties Waterfalls. To reach them, you switch from the minivan into a Soviet Lada for an off-road drive through the forest: a rough, narrow route that a regular car cannot handle. The cable car ride and the Lada excursion are not included in the tour price and cost extra. You can choose to do them or skip them when you book. The tour ends with the return drive to Baku, arriving back at your hotel by evening.
Is this one for you?Book the private option if you want to set your own pace at each stop and skip the cable car or waterfall hike without holding up others. Choose the group tour if you prefer to share the cost and meet other travelers on the same route. Either way, the off-road Lada section is optional: decide when you arrive whether the rough forest drive appeals to you or you'd rather stay at the resort.
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Top questions
What languages is the tour guided in?
Live guide in English, Russian and Turkish.
Can children come?
Yes. Ticket types: Youth (13 to 16 years); Child (3 to 12 years); Infant (under 3): free.
What happens if it rains?
It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.
How far is Gabala from Baku, and how long does the drive take?
Gabala is 216 kilometers north of Baku. The full day tour runs 10 to 11 hours, including all stops, meals and activities, so you leave early and return to your hotel in the evening.
What is the Juma Mosque in Shamakhi, and why is it important?
The Juma Mosque, also called the Friday Mosque, was built in 743–744 and is the oldest mosque in the Caucasus. It stands in Shamakhi, which was the ancient capital during Shirvansah's reign, and marks an early period of Islamic architecture in Azerbaijan.
Can I swim in Nohur Lake, or what else can I do there?
Swimming is prohibited in Nohur Lake, but you can walk the tree-lined shore, fish, or take a boat or catamaran ride. The lake is a manmade reservoir created after World War II and reflects the Greater Caucasus Mountains in its water.
What is included in the tour price, and what costs extra?
The tour includes professional guide services, minivan transport, lunch at a traditional restaurant, and all national park and entry fees. The cable car ride up Tufandagh Mountain (about 22 AZN or 12.90 USD) and the off-road Lada trip to the waterfalls (about 10 USD per person) are optional and paid separately at the time of the tour.
Can I choose between a private tour and a group tour?
Yes. You can book a private tour for your group or join a group tour with other travelers. Both options include the same route, guide, transport and inclusions. The difference is whether you travel alone or with others.
Gabala & Shamakhi Tour: Nature, Cable Car & Waterfalls
10h–11h · EN +2
from US$ 59 per person
Next, you choose your date and number of travelers and see the final price.