Northeastern Azerbaijan

Northeastern Azerbaijan is a region in Azerbaijan, which includes the Şabran (ex Davachi), Qusar (Gusar), Quba (Guba), Siyazan, and Khachmaz (Xaçmaz or Khachmas) rayons.

Cities and towns

• 1 Khachmaz (Xaçmaz, Khachmas) – It is considered a very popular tourist destination for the combination of a warm summer climate, woods along the sea and clean golden beaches.
• 2 Khinalug (Xinaliq) – A scenic, remote and ancient mountain village, and the mountain of the same name nearby. Once a centre of Zoroastrianism; today the few inhabitants are an ethnic isolate believed to be descendants of the Caucasus Albanians (unrelated to modern-day Albanians of Albania).
• 3 Khudat (Xudat) – A base for excursions to the famous beaches and resorts of the Nabran area.
• 4 Nabran (Nebran) – Nabran is rich in many recreational facilities offering a wide range of services: luxury accommodation, sports activities, children's camps and music entertainment venues.
• 5 Laza – A cozy mountain village with waterfall and nearby ski complex.
• 6 Qriz – A village of 370 people, that has its own language. The only way to get there is on foot or by a rented Land Rover with a driver.
• 7 Quba – Its urban suburb is home to the largest Azerbaijani Jewish community in the mountains and is considered one of the largest Jewish communities in the former Soviet Union.
• 8 Qusar – Located in the Grand Caucasus mountainous system, close to the border with Russia.
• 9 Şabran (ex Davachi) – In 2010 it became the name of a historic medieval town with the same name as a port 15 km further north.

Understand

Northeastern Azerbaijan is famous both for its location at the Caspian Sea with many beautiful beaches and resort, but also due to its mountainous side with many remote villages, some close to the Russian border.

Talk

Azerbaijani is the official language, but Russian and ethnic language of Lezgi people are also frequently spoken.

Get in

Mountain road leading to Khinalug.

Vans and taxis can be found at the Shamahinka station in Baku. This is where most locals go to find transportation to the NE regions. Buses and taxis can also be found 20th January station, but this is where tourist normally are found and prices (especially cabs) can be higher.

Prices to Nabran, Khudat and Khachmaz can be more expensive in the summer.

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

Beshbarmaq Dash

• 1 Beshbarmaq Dash / Beş Barmaq (Five Finger Mountain) (90 km to the north of Baku en route to Quba (easily reachable by bus from Baku International Bus Terminal)). Hugh vertical rocks which look spectacular in the landscape. It's a 1 h hike from the main road, however you can also get very close to the stairs by car on a mud/dirt road. Hiking, you also have to take this road because there is a water channel around the mountain not allowing you to walk straight from the highway up the mountain. At last, the stairs take you up to the nearly top, where you can find a mosque, prayer room and incredible views into the Caucasus and the Caspian coast.  

Candy Cane Mountains

• 2 Candy Cane Mountains. A range of mountains/hills famous for its picturesque red and white layers and the numerous belemnites (millions of years old squid-like fossils) from the Cretaceous period. 
• Caspian Sea

Do

• Hiking in the Caucasus Mountains.
• 1 Khinalig (3,713 m). A 10-15 km hike up from the ancient village with the same name.  
• The best beaches and resorts along the Caspian Sea in Azerbaijan.
• 2 Shahdag Ski Resort (near Laza). 

Go next

• Baku Region in the south. With the Azerbaijani capital Baku, and famous for its mud volcanoes.
• Sheki Region in the south west. Gateway to the Azerbaijani Caucasus. There is no direct road there, but hiking might be possible between Quba and Lahich.