Gabala & Shamakhi Day Trip from Baku with Cable Car Ride

Summary

From Baku to Gabala’s forests, mosques and cable cars in one long day

You’ll start early from Baku with hotel pickup and head out toward Shamakhi to see its ancient mosque before reaching forested lakesides near Gabala. Ride the Tufandag cable car for sweeping mountain views, walk beneath trees at Seven Beauties waterfall, and share stories with your guide along the way. This day trip feels both full and quietly memorable.

What’s the experience like?

The driver showed up right on time outside my Baku hotel — honestly, I was still finishing my tea when he called. We set off with the city barely awake behind us, and I tried to guess what “Shamakhi” would look like before we got there. Our guide, Elvin, started chatting about Azerbaijan’s old capitals and pointed out the hills turning gold in the morning sun. The first stop was the Juma Mosque in Shamakhi. It’s older than most things I’ve ever seen — I remember touching the cool stone wall and hearing someone quietly pray inside. There was this faint smell of incense or maybe just old wood, but it stuck with me.

After that we drove for a while (Elvin played some local pop on the radio), winding past little villages until we reached Nohur Lake. The air felt different here — damp and green, almost mossy. Some families were picnicking near the water; a couple of kids waved at us as we walked by. You can rent paddle boats if you want (I didn’t try — looked fun though). Then came Tufandag cable car, which is apparently one of the longest in the world? I’m not great with heights but ended up loving it anyway. The view over Gabala’s forests is something else — you get this weird mix of silence and wind noise up there.

The last big stop was Yeddi Gozel waterfall — Seven Beauties. Don’t expect anything massive; Elvin even joked “no Niagara here!” Still, the sound of water over rocks was kind of soothing after all that driving. Only three levels are visible but it’s peaceful under those trees. On the way back to Baku I dozed off for a bit and woke up as we rolled into town at dusk. I still think about that mosque sometimes — something about how old it felt compared to everything else.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Gabala and Shamakhi full day tour

• Pickup from Baku hotel
• Visit Juma Mosque in Shamakhi
• Stop at Nohur lake and forest
• Ride Tufandag Cable Car
• See Yeddi Gozel forest waterfall
• Drive back to Baku hotel

Top questions

How long is the Gabala & Shamakhi day trip from Baku?

The tour lasts a full day, starting around 9am with return to your Baku hotel in the evening.

Is hotel pickup included for this Gabala tour?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off in Baku are included.

What are the main stops on this day trip?

You’ll visit Juma Mosque in Shamakhi, Nohur Lake, Tufandag cable car in Gabala, and Seven Beauties waterfall.

Are paddle boats available at Nohur Lake?

Yes, paddle boats can be rented for 5 manats per person (up to 4 people per boat).

Is lunch included on this tour?

No lunch is mentioned as included; you may want to bring snacks or ask your guide about food stops.

Can children join this Gabala & Shamakhi tour?

Yes, children can join but must be accompanied by an adult.

Is there a dress code for visiting Juma Mosque?

A smart casual dress code is recommended for mosque visits.

How many levels can you see at Seven Beauties waterfall?

You can see only three out of seven levels of Yeddi Gozel waterfall during the visit.

What’s included

Your day includes pickup from your Baku accommodation and drop-off back at your hotel in the evening. A professional guide leads you through each stop—Juma Mosque in Shamakhi, Nohur Lake (with optional paddle boats), Tufandag cable car ride over Gabala’s forests, and a walk by Seven Beauties waterfall—so you won’t have to worry about logistics or directions along the way.