Khizi-Shahdag tour: Candy Cane Mountains and pink lake

Red and white rock formations rise across a landscape shaped over millions of years

A guided tour through northern Azerbaijan visiting the Pink Lake, Candy Cane Mountains and Shahdag Mountain Resort, with professional guides, air-conditioned transport and around two hours of free time at the resort. The Pink Lake closes December through April due to seasonal color loss, shifting the day's focus to Shahdag and the colored mountains instead. Lunch and resort activity tickets are not included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore natural wonders of Azerbaijan

• Visit Pink Lake (Masazir)
• Explore Candy Cane Mountains
• See Beshbarmaq Mountain and Pir Hydyr Zundzha
• Walk through Gechresh Forest
• Enjoy free time at Shahdag Mountain Resort

The experience

Eleven to thirteen hours takes you through four distinct landscapes. The day starts at the Pink Lake in Masazir: one of only eight pink lakes in the world, its mineral-rich water turning a shade most travelers have never seen. From there the route follows the M1 motorway north past Beshbarmaq Mountain, a five-peaked landmark with its own mythology. Your guide explains both the legends and the actual history of the place and its inhabitants. The drive itself carries you through changing terrain, so the journey is part of what you are seeing.

The Candy Cane Mountains in Khizi are the visual anchor of the day. Bright reds, oranges and whites layer across the hillsides in stripes that genuinely do look like sweets, the result of mineral deposits and millions of years of geological work. You stop here to walk and photograph. The formations shift color depending on the light and the angle you approach from. Between the mountains and Shahdag, the route passes through Gechresh Forest, where the canopy grows so dense that locals use lamps even during daylight hours.

Shahdag Mountain Resort sits in the Greater Caucasus near Qusar City and gets around two hours of free time. The resort runs cable cars and winter activities depending on the season. You can try what appeals to you or simply sit with the views. Transport is air-conditioned throughout, and your guide speaks English or Russian. Note that the Pink Lake closes from December through April because the water loses its pink color in winter, so winter departures spend the freed time at Shahdag and the colored mountains instead.

What’s included

• Professional tour guides in English or Russian.
• air-conditioned transport throughout the day.
• visits to the Pink Lake (Masazir), Candy Cane Mountains, Beshbarmaq Mountain, Gechresh Forest and Shahdag Mountain Resort.
• around two hours of free time at the resort to explore on your own.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:30

Book up to13h before

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (3 to 7 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish and Russian

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 18

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Baku Day Trips

Is this one for you?You book this tour when you want a guide handling the route and the stories behind each stop (the geology, the mythology, the local history) rather than driving yourself and deciding where to pause. The full day and the mix of landscapes suit travelers who want to see multiple distinct places in one trip without building the itinerary themselves.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Russian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 7 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.

What is the Pink Lake and why does it turn pink?

The Pink Lake in Masazir is one of only eight pink lakes on Earth, and its color comes from mineral-rich water and salt content. It closes seasonally from December through April when natural conditions cause it to lose the pink shade, so winter tours skip it and add extra time at Shahdag and the Candy Cane Mountains instead.

How much time do I get to spend at Shahdag Mountain Resort?

Around two hours of free time at Shahdag lets you try the cable cars, snowboarding or other activities available that day, or simply enjoy the views. Activity tickets and any rentals are not included in the tour price.

What are the Candy Cane Mountains and where are they?

The Candy Cane Mountains in Khizi are striped rock formations with bright reds, oranges and whites that genuinely resemble sweets. The colors come from mineral deposits shaped over millions of years, and you stop to walk and photograph them as a main part of the day.

What is Gechresh Forest like to drive through?

Gechresh Forest has such a thick canopy that locals use lamps for light even during the day. The drive through it is a brief but striking contrast to the open mountain landscapes before and after it.

Is this tour available in winter, and does the itinerary change?

Yes, the tour runs year-round, but from December through April the Pink Lake closes due to seasonal color loss. Winter departures skip the lake and redistribute that time to Shahdag Mountain Resort and the Candy Cane Mountains, making the tour even more focused on those two locations.