Northern & Western Azerbaijan Grand Loop
A grand loop from Baku covering Quba, Sheki, Ilisu, and Ganja, showcasing the best of northern and western Azerbaijan.
The ultimate comprehensive route for travelers with plenty of time. Begin with Baku and the northern mountain villages, then head west along the southern foothills of the Greater Caucasus via Gabala and Sheki to Ilisu and Zaqatala. Next, head south to Ganja and Lake Goygol before returning to Baku by train. Spending an extra night in smaller mountain towns allows for a more relaxed pace than shorter itineraries. Chartering a car for the entire trip is the most hassle-free option. This route excludes Lankaran in the south and is perfect for second-time visitors or those who prefer slow travel.
Spring and autumn are the best times to visit. Mountain roads and waterfall hikes are weather-dependent; waterfalls freeze in winter.
Day by day
Day 1 · Arrive in Baku & Explore the Old City
Baku（Icherisheher (Old City)、Maiden Tower、Palace of the Shirvanshahs、Multani & Bukhara Caravanserais）
Take the Aero Express bus or a taxi to the city center (approx. 30 mins). Explore the Old City entirely on foot.
Stay: Baku Old City
Day 2 · Flame Towers & Seaside Boulevard
Baku（Heydar Aliyev Center、Baku Funicular、Flame Towers & Highland Park、Baku Boulevard、Fountains Square、Nizami Street）
Take the metro or a taxi to the Heydar Aliyev Center, ride the funicular up to Highland Park, and walk along the seaside boulevard after descending.
Stay: Baku Old City
Day 3 · Gobustan & Absheron
Baku（Gobustan Rock Art Reserve、Gobustan Mud Volcanoes、Ateshgah of Baku、Yanar Dag）
Charter a car or join a day tour. Head south to Gobustan (approx. 1 hour), then loop around the Absheron Peninsula. The entire excursion takes about 8 hours.
The road to the mud volcanoes can be difficult to navigate after rain; the trip may be canceled if it rains.
Stay: Baku Old City
Day 4 · Candy Cane Mountains to Quba
Quba & Shahdag（Beshbarmag Mountain、Candy Cane Mountains、Juma Mosque, Quba、Red Settlement (Qırmızı Qəsəbə)）
Drive north along the coastal highway, passing Besh Barmag and the Candy Cane Mountains, reaching Quba in about 3 to 4 hours.
Stay: Quba Town
Day 5 · Stay in the High-Altitude Ancient Village of Khinalig
Charter a car from Quba to drive up the canyon (approx. 1 to 1.5 hours). Spend the afternoon walking around the village.
There are no ATMs or restaurants in the village; bring plenty of cash and arrange meals with your guesthouse.
Stay: Khinalug Village
Day 6 · Descend the Mountain & Return to Baku to Rest
Baku（Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum、Little Venice）
Drive from Khinalig back to Baku via Quba (approx. 4 hours). Spend the afternoon resting in the city.
Stay: Seaside Boulevard and Flame Towers Area
Day 7 · Shamakhi & Lahij to Gabala
Qabala（Diri Baba Mausoleum、Juma Mosque of Shamakhi、Yeddi Gumbaz Mausoleum、Lahij）
Drive west through Shamakhi, take the mountain road to Lahij, and continue to Gabala. The journey takes about 8 hours including stops.
The mountain road to Lahij is weather-dependent and can be skipped on rainy or snowy days.
Stay: Gabala Town
Day 8 · Gabala Lakes & Mountains to Sheki
Qabala（Tufandag Mountain Resort、Nohur Lake、Chukhur Qabala Archaeological Site & Gabala Archaeological Centre、Nij） → Sheki
Spend the morning around Gabala, then drive to Sheki via Chukur Gabala and Nij village in the afternoon (approx. 2 hours).
Stay: Caravanserai and Khan's Palace Area
Day 9 · Sheki Khan's Palace & Kish Church
Sheki（Palace of Shaki Khans、House of Shakikhanovs、Upper Caravanserai、Sheki Old Town、Church of Kish）
Explore the Old Town on foot. Take a taxi to and from Kish village (approx. 30 mins each way).
Stay: Caravanserai and Khan's Palace Area
Day 10 · Qakh Old Street to Ilisu Village
Zaqatala & Qakh（Qakh İçəri Bazar、Ilisu、Sumuq Fortress）
Drive from Sheki to Qakh (approx. 1 hour), then head into the mountains to Ilisu (approx. 30 mins). Spend the afternoon walking around the village.
Stay: Ilisu Village
Day 11 · Waterfall Hike & Drive to Zaqatala
Zaqatala & Qakh（Ilisu State Reserve、Qum Basilica、Lekit Temple、Zaqatala Fortress、Ancient Plane Trees of Zaqatala）
Hike to the waterfall and back in the morning (approx. 2 hours). In the afternoon, charter a car to see the ancient church, then continue to Zaqatala (approx. 1 hour).
The mountain trail to the waterfall is steep; local 4WD vehicles are recommended. Check the trail conditions on the day.
Stay: Zaqatala Town
Day 12 · Head South to the Ancient City of Ganja
Ganja（Nizami Mausoleum、Shah Abbas Mosque (Juma Mosque)、Bottle House、Javad Khan Street）
Drive south towards Ganja via Sheki (approx. 4.5 hours). Spend the afternoon exploring the city center on foot.
Stay: Old City and Javad Khan Street
Day 13 · Helenendorf & Lake Goygol
Ganja（Göygöl Town (Helenendorf)、Lake Göygöl (Göygöl National Park)）
Charter a car from Ganja to the lake area (approx. 45 mins). Walk to the lakeside from the parking lot and return in the evening.
Lake Maralgol can only be reached by national park shuttle buses; taxis cannot drive there.
Stay: Old City and Javad Khan Street
Day 14 · Return to Baku by Train & Depart
Baku（National Museum of History of Azerbaijan）
Take the morning train to Baku (approx. 4 hours). Upon arrival, take a taxi to the airport or spend another half-day sightseeing.
Train schedules change frequently; verify times in advance via official railway channels.