GUBA – KHINALIG
Duration: 1 Day (9-10 hours)
Distance: from Baku to Khinalig 220 km
Best time: April – September
Itinerary: Baku – Guba – Khinalig – Baku
Pick-up & Drop-off: hotel (within Baku)
Guide: Personal English speaking guide (other languages on request)
Transportation: Personal Driver & air-conditioned vehicle
Customizable: Yes
Not Included: Entrance fee, Any Meals, Fees for taking photos in historical sites, Personal Expenses, Insurance
Tour Highlights:
Besh Barmaq, Guba City, Red Village, Khinalig Village
GUBA
Guba is located on the north-eastern flanks of hills of the Shahdag mountain belonging to the Greater Caucasus mountains at the altitude of 600 m above sea level on the bank of Gudial river at the distance of 168 km from Baku. Due to the favorable location and rich infrastructure Guba district is one of the favorite tourist destinations. Visitors since long time ago have chosen Gyachresh place where you can relax in the shady woods, Tengealtin gorge, where the turbulent river Velvelichai runs, the famous Afurdzhin waterfall which is included into the list of “Monuments of Azerbaijan Nature”.
The famous village Krasnaya Sloboda which is a home to one of the largest communities of Mountain Jews in the world is also located in Guba. The inhabitants of this village are engaged mainly in trade. You can see pompous, blinding by their beauty villas erected all across the village. Many architectural monuments are preserved in the vicinity of the city: the Juma mosque, the mausoleum of the XVI century, Sakina – Khanum mosque, ancient baths. The city has a historical museum, museum – house of educator, writer and public figure of the XX century A. Bakikhanov.
KHINALIG
Khinalig is an ancient Caucasian village going back to the Caucasian Albanian period. It is located on a conical mountain peak at an altitude of 2300 meters above sea level.
Khinalig is among the most ancient and continuously inhabited places in the world, with history of over 5,000 years. Because of the high altitude and remoteness of Khinalug it managed to survive and withstand many invasions. There are also some other historical places such as a 12th-century mosque, a 15th-century mosque, and several ancient cemeteries between the mountains. There are also many ancient holy caves of early humans.
There are about 380 houses that are 200-300 years old. Since the slopes here are very steep, the houses are built very close to each other. The roof of one house is the courtyard for another one located above. Khinalig people preserved their traditional way of life. Since the villagers are mainly engaged in sheep breeding, the weaving is widespread. Locals are one of the Albanian tribes and they speak a completely original language.