Recently Viewed
Galeykhudat Village: Ancient Azerbaijani Culture
5.0
13 Ratings
Xinaliq
Embark on a Khinalig - Gleykhudat Tour and discover the ancient villages of Azerbaijan nestled at high altitudes. Explore the unique culture and breathtaking landscapes of these Azerbaijani Turk communities.
Embark on a Khinalig - Gleykhudat Tour and discover the ancient villages of Azerbaijan nestled at high altitudes. Explore the unique culture and breathtaking landscapes of these Azerbaijani Turk communities.
Duration:
12 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
-
Xinaliq - • Begin the journey early in the morning from a hotel or any tourist access point in Baku using comfortable transportation.
• Arrive in Guba city and switch to 4x4 vehicles.
• Reach the Khinalig village. After a 15-minute break, start hiking to Galeykhudat village, located over 2200 meters in the foothills of the steep rocks of the…
-
Xinaliq - • Begin the journey early in the morning from a hotel or any tourist access point in Baku using comfortable transportation.
• Arrive in Guba city and switch to 4x4 vehicles.
• Reach the Khinalig village. After a 15-minute break, start hiking to Galeykhudat village, located over 2200 meters in the foothills of the steep rocks of the Gizilgaya plateau, slightly off the main Guba-Khinalig road. This village has preserved its ancient heritage and is the only nearby village where the people are Azerbaijani Turks.
• Hike from Khinalig to Gleykhudat village (3 hours). Khinalig is a small mountain village, one of the oldest in the world, with a history spanning over 5,000 years. It is the highest and most isolated settlement in the Greater Caucasus mountain range, situated on the border with Dagestan, 63 km from Quba. Its approximately 2,000 residents maintain unique cultural traditions, speak their own language, and wear traditional clothing.
• Depart for Baku using 4x4 vehicles. In Guba village, switch from 4x4 vehicles to comfortable transportation.
• Arrive in Baku. (Transfer to the hotel or any tourist access point) -
Khinalug - • Begin the journey early in the morning from a hotel or any tourist access point in Baku using comfortable transportation.
• Arrive in Guba city and switch to 4x4 vehicles.
• Reach the Khinalig village. After a 15-minute break, start hiking to Galeykhudat village, located over 2200 meters in the foothills of the steep rocks of the Gizilgaya plateau, slightly off the main Guba-Khinalig road. This village has preserved its ancient heritage and is the only nearby village where the people are Azerbaijani Turks.
• Hike from Khinalig to Gleykhudat village (3 hours). Khinalig is a small mountain village, one of the oldest in the world, with a history spanning over 5,000 years. It is the highest and most isolated settlement in the Greater Caucasus mountain range, situated on the border with Dagestan, 63 km from Quba. Its approximately 2,000 residents maintain unique cultural traditions, speak their own language, and wear traditional clothing.
• Depart for Baku using 4x4 vehicles. In Guba village, switch from 4x4 vehicles to comfortable transportation.
• Arrive in Baku. (Transfer to the hotel or any tourist access point)
What's Included
- Round-trip transportation included
- Complimentary bottled water
- Lunch provided during the tour
- TripAdvisor Experiences fee covered
- Travel insurance included
- Expert guides accompany the tour
- Round-trip transportation included
- Complimentary bottled water
- Lunch provided during the tour
- TripAdvisor Experiences fee covered
- Travel insurance included
- Expert guides accompany the tour
What's Not Included
- ·
- ·
Additional Information
Galeykhudat is a village located more than 2200 meters high, nestled in the Gizilgaya plateau’s towering cliffs, slightly off the path of the Guba - Khinalig road. Its ancient charm has been well-preserved. It is the only nearby village primarily inhabited by Azerbaijani Turks.
Khinalig is located over 2200 meters above sea level in the Gudialchai…
Galeykhudat is a village located more than 2200 meters high, nestled in the Gizilgaya plateau’s towering cliffs, slightly off the path of the Guba - Khinalig road. Its ancient charm has been well-preserved. It is the only nearby village primarily inhabited by Azerbaijani Turks.
Khinalig is located over 2200 meters above sea level in the Gudialchai valley, encircled by the 4191-meter Tufandag. The village inhabitants refer to themselves as Khinalig or Ketish.
- Minimum age is 18 years
- May be operated by a multi-lingual guide
- Dress code is smart casual
- Vegetarian option is available, please advise at time of booking if required
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
Location
Xinaliq
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
5.0
(13 Ratings)
5 stars
4 stars
3 stars
2 stars
1 star
427raa
Jan 7, 2026
The best experience! - It was the best experience in Azerbaijan. Really I truly feel thankful for the guide Zeyd, for being patient with me during the trekking, and also during the entire trip! I had the beautiful view, snow mountain trek, amazing food, comfortable company.
Also all the drivers and hosts are all nice and welcoming. I had a great time with all of them and cannot wait to come back in a different season!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
G580kgthomase
Jun 27, 2023
Best experience from Baku. - We did this hike with Heydar. He was brilliant. Interesting guy and a good safe guide. Sadly the weather wasn’t great on our hike with rain & fog. So we didn’t see any views. However I’d was t still a really fun experience getting on the mountain & meeting the local families.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Kamilbc7879di
May 6, 2023
Amazing trip with spectacular views - The whole trip was organised professionally and the company was very helpful and flexible with the last minute changes of plan which we made due to the bad weather. Our guide was amazing. We spent the entire trip discussing history and culture of Azerbaijan and admiring breathtaking views. We have visited many places in Azerbaijan but this trip was definitely the most spectacular as regards the nature and landscape. If you hesitate between choosing a trip to Xinalig only and that one the later one is a much much better choice.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Rachell4342
Dec 8, 2021
Beautiful hike between quiet mountain villages - unforgettable experience - Amazing experience. We hiked in the beautiful mountains - very remote. Incredibly hospitable meal at a local family’s home. Such a memorable day. Our guide was fantastic.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
917kelseyw
Dec 8, 2021
Best local guide - We couldn't have asked for a better guide in Baku and then on our day trip up to the mountains. Tural was a knowledgeable, well organized and extremely kind guide. I felt like we saw a really authentic side of Azerbaijan and it was an unforgettable visit as a result. One tip: bring a warm layer to the mountains, it can get pretty windy! 10/10 recommend.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
905saschal
Oct 26, 2021
Daytour to the caucasus - MUST DO! - If you stay in Baku and like to experience the beautiful nature this is definitely the tour to do! And Outdoor Caucasus is defenitely the company to choose!
Our guide Turlan and driver Jamil picked us up at our Baku hotel around 9am. The drive to the mountains takes 3-4 hours. Nevertheless as our friendly and competent guide gave us numerous interesting information the time passed quickly.
As you leave glamorous Baku you drive through the suburbs, pass along smaller settelments and farms in the arid landscape. Reaching the small city of Quoba you turn towards the mountains and finally find yourself in the middle of a breathtaking scenery. The peaks here reach over 3000m, just short grasses and occasional shrubs grow here.
Khinalig is the starting point of a 2-3h hike, which although it offers stunning views and experience of nature is easy to accomplish. It ends at Gleykhudat with admittance to the house of a local family and a good tasting homecooked lunch. What a difference between the modern life in Baku and these isolated villages. After a short hike back to the car it‘s another 3h back to Baku, reaching it around 9pm.Just expect driving in Azerbaijan to be a bit wilder than probably at your home.
Great thanks to Turlan and Jamil!
To repeat myself: a definite must do tour!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Manseeingtheearth
Oct 3, 2021
Easily the absolute best tour I’ve ever been on! - I can’t overstate the phenomenal experience we had on this tour. Nurlan and Jamal from Outdoor Caucuses provided us with what is without a doubt the best tour I have been on in almost 30 years of traveling around the world. Their natural charisma, knowledge and wonderfully amiable and good natured manner was the perfect fit for two guys in a very foreign country who had trepidations about touring Azerbaijan. What we thought might be a dreadful experience turned out to be one of the happiest experiences ever. I understand how hyperbolic I might sound, but there’s no other honest way to extoll the phenomenal experience Nurlan and Jamal provided us. And having one man solely in charge of driving and the other dedicated to talking and explaining everything added a sense of safety. Nurlan provided all the confidence we needed to make the 6 mile trek to Galakhudat towards the top and enjoy an authentic home cooked meal. From their gentle and easy-going friendliness to the food they provided us to their dedication to our safety, sightseeing enjoyment and their professionalism, we wish we never had to have different tour guides anywhere in the world. Yes, the scenery and cultural experience are breathtaking, but Nurlan and Jamal were truly the engine that made everything an unforgettable life experience. We want to come back! Please don’t just take my word for it.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Khalifaa359
Aug 12, 2019
Best Hiking trip - Nurlan was an amazing and professional and friendly guide. The ride to the mountain was rocky if someone has motion sickness, you need to pack your meds. Otherwise, every minute was worth it! The views, the hike, the people! Everything was perfect! One of our favorite hikes worldwide.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Ffahhad
Jun 4, 2019
Thanks! - The hike was quite nice it required some effort but it was amazing!
The tour guide was funny and spoke good english. He also took us to a traditional house and made us try traditional Azerbaijani food.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jlk2011
Jun 3, 2019
Fabulous way to enjoy the amazing Azerbaijan mountains - Our driver Nurlan and guide Sakit could not have been kinder to 2 50+ ladies on this 13 our trip, loaning me a cagoole and gaiters, buying us snacks, and answering our endless questions. Nurlan's driving is to be highly praised, as it is a long drive, partly on winding roads. Hiking was fabulous - we saw golden eagles, mountain meadows, and the 3 mountain villages of Cek, Xinaliq and Qalaxudat. In addition to a lovely coffee stop opposite FiveFinger Mountain, we had a delicious cooked lunch in Qalaxudat, with tea, fresh local produce and the best bread imaginable. The scenery is wonderful, and the hiking manageable, though I could feel the altitude. On a practical note, make sure you wear appropriate shoes, as it is muddy at the start. The weather can be very changeable, so layers are practical - and you will need warm clothes.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
More activities from this operator
