Azerbaijan · Waterfall Tours

Full-Day Gabala and Tufandag Nature Tour from Baku via Shamakhi

4 Days Round trip from JJGV+PGH Easy pace

The journey

Trip highlights
  • 01 See the historic Juma Mosque in Shamakhi, one of the earliest mosques in the Caucasus region
  • 02 Enjoy the serene beauty of Seven Beauties Waterfall in the forested Vandam area of Gabala
  • 03 Relax by Nohur Lake beneath the foothills of the Greater Caucasus Mountains
  • 04 Ride the Tufandag cable car and take in breathtaking mountain views
  • 05 Make unforgettable memories in the natural landscapes and old cultural centres of Azerbaijan

Travel into the Azerbaijan Mountains from Baku on a full-day tour through Shamakhi and Gabala, where nature and history come together in every season. Visit the historic Juma Mosque, admire the serene beauty of Seven Beauties Waterfall and Nohur Lake, and head up to Tufandag Mountain Resort for sweeping views of the Greater Caucasus. This experience is an ideal choice for travellers who love snow scenery and winter activities, as well as greenery and cool weather during the rest of the year.

Visit the historic Juma Mosque, admire the serene beauty of Seven Beauties Waterfall and Nohur Lake, and head up to Tufandag Mountain Resort for sweeping views of the Greater Caucasus.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 4 Days
Tour type Private
Activity level Easy
Accommodation Not included
Transport Included
Wheelchair access No
Cities Baku, Qabala, Shamakhi
Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

1
Day 01

Juma Mosque Visit in Shamakhi

  • 09:00 - Pick up from any address or arranged meeting point within Baku.
  • After meeting at the arranged meeting point, we drive to Shamakhi.
  • Our first stop is the Juma Mosque in Shamakhi. It is a 120-minute drive from the meeting point to the mosque. The mosque's origins trace back to 744 CE, making it the oldest mosque in Azerbaijan and one of the earliest in the Caucasus region. It was established during the Arab Caliphate's expansion, under the governance of Maslam ibn Abd-al-Malik, who chose Shamakhi as his residence. The mosque's foundation is believed to have been laid during this period, marking the introduction of Islam to the region. The Juma Mosque is distinguished by its three-hall layout, a rare architectural design in Azerbaijan. The central hall is crowned with a large dome, while smaller domes cover the two side halls. Each hall has its own mihrab and entrance, facilitating separate prayer spaces. The mosque remains an active place of worship, welcoming both locals and tourists.
  • Guests will spend approximately 30 minutes here with an explanation from their private guide.
2
Day 02

Seven Beauties Waterfall in Gabala

  • The tour continues to Gabala. Our first stop in Gabala is the Seven Beauties Waterfall. It is a 120-minute drive from the Juma Mosque to the waterfall. The Seven Beauties Waterfall (Yeddi Gözəl) is a stunning natural attraction in the Vandam settlement of Gabala, Azerbaijan. Situated approximately 4 km from the centre of Gabala city, this multi-tiered waterfall is renowned for its serene beauty and tranquil surroundings. The waterfall comprises seven distinct cascades, with the lower two visible from the base. Visitors must ascend a series of wooden stairs to view the remaining five, which can be physically demanding. Nestled within a dense forest, the area remains cool and shaded, providing a refreshing escape from the summer heat. The path to the waterfall may be icy and challenging to navigate during late autumn, winter, and early spring. The waterfall and its surroundings provide excellent opportunities for photography, capturing the cascading water and lush greenery.
  • Guests will spend approximately 20 minutes walking to the top and around the waterfall.
3
Day 03

Scenic Stop at Nohur Lake

  • Next, we head to Nohur Lake. It is a 5-minute drive from the waterfall to this point. Nohur Lake (Nohur Gol) is a serene natural gem nestled in the foothills of the Greater Caucasus Mountains, just 5 km east of Gabala city in Azerbaijan. Surrounded by the towering peaks of Gulluburun, Goydag, and Yumru, the lake sits 700 metres above sea level, offering a tranquil retreat amidst lush forests and clear waters. The lake spans 240 hectares with a maximum depth of 24 metres. Initially, it was a natural lake, but it was transformed into a reservoir in 1949 to support local agriculture. Water sources are fed by seasonal streams from the Caucasus Mountains and the Damiraparan and Vandam rivers. During colder months, the lake's surface can freeze up to 50-60 cm thick, creating a picturesque winter landscape.
  • Guests will spend approximately 30 minutes here on their own, enjoying the serene beauty of the surroundings.
4
Day 04

Tufandag Mountain Resort Experience

  • The last stop of the tour is Tufandag Mountain Resort. It is a 15-minute drive from the lake to this destination. Tufandag Mountain Resort is a premier ski and adventure destination just 4 km from Gabala city centre in Azerbaijan's Greater Caucasus Mountains. You can practise the 4-ropeway pass (Riverside, Gabala, Duruja, Yatmish Gozal), and whether you are seeking winter thrills or summer escapades, the resort offers diverse activities amidst breathtaking natural beauty. The resort boasts 12 km of slopes catering to all skill levels, equipped with modern snowmaking facilities and accessible via cable cars offering panoramic mountain views. Travellers will spend about 90 minutes here enjoying their own experience, the cable car ride, and the natural beauty of the surroundings. We complete the tour here and return to Baku. The driving distance from Tufandag to Baku City Centre is 4 hours.
Juma Mosque, Seven Beauties Waterfall, Nohur gölü, Tufandag Mountain Resort

Where this trip takes you

Juma Mosque, Seven Beauties Waterfall, Nohur gölü, Tufandag Mountain Resort

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map
Round trip from JJGV+PGH 3 cities · 4 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

  • Pick-up from your hotel and drop-off back at your hotel
  • English-speaking tour guide
  • Comfortable transportation

What's Not Included

  • Food and drinks
  • Gratuities
  • Entrance fees (cable car activity fee for 2 or 4 lines - estimated price starts from 11 USD per person; Nohur Lake boat ride - estimated price is 12 USD per boat for 4-person capacity)
  • Anything not mentioned in the inclusions

What to bring

Nothing special.

Know before you go

  • Guests must be ready in the hotel lobby or at the arranged meeting point 15 minutes prior to the scheduled pick-up time.
  • The general tour duration is 12 hours, but it can take 13-14 hours in order to give you an unforgettable experience along the way.

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point
Nizami metro stansiyası, Baku, Azerbaijan
Tour start
JJGV+PGH, M1, Şamaxı, Azerbaijan
Tour ends at the same location as the start point.
End of the journey

Your 4 days finish where they began, in JJGV+PGH.

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