North Region
Guba
Distance from Baku: 168 km
Population: 157,6 thsd person
How to get to: Auto transportation: regular buses Baku – Guba
– 3 hours
Its location is one of the closest to the
capital regions of Azerbaijan. Due to its good location (168 km from Baku) and
rich infrastructure, the Guba region is one of the favorite tourist
destinations. Visitors have long chosen Gechresh place where you can relax in
the shady woods, Tangaalti gorge where the river carries Velvelichai stormy
waters, the famous waterfall Afurdzhi that is listed in Monuments of
Azerbaijani Nature List. The district has a unique mountain village Khinalig,
located at an altitude of 2500 m. above sea level. The population of the
village is a separate ethnographic group, with its own language. In Guba, there
is also a famous village of Krasnaya Sloboda, which is home to one of the
largest communities of Mountain Jews in the world. Guba is also famous for its
apples, which became its symbol. Furthermore, Guba is a recognized carpet
weaving center. There are many architectural monuments preserved in the
vicinity of Guba. At one time, Guba was visited by the famous French writer
Alexander Dumas, the writer Bestujev-Marly, the famous Norwegian scientist and
explorer Thor Heyerdahl. And today Guba is welcoming guests from all around the
world.
Guba is located on the north-eastern flanks of
hills of the Shahdag mountain belonging to the Greater Caucasus mountains at
the altitude of 600 m above sea level on the bank of Gudial river at the
distance of 168 km from Baku. Due to the favorable location and rich
infrastructure Guba district is one of the favorite tourist destinations.
Visiters since
long time ago have chosen Gyachresh
place where you can relax in the shady woods, Tengealtin gorge, where the
turbulent river Velvelichai runs, the famous Afurdzhin waterfall which is
included into the list of “Monuments of Azerbaijan Nature”.
There is a
unique mountainous Khinalig village at the territory of this district which
located at the altitude of 2500 meters above sea level. The population of the
village is a separate ethnographic group with its only language which no one
else in the world speaks. Not far from Khinalig is located one more distinctive
mountainous village – Griz.
The famous
village Krasnaya Sloboda which is a home to one of the larges communities of
Mountain Jews in the world is also located in Guba. The inhabitants of this village
are engaged mainly in trade. You can see pompous, blinding by their beauty
villas erected all across the village.
Guba is
famous for its apples which have long become its symbol. Guba residents affirm
that there are more than 40 different varieties of apples.
Many
architectural monuments are preserved in the vicinity of the city: the Juma
mosque, the mausoleum of the XVI century, Sakina – Khanum mosque, ancient
baths. The city has a historical museum, museum - house of educator, writer and
public figure of the XX century A. Bakikhanov.
Besides it
Guba is a recognized center of carpet weaving. Local people believe that
traditional Guba carpets Chichi, Ag Gul, Pirabadil are the best in Azerbaijan.
At the time
Guba was visited by the famous French writer Alexander Dumas, writer Bestuzhev
– Marlinskiy, the famous Norwegian scientist and traveler Thor Heyerdahl.
Today
everything in Guba is ready to welcome the guests who come more and more with
every other year. The Guba information center for tourism provides the visitors
with different kinds of assistance.
Khinalig
The village is located on a conical mountain peak at an altitude of 2300 meters above sea level. They say that this area is associated with Noah. According to the legend, when Noah saw this tall and flat terrain, he dropped the anchor and told everyone to leave the ark. There are about 380 houses that are 200-300 years old. Since the slopes here are very steep, the houses are built very close to each other. The roof of one house is the courtyard for another one located above. Khinalig people preserved their traditional way of life. Since the villagers are mainly engaged in sheep breeding, the weaving is widespread. Locals are one of the Albanian tribes and they speak a completely original language. Khinalig village known not only for its ancient traditions, but also by the fact that Bigfoot has been seen there.... However, you personally can ask the eyewitness Hunter Babaali Babaaliev about this, when you visit this place.
Gusar
Distance from Baku: 180 km
Population: 90,5 thsd person
How to get to: Auto transportation: regular buses Baku – Gusar – 3,5 hours
Called
“Northern Gates” due to its geographical location the Gusar city is the last
large settlement in the north of Azerbaijan and borders the Republic of
Dagestan of the Russian Federation. In this area live Lezgins – a distinctive
hospitable people with a rich culture.
At the
territory of Gusar district are four out of nine existing in the Republic
climatic zones. Favorable natural conditions create a great opportunity for
organization of the resorts, recreational and tourist complexes in this area.
The recently opened the summer and winter sports and tourist center of the
international standards Shahdag gained a high popularity. This is a popular ski
resort in winter and a camp site in the lap of the Caucasus mountains in
summer.
Not far
from the complex is located an ancient village Laza surrounded by mountains and
well known for its majestic waterfalls. Competitions on climbing are held at
the frozen waterfalls in winter.
Many
historical monuments are preserved in Gusar district.
In 1825-26
in exile in Gusar was Russian poet Mikhail Lermontov. The city has a museum-house
of the poet.
Cultural
life in Gusar is very rich. There are lots of music groups in the city and
among them is the folklore ensemble “Lezginka”.
Among the
most popular crafts the most developed is carpet weaving – especially
production of non-pile rugs “sumah” woven both at home and in the shop located
in the city center. By the way, in the same carpet shop is installed the
largest loom in the country, at which at the same time can work up to 10
people.
Today the
administrative center of Gusar district is a well maintained clean town.
Any
information relating to tourist routes can be obtained in the Tourism
Information Center located in “Dostlug parki” (“Park of Friendship”).
Khachmaz
Distance from Baku: 157 km
Population: 164,5
thsd person
How to get to: Auto transportation: buses Baku –Khachmaz,
Baku – Nabran, - 3 hours
By train: Baku – Yalama – 5 hours, Baku – Moscow (up to Yalama)
Khachmaz
district located in the north-west of the country covers the most part of Samur
–Davachi lowlands and in the north borders the Russian Federation. Besides
Khachmaz city the district includes Khudat city, Yalama settlement, Nabran
tourist area and some dozens of villages.
More than
60 monuments of history and culture are preserved in the district.
Khachmaz
has a rich flora and fauna. 20 800 hectares of land area are covered by
forests, 8 rivers run there and there are 3 artificial lakes. The climate is
temperate, there are thermal and mineral springs. The flora of the area is
represented by medical plants, such as rose, loach, St. John’s - wort, willow,
lemon balm etc.
Guests will
be glad to see the animal world of this area: it is a home to wild boars,
raccoons and in foothills a running through the deer can be seen. There are
good opportunities for hunting and fishing in this area. The Gulaln reserve is
located here. The most popular recreational area in the country – Nabran is located here at no doubt.
Here in a
beautiful place, where forests are adjacent to the sandy beaches the tourist
infrastructure is highly developed: many hotels, hostels, guest houses are
built. Conditions in there are different – from luxury hotels and cozy cottages
for small number of visitors to the tent camps.
Nabran
resorts are climatic resorts in Azerbaijan. The local sea water, hot sand and
sunbathing are considered extremely useful for recreation and treatment of many
diseases.
Nabran is
always crowded in pick season because thousands of tourists from all over the
country and from abroad come here to take a break from working days. There are
relict forests here with many ancient beeches and elms.
Among the
most popular tourist centers are Atlant, Palma, Malibu, Sahil, Lotos, Green
Ville, etc. The most popular entertainments for holidaymakers are water parks,
swimming pools, riding on scooters, “bananas”, paintball, soccer, beach
volleyball, tennis, badminton, etc. Many restaurants offering delicious
national and European cuisine are functioning on the coast. Bars and discos are
working until dawn.
Staying at
one of the hotels in Nabran you can easily make trips and excursions to nearby
towns and surrounding districts: to go to Khachmaz with its shady parks and
cozy tea houses, explore the ancient fortress in Khudat city, to go to the
sauna with healing thermal waters in Khudat or to pay a visit to the Olympic
complex in Gusar. It is worth to look at “Iron Gates” of Derbent fortress and places of stay of
ancient man.
Tourists love to visit the Nabran. This area is well known worldwide. Everyone wants to enjoy the sun lying on a sandy beach and in the evening to taste a kebab sturgeon. And go back home remembering local forests and clean air in order to come back here again.