Candy Cane Mountains
Striped red-and-white hills on the road to Shahdag, coloured by iron-rich sedimentary banding.
Included in 3 tours
Mountain Escape
Candy Mountains, Five Finger Mountain & Shahdag ski resort
- Duration
- 2 Days / 1 Night
- Overnight stays
- 1 nights
- Stops
- 5
Two days and one night into the Greater Caucasus, built around the drive north through Quba to Shahdag, Azerbaijan's flagship mountain resort.
The journey up is a substantial part of the value. The road passes the Candy Cane Mountains, where iron-rich sedimentary banding reads as diagonal red-and-cream stripes across bare hillsides, and Five Finger Mountain, a limestone massif rising straight out of the coastal plain with a pilgrimage shrine near its summit.
At Shahdag itself the lifts run year-round. Outside the ski season there is a mountain roller coaster, zip lines, paragliding and horse riding, so this package works in summer as well as winter.
Who this tour suits
- Visitors who want mountains and alpine air rather than more city
- Families. The Shahdag activity programme suits a wide age range
- Anyone travelling outside ski season who still wants the Caucasus
- Photographers: the Candy Cane Mountains in low light are the draw
On pace: Roughly three hours each way from Baku, broken by two genuine scenic stops. Comfortable rather than rushed, with an overnight to break the driving.
What's included
- Complimentary airport pickup & drop-off
- Quba & Shahdag Tour, full day
- 1 Night Stay (Out of Baku)
Itinerary
-
Day 1
- Candy Mountains (Rainbow / Candy Cane Hills)
- Five Finger Mountain, scenic photo stop
- Quba Gate & Quba Forest
- Shahdag Ski Resort. Cable car, roller coaster, zipline, paragliding, horse riding
- Overnight in Gabala
-
Day 2
- Free time / transfer back to Baku & airport drop-off
Places you'll visit
Each stop has its own guide, what it is, how long to allow, and what to expect.
Five Finger Mountain
A five-pronged limestone outcrop rising beside the northern highway, and a long-standing pilgrimage site.
Included in 3 tours
Quba
Northern apple-and-carpet region, gateway to Shahdag and to the Candy Cane Mountains.
Included in 3 tours
Shahdag
Azerbaijan's flagship mountain resort. Winter skiing, and cable cars, ziplines and paragliding the rest of the year.
Included in 3 tours
Gabala
Forested foothills resort town in the Greater Caucasus. Cable cars, waterfalls, lakes and wine country nearby.
Included in 5 tours
Pricing
Choose the class that fits your group. We quote per trip rather than publishing a rate card, so the price reflects your dates, group size and route.
| Vehicle | Capacity | Airport transfer |
|---|---|---|
| Sedan | 3 Adults + 1 Child | Complimentary |
| SUV | 4 Adults + 1 Child | Complimentary |
| Van | 7 Adults | Complimentary |
You book the whole vehicle, not a seat, the price is the same whether one person travels or the vehicle is full. Tell us your dates and group size and we will quote for your trip.
Frequently asked questions
Is Shahdag worth visiting outside ski season?
Yes. The cable cars run year-round and there is a full summer programme. Mountain roller coaster, zip lines, paragliding, horse riding and walking trails from the upper stations.
Is accommodation included?
No. The package covers the vehicle, driver and route; hotels are booked separately and paid directly. We are happy to recommend options at different price points near Shahdag and Gabala.
How cold does it get?
Considerably colder than Baku at altitude, often ten degrees or more. Bring proper layers regardless of the season.
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View packageReady to plan your trip?
Tell us your dates and group size and we will put together the right itinerary and vehicle.
Or call +994 77 199 17 55 , 08:00 to 20:00, 7 days a week