Gobustan & Mud Volcanoes Half-Day Tour from Baku

Summary

Discover Gobustan Rock Art and Azerbaijan’s Mud Volcanoes

You’ll walk among ancient rock carvings in Gobustan National Park and see bubbling mud volcanoes up close—all with a local guide who shares stories you won’t find online. It’s a half-day trip packed with history, geology, and those quirky little moments that make travel stick in your memory.

What’s the experience like?

The drive out of Baku is always a bit of a surprise—one minute you’re weaving through city traffic, the next you’re watching the landscape shift to wide, rocky plains. Our guide, Elchin, chatted about how locals call this area “Gobustan,” which I’d only ever seen in guidebooks before. When we reached the Gobustan Rock Art Cultural Landscape, the air felt dry and sharp, with a faint smell of earth after last night’s rain. We wandered between massive boulders, some balanced at odd angles like they might tumble any second. Elchin pointed out carvings that looked almost fresh—dancing figures, animals, even boats scratched into stone by people who lived here thousands of years ago. I pressed my hand to one of the rocks; it was warm from the sun.

After exploring the petroglyphs and peeking into shallow caves (watch your head—some are lower than they look), we hopped back in the van. The road to the mud volcanoes got rough fast—so bumpy that we had to switch to these old Lada taxis driven by local guys who seemed to know every pothole by heart. The ride was honestly part of the fun. Out at the volcanoes, it was quiet except for a weird bubbling sound from the mud pools. The ground felt cool underfoot, and you could see little bursts of mud popping up like miniature geysers. Locals call them “yanardagh” or “pilpila”—the names sound almost as odd as the landscape looks. We took photos and tried not to get too close (the mud splatters!). On the way back, Elchin handed out cold bottled water and told us stories about how people used to believe these volcanoes had healing powers.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Gobustan and Mud Volcanoes Tour

• Visit Gobustan Rock Art Cultural Landscape
• Explore Mud Volcanoes by local taxi

Top questions

Is this tour suitable for kids or older travelers?

Yes—it’s pretty easygoing, though there’s some walking over uneven ground at Gobustan and a bumpy ride to the mud volcanoes. Most ages do fine.

Do I need special shoes or clothes?

I wore sneakers and was glad I did—the rocks can be slippery if it rained recently. Bring layers; it can get windy out there.

How long does the whole tour take?

The trip usually lasts about half a day—enough time to see both sites without feeling rushed.

Are entrance fees or taxi rides included?

Yep! All transfers—including those quirky local taxis to the volcanoes—and bottled water are covered in your booking.

What’s included

Your spot includes all transfers (even those fun local taxis), entry fees where needed, an English-speaking guide who really knows their stuff, plus bottled water so you won’t go thirsty out in Gobustan.