Guba Candy Cane Mountains Shahdag and Laza Day Trip Baku

The Candy Cane Mountains in Khizi

The Candy Cane Mountains rise from open steppe in the Khizi district, roughly a 90-minute drive north-west of Baku. Bands of red, pink, white and ochre run across the slopes, layers of clay and soft rock that were tilted and worn by wind and rain over millions of years. From a distance the ridges really do look like candy stripes, which is where the nickname comes from.

This is the first stop of the day. You have about half an hour to walk along the ridge, take photographs and listen to the guide explain the geology. Anyone asking about the best time to visit the Candy Cane Mountains will find that early light makes the colours richest, and that a hat and sturdy shoes help on the dusty paths. It is a popular Candy Cane Mountains day trip from Baku because the scenery is so unusual.

Khizi and the road through the Guba region

After the mountains, the route continues north through Khizi towards Guba, a region of apple orchards and forested valleys at the foot of the Greater Caucasus. The road climbs steadily and the landscape changes from dry steppe to green hills, so the drive is a big part of the appeal of this Guba day trip from Baku.

Your guide talks about the villages and the local way of life as you pass, and the coach stops briefly for photographs and a short break. Lunch, when your option includes it, is a fixed-menu meal at a local restaurant on the way, and a vegetarian menu is available. Travelling with a group means you do not have to plan the route, park or find a place to eat.

Shahdag Mountain Resort

Shahdag Mountain Resort in the Gusar district is Azerbaijan's biggest ski and mountain resort, set high in the Greater Caucasus among steep, green slopes in summer and deep snow in winter. It has hotels, cafes, a cable car and an alpine coaster, so many travellers search for a Shahdag day tour from Baku to see the mountains without an overnight stay.

You spend a few hours here. Depending on the option you choose, the cable car ticket is included or you pay for the cable car and the alpine coaster on the day, and paying by card is usually possible. The cable car is the best way to see the valley from above, and even a short walk around the resort gives good views. Bring a warm layer, because it is much cooler up here than in Baku.

Laza village and its waterfall

Laza is a small mountain village in the Gusar district, reached from Shahdag by a short off-road ride. Stone houses, terraced gardens and narrow lanes sit in a steep valley, and a waterfall drops beside the village. It is the most authentic stop of the day and the reason many people ask whether they can add Laza to a Shahdag tour.

Laza is included in the option with lunch and the Laza off-road tour. With the cable car option, you can add it when you book, and the option without lunch does not include it. The ride is bumpy and the waterfall path is uneven, so wear shoes with grip. After the visit the group returns to Shahdag before the long drive back to Baku in the evening.