Sheki Region

Sheki Region is a region in Azerbaijan with the Caucasian Mountains on its northern half, which includes the Balakan, Goychay, Ismailli, Oguz, Qabala, Qax, Sheki, and Zaqatala rayons.

Cities

• 1 Sheki (Şəki, formerly Nukha or Nuxa) – The capital of the Sheki region and a beautiful city in the forested Caucasian Mountains with lots to see and do. It has one of the largest densities of cultural resources and monuments that span 2,700 years of Azerbaijani history.
• 2 Danachi (Danaçı) – On the bank of Alazan river, with main ethnic group, the Avarians. There are beautiful gardens, green forests and creeks.
• 3 Goychay (Göyçay) – Famous for its Pomegranate Festival and rebuilt after the devastating earthquake of 1859.
• 4 Ismailli – A historic city and hub for travel between Baku and Sheki Region, especially nearby Lahich.
• 5 Jar (Car) – Jar famous for its big and green mountains and winds, beautiful rivers, lakes, and birds.
• 6 Kish (Kiş) – A picturesque mountain town, 5 km from Sheki, with a beautiful Albanian church.
• 7 Lahich (Lahıc, Lahij) – A cozy and remote highland village. Famous for its copper work.
• 8 Nij (Nic) – An enormous village of an endangered Christian ethnic group, the Udins.
• 9 Qabala (Gabala) – New resort town deep in Caucasian Mountains, which has taken its name from the archaeological site about 20 km southwest.
• 10 Qax (Qakh, Gakh) – Another gateway into the Caucasian Mountains besides Sheki, and "base camp" for treks towards Sarıbaş.
• 11 Zaqatala – The city is populated by different ethnic groups, each with its own language that is not linguistically tied to others throughout the region. And like Qax, a gateway into the Caucasian Mountains, and conveniently located for onward travel into Georgia.

Understand

The Sheki region is the main gateway from Azerbaijan into the Caucasus. It offers various hiking opportunities.

Get in

• Qabala International Airport (GBB ^IATA) connects to Baku, Istanbul, Moscow and Saint Petersburg.
• Zaqatala International Airport (ZTU ^IATA)

Get around

• Azerbaijan has a well developed bus system between the local city and village terminals.
• Drivers are commonly friendly with backpackers and road trippers, so auto-stop is equally an option to travel within the region.

See

• 1 Ismailli State Reserve, ☏ +994 51 4863340. A national park, also offering some fancy hotels.  

Do

• Hiking in the Caucasus Mountains.
• 1 Ski Complex "Tufan" (near Gabala in the Caucasus Mountains). 

Sleep

• 1 Hotel Eyrichay, ☏ +994 502235374. A motel with 3 rooms and up to 4 beds within each, conveniently located at the highway and not as expensive as accommodation in the nearby cities. 40 manat (for 3 incl. breakfast). 

Go next

• Northeastern Azerbaijan in the north east. Famous for its location at the Caspian Sea, with beaches and resorts, and remote mountain villages. There is no direct road there, but hiking might be possible between Lahich and Quba.
• Baku Region in the east. With the cosmopolitan Azerbaijani capital Baku, and famous for its mud volcanoes.
• Ganja Region in the south west. Famous for the largest lake in Azerbaijan, the beautiful Ganja and the Naftalan petroleum spa resort.
• Southern Azerbaijan in the south.
• Qax and Zaqatala allow for convenient onward travel into Georgia.